The imagery that comes to mind whenever we think about the birth of Jesus may be that of a baby lying in the middle of a manger surrounded by Joseph, Mary, shepherds, wise men and animals.  Our thoughts are likely shaped by the various artworks and products that shaped this train of thought.  We might even be led to think that, instead of the wise men (or magi), three kings were there bearing gifts from afar (courtesy of the Christmas carol – We Three Kings). 

I, for one, also did not give the matter much thought, until I had to read this passage more closely in order to pen my thoughts on the chapter.  

Matthew recorded in verse 11 that the wise men came to the house and found Jesus and Mary.  This is different from the record in Luke 2:16, which stated that Jesus was lying in a manger.  The shepherds’ visit and the wise men’s visit was highly unlikely to be the same occurrence.  The wise men were clearly also not kings for they were not treated as such by Herod.  Neither did the scriptures specify that there were only three of them.  The speculation on the number three rest on the number of gifts that they bore (gold, frankincense and myrrh).  A rather weak argument that insist that each person must bear a gift and only one each.

If we give the matter further thought, the wise men came from the East after seeing His star.  Did the star appear days in advance before the birth of Jesus or only upon His birth? How long does it take for the wise men to journey from where they came from?  

Could they have immediately set off on the journey?  Wouldn’t they need time to prepare the gifts, the money, rations and all other necessary items for travelling?

Unlike the shepherds who were out in the fields that night, the wise men couldn’t have been able to visit Jesus the same day (night) of His birth.

Matt 2:13 also pointed out to us that after the wise men departed, Joseph had a dream to depart for Egypt.  However, in Luke, we know that Jesus was circumcised on the eight day (Luke 2: 21) and was presented to the Lord in Jerusalem (Matt 2:22) after the days of purification. (40 days after male child’s birth according to Lev 12: 2 – 4).  Owing to the urgency of the message of the angel – to flee from destruction, it is highly unlikely that the wise men visited Jesus at the time of His birth, went their way, Mary waited until her purification is over before going to Jerusalem, before they packed up to flee to Egypt.  It is therefore more logical to assume that the wise men’s visit is sometime after His birth, perhaps even after the days of purification, when the family of Joseph had already settled into their home (a house).

Borrowing the quote from the conversation between Philip and the eunuch “Do you understand what you are reading?”  The eunuch read intently but lack spiritual guidance.  Oft times, we may not understand, not because of the lack of guidance, but rather the lack of reading intently.  We may read the bible verses cursory nor explore in detail.  We may also subtly and subvertly be fed with misinformation which we did not seek to clarify and correct.  

There are definitely more to share in this chapter, on the fulfilment of the prophetic words that attest to the coming of the Messiah.  Perhaps that will be our homework.

May we be noble minded like the Bereans and may the Lord help us to grow in our understanding.