Went before them ( ). Imperfect tense, kept on in front of them, not as a guide to the town since they now knew that, but to the place where the child was, the inn according to Lu 2:7. Justin Martyr says that it was in a cave. The stall where the cattle and donkeys stayed may have been beneath the inn in the side of the hill.

Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

1) “When they had heard the king, they departed,” (hoi de alkousantes tou Basileos eporeuthesan) “Then when they had heard the king they departed,” for Bethlehem, for the destination they had sought since they “saw the star in the east,” Mat 2:2. Yes, the wise men departed, but the very Scribes and High Priests, who under duress, fear of death, had told where Jesus was to be born, did not lift a foot or take a step to see or find Him, Joh 1:11-12.

2) “And, lo, the star,” (Kai idou ho aster) “And behold the star,” the guide that led them, as the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire had once led Israel, Exo 13:21-22.

3) “Which they saw in the east, went before them,” (hon eidon en te anatole proegen autous) “Which they (formerly) saw in the east, went before them,” as they journeyed south from Jerusalem toward Bethlehem. This implies that the star they had seen in the east earlier had departed from them for an interval. But it had returned to guide them on.

4) “Till it came and stood,” (heos’ elthon estathe) “Until coming (before them) it stood,” to identify the “star out of Jacob” and “Septre one out of Israel,” Gen 49:10; Num 24:17.

5) “Over where the young child was.” (epano ou en to paidion) “Over (the place) where the child was,” at apparently about the age of two years, Mat 2:16. Their quest was at an end! As a light, that star guided the wise men to Jesus. The Holy Spirit too, convicts, enlightens, and points men to Jesus Christ, then leads them on to a life of obedience to Him, Joh 16:7-9; Rom 8:14-16.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

9. But they, having heard the King, departed It is truly an instance of base sluggishness, that not one of the Jews offers himself as an escort to those foreigners, to go and see the King who had been promised to their own nation. The scribes show them the way, and point out the place where he was born; but they allow them to depart alone: not one moves a step. They were afraid, perhaps, of Herod’s cruelty: but it displayed wicked ingratitude that, for the sake of the salvation which had been offered to them, they were unwilling to undergo any risk, and cared less about the grace of God than about the frown of a tyrant. The whole nation, I have lately showed, was so degenerate, that they chose rather to be oppressed with the yoke of tyranny, than to submit to any inconvenience arising from a change. If God had not fortified the minds of the Magi by his Spirit, they might have been discouraged by this state of things. But the ardor of their zeal is unabated; they set out without a guide. And yet the means of confirming their faith are not wanting; for they hear that the King, who had been pointed out to them by a star, was long ago described, in glowing language, by divine predictions. It would seem that the star, which hitherto guided them in the way, had lately disappeared. The reason may easily be conjectured. It was, that they might make inquiry in Jerusalem about the new King, and might thus take away all excuse from the Jews, who, after having been instructed about the Redeemer who was sent to them, knowingly and willingly despise him.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

CRITICAL NOTES

Mat. 2:11. House.It is not reasonable to suppose that the holy family would require to stay long in the public khan or caravanserai, where the infant Saviour was born. Worshipped.The gathering of the Gentiles to the light of Israel was an essential part of true Judaism, and could not but be represented in the Gospel which set forth the glories of the King (Maclaren). Gifts.Natural enough as the traditional gifts of homage to a ruler (Plumptre). Gold would be always a suitable present. Frankincense and myrrh would be used chiefly in the houses of the great and in holy places. They were prized for the delicious fragrance which they suffused (Morison).

MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Mat. 2:9-11

Doing homage.In these verses the story of the previous verses is carried a step in advance. The infant King is not only heard of now, He is also beheld. Not only, now, is His kingdom proclaimed; not only is there evidence, now, that the proclamation is understood; we also find it obeyed. Only, however, as in the somewhat parallel case of 1Sa. 10:26, by a few; even by those wise men of whom we were previously told. Touching these, we see in this passage:

