The Magi and the Kings

Matthew 2:1–18 ESV

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, 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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘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.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 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.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 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.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

III. The Request to See the Messiah (2:1–12)

A. The wise men’s journey (2:1–8): They travel to Jerusalem.

1. Their public meeting with King Herod (2:1–6)

a. The magi’s request (2:1–2): “Where is the newborn King of the Jews?”

b. The monarch’s reaction (2:3–4)

(1) His concern (2:3): Herod is greatly troubled!

(2) His command (2:4): Herod demands that the Jewish priests tell him where the Messiah will be born.

c. The ministers’ reply (2:5–6)

(1) The place (2:5): In Bethlehem!

(2) The prophecy (2:6): This was the prediction of Micah the prophet (Micah 5:2).

2. Their private meeting with King Herod (2:7–8)

a. Herod’s demand (2:7): He asks them when they first saw the star.

b. Herod’s deception (2:8): He says, “When you find the child, tell me, so that I can worship him, too.”

B. The wise men’s joy (2:9–12): They rejoice when they find the child.

1. The witness of the star (2:9): It leads them to the very house where Jesus is living.

2. The worship by the wise men (2:10–11): They present him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

3. The warning from the Lord (2:12): They are told to bypass Herod en route to their home.

IV. The Escape Route of the Messiah (2:13–23): Joseph takes Mary and the young Jesus to Egypt.

A. The reasons for the trip (2:13–15)

1. To flee the wrath of Herod (2:13–14): Joseph is warned by God in a dream that Herod will try to kill Jesus.

2. To fulfill the words of Hosea (2:15): This Old Testament prophet foretold the trip to Egypt (Hos. 11:1).

B. The retaliation during the trip (2:16–18)

1. The purge of Herod (2:16): He kills all the male babies in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate Jesus.

2. The prophecy of Jeremiah (2:17–18): This Old Testament prophet predicted the Bethlehem massacre (Jer. 31:15).