Matthew 2 7

Matthew 2:7 kjv

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

Matthew 2:7 nkjv

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

Matthew 2:7 niv

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

Matthew 2:7 esv

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

Matthew 2:7 nlt

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

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 7 Meaning

Matthew 2:7 describes a critical moment in King Herod's scheme to eliminate the newborn King of the Jews. After learning of the Magi's quest for this new king, Herod secretly summoned them to ascertain the exact time the guiding star had appeared. This diligent inquiry revealed his cunning and malicious intent to precisely pinpoint the child's age for a future murderous act, attempting to thwart divine prophecy through deceptive worldly means.

Matthew 2 7 Context

Matthew 2:7 falls within the second chapter of Matthew's Gospel, which focuses on the birth and early life of Jesus, emphasizing His identity as the promised Messiah and King. Specifically, it immediately follows the disruption caused by the Magi's inquiry in Jerusalem regarding the "king of the Jews," which greatly alarmed King Herod and the city. Herod, a paranoid and ruthless ruler who would eliminate any perceived threat to his throne, gathers the chief priests and scribes to inquire about the Messiah's birthplace (Mat 2:4). Once Bethlehem is identified based on prophetic scriptures, Herod’s plan solidifies. Verse 7 shows his strategic move: using deceit to gather crucial intelligence for his wicked plot to murder the prophesied child. This scene underscores the earthly opposition against God's divine plan, highlighting the stark contrast between human cunning and God's sovereign protection.

Matthew 2 7 Word analysis

• Then (Greek: Tote, τότε): A transitional word, indicating a sequential action. It marks the shift from Herod's public consultation with religious leaders to his private, clandestine plot.
• Herod (Greek: Herōdēs, Ἡρῴδης): Refers to Herod the Great, the Roman client king of Judea from 37-4 BC. Known for his ambition, extensive building projects (e.g., Temple renovation), but also for his extreme paranoia and cruelty, exemplified by his ordering the deaths of family members and male infants.
• when he had secretly called (Greek: lathra kalesas, λάθρᾳ καλέσας): Lathra means "secretly" or "privately," implying concealment. Kalesas (from kaleō) means "having called." This phrase highlights Herod's deceptive nature and his desire to hide his true murderous intentions. He did not want his court or the general public to know about his plot or his real motive for meeting the Magi.
• the wise men (Greek: tous Magous, τοὺς Μάγους): Refers to the Magi, probably Persian or Babylonian astronomer-priests, men of significant status and learning, likely Gentile. They were experts in ancient wisdom, astrology, and perhaps dream interpretation. Their presence here underscores that the knowledge of the Messiah's coming extended beyond Israel and that Gentiles would seek and find Him.
• inquired of them diligently (Greek: ēkribōsen par' autōn, ἠκρίβωσεν παρ’ αὐτῶν): From akriboō, meaning "to ascertain exactly," "to inquire diligently and accurately." This denotes Herod's methodical, precise, and persistent questioning. He was not merely curious but seeking exact details crucial for his wicked design. It shows his cunning intellect directed toward evil.
• what time (Greek: ton chronon, τὸν χρόνον): Refers to the specific period or duration. Herod wasn't just asking 'when' the star appeared, but meticulously seeking the exact timing of its first visibility. This precision was vital for him to calculate the approximate age of the "King of the Jews" to ensure the success of his future plan to eliminate all male children of that age range.
• the star appeared (Greek: tou phanenai ton astera, τοῦ φανῆναι τὸν ἀστέρα): Phanenai (from phainō) means "to appear," "to shine forth," "to become visible." This refers to the celestial phenomenon the Magi observed, which signaled the birth of the Messiah. It highlights the divine sign that led the Magi and now triggers Herod's murderous response. The star is divinely appointed but used by Herod for human malice.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men": This grouping emphasizes the transition to Herod's personal, clandestine, and manipulative actions. His secret summoning is the first step in his detailed conspiracy, underscoring his calculated nature rather than impulsive reaction. It sets a stage of hidden agendas.
• "inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared": This phrase highlights Herod's intense focus and strategic questioning. The diligent inquiry about the precise timing of the star's appearance reveals his specific, tactical purpose: to know the child's age, a necessary detail for his murderous plan, making his deceit even more sinister. This combination of precision and malice is central to the verse's meaning.

Matthew 2 7 Bonus section

The contrast between Herod's actions and the Magi's motivations is stark: The Magi, Gentiles from the East, travel far, led by a divine sign, to humbly worship a newborn King. Herod, the actual king of the region and a descendant of Abraham (though Idumaean), instead plans the infant's demise. This highlights a recurrent theme in Matthew's Gospel: often, those expected to recognize and welcome Jesus fail to do so, while outsiders embrace Him. This also sets up an ongoing conflict throughout Jesus' life, where earthly powers and established religious authorities frequently oppose God's divine will, leading to both misunderstanding and outright persecution. The star, a symbol of divine guidance, becomes a tool for Herod's evil calculations, an ironic twisting of God's light for dark purposes.

Matthew 2 7 Commentary

Matthew 2:7 presents a chilling insight into Herod the Great's character, portraying him as a ruthless and calculating adversary of God's Messiah. His fear, triggered by the news of a rival "King of the Jews," leads him not to seek out and worship Jesus, but to devise a meticulously planned infanticide. By "secretly" calling the Magi and "diligently" inquiring about the star's appearance time, Herod exhibits his cunning. He feigns innocent curiosity or even a desire to worship, but his true intent is to gather critical intelligence to pinpoint the child's age, setting the stage for the slaughter of the innocents (Matt 2:16). This verse beautifully contrasts human deceit and violent ambition with God's perfect sovereignty. Even Herod's carefully laid plans, though causing immense suffering, would ultimately be outwitted by divine protection, demonstrating that no earthly power can thwart God's ultimate purposes.

Example: Imagine a wolf asking a shepherd about the birthdate of a specific lamb in the flock, pretending interest, when in reality it seeks to know the lamb's precise age to better calculate its vulnerability and execute an attack. Herod's 'diligent inquiry' is exactly this: a predator seeking information under false pretenses.