Category: Advent

^13 “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt ¹⁵ and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13–15)

God not only revealed Himself and His will in a dream to the Magi but also revealed Himself by an angel of the Lord to Joseph. Perhaps this was the same angel who had appeared to Joseph to quiet his fears of marrying Mary. We have no way of knowing.

However, we do know that the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” This eliminates any doubt about Herod’s true intentions regarding Jesus and that worshiping the Lord was not one of them. It seems that Herod’s murderous intent was formed before the Magi had reached Bethlehem.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Egypt was a Roman province independent of Herod, and much inhabited by Jews, was an easy and convenient refuge. Ah! Blessed Savior, on what a checkered career hast Thou entered here below! At Thy birth there was no room for Thee in the inn; and now all Judea is too hot for Thee. How soon has the sword begun to pierce through the Virgin’s soul (Luke 2:35)! How early does she taste the reception which this mysterious Child of hers is to meet with in the world! And whither is He sent? To “the house of bondage?” Well, it once was that. But Egypt was a house of refuge before it was a house of bondage, and now it has but returned to its first use”

“And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt” (Matthew 2:14). The obedience of the Magi in going back to their own country another way in order to avoid King Herod is coupled with the obedience of Joseph in leaving Bethlehem, with Mary and Jesus, and traveling to Egypt to avoid Herod. Joseph and his young family remained in Egypt until the death of Herod, which is historically verified at 4 B.C. However, Matthew is quick to point out that this was also a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “It is probable that the stay in Egypt was very brief—perhaps no more than a few weeks. This quotation is from Hos. 11:1 (see note there, which speaks of God’s leading Israel out of Egypt in the exodus. Matthew suggests that Israel’s sojourn in Egypt was a pictorial prophecy rather than a specific verbal one such as Matt. 2:6; cf. 1:23. These are called “types,” and all are always fulfilled in Christ and identified clearly by the NT writers. Another example of a type is found in John 3:14.”

God is in providential control of the circumstances of life. He is not detached from our situations but rather providentially works through and in them. May we derive great comfort from this knowledge.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12 ESV)

Theologians describe God’s disclosure of Himself as revelation. Revelation is defined as disclosure, an exposure of someone or something. Webster’s Dictionary defines biblical revelation as (A). An act of revealing or communicating divine truth. (B). something that is revealed by God to humans. (C). an act of revealing to view or making known. (D). something that is revealed especially an enlightening or astonishing disclosure.

Attached to the definition of revelations are two distinct categories of biblical revelation. These two categories are (1) general revelation and (2) specific revelation.

General revelation is God’s disclosure of Himself in a general way such as in creation. Important portions of Scripture expressing God’s general revelation would include Psalm 8, Psalm 19 and Romans 1:18-32.

God’s specific revelation is God’s disclosure of Himself in a specific way such as by miracles, dreams, visions, angels and audible voices. For believers today, and for the church, God reveals Himself through the specific revelation of His Word.

Within today’s passage, God revealed Himself to the Magi in a dream. It appears that each of the Magi were warned by God. The word warned (χρηματίζω; chrematizo) means to disclose a divine message from God. God divinely warned the Magi not to return to King Herod.

The Magi immediately obeyed. This obedience is evidences by the fact that they departed from Bethlehem and began to journey back to their own country. Only this time they went back to their own country another way than how they originally came. This allowed them to not journey near Jerusalem where they might be seen by either King Herod or his assistants. This may indicate that the Magi traveled with a large caravan.

Dr. John MacArthur, from his book God with Us: The Miracle of Christmas, writes, “Matthew tells us that the Magi, ‘having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod…departed for their own country by another way’ (Matthew 2:12). There almost seems to be a double meaning in that statement.  They returned to their country by a different geographical route, to be sure. But they also were now followers of another way in the spiritual sense. That’s true of everyone who turns to Christ and becomes one of His worshippers in spirit and truth: ‘If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come’ (2 Corinthians 5:17).”

Are you a new creation in Christ? If you are, you know the changes which have occurred in your life since your conversion. Take time today to thank God for making you a new creation in Christ.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

 

^“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 ESV)

Matthew’s account of the Magi’s visit is often overlooked during the Christmas season. It is not that people ignore the Magi’s visit to the Christ child or even the gifts they brought. What they fail to realize from today’s text is that the Magi did not visit Jesus while He laid in a manger. They also did not visit Him on the night when He was born as did the shepherds.

First of all, the Magi visited Jesus in a house and not a stable, cave or barn. The word house (οἰκία; oikia) means a family’s home or residence.

