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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 2:2 asking, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/2-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/40_Mat_02_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 2:2 - The Pilgrimage of the Magi" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="asking, Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? 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We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” <a href="/esv/matthew/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> saying, "Where is the One having been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." <a href="/kjv/matthew/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/2.htm">New King James Version</a> saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/amp/matthew/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/csb/matthew/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> saying, &#8220Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. <a href="/cev/matthew/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." <a href="/erv/matthew/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. <a href="/gwt/matthew/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They asked, "Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him." <a href="/gnt/matthew/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> and asked, "Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him." <a href="/isv/matthew/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> and asked, "Where is the one who was born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." <a href="/msb/matthew/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/net/matthew/2.htm">NET Bible</a> saying, "Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." <a href="/nheb/matthew/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." <a href="/wbt/matthew/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him homage." <a href="/web/matthew/2.htm">World English Bible</a> “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> saying, “Where is He who was born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and we came to worship Him.” <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> saying, "Where is the One having been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." <a href="/ylt/matthew/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> saying, 'Where is he who was born king of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and we came to bow to him.' <a href="/slt/matthew/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Where is he born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the sunrising, and have come to worship him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> saying: “Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to adore him.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/2.htm">New American Bible</a> saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they were saying, Where is the King of the Jews, who has been born? For we have seen his star in the East, so we have come to worship him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they were saying, “Where is The King of the Judaeans who has been born?” For we have seen his star in The East and we have come to worship him.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to do him homage. <a href="/godbey/matthew/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship Him- <a href="/haweis/matthew/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to pay him homage.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Where is this king of the Jews who is now born? for we have seen his rising star, and are come to pay him homage. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> inquiring, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the east, and have come here to do him homage." <a href="/worrell/matthew/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> saying, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews, For we saw His star in the east, and we came to do Him homage." <a href="/worsley/matthew/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> saying, Where is the king of the Jews that is born here? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship Him. <a href="/parallel/matthew/2-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=238" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">The Pilgrimage of the Magi</a> 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2<a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">asking,</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: Pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.">“Where</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the One who</a> <a href="/greek/5088.htm" title="5088: techtheis (V-APP-NMS) -- A strengthened form of a primary teko tek'-o; to produce, literally or figuratively.">has been born</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basileus (N-NMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">King</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaiōn (Adj-GMP) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">Jews?</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: eidomen (V-AIA-1P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">We saw</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/792.htm" title="792: astera (N-AMS) -- A star. Probably from the base of stronnumi; a star, literally or figuratively.">star</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/395.htm" title="395: anatolē (N-DFS) -- From anatello; a rising of light, i.e. Dawn; by implication, the east.">east</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthomen (V-AIA-1P) -- To come, go. ">have come</a> <a href="/greek/4352.htm" title="4352: proskynēsai (V-ANA) -- From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.">to worship</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.”</a> 3When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Numbers 24:17</a> I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. <a href="/isaiah/60-3.htm">Isaiah 60:3</a> Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. <a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a> “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” <a href="/psalms/72-10.htm">Psalm 72:10-11</a> May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. / May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a> But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. <a href="/luke/2-10.htm">Luke 2:10-11</a> But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: / Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! <a href="/john/1-49.htm">John 1:49</a> “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” <a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Revelation 19:16</a> And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10</a> The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a> In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. <a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a> Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. <a href="/john/18-37.htm">John 18:37</a> “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” <a href="/acts/13-23.htm">Acts 13:23</a> From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised. <a href="/romans/15-12.htm">Romans 15:12</a> And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.born.<a href="/matthew/21-5.htm">Matthew 21:5</a> Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.<a href="/psalms/2-6.htm">Psalm 2:6</a> Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.<a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6,7</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace… his.<a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Numbers 24:17</a> I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.<a href="/isaiah/60-3.htm">Isaiah 60:3</a> And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.<a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78,79</a> Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, … worship.<a href="/matthew/2-10.htm">Matthew 2:10,11</a> When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy… <a href="/psalms/45-11.htm">Psalm 45:11</a> So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.<a href="/john/5-23.htm">John 5:23</a> That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Born</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-17.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">East</a> <a href="/daniel/2-46.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm">Inquiring</a> <a href="/daniel/3-12.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/joel/2-16.htm">Newly</a> <a href="/amos/5-26.htm">Star</a> <a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">Born</a> <a href="/matthew/4-9.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">East</a> <a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">Inquiring</a> <a href="/matthew/27-11.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/matthew/9-16.htm">Newly</a> <a href="/matthew/2-7.htm">Star</a> <a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 2</div>1. <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/2-3.htm">at which Herod is alarmed.</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Herod slays the children;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">himself dies.</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/2-23.htm">Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Where is the One This phrase indicates a search for a specific individual, emphasizing the Magi's determination and purpose. The Greek word "πού" (pou) suggests an inquiry not just of location but of identity and significance. The Magi, likely scholars or astrologers from the East, were seeking someone of great importance, not just any newborn. This reflects the universal quest for truth and the divine, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.who has been born The Greek verb "γεννηθείς" (gennetheis) is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing significance. This birth is not ordinary; it marks a pivotal moment in history. The birth of Jesus fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Isaiah 7:14</a> and <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, underscoring the divine plan and the fulfillment of God's promises.King of the Jews This title is significant both politically and spiritually. In the Jewish context, the term "King" (βασιλεύς, basileus) is loaded with Messianic expectations. The Jews anticipated a Messiah who would be a descendant of David, a ruler who would restore Israel. The Magi's use of this title indicates their recognition of Jesus' royal and Messianic status, even as Gentiles, highlighting the inclusivity of Christ's mission.We saw His star The phrase "εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα" (eidomen gar autou ton astera) suggests a divine sign. The star is a celestial phenomenon that guided the Magi, symbolizing divine revelation and guidance. In the ancient world, stars were often associated with deities and significant events. This star, however, is unique, pointing specifically to the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World (<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>).in the east The Greek phrase "ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ" (en tē anatolē) can also be translated as "at its rising," indicating the star's appearance in the sky. The East, or the Orient, was often associated with wisdom and mystery. The Magi, coming from this region, bring gifts and homage, symbolizing the recognition of Jesus' kingship by the Gentile world.and have come to worship Him The Greek word "προσκυνῆσαι" (proskynēsai) means to bow down or prostrate oneself, indicating deep reverence and adoration. The Magi's journey was not merely an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual pilgrimage. Their worship signifies the acknowledgment of Jesus' divine nature and foreshadows the worship He would receive from all nations. This act of worship by Gentiles at Jesus' birth prefigures the Great Commission (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>), where the Gospel is to be spread to all nations.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) Where is he . . .?--The Magi express here the feeling which the Roman historians, Tacitus and Suetonius, tell us sixty or seventy years later had been for a long time very widely diffused. Everywhere throughout the East men were looking for the advent of a great king who was to rise from among the Jews. The expectation partly rested on such Messianic prophecies of Isaiah as Isaiah 9, 11, partly on the later predictions of Daniel 7. It had fermented in the minds of men, heathens as well as Jews, and would have led them to welcome Jesus as the Christ had He come in accordance with their expectations. As it was, He came precisely as they did not expect Him, shattering their earthly hopes to pieces, and so they did not receive Him.We have seen his star in the east.--Here again we enter on questions which we cannot answer. Was the star (as Kepler conjectured) natural--the conjuncture of the planets Jupiter and Saturn appearing as a single star of special brightness--or supernatural; visible to all beholders, or to the Magi only? Astronomy is against the first view, by showing that the planets at their nearest were divided by the apparent diameter of the moon. The last hypothesis introduces a fresh miracle without a shadow of authority from Scripture. We must be content to remain in ignorance. We know too little of the astrology of that period to determine what star might or might not seem to those who watched the heavens as the precursor of a great king. Any star (as e.g., that which was connected with the birth of Caesar) might, under given rules of art, acquire a new significance. Stories, not necessarily legends, of the appearances of such stars gathered round the births of Alexander the Great and Mithridates as well as Caesar. The language of Balaam as to "the Star that was to rise out of Jacob" (<a href="/numbers/24-17.htm" title="I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not near: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.">Numbers 24:17</a>) implied the existence of such an association of thoughts then, and tended to perpetuate it. As late as the reign of Hadrian, the rebel chief who headed the insurrection of the Jews took the name of Bar-cochab, the "Son of a Star." Without building too much on uncertain data, we may, however, at least believe that the "wise men" were Gentiles. They do not ask for "our king," but for the king of the Jews; and yet, though Gentiles, they were sharers in the Messianic hopes of the Jews. They came to worship, i.e., to do homage, as subjects of the new-born King. They were watchers of the signs of the heavens, and when they saw what they interpreted as the sign that the King had come, they undertook a four months' journey (if they came from Babylon, <a href="/ezra/7-9.htm" title="For on the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him.">Ezra 7:9</a>; more, if they came from Persia), partly, perhaps, led by the position of the star (though this is not stated), partly naturally making their way to Jerusalem, as certain to hear there some tidings of the Jewish King.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Saying. The inquiry was on their lips at the moment of their appearance. Where is? Not "whether there is." The Magi show no signs of doubt. He that is born King of the Jews; i.e. he that is born to be King of the Jews. Whether he is king from the very moment of his birth is not stated. The rendering of the Revised Version margin, "Where is the King of the Jews that is born?" would imply this. With either form the bystanders could hardly help contrasting him with their then ruler, who had acquired the kingship after years of conflict, and who was of foreign extraction. King of the Jews. Notice: (1) This was, perhaps, Herod's exact title (ver. 1, note). (2) They do not say king of the world. They accept the facts that the Jews alone expected this king, and that according to the more literal interpretation of the Jewish prophecies the homage of the world would be rendered to him as the Head of the Jewish nation. (3) The title is not used of our Lord again until the Passion, where it is only used by heathen (Pilate and the soldiers, <a href="/matthew/27-11.htm">Matthew 27:11, 29, 37</a>, and parallel passages, Mark, Luke, John, and especially <a href="/john/19-21.htm">John 19:21</a>). The Magi and the Roman, learning and administration, East and West, acknowledge, at least in form, the King of the Jews. . . . <a href="/commentaries/matthew/2-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>asking, λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Where Ποῦ (Pou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4226.htm">Strong's 4226: </a> Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the [One who] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. has been born τεχθεὶς (techtheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5088.htm">Strong's 5088: </a> A strengthened form of a primary teko tek'-o; to produce, literally or figuratively. King βασιλεὺς (basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews? Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. We saw εἴδομεν (eidomen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. star ἀστέρα (astera) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_792.htm">Strong's 792: </a> A star. Probably from the base of stronnumi; a star, literally or figuratively. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. east ἀνατολῇ (anatolē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_395.htm">Strong's 395: </a> From anatello; a rising of light, i.e. Dawn; by implication, the east. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. have come ἤλθομεν (ēlthomen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to worship προσκυνῆσαι (proskynēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4352.htm">Strong's 4352: </a> From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage. Him.” αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/2-2.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 2:2 Where is he who is born King (Matt. 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