for the young childe] He doth not say, For the king of the Jews, as they styled him, verse 2. He would not so much as in word, acknowledge him to be so. bring me word again] He doth not say, Tell it publikely, lest the people should flock to him, and disappoint his purpose of killing him: yet it was a great providence of God, that Herod had no suspition of the wise-men, nor sent no spie along with them; which if he had done, he might have found out Christ. and worship him] See Herods hypocrisie. He proffers to worship Christ, when he intends to kill him.