Second, Matthew described Jesus as a child. The word for child (παιδίον; paidion) means children under the age of puberty. This is to be distinguished from the word for baby (βρέφος; brephos) which means an infant or a very, small child. This is the word Luke used in Luke 2:12. Later on in Matthew’s account we will see how old Jesus may have been at the time of the Magi’s visit.

Matthew then recorded that the Magi fell down and worshipped Jesus. To fall down (πίπτω; pipto) means to prostrate oneself before an object. To worship (προσκυνέω; proskyneo) means to prostrate oneself in worship before an object. Matthew was emphatic in his description of the Magi’s reaction of seeing Jesus. They not only physically fell down before Him, but they prostrated themselves before Jesus in worship.

Their worship entailed the giving of gifts. There are three gifts mentioned. This is perhaps while we speculate that there were three Magi. Matthew described these gifts as treasures (θησαυρός ; thesaurus). The word literally means a treasure box. The gifts in the treasure boxes were gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Gold (χρυσός; chrysos) was the most highly valued metal in the ancient world. Not much has changed because gold remains the most highly valued metal in today’s world.

Frankincense (λίβανος; libanos) is an aromatic resin or gum from certain trees. It is also called a sweet smelling incense.

Myrrh (σμύρνα; smyrna) is also an aromatic resin or gum from certain bushes. Myrrh was a valuable substance in the anointing and preserving a corpse.

As one commentator notes, “These were gifts worthy of a king and this act by Gentile leaders pictures the wealth of the nations which will someday be completely given to the Messiah (Isa. 60:5, 11; 61:6; 66:20; Zeph. 3:10; Hag. 2:7–8).”

In light of this wonderful scene, I wonder what I may give Jesus which would resemble the gifts given by the Magi. Pastor John Piper has some insightful thoughts.

When the psalmist cried out, “What shall I render to the Lord for all of his benefits to me?” the reply was, “I will lift the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:12-13). So, translating that into Christmas: Jesus gives us the gift of himself and we ask, “Now what can I render to Jesus for all the benefits of his fellowship?” Answer: Ask him for his help. That’s the gift he wants.

The reason Christ wants this is because he always wants to get the glory while we get the benefit. Glory comes to him when we depend on him rather than try to enrich him. If we come to him with gifts—as though he needed something—then we put him in the position of a needy person, and we’re the benefactors. He always wants to be the one who is infinitely self-sufficient. Therefore the only gifts that we can bring Jesus are gifts of praise, thanks, longing, and neediness.

Jesus doesn’t need the food or the clothing. What he delights in is receiving the honor that his name gets when we chose to say, “It’s his brothers that I’m going to love and sacrifice for.” So as long as we talk about giving to Jesus—in terms of Matthew 25:40—we should understand that what is happening there is that Christ is being honored, glorified, and valued, because these are Christ’s brothers that we are willing to serve.

 

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

^9 “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (Matthew 2:9–10 ESV)

Following their audience with King Herod, the Magi began their five mile journey to Bethlehem in order to find Jesus Christ, the recently born King of the Jews. It was when they began this last leg of their journey, that the star that they had seen and followed for many days and mile appeared again and led them exactly to the place where the child was.

The IVP Background Commentary to the New Testament says, “The text might imply only that the star appeared to move due to the Magi’s own movement. Even had the object been close enough to earth to calculate its relation to Bethlehem, Bethlehem was so close to Jerusalem that any distance would have been negligible unless the object was only a mile high. But the description of God’s leading of the Magi by a moving, supernatural sign may recall how God had led his own people by the fire and cloud in the wilderness (Ex 13:21–22).”

In other words, the star which the Magi followed may have not been a star at all. Rather, it may well have been the Shekinah glory of God. The word Shekhinah (Biblical Hebrew: שכינה‎ šekīnah; also Romanized Shekinah, Schechinah, Shechinah) is the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “dwelling” or “settling” and denotes the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God.

It was when the Magi saw the star again that they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. The Magi became convinced that they were not deceived but that this supernatural light was leading them to the king for whom they sought.

Whenever I read this text I think of a song contained in the Christmas Cantata Noel, Jesus is Born by Lanny Wolfe. It is called Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy.

O’er mountains and valleys it led them each night.                                                                          A star of most radiant light.                                                                                                             The wise men rejoiced as they journeyed afar                                                                                  to behold such a beautiful star.

Oh when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy!                                                                Oh when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy!                                                                Oh when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy!                                                                They rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Are you rejoicing with exceedingly great joy when you consider all that the Lord has done for you? Take time today to praise with all your heart.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

⁷ Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” (Matthew 2:7–8 ESV)

Herod was a methodical schemer. He was really not what he seemed to be on the surface. While superficially charming, he possessed a deep rooted hatred for any enemy: real or imagined. This applied to even those within his immediate family. You can be sure that Herod already made his mind up that Jesus was his mortal enemy who he needed to destroy.

