Matthew 2:10

Modern

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

Traditional

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Literal

And having seen the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

Latin

Videntes autem stellam gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde.

Greek

English

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

God placed the star to guide the wise men to the Messiah (see Numbers 24:17). The details are unclear.

This story shows how certain parts of the life of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. This includes:

The story also shows how efforts to stop the plan of God do not work (2:1–15; see also 27:62–66).

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 105:3
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
Luke 2:20
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.
Romans 15:9–13
…so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”
Psalm 67:4
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples justly and lead the nations of the earth. Selah
Deuteronomy 32:13
He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag,
Acts 13:46–48
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.