1. How they were brought to this sight.

2. How they were affected thereby.

I. How they were brought to this sight.We may attribute this, in the first place, to their own perseverance and faith. Unlike the priests, who had only pointed out the right place (Mat. 2:5); unlike Herod, who had only asked others to seek it (Mat. 2:8); these men started to find it. It would appear, moreover, that they did so with some degree of anxiety. If they had gained something in hearing of Bethlehem, they had lost something in missing the star. (For so the subsequent mention of it in Mat. 2:9-10, seems to imply.) For all that, however, they at once followed such light as they had. Bethlehem was the place in which they were bidden to search. To Bethlehem, therefore, when they had heard the king, they departed. They were brought to it, next, by the special mercy of God. This was manifested in two separate ways. The way of special encouragement. As they started (so it appears) the star reappeared. The sight filled them with joy (Mat. 2:10). Knowing to what it had previously guided them, viz. to hearing of Bethlehem as the predicted birthplace of the King they were seeking, they naturally rejoiced to see it again; and felt its reappearance so to be like the voice of a tried friend in their ears. The way of specific direction. After reappearing, the star went before them (Mat. 2:9) to show them the right way. After going before them, it stood still (ibid.), to show them the right spot. Thereunder that roofin that dwellingis the sight you desire. You have but to go in.

II. How they were affected by what they saw in that dwelling.Very significant, on this point, was their demeanour. In a direct manner we are told very little of what they beheld. They saw the young Child and His mother. They saw the Babe for which they were seeking, where such a babe might be expected to be, in the arms of its mother. What kind of sight was thus seen by them we can only see, as it were, by reflectionin their looks and gestures. They fall down before that Infant in arms. They offer Him worship and homage. Their knees, their hands, their lips even (?) are kissing the ground before Him. Every gesture shows that they have found in Him the King whom they sought. Almost more significant, next, are their gifts. The peculiar treasure of kings (Ecc. 2:9) is what they present unto Him. The things which they have brought from so far, and carried so carefully, and concealed from all others, they open for Him. The tribute of gold, the adoration of frankincense, the preserving virtue of myrrh, are what we see them present. Some think that there is unconscious prophecy as well as homage in this last; and that in this mention of myrrh, so soon after His birth, there is a silent reference to His death (see Joh. 19:39). At any rate, about the homage there is no manner of doubt. Neither is there any doubt, so we may notice yet further, about the impressiveness of this homage. Not only the nature of the gifts which were presented, but the men that brought them, the distance they came from, the guidance vouchsafed them, and the very tenderness of age of the King to whom these offerings were brought, are significant on this point. Much is rightly made in the Bible of the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon and of the gifts which she brought (1Ki. 10:2; 1Ki. 10:10, etc.; also Luk. 11:31). Great was the evidence afforded thereby of his reputation and power. All this homage, however, was paid to one who, in the ripeness of his age, was seated on the throne of his father David, and had just completed the temple of God. The homage paid here was to an infant in arms, who was hid in a dwelling which had to be pointed out to eyes that had been looking for it for months. It spoke, therefore, with even louder voice and greater accentuation of meaning. It showed that Jesus in obscurity was felt to be greater far than even Solomon in his glory; and that this Son of David, even in His infancy, was far above that!

HOMILIES ON THE VERSES

Mat. 2:9-10. The Magi led to Bethlehem.The wise men follow the direction of Scripture and go toward Bethlehem, having (so far as we read) neither convoy nor encouragement of any company.

1. If we desire to find Christ we must resolve to go after Him, alone or in company, either with or without encouragements from men, as God shall dispose.
2. God is not wanting to such as are on the way to seek Christ, but will renew directions and encouragements unto them as they stand in need; for the star which for a time disappeared, now appeareth again to them.
3. What one means doth not reach, God supplieth by another. The Scripture had told them of Bethlehem, but had not descended so low as the particular house. God supplieth the rest, by the direction of the star.
4. Those means which do lead a man most certainly unto Christ should be the matter of his special joy. They rejoiced, etc.David Dickson.

Mat. 2:11. Christ found and worshipped.

1. Such as seek Christ in truth shall find Him at length.
2. Such as believe that the Scriptures speak of Christ will see Him, though God, in His deepest humiliation, and by faith will pierce through all impediments.
3. Riches, wisdom, honour, and all that we have, ought to be laid down at Christs feet and offered to the service of Christ, as the fountain and owner thereof.Ibid.

Consecration and no-consecration.Whatever more there may beand there is much morein the visit of the wise men to the manger-cradle at Bethlehem, there is at least the lesson of consecration. These wise men had no greater joy than in emptying themselves of their treasures, and bestowing them in humblest adoration upon Him. To every man there comes the old choice of the Greek mythical herothe choice between virtue and pleasure, between good and evil, between duty and frivolity, between consecration to Christ and subjugation by some other master. Think of a few of the ways in which this call for a choice is answered.