Herod summoned the Magi and met with them secretly. Why? Perhaps it was to hide his true intentions and to limit the Magi’s investigation to only him. Regardless, in his meeting with the Eastern visitors he discovered from them how long they had been traveling since they saw the star. Remember, Herod had a reason for everything he asked and did.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Herod has so far succeeded in his murderous design: he has tracked the spot where lies his victim, an unconscious babe. But he has another point to fix—the date of His birth—without which he might still miss his mark. The one he had got from the Sanhedrim; the other he will have from the sages; but secretly, lest his object should be suspected and defeated. So he inquired of them diligently—rather, “precisely” what time the star appeared—presuming that this would be the best clue to the age of the child. The unsuspecting strangers tell him all. And now he thinks he is succeeding to a wish, and shall speedily clutch his victim; for at so early an age as they indicate, He would not likely have been removed from the place of His birth. Yet he is wary. He sends them as messengers from himself, and bids them come to him, that he may follow their pious example.”

Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem to find the Christ child. This ensured safe conduct for the Magi. He added that they were to return with word of where the baby could be found. Herod’s overt reason was to worship the child as the Magi intended. However, Herod’s covert plan was to destroy the child along with anyone who stood in his way.

Even today there are those who profess religious loyalty to Christ only to turn against Him and any of His followers when things do not go their way. What about you? Are you a Christ follower or just a pretender?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

  

 

 

⁴ and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ⁶ “‘and you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” (Matthew 2:4–6)

King Herod wanted to know where the newborn king of the Jews was to be born. What city, town or hamlet? He did not know the answer so he summoned all the chief priest and scribes. Following their arrival to the king’s palace in Jerusalem, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. It is interesting that he did not know the biblical answer.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary of the New Testament says, “The chief priests belonged mainly to the wealthy aristocracy of Sadducees. “Scribes” applies to experts in the Jewish law, most of whom were also teachers of the law. Herod exercised a great deal of influence over the prominent leaders of the people, having forcibly removed most of his political opponents.^”

However the chief priests and scribes certainly did. They told Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, according to the Prophet Micah. They even quoted Micah 5:2 which says, ““‘and you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

 One commentator writes, “This ancient prophecy from Micah 5:2 was written in the eighth century B.C. The original prophecy, not quoted in full by Matthew, declared the deity of Israel’s Messiah: “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” The other portion of Matthew’s quote actually seems to be a reference to God’s words to David when Israel’s kingdom was originally established (2 Sam. 5:2; 1 Chron. 11:2). The Greek word for “ruler” evokes the image of strong, even stern, leadership. “Shepherd” emphasizes tender care. Christ’s rule involves both (cf. Rev. 12:5).

 It is ironic that the chief priests and scribes knew the exact answer and location of the Messiah’s birth. What they did not have was even an idle curiosity to travel the distance from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (5 miles) to see if indeed Micah’s prophecy had come true. What a shame.

I Corinthians 2:14 says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” The chief priests and scribes were religious but apparently they did not have a heart for the Lord as demonstrated by their inaction. What about you?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

 

 

 

 

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; “(Matthew 2:1–3 (ESV)

We previously examined the life of Herod the Great. He was a ruthless, paranoid king who was not above killing real, or suspected, rivals to his throne. He would stop at nothing, including eliminating members of his own family, to ensure that he kept his power.

When Herod heard about the Magi’s quest and inquiry into the new born king of the Jews, he was troubled. He quickly paid attention to what was being said and he didn’t like what he was hearing.

The word troubled (ταράσσω; tarasso) means to be disturbed and to experience great mental distress. Herod’s mind was stirred. In fact, the Greek word for troubled can mean a riot going on in one’s mind. Herod experienced acute emotional distress and turbulence. In short, Herod was not happy.

At the same time, the text continues to say the all Jerusalem was also troubled along with Herod. Why? It is because the Jewish populace in Jerusalem knew what Herod was capable of when he suspected his power was threatened. They knew he would everything and anything he could to destroy any challenger. No one was safe.

Perhaps Herod’s fear and disquieted reaction to the news of the Magi’s search is best explained by one commentator who says, “It is no surprise that King Herod … was disturbed when the Magi came to Jerusalem looking for the One who had been “born King” (v. 2). Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite. (He reigned over Palestine from 37 b.c. to 4 b.c.). This fact caused most of the Jews to hate him and never truly to accept him as king, even though he did much for the country. If someone had been rightfully born king, then Herod’s job was in jeopardy.”

