Born King of the Jews; there was at this time, as we learn from heathen writers, a general expectation throughout the east, that one would be born in Judea who should possess universal dominion. Among the Gentiles, this expectation was probably founded on some imperfect acquaintance with the prophecies of the Old Testament.

In the east; in their own country, which lay east of Judea. The nature of this star we have no means of determining. It is sufficient for us to know that God in some way made known to these Magi its meaning, and influenced them to take this journey, to find and pay their homage to the new-born King.

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Old Testament