What does Matthew 2:11 mean?

Matthew 2:11 (KJV) reads: "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts." It sits in Matthew chapter 2, a piece of Gospel emphasising Jesus as promised Messiah and King from the New Testament, and is most often read as a verse about christmas. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how Matthew as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of Matthew 2:11 in Matthew?

Matthew 2:11 belongs to Matthew 2, which fits inside Matthew's wider message as Gospel emphasising Jesus as promised Messiah and King. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is Matthew 2:11 from the Old or New Testament?

Matthew 2:11 is from the New Testament — specifically the book of Matthew, chapter 2. That matters because New Testament verses are written after the resurrection and speak directly into the life of the church under the new covenant.

What translation of Matthew 2:11 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise Matthew 2:11?

Read Matthew 2:11 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of christmas so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply Matthew 2:11 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around christmas — where Matthew 2:11 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Christmas Card Verse

Matthew 2:11 for Christmas Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Christmas

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts.”

Matthew 2:11

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why Matthew 2:11 works for christmas cards

The Wise Men's worship — our response to Christmas should mirror theirs.

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts."

Read Matthew 2 (KJV) →

How to use this christmas card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read Matthew 2 in the KJV.

More Christmas card verses

Luke 2:10-11

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Matthew 1:23

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Micah 5:2

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel."

John 1:14

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

See all 12 christmas card verses →