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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (vv.1-2)
Matthew actually tells us little about the birth of Jesus; Luke 2 records those familiar details. What Matthew does tells us regards something that happened after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, "Wise men came from the East in the days of Herod the king." This was the one known as Herod the Great. Herod was indeed great; in some ways great as a ruler, builder and administrator; but ruthless in politics and cruelty. The reign of Herod also gives us a chronological marking point, as Jesus was born before the death of Herod the Great, which is probably to be dated in 4 BC; the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown.
These travelers from the east are called wise men, which in the ancient Greek is Magi. They were not kings but astronomers, and probably traveled with a great company. They seem to have come not on the birth night, but probably several months later. Guided by the astronomical phenomenon mentioned in our text (His Star), they came to the area and expected to find answers in Jerusalem. They expected that the leaders and people of this capital city of the Jews would be even more interested than they were. Yet all were unaware.
Upon asking king Herod the question, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews," he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They then said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’
The fact that Herod had to instruct his advisors to search the archives for information, pointed to his lack of knowledge of the scriptures, and the time which was at hand. While all missed the time and location of His birth, the shepherds did not. To this Spurgeon states, “It has been truly remarked that the shepherds did not miss their way; they came to Christ at once, while the wise men, even with a star to guide them, yet missed their way, and went to Jerusalem instead of to Bethlehem, and enquired at the palace of Herod (who would seek to kill the child), instead of at the stable where the Christ was born.”
Nevertheless the motive of these Magi (realizing that this Son that has been born is to be the Messiah, King of the Jews and over all of the earth), was that they wanted to come and worship Him, behold His glory, to be obedient subjects and show the reverence that is due to Him, solely because of who He was - something even His own people missed.
Sadly today people are still missing their way to Jesus, not looking to worship Him for who He is, but like Herod, how they might destroy His message and elevate themselves. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) As for me, give me Jesus.
The Truth: "And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, Who will shepherd My people Israel." (Micah 5:2)
