Matthew 2:7

2:7 Then Herod ¹  privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared.

Matthew 2:1

The Visit of the Wise Men

2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem ²  in Judea, in the time ³  of King Herod, ⁴  wise men ⁵  from the East came to Jerusalem ⁶ 

Matthew 2:16

2:16 When Herod ⁷  saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men ⁸  to kill all the children in Bethlehem ⁹  and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men.

[2:7]  ¹ sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:1]  ² map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

[2:1]  ³ tn Grk “in the days.”

[2:1]  ⁴ sn King Herod was Herod the Great, who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c. until he died in 4 b.c. He was known for his extensive building projects (including the temple in Jerusalem) and for his cruelty.

[2:1]  ⁵ sn The Greek term magi here describes a class of wise men and priests who were astrologers (L&N 32.40).

[2:1]  ⁶ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[2:16]  ³ sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1. Note the fulfillment of the prophecy given by the angel in 2:13.

[2:16]  ⁴ tn Or “soldiers.”

[2:16]  ⁵ map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.