Gospel of Matthew Matthew 2:1-12
Wise Men Worship the King
Matthew 2 describes the different reception given to Christ throughout His life and ministry. We find the worship of the wise men offset by the hatred of Herod. Some would believe and receive Him as king while others would resent and reject Him.
Separating tradition from truth
Tradition says there were three wise men, they were kings, their names were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, and they were from three different continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia). Tradition says they followed a star for weeks from their country to Palestine and they were part of the birth story as they came to worship Jesus in the manger. However, the Bible indicates that they saw the unusual star in the east (vs. 2) and came by faith to Jerusalem looking for the Messiah. Then the star reappeared and led them to Bethlehem (vs. 9). The Bible does not reveal their names, their number, or their native land. Scripture says they came to a house rather than a manger, and saw the young child (vs. 9, 11, Gk. paidion ) rather than a newborn infant (Lk. 2:12, Gk. brephos ). The traditional idea of three wise men probably arose from the Biblical fact that they presented three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh).
Robert Gromacki comments: “Only the wise men recognized the significance of the unusual star. They knew it signaled the advent of God’s Son (Num. 24:17). They knew that the Messiah had to be both human and divine; this is why they came to worship one who had been born” ( New Testament Survey, 76). Stuart Weber adds: “The important point here is that God brought the birth of the king to the attention of these Gentiles, who probably journeyed many months (possibly one to two years) from Mesopotamia to Jerusalem. Matthew included this information to alert his Jewish readers to several realities: 1) the event of Jesus’ birth had worldwide impact; 2) the Messiah was coming through Israel as a gift from God to all nations of the world, not just to the Jews; and 3) in contrast to the indifference of Jewish chief priests and scribes who should have anticipated the king’s birth (Mt. 2:4), these Gentiles were overwhelmed with joy” ( Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew, 20).
1. The Wise Men’s Journey (vs. 1-8)
A. The wise men’s public search (vs. 1-2) They entered Jerusalem asking the question: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” This question was sure to stir the hearts and minds of the people. They had traveled a long distance to worship the King. They expected to find the king in the capital city. They also anticipated that the people of Jerusalem would know where to find him and would be honored by his presence.
B. Herod’s troubled reaction (vs. 3-4) He was highly suspicious of any rival to his throne and the citizens of Jerusalem were troubled because they knew Herod’s jealousy would bring severe retaliation on them. Herod was determined to find out more about the Messiah’s birth, so he convened a meeting of the religious scholars and demanded them to tell him where Christ would be born. Herod the Great, mentioned here and in Luke 1:5 was of Edomite descent. He ruled from 37-4 B.C., during which he was given the title “king of the Jews” by the Roman senate ( Holman NT Commentary, 19).
C. The leaders’ scriptural information (vs. 5-6) They had knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures and told Herod that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy in Micah 5:2. This is the only Old Testament reference to Christ’s birthplace. Sadly these Jewish scholars knew the place and the prophecy, but they apparently had no interest in the actual birth of their King. Their indifference eventually turned into animosity and outright rejection. The mention of Jesus’ birthplace is significant because Matthew is building his case that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of the long-awaited Messiah.
D. Herod’s private meeting with the wise men (vs. 7-8) He asked them when they first saw the star, told them to go search and find the child, and then deceived them by saying he wanted to come and worship him also. Larry Richards observes: “Herod the Great was near death at the time the magi visited. Yet this paranoid man, who executed several of his own sons on suspicion that they planned to overthrow him, was so jealous of his power that he determined to murder an infant who surely could never come to the throne till long after Herod’s own death. Sin corrupts sinners, and hold them in its grasp” (Bible Reader’s Companion , 603).
2. The Wise Men’s Joy (vs. 9-12)
A. The witness of the star (vs. 9) The star reappeared and they followed to the house where Jesus was living. Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem.
B. The worship of the wise men (vs. 10-11) They rejoiced when they saw the star and they worshipped when they saw the child. The wise men saw no miracles of Jesus to convince them and heard no teaching to persuade them. They recognized and worshipped Jesus because of who He was. They presented their valuable gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were appropriate for Christ. Gold represents His deity and royalty. Frankincense represents the fragrance of His perfect life and suggests His role as high priest. Myrrh represents His sacrificial death since it was used for embalming. These gifts were also the means by which Joseph took his family to Egypt and sustained them there until Herod died (Bible Knowledge Commentary , 22).
C. The warning from the Lord (vs. 12) God warned them to bypass Herod and return to their home another way. The wise men followed this warning. Their disobedience to Herod was risky, but they obviously respected God more than the earthly king. [The lesson outline was adapted from Harold Willmington, The Outline Bible, 458.]
