WISE MEN FROM THE EAST & THE FOOL ON THE HILL

MATTHEW 2

In chapter 2, Matthew continues to show Jesus’s right to the kinship of Israel, the throne of David. He does this in a couple of ways. First, he structures the story around three ways to show Jesus as king.

First is the testimony of the Magi, who call Jesus the King of the Jews. Second is Herod’s fear that he will be supplanted as king. This was especially true because Herod was not a Jew and not entitled to the throne. Third, Matthew shows 4 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. 

The Wise Men Arrive

2:1-2

Some time after Jesus was born, men from the east come looking for him. We do not know the exact date of this. However, it was during the days of Herod the king. (1) This was Herod the Great, so we can get an approximate date. Herod died in 4 B.C. So, Jesus had to have been born before that, likely in 5 B.C.

Some time has passed, as Jesus’ family is now in a house instead of the stable. 

The men were “wise men” in the KJV and those which follow in its line (ASV, RSV & ESV). Literally, Matthew calls them sorcerers. The NASB and the NIV call them Magi, sort of a transliteration of the Greek word. It is the same root word as that used in Acts 8:9 that says the Simon practiced sorcery. 

These men are from the east of Jerusalem. No specific location is given. It could have been Babylon or Persia or some place else. Some people call the men astrologers because of their attention to the star. 

Somehow these men knew there would be a baby born who would be the king of the Jews. Maybe these men had access to the Jewish scriptures. Maybe they had read Daniel’s book written from Babylonia. 

When the men saw the star, they believed it was the sign the baby had been born. It must have been a supernatural event to make them think this. In Balaam’s last prophecy, he said “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel”. (Numbers 24:17) 

So, they came to Jerusalem, which they knew to be the capital of Israel. They asked around the city where the king of the Jews was. They told the story of seeing his star. Notice that it does not say the star led them there. 

Notice also how the men think of Jesus. First, he is a king of the Jews. He is the long awaited son of David come to rule his people. Second, he is deity. They came to worship him. (2) 

Herod’s Reaction

2:3-8

Herod heard about this and was troubled. He was the king of the Jews by Roman appointment. He did not tolerate rivals. He had killed many to preserve his power. 

He had his wife’s brother, whom he had appointed as the high priest, drowned in the swimming pool in his palace. He killed 46 members of the Sanhedrin. 

He killed his mother-in-law. He had his second wife murdered along with two of their sons whom he considered potential rivals with legitimate claim to the throne because of their Hasmonean lineage. Augustus Caesar is reported to have said, “It is better to be Herod’s dog than one of his children.” 

So, if Herod was troubled, all of Jerusalem was troubled. 

Herod brought all of the chief priests and scripts together and asked them where the Christ was to be born. Herod was, rightfully, conflating the title of king with that of Christ (messiah). The chief priests were the current high priest and any others who had been high priest. Herod had taken over the appointment of the high priest and changed it frequently. The chief priests were Sadducees. 

The scribes were experts in Old Testament scripture. They were mostly Pharisees. 

The chief priests and scribes knew from Scripture that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. They quoted Micah 5:2 as their source. Matthew adds some words from 2 Samuel 5:2 about the Messiah being the ruler (prince) and shepherd.

Upon learning this, Herod met with the Magi and sent them to Bethlehem to look for the child. (7) He claimed to want to go and worship him also. (8) We know that Herod was lying. 

The Magi in Bethlehem

2:9-12

The Magi left Herod and went to Bethlehem. The star reappeared and led them to the house where Jesus lived with his parents. The Magi rejoiced to see the star. They went into the house and saw Jesus. They fell down and worshipped him and they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Psalm 72:10-11 speak of the Gentile desert tribes bowing down before the Lord. Isaiah 60:6 speaks of Gentiles coming to bring gifts of gold and frankincense. 

Despite the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and was of the line of David, neither the chief priests nor the scribes showed any interest in Christ’s appearance. Only the Gentiles came to worship him.