Matthew 2:1-12
Following Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, Magi guided by a star visit Jerusalem seeking the newborn king, then find and worship Jesus, and are warned in a dream to avoid Herod.
- Visit of the Magi:
- The passage begins with the account of wise men, or Magi, from the east who come to Jerusalem, seeking the one who has been born king of the Jews.
- They have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
- Herod’s Reaction:
- When King Herod hears about this, he is troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
- Herod gathers the chief priests and scribes of the people, inquiring where the Christ was to be born.
- Prophecy of Micah:
- The chief priests and scribes quote the prophecy of Micah, stating that the Christ is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet.
- Herod’s Deception:
- Herod secretly summons the wise men and asks them about the time the star appeared.
- He then sends them to Bethlehem, telling them to search diligently for the child and report back to him so that he too may go and worship Him.
- Worship of the Christ Child:
- The wise men leave, and the star they had seen in the east goes ahead of them until it stops over the place where the child was.
- They rejoice exceedingly with great joy upon seeing the star again.
- Entering the house, they find the child with Mary, His mother, and they fall down and worship Him. They offer Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- Divine Warning in a Dream:
- Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the wise men depart for their own country by another route.
2:1 Now 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, 2:2 Saying, 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.
2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
2:8 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.
2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.