Matthew 2:10
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” The wise men celebrate as God’s sign leads them straight to the young Jesus.
Wise Men Still Seek Him · Matthew 2:10
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Wise Men Still Seek Him · Matthew 2:10
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Wise Men Still Seek Him · Matthew 2:10
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What does Matthew 2:10 mean?
Matthew wrote his Gospel to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah of Israel, and yet in chapter 2 he records that some of the first people to honor the newborn King were Gentiles from the east. These wise men had traveled a long distance to Jerusalem after seeing a special star. After King Herod and the religious scholars told them the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to the prophet Micah, the travelers set out on the final leg of their journey.
What it means
As the wise men left Jerusalem and headed toward Bethlehem, the miraculous light appeared again to guide them to the exact house. Matthew records their reaction: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Every word builds up the emotion of the moment. It was not enough for Matthew to say simply that “they rejoiced.” He adds that they did so “with exceeding great joy.” In the original Greek, Matthew stacks several words for gladness together to express overwhelming delight. Their long, uncertain trip was finally reaching its goal. In sharp contrast to King Herod and the leaders in Jerusalem, who were troubled and indifferent at the news of the Messiah’s birth, these outsiders were thrilled to be near the Savior. Seeing God’s clear direction filled their hearts with pure gladness.
Living it out
Notice that the wise men celebrated before they even stepped inside the house, simply because God’s guidance was clear again. We can practice that same gratitude whenever God answers a prayer for direction or confirms His promises in Scripture. This verse also challenges us to keep our worship fresh and joyful, rather than treating our faith like a dull routine as the leaders in Jerusalem did. You can share the gladness of the nativity story year-round with our Wise Men Still Seek Him design on the shirts and hoodies on this page.
Frequently asked
Who rejoiced when they saw the star in Matthew 2:10? The wise men from the east, often called Magi, rejoiced as the star led them from Jerusalem to the place where Jesus was in Bethlehem.
What happened right after Matthew 2:10? In Matthew 2:11, the wise men entered the house, saw the young child with Mary His mother, fell down to worship Him, and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.