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.
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.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-2
1 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.
 | Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-03-08 Source: Title: Matthew Author: Ger de Koning Copyright: kingcomments.com Note General: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author or the publisher. |
Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct men unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as a light that shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affection for his family, and was not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. He understood not the spiritual nature of the Messiah’s kingdom. Let us beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success therein.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-8
1 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 unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: 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.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
The coming of the Magicians
Indeed, the coming of the word of God in the form of man has preoccupied God’s mind before our creation. The way was paved in various ways among his people by means of the father, the prophets and the law. Inspite of this, when it did come to pass, it was absolutely disregarded by the people, except for a very small numbers. This is why God put them to shame by means of some strangers, as the magicians who came to him as the first ones for the Gentile church. They came to a strange land to worship a little baby born in a manger, and not a royal baby in a castle. What led their procession was a heavenly star proclaiming a hidden mystery behind it. The magicians were priests, and at the same time they were Caldean or Persian kings, They spent most of their time studying astronomical phenomenon and guessing what the future holds.
It is probable those magicians came in a splendid procession, with three important men of their going before them, carrying their gifts to the amazing king. These represent all the human races in their chain from Noah’s three sons: Sam , Ham and Japhtheh. It is as if they are the eldest of the gentile people who came to meet the simple Jews – the shepherds- in worshipping the Messiah, forming one church for Him. St. Augustine says, “who are these magicians other than the firstborns of the nations? The shepherds were Israelites and the magicians were gentiles. The first ones were close to him, but the last ones came to him from so far away. All have been quick to come to the cornerstone.”
What is this star? St. John Chrysostom thinks it was not a real star like the others. It was an angel that appeared as a star, sent by God, to guide the magicians working on astronomy. He justifies this in the following:
First: The path of the star that appeared was different than the motion of the natural stars.
Second: The star shone brightly at noon, when the sun was still shining, not like the rest of the stars that shine at nighttime.
Third: It appeared at times and disappeared at others
Four: It was low, leading them exactly to where the manger was.
Oreganus the scholar thinks it was a real star but of a unique kind. He says, “We believe what appeared in the East was a new star, unlike the ordinary ones. It is counted as one of the comets often observed, or the shooting stars or the meteors that are given different names by the greeks for their various shapes and forms.”
Why has the star been used?
Firstly: God used all different means to speak to his people, showing them the divine mystery of incarnation, and his deeds for salvation. But the eyes of their hearts were dimmed by the dark evil, and their hearts hardened. He therefore sent them strangers who were thirsty for the truth, so as to put them to shame. St John Chrysostom says, “This was to blame the Jews for their hardness, and to take away any excuse by which they object for their willful ignorance.” St. Jerome says, “ This was to make the Jews know the news of Jesus’ birth form the pagans, according to Balaam’s prophecy (one of their forefathers) that a star was to appear in the East. When the star guided the magicians until Judah, and they asked about him, there was no more any pretext for the Jews regarding his coming.” Indeed, in every age the believers’ hearts get hardened, those who are the kingdom’s children, and sometimes the Lord speaks to them through the pagans and evil ones who have accepted the faith in fury zeal that puts them to shame.
Secondly: God who loves the entire humanity, declares himself to all, speaking to each on in his own language. He spoke to the Jews by the law and the prophecies; and he used the Greek philosophy despite its many misleading, as a way by means of which many philosophers accepted the gospel of truth. Here he speaks to the magicians, the men of astronomy in their practical language. God speaks to each person in the language he understands. He sent angels to the shepherds, and a star to the magicians. St. Augustine says, “The angels made Jesus appear to the shepherds, and the star declared him to the magicians. They all spoke from heaven! The angels inhabit the heavens, and the it. Through both of these the heavens declare the glory of God.
Father Gregory the great says, “It was appropriate that a sensible creature i.e. an angel be the one to declare to those who have used their common sense in knowing God. But as for the gentiles, they did not known how to use their mind in knowing him; therefore the angelic voice did not lead them, but rather the star. For this reason St. Paul says the prophecy is not for the unbelievers but for those who believe. But as for the symbol, the sign, this is not for the believers but rather for those who do not believe [1Cor 14:22]. Some fathers such as the scholar Oreganus think the magicians realized their superstition have become obsolete. They felt during their work that something way above magic has happened in the world. They look up to the stars to see some sign form God in the sky. At this point they remembered the words of Balaam: [Num 34:17] that a star will proceed form Jacob and a steal track will proceed from Israel. St Jerome says, learn form the appearance of this star from the prophecy of Balaam, for they are of his offspring?
