“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”
King James Version (KJV)
2:8 And if ye find him, bring me word - Probably Herod did not believe he was born; otherwise would not so suspicious a prince have tried to make sure work at once?
2:10 Seeing the star - Standing over where the child was.
2:11 They presented to him gifts - It was customary to offer some present to any eminent person whom they visited. And so it is, as travellers observe, in the eastern countries to this day. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh - Probably these were the best things their country afforded; and the presents ordinarily made to great persons. This was a most seasonable, providential assistance for a long and expensive journey into Egypt, a country where they were entirely strangers, and were to stay for a considerable time.
Mt 2:9 They departed. They probably departed immediately after their interview with Herod, and as the appearance of the star as soon as they started indicates that it was right, they probably saw Herod in the evening. The star . . . went before them. This language implies a miraculous appearance, like a star, which guided the steps of the wise men. Such a view is no less probable than that a pillar of fire should have guided Israel. The luminous appearance stood over where the young child was. Either over Bethlehem, or over the house where the young child was sheltered.