Astrologers Visit Jesus
- ASTROLOGERS FOLLOW A "STAR" TO JERUSALEM AND THEN TO JESUS
Some men come from the East. They are astrologers—men who study the position of stars, claiming that by doing so they are able to tell the meaning of events in people’s lives. (Isaiah 47:13) While at home in the East, they saw a “star” and followed it hundreds of miles, not to Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem.
Bethlehem of Judea: Since there was another Bethlehem, in the territory of Zebulun (Joshua 19:10, 15), the town in Judah (Judea) was often referred to as “Bethlehem in Judah” (Judges 17:7-9; 19:1, 2, 18). The earlier name of this town was evidently Ephrath, or Ephrathah, explaining why Mic 5:2 says that the Messiah would come from “Bethlehem Ephrathah.”—Genesis 35:19; 48:7.
astrologers: Greek maʹgoi (plural of maʹgos), most likely referring to experts in astrology and other occult practices condemned in the Holy Scriptures. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The Bible does not indicate the number. The same Greek term is rendered “sorcerer” at Acts 13:6, 8 and is used in the Septuagint as an equivalent for the Hebrew and Aramaic words rendered “conjurer” at Daniel 2:2, 10.
When the astrologers get there, they ask: “Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when we were in the East, and we have come to do obeisance to him.”—Matthew 2:1, 2.
star: Most probably not a real star or a conjunction of planets. Only the astrologers “saw” the star.
King Herod of Jerusalem hears about this and is very upset. So he calls the chief priests and other Jewish religious leaders and asks them where the Christ is to be born. Basing their reply on the Scriptures, they answer: “In Bethlehem.” (Matthew 2:5)
And you, O Bethʹle·hem Ephʹra·thah, The one too little to be among the thousands of Judah, From you will come out for me the one to be ruler in Israel, Whose origin is from ancient times, from the days of long ago.—Micah 5:2
At that, Herod has the astrologers secretly brought to him, and he tells them: “Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found him, report back to me so that I too may go and do obeisance to him.” (Matthew 2:8) However, Herod actually wants to find the young child to kill him!
After the astrologers leave, an amazing thing happens. The “star” that they had seen when they were in the East travels ahead of them. Clearly, this is no ordinary star, but it has been specially provided to direct them. The astrologers follow it until it stops right above the house where Joseph and Mary are now living with their young son.
When the astrologers enter the house, they find Mary with a young child—Jesus. At that, the astrologers bow down to him. And they give him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Afterward, when they are about to return to Herod, they are warned by God in a dream not to do that. So they leave for their own country by another route.
house: The reference to a house shows that the astrologers did not visit Jesus when he was a newborn baby in a manger.
the young child: Jesus is here not referred to as “an infant,” as he is at Luke 2:12, 16.
gifts: When presenting Jesus at the temple 40 days after his birth (Luke 2:22-24; Leviticus 12:6-8), Joseph and Mary were poor, indicating that these gifts were given sometime after that occasion. The gifts may have been timely, useful for financing the family’s stay in Egypt.
Who do you think provided the “star” that guided the astrologers? Remember, it did not guide them directly to Jesus in Bethlehem. Rather, it led them to Jerusalem, where they came in touch with King Herod, who wanted to kill Jesus. And he would have done so had God not stepped in and warned the astrologers not to tell Herod where Jesus was. Clearly, it was God’s enemy, Satan, who wanted Jesus killed, and he used this means to try to accomplish his purpose.
source: www.jw.org
thank you for always sharing good articles
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please support me for my post about the christians in Egypt
https://steemit.com/steemit/@gregor82/christians-in-egypt-who-are-the-copts
Many thanks for your help
thank you han post teh :)
welcome. :)
kaiiha kona ha organisasyon pakakasabot kola an about han star ngan about han wise mens . Nga wrai ngean specific number nga gnyakan an bible kun pera tlga hra 😂
Tama! 😊
Nice article :)
Well written... Nice post
Love that article about jesus!.