Wise Men from The East Come to Worship Jesus
February 15, 2025
Commentary
“Herod the king” mentioned here was known as Herod the Great (v. 1), whose family though nominally Jewish, was an Edomite who became king with Rome’s help. It is no surprise that he was disturbed when the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the one who had been “born king” (v. 2). He was certainly not a king from the line of David. In fact, he was descended from Esau, an Edomite. If someone had truly been born king, then Herod’s job was in jeopardy.
These wise men “from the east” mentioned here were perhaps from the area of ancient Babylon where Daniel had been chief of the governors. At least they seem to have been familiar with the prophecies of Daniel 9:24-26). Tradition claims that there were three royal visitors who were also kings. However, there is no real historical evidence to verify this.
When the wise men saw the star in the east it confirmed their expectation. From their understanding of Scripture, they had expected the King of the Jews to be at Jerusalem so that is why they went there first, instead of Bethlehem. At Jerusalem they learned from the scribes that the Savior would be born at Bethlehem (vv. 3-6). They clearly anticipated a literal fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies (Micah 5:2). The implication is that the Jews of that day were anticipating the Messiah The star then appeared again and this time it led them to the house where the baby Jesus lay (vv. 7-12). Herod secretly called in the wise men and told them to search for the child and when they found Him to let him know (v. 7). However, they were warned in a dream not to tell Herod (v. 11)
Application
If a group of strangers came to me and said they had seen a star and were following it, what would I have thought? Would I have thought they were crazy or would I have joined them to find Jesus? I need to be helping others try to find Him.
Matthew 2:1– 12 (NET)
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem 2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” 9 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.