Starlight and Kingship: Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Magi. Not kings, despite the carols. Scholars, astrologers, priests of Persian religion—men who studied the heavens for signs and portents. They had seen something in the sky that sent them traveling hundreds of miles across desert to find a king.

We saw his star. Whatever they saw—conjunction of planets, supernova, miraculous light—they interpreted it as announcing royalty. A king had been born to the Jews, and they had come to worship.

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.