NOw when Jesus] Luke 2. 6, 6. was born] Was newly born. Not long after his birth. As Hebrews 11:23. Before their leaving Bethlehem: That is, within fourty dayes after the birth of Christ. Compare Luke 2:22. with Levit. 12. 2, 4. Their short stay at Bethlehem was the cause, that little notice was taken of Christs birth there in aftertimes. See John 1:43; John 1:46. in Bethlehem of Judea] To distinguish it from that other Bethlehem, in the tribe of Zebulun, Joshua 19:15. of Herod the king] Herod the great, called Ascalonita. wise-men] Learned men. It seems they were Astronomers, because God taught them by a star. from the east] In respect of Jerusalem, as Deuteronomy 4:4. Zechariah 14:4. Some think the word, Magi, to be a Persian word, and that these came out of Persia. Others think, they came out of Arabia, which was famous for wise-men anciently, 1 Kings 4:30. and stood east-ward from Jerusalem, Genesis 10:30. and 25. 6, 18. Judges 6:3. Job 1:3. Isaiah 11:14. Jeremiah 49:28. Their gifts also, verse 11. shew it, which were plentifull in Arabia, to wit, myrrhe, and frankincense, and gold, 2 Chron. 19. 14. Psalms 72:15. to Jerusalem] Where the king of the Jews was most likely to be born, or at lest to be heard of, because it was the chief citie.