have seen his star1 in the east, and are come to worship him.

1 Num. xxiv. Isa. lx. 3. Jno. v. 23.

countries. Many Jews, at that time, dwelt in Egypt, in Rome, and in Greece; many, also, had gone to eastern countries, and in every place they carried their scriptures, and diffused the expectation that some remarkable person was about to appear. Suetonius, a Roman historian, speaking of this rumour, says: "An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the east, that the Fates had decreed some one to proceed from Judea, who should attain universal empire." ""* Tacitus, another Roman historian, says: "Many were persuaded that it was contained in the ancient books of their priests, that at that very time the east should prevail, and that some one should proceed from Judea, and possess the dominion." Josephus, also, and Philo, two Jewish historians, make mention of the same expectation. The fact that such a person was expected is clearly attested. Under this expectation these wise men came to do homage to Jesus, and inquired anxiously where he was born? His star. Among the ancients, the appearance of a star or comet was regarded as an omen of some remarkable event. Many such appearances are recorded by the Roman historians at the birth or death of distinguished men. Thus, they say, that at the death of Julius Cæsar a comet appeared in the heavens, and shone seven days. These wise men also considered this as an evidence that the long-expected Prince was born. It is possible that they had been led to this belief by the prophecy of Balaam, Num. xxiv. 17: "There shall come a star out of Jacob," &c. What this star was, is not known. There have been many conjectures respecting it, but nothing is revealed concerning it. We are not to suppose that it was what we commonly mean by a star. The stars are vast bodies fixed in the heavens, and it is absurd to suppose that one of them was sent to guide the wise men. It is most probable that it was a luminous appearance, or meteor, such as we now see sometimes shoot from the sky, or such as

appears stationary, which the wise men saw, and which directed them to Jerusalem. It is possible that the same thing is meant which is mentioned by Luke ii. 9: "The glory of the Lord shone round about them," i. e. see Note on this place, a great light appeared shining around them. That light might have been visible from afar, and have been seen by the wise men in the east. [ Iæ the east. This does not mean that they had seen the star to the east of themselves, but that, when they were in the east they had seen this star. As this star was in the direction of Jerusalem, it must have been west of them. It might be translated, We, being in the east, have seen his star.' It is called his star, because they supposed it to be intended to indicate the time and place of his birth. To worship him. This does not mean that they had come to pay him religious homage, or to adore him. They regarded him as the king of the Jews. There is no evidence that they supposed he would be divine. They came honour him as a prince or a king, not as God. The original word implies no more than this. It meant to prostrate one's self before another; to fall down and pay homage to another. This was the mode in which homage was paid to earthly kings, and this they wished to pay to the new-born king of the Jews. See the same meaning of the word in Matt. xvii. 26; xx. 20; Luke xiv. 10; Acts x. 25. The English word worship also meant formerly, "to respect, to honour, to treat with civil reverence."

to

3. Had heard these things. Had heard of their coming, and of the star, and of the design of their coming. ¶ He was troubled. Herod had obtained the kingdom by great crimes, and by shedding much blood. He was, therefore, easily alarmed by any remarkable appearances; and the fact that this star appeared, and that it was regarded as proof that the king of the Jews was born, alarmed him. Besides, it was a common expectation that the Messiah was about to appear, and he feared that his reign was about to come to an end. He, therefore, began to inquire in what way he might secure his

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In

1 Acts v. 24. xvi. 20.

own safety, and the permanency of his government. All Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem, and particularly the friends of Herod. There were many waiting for the Consolation of Israel, to whom the coming of the Messiah would be a matter of joy; but all of Herod's friends would doubtless be alarmed at his coming.

