Matthew 2:7
New International Version
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

New Living Translation
Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.

English Standard Version
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

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

Berean Literal Bible
Then Herod, having called the Magi secretly, inquired of them the exact time of the star appearing.

King James Bible
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

New King James Version
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.

New American Standard Bible
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.

NASB 1995
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.

NASB 1977
Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Herod secretly called the magi and carefully determined from them the time the star appeared.

Amplified Bible
Then Herod secretly sent for the magi and learned from them the [exact] time the star [had first] appeared.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.

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

Contemporary English Version
Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star.

English Revised Version
Then Herod privily called the wise men, and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Herod secretly called the wise men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared.

Good News Translation
So Herod called the visitors from the East to a secret meeting and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

International Standard Version
Then Herod secretly called together the wise men, found out from them the time the star had appeared,

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

NET Bible
Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared.

New Heart English Bible
Then Herod secretly called the Magi, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Weymouth New Testament
Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing.

World English Bible
Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then Herod, having called the magi privately, inquired exactly from them the time of the appearing star,

Berean Literal Bible
Then Herod, having called the Magi secretly, inquired of them the exact time of the star appearing.

Young's Literal Translation
Then Herod, privately having called the mages, did inquire exactly from them the time of the appearing star,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then Herod having secretly called for the magi, searched thoroughly from them the time of the star appearing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Herod, quietly calling the Magi, diligently learned from them the time when the star appeared to them.

New American Bible
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Herod called the Magi secretly, and he learned from them at what time the star appeared to them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And then Herodus secretly called The Magi and learned from them at what time the star had appeared to them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the Magi, inquired of them strictly at what time the star, then visible, first made its appearance:

Godbey New Testament
Then Herod secretly calling the wise men, inquired with them the time of the appearing of the star,

Haweis New Testament
Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star’s appearing,

Mace New Testament
Then Herod having privately sent for the Magi, enquired of them the exact time when the star appeared.

Weymouth New Testament
Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing.

Worrell New Testament
Then Herod, having privately called the wise men, ascertained from them exactly the time the star appeared;

Worsley New Testament
Then Herod called the wise men to him privately, and inquired of them exactly the time of the star's appearing:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pilgrimage of the Magi
6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’ ” 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”…

Cross References
Luke 2:12
And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.

Luke 1:5
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.

Acts 12:1-3
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Matthew 14:1-2
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus / and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Mark 6:14-16
Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” / But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”

Luke 9:7-9
When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead, / others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen. / “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

Acts 4:27
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.

Revelation 12:4
His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, hurling them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth.

Daniel 2:2
So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king,

Exodus 1:15-16
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, / “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.”

2 Kings 8:7-15
Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” / So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” ...

Jeremiah 26:21-23
King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. / They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Matthew 26:3-5
Then 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, …

Exodus 1:10
Come 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.

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.

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Matthew 2
1. The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;
3. at which Herod is alarmed.
9. They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.
13. Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.
16. Herod slays the children;
20. himself dies.
23. Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.














Then Herod
The mention of "Herod" refers to Herod the Great, a ruler known for his architectural achievements and his ruthless, paranoid nature. Historically, Herod was a client king of Judea under Roman authority, and his reign was marked by political cunning and brutality. Understanding Herod's character is crucial, as it sets the stage for his later actions in the narrative. His fear of losing power drove him to extreme measures, including the infamous massacre of the innocents.

called the Magi
The "Magi" were wise men or astrologers from the East, likely Persia or Babylon. The Greek term "μάγοι" (magoi) suggests they were scholars or priests with knowledge of astronomy and possibly astrology. Their journey signifies the recognition of Jesus' kingship beyond Jewish boundaries, highlighting the universal scope of Christ's mission. The Magi's presence fulfills prophecies about Gentiles coming to the light of Israel (Isaiah 60:3).

