Understanding the Gospel Matthew Why

2 Saying, “Where is the one who was born the king of the Jews? for we have seen its star when it rises and comes to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was sorrowful and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were with him.

4 and gathered the chief priests and teachers of the people He asked them where Christ would be born.

for the ruler who will come over my people Israel will come from you.’”

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men. and ascertain exactly when the star appeared

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search for that child. and when found tell me so that I may also come and worship him.”

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters – Part 4

9 After listening to the king, they set off, and, behold, the stars they saw as they floated before them.

10 When he saw the star, he rejoiced.

11 When he entered the house, he saw the child and his mother Mary, and bowed down and worshiped him. Then

when the treasure is opened They offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

uncovering false legends

Before looking at what the Bible says about the wise men. Note a few things the Bible doesn’t say. First, nowhere else

in the Bible says that these people were kings. The name “magi”, which we mean “sage”, may refer to a group of

Persian political advisors specializing in science, agriculture, mathematics, history. and other disciplines These men

are intellectual extremists. And it’s pretty much the same as people in our society who have PhDs from Ivy League

schools.

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters – Part 4

Second, note that this passage never mentions their trio of philosophers. Most scholars agree that more than

three are likely. The vast distances and the turmoil they made in Jerusalem seemed to suggest that these people made up a rather impressive caravan.

Third, note that this passage does not say that these wise men worshiped Jesus in the stables outside the Bethlehem

inn. but instead said that they came to a house in the city Despite many nativity scenes that made the sage kneel

beside the manger. These people arrived several days after the birth of Jesus and found Him in the homes of family

members. Both Mary and Joseph likely had relatives living in the city.

Why did the sage come? (Article 1-2)

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters – Part 4

How was it possible for a group of people hundreds of miles away to see the stars in the sky and guess that a new

king of the Jews had been born? Of course, there are others. Countless others have noticed this strange star. But they

didn’t understand the meaning of that star. How did the wise men know its special meaning?

The answer reveals God’s remarkable plan to arrange events and situations according to His will. centuries ago Israel

was taken captive by the Persian press. at the time of captivity The Jewish Holy Scriptures – the Old Testament – have

come into the hands of some Persian leaders. hundreds of years later These wise men had a passage from the Bible

where they understood the meaning of this star: “I saw him but not now I saw him, but not very close. A star will

come out of Jacob. and a scepter shall emerge from Israel. It would smash the foreheads of Moab and destroy the

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters – Part 4

entire soul of Shet. Edom will be conquered, and Seir will also be conquered by his enemies.”

The prophecy was simple. A star will come out of Jacob (a.k.a. Israel, see Genesis 32:28) and a scepter (a king’s

symbol) will arise. This King will be powerful and will rule many countries.

This is the prophecy of two Joshuas. When the prophet Balaam spoke this prophecy at first It speaks of Joshua son of

Nun. Who will lead God’s people to the Promised Land after Moses’ death? A wise man may believe that one day the

new king of the Jews will be powerful enough to overtake his kingdom. and hence try to make peace as quickly as

possible. It is very doubtful that these people understood that Jesus was the King of Kings. But their

understanding of the prophecy was enough to make them search for the newborn.

Why did God give this Bible into their hands and bring these pagans?