Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
On coming to the house
This phrase indicates that the Magi, or wise men, arrived at a house, not a stable, suggesting that some time had passed since Jesus' birth. The Greek word for "house" (οἰκία) implies a dwelling place, which aligns with the idea that the Holy Family had moved from the manger to more permanent lodgings. This detail underscores the historical reality of Jesus' early life and the fulfillment of prophecy, as the Magi's journey was guided by divine intervention.

they saw the Child
The Greek word for "Child" (παιδίον) here is significant, as it denotes a young child, not a newborn. This suggests that Jesus could have been several months old by the time the Magi arrived. Theologically, this emphasizes the humanity of Christ, who grew and developed like any other child, yet was recognized as the King by these foreign dignitaries.

with His mother Mary
The mention of Mary alongside Jesus highlights her role in the divine narrative. The Greek text places emphasis on the mother-child relationship, which is central to the Incarnation. Mary is often seen as a model of faith and obedience, having accepted God's will with humility and grace. Her presence here also fulfills the prophecy of the virgin birth, as foretold in Isaiah 7:14.

and they fell down and worshiped Him
The act of falling down and worshiping (προσκυνέω) is a profound gesture of reverence and submission, typically reserved for deities or royalty. The Magi, likely Zoroastrian priests or astrologers from Persia, recognized Jesus' divine kingship, despite their pagan background. This act foreshadows the universal recognition of Christ's lordship, transcending cultural and religious boundaries.

Then they opened their treasures
The opening of treasures (θησαυρός) signifies the Magi's willingness to honor Jesus with their most valuable possessions. This act of giving reflects the biblical principle of offering our best to God, acknowledging His supreme worth and authority. The treasures symbolize the recognition of Jesus' kingship and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the nations bringing gifts to the Messiah.

and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh
Each gift holds deep symbolic meaning. Gold, a symbol of kingship and wealth, acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings. Frankincense, used in temple worship, signifies His priestly role and divine nature. Myrrh, often used in embalming, foreshadows His suffering and death, pointing to His role as the Savior. These gifts collectively affirm the multifaceted identity of Jesus as King, God, and Sacrifice, encapsulating the essence of the Gospel message.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Magi
Wise men from the East who followed a star to find the newborn King of the Jews. Their journey signifies the recognition of Jesus' kingship by Gentiles.

2. The House
The location where the Magi found Jesus, indicating that this event took place some time after His birth in the stable.

3. The Child (Jesus)
The central figure of the passage, recognized as King and worthy of worship even as a young child.

4. Mary
The mother of Jesus, present with Him, highlighting her role in the divine plan of salvation.

5. Gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
Symbolic offerings that represent Jesus' kingship (gold), divinity (frankincense), and foreshadow His suffering and death (myrrh).
Teaching Points
Recognition of Jesus' Kingship
The Magi's journey and gifts remind us to recognize and honor Jesus as King in our lives.

Worship and Reverence
The act of falling down and worshiping Jesus emphasizes the importance of worship in our relationship with Him.

Generosity in Giving
The valuable gifts of the Magi encourage us to give our best to Jesus, reflecting our love and devotion.

Fulfillment of Prophecy
This event demonstrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, strengthening our faith in the reliability of Scripture.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
The Magi, as Gentiles, highlight the universal nature of Jesus' mission, inviting all to come and worship Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the journey of the Magi teach us about seeking Jesus in our own lives?

2. How can we incorporate the spirit of worship demonstrated by the Magi into our daily routines?

3. In what ways can we offer our "gold, frankincense, and myrrh" to Jesus today?

4. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in this passage strengthen your faith in the Bible's reliability?

5. What does the inclusion of the Magi, as Gentiles, tell us about the scope of Jesus' mission and how should this influence our approach to sharing the Gospel?
Connections to Other Scriptures
The visit of the Magi connects to prophecies in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 60:6, which speaks of nations bringing gold and incense to honor the Lord.

The gifts of the Magi can be linked to Psalm 72:10-11, which describes kings bringing gifts and bowing before the Messiah.