I. There is the answerwhich is no answerof simple indifference.

II. Another form of no-consecration is simple self-culture.It recognizes that we are endowed with a complex nature, every part of which is capable of being developed. And this development, this contact, are in themselves enjoyment of an exalted kind. Self-culture, even on a humble scale, will never disappoint. But this is short of consecration; and the Christian conscience tells us that it is far inferior to it.

III. Consecration implies not only self-culture but self-surrender, and more than this, the joy of self-surrender. There may be consecration to a great cause, like justice or freedom. There may be consecration to an idea which we almost personify, and even deify, like truth or beauty. But it is to a personto some one greater, purer, better than ourselvesthat consecration is at once most passionately and most perseveringly rendered. And never does consecration of self take a nobler form than when a young man prostrates himself before the feet of his Saviour, and offers to Him, in their prime, the fulness of all his powers.H. M. Butler.

The homage of the wise men.

I. An outburst of faith.

1. In their beholding Christ.

2. Doing obeisance.

3. Presenting noblest gifts.

II. An indication of order and succession of believing experience.

1. We behold.

2. We fall down.

3. We present gifts.

III. A picture of genuine faith.

1. Vision issuing in humiliation.

2. Adoration issuing in joy of faith.

3. Perseverance of faith issuing in self-dedication and works of love.J. P. Lange, D.D.

Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell

(9) Which they saw. . . .The words would seem to imply that they started in the evening, and, as they started, saw the star in the direction of Bethlehem. In popular language it served to guide them, and so led them on. We need not suppose that they found the child whom they sought in the manger described by St. Luke. There had been time for the crowds that had been gathered by the census to disperse, and Joseph and Mary may have found a house in which they could lodge. The expectations that connected Bethlehem with the coming of the Christ might naturally lead them to remain there at least for a season,

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

9. Lo, the star The star re-appears. What star? The star, namely, which they saw, not at Jerusalem, nor on their way thither, but while they were in the East. Went before them The starry form came so lowly from the skies as to move horizontally before them, and guide their steps. Whether visible to any other than themselves is not said. Stood over So specifically and directly as to individualize the very house.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘And they, having heard the king, went their way, and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.’

Having heard what the king had to say the Magi took the well known route to Bethlehem. It was now simply a matter of following this well defined route, and then making enquiries in Bethlehem. And then something happened that rejoiced their hearts. For as they travelled they saw in front of them the same star as they had first seen ‘at its rising’. That is, it was the same astronomical phenomenon as they had previously observed when in the East. Here was evidence that they were on the right track both physically and intellectually. It confirmed their greatest hopes.

The star ‘went before them’. It does not say that they specifically followed it. That was unnecessary. They only had to follow the road, and there is no more reason to think that the star moved as it ‘went before them’, than there would have been to think that the road moved if it had said that they ‘followed the road’. It is the language of appearance (just as we say that ‘the sun rises’ when we know perfectly well that literally it does not). All that was necessary was that they thought that it moved before them, because that was what it appeared to do. After all they knew that stars moved, otherwise their months and years spent in calculating their movements would have been a waste of time, and those who travel widely often feel that the stars are moving before them. Many a mariner has spoken of following the north star, and of the north star, or some other heavenly lights, going before their ship, when it was only their ship that moved.

And then Bethlehem came into sight with the star still in front of them and to their delight it appeared as though the star hovered over Bethlehem. There was Bethlehem below them, and the light of the star appeared to be reflecting on the town. It was clear to them from this that the wonder child was indeed there. They had reached the end of their journey. Note the very vague ‘over where the young child was’. It is totally open to interpretation. We may make of it what we want.

(Whether the star did actually in any way stop, apart from because they were stopping, we do not know. But for any who quibble about whether a star could ‘stop’ we supply the following extract from an article by an expert astronomer, based on the assumption that having seen the conjunction of Jupiter with another star, producing an excessively bright star, they had continued to monitor Jupiter while on their travels, something which must be considered quite likely. They were after all observers of the stars.  “The word “stop” was used for what we now call a planet’s “stationary point.” A planet normally moves eastward through the stars from night to night and month to month, but regularly exhibits a “retrograde loop.” As it approaches the opposite point in the sky from the sun, it appears to slow, come to a full stop, and move backward (westward) through the sky for some weeks. Again it slows, stops, and resumes its eastward course. It seems plausible that the Magi were “overjoyed” at again seeing before them, as they travelled southward, the ‘star’, Jupiter, which at its stationary point was standing still over Bethlehem. We do know for certain that Jupiter performed a retrograde loop in 2 BC, and that it was actually stationary on December 25, interestingly enough, during Hanukkah, the season for giving presents.

