Then Herod privily called the wise men (τοτε Hηρωιδης λαθρα καλεσας τους μαγους). He had manifestly not told members of the Sanhed…

Privily. Secretly, privately. He did this to ascertain the time when Jesus was born.

Diligently. Accurately; exact…

When he had secretly called — True to his nature to the end—himself probably a believer in astrology, and haunted by fears of what…

And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And you Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, are not the least a…

Pseudo-Chrysostom: As soon as Herod heard the answer, though it was doubly authenticated by both the authority of the p…

The reason Herod wanted to learn, at his secret meeting with the Magi, the exact time the star appeared was that he had already schemed to kill the…

Then Herod, having secretly called the Magi. The tyrant did not dare to avow his fear and uneasiness, lest he might give fresh courage to …

Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men
As soon as he had got the intelligence of the place of the Mes…

Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use the most diligence, and learn the most about Christ and His salvation. Bu…

Christ’s birth having been announced by the Wise Men, King Herod here inquires about the place of the birth. Three things are presented: