Matthew 2:9 - Exposition

When they had heard the king . There is a slight contrast in the Greek, but they [ for their part ] having heard the King. They departed ; went their way (Revised Version). Took their journey ( ἐπορεύθησαν ) And lo, the star, which they saw in the East . They would, in accordance with Eastern custom, probably travel by night. Observe that the joy they felt at seeing the star ( Matthew 2:10 ) implies that it had not continued visible ( Matthew 2:7 , note). They had fully used all means; now they receive fresh Divine guidance. In the East ( Matthew 2:2 , note). Went before them . Continuously ( τροῆγεν ); "taking them by the hand and drawing them on" (Chrysostom). Not to show them the way to Bethlehem, for the road was easy, but to assure them of guidance to the Babe, over whose temporary home it stayed. The road to Bethlehem is, and from the nature of the valley must always have been, so nearly straight (until the last half-mile, when there is a sudden turn up the hill) that the star need have moved but slightly. Bethlehem itself is seen soon after passing Mar Elias, a monastery rather more than half-way from Jerusalem. Till it came and stood over where the young Child was . Does the true reading ( ἐστάθη ) suggest the unseen hand by which this star was itself guided and stationed ( Matthew 27:11 )? or is it used with a kind of reflexive force, indicating that it was by no chance that it stood still there—"took its stand" (cf. σταθείς , Luke 18:11 , Luke 18:40 ; Luke 19:8 ; Acts 2:14 , et al. ; cf. also Revelation 8:3 ; 12:18)?