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Matthew 2:8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Matthew 2:8

Verse 8 of 23

Scripture focus

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found [him], bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Matthew 2:8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 2:8

Exegetical

He sent them. Herod carefully concealed his own designs behind an exterior of professed sympathetic interest. He hoped that the wise men would return his seeming kindness. Their visit to Bethlehem would arouse no suspicion and would permit him to carry out his evil design without unnecessarily arousing the populace. The chief priests and scribes may have surmised Herod’s intent, for they knew his attitude toward pretenders to the throne.

Diligently. Or, “accurately” (see on v. 7). The wise men were to press their search until they found the Messiah and verified their discovery.