“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
— Matthew 2:1-11
Lots of articles and info on who these magi were and were they came from. I’m no expert, but best I can tell, most likely star gazers, wisemen, descendants from the types of people in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius. Probably from Persia area. I’ve heard/read that they may have even heard of this great king from the scrolls that Daniel left. Intriguing at least.
NET has correct star “in its rising” as star is moving across sky. I do not get excited about studying how planets moved way back when and finding patterns at just the right time. It could have been when two or three aligned but who knows. I have no clue what it means that a star settled over the house, because that’s all perspective of a ginormous star in the universe.
Timing is a funny thing. Some still forget the words “child” and “house” but again, Jesus may have been born in lower section of a house, so not that big of a deal, and Matthew is different author so may be using different words for baby/infant/child. Sure maybe not night of, but doesn’t have to be two years later just because Herod seeks to kill two year olds.
Where is Joseph and Mary’s home? His business? Their families? Nazareth. They are only here for census, so once she’s ok to travel, I would think they would make it back home. She does need to go to temple for purification (40 days), and then it says they go home later in Luke 2. Unless they are visiting family in Bethlehem, wisemen may be coming sooner than we think. But this is all speculation, because gospel writers can do things like this to create tension and the narrative they want. These are not catastrophic differences.
Herod was a psychopath. Killed many family members out of paranoia. He died between 6-4 BC, we can date due to eclipse and other historians. Calendar is off by 4-5 years.
Matthew emphasizes wisemen to show Jesus was ultimate king, worthy of worship.
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