Thirdly: Some think the magicians have taken over this tradition of the star’s apparition at the coming of the king, the Savior from Daniel the prophet. The king had appointed him the commander for the magicians when in the Babylonian bondage. In his prophecies he assured us of the time for this coming.
Fourthly: God wished to produce from the eater, food, and from the dry thing, sweetness. The stars that were used as a means of misleading the people’s worshipping [Amos 5:26] has become a means by which they enter to encounter God. Indeed, how amazing God’s work is with us. He does not destroy what we have, so that if this becomes and evil way, He would change its course and turns it to what is good.
Instead of being a servant to the kingdom of darkness, it becomes a righteous device for the account of the kingdom of light. All what God has granted us as far as potentials, talents, emotions, motives... if defiled, God does not destroy them, but rather with his Holy Spirit he renews the, and sanctifies them, so they become the secret behind out spiritual construction, and means of witnessing to Him. What is amazing is that God used the stars for spreading the word among astronomers. Some of them tried to confirm their evil concepts with the same overwhelming work of God, and they claimed each person has his star, which defines his life, and he couldn’t deviate from it. But many fathers attempted to face these claims such as the fathers Gregory the great, St. John Chrysostom, and St Augustine. We mention as an example some of these quotes said by St. Augustine “ The star seen by the magicians had no authority over the recently newborn Christ. This star was not among those at the beginning of creation, and had the course according to its creator. It was a new star that appeared in this amazing birth of a virgin. Its service was reflected on the magicians who were searching for Christ. It went ahead of them to lighten up the way, until it led them to the place where the Word of God was as a child. The baby was not born because the stare was there, but rather the star appeared because Jesus was born. If we have to speak about destiny, let us then say the star did not define the destiny of Christ as the fortunetellers say, but rather it was Christ who has defined the destiny of the star.
Fifthly: The star came to complete Nature’s witnessing to the Lord. If the rational humanity did not know how to welcome him as should be, then the dumb solid nature had to witness to him in its own language. St. Augustine says, “the heavens witnessed for him by means of the star, and the sea carried him when he walked on it [Matt 14:16]. The winds have become calmed down and obedient to his orders [Matt 23:27]. The earth witnessed to him and trembled when he was crucified [Matt 27:51]. In this way, nature presented praise in its own language to its creator. We too, since we have become a heaven, it is appropriate for us to witness to him in the appearance of his star in us. This star leads the sinners to the Messiah, the Savior, and they kneel down and worship in truth. What is this star but the living cross, declared in our inner life and our demeanor in the Lord. St. Augustine says, “ The magicians knew him by means of the star, as a beautiful heavenly sign presented by the Lord. But he does not wish the believer to stamp a star on his forehead, but rather a cross. In this way the believer becomes modest and is also glorified. The Lord lifts up those that are humbled, He who in his modesty has condescended. When did the appearance of the star begin? St John Chrysostom thinks the star appeared early, before the birth, maybe around two years before. It let the magicians so as to reach Bethlehem at the time of birth. Some others think it appeared on his birth. The magicians took some time to reach Bethlehem. This is why Herod investigated and commanded the killing of children tow years old and under. He has calculated the time lapsed based on the appearance of the star. By means of the star, the magicians encountered the Jews: The evangelist relates to us the encounter done between the magicians and the Jews on every level, in particular between the king and the chief priests and scribes. He says [Matt 1:1-6] “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking ‘where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; calling together all the chief priest and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Isreal.’ The Lord has been born in ‘Bethlehem’ which means ‘the house of bread’. Therefore the heavenly bread has come to us to be eaten by those hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Unfortunately the magicians came from the east, bearing the weariness of the journey, searching for their own food; whereas the king, the chief priests and scribes remained in their places guiding the strangers to the living bread. But as for themselves, they have not drawn near it. They might have become like the laborers in building Noah’s ark who had prepared the salvation ark and yet did not go in it! Indeed, what a great difference there is between the magicians and the Jewish chiefs; the aliens obtained the mystery of life, and the chiefs were deprived of it. St. Augustine says, “ The Jews have become like the carpenters who made Noah’s ark, and they paved for others the way of salvation, whereas they perished in the flood. They are similar to the landmarks put on the road, but are unable to walk in it. Those who ask have learned and completed the way, whereas the teachers uttered the teachings and yet they remained retarded and failed. “ St. Jacob El Serousy says, “They became preachers to him while walking on the road, preaching a King for the entire world has shone. Their preaching spread out for miles on the road, and they broke the hearts of the kings in their cities. The birth has urged them to preach in his name. The outsiders have become his witnesses and have reached the land of Judea. They looked upon it and found it to be peaceful, and silence overruling its wise ones who have not realized the king has come to save them. Those far away have come to herald them of the king’s birth. The daughter of the caldeans sent a gift to the savior, whereas the daughter of Abraham who is in his home did not pay him any honor.”
