The Journey of the Wise Men
Matt 2 · c. 5–4 BC
From the East to Bethlehem – the star, King Herod's fear and the worship of the newborn child (Matt 2:1–12).
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The Journey of the Wise Men
Matt 2 · c. 5–4 BC
From the East to Bethlehem – the star, King Herod's fear and the worship of the newborn child (Matt 2:1–12).
Trip stops (6)
1
The East (Persia/Babylonia)
Matt 2:1-2
Wise men from the East see a star rise. "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? We have seen his star and have come to worship him." They travel west.
2
Jerusalem (Herod's court)
Matt 2:1-8
The wise men ask about the child in Jerusalem. Herod is troubled – and all Jerusalem with him. He gathers the chief priests: "Where is the Christ to be born?" They answer: "In Bethlehem of Judea." Herod sends the wise men on and asks them to report back.
3
Bethlehem
Matt 2:9-12
The star stops over the place where the child is. They find Jesus with Mary, fall down and worship him. They open their treasures: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Warned in a dream, they go home by another way.
4
Egypt (the flight of the holy family)
Matt 2:13-15
An angel warns Joseph in a dream: "Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Joseph flees by night with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. "Out of Egypt I called my son."
5
Bethlehem (the massacre of the innocents)
Matt 2:16-18
Herod is furious that the wise men have tricked him and has all the boys in Bethlehem under two years old killed. "A voice was heard in Ramah – Rachel weeping for her children."
6
Nazareth (return home)
Matt 2:19-23
When Herod has died, an angel calls the family home from Egypt. But Archelaus reigns in Judea, so Joseph goes to Galilee instead and settles in Nazareth. "He shall be called a Nazarene."