In Daniel chapter 2, the prophet interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which none of the wise men of Babylon could identify and interpret. In Daniel 2:48-49 we learn that Daniel was promoted by Nebuchadnezzar and placed in charge of all the “wise men.” As the head of the wise men, he was in a position to make additions to their library and must have inserted the Hebrew scriptures into the library of the magi. We know this because the magi from Babylon have an awareness of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 that a king of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem and they go searching. But before they find the true King of the Jews, they find the evil man currently occupying that throne and title, a vassal king named Herod. He is 50% Jewish, 50% Edomite and 100% evil and ruthless. In this passage we see how Herod seeks to deceive the wise men and how God intervenes.

2. The Visit of the Magi
Matthew 2:1-12

3. First Point
The Wise Men from
the East
Matthew 2:1-2

4. • A priestly caste of astrologers
found in Babylon and Persia.
• They interpreted dreams.
• In the first century they were
associated with occultic practices.
Who were the Magi?

5. • The magi are an early indication of
Matthew’s focus on the Gentiles.
• The magi add credence to the
historicity of this “infancy
narrative.”
The Magi and the
Gospel of Matthew

6. What convinced the magi
to seek a Jewish king
heralded by a star?
I see him, but not now; I behold him,
but not near: a star shall come out of
Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of
Israel… (Numbers 24:17a)

7. How did the magi
become familiar with
the Jewish Scriptures?

8. How did the magi become familiar
with the Jewish Scriptures?
48 Then the king gave Daniel high
honors and many great gifts and
made him ruler over the whole
province of Babylon and chief
prefect over all the wise men of
Babylon. (Daniel 2)

9. Second Point
The Mad
Man and
the Magi
Matthew 2:3-8

10. A puzzling question
Why was all Jerusalem
troubled along with
Herod?

11. Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem
Ephrathah, who are too
little to be among the
clans of Judah, from you
shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in
Israel, whose coming forth
is from of old, from
ancient days.
2 Samuel 5:2
2 In times past, when Saul
was king over us, it was
you who led out and
brought in Israel. And the
LORD said to you, ‘You
shall be shepherd of my
people Israel, and you
shall be prince over
Israel.’”

12. Third Point
The Star in the
Sky
Matthew 2:9-10

13. Theories about the Star
•Natural Explanations
 Halley’s Comet – 11 BC (Too early)
 Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn – 7 BC
Seen three times (May 29, October 3 and
December 4)
 Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus – 2 BC
 Supernova in constellation of Aquila – 4 BC

14. Theories about the Star
•The Supernatural Explanation
 The star moves like a comet but guides the
magi for a lengthy journey of 600 – 1200
miles, depending on their point of origin.
 It stops over Jerusalem and then guides
them to Bethlehem.
 No natural explanation fully explains this!

15. Fourth Point
The Toddler
King
Matthew 2:11-12

16. What about our Nativity
Sets? Are they accurate?
• There may have been more than three
wise men!
• They were not at the manger with the
shepherds and angels!
• There were probably not kings!

17. 2 Lessons from The Visit of
the Magi
1. The Lesson of the Magi –
God Rewards those who
sincerely seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

18. 2 Lessons from The Visit of
the Magi
2. The Lesson of King Herod –
God opposes the proud.
James 4:6