Matthew 2:10

Matthew 2:10, in plain English

When the wise men saw the star again, they were overjoyed. After all the travel, the uncertainty, the danger in Jerusalem, they knew they were finally close.

Why it's here

Joy like this comes after a long search. They had risked everything to find this child, and now the journey was almost over.

Who's speaking

Matthew captures the Magi's overwhelming joy.

Where it sits in the story

True seeking always leads to joy. The long road makes the arrival that much sweeter.

The scholarly reading

The phrase echaresen charan megalen sphodra (literally 'they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy') uses a cognate accusative construction for maximum emphasis, indicating overwhelming elation.

Language and setting

After a long and dangerous journey, the reappearance of the guiding star confirmed the Magi were on the right path. Their joy reflects the culmination of their quest.

Voice

Matthew, describing the Magi's emotional response.

Significance

The Magi's extreme joy upon finding the Messiah contrasts with Jerusalem's fear, illustrating two possible responses to Jesus's arrival.

8And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”

9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was.

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight.

11On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

Read all of Matthew 2 — Foreign stargazers arrive bearing gifts while a jealous king plots murder. From the start, following Jesus means danger.