Matthew 2:10 kjv
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:10 nkjv
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 2:10 niv
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Matthew 2:10 esv
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:10 nlt
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
Matthew 2 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 24:17 | I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob... | Prophecy of a ruler/star from Israel. |
| Isa 60:3 | Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. | Gentiles drawn to Messiah's light. |
| Mal 4:2 | But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. | Divine light and revelation. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. | Divine guidance as light. |
| Prov 3:6 | In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. | God's guidance leading to right paths. |
| John 8:12 | I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness... | Jesus as the ultimate light and guide. |
| John 12:46 | I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. | Jesus illuminating belief and truth. |
| Luke 2:10 | Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. | Joy for all people from the birth of Christ. |
| Ps 21:6 | For you grant him everlasting blessings; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. | Joy from God's presence. |
| Ps 43:4 | Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight... | Joy found in God alone. |
| Hab 3:18 | yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. | Rejoicing in the Lord's salvation. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! | Exhortation to continuous joy in the Lord. |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. | Inexpressible joy from belief in Christ. |
| Rom 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him... | God as the divine source of joy and peace. |
| Matt 2:2 | Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose... | Magi following the star. |
| Matt 2:9 | After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. | The star's specific and precise guidance. |
| Isa 49:6 | I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. | Salvation extending to Gentiles. |
| Eph 3:6 | This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel... | Gentile inclusion in God's promises. |
| Zech 8:22 | Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty... | Nations seeking God and worshipping Him. |
| Gen 12:3 | ...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. | Abrahamic promise extended to all nations. |
| Luke 10:21 | At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said... | Joy as a response to divine revelation. |
| Ps 98:4 | Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music. | Universal call to rejoice in God. |
Matthew 2 verses
Matthew 2 10 Meaning
Matthew 2:10 records the profound emotional response of the Magi when their divine guidance was unequivocally reaffirmed. Having followed a unique star from the East, only to lose its definitive direction upon reaching Jerusalem and encountering Herod's deceptive interest, its precise reappearance and movement provided ultimate clarity. Their "exceedingly great joy" signifies the immense relief, triumphant confirmation, and overflowing gladness experienced upon realizing their spiritual quest was being undeniably guided by God and that they were moments away from finding the promised King.
Matthew 2 10 Context
Matthew chapter 2 narrates the visit of the Magi, foreigners seeking the newborn King of the Jews. After their arrival in Jerusalem troubled King Herod, they were instructed by him to find the child and report back. Unbeknownst to them, Herod intended harm. Verse 10 highlights the crucial moment after their perilous encounter with Herod, when the star reappeared and definitively guided them. This moment of pure joy underscores the fulfillment of their long and uncertain journey, contrasted with the suspicion and deception they had just experienced in Jerusalem. It further sets apart the humble seeking and worship of the Magi from the hostility and fear of Herod and his court.
Matthew 2 10 Word analysis
- When they saw (
ἰδόντες- idontes): This participial phrase means "having seen." It signifies a distinct moment of perception and realization, indicating that the star, which may have been less clear or hidden during their stay in Jerusalem, became definitively visible and directional once more. This seeing leads directly to their profound reaction. - the star (
τὸν ἀστέρα- ton astera): The use of the definite article "the" emphasizes this was the specific celestial phenomenon they had originally followed. Its re-emergence and specific guidance (Matt 2:9, stopping directly over the house) goes beyond a typical astronomical event, underscoring its nature as a supernatural sign or a divinely orchestrated manifestation. This tangible confirmation validated their entire quest. - they rejoiced (
ἐχάρησαν- echarēsan): A simple past tense verb denoting an immediate and direct emotional response. It marks the commencement of their great joy. - with exceedingly great joy (
χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα- charan megalēn sphodra): This is a powerful, emphatic triple expression, literally "joy, great, exceedingly." This construction, a cognate dative, echoes Hebrew idioms, signifying the absolute maximum possible level of joy. It implies not merely happiness, but immense relief, profound satisfaction, and overflowing exultation that swept over them, signaling the success and divine affirmation of their faith-filled journey to find the Christ-child.
Matthew 2 10 Bonus section
- The stark contrast between the Magi's "exceedingly great joy" and Herod's earlier "troubled" reaction (Matt 2:3) highlights the diverging responses to Jesus' kingship: humble worship and joyful seeking versus fearful rejection and murderous intent.
- The Star, as a unique, self-propelling phenomenon that leads to a specific house, points to God's miraculous providence in guiding individuals precisely to Jesus. It implies that God orchestrates events, even those in nature, to reveal His Son to those who genuinely seek Him, transcending typical human or astronomical understanding.
- This intense joy parallels the "great joy" announced by the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:10 regarding Jesus' birth, signifying a universal theme of rejoicing over the Messiah's arrival, irrespective of cultural background or social standing.
Matthew 2 10 Commentary
Matthew 2:10 captures the profound climax of the Magi's faith-journey. Having traversed great distances driven by faith in a guiding star and suffering potential disillusionment or fear in Jerusalem due to Herod's reaction and the star's apparent temporary disappearance, its precise re-manifestation over their specific destination ignited overwhelming gladness. Their "exceedingly great joy" reveals not only a discovery but a deep sense of validation that their hope was justified and their pursuit of the King was indeed divinely ordained. This joy signifies the peace and certainty that come from God's perfect guidance and the successful realization of His promises. It also powerfully foreshadows the coming of Gentiles from all corners of the earth to worship Jesus Christ.