It is probable those magicians came in a splendid procession, with three important men of their going before them, carrying their gifts to the amazing king. These represent all the human races in their chain from Noah’s three sons: Sam , Ham and Japhtheh. It is as if they are the eldest of the gentile people who came to meet the simple Jews – the shepherds- in worshipping the Messiah, forming one church for Him. St. Augustine says, “who are these magicians other than the firstborns of the nations? The shepherds were Israelites and the magicians were gentiles. The first ones were close to him, but the last ones came to him from so far away. All have been quick to come to the cornerstone.”
What is this star? St. John Chrysostom thinks it was not a real star like the others. It was an angel that appeared as a star, sent by God, to guide the magicians working on astronomy. He justifies this in the following:
First: The path of the star that appeared was different than the motion of the natural stars.
Second: The star shone brightly at noon, when the sun was still shining, not like the rest of the stars that shine at nighttime.
Third: It appeared at times and disappeared at others
Four: It was low, leading them exactly to where the manger was.
Oreganus the scholar thinks it was a real star but of a unique kind. He says, “We believe what appeared in the East was a new star, unlike the ordinary ones. It is counted as one of the comets often observed, or the shooting stars or the meteors that are given different names by the greeks for their various shapes and forms.”
Why has the star been used?
Firstly: God used all different means to speak to his people, showing them the divine mystery of incarnation, and his deeds for salvation. But the eyes of their hearts were dimmed by the dark evil, and their hearts hardened. He therefore sent them strangers who were thirsty for the truth, so as to put them to shame. St John Chrysostom says, “This was to blame the Jews for their hardness, and to take away any excuse by which they object for their willful ignorance.” St. Jerome says, “ This was to make the Jews know the news of Jesus’ birth form the pagans, according to Balaam’s prophecy (one of their forefathers) that a star was to appear in the East. When the star guided the magicians until Judah, and they asked about him, there was no more any pretext for the Jews regarding his coming.” Indeed, in every age the believers’ hearts get hardened, those who are the kingdom’s children, and sometimes the Lord speaks to them through the pagans and evil ones who have accepted the faith in fury zeal that puts them to shame.
Secondly: God who loves the entire humanity, declares himself to all, speaking to each on in his own language. He spoke to the Jews by the law and the prophecies; and he used the Greek philosophy despite its many misleading, as a way by means of which many philosophers accepted the gospel of truth. Here he speaks to the magicians, the men of astronomy in their practical language. God speaks to each person in the language he understands. He sent angels to the shepherds, and a star to the magicians. St. Augustine says, “The angels made Jesus appear to the shepherds, and the star declared him to the magicians. They all spoke from heaven! The angels inhabit the heavens, and the it. Through both of these the heavens declare the glory of God.
Father Gregory the great says, “It was appropriate that a sensible creature i.e. an angel be the one to declare to those who have used their common sense in knowing God. But as for the gentiles, they did not known how to use their mind in knowing him; therefore the angelic voice did not lead them, but rather the star. For this reason St. Paul says the prophecy is not for the unbelievers but for those who believe. But as for the symbol, the sign, this is not for the believers but rather for those who do not believe [1Cor 14:22]. Some fathers such as the scholar Oreganus think the magicians realized their superstition have become obsolete. They felt during their work that something way above magic has happened in the world. They look up to the stars to see some sign form God in the sky. At this point they remembered the words of Balaam: [Num 34:17] that a star will proceed form Jacob and a steal track will proceed from Israel. St Jerome says, learn form the appearance of this star from the prophecy of Balaam, for they are of his offspring?
