Matthew 2:11
The Magi went to Bethlehem to worship Jesus.
“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
This verse is talking about the wise men (Greek: μάγοι - magoi; also translated as Magi) who went to Jesus. They were coming from the ‘East’, probably referring to the region of ancient Persia or Babylon.
“And when they had come into the house”
The Magi did not come at the time of Jesus’ birth, but went to Bethlehem when Jesus was under two years old. We know this because Herod killed every child who was under two years old (verse 16). At the time of the Magi’s arrival, the family of Jesus lived in a house.
- Matthew 2:16: “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.”
“They saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.”
The Magi saw [or found] and worshiped Jesus. They knew this was a special Child, although it is not certain if they knew He was God Himself. They probably knew about the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, prophecies like the one from Balaam, from Numbers 24:17: “A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel;” The kneeling of the wise men foreshadows a scene that will take place one day, when every knee will bow, and the kings of the earth will bring their treasures before the throne of God.
- Numbers 24:17: ““I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.”
- Revelation 21:24: “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it [this is: the New Jerusalem, where the throne of God is].”
“And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
The Magi brought three treasures with them. This is the reason why the tradition says that there were three wise men. This is in fact unknown. Frankincense was used in temple worship.
- Exodus 30:34-35: “And the Lord said to Moses: ‘Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each. You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy.’”
Today’s lesson: The wise men from the East came to Jesus. Even though they did not know everything about Him, they worshiped Him… Maybe it is time for us as well to worship Him, even though we may not know everything. He will give us wisdom to understand more about Him. He will give us His Holy Spirit.
- John 14:23: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”
Read also our Bible study about Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”