And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
These wise men came so far to worship Christ, yet the Jews themselves would not stir a step to bid Him welcome. It might well have discouraged them to find Him thus neglected at home. But note this: we must continue attendance upon Christ though we be alone in it. Whatever others do, we must serve the Lord; if they will not go to heaven with us, we must not go to hell with them.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 2:9-12
Being warned of God in a dream,.... It is likely they made a short stay at Bethlehem, might lodge there a night; at least laid themselves down a while to take some refreshment in sleep, after they had paid their respects to him that was born king of the Jews, and performed the whole business they came about; when in a dream they received a...
Verse 12. Warned of God, etc. This was done, doubtless, because, if they had given Herod precise information where he was, it would have been easy for him to send forth and slay him. And from it we learn that God will watch over those whom he loves; that he knows how to foil the purposes of the wicked, and to deliver his own out...