secretly
Herod's decision to call the Magi "secretly" reveals his deceptive and manipulative nature. This secrecy indicates his ulterior motives, as he sought to use the Magi's information for his own ends rather than to honor the newborn King. It underscores the theme of light versus darkness, with Herod operating in the shadows, contrasting with the Magi's open quest for truth.

learned from them
The phrase "learned from them" suggests an inquiry or investigation. Herod's questioning of the Magi was not out of genuine curiosity but rather a strategic move to ascertain the potential threat to his throne. This reflects a broader biblical theme of the pursuit of knowledge, contrasting Herod's self-serving quest with the Magi's sincere search for the Messiah.

the exact time
The "exact time" refers to Herod's attempt to pinpoint the birth of Jesus. This detail is crucial for understanding Herod's subsequent actions, as it leads to the tragic events in Bethlehem. The precision sought by Herod contrasts with the divine mystery surrounding Jesus' birth, emphasizing human attempts to control what God has ordained.

the star had appeared
The "star" is a significant symbol in the nativity story, representing divine guidance and revelation. The Greek word "ἀστήρ" (astēr) can mean a literal star or a celestial event. This star led the Magi to Jesus, symbolizing God's light breaking into the world. Theologically, it signifies Christ as the light of the world, guiding seekers to truth and salvation. The star's appearance fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as Numbers 24:17, which speaks of a star rising out of Jacob.

(7) When he had privily called.--True to his nature to the last--himself probably a believer in astrology, and haunted by fears of what the star portended--the king's next measure is to ascertain the limits of his danger. The English "what time the star appeared" is not quite accurate. Literally, the time of the star that was appearing--i.e., at what time the star, which was still visible (Matthew 2:9), had first appeared.

Enquired of them diligently.--Better, ascertained exactly.

Verse 7. - Then Herod, when he had privily called the Wise Men. Secrecy was doubly necessary. He would not publicly commit himself to acknowledging the rights of the new King, and he would give no opportunity for others to warn the Child's parents of the dangerous interest that Herod was taking in him. Duplicity was very characteristic of Herod; cf. his assassination of Aristobulus the high priest (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 15:03. 3), and his alluring his son Antipater home to death (ibid., 17:5. 1). Inquired of them diligently; learned of them carefully (Revised Version); "lerned of hem bisili" (Wickliffe); ἠκρίβωσεν παρ αὐτῶν. The stress is not upon Herod's careful questioning, but on the exact information that he obtained. What time the star appeared. Although this is not the literal translation, it may, perhaps, represent the sense of the original ( τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος) , the participle characterizing the star in its most important relation - its appearance, and the words being treated as a compound expression (cf. John 12:9, 12). Herod supposed that the birth of the Babe was synchronous with the first appearance of the star. The translation, however, of the Revised Version margin, "the time of the star that appeared," better suits the exact wording ( χρόνον, not καιρόν;φαινομένου, not φανέντος) , the phrase thus including both the first appearance and also the period of continuance (cf. Grotius, "non initium, sed continuitas"). But it is difficult to see What Herod would have learned from this latter particular. Some even think that the star was still visible (Plumptre; Weiss, 'Matthew'), but in this case the joy of the Magi in ver. 10 is not satisfactorily explained.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

Herod
Ἡρῴδης (Hērōdēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2264: Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.

called
καλέσας (kalesas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Magi
μάγους (magous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3097: A sorcerer, a magician, a wizard. Of foreign origin; a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician.

secretly
λάθρᾳ (lathra)
Adverb
Strong's 2977: Secretly, privately. Adverb from lanthano; privately.

[and] learned
ἠκρίβωσεν (ēkribōsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 198: To learn carefully, inquire with exactness. From the same as akribestatos; to be exact, i.e. Ascertain.

from
παρ’ (par’)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

them
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

{exact} time
χρόνον (chronon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5550: A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

star
ἀστέρος (asteros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 792: A star. Probably from the base of stronnumi; a star, literally or figuratively.

had appeared.
φαινομένου (phainomenou)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5316: Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 2:6
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