The wise men were surely disappointed when they found a nation unaware of their king, a city troubled by the news of a king, a Roman ruler suspicious of the new king, and religious leaders who were indifferent to the king’s arrival. Yet they were grateful and joyful to find King Jesus and worship Him.
Why were the wise men “wise”?
They followed the light they had – They followed the light of the star and then the light of the Scripture. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
They made personal sacrifices to worship Christ – They spent time, money, and effort to find and worship Him. They traveled hundreds of miles and gave Him costly gifts because He was worth it.
They obeyed God rather than man – They heeded God’s warning and disregarded Herod’s instructions. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Gospel of Matthew Matthew 2:1-12
Wise Men Worship the King
Matthew 2 describes the different reception given to Christ throughout His life and ministry. We find the worship of the wise men offset by the hatred of Herod. Some would believe and receive Him as king while others would resent and reject Him.
Separating______
Tradition says there were three wise men, they were kings, their names were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, and they were from three different continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia). Tradition says they followed a star for weeks from their country to Palestine and they were part of the birth story as they came to worship Jesus in the manger. However, the Bible indicates that they saw the unusual star in the east (vs. 2) and came by faith to Jerusalem looking for the Messiah. Then the star reappeared and led them to Bethlehem (vs. 9). The Bible does not reveal their names, their number, or their native land. Scripture says they came to a house rather than a manger, and saw the young child (vs. 9, 11, Gk. paidion ) rather than a newborn infant (Lk. 2:12, Gk. brephos ). The traditional idea of three wise men probably arose from the Biblical fact that they presented three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh).
Robert Gromacki comments: “Only the wise men recognized the significance of the unusual star. They knew it signaled the advent of God’s Son (Num. 24:17). They knew that the Messiah had to be both human and divine; this is why they came to worship one who had been born” ( New Testament Survey, 76). Stuart Weber adds: “The important point here is that God brought the birth of the king to the attention of these Gentiles, who probably journeyed many months (possibly one to two years) from Mesopotamia to Jerusalem. Matthew included this information to alert his Jewish readers to several realities: 1) the event of Jesus’ birth had worldwide impact; 2) the Messiah was coming through Israel as a gift from God to all nations of the world, not just to the Jews; and 3) in contrast to the indifference of Jewish chief priests and scribes who should have anticipated the king’s birth (Mt. 2:4), these Gentiles were overwhelmed with joy” ( Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew, 20).
1. ______(vs. 1-8)
A. The wise men’s______(vs. 1-2) They entered Jerusalem asking the question: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” This question was sure to stir the hearts and minds of the people.
B. Herod’s______(vs. 3-4) He was highly suspicious of any rival to his throne and the citizens of Jerusalem were troubled because they knew Herod’s jealousy would bring severe retaliation on them. Herod was determined to find out more about the Messiah’s birth, so he convened a meeting of the religious scholars and demanded them to tell him where Christ would be born.
C. The leaders’______(vs. 5-6) They had knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures and told Herod that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy in Micah 5:2. This is the only Old Testament reference to Christ’s birthplace.
D. Herod’s______with the wise men (vs. 7-8) He asked them when they first saw the star, told them to go search and find the child, and then deceived them by saying he wanted to come and worship him also. Larry Richards observes: “Herod the Great was near death at the time the magi visited. Yet this paranoid man, who executed several of his own sons on suspicion that they planned to overthrow him, was so jealous of his power that he determined to murder an infant who surely could never come to the throne till long after Herod’s own death. Sin corrupts sinners, and hold them in its grasp” (Bible Reader’s Companion , 603).
2. ______(vs. 9-12)
A. ______of the star (vs. 9) The star reappeared and they followed to the house where Jesus was living. Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem.
B. ______of the wise men (vs. 10-11) They rejoiced when they saw the star and they worshipped when they saw the child. The wise men saw no miracles of Jesus to convince them and heard no teaching to persuade them. They recognized and worshipped Jesus because of who He was. They presented their valuable gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
C. ______from the Lord (vs. 12) God warned them to bypass Herod and return to their home another way. The wise men followed this warning. Their disobedience to Herod was risky, but they obviously respected God more than the earthly king. [The lesson outline was adapted from Harold Willmington, The Outline Bible, 458.]
Why were the wise men “wise”?
______They followed the light of the star and then the light of the Scripture. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
______They spent time, money, and effort to find and worship Him. They traveled hundreds of miles and gave Him costly gifts because He was worth it.
______They heeded God’s warning and disregarded Herod’s instructions. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.