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In this lesson:
The wise men. Study Tip: Use the five W's technique employed by investigative journalists as you study. Ask yourself who, what, when, where, and why as you read each passage. |
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Where is -
Jerusalem -
Jerusalem is Hebrew for "foundation of peace." It is fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean. It sits in the Judaean Mountains, approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by valleys on three sides, Jerusalem dominated the area. Jerusalem is also called Mount Zion, David's city, Ariel (Isaiah 29:1), Salem, Jebus (Judges 19:10, 1 Chronicles 11:4-5), and the Holy City.
The ancestral home of Israel's King David, ancient Egyptian texts cite Jerusalem as far back as the 19th century BC. It is first mentioned in the Bible under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18) and is first called Jerusalem in Joshua 10:1. Originally, the city covered about eight acres but was continually rebuilt and expanded. King Solomon enlarged the city to over 30 acres, built a palace, and the first Temple. By Jesus' time, Jerusalem was the epicenter of Jewish life, government, and religion.
After the crucifixion, early Christians fled Jerusalem rather than face persecution at the hands of Jews. Throughout the centuries, Jerusalem has been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon (2 Kings 25), Persia, Greece, and Rome. A Jewish revolt against Rome began in AD 68. The Roman army, under General Titus, surrounded Jerusalem on Passover AD 70 with orders to smash the rebellion. Eighty thousand Roman soldiers laid siege to the city. In five months, Jerusalem fell, and Titus murdered its citizens. The Romans killed an estimated 1,000,000 Jews during the revolt and took tens of thousands captive. Rome rebuilt Jerusalem, renamed it Colonia Aelia Capitolina, banned Jews, and constructed a temple to their pagan god Jupiter. In AD 614, the Persians captured the city, and again, Jerusalem's citizens were killed. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099, and later the Turks. Today, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
"For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 'This is my resting place for ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.'" These verses from Psalms clearly underline the unique and powerful role that the city of Jerusalem played in the religious life of ancient Israel." ("Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; page 106).
Jerusalem -
Jerusalem is Hebrew for "foundation of peace." It is fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean. It sits in the Judaean Mountains, approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by valleys on three sides, Jerusalem dominated the area. Jerusalem is also called Mount Zion, David's city, Ariel (Isaiah 29:1), Salem, Jebus (Judges 19:10, 1 Chronicles 11:4-5), and the Holy City.
The ancestral home of Israel's King David, ancient Egyptian texts cite Jerusalem as far back as the 19th century BC. It is first mentioned in the Bible under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18) and is first called Jerusalem in Joshua 10:1. Originally, the city covered about eight acres but was continually rebuilt and expanded. King Solomon enlarged the city to over 30 acres, built a palace, and the first Temple. By Jesus' time, Jerusalem was the epicenter of Jewish life, government, and religion.
After the crucifixion, early Christians fled Jerusalem rather than face persecution at the hands of Jews. Throughout the centuries, Jerusalem has been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon (2 Kings 25), Persia, Greece, and Rome. A Jewish revolt against Rome began in AD 68. The Roman army, under General Titus, surrounded Jerusalem on Passover AD 70 with orders to smash the rebellion. Eighty thousand Roman soldiers laid siege to the city. In five months, Jerusalem fell, and Titus murdered its citizens. The Romans killed an estimated 1,000,000 Jews during the revolt and took tens of thousands captive. Rome rebuilt Jerusalem, renamed it Colonia Aelia Capitolina, banned Jews, and constructed a temple to their pagan god Jupiter. In AD 614, the Persians captured the city, and again, Jerusalem's citizens were killed. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099, and later the Turks. Today, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
"For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 'This is my resting place for ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.'" These verses from Psalms clearly underline the unique and powerful role that the city of Jerusalem played in the religious life of ancient Israel." ("Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; page 106).
