The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2

1 Now after a Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, 1 wise men b from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, c "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen d His star in the East and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all e the chief priests and f scribes of the people together, g he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 'But h you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
i Who will shepherd My people Israel.' " 2

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the 3 wise men, determined from them what time the j star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, k they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned l in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

  1. Cross References
    Micah 5:2
    "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
    Luke 2:4 - 7
    Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 25:6
    But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.
    1 Kings 4:30
    Thus Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 2:11
    For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  4. Cross References
    Numbers 24:17
    I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.
    Isaiah 60:3
    The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
  5. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 36:14
    Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.
  6. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 34:13
    Were over the burden bearers and were overseers of all who did work in any kind of service. And some of the Levites were scribes, officers, and gatekeepers.
  7. Cross References
    Malachi 2:7
    For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
  8. Cross References
    Micah 5:2
    "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
    John 7:42
    "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"
  9. Cross References
    Genesis 49:10
    The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
    Revelation 2:27
    He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' - as I also have received from My Father.
  10. Cross References
    Numbers 24:17
    I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 72:10
    The kings of Tarshish and of the isles Will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba Will offer gifts.
    Isaiah 60:6
    The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.
  12. Cross References
    Job 33:15
    In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds.
    Job 33:16
    Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.
    Matthew 1:20
    But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Next Book Next Book