Born king of the Jews is translated sometimes as “the king of the Jews who was born recently.” Note that their question does imply that this future king was born recently, so that specifying “baby” is accurate. However, this does not mean they thought the baby was king immediately, that is, king at the time of his birth, but was rather “the baby born to be king” or “the baby who will become king.”
For indicates that the wise men are giving the reason they are asking where this baby is. Some languages need a phrase such as “We ask because…” or “We want to know because….” In others, such as English, the relation is understood without being explicit.
His star is thought by some scholars to be a heavenly counterpart of the newborn king. However, the phrase most probably means simply “the star which announced his birth.” As far as translation is concerned, it is not necessary to identify specifically what star or constellation is indicated. In many languages, to say his star would make it seem that he possessed it. Then translators will find “the star which announced his birth” helpful. Other ways may be “the star that relates to him” or “… tells us about him.”
In the East is translated as a complete statement by Good News Translation: “when it came up in the east.” With regard to this phrase, a few commentators state that the meaning “in the east” can be arrived at only with great difficulty, and that the meaning must be “at its rising.” Nevertheless, other commentators and lexicographers supply references where the Greek noun does mean “east” (see Rev 7.2; 16.12; 21.13). The translations are divided. Revised Standard Version, Phillips, Zürcher Bibel translate in the East. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible also follows this translation, but with a note giving the alternative possibility. In favor of the meaning “at its rising” are Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch (“We have seen his star rise”), Barclay, Translator’s New Testament, Moffatt, New English Bible. Jerusalem Bible also accepts this rendering but gives the alternative translation in a footnote, basing it on the Vulgate. On the basis of the evidence available, it seems that either translation is possible, and Good News Translation has attempted to maintain the best of both worlds by including each of the two elements: “when it came up” and “in the east.” Since either translation is possible, the real question is what would the astrologers themselves most likely have said. It seems more likely that people coming from the east would have said something like “in our own land” in place of “in the east.” If this is the case, then it is quite possible that this is a technical term referring to the beginning of the phenomenon observed by the astrologers. Following these interpretations, then, translators can say “his star in our country (in the direction of the east)” or “his star as it came from the east.”
The same term for East should be used as in verse 1.
The word translated worship is used thirteen times in Matthew as compared with two times in Mark and three in Luke. In the context it may mean either divine worship or homage paid to a king; however, in the final analysis it is difficult to draw a sharp line between these two meanings. Many languages use “pray to” for worship, which would not really be best here. “Pay homage to,” “pay our respects to,” or “honor because he is king” is better.
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .