ESV Study Bible | English Standard Version
Matthew 2:1-12
The Visit of the Wise Men
2 Now h after Jesus was born in i Bethlehem of Judea j in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [1] from k the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born l king of the Jews? For we saw m his star when it rose [2] and have come to n worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where o the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 p “‘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 q shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, r they offered him gifts, s gold and t frankincense and u myrrh. 12 And v being warned w in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
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Matt. 1:1–2:23 The Arrival in History of Jesus the Messiah. Matthew's introduction echoes the language of Genesis. The word rendered “genealogy” (1:1) is Greek genesis (“beginning, origin, birth, genealogy”), and this is also the title of the Greek translation of Genesis, implying that it is a book of “beginnings.” “The book of the genealogy” appears to function not only as a heading for the genealogy itself (1:2–17) but also as a title for the entire story to follow: a new beginning with the arrival of Jesus the Messiah and the kingdom of God (cf. note on Gen. 2:4).
Matt. 2:1–12 Magi Report the Star-sign of the Birth of “the King of the Jews.” As much as two years have passed since the events of ch. 1. Matthew highlights God's sovereign care in this infancy account of Jesus the King.
Matt. 2:1 Jesus' birth in Bethlehem of Judea, about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Jerusalem, marks him as being from the tribe of Judah and from the city that produced the Davidic kings (Ruth 1:1, 19; 2:4; 1 Sam. 17:12, 15; see note on Luke 2:4). Herod the king (also commonly Herod I or Herod the Great) ruled Israel and Judah 37–4 b.c. He was an Idumean, appointed king of the Jews under the authority of Rome. He ruled firmly and at times ruthlessly, murdering his own wife, several sons, and other relatives. He was a master builder who restored the temple in Jerusalem and built many theaters, cities, palaces, and fortresses. Herod's building programs included his palace at Jericho, the fortresses of Herodium, Machaerus, Sebaste, and Masada, the harbor and city of Caesarea Maritima (see note on Acts 8:40), and especially the Jerusalem temple (cf. John 2:14). He also financed structures (including pagan temples) throughout the Roman Empire—e.g., at Antioch (cf. Acts 11:19), Nicopolis (cf. Titus 3:12), and Athens (cf. Acts 17:16). Herod, ravaged by disease, died in his palace at Jericho (see note on Luke 19:1) and was buried at Herodium (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 6.168–181). Excavations at Herodium since the 1960s have revealed the circular palace-fortress built atop its mountain, as well as the monumental buildings and huge pool below; in 2007 the excavator announced the discovery of Herod's mausoleum and sarcophagus. In earlier times, wise men (Gk. magoi, plural of magos) referred to priests and experts in mysteries in Persia and Babylon (cf. Septuagint of Dan. 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; etc.), but by this time it applied to a wide range of people whose practices included astrology, dream interpretation, study of sacred writings, the pursuit of wisdom, and magic.
Matt. 2:2 we saw his star when it rose. The wise men would likely have been familiar with OT prophecy through interaction with Jews in Babylon, and they may have remembered Balaam's prophecy that “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17). This was understood by Jews to point to a messianic deliverer (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document 7.18–21; Testimonia 9–13). The movement of the star (Matt. 2:9) suggests that it is not a natural phenomenon (e.g., a comet, supernova, or conjunction of planets) but was supernatural, perhaps a guiding angel that appeared as a star, or perhaps some specially created heavenly phenomenon that had the brightness of a star. have come to worship him. The wise men likely traveled with a large number of attendants and guards for the long journey, which would have taken several weeks. For example, if they had come from Babylon by the main trade route of about 800 miles (1,288 km), averaging 20 miles (32 km) per day, the trip would have taken about 40 days.
Matt. 2:3 he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. The arrival of this true King of the Jews presents a threat to Herod the Great's throne and to Israel's corrupt religious and political leadership in Jerusalem (cf. note on 21:10).
Matt. 2:4 The chief priests gave oversight to temple activities; scribes were the official interpreters of the OT (see note on 8:19). The concept of “King of the Jews” had become associated with the Christ, the Messiah.
Matt. 2:5–6 Bethlehem was by no means least among the rulers of Judah, because it would be the birthplace of the future ruler, the Messiah (Mic. 5:2). The quotation also alludes to a shepherding theme cited at David's coronation as king over Israel (2 Sam. 5:2).
Matt. 2:9 the star . . . went before them. Bethlehem was only 6 miles (9.7 km) from Jerusalem, almost directly south, so this implies very specific, localized guidance from the traveling star, which came to rest over the young Jesus' specific location.
Matt. 2:11 The wise men did not arrive at the time of Jesus' birth in a manger, but up to two years later, when Jesus was living in a house (see note on v. 16). worshiped him. It is doubtful that these quasi-pagan religious men understood Jesus' divine nature, but their actions were unknowingly appropriate and wonderfully foreshadowed the worship of Jesus by all the Gentile nations (cf. 28:19; Rom. 1:5; Phil. 2:9–11; Rev. 7:9–10; 21:24). gold and frankincense and myrrh. The number of gifts contributed to the tradition that there were three men, but the actual number is unknown. Frankincense is resin used ceremonially for the only incense permitted on the altar (Ex. 30:9, 34–38). Myrrh is sap used in incense, perfume, and as a stimulant tonic. The gifts were likely used providentially to support the family in their flight to Egypt (Matt. 2:13–15).
