The Wise Men from the East

Discussion Questions: “Wise Men from the East”

Prologue:  In the Bible (Matthew 2:1–4), the cunning King Herod seeks information from the local religious leaders about the birthplace of Christ. They promptly disclose that the Promised One is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Subsequently, Herod, with discretion, questions the wise men about the initial sighting of the sign and then directs them to Bethlehem under the pretense of wanting to worship the newborn king (Matthew 2:5–8).

Following a guiding star, the wise men arrive at the home where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are staying in Bethlehem. Filled with joy, they pay homage to the child and present Him with gifts of shimmering gold, aromatic frankincense, and fragrant myrrh, each carrying prophetic meaning. Despite Herod's orders, the wise men leave town by a different route after being warned in a dream not to return to the malevolent ruler (Matthew 2:9–12). 

The Magi’s visit from the East: (Have someone read the verses outlined in black: Matthew 2:1-2).  

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

1.      Where was Jesus born?  

Bethlehem of Judea.  There is a Bethlehem of Galilee about seven miles northwest of Nazareth.[i]

2.      The wise men came from the East. What city did they stop in along the way?

Jerusalem.

3.      Why does Matthew call out Bethlehem of Judea? 

Matthew distinguishes Bethlehem of Judea because there is a Bethlehem of Galilee about seven miles northwest of Nazareth. Jesus was also born from the tribe of Judah and King David’s line.

4.      When were the “days of Herod the king”? 

Herod the King, also known as Herod the Great (37 – 4 BC), was a non-Jew, an Idumean.  In 40 BC, the Roman Senate appointed Herod king of Judea, and he ruled from 37 BC to his death in 4 BC.

5.      In Matthew 2:1-2, why did the wise men come from the East? 

They saw a star in the East that signified the new King of the Jews.[ii]

6.      Why did the Magi come to see the King of the Jews?

They wanted to worship Him.

7.      Where did the wise men originate? 

No one knows for sure, but it would be East of Bethlehem.  The common conclusion is they were from Arabia or Persia.[ii]

Leader to read: Fun fact.  The term magoi comes from the word magician.  Today’s context would be interpreted as magic, mediums, and sorcerers.  However, the Greek word magoi described men educated in philosophy, magic, priests, or astronomy during this era.  The Eastern nations devoted themselves to astronomy, religion, and medicine.  It would be safe to say they were learned men from Persia or Arabia as counselors. 

King Herod was troubled. (Have someone read the verses outlined in red: Matthew 2:3-4).

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

8.      Why was Herod the King troubled? 

Herod was known for being willing to kill anyone threatening his power.  Herod was stressed and frightened of losing his power.[iii]

9.      Who were the chief priests and scribes? 

The priests and scribes mainly consisted of Sadducees and Pharisees.[iv]

10. Why was King Herod only interested in where the King of the Jews was born and not when? 

At this time, he was not that concerned about the time, for in his mind, the time had already come.[v]

The sixth Prophecy fulfilled. (Have someone read the verses outlined in green: Matthew 2:5-6).

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’

11. In Matthew 2:3-6, Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes to help him find out where Christ was to be born.  Who was the prophet?  

Micah.[vi]

12. Where is it written in the Old Testament where the Messiah would be born? 

Micah 5:2.6. Have someone read Micah 5:2. This verse highlights that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem; this was well known to the chief priests and scribes of the time.

Herod’s plan of deception.  (Have someone read the verse outlined in blue Matthew 2:7-8)

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 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.”

13. What information did Herod get out of the wise men? 

Herod was meticulous in establishing the precise time when the star first appeared to the wise men.  He was not merely interested in the star's significance; he wanted to uncover the precise age of the child.[vii]

14. In Matthew 2:7-8, what was Herod’s plan of deception? 

Herod used the wise men to obtain the location of the young Child. He sent the wise men to Bethlehem with an appearance disguised as religion so he might also worship Him. He hoped to do this not to raise suspicion of his actual plan to kill the Child. Notice that this is where the description of Christ changes from “baby” to “young Child.”[viii]

The magi search for the King of the Jews (Have someone read the verses outlined in purple: Matthew 2:9-11)

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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 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, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

15. How did the wise men find Jesus? 

They followed the star they saw in the East until it stood over the house where Jesus was living.

