They answer Bethlehem, birthplace of King David, and quote the prophet Micah. So he asks his advisors where the Messiah would be born. Herod is "troubled", not because of the appearance of the star, but because the Magi have told him that a "king of the Jews" had been born, which he understands to refer to the Messiah, a leader of the Jewish people whose coming was believed to be foretold in scripture. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy 11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea for so it is written by the prophet:Ħ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,Īre by no means least among the rulers of Judah ħ Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 When they had heard the king they went their way and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 “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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. The Gospel of Matthew tells how the Magi (often translated as "wise men", but more accurately astrologers) arrive at the court of Herod in Jerusalem and tell the king of a star which signifies the birth of the King of the Jews: Herod I has all male Hebrew babies in the area up to age two killed in the Massacre of the Innocents.Īdoration of the Magi, Chartres Cathedral, by Jehan de Beauce, France, 16th century. However, the word παιδίον ( paidíon) is also used in Luke's Gospel specifically concerning Jesus’ birth and his later presentation at the temple.
This possibly implies that some time has passed since the birth.
Matthew's account describes Jesus with the broader Greek word παιδίον ( paidion), which can mean either "infant" or "child" rather than the more specific word for infant, βρέφος ( bréphos). The visit is traditionally celebrated on Epiphany (January 6) in western Christianity. However, most ancient sources and Church tradition generally indicate that the wise men visited Bethlehem sometime after Jesus’ birth. The subject is a favorite at planetarium shows during the Christmas season. Some modern scholars do not consider the story to be describing a historical event but a pious fiction created by the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Astronomers have made several attempts to link the star to unusual celestial events, such as a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn or Jupiter and Venus, a comet, or a supernova. Some theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy. Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign. The wise men are then given a divine warning not to return to Herod, so they return home by a different route. The star leads them to Jesus' Bethlehem birthplace, where they worship him and give him gifts. Secretly intending to find and kill the Messiah in order to preserve his own kingship, Herod invites the wise men to return to him on their way home. Herod calls together his scribes and priests who, quoting a verse from the Book of Micah, interpret it as a prophecy that the Jewish Messiah would be born in Bethlehem to the south of Jerusalem. 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. There, they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask him: The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, appears in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew chapter 2 where "wise men from the East" ( Magi) are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem. Giotto witnessed an appearance of Halley's Comet in 1301. The Star of Bethlehem is shown as a comet above the child. Adoration of the Magi by Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone (1267–1337).