Thirdly: Some think the magicians have taken over this tradition of the star’s apparition at the coming of the king, the Savior from Daniel the prophet. The king had appointed him the commander for the magicians when in the Babylonian bondage. In his prophecies he assured us of the time for this coming.
Fourthly: God wished to produce from the eater, food, and from the dry thing, sweetness. The stars that were used as a means of misleading the people’s worshipping [Amos 5:26] has become a means by which they enter to encounter God. Indeed, how amazing God’s work is with us. He does not destroy what we have, so that if this becomes and evil way, He would change its course and turns it to what is good.
Instead of being a servant to the kingdom of darkness, it becomes a righteous device for the account of the kingdom of light. All what God has granted us as far as potentials, talents, emotions, motives... if defiled, God does not destroy them, but rather with his Holy Spirit he renews the, and sanctifies them, so they become the secret behind out spiritual construction, and means of witnessing to Him. What is amazing is that God used the stars for spreading the word among astronomers. Some of them tried to confirm their evil concepts with the same overwhelming work of God, and they claimed each person has his star, which defines his life, and he couldn’t deviate from it. But many fathers attempted to face these claims such as the fathers Gregory the great, St. John Chrysostom, and St Augustine. We mention as an example some of these quotes said by St. Augustine “ The star seen by the magicians had no authority over the recently newborn Christ. This star was not among those at the beginning of creation, and had the course according to its creator. It was a new star that appeared in this amazing birth of a virgin. Its service was reflected on the magicians who were searching for Christ. It went ahead of them to lighten up the way, until it led them to the place where the Word of God was as a child. The baby was not born because the stare was there, but rather the star appeared because Jesus was born. If we have to speak about destiny, let us then say the star did not define the destiny of Christ as the fortunetellers say, but rather it was Christ who has defined the destiny of the star.
Fifthly: The star came to complete Nature’s witnessing to the Lord. If the rational humanity did not know how to welcome him as should be, then the dumb solid nature had to witness to him in its own language. St. Augustine says, “the heavens witnessed for him by means of the star, and the sea carried him when he walked on it [Matt 14:16]. The winds have become calmed down and obedient to his orders [Matt 23:27]. The earth witnessed to him and trembled when he was crucified [Matt 27:51]. In this way, nature presented praise in its own language to its creator. We too, since we have become a heaven, it is appropriate for us to witness to him in the appearance of his star in us. This star leads the sinners to the Messiah, the Savior, and they kneel down and worship in truth. What is this star but the living cross, declared in our inner life and our demeanor in the Lord. St. Augustine says, “ The magicians knew him by means of the star, as a beautiful heavenly sign presented by the Lord. But he does not wish the believer to stamp a star on his forehead, but rather a cross. In this way the believer becomes modest and is also glorified. The Lord lifts up those that are humbled, He who in his modesty has condescended. When did the appearance of the star begin? St John Chrysostom thinks the star appeared early, before the birth, maybe around two years before. It let the magicians so as to reach Bethlehem at the time of birth. Some others think it appeared on his birth. The magicians took some time to reach Bethlehem. This is why Herod investigated and commanded the killing of children tow years old and under. He has calculated the time lapsed based on the appearance of the star. By means of the star, the magicians encountered the Jews: The evangelist relates to us the encounter done between the magicians and the Jews on every level, in particular between the king and the chief priests and scribes. He says [Matt 1:1-6] “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking ‘where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; calling together all the chief priest and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Isreal.’ The Lord has been born in ‘Bethlehem’ which means ‘the house of bread’. Therefore the heavenly bread has come to us to be eaten by those hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Unfortunately the magicians came from the east, bearing the weariness of the journey, searching for their own food; whereas the king, the chief priests and scribes remained in their places guiding the strangers to the living bread. But as for themselves, they have not drawn near it. They might have become like the laborers in building Noah’s ark who had prepared the salvation ark and yet did not go in it! Indeed, what a great difference there is between the magicians and the Jewish chiefs; the aliens obtained the mystery of life, and the chiefs were deprived of it. St. Augustine says, “ The Jews have become like the carpenters who made Noah’s ark, and they paved for others the way of salvation, whereas they perished in the flood. They are similar to the landmarks put on the road, but are unable to walk in it. Those who ask have learned and completed the way, whereas the teachers uttered the teachings and yet they remained retarded and failed. “ St. Jacob El Serousy says, “They became preachers to him while walking on the road, preaching a King for the entire world has shone. Their preaching spread out for miles on the road, and they broke the hearts of the kings in their cities. The birth has urged them to preach in his name. The outsiders have become his witnesses and have reached the land of Judea. They looked upon it and found it to be peaceful, and silence overruling its wise ones who have not realized the king has come to save them. Those far away have come to herald them of the king’s birth. The daughter of the caldeans sent a gift to the savior, whereas the daughter of Abraham who is in his home did not pay him any honor.”
