Birth and Childhood · 4 / 61

The Magi Follow the Star

Men from the far east who read the stars

Bethlehem · c. 5 BC · Mt 2:1–12

James Tissot, The Magi Journeying, c. 1886–1894 · Brooklyn Museum · Public domain

Story

In the days when Herod was king, travelers who had come a long way appeared in the streets of Jerusalem. They were wise men from the east. Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. When word of this reached the palace, King Herod was deeply troubled, and all Jerusalem was stirred along with him.

Herod called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law. Where is the Christ to be born? They answered. In Bethlehem of Judea. That is what the prophet wrote. The king secretly called the wise men aside and questioned them closely about when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem and said, go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him.

As the wise men set out, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them again, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure chests and offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another road.

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His Words

Where is the one born king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him.
The Magi · Mt 2:2

Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means a small town. From you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.
The chief priests and teachers of the Law · Mt 2:6

Go and search carefully for the child, and when you find him, report to me, so that I may go and worship him too.
Herod · Mt 2:8

The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 2:1–12

Background

The 'magoi' were likely a class of scholars who studied the stars in Persia or Babylonia. Scripture does not say how many there were; the tradition of three comes from the three gifts.

Pause and Reflect

Like the wise men, what am I willing to lay down before Jesus?