While 2,000 years separates us from Herod, there remains to this day people of power who will do anything they can to humiliate or destroy those with whom they feel threatened. This can happen not only politically, economically, militarily but also even religiously. This occurs when people who hold sway within an organization will exert their power and influence to hire and fire anyone indiscriminately. This creates an unhealthy environment, whether it is within a business or in a local church.

Are there King Herod’s in your life? Are there people who you know who will do anything to justify their behavior and to keep their power and influence over you and others? Remember that their authority, whether real or imagined, is no match for the sovereign ruler of the universe. What was true in Herod’s day remains so in our own.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

In Matthew 2:2, we observe from the Magi a question as they searched, a reason behind their search and a purpose for their search. Let’s look at each of these items separately.

What was the Magi’s question as they searched? It was, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” This question is what the Magi continued to ask when they arrived in Jerusalem. They must have presumed that a new born king of the Jews would be born in the Jewish capital of Jerusalem. They were mistaken.

The reason behind their search was that they “saw his star when it rose. What was the star of which the Magi referred? The IVP Background Commentary of the New Testament explains that, “Astronomers have offered various proposals for the appearance of this star in the first decade b.c. The ancients thought comets and falling stars predicted the fall of rulers; some emperors even banished from Rome astrologers who issued such predictions. By this period many Jewish people accepted the idea that the stars could accurately predict the future. Even though these Magi were pagans, God had chosen to reveal himself to them.”

Dr. John Walvoored speculates that, “This special revelation may simply have been in the sky, as might be indicated by their title “Magi” (specialists in astronomy) and by the fact they referred to a star which they saw. Or this revelation could have come through some contact with Jewish scholars who had migrated to the East with copies of Old Testament manuscripts. Many feel the Magi’s comments reflected a knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of ^Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Whatever the source, they came to Jerusalem to worship the newborn King of the Jews.”

The word star (ἀστήρ; aster) may refer not only to a physical star, but also a planet or even a supernatural light for leading. This third meaning seems to be the star to which the Magi referred to and which Matthew later describes as leading the Magi to the exact location of Jesus and his human parents.

What was the ultimate purpose for the Magi’s search? The text says, “For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Their purpose was worship. Worship is defined as the action, expressed by attitude and possibly by position, of one’s allegiance to and regard for deity.

The Magi came to worship God. What a wonderful and biblical idea.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,” (Matthew 2:1 (ESV).

Who was Herod the king? What relationship does he have, if any, with the Herod who not only had John the Baptist beheaded but also was involved in one of the six trials Jesus experienced immediately prior to His crucifixion?

The Herod which Matthew refers to is also known as Herod the Great. His cumulative reign as King of Judea began in 37 B.C. until 4:B.C. The Jewish historian Josephus referred to Herod as Herod “the great.” This term probably referred primarily to the fact that he was the oldest son of Antipater. Not only was Herod a shrewd politician, but he was also a great soldier, orator, and a builder. Aside from his appearance in Matthew’s nativity narrative, Herod the Great’s building projects serve as the backdrop for many New Testament events.

There are three significant time periods in Herod’s life. They include the following:

1. 37–27 bc: Consolidation of Power. Herod impressed Rome with his ability to pacify the Jews whose homeland he occupied. Herod was capable at collecting taxes and quelling uprisings.
2. 27–13 bc: Peace and Prosperity. Herod rebuilt forts, instituted Olympic style games, and began rebuilding the Jerusalem temple.
3. 13–4 bc: Domestic Strife. This period saw troubles within the land along with misunderstandings with Rome. It was a time marked by Herod’s increasing mental instability. He was also plagued by problems with his 10 wives and his children.

Herod became a paranoid tyrant. He constantly worried that he would lose his kingdom. The fortresses he built reflect this paranoia, as they provided refuge when he felt threatened. Herod executed his two sons Alexander and Aristobulus due to rumors of mutiny. Herod married 10 women and fathered 15 children by them.

At the end of his life, Herod suffered from a severe illness. Josephus described Herod’s symptoms: “For a fire glowed in him slowly, which did not so much appear to the touch outwardly as it augmented his pains inwardly; for it brought upon him a vehement appetite to eating … His entrails were also ulcerated, and the chief violence of his pain lay on his colon; an aqueous and transparent liquor also settled itself about his feet, and a like matter afflicted him at the bottom of his belly” (Josephus, Antiquities, 17.6.5). He was buried in the Herodium.

Herod issued two commands to be performed upon his death:

1. To execute the recently imprisoned Jewish elders so that the people would be mourning during his death.
2. To execute his son Antipater.