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-6
1 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 unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: 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.
 | Author: Tadros Yacoub Malaty Rank: Monk Posted on: 2023-02-26 Source: Title: Matthew Author: Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty Number of pages: 316 |
We have need of much wakefulness, and many prayers, that we may arrive at the interpretation of the passage now before us, and that we may learn who these wise men were, and whence they came, and how; and at whose persuasion, and what was the star. Or rather, if you will, let us first bring forward what the enemies of the truth say. Because the devil has blown upon them with so violent a blast, as even from this passage try to arm them against the words of truth. What then do they allege? Behold, say they, even when Christ was born a star appeared; which is a sign that astrology may be depended on. How then, if He had His birth according to that law, did He put down astrology, and take away fate, and stop the mouths of demons, and cast out error, and overthrow all such sorcery? And what moreover do the wise men learn from the star of itself? That He was King of the Jews? And yet He was not king of this kingdom; even as He said also to Pilate, My kingdom is not of this world. At any rate He made no display of this kind, for He had neither guards armed with spear or shield, nor horses, nor chariots of mules, nor any other such thing around Him; but He followed this life of meanness and poverty, carrying about with Him twelve men of mean estate. And even if they knew Him to be a king, for what intent are they come? For surely this is not the business of astrology, to know from the stars who are born, but from the hour when men are born to predict what shall befall them: so it is said. But these were neither present with the mother in her pangs, nor did they know the time when He was born, neither did they, beginning at that moment, from the motion of the stars compute what was to happen: but conversely, having a long time before seen a star appear in their own country, they come to see Him that was born. Which circumstance in itself would afford a still greater difficulty even than the former. For what reason induced them, or the hope of what benefits, to worship one who was king so far off? Why, had He been to reign over themselves, most assuredly not even so would the circumstance be capable of a reasonable account. To be sure, if He had been born in royal courts, and with His father, himself a king, present by Him, any one would naturally say, that they, from a wish to pay court to the father, had worshipped the child that was born, and in this way were laying up for themselves beforehand much ground of patronage. But now when they did not so much as expect Him to be their own king, but of a strange nation, far distant from their country, neither seeing Him as yet grown to manhood; wherefore do they set forth on so long a journey, and offer gifts, and this when dangers were sure to beset their whole proceeding? For both Herod, when he heard it, was exceedingly troubled, and the whole people was confounded on being told of these things by them. But these men did not foresee this. Nay, this is not reasonable. For let them have been ever so foolish, of this they could not be ignorant, that when they came to a city under a king, and proclaimed such things as these, and set forth another king besides him who then reigned, they must needs be bringing down on themselves a thousand deaths. 2. And why did they at all worship one who was in swaddling clothes? For if He had been a grown man, one might say, that in expectation of the succor they should receive from Him, they cast themselves into a danger which they foresaw; a thing however to the utmost degree unreasonable, that the Persian, the barbarian, and one that had nothing in common with the nation of the Jews, should be willing to depart from his home, to give up country, and kindred, and friends, and that they should subject themselves to another kingdom. But if this be foolish, what follows is much more foolish. Of what nature then is this? That after they had entered on so long a journey, and worshipped, and thrown all into confusion, they went away immediately. And what sign at all of royalty did they behold, when they saw a shed, and a manger, and a child in swaddling clothes, and a poor mother? And to whom moreover did they offer their gifts, and for what intent? Was it then usual and customary, thus to pay court to the kings that were born in every place? And did they always keep going about the whole world, worshipping them who they knew should become kings out of a low and mean estate, before they ascended the royal throne? Nay, this no one can say. And for what purpose did they worship Him at all? If for the sake of things present, then what did they expect to receive from an infant, and a mother of mean condition? If for things future, then whence did they know that the child whom they had worshipped in swaddling clothes would remember what was then done? But if His mother was to remind Him, not even so were they worthy of honor, but of punishment, as bringing Him into danger which they must have foreseen. Thence at any rate it was that Herod was troubled, and sought, and pried, and took in hand to slay Him. And indeed everywhere, he who makes known the future king, supposing him in his earliest age in a private condition, does nothing else than betray him to slaughter, and kindle against him endless warfare. Do you see how manifold the absurdities appear, if we examine these transactions according to the course of human things and ordinary custom? For not these topics only, but more than these might be mentioned, containing more matter for questions than what we have spoken of. But lest, stringing questions upon questions, we should bewilder you, come let us now enter upon the solution of the matters inquired of, making a beginning of our solution with the star itself. 