7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
(Matthew 2:7-8 KJV)
William Burkitt’s New Testament Commentary
Observe here, 1. How Herod clokes his intended cruelty with disguised hypocrisy: he had a murder in his heart, when he pretended to worship Christ with his mouth. There is no villainy so great, but will mask itself under a pretence and shew of piety. Herod veils his intent to kill Christ, with a pretence to worship him.
Observe, 2. Herod calls him the young child, not the young king: that word was too big to come out of Herod’s proud mouth; he could neither bear the thing, nor brook the title. A king it is true he is, but one that will never be thy rival: he has a kingdom, but it is not of this world.
Observe, 3. How craftily Herod lays his plot; he desires the wise men to enquire thoroughly, and to inform him privately. To be wise in doing mischief, is the worst wisdom in the world: it is not the wisdom from above, but from hell beneath.