Upon Herod’s request, his lands were divided among three of his sons:

1. Archelaus was left the throne.
2. Antipas was to be tetrarch of Galilee.
3. Philip was to be tetrarch of Gaulanitis.

Herod’s most significant role in the New Testament is his appearance in Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 2). This account reflects Herod’s influence and jealousy. His attempt to discover the rival “King of the Jews” resulted in the murder of innocent children in the Bethlehem region.

Many of Herod’s building projects serve as backdrops for events of the New Testament. As one commentator explains, “Bethlehem—the birthplace of Jesus—is located near the Herodium. The magnificence of Herod’s temple is clearly displayed in the Gospels. At one point, Jesus’ disciples commented about the architecture of Herod’s temple: “As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down’ ” (Mark 13:1–2, NASB). The temple played a significant part in the life and ministry of Christ.”

 Christ came to what is referred to as Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem three times a year, every year, from the time he was 12 years old until He died. During His ministry, Jesus preached in this temple (John 7–10), He celebrated Jewish feasts there and predicted the temple’s destruction (Luke 19:43–44; 21:6).

Many of Herod’s building projects also provide the backdrop for the Book of Acts. This includes the city of Caesarea, which was visited by Peter, Paul, and was the home of Philip (Acts 8; 23:33; 21:8). Paul was also brought to trial in the city of Caesarea, which Herod had built and whose port he had engineered.

Following Herod’s death, his son Antipas served as tetrarch over Galilee (Mark 14:1; Luke 3:1). He is the Herod most referred to in the Gospels. Antipas reigned during Jesus’ years of ministry. Antipas probably inherited some of his father’s shrewd ways, since Jesus referred to him as a “fox” (Luke 13:32). Herod Antipas is also mentioned at the trial of Jesus (Luke 23:6–12). Herod’s son Philip is also mentioned as the tetrarch of the northern region of the kingdom (Luke 3:1).

It is important for us to understand the historical character of Herod the Great. Otherwise, we may not understand why he does what he does following the news of a child born to be the king of the Jews.

We will continue our study of the visit by the Magi when next we meet.

Soli deo Gloria!

To all my North American readers and partners, Happy Thanksgiving.

 

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,” (Matthew 2:1 (ESV).

As we venture from Luke’s Gospel account of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, we come to the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s point of view regarding Jesus is that He is the prophesied King of the Jews (Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17). Therefore, it makes logical sense that Matthew would provide the account of the visit from the Magi.

Who were the Magi? There is a lot of speculation regarding their identity and origin. Were they really kings as the familiar Christmas Carol We Three Kings states? What about King Herod. Who exactly was this ruler and what were his feelings not only about the Magi but also the news regarding the birth of Jesus Christ?

To begin with, the word Magi (μάγος; magos) has various meanings. These include wise man, priest, sorcerer or magician. We do know from the text that there were more than one Magi, the word is in the plural form, and that they were men.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that. “‘Magi’ (not “wise men”—KJV) were pagan astrologers whose divinatory skills were widely respected in the Greco-Roman world; astrology had become popular through the “science” of the East, and everyone agreed that the best astrologers lived in the East. The Old Testament explicitly forbade such prognostication from signs (Deut. 18:11; cf. Isaiah 2:6; 47:11–15), prescribing true prophecy instead (Deut. 18:15).”

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “The number of wise men is not given. The traditional notion that there were three stems from the number of gifts they brought. These were not kings, but Magi, magicians, or astrologers—possibly Zoroastrian wise men from Persia whose knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures could be traced back to the time of Daniel (cf. Dan. 5:11).”

Dr. Walvoord continues by saying that, “The exact identity of the Magi is impossible to determine, though several ideas have been suggested. They have been given traditional names and identified as representatives of the three groups of peoples that descended from Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. More likely they were Gentiles of high position from a country, perhaps Parthia, northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God of the birth of the King of the Jews. This special revelation may simply have been in the sky, as might be indicated by their title “Magi” (specialists in astronomy) and by the fact they referred to a star which they saw. Or this revelation could have come through some contact with Jewish scholars who had migrated to the East with copies of Old Testament manuscripts. Many feel the Magi’s comments reflected a knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Whatever the source, they came to Jerusalem to worship the newborn King of the Jews.”

Why would the Magi come to Jerusalem? To begin with, it was Israel’s capitol city. King Herod resided there. As we shall see as we continue in the text, where else would you look for a newborn king then the city where the Jewish king’s palace is located.

However, Jesus always defied people’s expectations.

Stay tuned. There is more to come.

Soli deo Gloria!