But it should be noted that there is nothing in this story that any modern twenty-first century man and woman could not have said in the same circumstances, given a recognition of astrology and a descriptive frame of mind. It must not, however, be seen as vindicating astrology, which is disapproved of in Scripture. It simply indicates that God can use any instrument in His purposes. For we should note that no magic was involved. All that happened was a matter of interpretation. Had this been simply an invented account we can be sure that it would have been made much more exciting. But Matthew simply gives us the facts as he was probably told them by either Joseph, Mary or the Magi (from whom Joseph and Mary would have learned it).

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

In simple trustfulness, the Magi proceed to act according to the king’s words:

v. 9. When. they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the East went before them, till it came and stood, over where the young Child was.

They left Jerusalem, apparently all alone and with only general directions to guide them. Herod wanted no talebearers from among those that patterned after him. But the Magi, looking up to heaven, once more see their guide in the sky; they recognize the heavenly sign which had first called their attention to the miracle. And this star kept going before them all the way until, as they came to Bethlehem, it took up its definite position right over the house where the Child was, for He was the object of their search, to Him they were directed. Another proof that the star here referred to was made for just this purpose: it traveled from north to south. It must have stood much lower than other stars, since it indicated exactly in which house the Child was. “But this star, since it goes with them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, went from north to south; which therefore establishes clearly that it was of a different kind, course, and place than the stars in the sky. It was not an attached star, as the astronomers call the stars, but a free star that could rise and sink, turn to all places.”

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

Mat 2:9 . .] After they had heard the king , they set off on their journey. Description of their unsuspicious behaviour. Comp. Theophylact.

, , . . .] They travelled by night, in accordance with Eastern custom. See Hasselquist, Reise nach Palst . p. 152. Bengel appropriately remarks on : “Toto itinere non viderant stellam.”

] The aorist in the relative sentence, where we use the pluperfect . See Khner, II. 1, p. 145; Winer, p. 258 [E. T. 343].

] is the descriptive imperfect , not praecesserat (Hermann, Sskind, Paulus, Kuinoel), as if the star had again first shone upon them after they had come to Bethlehem. This explanation is ungrammatical (Buttmann, neut. Gr . p. 173 [E. T. 200]), and serves only to help to diminish the miraculous element, which is quite opposed to the character of the narrative. The common view alone is in keeping with the words: the star , which they had seen in its rising, went before them on their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and took up a position over the place (the house) where the child was . Amongst the Greeks also stars are mentioned as extraordinary guides, Elsner, p. 5 f.; Wetstein on the passage.

] See Mat 2:11 , . The going and standing of the star is miraculous; hence also the manner in which the particular house is indicated is left undetermined.

Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

It appears that Herod had so disguised his intentions, that the wise men had no consciousness of it. So is it in common life. But the Lord readeth the heart. What a wonderful ministry was this star! Evidently it must have had a particular motion, and different from the ordinary course of the stars. For the star which had been first seen by them in the East, now appeared to them in those Western heavens. And it was not confined to the ministry of the night, for now it appeared by day. And very low it must have shone, for it even pointed to an house; for it went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was! Reader! do not fail to observe the grace of GOD in this providence. He who hung out this star, did not hang it out in vain. The same God who led Israel by the cloud, led those wise men by a star. And while hanging a light without, gave the proper apprehension of the meaning within. And the effect was, as might be supposed, when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy! And is it not so with his people, whom he guides to JESUS now? The day dawn, and the day star, when first shining in the heart, and pointing to CHRIST, calls forth the anxious enquiry after CHRIST. And when darkness at any time intervenes, how blessed is it again after such obscurity, and doubt, and misgiving, to have new discoveries of Christ; and in so clear and open-a manner, leading to CHRIST, which, like this star, points to his very person, to shew where he is!

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Ver. 9. And, lo, the star ] A star either newly created, or at least wise strangely carried: for it stands one while, moves another, appears in the lower region, is not obscured by the beams of the sun: so that some have thought it was an angel, a It moved slowly, as might be best for the pace and purpose of these pilgrims.

Till it came and stood over where the young child was ] They show still at Bethlehem a little hole over the place where our Saviour was born, through which the star fell down to the ground. But who will not conclude that there was a vertigo in his head who first made a star subject to the falling sickness? Fuller’s History of Holy War.

a Angelus in specie sideris figuratus. An angel form in the appearance of a star. Per.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

9. ] On this see note on Mat 2:2 .

