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Matthew 2:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
Matthew 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt;
15and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
18A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child`s life.
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying-- (Jer 31:15, from which the quotation differs but verbally).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then was fulfilled - The word “fulfilled,” here. is used evidently in the sense that the words in Jeremiah aptly express the event which Matthew was recording. Compare the notes at Matthew 1:22. That which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet - Jeremiah. This quotation is taken from Jeremiah 31:15. The original design of the prophecy was to describe the sorrowful departure of the people of Israel into captivity after the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuzaradan. The captives were assembled at Rama, Jeremiah himself being in chains, and there the fate of those who had escaped in the destruction of the city was decided at the will of the conqueror, Jeremiah 40:1. The nobles had been slain; the sons of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then was fulfilled - A passage of Scripture, whether prophetic, historical, or poetical, is in the language of the New Testament fulfilled, when an event happens to which it may with great propriety be accommodated. Matthew 2:18”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 2:15 Matthew 2:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification