Verses 1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Bethlehem was a village approximately six miles south of Jerusalem. The name means “house of bread”.
There were many Herods and so it might be helpful to discuss who these men were. Herod the Great was appointed king of Judaea in 40BC by the Romans. He was very cruel and killed many of the Jews that opposed him and even killed his wife Mariamne and his two sons. He loved to tax the people and so was not terribly popular. It was this Herod that restored the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. It was in his reign that both Jesus and John the Baptist were born and he ordered the killing of all the children two years old and under in an attempt to kill the Messiah, Jesus.
Herod Antipas was Herod the Great’s son. His mother was a Samaritan. He was appointed by the Romans as tetrarch of Galilee after the death of his father. A tetrarch was the governor of one of four divisions of a geographical area and therefore was one of four joint rulers. This is the Herod that married his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, who convinced him to behead John the Baptist.
Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great. He eventually obtained the governorship of Palestine and was named king. He died in 44 AD. He was responsible for the apostle James, the son of Zebedee and brother of the apostle John, to be killed and for the apostle Peter to be thrown into prison.
Herod Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I and he was alive at the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD and was the last of the Herodian dynasty. The name “Herod” means heroic.
The Greek word translated as “wise” is “magos” and it can also mean teachers, priest, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayer, sorcerers, and physicians. The Scripture does not clarify just exactly who these men were and the general belief among the church world is that they were astrologers who somehow knew the prophecies of the Old Testament (see verse 5 below) and who saw a strange star and that they followed it to find the new king they were looking for. It is also taught that there were only three wise men because there were three gifts. However, this is probably not the case as these “wise men” usually traveled in large groups to protect themselves from bandits and other dangers.
Application: This writer is going to state from the beginning of this study regarding the birth of the LORD Jesus Christ that some traditional teachings and beliefs are not completely accepted and that other points of view should be considered as this story is studied. These points of view may anger some readers, but hopefully they will tempt others to think and research for themselves and not just accept the traditions of men that have been so pervasive in the Church for so long. This is not to say that the alternate points of view are correct. But they may be.
The first is that the star was not sent by God but by the Devil. Why is this possible? This writer cannot find any reference to a star in the Old Testament prophecies regarding the coming of Messiah. A word search produces only the plural word, stars, from Genesis to Matthew, with only two exceptions. The first is in Numbers 24:17 where it states, “There shall come a Star out of Jacob and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” The translators of the KJV capitalized the word as it is a reference to the LORD Jesus Christ, but the star comes out of Jacob and not out of the East. And as it is a reference to Jesus, it is not a real star shining in the sky. It is metaphor. The second exception is in Amos 5:26 which states, “But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Molock and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.” Molock and Chiun were pagan gods. Human sacrifice was involved in the worship of these gods. So since the wise men were astrologers (those who use the movements of the sun, moon and stars to attempt to predict the future) and not astronomers (scientists), it makes sense they were involved in the occult. God condemns occult practices in Deuteronomy chapter 18. So this writer cannot connect this appearance and movement of a star with the God of the universe. He had already provided copious Bible passages to tell of the birth of His son, passages that perhaps the astrologers were familiar with. There was no need for a supernatural display. So why would the Devil produce the star that convinced the wise men to travel to Jerusalem? Because it was the Devil’s desire to destroy Jesus. And what better way than to call attention to the prophecies of the birth of the Messiah, and get a wicked king to conspire to murder the son of God. Think about it. Still want to put that star at the top of your tree?
Application: Did Jesus claim to be King of the Jews? It is interesting that the wise men called Him by that title. Where did they get the idea that there was a new king in Jerusalem? Apparently that title stuck as Pilot, the governor, at His trial recorded in Matthew 27:11, Mark 15:2, Luke 23:3 and John 18:33 asked Jesus “Art thou the King of the Jews?” This exact question is recorded by all four gospel writers without any variation. And Jesus never said “Yes” but answered each time, “Thou sayest it.” In other words, Jesus was saying that Pilot was calling Him by that title. Scripture records Jesus as being KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS in Revelation 19:16. He is not just the king of the Jews, but is the King and LORD of all creation. But the wise men giving Him that title was what angered King Herod enough to seek to destroy Him as a child. So, again, do you, the reader, think the wise men were sent by God to announce the birth of His only son, Jesus, so that an attempt upon Jesus’ life could occur?
Verses 3-4 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
If only three wise men arrived via camel in the city of Jerusalem, they would hardly be noticed. For all Jerusalem to be troubled, it would make sense that this was a very large group of men, servants, and animals that would have very easily attracted attention, conversation and questions with their arrival. Herod was not Jewish. He was a descendant of Esau, the son Isaac. He apparently was not familiar with the Jewish teachings and so gathered the religious leaders and the scribes responsible for the temple records so that he could better understand the situation.