(elliptic for ) . may mean, ‘ over that part of Bethlehem where the young child was ,’ which they might have ascertained by enquiry. Or it may even mean, ‘over the whole town of Bethlehem.’ If it is to be understood as standing over the house , and thus indicating to the magi the position of the object of their search , the whole incident must be regarded as miraculous. But this is not necessarily implied, even if the words of the text be literally understood; and in a matter like astronomy, where popular language is so universally broad, and the Scriptures so generally use popular language, it is surely not the letter, but the spirit of the narrative with which we are concerned.

Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament

Mat 2:9-10 . The Magi go on their errand to Bethlehem . They do not know the way, but the star guides them. : looking up to heaven as they set out on their journey, they once more behold their heavenly guide. . . : is the meaning that they had seen the star only at its rising, finding their way to Jesus without its guidance, and that again it appeared leading them to Bethlehem? So Bengel, and after him Meyer. Against this is , Mat 2:7 , which implies continuous visibility. The clause , etc., is introduced for the purpose of identification. It was their celestial guide appearing again. : it kept going before them (imperfect) all the way till, arriving at Bethlehem, it took up its position ( ) right over the spot where the child was. The star seemed to go before them by an optical illusion (Weiss-Meyer); it really, in the view of the evangelist, went before and stopped over the house (De Wette, who, of course, regards this as impossible in fact).

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

had heard = having heard.

departed: to Nazareth (not to Bethlehem). App-169.

they saw. When in the east. See Mat 2:2.

went before = kept going before (Imperfect). Therefore not an astronomical phenomenon, but a miraculous and Divine act.

till. Implying both distance and time.

came = went: i.e. to Nazareth. See Mat 2:1.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

9.] On this see note on Mat 2:2.

(elliptic for ) . may mean, over that part of Bethlehem where the young child was, which they might have ascertained by enquiry. Or it may even mean, over the whole town of Bethlehem. If it is to be understood as standing over the house, and thus indicating to the magi the position of the object of their search, the whole incident must be regarded as miraculous. But this is not necessarily implied, even if the words of the text be literally understood; and in a matter like astronomy, where popular language is so universally broad, and the Scriptures so generally use popular language, it is surely not the letter, but the spirit of the narrative with which we are concerned.

Fuente: The Greek Testament

Mat 2:9. , , But when they had heard the king) The king ought rather to have heard and assisted them. The Magi, however, obtained the answer which they desired.[93]- , …, and, lo, the star, etc.) During the whole of their journey, they had not seen the star.-, having come) It may be conjectured, from the use of this verb, that the star was subject to the guidance of an intelligent cause.-Cf. , in Mat 2:8.

[93] Nor were they at all affected by the torpor and apathy of the scribes or of the Jews.-Vers. Germ.

Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament

God Rules and Overrules

Mat 2:9-15

The suggestion has been hazarded that the star was an unusual combination of three planets; but this would conflict with the disappearance and reappearance of the guiding light. Some experiences during the Welsh Revival seem to point to a connection between high spiritual experiences and a burning glory. Probably only the eyes of the Magi beheld this great light. See Act 9:3; Act 26:12-14.

When we follow Gods guidance, we may be sure that He will not fail to bring us to our goal. He who brings us out will also bring us in. He will perfect that which concerneth us. These Wise-Men prostrating themselves before the newborn babe were the first of a great procession of the kings of intellect who have followed them to the same spot. After all, does not all true science bend before the mystery of life? We cannot fathom the mystery, but we can adore. We can also present our gifts. Jesus is worthy to receive riches. It was thus that the Father provided beforehand for the expenses attendant on the approaching visit to Egypt. The Herods of this world are always plotting against the Lords Christ, but it is in vain. See Psa 2:1-12; Act 4:25.

Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary

the star: Mat 2:2, Psa 25:12, Pro 2:1-6, Pro 8:17, 2Pe 1:19

Reciprocal: Luk 2:15 – Let

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

THE GUIDING STAR

The Star went before them.

Mat 2:9

When God would make an Epiphany of His Son to the Gentiles, there were evidently two ways in which He might do it. He might send Him to them, or draw them to Him. He chose the latter.

I. The guiding star.Many persons are waiting and expecting that God will, some day, make some very wonderful demonstration to their souls. But that is not Gods usual method. There is truth, salvation, peace. It lies at a small distance; you must go to it; there must be a rising up, and an effort, and a determination, and a following, and a patience,but there is something to rouse you,there is enough to guide you, if you really wish to go,Jesus is a very little way off,but there is a star,a thought, a conviction, a teaching, a leading, a luring,sent for this very purpose, quite sufficient, certain to succeed, and bring you off safe, if you use it. These Magi were interested in astronomy, and the revelation from God came to them in the time of their ordinary pursuit. Religion generally does this; it meets a man according to the habit of his daily life. We all have a great amount of truth floating in our minds;what we want is, to have it made definite, and brought to a focus. That, the star did for them. That, some special act of the power of God will do for you. It is a great factand we cannot be too thankful to God for itthat truth, as such, is fascinating. This is true of all truth,up to Him who embodied it into Himself,I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.

II. The light suspended.Once they set out, the star steadily went before them, probably at such a distance as at once to lead, and yet not discourage them,just as all teaching, and all guidance, that is like Gods, must always be. For a little while, while they were at Jerusalem, we gather that it was not seen. That short suspension was not a small part of its faithfulness to the great Ante-type. For who that has ever been a follower of truth, does not know what those intervals are, when all that was just now so plain and bright, goes quite out,and there is no token of being loved, or led, or remembered, at all? And who has not felt the exceeding great joy of the coming back of the light, and of the becoming conscious again of a presence, and of the unchangeableness of God, and of the reality and the progress of the work which is going on, and which now occupies all our interest? Every one that has ever lost, and then recovered, a Christians hope, will understand well that the sight of the star again was the rejoicing with exceeding great joy.

III. Looking upward.Meanwhile, and all along, as they went, where did they look? Not at the road, not at their feet, but at the star, high up above them, in the sky. And oh! how many are going doubtingly, slowly, heavily, wearily, wrongly,simply because they look at their feet, and not at the star.

IV. The Christ at last.And at last, the star, which had always moved before them, now stood still. It rested at Christ. For that, it had gone forth;for that, it had shed its beam;for that it had travelled all the way;and now, a Christ reached, is a star at rest. And you, you have thousands of feelings, and desires, and pursuits, of which,whether you recognise it or not,the real centre is Christ. Believe that,that you are being borne on to something which will at last be satisfied. Do not stop, do not expect any end, till that end is a found, felt Saviour.

The Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustrations

(1) When Christ was born, He was revealed,first to the Jews, and afterwards to the Gentiles,to the shepherds, and then to the wise men. And observe that, as the Jews had the priority of time, so also they had a superiority in the manner of the declaration. It was animate life,an angelto the one; inanimate life,a star,to the other. And to the shepherds, it was done much more feelingly than to the Magi,it was loving, joyous, confidential, minute,Fear not, for behold, etc. To the Gentile, the intimation was distinct, sufficient; but it was a silent finger,they had one star. But to the shepherds,Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host. So, in every way, the Jew had the advantage, and will when He comes again in His Epiphany of glory.

(2) What trouble it must have cost these wise men to travel from their homes to the house where Jesus was born: how many weary miles they must have journeyed! The fatigues of an Eastern traveller are far greater than we in England can at all understand: the time that such a journey would occupy must necessarily have been very great; the dangers to be encountered were neither few nor small.But none of these things moved them: they had set their hearts on seeing Him that was born King of the Jews; and they never rested till they saw Him. They prove to us the truth of the old saying, Where there is a will there is a way.

Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary

2:9

Verse 9. The wise men were obedient to Herod tor the present in that they started on their journey to Bethlehem. That was a small town not far from Jerusalem and could have been easily found without any special aid. But it was necessary that they not only go to the right town but also that they find the particular house where the child was at that hour. The com- munity was full of people who had come in response to the decree of Caesar (Luk 2:1-3). It might not have been known that a child had been recently born among the throng, and an inquiry would not likely brlng any accurate information. Hence the star, which evidently had temporarily disappeared, came into view again and went as an escort for the wise men, going even to the very house where the infant was then being nursed.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

[The star, which they saw in the east, went before them.] It is probable the star had shone in the very birthnight: and thence-forward to this very time it had disappeared. The wise men had no need of the star to be their guide when they were going to Jerusalem, a city well known; but going forward thence to Beth-lehem, and that, as it seems, by night, it was their guide.

Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels

Mat 2:9. They went their way. The interview seems to have taken place in the evening, and they set out immediately afterwards, but night travelling is customary in the east.

Lo, the star, etc. The theory of a miraculous star easily explains the statement of this verse, and if we were told that the star stood over the house, then no other explanation will suffice. The expression, where the young child was, may, however, refer to Bethlehem. The astronomical theory thus explains the passage: The most remarkable conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn took place in May, and would be visible before sunrise (i.e., in the east), five months afterwards, a sufficient time to perform the journey; another conjunction took place which would be visible near the meridian shortly after sunset. If then they set out in the early night this phenomenon would be apparent in the direction of Bethlehem. Being near the zenith it would seem to go before them on their way. Supposing, then, the standing of the star to mean its reaching its zenith, there would be about sufficient time to reach Bethlehem, for the calculations show that the planets were at the zenith one and a half hours after sunset. The time of year, according to this view, was December 5.

Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Observe here, 1. How the star, which for some time disappeared now appears again, to their farther direction in finding Christ: teaching us, That God will not be wanting to such as are on the way to seek Christ, but will renew direction and encouragements to them, according as they stand in need: none ever sincerely sought Christ, but they certainly found him at the last.

Observe, 2. That the joy which arises in such a soul as has found Christ, is unutterable and unspeakable. The wise men here rejoiced with joy, with great joy, with exceeding great joy.

Observe, 3. The wise men having found this young King, they bring presents to him, according to the manner of the Eastern countries; namely, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which were the principal commodities of the east. But the best present we can make to Christ is ourselves; he seeks not ours, but us; and rather desires what we are than what we have. Yet the providence of God was wonderfully seen in these presents; for hereby provision was made for the sustenance of Joseph and Mary, and the child Jesus, in their exile or flight into Egypt, which they were shortly to undergo.

Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament

Mat 2:9. When they had heard the king, they departed Viz., from Jerusalem, without the least suspicion, it seems, of his treacherous and cruel designs. As these sages came from a distant country into Judea upon such an important discovery, and Bethlehem was so near, it is matter of wonder that none of the Jews attended them on their journey. But it is probable they were afraid of Herod. Or, perhaps, the dismission of the wise men might be kept a secret in Jerusalem; so that if any of the Jews had had an inclination to have gone with them, they might not have had an opportunity. And Herod might avoid sending any one with them, lest he should raise suspicion in the minds of the parents or relations of the child; or lest the Jews suspecting a plot, should contrive to bring about a revolt, or raise sedition. Or rather, the whole matter is to be referred to the providence of God, so ordering it that they should go unaccompanied, that the child might not be discovered to Herod. The Lord, however, prepared these illustrious strangers a better guide. For, lo, the star which they saw in the east In their own country, went before them This intimates that it had not been their guide in their journey from their own country. Nor was it needful they should have a guide, Jerusalem being sufficiently known. It had shone, it seems, on the night of his nativity, and then had disappeared till the present time. By its not appearing for a time, occasion was given for their inquiries at Jerusalem, which gave notice to the Jews of the birth of Christ; an event of which, it is likely, they would have had no information, if the star had led the wise men first to Bethlehem. And the reappearance of the star was probably intended of God to prevent their being discouraged at their not only not finding the king they sought in the royal city, but not being able to learn that any thing was known there concerning his birth, and especially in perceiving that when they had brought intelligence of it, all ranks seemed to be troubled, and not a single person of those whose native king he was offered himself as a companion to them, though come from a foreign land to worship him. Thus, also, their taking offence at the low condition in which they found Christ and his parents, was prevented. At the same time, it was a great confirmation of their faith, to be thus miraculously conducted to the very town pointed out in the Scriptures as the place of the birth of the Messiah. It left them not till it came and stood over where the young child was Thus pointing out the very house, lest if they should have been obliged to make anxious inquiry concerning the child, there should be some who might have carried the matter to Herod, and have discovered him and his parents. Here, therefore, the star stopped, and proceeded no further, and not long after, viz., as soon as the wise men arrived at the place, as is most probable, entirely vanished. Hence it appears, that this star was not in the higher heavens, but in the lower regions of the air; for no star in the heavens could have exactly pointed out a particular house. Nothing is said here concerning a ray descending from the star to the top of the house, or concerning the descent of the body of the star. It is therefore probable it was a meteor, which to them had the appearance of a star, as meteors frequently have. This appears, further, from its moving by intervals, sometimes moving and sometimes standing still, which the stars, properly so called, never do. Dr. Whitby conjectures that what the wise men saw in the east might be that very light which shone upon the shepherds at Bethlehem, when the angel came to impart unto them the tidings of our Saviours birth. This light certainly was exceeding great, as is clear from its being styled the glory of the Lord, and it was a light from heaven, hanging over their heads, and shining round about them. Now such a light, at a great distance, would appear as a star: or, as it ascended up from the shepherds it might be formed into the likeness of a star. A similar body of light, when they journeyed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, was formed into the same likeness in which it had formerly appeared, and went before them in the air to the latter city, and then sunk down so low as to point out the very house where the babe lay. In this case the star must have been seen by the wise men on the very day of Christs nativity.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Perhaps "the" star (Mat 2:2), whatever it was, was so bright that the wise men could see it as they traveled in daylight. Travel at night was common to avoid the heat, so they may have made the five-mile trip south to Bethlehem at night. Nevertheless this would have been winter, so they probably traveled during daylight hours. [Note: Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, pp. 25-26.]

