Matthew 2:1-12
Q.1. When did the wise men arrive? Who were they trying to locate? How did King Herod respond? How did he find out where the Messiah would be? – (Mt.2:1-6)
Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but the birth of Jesus coincided with the time when a decree by Caesar Augustus required them to journey to their ancestral city of Bethlehem (see Lk.1:26; 2:1). Some shepherds had already located baby Jesus in a livestock barn, where He was born because there was no other accommodation (see Lk.2:7 & 12). When the wise men arrived in Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod, Joseph and Mary had moved to a house (see Mt.2:1 & 11). It is understandable that these men went to Jerusalem, which was David’s royal city, looking for the King of the Jews (see Mt.2:2). The news put Herod and all Jerusalem on edge. Herod inquired from the religious leaders where the Messiah was to be born (see Mt.2:3-4). They easily pointed him to the insignificant town of Bethlehem, since this had been revealed in Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2.
Q.2. Why did Herod tell the wise man he wanted to locate Jesus? How did the wise men find Him? What was their response? Did they return to Herod? – (Mt.2:7-12)
Matthew made it clear that Herod had an ulterior motive for finding Jesus. He secretly called the wise men and pretended that he wanted to join them in worship of the newborn King (see Mt.2:7-8). After months of following a guiding star, the travellers were providentially led to the very house where Jesus was then staying. God’s clear guidance brought indescribable joy to the seekers (see Mt.2:10). This is invariably the result of those seeking the Saviour. (Mt.2:9-10). They had made the long journey with a clear purpose – … they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt.2:11). These rich gifts would help finance the journey and stay for Joseph and Mary while in Egypt. This was crucial when they were forced to escape Herod’s evil plot to kill Jesus (see Mt.2:13-14). The wise men were warned to avoid Herod, so returned to their own country another way (see Mt.2:12).