Matthew 2:9
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.
Matthew 2:9 in other translations
| BSB | After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. |
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| WEB | They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was. |
| ASV | 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. |
| YLT | And they, having heard the king, departed, and lo, the star, that they did see in the east, did go before them, till, having come, it stood over where the child was. |
| DARBY | And they having heard the king went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went before them until it came and stood over the place where the little child was. |
| BBE | And after hearing the king, they went on their way; and the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the young child was. |
| Webster | 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. |
What does Matthew 2:9 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. When they had heard the king, they departed--But where were ye, O Jewish ecclesiastics, ye chief priests and scribes of the people? Ye could tell Herod where Christ should be born, and could hear of these strangers from the far East that the Desire of all nations had actually come; but I do not see you trooping to Bethlehem--I find these devout strangers journeying thither all alone. Yet God ordered this too, lest the news should be blabbed, and reach the tyrant's ears, before the Babe could be placed beyond his reach. Thus are the very errors and crimes and cold indifferences of men all overruled. and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east--implying apparently that it had disappeared in the interval. went before them, and stood over where the young child was--Surely this could hardly be but by a luminous meteor, and not very high.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Verses 9,10. The star--went before them. From this it appears that the star was a luminous meteor, perhaps at no great distance from the ground. It is not unlikely that they lost sight of the star after they had commenced their journey from the East. It is probable that it appeared to them first in the direction of Jerusalem. They concluded that the expected King had been born, and immediately commenced their journey to Jerusalem. When they arrived there, it was important that they should be directed to the very place where he was, and the star again appeared. It was for this reason that they rejoiced, They felt assured that they were under a heavenly guidance, and would be conducted to the new-born King of the Jews. And this shows,
(1.) that the birth of Jesus was an event of great moment, worthy of the Divine direction of these men to find the place of his nativity.
(2.) God will guide those who are disposed to find the Saviour. Even if for a time the light should be withdrawn, yet it will again appear, and direct us in the way to the Redeemer.
(3.) Direction to Christ should fill us with joy. He is the way, the truth, and the life; the Saviour, the Friend, the all in all; there is no other way of life, and there is no peace to the soul till he is found. When we are guided ta him, therefore, our hearts should overflow with joy and praise; and we should humbly and thankfully follow every direction that leads to the Son of God, Jn 12:35,36.
(k) "in the East" Mt 2:2
(1.) that the birth of Jesus was an event of great moment, worthy of the Divine direction of these men to find the place of his nativity.
(2.) God will guide those who are disposed to find the Saviour. Even if for a time the light should be withdrawn, yet it will again appear, and direct us in the way to the Redeemer.
(3.) Direction to Christ should fill us with joy. He is the way, the truth, and the life; the Saviour, the Friend, the all in all; there is no other way of life, and there is no peace to the soul till he is found. When we are guided ta him, therefore, our hearts should overflow with joy and praise; and we should humbly and thankfully follow every direction that leads to the Son of God, Jn 12:35,36.
(k) "in the East" Mt 2:2
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 In the east - Or, at its rise. See Mat 2:2. Stood over where the young child was - Super caput pueri, Over the head of the child, as the Opus Imperfectum, on this place, has it. See Griesbach's Var. Lect. So it appears to have been a simple luminous meteor in a star-like form, and at a very short distance from the ground, otherwise it could not have ascertained the place where the child lay. But the last quoted reading, from the Opus Imperfectum, justifies the opinion that the luminous appearance which had hitherto directed them now encompassed the head of the child; and probably this gave the first idea to the ancient painters, of representing Christ in the manger, with a glory surrounding his head. This glory, or nimbus, is usually given also to saints and eminent persons, especially in the Roman Church, by all Roman Catholic painters.
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 2:9-12
What joy these wise men felt upon this sight of the star, none know so well as those who, after a long and melancholy night of temptation and desertion, under the power of a spirit of bondage, at length receive the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of God. We may well think what a disappointment it was to them, when they found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mother the only attendant he had. However, these wise men did not think themselves baffled; but having found the King they sought, they presented their gifts to him. The humble inquirer after Christ will not be stumbled at finding him and his disciples in obscure cottages, after having in vain sought them in palaces and populous cities. Is a soul busy, seeking after Christ? Would it worship him, and does it say, Alas! I am a foolish and poor creature, and have nothing to offer? Nothing! Hast thou not a heart, though unworthy of him, dark, hard, and foul? Give it to him as it is, and be willing that he use and dispose of it as it pleases him; he will take it, and will make it better, and thou shalt never repent having given it to him. He shall frame it to his own likeness, and will give thee himself, and be thine for ever. The gifts the wise men presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Providence sent these as a seasonable relief to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. Thus our heavenly Father, who knows what his children need, uses some as stewards to supply the wants of others, and can provide for them, even from the ends of the earth.
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Matthew 2:9 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Matthew 2:9
- 2 Peter 1:19
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
- Matthew 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
- Proverbs 8:17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
- Psalms 25:12
What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
- Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; …
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Matthew 2:8
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
- Matthew 2:9
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.
- Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:9 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y ellos, habiendo oído al rey, se fueron: y he aquí la estrella que habían visto en el oriente, iba delante de ellos, hasta que llegando, se puso sobre donde estaba el niño. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et eux, ayant entendu le roi, s’en allèrent; et voici, l’étoile qu’ils avaient vue dans l’orient allait devant eux, jusqu’à ce qu’elle vint et se tint au-dessus du lieu où était le petit enfant. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Sie aber, als sie den König gehört hatten, zogen hin. Und siehe, der Stern, den sie im Morgenlande gesehen hatten, ging vor ihnen her, bis er kam und oben über dem Orte stand, wo das Kindlein war. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Qui cum audissent regem, abierunt, et ecce stella, quam viderant in oriente, antecedebat eos, usque dum veniens staret supra, ubi erat puer. |