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 2:1-12
Visitors from the east 1 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. 3 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. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: 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. 7 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. 9 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. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. |
Margin notes:
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem." (2:1) - Another prophecy fulfilled. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as foretold in Micah 5:2 seven hundred years earlier. Bethlehem (meaning "bread of life") was originally called Ephrath (Genesis 35:19; 48:7) and was a small town in Judea five miles south of Jerusalem. Also called "the city of David" (Luke 2:4), Bethlehem stood on the highway from Hebron to Egypt. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but since He was raised in Nazareth, many didn't know He was born in Bethlehem and didn't connect Him with the prophecy. Additional note: Jesus was born a man in Bethlehem, but He existed with God before the world began (John 17:5). "In the days of Herod the king." (2:1) - If you were told that a particular event happened during President Barack Obama's administration, you could better place when it happened. Telling us that Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod puts a time stamp on events. "Wise men." (2:1) - See "Today's Questions" below. "He was troubled." (2:3) - King Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne and saw everyone as a threat, even his own sons. He lived in fear of being overthrown and saw the birth of the "King of the Jews" as the latest menace. See "Today's Questions" below for more information on Herod. "Scribes." (2:4) - Often called "doctors of the law" (Luke 5:17), teachers, or "lawyer" (Matthew 22:35; Luke 7:30; 10:25), scribes were experts on the Mosaic Law and the Old Testament prophecies. They made copies of the scriptures, interpreted the Law, helped settle religious arguments, and taught Judaism. They were highly regarded in Jewish society, to the point where "The burden of a teacher is to be born in preference to that of a father, a teacher must be ransomed from captivity before one's own father." (From "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; page 981). Because scribes hindered people in their religious journey, burdened them with unnecessary religious legalisms, and tried to entrap Jesus (Luke 11:52-54), the Messiah condemned them as hypocrites (Luke 11:44). "They said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea." (2:5) - The priests, scribes, and most Jews knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. It had been prophesied 700 years earlier in Micah 5:2. Imagine, centuries before His birth, God told Micah precisely where Jesus would be born. See also John 7:42. "That I may come and worship him." (2:8) - This was a ruse. In reality, Herod wanted to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13-18). "When they were come Into the house." (2:11) - Mary and Joseph had moved out of the manger by the time the wise men arrived in Bethlehem. "Gold, and frankincense and myrrh." (2:11) - These are three lavish, carefully selected gifts. Gold is an expensive gift, fit for a King. Frankincense was used for medicinal purposes, and Jesus is a healer. Myrrh was used to prepare the dead for burial and represented suffering, which Jesus would do on the cross (Mark 23:15). |
New Living Translation
Matthew 2:1-12
Visitors from the East
1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
2 "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him."
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"
5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 'And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
8 Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!"
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Visitors from the East
1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
2 "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him."
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"
5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 'And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.
8 Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!"
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. " (2:6-7)
Today's Questions:
1. Who was King Herod? (2:1)
2. Who were the wise men? (2:1)
"Faith is the ability to feel so sure of God, that, no matter how dark the day, there is no doubt as to the outcome.
For God's people there is a glorious future. It may be a long way off. But it is absolutely sure."
("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 373)
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. King Herod the Great was a bloodthirsty tyrant who reigned over Judea for almost thirty-five years. He murdered, among others, his wife Mariamne, his mother-in-law Alexandra, two brothers-in-law Costobarus and Alexander, dozens of innocent children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18), and three of his sons (two by strangulation). The Roman emperor Augustus Caesar declared, "It is better to be Herod's hog than to be his son!" Julius Caesar appointed Herod's father, Antipater, the governor of Judea. After his father died, Herod was placed on the throne by the Roman Emperor Mark Antony in 37 BC. A prolific builder, Herod constructed numerous cities and rebuilt the great Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by the Babylonians. Many of the ancient ruin's tourists visit today in Israel date back to Herod's era. Part Jew and part Gentile (Edomite), Herod lived in constant fear of being overthrown. He called himself "the King of the Jews," but most Jews called Herod "a half Jew" and hated him. As he lay on his deathbed, Herod ordered all the prominent Jewish men to be rounded up and killed after he died so there would be mourning when he passed. His instructions were ignored. Herod was succeeded by his surviving son, Archelaus (Matthew 2:22).
