Sermon Tone Analysis

The Magi

Matthew 2:1–12 (CSB)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?

For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child.

When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”

After hearing the king, they went on their way.

And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising.

It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was.

When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

1.not much information about the Magi is given

no number given

specialists in astronomy

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

2.Jesus would have been approximately 2 years old

A. no longer a babe but called a child

B.were in a house

c.

Herod wanted all male children up to 2 years old killed

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (2:9–12)

going in, they worshiped Him.

Their worship was heightened by the giving of gifts … gold … incense and … myrrh.

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

Gold might represent His deity or purity, incense the fragrance of His life, and myrrh His sacrifice and death (myrrh was used for embalming).

These gifts were obviously the means by which Joseph took his family to Egypt and sustained them there until Herod died.

The wise men were warned by God not to return and report to Herod, so they returned to their homes by another route.

3.Herod wanted The Messiah to go away

Herod was not of the line of David, a descendant of Esau he was an Edomite

he knew Jesus was the Messiah v.4

Matthew 2:16 “Then Herod, when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage.

He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men.”

The wisemen wanted to worship The King-

the messiah, The Savior

Herod wanted to kill The King

Herod worshipped his power, his riches-he worshipped himself

many today know of the savior yet want Him disposed of so that they can enjoy in the pleasures of their flesh

They, like Herod, put on a good show, but secretly want Jesus to stay out of their personal life

many, like the Pharisees call Jesus a false teacher and refuse to see Him for who HE is.

some just deny Jesus’ existence

What are you doing with the King?