The life of Jesus · Matthew 2
The Visit of the Wise Men
Jesus has been born in Bethlehem of Judea when wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east.” King Herod is troubled. The chief priests and scribes tell him, based on the prophet, that the Christ is to be born in Bethlehem. Herod sends the wise men there, claiming he wants to worship the child too. The star goes before them and stops over the place where the child is: they are filled with exceeding great joy. In the house, they fall down and worship him and offer him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream, they return home by another way. Warned in turn, Joseph flees by night to Egypt with the child and his mother, while Herod has all the children in Bethlehem who are two years old and under killed. After Herod’s death, the family settles in Nazareth.
What happens
- Wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem: “We have seen his star” Matthew 2:1–2
- The scribes confirm it: the Christ is to be born in Bethlehem Matthew 2:4–6
- The star stops over the place where the child is Matthew 2:9–10
- The wise men worship the child and offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh Matthew 2:11
- Warned in a dream, Joseph flees to Egypt with the child and his mother Matthew 2:13–14
- Herod has the children of Bethlehem killed Matthew 2:16
Who is in this story
The lesson
Wise men from the east worship Jesus as the promised King: he is worthy of the worship of all nations, and God sovereignly protects his Son despite Herod’s hatred.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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.
Quick quiz on this story
What gifts do the wise men offer the child?
The wise men opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11
Which king is troubled when he hears of the birth of the “King of the Jews”?
“When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Archelaus reigns only after his death. Matthew 2:1–3
Where does Joseph take the child and his mother to escape Herod?
Warned in a dream by an angel, Joseph took the young child and his mother by night, departed into Egypt, and stayed there until the death of Herod. Matthew 2:13–15
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