Bible Strands
Matthew 2:8
And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Herod addresses the Magi after secretly learning the exact timing of the star’s appearance, directing them toward Bethlehem. He issues this command at the precise moment they prepare to depart on their journey.
The words — The verb ἐξετὰσατε (exetasate) literally means “do search” or “investigate thoroughly,” emphasizing precision in locating the Child. Herod’s explicit command to “report to me” establishes the transactional nature of his request.
The thread — This dynamic of feigned sincerity to trap or manipulate appears in Luke 20:20, where spies pretend to be sincere to catch Jesus in His words. The exposure of worldly craftiness also aligns with 1 Corinthians 3:19.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to distinguish between stated religious intent and concealed personal agenda. It demands an honest assessment of whether one’s own pursuit targets genuine discovery or hidden control.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
- Jeremiah 41:5 eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD.
- Luke 20:20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
- 1 Samuel 23:22 Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.
- 2 Samuel 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
- 1 Kings 19:2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”
- 2 Kings 10:18 Then Jehu brought all the people together and said, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him a lot.
- Ezra 4:1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel,
- Job 5:12 He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
- Psalms 12:2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.