Matthew 2:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} Herod {G2264}, when he had privily {G2977} called {G2564} the wise men {G3097}, enquired {G198} of {G3844} them {G846} diligently {G198} what time {G5550} the star {G792} appeared {G5316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Herod summoned the Magi to meet with him privately and asked them exactly when the star had appeared.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared.

American Standard Version

Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 2:7 marks a crucial turning point in the infancy narrative, revealing King Herod's sinister intentions towards the newborn "King of the Jews." Following the Magi's public inquiry in Jerusalem, Herod, consumed by paranoia and a desperate desire to maintain his power, secretly summoned these foreign dignitaries. His seemingly innocuous "diligent" questioning about the precise timing of the star's appearance was, in reality, a calculated maneuver to gather intelligence for his malevolent plot to eliminate any potential rival to his throne, setting the stage for the tragic events that would soon unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Matthew's account of Jesus' birth and early life, specifically following the arrival of the wise men in Jerusalem and their unsettling inquiry about the newborn King. Prior to this, the wise men had followed a star from the East, arriving in Jerusalem and causing a stir by asking, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" This question deeply troubled Herod and all Jerusalem, prompting Herod to convene the chief priests and scribes to ascertain the Messiah's prophesied birthplace, which they identified as Bethlehem, as foretold in [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Bethlehem"). Matthew 2:7 then details Herod's next, more clandestine step, isolating the wise men to extract specific information, foreshadowing his later violent decree in [Matthew 2:16-18](/matthew/2-16-18 "Matthew 2:16-18 - The Slaughter of the Innocents").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Herod the Great was a client king of Rome, ruling Judea from 37 to 4 BCE. Known for his architectural ambitions (like the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple) and his brutal paranoia, he ruthlessly eliminated perceived threats to his power, including members of his own family. His insecurity was legendary, making the news of a "King of the Jews" a direct challenge to his authority. The "wise men" (Magi) were likely Persian or Babylonian astrologer-priests, respected scholars of their time, whose knowledge of celestial phenomena and possibly Jewish prophecy would have granted them significant influence. Their journey from the East, guided by a star, would have been a remarkable and costly undertaking, signifying their profound conviction in the star's meaning. Herod's "privily" calling them underscores the political intrigue and danger inherent in his court, where public displays often masked private, nefarious schemes.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 2:7 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative. It highlights **Herod's Deception and Paranoia**, showcasing his manipulative nature as he feigns interest in worship while secretly plotting murder, driven by an insatiable hunger for power. This stands in stark contrast to the **Genuine Seeking of the Wise Men**, who, despite their pagan background, earnestly pursue truth and the promised King, representing a universal longing for divine revelation. Furthermore, the verse subtly underscores **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Malice**, as Herod's evil intentions, though seemingly powerful, are ultimately part of God's overarching plan to protect Jesus and fulfill prophecy, demonstrating that no human scheme can thwart God's purposes, a theme echoed in [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalm/2-1-4 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Futility of Human Rebellion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Herod (Greek, _Hērṓdēs'_):** From a compound word meaning "heroic," this name identifies the notorious King Herod the Great, a historical figure whose reign was marked by political cunning, architectural grandeur, and extreme cruelty. In this context, the name immediately evokes a sense of impending danger and opposition to the divine plan, given his well-documented paranoia and willingness to eliminate rivals.
* **privily (Greek, _láthra'_):** An adverb derived from a verb meaning "to escape notice" or "to be hidden," this word precisely conveys Herod's clandestine and secretive manner. It emphasizes that his summons of the wise men was not a public audience but a private, concealed meeting, designed to hide his true, malevolent intentions from both the Magi and his own court, thereby underscoring his deceptive nature.
* **enquired diligently (Greek, _akribóō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be exact" or "accurate," this verb indicates that Herod's questioning was not casual curiosity but a meticulous and precise interrogation. He was not merely asking; he was "ascertaining" with great care the exact details, particularly the time the star appeared. This diligence, ironically, was for the purpose of committing a heinous act, highlighting the perversion of intellectual rigor when driven by evil.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Herod":** This phrase signals a direct consequence or next step following the wise men's public inquiry and Herod's consultation with the religious leaders. It immediately identifies the central human antagonist in this part of the narrative, setting the stage for his decisive action.
* **"when he had privily called the wise men":** This clause reveals Herod's strategic and deceptive move. Instead of a public audience, he summons the Magi in secret, indicating his desire to conceal his true motives and the sensitive nature of the information he sought. The "wise men" are the unsuspecting targets of his cunning.
* **"enquired of them diligently":** This highlights the intensity and precision of Herod's questioning. He wasn't merely curious; he was conducting a thorough investigation, seeking exact details. The term "diligently" underscores his focused determination to obtain the specific information he needed for his plot.
* **"what time the star appeared":** This final clause specifies the precise information Herod sought. The timing of the star's appearance was crucial for him to calculate the age of the child and, subsequently, to formulate his plan for the slaughter of the innocents, aiming to eliminate any male child born around that period.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several literary devices in this verse to amplify its dramatic and thematic impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Herod's "diligent" inquiry, a quality often associated with positive pursuit of knowledge, is here perverted for a murderous purpose. He seeks truth not to worship, but to destroy. There is also a strong sense of **Foreshadowing**, as Herod's secretive summons and precise questioning hint at the violent decree that will follow, creating suspense and highlighting the escalating danger to the infant Jesus. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** between the open, truth-seeking journey of the wise men and Herod's hidden, malevolent machinations, underscoring the spiritual battle between light and darkness, truth and deception, that permeates the entire infancy narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 2:7 serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual warfare inherent in the arrival of God's Anointed One into a fallen world. Herod's reaction embodies the world's hostility towards divine authority, a deep-seated resistance to the true King driven by fear, insecurity, and a desperate clinging to temporal power. His deceptive tactics mirror the schemes of spiritual adversaries who operate in darkness, seeking to thwart God's redemptive purposes. Yet, even in the face of such malice, the narrative powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign hand, orchestrating events to protect His Son and ensure the fulfillment of His promises, proving that no human or demonic plot can ultimately prevail against divine will.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Plan in Human Opposition")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Herod's manipulative actions in Matthew 2:7 offer a sobering reflection on the nature of sin and the lengths to which human fear and a lust for power can drive individuals. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we, like the Magi, genuinely seek truth and humbly respond to God's revelation, even when it demands sacrifice or challenges our preconceived notions? Or do we, like Herod, allow insecurity and self-preservation to twist our motives, leading us to resist God's will and even harm others in pursuit of our own agendas? This passage encourages discernment, urging believers to recognize the deceptive tactics of the enemy, who often operates "privily" and with a feigned interest to achieve destructive ends. Ultimately, it calls us to trust in God's unwavering sovereignty, knowing that even the most cunning human plots cannot thwart His divine purposes, and His protection extends to those who faithfully follow Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Herod's "privily" calling the wise men contrast with the Magi's open search for the King, and what does this reveal about their respective characters?**
* **In what ways might we, like Herod, subtly resist God's will or seek to control situations out of fear or a desire for power, rather than trusting in His sovereignty?**
* **What lessons can believers draw from this passage about discerning true intentions versus deceptive appearances in the world around them?**

