Matthew 2:1-12
The Visit of the Magi
Now when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King
of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship
him." When Herod the
king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be
born. They said to him,
"In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet,
'You Bethlehem, land
of Judah,
are in no way least among the princes of Judah:
for out of you shall come forth a governor,
who shall shepherd my people, Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly
called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star
appeared. He sent them to
Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child.
When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and
worship him."
They, having heard the
king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east,
went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star,
they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They came into the house and saw
the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped
him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. Being warned in a dream that they
shouldn't return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.