4. The chief priests. By the chief priests here are meant not only the high priest and his deputy, but also the heads or chiefs of the twenty-four classes into which David had divided the sacerdotal families. 1 Chron. xxiii. 6, xxiv. ; 2 Chron. viii. 14; xxxvi. 14; Ezra viii. 24. Scribes. By the scribes, in the New Testament, are meant learned men, men skilled in the law, and members of the great council. They were probably the learned men, or the lawyers of the nation. They kept the records of the court of justice, the registers of the synagogues, wrote their articles of contract and sale, their bills of divorce, &c. They were also called lawyers, Matt. x. 35; and doctors of the law, Luke v. 17. They were called scribes from the fact of their writing the public records. They were not, however, a religious sect, but might be either Pharisees or Sadduces. By the chief priests and scribes here mentioned, is denoted the sanhedrim or great council of the nation. This was composed of seventy-two men, who had the charge of the civil and religious affairs of the Jews. On this occasion, Herod, in alarm, called them together, professedly to make inquiry respecting the birth of the Messiah. ¶ Demanded of them. Inquired, or asked of them. As they were the learned men of the nation, and as it was their business to ady and explain the Old Testament, they were presumed to know what the prophecies had declared on that point.

written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall3 rule my people Israel.

John vii. 42. 3 Or, feed. Isa.

2 Mic. v. 2. xl. 11. Rev. ii. 27.

His object was to ascertain from prophecy where he was born, that he might strike an effectual blow. He seems not to have had any doubt about the time when he should be born. He was satisfied that the time had come

The

the

5, 6. By the prophet. The sanhedrim answered without hesitation. It was settled by prophecy. This prophecy is found in Mic. v. 2. In that prophecy, both the place of his birth and the character of the Messiah are so clearly set forth, that there was no room to doubt. It will be observed that there is a considerable difference between the passage as quoted by the sanhedrim, and as it stands in Micah. main point, however, is retained place of his birth. We are not concerned, therefore, in showing how these passages can be reconciled. Matthew is not responsible for the correctness of the quotation. He affirms only that they gave this answer to Herod, and that Herod was satisfied. Admitting that they did not quote the passage correctly, it does not prove that Matthew has not reported their answer as they gave it, and this is all that he pretends to give. Art not the least. In Micah, though thou be little. Though a small place so far as population is concerned, yet it shall not be small, or least, in honour; for the Messiah shall be born there. His birth gave the place an honour which could not be conferred on the larger cities by all their numbers, their splendour, and their wealth. The birth of a distinguished personage was always supposed to give honour and importance to a city or country. Thus seven cities contended for the honour of giving birth to Homer; Stratford-upon-Avon is distinguished as the birth-place of Shakspeare; and Corsica as the birth-place of Napoleon. ¶ A governor. A ruler. This is one of the characters of the Messiah, who is the king of his people, John xviii. 37. The

7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

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 come1 and worship him also.

1 Prov. xxvi. 24. Isa. i. 15.

word rule here means to rule as a shepherd does his flock, in faithfulness and tenderness. Compare John x. 11. Isa. ix. 7; xl. 10, 11.

7. Privily. Secretly, privately. He did this to ascertain the time when Jesus was born. T¶Diligently. Accurately, exactly. He took pains to learn the precise time that the star appeared. He did this because he naturally concluded that the star appeared just at the time of his birth, and he wished to know precisely how old the child was.

8. Go, and search diligently, &c. Herod took all possible means to obtain accurate information respecting the child, that he might be sure of destroying him. He not only ascertained the probable time of his birth, and the place, but he sent the wise men that they might actually see him, and bring him word. All this might have looked suspicious if he had not clothed it with the appearance of religion. He said to them, therefore, that he did it that he might go and worship him also. From this we may learn, 1. That wicked men often cloak their evil designs under the appearance of religion. They attempt to deceive those who are really good, and to make them suppose that they have the same design. But God cannot be deceived, and he will bring them to punishment. 2. Wicked men often attempt to make use of the pious to advance their evil purposes. Men like Herod will stop at nothing if they can carry their ends. They endeavour to deceive the simple, allure the unsuspecting, and to beguile the weak, to answer their purposes of wickedness. 3. The plans of wicked men are often well laid. They occupy a long time. They make diligent in

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.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced3 with exceeding great joy. 11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young

2 Ver. 2. 3 Ps. lxvii. 4.

quiry. And all of it has the appearance of religion. But God sees the design; and though men are deceived, yet God cannot be. Prov. xv. 3.