### FAQ
**Why was Herod so concerned about the "King of the Jews" being born?**

Answer: Herod the Great was a paranoid and ruthless ruler who had gained his throne through Roman patronage and maintained it through violence and political maneuvering. The title "King of the Jews" was his official designation, and the news of a newborn who bore this title, especially one whose arrival was heralded by a miraculous star and sought by foreign dignitaries, represented a direct and existential threat to his power and legitimacy. His deep-seated insecurity and history of eliminating rivals (including members of his own family) meant he could not tolerate any potential challenge to his authority, viewing the infant Messiah as a political rival rather than a spiritual deliverer. His fear was not theological but entirely political and personal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:7, with Herod's insidious plot to eliminate the infant King, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the world's ongoing rejection of Christ and the spiritual conflict His presence ignites. Just as Herod sought to destroy Jesus in His infancy, the forces of darkness and human rebellion would continually oppose Him throughout His ministry, culminating in His crucifixion. Yet, this very opposition, meticulously detailed by Matthew, underscores the divine necessity of Christ's mission. His eventual death on the cross, though a result of human malice and rejection, was not a defeat but the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant"). The "King of the Jews" whom Herod feared would indeed claim His throne, not through earthly conquest, but through sacrificial love and resurrection power, ultimately reigning as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Herod's failed attempt to thwart God's plan ultimately highlights the invincibility of Christ's kingdom, which is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")), and His ultimate triumph over all earthly powers and spiritual adversaries ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 55:21

[The 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.

1 Samuel 18:21

And 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.

Revelation 12:1

¶ And 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:

Revelation 12:5

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.

Isaiah 7:5

Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,

Isaiah 7:7

Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

Psalms 10:9

He 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.