Matthew 2 -

Matthew 2 - The Visit of the Magi

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

-          The visit of the Magi

o   Magi means wise men (plural) or wise astronomers or wise believers.

-          Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

o   This is prophecy in the bible

o   Nobody would say this unless they knew bible

o   Notice they considered Him King of the Jews already!

o    A baby born without saying a single word and yet Magi from the east come!

-          Since the Magi said “For we have saw His star”

o   This means they were likely astronomers (those who study the sky)

o   They saw “His” star so they were obviously believers waiting for a sign

-          And have come to worship Him

o   Wisdom of all wisdom

o   They recognized the signs of the time and they came to worship Him

o   Notice they were waiting for Him to come (like a bride waiting for her groom)

 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
 Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
 For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
 Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

-          When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled

o   Because Herod knew about the prophecy of the coming King

o   Herod was troubled because he wanted to remain king (pride)

-          And all Jerusalem with him

o   Even the Jews were troubled

o   All Jerusalem (all means all not some)

o   Misery loves company

-          Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people

o   Notice Herod gathered all the chiefs together (it’s a big deal)

-          He inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born

o   Asking questions so he can try and thwart God’s plan

-          They told Herod where the Messiah was to be born (they all sold him out)

-          The prophet had prophesied before that Out of You Shall Forth a Ruler

o   In other words, there is going to be a new king

o   And it’s not going to be Herod

-          Who will shepherd my people Israel

o   In other words, the new King is going to be put in charge

o   And he will shepherd my people (a shepherd leads and finds fresh water & food)

o   A shepherd not only leads, he fiends and protects.

o   In a sense, Herod’s days were numbered

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.

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