7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared.
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.
7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 2:7
Commentary on Matthew 2:1-8
(Read Matthew 2:1-8)
Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct men unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as a light that shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affection for his family, and was not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. He understood not the spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom. Let us beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success therein.