Matthew 2:9 - They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 2:9" mean?
This verse from Matthew 2:9 describes the actions of the Magi (wise men) after their meeting with King Herod in Jerusalem, and the miraculous guidance they received from the star. Let's break it down:
"They, having heard the king, went their way..." This indicates that the Magi followed Herod's instructions to seek out the child and report back to him. However, their true intention was to worship the newborn king, not to inform Herod of his location for potentially harmful reasons (as Herod later reveals).
"...and behold, the star, which they saw in the east..." This refers to the celestial event that initially prompted the Magi to travel to Jerusalem from their homeland (likely Persia or Arabia). The phrase "in the east" could refer to the star's initial appearance on the eastern horizon, indicating that the Magi were likely east of Judea.
"...went before them..." This suggests that the star moved in a way that guided them southward from Jerusalem towards Bethlehem. It wasn't a static point in the sky, but rather a moving sign that led them.
"...until it came and stood over where the young child was." This is the most significant part of the verse. It implies that the star stopped its movement and hovered directly above the house (or possibly the specific location within the house) where Jesus was residing. This was a clear and unmistakable sign to the Magi that they had reached their destination.
In summary, the verse highlights the following points:
Obedience: The Magi followed Herod's (initially deceptive) instructions.
Divine Guidance: The star served as a miraculous guide, leading them to the exact location of Jesus.
Precision: The star stopped precisely over the house where Jesus was, confirming that they had found the right child.
Interpretations and Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Many Christians see the star as fulfilling prophecies about a king arising from Israel.
God's Revelation to Gentiles: The story of the Magi is often interpreted as representing God's revelation of Jesus not only to the Jewish people but also to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).
Worship of Jesus: The Magi's journey and the star's guidance emphasize the importance of seeking and worshiping Jesus.
Contrast with Herod: The Magi's sincere desire to worship Jesus stands in stark contrast to Herod's fear and intention to harm him.
The astronomical nature of the star has been a subject of much debate and speculation. Some believe it was a supernatural phenomenon, while others have attempted to explain it through natural astronomical events (such as a conjunction of planets). Regardless of its exact nature, the verse emphasizes its role as a divine sign that guided the Magi to the newborn King.
Matthew 2:9 - They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
What does "Matthew 2:9" mean?
This verse from Matthew 2:9 describes the actions of the Magi (wise men) after their meeting with King Herod in Jerusalem, and the miraculous guidance they received from the star. Let's break it down:
"They, having heard the king, went their way..." This indicates that the Magi followed Herod's instructions to seek out the child and report back to him. However, their true intention was to worship the newborn king, not to inform Herod of his location for potentially harmful reasons (as Herod later reveals).
"...and behold, the star, which they saw in the east..." This refers to the celestial event that initially prompted the Magi to travel to Jerusalem from their homeland (likely Persia or Arabia). The phrase "in the east" could refer to the star's initial appearance on the eastern horizon, indicating that the Magi were likely east of Judea.
"...went before them..." This suggests that the star moved in a way that guided them southward from Jerusalem towards Bethlehem. It wasn't a static point in the sky, but rather a moving sign that led them.
"...until it came and stood over where the young child was." This is the most significant part of the verse. It implies that the star stopped its movement and hovered directly above the house (or possibly the specific location within the house) where Jesus was residing. This was a clear and unmistakable sign to the Magi that they had reached their destination.
In summary, the verse highlights the following points:
Obedience: The Magi followed Herod's (initially deceptive) instructions.
Divine Guidance: The star served as a miraculous guide, leading them to the exact location of Jesus.
Precision: The star stopped precisely over the house where Jesus was, confirming that they had found the right child.
Interpretations and Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Many Christians see the star as fulfilling prophecies about a king arising from Israel.
God's Revelation to Gentiles: The story of the Magi is often interpreted as representing God's revelation of Jesus not only to the Jewish people but also to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).
Worship of Jesus: The Magi's journey and the star's guidance emphasize the importance of seeking and worshiping Jesus.
Contrast with Herod: The Magi's sincere desire to worship Jesus stands in stark contrast to Herod's fear and intention to harm him.
The astronomical nature of the star has been a subject of much debate and speculation. Some believe it was a supernatural phenomenon, while others have attempted to explain it through natural astronomical events (such as a conjunction of planets). Regardless of its exact nature, the verse emphasizes its role as a divine sign that guided the Magi to the newborn King.