Matthew 1:1-17
The Homage to the King (Matt. 2:1-12) We must confess that we know little about these men. The word translated "wise men" (magi) refers to a group of scholars who studied the stars. Their title connects them with magic, but they were probably more like astrologers. However, their presence in the biblical record is not a divine endorsement of astrology.
God gave them a special sign, a miraculous star that announced the birth of the King. The star led them to Jerusalem where God's prophets told them that the King would be born in Bethlehem. They went to Bethlehem, and there they worshiped the Christ Cud.
We do not know how many magi there were. From the three gifts listed in Matt 2:11, some people have assumed there were three kings from the Orient, though this is not certain. But when their caravan arrived in Jerusalem, there were enough of them to trouble the whole city.
Keep in mind that these men were Gentiles. From the very beginning, Jesus came to be "the Saviour of the world" (John 4:42). These men were also wealthy, and they were scholars - scientists in their own right. No scholarly person who follows the light God gives him can miss worshiping at the feet of Jesus. In Jesus Christ "are lid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3). In Him dwells "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col 2:9).
The magi were seeking the King, but Herod was afraid of the King and wanted to destroy Him. This was Herod the Great called king by the Roman senate because of the influence of Mark Antony Herod was a cruel and crafty man who permitted no one, not even his own family, to interfere with his rule or prevent the satisfying of his evil desires. A ruthless murderer, he had his own wife and her two brothers slain because he suspected them of treason. He was married at least nine times in order to fulfill his lusts and strengthen his political ties.
It is no surprise that Herod tried to kill Jesus, for Herod alone wanted to bear the title "ring of the Jews." But there was another reason. Herod was not a full-blooded Jew; he was actually an Idumaean, a descendant of Esau. This is a picture of the old struggle between Esau and Jacob that began even before the boys were born (Gen 25:19-34). It is the spiritual versus the carnal, the godly versus the worldly.
The magi were seeking the King, Herod was opposing the King, and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King. These priests knew the Scriptures and pointed others to the Saviour, but they would not go to worship Him themselves! They quoted Mic 5:2 but did not obey it They were five miles from the very Son of God, yet they did not go to see Him! The Gentiles sought and found Him, but the Jews did not.
Matt 2:9 indicates that the miraculous star was not always visible to the magi. As they stated toward Bethlehem, they saw the star again; and it led them to the house where Jesus was. By now, Joseph had moved Mary and the baby from the temporary dwelling where the Lord Jesus had been born (Luke 2:7). The traditional manger scenes that assemble together the shepherds and wise men are not true to Scripture, since the map arrived much later.
Matthew cites a second fulfilled prophecy to prove that Jesus Christ is the King (Matt 2:5). How He was born was a fulfillment of prophecy, and where He was born was a fulfillment of prophecy. Bethlehem means "house of bread," and this was where the "Bread of Life" came to earth (John 6:48 ff). Bethlehem in the Old Testament was associated with David who was a type of Jesus Christ in His suffering and glory.
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)
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