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Matthew 2:10

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 2:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found [him,] bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.
9And 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.
10And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12And being warned [of God] in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When they saw the star, etc.] Which by its appearance, size, brightness, etc. they knew to be the same with that which they had seen, when in their own country; they rejoiced with exceeding great joy; a “pleonasm” or a redundancy of expression frequently used by the Hebrews, (see <430406>John 4:6) and the Septuagint there; setting forth the rapture, the excess of joy they were in upon the sight of the star. Very probably before this, their hearts were sad, their countenances dejected, and they greatly discouraged, having taken so great a journey, and as yet to so little purpose. They had been at Jerusalem, where they expected to have found him that was born king of the Jews; they had been at…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy--The language is very strong, expressing exuberant transport.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The star ... went before them - From this it appears that the star was a luminous meteor, perhaps at no great distance from the ground. It is not unlikely that they lost sight of it after they had commenced their journey from the East. It is probable that it appeared to them first in the direction of Jerusalem. They concluded that the expected King had been born, and immediately commenced their journey to Jerusalem. When they arrived there, it was important that they should be directed to the very place where he was, and the star again appeared. It was for this reason that they rejoiced. They felt assured that they were under a heavenly guidance, and would be conducted to the new-born King…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Seeing the star - Standing over where the child was. Matthew 2:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they rejoiced: Deu 32:13; Psa 67:4, Psa 105:3; Luk 2:10, Luk 2:20; Act 13:46-48; Rom 15:9-13 Matthew 2:11”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 2 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification