Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)

2022-08-19

In the Scriptures, wise men are sorcerers who are counselors to kings. They tried to interpret dreams in Genesis 41:8 and Daniel 2:12. Jannes and Jambres were “wise men” that could perform magic in Pharoah’s court (Exodus 7:11).

However, there were wise men who were different from all these. “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” (Matthew 2:1). The word for “wise men” here is translated “sorcerer” in Acts 13:6-8 concerning Barjesus/Elymas. Unlike their evil counterparts throughout ancient times, these men were somehow led to the young Jesus. Perhaps they practiced astrology, and this unusual star stimulated much intrigue to lead them from afar (Matthew 2:2, 9). However it happened, they found Jesus, and “fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). They worshipped Him, as only God deserves, and gave Him expensive gifts, while Mary looked on.

How much better did these pagan sorcerers do than the chief priests and scribes, who would not lift so much as a finger to see if the ancient prophecy would have been fulfilled (Matthew 2:4-6)?