Background Scripture: Micah 5:2-4; Matthew 2:1-12
Lesson Context: The text for study involves a mysterious star. This invites a consideration of the distinction between astronomy and astrology. But the two were blended together in the ancient world. Astrology is the scientific study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, etc.; astrology combines that study with the belief that the so-called gods orchestrate the appearance, positions, and movement of heavenly phenomena and, therefore, reveal information about divine plans for the future (omens). Astrology is practiced today in the form of horoscopes associated with the zodiac.
The New King is Born (Matthew 2:1-2):
A. Coming to Jerusalem (v. 1).
1a. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem (meaning “house of bread”) of Judaea was a few miles southwest of Jerusalem.
1b. “In the days of Herod the king.” This is the king known as Herod the Great, who ruled 37—4 BC, as the first Roman puppet-king of Judea. Herod the Great was not an ethnic Jew but the Idumean (related to modern Arabs).
1c. “Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.” These travelers are called wise men which is the ancient Greek is magol. Misconceptions and legends abound about these wise men. They were not kings but wise men, which means they were astronomers. There were not only three, but probably a great company. They seem to have come not on the birth night, but probably several months later
B. Seeking the King (v. 2).
2a. “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” They traveled this great distance to honor a King. At that time the Jewish people were often despised and dishonored because of their unique customs and beliefs, and also often because of the success and prosperity. They were often thought of as low, troublesome, and conquered race. It was remarkable that they would trouble themselves so much to honor an infant King, but even more so a King of the Jews.
2b. “For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” There are many different suggestions for the natural origin of this remarkable star. Some say it was a conjunction between of Jupiter and Saturn; some, other planetary conjunctions; others suggest a supernova; and some think of comets or a specifically created unique star or sign. Whatever it was, it is significant that God met them in their own medium: He guided them the astronomers by a star. There was also in fulfillment of Numbers
24:11: A star shall come out of Jacob; a scepter shall rise out of Israel. This was widely regarded by ancient Jewish scholars as a Messianic prediction. Notice, it was His star: “The star was Christ’s star itself, but it also led others to Christ, it did this very much because of the direction. The wise men came first to Jerusalem, assuming that the leaders of the Jews would be aware and excited about the birth of their Messiah. The wise men are about to find out that this wasn’t the case at all.
The Old King Is Troubled (Matthew 2:3-8):
A. Consulting the Scholars (vv. 3-4).
3. “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” In Jerusalem, when Herod wasn’t happy, no one was in Jerusalem was happy, fearing another murderous rampage. The people would be willing to do about anything to placate the king.
4. “And when he had gathered all of the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.” The chief priests ruled Jerusalem’s temple. They had an unusual alliance with Herod that had enriched them greatly in the party of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17). The scribes were the experts in the Jewish Scriptures, often called upon to interpret fine points of the Law of Moses.
B. Pinpointing Bethlehem (vv. 5-6). “And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
C. Plotting Murder (vv. 7-8).
7. “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.” The word privily indicates that Herod had dismissed the religious leaders in order to meet with the wise men alone.
He set aside his rage in favor of plotting on his happy face for this meeting.
lll. The Child Is Worshipped (Matthew 2:9-12).
A. Following the Star (vv. 9-10).
9-10. “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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” The star continued to guide them, apparently re-appearing. It is surmised that the star appeared some months before, guiding them to the general area, and then they visited Jerusalem to gain more information. Then the star appeared again to specifically guide them. This was an obviously supernatural phenomenon.
“And stood over where the young child was:” Adam Clarke says this is more literally, stood over the head of the child.
B. Presenting Treasures (v. 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 opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” The location of the young child with Mary his mother was no longer the manger of Luke’s account (Luke 2:16) but a house. The wise men were not empty-handed in their worship of the young child. Gold represented Jesus’s kingship. Frankincense represented Jesus’s priesthood. Myrrh represented Jesus’s death.
C. Exiting Another Way (v. 12).
12. “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” The warning served to protect not only the child Jesus but also Mary, Joseph, and the wise men. Herod’s intent all along was to have this potential king killed, and the others could have very well ended up feeling the despot’s wrath as well.
References: David Guzik: Study Guide for Matthew, International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2023-2024, Adam Clarke Bible Commentary