Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
- BSB Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact 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 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 on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
- Ps 55:21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
- Ps 64:4–6That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
- Isa 7:5–7Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
- 1 Sam 18:21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
- Ps 83:3–4They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
- Rev 12:1–5And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
- Ps 10:9–10He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
- Ezek 38:10–11Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
- Rev 12:15And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
- Matt 26:3–5Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
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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.'
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Original language
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