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The Visit of the Wise Men: Insights and Reactions

Explore the fascinating story of the Wise Men's visit to baby Jesus and the various reactions it elicited from Herod, the Chief Priests, and the true worshippers. Discover the significance of their journey and the lessons we can learn from their responses.

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The Visit of the Wise Men: Insights and Reactions

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  1. The Life of Christ – Lesson 2 The birth of Jesus Presentation in the temple Visit of the wise men Flight to Egypt and return to Jerusalem Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem at age 12

  2. Matthew 2 - Prophecy fulfilled • Matthew Chapter two revolves around four fulfillments connected with four geographical locations in the life of Jesus:

  3. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • “… name given … to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers etc.” (Thayer) Deuteronomy 18:11; Daniel 5:11 • Worldly assumptions – • Names, nationality, number (3?; verse 11), function, social status, or exact timing. • We’re not told any of that information …

  4. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • When did these events take place? Not while Jesus lay in a manger! They visited “the Child with Mary” in a house. • Consider the scope of Herod’s order to slay all the male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem who were 2 years or less “according to the time he had determined from the magi.” (Matthew 2:16) • Sought to know where “the King of the Jews” had been born. • They had seen “Hisstar” (King of the Jews) in the east. How did they know? cf. Romans 10:17

  5. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • They sought to “worship Him.” Ascription of deity. Deuteronomy 6:13 • Had to come to them by revelation – either through prophecy or direct revelation. • This is the real point here – the worship and praise due the Messiah.

  6. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • Verse 3 – Herod and all Jerusalem “troubled.” Stirred, disquieted, agitated, restless … Why? Different reasons? • Herod’s intentions are revealed in verses 7-8, 16-17. • All Jerusalem? • Verses 4-6 – Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes – where was the Messiah to be born? • Did they know? Verses 5-6

  7. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • Three reactions to Jesus – • Herod’s reaction. • Hostility - “Troubled” (verse 3) and “enraged” (verse 16); why? Does that ever happen to us? Feigned worship … temptation to worship for wrong reasons?

  8. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • Three reactions to Jesus – • Chief Priests’ and Scribes’ reaction – • Indifference - No reaction noted! Why weren’t they excited? Why didn’t they drop everything to go find the Messiah? Were they distracted and uninterested? They later progressed to “hostility.”

  9. Matthew 2:1-12The visit of the magi/wise men • Three reactions to Jesus – • The shepherds, magi, Simeon, and Anna • A sense of urgency. Humbly sought to worship and praise God. • God’s true servants aren’t always who we’d think they’d be.

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