hold, there came wise men from | the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is

king by the Romans, who now held the Jews in subjection. And in him was fulfilled Jacob's prophecy. Gen. 49. 10. But the sceptre had not departed from Judah, until the Shiloh had come. Herod was the son of Antipater. He was now established in the kingdom of Judea, which had been over sixty years under the Roman power. Augustus was emperor of Rome, and this Herod had now reigned, though in dependence on the Roman government, about thirty-four years. Now the decree from Rome for an enrollment of the people, as tributary to the foreign power, was a mark of their actual subjection. Casar's penny showed their subserviency. Matt. 22. 20. (See Luke 2. 1.) Herod had gained à character for bravery and cruelty, while he had restored Jerusalem to much of its ancient magnificence by his splendid projects. He was called "the Great,' and it was he who had repaired the temple, so as to give it much of its former glory.- TWise men. Wicklif's version, 1380, reads "astromyens" (or astronomers), also called magi from the Greek term magoi, whence also our word magicians. These men were of an ancient and sacred order, the most influential in the civil, religious, and literary world. Among the Medes, they were, like the Levites under the Mosaic institutions, intrusted with the care of religion. They had also the arts and sciences, and all philosophy under their charge. They paid much attention to astronomy. Their name denotes their priestly character. (Mag, or Mog, in the Pehlvi, denotes priest.) This Magian learning was known in history as the law of the Medes and Persians. It was a necessary part of a princely education to be taught in their learning; and this was the privilege of none but kings. They were spread over other eastern countries. Such

are spoken of in Daniel 1. 20, &c., as "magicians and astrologers,"-different classes of this order. See Daniel 2. 18. Their visit here may be regarded as an homage paid by the highest order in the world, to the day-star risen upon earth. In this was immediately fulfilled the prediction of Malachi, "From the rising of the sun (or the East), even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles," &c. (Mal. 1. 11). So, Isa. 60. 3, "The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."

-T The east. Oriental countries, are generally understood by this term. East of Judea is here meant. From the land of the Chaldees whence Abraham was called, they may have come. Jer. 1. 35. Dan. 2. 12. Jer. 1. 35. Dan. 2. 12.——¶ To Jerusalem. Because here was the temple; and this was the holy city; and here were the sacred oracles and officers from whom they could ascertain the prophecies. It might appear that they had derived their knowledge of "the King of the Jews" from the Jewish Scriptures, or from scattered Jews, who had so far informed them of the expected Messiah. But how then did they know the star, and not know where He should be born? Though a general expectation was spread abroad, that some great King should arise in Judea, yet this would not account for their amount of information. Virgil, who lived a little before this, owns that a child from Heaven was looked for, who should restore the golden age, and take away sin. But these Magi were moved, doubtless, by a divine impulse. They received special illumination and direction from Heaven, leading them to follow the star, and to inquire at Jerusalem. A revelation from God is not enough of itself. The Spirit must lead us to seek Christ, and direct us to the spot.

2. We have seen his star. Though

3 When Herod the king had neard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 And when he had gathered

e Ps.2.2.

a comet, or eclipse, or meteor, was regarded as the portent of some great event, yet we do not read of any such | general impression made by this singular appearance. Hence, we conclude that it was a sign granted to these. They were otherwise "warned of God" afterward. (See v. 12.) Around the shepherds shone "the glory of the Lord." To the wise men rose this "star," which they were assured of as "His." To Saul of Tarsus "a light beyond the brightness of the sun" appeared at mid-day. We do not read of others going to Jerusalem, attracted by this sight in the sky. Yet it was a powerful revelation to these, bringing them from the East, the representatives of the highest earthly order. Balaam had prophesied of Christ (Numbers 24. 17), "There shall come a star out of Jacob," &c.; and this sign they An expectation was abroad that a mighty king should arise in Judea; and doubtless such a prophecy was current, as the ground of it, among the Jews. Kepler has calculated that a remarkable conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurred about that time. But such a sight seems not to suit the narrative. They made themselves known as visitants and inquirers from the oriental world. "We, in the East, have seen his star." Herein was a testimony to the Jews at Jerusalem, that the Messiah had indeed come. The star was a token to the Magi. The visit of the Magi was a token to the Jews. Christ must be revealed to the soul by His appropriate marks, or we shall never set out after Him.

saw.

all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

day, in paying homage to kings. They saw His star, and sought for Him. We should not be content with anything short of Christ himself. lt has been calculated by Benson, that they came from the thirty-ninth to the forty-second day after the birth of Jesus.

3. When Herod the king had heard, &c. Their visit and inquiry were soon made known to Herod. He was startled and troubled, because all this confirmed to him the general expectation. And such a royal advent was the peril of his throne. He was himself" king of the Jews." Besides, he was now about seventy years old. He had reached the throne through violence and blood. He had murdered his wife, Mariamne, and two of his sons, and he had reason to expect retribution. The alarm was general. All Jerusalem, it might be said, was troubled with him. Some feared new upturnings, with the slaughter and confusion of revolutionary times. Some dreaded the rapacity and malice of Herod, which might break out by this means.

