Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
- KJV Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
- ESV Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
- NKJV Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.
- NASB Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
- NLT Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Herod secretly summons the wise men to learn exactly when the star appeared. His secrecy hints at his murderous intent.
Overview
Herod's private inquiry into the star's timing betrays a calculating plan rather than genuine interest in worship. By pinpointing the time, he prepares for the atrocity he will later commit. The verse reveals the deceit lurking beneath his outward show of curiosity.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Exod 1:10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
- Ps 55:21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
- Ps 64:4–6ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.
- Isa 7:5–7For Aram, along with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has plotted your ruin, saying:
- 1 Sam 18:21“I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.”
- Ps 83:3–4With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish,
- Rev 12:1–5And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
- Ps 10:9–10He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.
- Ezek 38:10–11This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan.
- Rev 12:15Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent.
- Matt 26:3–5At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 2:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.