1. The Life of Christ – Lesson 2
The birth of Jesus
Presentation in the temple
Visit of the wise men
Flight to Egypt and return to Jerusalem
Jesus visit to Jerusalem at age 12
The Life of Christ – Lesson 2

2. Matthew 2:1-12 The visit of the magi/wise men
Verse 3 – Herod and all Jerusalem “troubled.” Stirred, disquieted, agitated, restless … Why? Different reasons?
Herod’s intentions are revealed in verses 7-8,
All Jerusalem?
Verses 4-6 – Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes – where was the Messiah to be born?
Did they know? Verses 5-6

3. Matthew 2:1-12 The visit of the magi/wise men
The gifts presented:
Customary to present to a king. Isaiah 60:1-6
“They offered him the things which were in most esteem among themselves;” (Adam Clarke's Commentary).
“The feelings of these devout givers are to be seen in the richness of their gifts” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
What do we bring to our king?
Song: I Gave My Life For Thee - “I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me?”
Isa 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 "For behold, darkness will cover the earth,
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you,
And His glory will appear upon you.
3 "And nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 "Lift up your eyes round about, and see;
They all gather together, they come to you.
Your sons will come from afar,
And your daughters will be carried in the arms.
5 "Then you will see and be radiant,
And your heart will thrill and rejoice;
Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you,
The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6 "A multitude of camels will cover you,
The young camels of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba will come;
They will bring gold and frankincense,
And will bear good news of the praises of the Lord .
NASB

4. Matthew 2:1-12 The visit of the magi/wise men
Gold –
Frankincense – white resin/gum. Very fragrant when burned. Used in worship as incense; sacrificial offerings. Found in Arabia.
Myrrh – also from a tree, very bitter. Used in embalming. John 19:39; Mark 15:23; Esther 2:12
Any parallels?
John 19:39-41
And Nicodemus came also, who had first come to Him by night; bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 40 And so they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 4
Mark 15:22-23
22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 And they tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it.
Esther 2:12
Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women — for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women —

7. Matthew 2:1-12 The visit of the magi/wise men
Some think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—
Gold representing his kingship… royalty
Frankincense a symbol of his priestly role… His divinity
Myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming – His humanity.
Some say they intended for a practical purpose…
All we know is that they intended to worship Him.

8. Matthew 2:13-15 The flight to Egypt
Direction given by the angel to “get up” and “flee to Egypt” and “remain there until I tell you” because Herod seeks to “destroy” the Child.
Flee – to run away, vanish (Strong) seek safety by flight (Thayer)
He did not say, when you get up in the morning, or at the end of the week, or as soon as it’s convenient. The command was immediate.
Joseph obeyed “while it was still night”. Acts 22:16; Corinthians 6:1-2; Psalms 119:60
2 Cor 6:1-2
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain — 2 for He says,
"At the acceptable time I listened to you ,
And on the day of salvation I helped you ";
behold, now is "the acceptable time, " behold, now is "the day of salvation " —
Ps 119:60
I hastened and did not delay
To keep Thy commandments.