4. The chief priests and scribes. The Sanhedrim was composed of these. It was the court of highest civil and ecclesiastical authority among the Jews; and this body of seventy was doubtless appealed to in this important case. The scribes, who were lawyers of the Mosaic code, kept the public records, and were writers or scribes of the Scriptures, besides being teachers or schoolmasters, called "doctors of the law." Being most familiar with all the Jewish Scriptures, they would be able at once to tell where the prophecies had appointed the birth of Christ. The class of chief priests included, besides the acting High Priest, all that had already acted as such, besides the heads or chiefs of the twenty-four courses into

f

h

which the priesthood had been divided by David (2 Chron. 8. 14). The Jews looked for Christ at this time-but as a temporal king.- Demanded. Inquired, or required to know. All the circumstances forced conviction on his mind of Christ's having come. He wished to act promptly in his cruel designs against such a rival. Hence he would know where Christ could be found.

5. They replied immediately and distinctly, and cited their authority from the Scripture.

6. They refer to Micah, 5. 2, sufficiently to inform him of the place, as "Bethlehem in the land of Judah." This was the point; and as to the rest of the passage, only the substance of the prophet's words is given, or need be, viz., That this town, though small in civil distinction-" though thou be little among the thousands (princes) of Judah❞—should be highly honoured as the birth-place of the Messiah-the Ruler of Israel-the King of the Jews. The term "thousands," refers to the civil divisions of the tribes into thousands," 1 Sam. 10. 19; and "princes" were the chiefs or rulers of these.

7,8. Herod now summoned the wise men privily, (that is, privately,) not willing to show his anxiety, or to produce political agitation. He took secret counsel of them-inquiring diligently (sparing no pains to discover

diligently for the young child ; and when ye have found him, ring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed: and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

i

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

h Pro. 26.24. i ver. 2. j Ps.67.4.

of them), as to the time of the star's appearance. His object was to infer the age of the child; for his dreadful plot was to make sure its destruction, by destroying all the children within or about that age. -T Search diligently. He would feign now to fall in with their devout purpose of finding the child; and he even pretends to wish an opportunity of worshipping also. But he wished to lay violent hands upon him. God saw and heard these plans of Herod, and He

knows all the secret devices of iniquity, and all the motives and purposes of every heart.

9. They departed. It is not likely that they were led by the star to Jeru salem. They went to the holy city because they were warned of God so to do, or because they knew that this was the place to inquire, as the seat of the Jewish religion. And behold, the token, whatever it was, that first appeared to them, now unexpectedly re-appeared, and moved perceptibly on, till it took a marked station over the very house. It was all a peculiar arrangement to suit the case. It must have been near the earth to indicate the dwell. ing, and yet it could not have appeared to others as it did to them. It was most important that they should be notified of the house, because they could not have ascertained that from any inquiries. God's directions are

most particular, and as definite as the case requires.

10. They rejoiced. This was, most of all, a revelation to their souls, and it filled them with joy. Every indication of God's guidance is a source of joy to his followers. The same mark that had been given them at first, was again vouchsafed, and they were doubly assured. "Then shall ye know if ye follow on to know the Lord."

11. Fell down. This was the attitude of homage to kings-pros

tration before them. (Esther 8. 3.) "Mary his mother" only is named, to show that Joseph's relation was not that of an own father. Yet, though they saw "the child and his mother, they worshipped only the child! They never thought of "the virgin Mary” as an object of worship. The mother is mentioned only to identify the child -the seed of the woman-the Emmanuel of virgin birth. -T Gifis. This was customary homage to a prince. See 1 Sam. 10. 27. 1 Kings 10.2. They treated this babe of Bethlehem, though so obscurely born, as a royal child. These articles were presented as the most valuable products of the country, or as the most appropriate gifts. They were such as the Queen of Sheba presented to Solomon. Here was incense and a pure offering.

12 And being warned of God i in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take

I c.1.20.

(Mal. 1. 11.)- -T Gold. To devote our wealth to the Lord, is a proper act of worship, and should never be considered a mean service for the sanctuary. T Frankincense. A gum from the trunk of a tree, obtained by slitting the bark. It was used for incense in worship, and is very fragrant when burned. Levit. 16. 12. It was found chiefly in Arabia. ¶ Myrrh was obtained in the same way, though it ometimes dropped from the tree. It was valued mainly for embalming the dead. John 19.39. We should offer Christ our best gifts. "Let all that are round about Him bring presents."

12. Warned of God. They had a special direction from God in vision, to keep aloof from Herod and from his plans. He expected them to reSuch a revelation they doubtless had turn by way of Jerusalem (vs. 8). of Christ's birth at first, of which the star was only confirmatory. How faithfully God takes care of his children, and baffles the counsels of the wicked.

12. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. HEROD'S CRUELTY. THE RETURN.-Bethlehem. Nazareth.