Matthew 2:7

“Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.”

Context:Matthew 2 records the account of the visit of the wise men (Magi) to Jerusalem in search of the newborn King of the Jews. This event took place shortly after the birth of Jesus, and it highlights the contrast between the response of the Magi and King Herod to the news of the Messiah’s birth.

Herod’s Reaction:King Herod was alarmed by the news of the birth of a new king. He saw this as a potential threat to his own reign and was deeply troubled. In verse 7, we see that Herod called the wise men secretly, indicating his intention to gather information from them without raising suspicion among the people.

The Wise Men’s Audience:Herod’s private meeting with the wise men demonstrates his desire to extract specific details from them. He wanted to know when the star had appeared, as it would give him an indication of the possible age of the child and help him devise a plan to eliminate the perceived threat to his throne.

The Significance of the Star:The wise men had observed a star in the East, which they recognised as a sign of the birth of the King of the Jews. The star guided them to Jerusalem, where they sought information from Herod before proceeding to Bethlehem. The appearance of the star and its timing were crucial elements in the unfolding of God’s plan to reveal the birth of Jesus.

Herod’s Deception:While Herod presented himself as interested in worshipping the newborn king, his true intention was to eliminate any potential rival to his throne. Later in the chapter, we learn that Herod ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the information he received from the wise men about the time of the star’s appearance (Matthew 2:16).

Fulfillment of Prophecy:Matthew frequently highlights how events in Jesus’ life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. In this case, the prophecy from Micah 5:2 is fulfilled, which states that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Herod’s inquiry about the time the star appeared, although motivated by deceit, inadvertently played a role in fulfilling this prophecy.

• In conclusion:Matthew 2:7 reveals Herod’s secret meeting with the wise men and his inquiry about the timing of the star’s appearance. This verse provides insights into the fear-driven response of Herod, the fulfilment of prophecy, and the contrast between Herod and the wise men in their pursuit of the Messiah.