The Gospel of Matthew
Act 1, The Magi: Matthew 2,1-12
Scene 1: Jerusalem, 2,1-6
Chapter 2 begins (as in the NABRE) "when Jesus was born..." or "after" (RNJB). This picks up directly from "Jesus" as the last word of chapter 1 (1,25). We are now told that he was born in Bethlehem in the days of King Herod. The significance of "king" will soon become clear.
Matthew and Luke are agreed about Bethlehem (Lk 2,4) and Herod (Lk 1,5), (though Luke gives the Roman background to the birth of Jesus, Lk 2,1). Herod we can note died in 4BC.
What is important about the magi is that they were gentiles. Their appearance here anticipates the world wide mission which will be commissioned by the risen Jesus at the end of the Gospel (28,19). "Wise men" I would regard as referring to Jews, the introduction to Sirach being a good example. I prefer to continue using the traditional and literal "magi".
Jerusalem is of course the centre of Judaism where you might expect to find the king of the Jews or certainly to find answers about him. However....
The magi are seeking a king of the Jews, a child. One whom they could worship. There are now two kings in this story.
The star comes from the prophecy of Baalam (Numbers 24,17) who like the magi was a foreigner.
That Herod was frightened by a rival king is not surprising. That all Jerusalem should join him is an anticipation of the later rejection of Jesus by his people.
"Messiah" might be better than "Christ" in verse 4 to emphasise his Jewishness, changed from the magi's foreign "king".
The quotation in verse 6 is actually a composite of Micah 5,2 (Bethlehem) and 2 Sam 5,2 ("who will shepherd"). Bethlehem in Micah is said to be "least of the clans"; Matthew changes this is "by no means least" to make the town more important.
Scene 2: Bethlehem, 2,7-12
Herod's secrecy anticipates the later secrecy of Jesus' arrest (27,2). His duplicity in verse 8 will become clear in verses 16-18, the massacre of the innocents.
The time of the star would have been an indication of the birth of the rival king, hence preparing for later developments in the plot.
"Joy" is much more typical of Luke's infancy stories. Matthew's account is quite sombre. Joy here therefore underlines the point that the Magi have found what they sought.
The focus in verse 11 is on the child. Mary is mentioned as his mother. Joseph may not be mentioned because he is not the child's natural father as we have been told (1,18).
Translations generally say the magi did the child homage. Maybe they are thinking of 4,10 where the same Greek word is used for worship of God alone. Homage to a human child certainly but for Jesus as Son of God then worship would be appropriate.
The gifts recall Isaiah 60,6 and also Ps 72,10 with their presentation of the ideal king.
The Magi are given a warning in a dream as they depart, unlike Herod they are honest seekers of the truth. Their dream is not announced by an angel as are Joseph's dreams.
This first act of the story the ends without a scripture quotation.
This story shows Jesus deeply rooted in his Jewish setting. He is the one who is fulfils all the expectations of the coming Messiah. He is not though the Messiah of the rich and powerful who therefore reject him.
Return now to the main page for the next scene of the chapter.