Matthew 2: Seeking and Worshiping the King
Wise men travel far to worship the newborn King while a threatened king rages, yet God protects his Son.
Matthew 2 (WEB)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
14 He arose and 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 by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.
17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,
23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Matthew 2 (KJV)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea 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 unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 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 called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2 (ASV)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written through the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
7 Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.
9 And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 Now when they were departed, behold, an 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 tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 And he arose and 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 by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
18 A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20 Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life.
21 And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
23 and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.
Summary
After Jesus is born in Bethlehem in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem seeking the one born King of the Jews, for they have seen his star. Herod is troubled and gathers the chief priests and scribes, who point to Bethlehem from the prophet. Herod secretly sends the wise men, pretending he too wants to worship. The star leads them to the child, and they fall down, worship, and offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream, they avoid Herod and return home another way. An angel tells Joseph to flee to Egypt, fulfilling prophecy. Herod, enraged, kills the young boys of Bethlehem. After Herod dies, Joseph returns and settles in Nazareth, fulfilling what was spoken through the prophets.
Main Characters
- Jesus — The young child born King of the Jews, sought by the wise men and protected by God from Herod.
- The wise men — Seekers from the east who follow the star, worship the child, and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- King Herod — A troubled, ruthless king who plots against the child and slaughters Bethlehem's young boys.
- Joseph — Warned in dreams, he takes the child and Mary to Egypt and later settles them in Nazareth.
- The chief priests and scribes — Religious leaders who know the prophecy of Bethlehem yet do not go to seek the King.
Key Verse
Matthew 2:2 (WEB)
“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
Lessons Learned
- Those who truly seek Christ will travel far and bow low to worship him.
- Knowing the Scriptures about Christ is not the same as coming to worship him.
- Earthly power often feels threatened by the true King, but cannot overthrow God's plan.
- God watches over his purposes, guiding and protecting through dreams, prophets, and quiet obedience.
- Genuine seekers come to worship. The wise men ask, 'Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him' (Matthew 2:2, WEB).
- Worship gives its best to the King. They fell down and worshiped him, and 'opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh' (Matthew 2:11, WEB).
- Bible knowledge alone is not worship. The scribes correctly answer 'In Bethlehem of Judea' (Matthew 2:5, WEB), yet they do not go to seek or worship the King.
- Threatened power resists the true King. When Herod heard it, 'he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him' (Matthew 2:3, WEB), and later sought the child to destroy him.
- God guards his redemptive plan. An angel warns Joseph, 'Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt' (Matthew 2:13, WEB), and God preserves the child.
- Christ fulfills the words of the prophets. His coming, his flight to Egypt, and his home in Nazareth all happen 'that it might be fulfilled which was spoken' (Matthew 2:15, WEB).
- What do the wise men seek, how do they find the child, and how do they respond when they see him?
- How do Herod and the chief priests and scribes each respond to news of the newborn King?
- How does God protect the child through this chapter, and who obeys his warnings?
- What is the significance of the gifts the wise men offer: gold, frankincense, and myrrh?
- What would it look like for you to seek and worship Jesus with the same wholehearted devotion as the wise men?
- The wise men seek the one born King of the Jews, having seen his star (2:2). The star leads them to the house, and they fall down and worship him, offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh (2:9-11). They respond with joy and reverent giving.
- Herod is troubled and secretly plots to destroy the child, feigning a desire to worship (2:3, 7-8, 16). The chief priests and scribes know exactly where the Christ is to be born (2:5-6) but show no interest in going to him. Knowledge without devotion is contrasted with murderous fear.
- God protects the child by warning the wise men in a dream not to return to Herod (2:12) and by directing Joseph in dreams to flee to Egypt and later return (2:13, 19-22). Joseph obeys promptly each time.
- The text names the gifts as gold, frankincense, and myrrh (2:11). Without overreading, encourage the group to see costly, worshipful offerings fit for a king, given freely to the child. Let members reflect on what worthy gifts mean.
- This is a personal application question. Invite members to consider their own seeking and worship. As leader, share an example, keep the tone gentle, and avoid making anyone feel judged for where they are in their journey.