He had manifestly not told members of the Sanhedrin why he was concerned about the Messiah . So he conceals his motives to the Magi. He was anxious to see if the Jewish prophecy of the birthplace of the Messiah agreed with the indications of the star to the Magi. He kept to himself his purpose. The deceit of Herod seemed plausible enough and might have succeeded but for God 's intervention to protect His Son from the jealous rage of Herod .
Justin martyr says that it was in a cave .
The stall where the cattle and donkeys stayed may have been beneath the inn in the side of the hill . Second aorist passive indicative with cognate accusative. Their joy was due to the success of the search. In Egypt Joseph was to keep Mary and Jesus till the death of Herod the monster. It is no surprise that Josephus makes no note of this small item in Herod 's chamber of horrors.