The act of worship by the Magi parallels Philippians 2:10-11, where every knee will bow to Jesus, acknowledging His lordship.
A Christmas-Time Address -- Gifts for the Child JesusR. Tuck, B. A.Matthew 2:11
Action, Prayer, SorrowM. Dix.Matthew 2:11
Give the Best You have to JesusH. J. Wilmt Buxton.Matthew 2:11
Representing Ourselves by Our GiftsR. Tuck Matthew 2:11
Sermon for EpiphanySusannah Winkworth Matthew 2:11
The Character of Their WorshipD. C. Hughes, M. A.Matthew 2:11
Worshipping a BabeR. Tuck Matthew 2:11
The Happy Misnomer of the Wise Men of the EastP.C. Barker Matthew 2:1-12
The Pilgrimage of the MagiW.F. Adeney Matthew 2:1-12
Childhood of JesusMarcus Dods Matthew 2:1-23
Gentile WorshippersJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 2:11, 12
People
Archelaus, Herod, Jeremiah, Jeremias, Jeremy, Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Rachel
Places
Bethlehem, Egypt, Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, Nazareth, Ramah
Topics
Babe, Bowed, Child, Entered, Faces, Fallen, Falling, Fell, Frankincense, Gifts, Gold, Ground, Homage, Incense, Mary, Myrrh, Offered, Offerings, Opened, Opening, Perfume, Presented, Prostrated, Spices, Store, Themselves, Treasure-chests, Treasures, Worship, Worshiped, Worshipped
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 2:11

     2018   Christ, divinity
     4333   gold
     4466   herbs and spices
     4486   myrrh
     5099   Mary, mother of Christ
     5138   bowing
     5174   prostration
     5591   treasure
     5669   children, examples
     5865   gestures
     7386   incense
     8623   worship, of God
     8625   worship, acceptable attitudes

Matthew 2:1-15

     2520   Christ, childhood

Matthew 2:1-18

     2515   Christ, birth of

Matthew 2:1-23

     5652   babies
     8131   guidance, results

Matthew 2:7-13

     5910   motives, examples

Matthew 2:9-11

     5338   holiday

Library
The First-Fruits of the Gentiles
'Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2. Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. 3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5. And they said
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The King in Exile
'And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. 14. When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15. And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sermon for Epiphany
(From the Gospel for the day) This Sermon on the Gospel for the day, from St. Matthew, showeth how God, of His great faithfulness hath foreseen and ordained all sufferings for the eternal good of each man, in whatever wise they befall us, and whether they be great or small. Matt. ii. 11.--"And they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense and myrrh." NOW consider first the myrrh. It is bitter; and this is a type of the bitterness which must be tasted before a man can find God, when he first
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

History of the Interpretation.
1. AMONG THE JEWS. This History, as to its essential features, might, a priori, be sketched with tolerable certainty. From the nature of the case, we could scarcely expect that the Jews should have adopted views altogether erroneous as to the subject of the prophecy in question; for the Messiah appears in it, not in His humiliation, but in His glory--rich in gifts and blessings, and Pelagian self-delusion will, a priori, return an affirmative answer to the question as to whether one is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its Just Weight...
One argument which has been much relied upon (but not more than its just weight deserves) is the conformity of the facts occasionally mentioned or referred to in Scripture with the state of things in those times, as represented by foreign and independent accounts; which conformity proves, that the writers of the New Testament possessed a species of local knowledge which could belong only to an inhabitant of that country and to one living in that age. This argument, if well made out by examples, is
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Child Jesus Brought from Egypt to Nazareth.
(Egypt and Nazareth, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 19-23; ^C Luke II. 39. ^a 19 But when Herod was dead [He died in the thirty-seventh year of his reign and the seventieth of his life. A frightful inward burning consumed him, and the stench of his sickness was such that his attendants could not stay near him. So horrible was his condition that he even endeavored to end it by suicide], behold, an angel of the Lord [word did not come by the infant Jesus; he was "made like unto his brethren" (Heb. ii. 17),
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
With the Presentation of the Infant Saviour in the Temple, and His acknowledgment - not indeed by the leaders of Israel, but, characteristically, by the representatives of those earnest men and women who looked for His Advent - the Prologue, if such it may be called, to the third Gospel closes. From whatever source its information was derived - perhaps, as has been suggested, its earlier portion from the Virgin-Mother, the later from Anna; or else both alike from her, who with loving reverence and
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

He Division of the Land.
T The Jewish writers divide the whole world into "The land of Israel," and "Without the land": that is, the countries of the heathen. Both which phrases the book of the gospel owns: "The land of Israel," Matthew 2:20: and it calls the heathens, "those that are without," 1 Corinthians 5:13; 1 Timothy 3:7, &c. And sometimes the unbelieving Jews themselves, as Mark 4:11. They distinguish all the people of the world into "Israelites," and "the nations of the world." The book of the gospel owns that phrase
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Chronology of the Life of Christ.
See the Lit. in §14, p. 98, especially Browne, Wieseler, Zumpt, Andrews, and Keim We briefly consider the chronological dates of the life of Christ. I. The Year of the Nativity.--This must be ascertained by historical and chronological research, since there is no certain and harmonious tradition on the subject. Our Christians aera, which was introduced by the Roman abbot Dionysius Exiguus, in the sixth century, and came into general use two centuries later, during the reign of Charlemagne, puts
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Heathenism.
Literature. I. Sources. The works of the Greek and Roman Classics from Homer to Virgil and the age of the Antonines. The monuments of Antiquity. The writings of the early Christian Apologists, especially Justin Martyr: Apologia I. and II.; Tertullian: Apologeticus; Minucius Felix: Octavius; Eusebius: Praeparatio Evangelica; and Augustine (d. 430): De Civitate Dei (the first ten books). II. Later Works. Is. Vossius: De theologia gentili et physiolog. Christ. Frcf. 1675, 2 vols. Creuzer (d. 1858):
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

All My Prefaces to the Books of the Old Testament, Some Specimens of which I Subjoin, are Witnesses for Me on this Point; and it is Needless to State the Matter Otherwise than it is Stated in Them.
I have received letters so long and eagerly desired from my dear Desiderius [3137] who, as if the future had been foreseen, shares his name with Daniel, [3138] entreating me to put our friends in possession of a translation of the Pentateuch from Hebrew into Latin. The work is certainly hazardous and it is exposed to the [3139] attacks of my calumniators, who maintain that it is through contempt of the Seventy that I have set to work to forge a new version to take the place of the old. They thus
Various—Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
1. Accordingly Simon would not suffer Matthias, by whose means he got possession of the city, to go off without torment. This Matthias was the son of Boethus, and was one of the high priests, one that had been very faithful to the people, and in great esteem with them; he, when the multitude were distressed by the zealots, among whom John was numbered, persuaded the people to admit this Simon to come in to assist them, while he had made no terms with him, nor expected any thing that was evil from
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

In Judaea
If Galilee could boast of the beauty of its scenery and the fruitfulness of its soil; of being the mart of a busy life, and the highway of intercourse with the great world outside Palestine, Judaea would neither covet nor envy such advantages. Hers was quite another and a peculiar claim. Galilee might be the outer court, but Judaea was like the inner sanctuary of Israel. True, its landscapes were comparatively barren, its hills bare and rocky, its wilderness lonely; but around those grey limestone
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church

Two Famous Versions of the Scriptures
[Illustration: (drop cap B) Samaritan Book of the Law] By the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, on the coast of Egypt, lies Alexandria, a busy and prosperous city of to-day. You remember the great conqueror, Alexander, and how nation after nation had been forced to submit to him, until all the then-known world owned him for its emperor? He built this city, and called it after his own name. About a hundred years before the days of Antiochus (of whom we read in our last chapter) a company of Jews
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The King's Herald.
"On Jordan's banks the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Awake and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King...." When the Saviour of the world was about to enter upon His public ministry, the Jewish nation was startled with the cry, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (S. Matt. iii. 2). Such was God's call to His people of old time, to prepare themselves to take part in the fulfilment of the promises, on which their faith and hopes were founded. The fulness of the times had come;
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Commencement of the Legends Concerning Jesus --His Own Idea of his Supernatural Character.
Jesus returned to Galilee, having completely lost his Jewish faith, and filled with revolutionary ardor. His ideas are now expressed with perfect clearness. The innocent aphorisms of the first part of his prophetic career, in part borrowed from the Jewish rabbis anterior to him, and the beautiful moral precepts of his second period, are exchanged for a decided policy. The Law would be abolished; and it was to be abolished by him.[1] The Messiah had come, and he was the Messiah. The kingdom of God
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Messianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch.
In the Messianic prophecies contained in Genesis we cannot fail to perceive a remarkable progress in clearness and definiteness. The first Messianic prediction, which was uttered immediately after the fall of Adam, is also the most indefinite. Opposed to the awful threatening there stands the consolatory promise, that the dominion of sin, and of the evil arising from sin, shall not last for ever, but that the seed of the woman shall, at some future time, overthrow their dreaded conqueror. With the
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour,
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

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