What Time did the Star Appear? Matthew 2:7

Matthew shared what happened when, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet. And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are you not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel”, and in chapter two and verse seven of his book, Matthew shares how, “Herod … inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared” where we read:

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men,

inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

The verse reads, “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, ...” Matthew began with the words, “then Herod” which means “at that time and present moment Herod whose name means heroic and was the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles. Herod the Great was the son of Antipater of Idumaea. Appointed king of Judaea B.C. 40 by the Roman Senate at the suggestion of Antony and with the consent of Octavian, he at length overcame the great opposition which the country made to him and took possession of the kingdom B.C. 37”, “when he” or “at the time and moment Herod” “had privily” or “had secretly and privately” “called” which means “summoned, beckoned, and invited” “the wise men” or “the oriental wise men or astrologers who having discovered by the rising of a remarkable star that the Messiah had just been born, came to Jerusalem to worship him”. Matthew shared how “king Herod” secretly summoned for the “wise men” to ask them a question.

The verse continued, “... inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.” Matthew added the word, “inquired diligently” which means “investigated assiduously to know accurately and exactly” “of them” or “of the wise men” “what time” or “whether the time was long or short when” “the star” which means “the star within the sky that was followed by the wise men” “appeared” which means “brought forth it's light, shined, was resplendent and became evident”. Matthew shared how “king Herod” wanted to know exactly when the “star” began to shine it's light.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we notice how paranoid “king Herod” was about this “star” in the sky and to whom it lead. He summoned the “wise men” secretly so he could discover exactly when this “star” began to shine. Because he was threatened by anyone who might seek his throne, “Herod” needed to know when this “star” began to shine, and if it represented a new “King of the Jews”, he wanted to know how to destroy Him. God's design was to bring forth His Son Jesus as the Messiah who would “save” all mankind, and though there were evil people who desired to destroy His Messiah, they would have not chance against Almighty God. God determined to bring Jesus into the world to “save”, and all who are wise shall consider that all these things were implemented so they might be saved.

Next time Matthew shares how Herod sent the wise men, “to Bethlehem, and said, God and search diligently for the young child”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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