Matthew 2:7

τότε, a favourite word of transition with St Matthew. It occurs more frequently in this gospel alone than in all the rest of the N.T. The modes of transition in the several Evangelists are interesting as notes of style. Thus τότε is characteristic of St Matthew, εὐθὺς (εὐθέως) of St Mark, καὶ ἐγένετο of St Luke, καὶ ἰδοὺ is about equally common in Luke and Matthew.

ἠκρίβωσεν, ‘accurately ascertained,’ used of scientific exactness, σοφοὶ μὲν οὖν εἰσʼ οἱ τάδʼ ἠκριβωκότες, Eur. Hec. 1192. The reason of Herod’s enquiry appears in Matthew 2:16.

τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαιν. ἀστ. Literally, ‘the time of the star which was appearing,’ i.e. when it first appeared and how long it would continue. The χρόνος was astrologically important.