Mat 2:2 | KingComments | STEP | King Herod is in power. That indicates what time it is in Israel when the Lord Jesus is born. Herod is the symbol of the human being who only seeks his own honor, a picture of the antichrist, who assumes power. At the second coming of the Lord Jesus, His return in power and majesty, this false king, the antichrist, will sit on the throne and will be judged by Him. The birth of Christ passes unnoticed in Israel. The people did not expect Him. However, God makes sure that He is honored. For this He uses people from the Gentiles who come from a faraway country. We have already seen God’s attention for the Gentiles in this Gospel, which is written especially for the Jews, in the genealogy. It mentions two Gentile women: Rahab and Ruth. The magi think that Jerusalem is the place where the King was born. He will reign there, but He was not born there. God leads the magi. He uses various means to this end, making it clear that everything is at His service. He uses a star, a jealous Herod, insensate religious leaders and Scripture. God has shown the magi the star, “His” star, which is the star of Christ, which would rise: “A star shall rise from Jacob” ( ). They make the long journey to honor the new born King of the Jews. Their wisdom is evident from their actions.

‏ Matthew 2:2

The Magi From the East

King Herod is in power. That indicates what time it is in Israel when the Lord Jesus is born. Herod is the symbol of the human being who only seeks his own honor, a picture of the antichrist, who assumes power. At the second coming of the Lord Jesus, His return in power and majesty, this false king, the antichrist, will sit on the throne and will be judged by Him.

The birth of Christ passes unnoticed in Israel. The people did not expect Him. However, God makes sure that He is honored. For this He uses people from the Gentiles who come from a faraway country. We have already seen God’s attention for the Gentiles in this Gospel, which is written especially for the Jews, in the genealogy. It mentions two Gentile women: Rahab and Ruth.

The magi think that Jerusalem is the place where the King was born. He will reign there, but He was not born there. God leads the magi. He uses various means to this end, making it clear that everything is at His service. He uses a star, a jealous Herod, insensate religious leaders and Scripture.

God has shown the magi the star, “His” star, which is the star of Christ, which would rise: “A star shall rise from Jacob” (Num 24:17). They make the long journey to honor the new born King of the Jews. Their wisdom is evident from their actions.