Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:9
Verse 9. In the east] Or, at its rise. See "ver. 2". Stood over where the young child was.] Super caput pueri, Over the head of the child, as the OPUS IMPERFECTUM, on this place, has it. See Griesbach's Var. Lect. So it appears to have been a simple luminous meteor in a star-like form, and at a very short distance from the ground, otherwise it could not have ascertained the place where the child lay. But the last quoted reading, from the Opus Imperfectum, justifies the opinion that the luminous appearance which had hitherto directed them now encompassed the head of the child; and probably this gave the first idea to the ancient painters, of representing Christ in the manger, with a glory surrounding his head. This glory, or nimbus, is usually given also to saints and eminent persons, especially in the Roman Church, by all Roman Catholic painters.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. When they had heard the king , etc.] With great care and attention, what he had told them of the birth place of the young child; the strict charge he had given them to search diligently for him, and then return to him with an account of the whole affair; and his expressions of respect to the new born prince, which they took to be said in great sincerity, they departed ; took their leave of Herod and his court, and set forward on their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem: and lo , to their great surprise and joy, the star, which they saw in the east , then appeared; for, it seems, it had for some time disappeared: it looks as if it had been only seen at the time of Christs birth, and when they were in their own country; for both here, and in ( Matthew 2:2) they are only said to have seen it in the east, that is, when they were in the east country; so that it seems from that time they had had no sight of it, not while they were on their journey, nor at Jerusalem; nor was it necessary they should. When they saw it in their own country, according to their best observation, it was over the land of Judea, and they were persuaded of it, that it was a certain sign that the king of the Jews was born: they therefore determine upon and prepare for a journey to Jerusalem, the metropolis of the nation, and where the king kept his court, to inquire for him; nor needed they the guidance of the star to direct them to a place so well known; but being in quest of him in an obscure place, and without any guide, this star appears to them; and, which is something very extraordinary, went before them, till it came, and stood over, where the young child was .
This star had a motion, kept pace with them, and was a guide unto them, till it and they came to the place where Christ was; and then it stood directly over the house, so that they had no need to inquire of any person for him. It is certain from hence, that this star was indeed a very unusual one; its being seen in the daytime, its motion and standing still, its situation, which must be very low, and its use to point out the very house where Christ was, show it to be so; but though it was an unusual appearance, it should not be thought incredible. Varro relates, that from the time Aeneas went from Troy, he saw the star Venus in the daytime, day after day, till he came to the field of Laurentum, where he saw it no more, by which he knew that those lands were fatal.
The appearing of this star, and then its disappearing for a time, agree, in some measure, with the account the Jews give of the star which they expect will be seen at the coming of the Messiah; for they say, after seven days that star shall be hid, and the Messiah shall be hid for twelve months when he shall descend, the pillar of fire shall be seen as before, in sight, and afterwards the Messiah shall be revealed, and many people shall be gathered to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-12 - What joy these wise men felt upon this sight of the star, none know s well as those who, after a long and melancholy night of temptation an desertion, under the power of a spirit of bondage, at length receiv the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of God. We may well think what a disappointment it was to them, when they found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mothe the only attendant he had. However, these wise men did not thin themselves baffled; but having found the King they sought, the presented their gifts to him. The humble inquirer after Christ will no be stumbled at finding him and his disciples in obscure cottages, afte having in vain sought them in palaces and populous cities. Is a sou busy, seeking after Christ? Would it worship him, and does it say Alas! I am a foolish and poor creature, and have nothing to offer Nothing! Hast thou not a heart, though unworthy of him, dark, hard, an foul? Give it to him as it is, and be willing that he use and dispos of it as it pleases him; he will take it, and will make it better, an thou shalt never repent having given it to him. He shall frame it to his own likeness, and will give thee himself, and be thine for ever The gifts the wise men presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh Providence sent these as a seasonable relief to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. Thus our heavenly Father, who knows what his children need, uses some as stewards to supply the wants of others and can provide for them, even from the ends of the earth.
Greek Textus Receptus
οι 3588 T-NPM δε 1161 CONJ ακουσαντες 191 5660 V-AAP-NPM του 3588 T-GSM βασιλεως 935 N-GSM επορευθησαν 4198 5675 V-AOI-3P και 2532 CONJ ιδου 2400 5628 V-2AAM-2S ο 3588 T-NSM αστηρ 792 N-NSM ον 3739 R-ASM ειδον 1492 5627 V-2AAI-3P εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF ανατολη 395 N-DSF προηγεν 4254 5707 V-IAI-3S αυτους 846 P-APM εως 2193 CONJ ελθων 2064 5631 V-2AAP-NSM εστη 2476 5627 V-2AAI-3S επανω 1883 ADV ου 3757 ADV ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S το 3588 T-NSN παιδιον 3813 N-NSN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:9 {Went before them} (proegen autous). Imperfect tense, kept on in front of them, not as a guide to the town since they now knew that, but to the place where the child was, the inn according to #Lu 2:7. Justin martyr says that it was in a cave. The stall where the cattle and donkeys stayed may have been beneath the inn in the side of the hill.
