After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, during the reign of King Herod, Magi from the East arrived. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” they asked. “We have seen his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
Because the Magi were seeking a newborn king, word eventually reached Herod, and he was very angry. He had no newborn son, and he wondered who this newborn king might be. He called his chief priests and scribes together and asked them where the Messiah had been prophesied to be born.
“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they answered, “for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
So Herod invited the Magi to visit him, and he asked them when they had first seen the star that had led them to Bethlehem. “Go and search diligently for the child,” he told them. “When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
The magi left the court of Herod and followed the star in the sky until it led them to where they found Jesus. When they found Jesus with his mother, they prostrated themselves and honored him. Then they gave him presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh. After this they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they returned home by a different route.
Joseph also received a warning in one of his dreams when an angel appeared to him and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph woke up Mary and they escaped under the cover of night and headed for Egypt. They remained there until they learned of the death of Herod, which fulfilled another prophecy of the Scriptures, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
An angel once again appeared to Joseph and said to him, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And Joseph did as the angel had instructed him.
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Matthew 2
Q&A
1. What three gifts did the magi give to Jesus?
2. Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?