2. We can't be sure who the wise men were. They may have been descendants of the Jews who were taken to Babylon as captive's centuries earlier (2 Kings 24:14-16; Jeremiah 27:20; Daniel 1:1-2). Many captives stayed in Babylon after being released rather than return to Israel (Ezra 2:1). Such men would have known the Old Testament prophecies about the promised Messiah and what the star in the sky meant. However, many Bible scholars believe the wise men were intellectual Persian elders schooled in philosophy, medicine, and science. Still, others feel that the wise men were from a priestly tribe of Medes (inhabitants of an ancient Asiatic country south of the Caspian Sea called Media). Zoroastrian scholars (followers of the first monotheistic religion founded by Zarathushtra Spitaman in 1500 B.C.) from Persia were also familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures and would have known about the prophesized birth of Christ and what the star represented. Perhaps they were a combination of all the above. At any rate, the wise men traveled forty days and hundreds of miles over rough and dangerous terrain to pay homage to the newborn Messiah. They must have been important men to rate an audience with King Herod (Matthew 2:7-8). In all probability, the wise men traveled to Bethlehem with an entourage of servants and guards to protect them on their journey. Additional note: Why are they referred to as "the three wise men" when the Bible never says how many there were? People assume there were three because they brought three gifts (gold for the Messiah's kingship, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh for His future suffering and death).
Application thought for the day:
The wise men were compelled by faith to travel hundreds of miles to honor a child they had never met.
How do you honor Christ?
Do you offer Him gifts, or do you ask for gifts?
1. Who was King Herod? (2:1)
2. Who were the wise men? (2:1)
"Faith is the ability to feel so sure of God, that, no matter how dark the day, there is no doubt as to the outcome.
For God's people there is a glorious future. It may be a long way off. But it is absolutely sure."
("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 373)
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. King Herod the Great was a bloodthirsty tyrant who reigned over Judea for almost thirty-five years. He murdered, among others, his wife Mariamne, his mother-in-law Alexandra, two brothers-in-law Costobarus and Alexander, dozens of innocent children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18), and three of his sons (two by strangulation). The Roman emperor Augustus Caesar declared, "It is better to be Herod's hog than to be his son!" Julius Caesar appointed Herod's father, Antipater, the governor of Judea. After his father died, Herod was placed on the throne by the Roman Emperor Mark Antony in 37 BC. A prolific builder, Herod constructed numerous cities and rebuilt the great Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by the Babylonians. Many of the ancient ruin's tourists visit today in Israel date back to Herod's era. Part Jew and part Gentile (Edomite), Herod lived in constant fear of being overthrown. He called himself "the King of the Jews," but most Jews called Herod "a half Jew" and hated him. As he lay on his deathbed, Herod ordered all the prominent Jewish men to be rounded up and killed after he died so there would be mourning when he passed. His instructions were ignored. Herod was succeeded by his surviving son, Archelaus (Matthew 2:22).
2. We can't be sure who the wise men were. They may have been descendants of the Jews who were taken to Babylon as captive's centuries earlier (2 Kings 24:14-16; Jeremiah 27:20; Daniel 1:1-2). Many captives stayed in Babylon after being released rather than return to Israel (Ezra 2:1). Such men would have known the Old Testament prophecies about the promised Messiah and what the star in the sky meant. However, many Bible scholars believe the wise men were intellectual Persian elders schooled in philosophy, medicine, and science. Still, others feel that the wise men were from a priestly tribe of Medes (inhabitants of an ancient Asiatic country south of the Caspian Sea called Media). Zoroastrian scholars (followers of the first monotheistic religion founded by Zarathushtra Spitaman in 1500 B.C.) from Persia were also familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures and would have known about the prophesized birth of Christ and what the star represented. Perhaps they were a combination of all the above. At any rate, the wise men traveled forty days and hundreds of miles over rough and dangerous terrain to pay homage to the newborn Messiah. They must have been important men to rate an audience with King Herod (Matthew 2:7-8). In all probability, the wise men traveled to Bethlehem with an entourage of servants and guards to protect them on their journey. Additional note: Why are they referred to as "the three wise men" when the Bible never says how many there were? People assume there were three because they brought three gifts (gold for the Messiah's kingship, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh for His future suffering and death).
Application thought for the day:
The wise men were compelled by faith to travel hundreds of miles to honor a child they had never met.
How do you honor Christ?
Do you offer Him gifts, or do you ask for gifts?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible' published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke