The Magi - Matthew 2.1-12
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
BETHLEHEM (also called Ephrath or Ephrathah) was the ancestral home of David, probably Israel’s greatest king. It was not large or significant and lay just a few miles south of Jerusalem.
HEROD THE GREAT was wealthy, politically gifted, intensely loyal and an excellent administrator – and also wise enough to keep in favour with successive Roman emperors. His building projects (notably the temple at Jerusalem, begun in 20 BC) were admired far and wide. His love of power caused him to inflict heavy taxes on his people and he resented the fact that most Jews regarded him as a usurper. In his later life he turned to cruelty and, in fits of rage, killed many of his close associates. The Roman Emperor Augustus said of Herod that it was safer to be his pig than his son! Jesus was born before the death of Herod, which (in our calendar) was probably about 4-5 BC.
WISE MEN FROM THE EAST (ancient Greek = magoi). They probably came in significant numbers – far more than three! The term “magoi” came to cover a wide range of people interested in dreams, astrology and magic. There is some suggestion that they were descendants of Jews exiled from Judah centuries earlier. If so, were they aware of the prophecies about the Messiah? The tradition that they were kings can be dated to the time of Tertullian (died c225), and probably developed under the influence of Old Testament passages saying that kings will come and worship the Messiah (e.g. Psalm 68.29; 72.10-11; Isaiah 49.7; 60.1-6). Church tradition also gives us their names – Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar. If you are really interested you can see their supposed skulls in Cologne Cathedral, Germany!
STAR IN THE EAST – many suggestions for the natural origin of this remarkable star. A conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter? A supernova? A comet? Whatever it was, it is significant that God met them in their own medium: a star. Jewish scholars would have seen this as a Messianic fulfilment of Numbers 24.17: A star shall come out of Jacob; a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.
CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES – Chief priests would include those who once held the office of High Priest. This was a political appointment which Herod frequently changed. The Scribes (Teachers of the Law) were experts in the Old Testament and its many traditions. They taught the Scriptures rather than copying out manuscripts.
GOLD, FRANKINCENSE and MYRRH – it was common in the East that one would never appear before royalty without bringing a gift. Three gifts – three wise men? It is often stated that gold = royalty; frankincense = divinity; myrrh = death. However it is probably true to say that the wise men were unaware of this significance – they simply wanted to honour this new king.
The gold would prove to be most useful in the following months when Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt with Jesus.
But more important than the gifts was that they worshipped Jesus. What a curious sight it must have been to see such dignitaries bowing before a young child.
Why did the Wise Men come to Jerusalem?
What is the significance of their question: Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?
Why do you think Herod, and all Jerusalem with him, were troubled at the news brought by the wise men?
Why do you think Herod wanted to find out the exact time that the star appeared?
Consider carefully the different responses to Jesus shown by:
(a) Herod
(b) The chief priests and scribes
(c) The wise menHow will I respond to King Jesus in 2023? What changes do I need to make in my life?
Spend a little time comparing the visit of the wise men to the earlier visit of the shepherds (Luke 2.15-20).
Lessons to learn?
PRAYER
You might like to have a time of quiet reflection so that each person can have an opportunity to renew their own personal commitment to Jesus.
You might like to pray for guidance as to how the group will show this commitment in the coming year.
Pray for Sarah Tapp as she joins us soon as Associate Minister – and for the church leadership team as she joins them.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Why did the Wise Men come to Jerusalem?
Guided by the “star” they came to this area and, perhaps naturally, expected to find the answer in Jerusalem and the palace of Herod. There is no suggestion that the “star” guided them to Jerusalem. Perhaps they expected that the leaders (religious and political) would be really interested in their news. There is a record of eastern Magi coming to visit Emperor Nero in 66. “There is not the slightest need to think that this story is only a lovely legend. It is exactly the kind of thing that could easily have happened in the ancient world.” (Barclay)
What is the significance of their question: Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?
At that time Jews were often despised because of their customs and beliefs – and because of their success and prosperity. They were often seen as low, troublesome and a conquered race. So it is quite remarkable that they came to honour a king of the Jews. Usually kings are princes long before they become kings – Jesus’ kingly status was conferred on him from birth.
Why do you think Herod, and all Jerusalem with him, were troubled at the news brought by the wise men?
Herod saw himself as king of the Jews and he was constantly fearful of threats to his rule, especially from his own family – it is believed he killed his wife, Mariamne, her mother, Alexandra, his eldest son, Antipater and two other sons Alexander and Aristobulus. Being troubled was nothing new to Herod.
Herod was not a “true” Jew but an Edomite, recognised by Rome as a vassal king over Judea. Although admired for his re-building of the temple, most Jews never accepted him as their king.
And “all Jerusalem”? Did people fear what sort of outburst might spring forth when Herod heard of the birth of a rival king? Or was the size and dignity of the caravan bringing the wise men so large that they wondered what this was about?
Why do you think Herod wanted to find out the exact time that the star appeared?
Herod later ordered the death of all boys two and younger in the area to be put to death. It is reasonable to assume from this that it was some time since the wise men had first seen the star. The journey from the East to Jerusalem would have taken considerable time, especially if a large caravan was involved. The fact that the wise men came to the “house” where the “child” was makes it clear that their visit was not at the time of Jesus’ birth – though there is no need to change your nativity scenes! And where was Joseph (11)?
Herod claimed a desire to worship Jesus, when he really wanted to kill him.
Consider carefully the different responses to Jesus shown by:
(a) Herod
(b) The chief priests and scribes
(c) The wise men
(a) Herod’s response was brutal but, in his eyes, it was reasonable. He saw the coming of a new king as a threat to his power and authority. Having spent years scheming, double-crossing and murdering to keep his position he was not going to let it go – whatever it might take to keep it. He knew he could only rule by might and not by right. He knew that a new “King of the Jews” called for swift and decisive action. His massacre of the children was brutal and horrific, but he saw it as perfectly REASONABLE. It is interesting to note that within a short time he developed a painful illness and died in agony.
(b) The chief priests were the descendants of Aaron, the ones called to supervise the temple and the sacrificial system. The scribes were the spiritual descendants of Ezra and were called to steward the Hebrew Scriptures as spiritual guides to Israel. Both groups were waiting for the Messiah, speaking about the Messiah, praying for the Messiah, and praising the Messiah in their worship psalms. They knew the Messianic prophecies and that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5.2). Sadly they could only look to the past and were not willing to see God at work in the present. They watched as the Magi made they way to Bethlehem, such a short journey; they didn’t even go along to check the claim of the Magi. Their reaction was totally UNREASONABLE. For them tradition and religious activity was used as a substitute for radical obedience. The seeds were being sown for the death of Jesus and the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD. As we start a new year, it is a good time for us to reflect on our own commitment to Jesus.
(c) Daniel had held the position as chief of the Babylonian and Persian Magi many centuries earlier and he spoke about the prophecies about the Messiah – had they been passed on from generation to generation? So when God spoke to them in a language they could understand – through a star – their response was perfectly REASONABLE.
It led them to “transform their thinking, disturb their diaries and demand their worship. They responded reasonably, radically and unreservedly. They left nothing behind in response to King Jesus. Wise men and women still do so today.” (Phil Moore)
Spend a little time comparing the visit of the wise men to the earlier visit of the shepherds (Luke 2.15-20).
Jesus came to the Jews first, then the Gentiles
Jesus came to the humble first, then the honourable and learned
Jesus came to the poor first and then the wealthy
Lessons to learn?
The wise men were not satisfied with just looking at the star and admiring it. They took action, costly action
They persevered over a period of many months when it would have been easy to give up and return home
They were not discouraged by the doubts of the religious leaders in Jerusalem
They responded in costly worship; they did not come empty-handed
They obeyed the call not to return to Herod