A while back, I was pondering over the story of the wise men (Magi) and how tradition says there were three, and shows them at the manger, neither of which is scriptural, so I decided to re-read the story in Matthew forensically, to try to imagine being there. Here’s my thought on the passage (not claiming this is doctrine, just my ponderings):
Matt 2- 1: …wise men came from the East. We are given no number here, so there could have been any number, and as I have heard other analysts say, it was likely a large contingent, with lots of support staff for the important seers. Note that in verse 3, it says all Jerusalem was in an uproar over their query.
Matt 2- 2,3: This large band would likely have entered the city through a gate on the south side. These gates would have had guards present and I would expect the first thing the wise men did was to ask the way to the royal palace to see the newborn. This would have disturbed any listeners present, as it would be common knowledge that no baby had been born to the king. I’m also going to guess that at this point, they don’t get introduced to Herod.
Matt 2- 4: Herod calls on the priests and scribes to tell him where the Christ should be born. In identifying Him thus, it is clear that Herod (who was a secular king) knew that this meant the prophesied Messiah. I believe he did this before meeting with the Magi.
Matt 2- 7: Herod meets secretly with the Magi. Why secretly? Is it possible he concealed his identity? Wouldn’t the Magi think it strange that the king would send them on a fact-finding mission without him? Would he be that disintersted?
Then we come to verse 9 where Christ is referred to as a “young child” and verse 11 identifies that Mary & Joseph were now in a house and again refers to the “young child.”
Since Herod had grilled the Magi on the timing of the star, we can conclude that Christ was about 2 years old at the time, which is why Herod slew all boys under 2 years old.
nicka93 over 2 years ago
Historic yes, Big no, and they don’t serve alcoholic beverages.
pcolli over 2 years ago
Didn’t know that Harley Davidson made camels.
blunebottle over 2 years ago
Amen.
Doug K over 2 years ago
It’s not exactly a party, but it’s the first.
dan thompson creator over 2 years ago
Merry Christmas Eve, Everyone!!
moonfrogger over 2 years ago
That it was.
wongo over 2 years ago
Mom’s diner is in Bethlehem ??
patdoct over 2 years ago
Hoy día es Nochebuena, mañana es Navidad!! Feliz Navidad !!
johnstep over 2 years ago
So, Harley was the 4th wise man?
tad1 over 2 years ago
The one that started all the Christmas parties.
blunebottle over 2 years ago
A while back, I was pondering over the story of the wise men (Magi) and how tradition says there were three, and shows them at the manger, neither of which is scriptural, so I decided to re-read the story in Matthew forensically, to try to imagine being there. Here’s my thought on the passage (not claiming this is doctrine, just my ponderings):
Matt 2- 1: …wise men came from the East. We are given no number here, so there could have been any number, and as I have heard other analysts say, it was likely a large contingent, with lots of support staff for the important seers. Note that in verse 3, it says all Jerusalem was in an uproar over their query.
Matt 2- 2,3: This large band would likely have entered the city through a gate on the south side. These gates would have had guards present and I would expect the first thing the wise men did was to ask the way to the royal palace to see the newborn. This would have disturbed any listeners present, as it would be common knowledge that no baby had been born to the king. I’m also going to guess that at this point, they don’t get introduced to Herod.
Matt 2- 4: Herod calls on the priests and scribes to tell him where the Christ should be born. In identifying Him thus, it is clear that Herod (who was a secular king) knew that this meant the prophesied Messiah. I believe he did this before meeting with the Magi.
Matt 2- 7: Herod meets secretly with the Magi. Why secretly? Is it possible he concealed his identity? Wouldn’t the Magi think it strange that the king would send them on a fact-finding mission without him? Would he be that disintersted?
Then we come to verse 9 where Christ is referred to as a “young child” and verse 11 identifies that Mary & Joseph were now in a house and again refers to the “young child.”
Since Herod had grilled the Magi on the timing of the star, we can conclude that Christ was about 2 years old at the time, which is why Herod slew all boys under 2 years old.