Visit of the Magi
Guided by a star, wise men from the east came to worship a child King and offered Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem asking, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.' Herod was troubled, and when the chief priests and scribes pointed to the prophecy of a Governor coming out of Bethlehem, he sent the wise men there while secretly planning to destroy the child. The star went before them until it stood over where the young child was, and coming into the house they saw Him with Mary His mother, fell down and worshipped Him, and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Being warned of God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Their visit shows Gentiles from far away coming to honor Israel's King.
Did You Know?
Matthew never says there were three wise men; the number has traditionally been inferred from the three gifts.
By the time they arrived, the family was in a house and Jesus is called a 'young child,' not a newborn.
Herod's careful questions about when the star appeared later shaped his order to kill the boys of Bethlehem 'from two years old and under.'
Key Passage
Visit of the Magi
Matthew 2:1-12
1ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Meanwhile in the World
The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.
