Matthew 2:2

Saying, &c.— Saying, Where is this new-born king of the Jews? Campbell. There does not seem to be any need of supposing, with some of the fathers, that the wise men knew the signification of this star which they saw while they were in the east, by comparing it with Balaam's prophesy, Numbers 24:17 or Daniel's, Daniel 2:44; Daniel 9:25. Nor can we think, as Grotius seems to intimate, that they discovered it by the rules of their art. It is much more probable that they learned it by a divine revelation, by which it is plain they were guided in their return. See Matthew 2:12. It was a common observation among the ancients, that the appearance of a new star denoted either the birth or death of great men. Chalcidius, in his comment upon Plato, mentions the appearance of this star in a very remarkable manner; "as foretelling the descent of a god upon earth, for the preservation of mankind; and as occasioning some wise men among the Chaldeans to go in search of him, and pay him adoration." Dr. Doddridge and others render the latter clause of the verse, And are come to prostrate ourselves before him.