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 affair of great moment, worthy of God's directing 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 inquirers 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 to him therefore, our heart should overflow with joy and praise; and we should humbly and thankfully follow every direction that leads to the Son of God. John xii. 35, 36

11. The house. The place where he

child with Mary his mother, and| fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented1 unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

1 Or, offered. Ps. lxxii. 10. Isa. lx. 6.

was born, or the place where his parents were staying at that time. ¶ Fell down. This was the usual way of showing respect or homage among the Jews. Esther viii. 3; Job i. 20; Ps. lxxii. 11; Isa. xlvi. 6; Dan. iii. 7. ¶ Worshipped him. Did him homage as King of the Jews. See on ver. 2. ¶ Had opened their treasures. The treasures which they had brought, or the boxes, &c., in which they had brought their gold, &c. They presented unto him gifte. These were presented to him as King of the Jews, because they supposed he was to be a distinguished prince and conqueror. It was customary at the birth of a prince to show respect for him by making him presents or offerings of this kind. See Gen. xxxii. 14, xliii. 11; 1 Sam. x. 27; 1 Kings x. 2; Psa. lxxii. 10-15. This custom is still common in the east; and it is everywhere unusual there to approach a person of distinguished rank without a valuable present. ¶Frankincense. This was a production of Arabia. It was a white resin or gum. It was obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark, and suffering the gum to flow out. It was highly odoriferous or fragrant when burned, and was, therefore, used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. See Exod. xxx. 8; Lev. xvi. 12. It is produced, also, in the East Indies, but chiefly in Arabia; and hence it has been supposed probable that the wise men came from Arabia, Myrrh. This was also a production of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. The name denotes bitterness, and was given to it on account of its great bitterness. It was used chiefly in embalming the dead, because it had the property of preserving from putrefaction Compare John xix. 39. It was much used in Egypt and in Judea. It was obtained from a thorny tree, which grows eight or nine feet high. It Fas at an early period an article of

12 And being warned of Gods in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the

3 ch. i. 120.

commerce, Gen. xxxvii. 25; and was an ingredient of the holy ointment, Exod. xxx. 23. It was also used as an agreeable perfume, Esther ii. 12; Ps. xlv. 8; Prov. vii. 17. It was, also, sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Saviour, when about to be crucified, as a stupifying potion, Mark xvi. 23. Compare Matt. xxvii. 34. These offerings were made because they were the most valuable which their country produced. They were tokens of respect and homage which they paid to the new-born King of the Jews. They evinced their high regard for him, and their belief that he was to be an illustrious prince: and the fact that their deed is recorded with approbation, shows us that we should offer our most valuable possessions, our all, to the Lord Jesus Christ. Wise men came from far to do him homage, and bowed down, and presented their best gifts and offerings. It is right that we give to him, also, our hearts, our propety, our all.

12. Warned of God, &c. This was done doubtless because if they had given Herod precise information where he was, it would have been easy for him to send forth and slay him. And from it we learn that God will watch over those whom he loves, that he knows how to foil the purposes of the wicked, and to deliver his own out of the hands of those who would destroy them. ¶ In a dream. See Note on ch. i. 20.

13. The angel. See ch. i. 20. ¶ Flee into Egypt. Egypt is situated to the south-west of Judea, and is distant from Bethlehem perhaps about sixty miles. It was at this time a Roman province. The Greek language was spoken there. There were many Jews there, who had a temple and synagogues; and Joseph, therefore, would be among his own countrymen, and yet beyond the reach of Herod. The jurisdiction of Herod extended only to the river Sihon, or river of Egypt, and