16. In Matthew 2:11, what gifts did the wise men present to Jesus?

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.[ix]

17. What is myrrh? 

Myrrh is an anointing oil.  It was used was used to consecrate not only kings and priests but also the Tabernacle.9

18. What is the spiritual symbolism of each of these gifts?

a.      Gold represents kingship or divinity.  It would also have enough value to finance Joseph and Mary’s journey to Egypt.9

b.     Frankincense serves as a powerful symbol of His unwavering willingness to serve as a sacrificial offering, a representation of His complete self-sacrifice, akin to a burnt offering.9

c.      Myrrh was used to anoint dead bodies.  Myrrh foreshadowed the intense pain Jesus would endure as a man, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross for all who would place their faith in Him.9

19.      How many wise men were there? 

No one knows, but there were at least two.  Otherwise they would call him “wise man.”  Bringing three gifts implies there were three wise men, each carrying one of the gifts.[x]

The Magi return to their own country. (Have someone read the verses outlined in gray: Matthew 2:12)

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

20.      In Matthew 2:12, why did the Magi return to their homeland on a different route?  

The Magi had their own dream.  Now that the wise men fulfilled their quest, they were ready to return to King Herod per his request and notify him of the location of baby Jesus.  It does not state if one or all the Magi were warned in a dream.  All that is known is that the dream was convincing enough to prevent them from returning to King Herod.[xi]

[i] “Who Were the Magi and Why Do They Matter?” Youth Pastor Theologian, www.youthpastortheologian.com/blog/who-were-the-magi-and-why-do-they-matter.

[ii] “Alternate Routes - East Liberty Presbyterian Church.” East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 2025, cathedralofhope.org/sermons/alternate-routes/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.

[i] UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem.” Unesco.org, 2010, whc.unesco.org/en/list/1433/.

[ii] Windle, Bryan. “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Bible Archaeology Report, 10 Dec. 2021, biblearchaeologyreport.com/2021/12/10/o-little-town-of-bethlehem-2/.

[iii] McAndless, Scott. “King Herod... Was Frightened, and All Jerusalem with Him. - St. Andrews Hespeler.” St. Andrews Hespeler, 7 Jan. 2019, www.standrewshespeler.ca/2019/01/07/king-herod-was-frightened-and-all-jerusalem-with-him/.

[iv] Schorn, Joel. “Who Were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Chief Priests?” U.S. Catholic, 27 Aug. 2009, uscatholic.org/articles/200908/who-were-the-pharisees-sadducees-scribes-chief-priests-and-elders/.

[v] Why. “Shepherd Thoughts.” Shepherd Thoughts, 22 July 2016, www.shepherdthoughts.com/baptistchurchny/baptistchurchny/why-did-the-magi-go-to-herod. Accessed 28 Aug 2024.

[vi] Radmacher, Earl D., et al. NKJV Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2018, p. 1329.

[vii] “Matthew 2:7 Commentaries: Then Herod Secretly Called the Magi and Determined from Them the Exact Time the Star Appeared.” Biblehub.com, 2024, biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/2-7.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.

[viii] “What Does Matthew 2:8 Mean? | BibleRef.com.” BibleRef.com, 2024, www.bibleref.com/Matthew/2/Matthew-2-8.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.

[ix] Barnes, Albert. “The Gospel According to Matthew.” Notes on the New Testament, Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 2001, pp. 14.

[x] “Who Were the Magi and Why Do They Matter?” Youth Pastor Theologian, www.youthpastortheologian.com/blog/who-were-the-magi-and-why-do-they-matter.

[xi] “Alternate Routes - East Liberty Presbyterian Church.” East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 2025, cathedralofhope.org/sermons/alternate-routes/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.