The star could have identified Bethlehem as the town where Jesus abode, and the Magi could have obtained His exact location from the residents. On the other hand, the star may have identified the very house where Joseph and Mary dwelt. This seems more likely in view of Mat 2:11. God supernaturally guided the seekers so they found the Messiah. God’s provision gave them great joy (Mat 2:10; cf. Luk 2:10).

The reaction of the wise men to discovering "the child" and His mother was to bow and worship Him. Notice that they did not worship Mary nor did they worship Jesus through Mary.

It was customary in the ancient Near East to present gifts when approaching a superior (cf. Gen 43:11; 1Sa 9:7-8; 1Ki 10:2). The wise men produced these from their "treasures" or coffers. The expensive gifts reflected the great honor the Magi bestowed on the Christ child. The gold probably financed Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt (Mat 2:14-21). Frankincense is a gum obtained from the resin of certain trees that was particularly fragrant. Myrrh was also a sap-like substance that came from a tree that grew in Arabia. People used it as a spice and as a perfume often in embalming as well as in other applications. Many commentators, ancient and modern, have seen symbolic significance in these three gifts. Some have said gold suggests royalty while others have seen deity. Some say incense represents deity while others believe it better represents perfect humanity. Most expositors view myrrh as prefiguring Jesus’ death and burial. It is unlikely that the Magi saw this significance, but Matthew may have intended his readers to see it. This act by Gentile leaders also prefigures the wealth that the Old Testament prophets said the Gentiles would one day present to Israel’s Messiah (Psa 72:10-11; Psa 72:15; Isa 60:5; Isa 60:11; Isa 61:6; Isa 66:20; Zep 3:10; Hag 2:7-8). This will occur in the fullest sense at the Second Coming of Christ.

God supernaturally intervened to keep the Magi from returning to Herod who would have then been able to target Jesus precisely. Dreams were a common method of divine guidance during the Old Testament economy in which Jesus lived (cf. Num 12:6).

Several contrasts in this section reveal Matthew’s emphases. Herod, the wicked Idumean usurper king, contrasts with Jesus, the born righteous king of Israel. The great distance from which the Magi traveled to visit Jesus contrasts with the short distance Israel’s leaders had to travel to see Him. The genuine worship of the wise men contrasts with the feigned worship of Herod and the total lack of worship of the chief priests and scribes. The Gentile Magi’s sensitivity and responsiveness to divine guidance also contrast with the insensitivity and unresponsiveness of Israel’s leaders.

"The first to worship the King in Matthew’s Gospel are Gentiles, an implication of the last command of the Messiah. The supernatural stellar manifestations attest the divine character of the person of Jesus. Matthew also notes the fact that the Magi who worship the Messiah of Israel are forced to take refuge from Bethlehem. This, too, is a hint of the future antagonism of Israel to their King." [Note: Toussaint, p. 51.]

". . . he [Matthew] contrasts the eagerness of the Magi to worship Jesus, despite their limited knowledge, with the apathy of the Jewish leaders and the hostility of Herod’s court-all of whom had the Scriptures to inform them. Formal knowledge of the Scriptures, Matthew implies, does not in itself lead to knowing who Jesus is . . ." [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 86.]

"Even though Israel is cognizant of the prophecies, they are blind to spiritual realities. The King of Israel is worshiped by Gentiles, while His own people do not bother to own Him as their King. The condition of Israel is clearly implied in the early verses of Matthew’s Gospel. They are cold and indifferent." [Note: Toussaint, p. 52]

"The Gentile wise men worship the King of the Jews; the Jews are apathetic; and Herod is concerned only for his throne. Herod’s interest in his own political well-being marks the attitude of the governmental authorities throughout the remainder of the Gospel." [Note: Ibid., p. 53.]

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)