Church Fathers Commentary Matthew 2:9

"And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." — Matthew 2:9 (ASV)

Pseudo-Chrysostom: This passage shows that when the star had brought the Magi near Jerusalem, it was hidden from them. Consequently, they were compelled to ask in Jerusalem where Christ was to be born, and in this way, He was revealed to the Jews.

This was for two reasons. First, to put the Jews to shame, since the Gentiles, instructed only by the sight of a star, sought Christ through foreign lands, while the Jews, who had read the Prophets from their youth, did not receive Him, though He was born in their own country.

Second, so that the priests, when asked where Christ was to be born, would answer in a way that led to their own condemnation; for while they instructed Herod, they themselves were ignorant of Him.

The star went before them, to show them the greatness of the King.

St. Augustine of Hippo: To perform its proper service to the Lord, it advanced slowly, leading them to the exact spot. It was ministering to Him, not ruling His fate. Its light revealed the worshipers, filled the inn, and shone over the walls and roof that covered the place of His birth; and then it disappeared.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: What wonder is it that a divine star should minister to the Sun of Righteousness who was about to rise? It stood over the Child's head, as if to say, "This is He," proving by its position what it had no voice to declare.

Glossa Ordinaria: It is evident that the star must have been in the air and close above the house where the Child was; otherwise, it would not have been able to point out the exact house.¹

St. Ambrose of Milan: The star is the way, and the way is Christ. According to the mystery of the incarnation, Christ is a star. He is a blazing and a morning star. Thus, where Herod is, the star is not seen; but where Christ is, there it is seen again, and it points out the way.²

Remigius of Auxerre: Alternatively, the star represents the grace of God, and Herod represents the devil. Whoever, by sinning, places himself in the devil's power, loses that grace. But if he returns through repentance, he soon finds that grace again, which does not leave him until it has brought him to the young Child's house—that is, the Church.

Glossa Ordinaria: Alternatively, the star is the illumination of faith, which leads a person to the nearest source of help. When the Magi turn aside to the Jews, they lose it. In the same way, those who seek counsel from the wicked lose the true light.³

1. Anselm
2. Luc. 2, 45
3. ord.