Verse 4
And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
There is a terribly grim humor about this inquiry of Herod. He was doubtless most thoroughly hated; and there must have been countless speculations concerning the coming of the Messiah; but when he convened the most learned people of the day and demanded to know where Christ would be born, the bravest among them must have trembled. Under the circumstances, they wisely took refuge in the Word of God. In effect, they said, "O King, we don't really know anything about it, but there is, it so happens, a verse in one of the prophecies that speaks of the birth of the Messiah, and that says it is to take place in Bethlehem." The ignorance of Herod concerning the Messianic hope of the Jews is in keeping with secular monarchial character in all ages. Alas, how few men in public life have any real knowledge of spiritual things!
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