Verses 5-6 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Notice that all the chief priests and all the scribes were very familiar with the Old Testament prophecy regarding the coming of their Messiah. Yet, they ignored their prophetic knowledge and understanding of Scripture when they followed the life and ministry of Jesus, a life and ministry that fulfilled all the prophecies accurately and completely. Why? They did not want to lose their power and influence over the people and they were jealous, evil, and serving the Devil instead of God.
Application: Just because the term “Christian” is used, not everything and everyone is Christian. Just like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, many of whom were instruments of the Devil, so today many religious leaders are instruments of the Devil. Remember what King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:9. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Be discerning.
Verses 7-8 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Herod was a typical politician. He was a lying politician. He told the wise men what they wanted to hear so that they would believe he had good intentions in finding this child.
Verses 9-11 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Scripture does not specify how young the child was, but at this time He was no longer considered a baby. The fact that Jesus and Mary were in a house and that the child was not a baby indicates that time had elapsed between the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds and the time the wise men found the family. Just because the wise men fell down and worshipped does not mean that they knew they were in the presence of the Son of the only true God. Witches, wizards, soothsayers and all the other occult practitioners can be highly superstitious. A supernatural sign in the sky, a long journey, and the prospect of an new king would contribute to their worshipful behavior.
Application: Since the verses above clearly show that the wise men did not see a baby Jesus at the same time as the shepherds saw the baby Jesus in a barn, ask yourself why do nativity displays show the shepherds and the wise men together standing in the hay? How is history being distorted and taught to the next generation of people by these false displays and false narratives about the birth of Jesus? Many of the falsities are being promoted by churches. As believers, should not the account of the birth of the Savior be presented to the world in truth? Think about it.
Verses 12-13 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
God uses the beliefs and the things of the occult as He pleases to effect an outcome. For example, if a witch casts a spell upon a believer, the spell will come back like a boomerang to affect the witch. Many witches are afraid of believers as they know, usually from experience, that this will happen. God also cares about all people, and it was a very real possibility that if the wise men returned to Herod, they would be executed. Herod did not have a good record regarding human rights. He was cruel and bloodthirsty. So God made sure the wise men stayed safe and gave them a dream which they would pay attention to as they were soothsayers and fortunetellers and followed the stars. Then God sent a dream to Joseph instructing him to relocate to Egypt. Herod would not expect a Jewish family to move to Egypt as that had been the place of over 400 years of captivity for the Hebrew people and so not a place they were to return to.
Verses 14-15 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
As you read through this book of Matthew, note how many prophecies are fulfilled proving that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah.
Verses 16-18 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
The Greek word translated as “wroth” is “thumoo” and it appears only once in the Scripture in the verse above. It means to cause one to become incensed. Herod was serving the Devil and he acted like one. His killing of innocent children was a genocidal act. And it fulfilled prophecy. Because of this verse, it appears that Jesus at the time of this murderous act was possibly around two years old.
Application: At the time of this writing, not much has been said about witchcraft and Satanism, and not many believers truly understand what goes on in these two religious systems. So let it be said that the Devil requires his followers to shed blood and engage in sexual acts. This is part of the worship requirements. Throughout the Old Testament there are references to human sacrifice to Moloch, Remphan, and other pagan gods. There are references to temple prostitutes also. By Herod ordering the killing of all the children two years old and under, he was providing a blood sacrifice for his god, the Devil. Today, nations provide blood sacrifices of children through the demonic practice of abortion and other blood sacrifices are accomplished through wars and genocidal acts by corrupt governments. Again, King Solomon needs to be quoted. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9
Verses 19-21 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Not much is spoken or written about Joseph, but he must have been an exceptional man. He was obedient to the LORD and he protected his family and provided for them with the work of his hands. It could not have been easy emigrating to Egypt and finding work and living in a society that did not worship the God of Heaven. He trusted the LORD and did that which he was told to do. He listened to the voice of God.
Application: Let’s do some math here. If the history books are correct, Herod the Great was born in 74 BC and died in 4 BC at the age of 70. Jesus and John the Baptist were both born during his reign, and therefore had to be born before 4 BC. Jesus is described as a young child in the verses above when Herod was looking for Him. That would make the current calendar being used incorrect in terms of basing it on the birth of Jesus. It is interesting to note that God has not provided mankind with the exact date of the first coming of His son, Jesus, and that He has not provided mankind with an exact date as to the return or second coming of His son.
Verses 22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Archelaus was a son of Herod the Great by a Samaritan woman and his brother was Antipas. He was accused of tyranny and banished, leaving the rule of Judaea to his brother, Antipas. Joseph moved to Nazareth, the name of the town meaning “the guarded one”.