3. For if you can learn what the star was, and of what kind, and whether it were one of the common stars, or new and unlike the rest, and whether it was a star by nature or a star in appearance only, we shall easily know the other things also. Whence then will these points be manifest? From the very things that are written. Thus, that this star was not of the common sort, or rather not a star at all, as it seems at least to me, but some invisible power transformed into this appearance, is in the first place evident from its very course. For there is not, there is not any star that moves by this way, but whether it be the sun you mention, or the moon, or all the other stars, we see them going from east to west; but this was wafted from north to south; for so is Palestine situated with respect to Persia. In the second place, one may see this from the time also. For it appears not in the night, but in mid-day, while the sun is shining; and this is not within the power of a star, nay not of the moon; for the moon that so much surpasses all, when the beams of the sun appear, straightway hides herself, and vanishes away. But this by the excess of its own splendor overcame even the beams of the sun, appearing brighter than they, and in so much light shining out more illustriously. In the third place, from its appearing, and hiding itself again. For on their way as far as Palestine it appeared leading them, but after they set foot within Jerusalem, it hid itself: then again, when they had left Herod, having told him on what account they came, and were on the point of departing, it shows itself; all which is not like the motion of a star, but of some power highly endued with reason. For it had not even any course at all of its own, but when they were to move, it moved; when to stand, it stood, dispensing all as need required: in the same kind of way as the pillar of the cloud, now halting and now rousing up the camp of the Jews, when it was needful. In the fourth place, one may perceive this clearly, from its mode of pointing Him out. For it did not, remaining on high, point out the place; it not being possible for them so to ascertain it, but it came down and performed this office. For you know that a spot of so small dimensions, being only as much as a shed would occupy, or rather as much as the body of a little infant would take up, could not possibly be marked out by a star. For by reason of its immense height, it could not sufficiently distinguish so confined a spot, and discover it to them that were desiring to see it. And this any one may see by the moon, which being so far superior to the stars, seems to all that dwell in the world, and are scattered over so great an extent of earth—seems, I say, near to them every one. How then, tell me, did the star point out a spot so confined, just the space of a manger and shed, unless it left that height and came down, and stood over the very head of the young child? And at this the evangelist was hinting when he said, Lo, the star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 4. Do you see, by what store of proofs this star is shown not to be one of the many, nor to have shown itself according to the order of the outward creation? And for what intent did it appear? To reprove the Jews for their insensibility, and to cut off from them all occasion of excuse for their willful ignorance. For, since He who came was to put an end to the ancient polity, and to call the world to the worship of Himself, and to be worshipped in all land and sea, straightway, from the beginning, He opens the door to the Gentiles, willing through strangers to admonish His own people. Thus, because the prophets were continually heard speaking of His advent, and they gave no great heed, He made even barbarians come from a far country, to seek after the king that was among them. And they learn from a Persian tongue first of all, what they would not submit to learn from the prophets; that, if on the one hand they were disposed to be candid, they might have the strongest motive for obedience; if, on the other hand, they were contentious, they might henceforth be deprived of all excuse. For what could they have to say, who did not receive Christ after so many prophets, when they saw that wise men, at the sight of a single star, had received this same, and had worshipped Him who was made manifest. Much in the same way then as He acted in the case of the Ninevites, when He sent Jonas, and as in the case of the Samaritan and the Canaanitish women; so He did likewise in the instance of the magi. For this cause He also said, The men of Nineveh shall rise up, and shall condemn: and, the Queen of the South shall rise up, and shall condemn this generation: Matthew 12:41-42 because these believed the lesser things, but the Jews not even the greater. And wherefore, one may say, did He attract them by such a vision? Why, how should He have done? Sent prophets? But the magi would not have submitted to prophets. Uttered a voice from above? Nay, they would not have attended. Sent an angel? But even him they would have hurried by. And so for this cause dismissing all those means, God calls them by the things that are familiar, in exceeding condescension; and He shows a large and extraordinary star, so as to astonish them, both at the greatness and beauty of its appearance, and the manner of its course. In imitation of this, Paul also reasons with the Greeks from an heathen altar, and brings forward testimonies from the poets. And not without circumcision does he harangue the Jews. Sacrifices he makes the beginning of his instruction to them that are living under the law. For, since to every one what is familiar is dear, both God, and the men that are sent by Him, manage things on this principle with a view to the salvation of the world. Think it not therefore unworthy of Him to have called them by a star; since by the same rule you will find fault with all the Jewish rites also, the sacrifices, and the purifications, and the new moons, and the ark, and the temple too itself. For even these derived their origin from Gentile grossness. Yet for all that, God, for the salvation of them that were in error, endured to be served by these things, whereby those without were used to serve devils; only He slightly altered them; that He might draw them off by degrees from their customs, and lead them towards the highest wisdom. Just so He did in the case of the wise men also, not disdaining to call them by sight of a star, that He might lift them higher ever after. Therefore after He has brought them, leading them by the hand, and has set them by the manger; it is no longer by a star, but by an angel that He now discourses unto them. Thus did they little by little become better men. This did He also with respect to them of Ascalon, and of Gaza. For those five cities too (when at the coming of the ark they had been smitten with a deadly plague, and found no deliverance from the ills under which they lay)— the men of them called their prophets, and gathered an assembly, and sought to discover an escape from this divine scourge. Then, when their prophets said that they should yoke to the ark heifers untamed, and having their first calves, and let them go their way, with no man to guide them, for so it would be evident whether the plague was from God or whether it was any accident which brought the disease—(for if, it is said, they break the yoke in pieces for want of practice, or turn where their calves are lowing, 'it is a chance that has happened;' 1 Samuel 6:9 but if they go on right, and err not from the way, and neither the lowing of their young, nor their ignorance of the way, have any effect on them, it is quite plain that it is the hand of God that has visited those cities:)— when, I say, on these words of their prophets the inhabitants of those cities obeyed and did as they were commanded, God also followed up the counsel of the prophets, showing condescension in that instance also, and counted it not unworthy of Himself to bring to effect the prediction of the prophets, and to make them seem trustworthy in what they had then said. For so the good achieved was greater, in that His very enemies themselves bore witness to the power of God; yea, their own teachers gave their voice concerning Him. And one may see many other such things brought about by God. For what took place with respect to the witch, 1 Samuel xxviii is again like this sort of dispensation; which circumstance also you will now be able to explain from what has been said. With respect to the star, we have said these things, and yet more perhaps may be said by you; for, it is said, Give occasion to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Proverbs 9:9 but we must now come to the beginning of what has been read. 5. And what is the beginning? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. While wise men followed under the auspices of a star, these believed not, with prophets even sounding in their ears. But wherefore does he mention to us both the time and the place, saying, in Bethlehem, and in the days of Herod the king? And for what reason does he add his rank also? His rank, because there was also another Herod, he who slew John: but that was a tetrarch, this a king. And the place likewise, and the time, he puts down, to bring to our remembrance ancient prophecies; whereof one was uttered by Micah, saying, And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art by no means the least among the princes of Judah; Micah 5:2 and the other by the patriarch Jacob, distinctly marking out to us the time, and setting forth the great sign of His coming. For, A ruler, says he, shall not fail out of Judah, nor a leader out of his loins, until He come for whom it is appointed, and He is the expectation of the Gentiles. Genesis 49:10 And this again is worth inquiry, whence it was that they came to entertain such a thought, and who it was that stirred them up to this. For it does not seem to me to be the work of the star only, but also of God, who moved their soul; which same kind of thing He did also in the case of Cyrus, disposing him to let the Jews go. He did not however so do this as to destroy their free will, since even when He called Paul from above by a voice, He manifested both His own grace and Paul's obedience.
 | Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
