Matthew 2:1-12
There is so much historical context to the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus that we don’t know about.
Herod the Great was a brilliant business man and politician. He gets a face to face with Mark Anthony and talks his way into being assigned as King of Judea. Within 20 years he doubles the size of his country. He becomes the richest man in the world. His wealth was 100x the GDP of the country he is running. He had a monopoly on the balsam industry. The resin of balsam wood is the main ingredient in the most popular perfume in the area-myrrh. It was also the main ingredient in the main incense used in worship of God and Roman gods-frankincense. It is estimated that balsam resin was worth twice its weight in gold.
Mark Anthony takes all of the balsam plantations away from Herod and gives them as a gift to Cleopatra. Herod loses his main source of income and pivots to builds the port city of Caesarea which becomes the most important port city other than Rome itself. Caesar Augustus comes to power and takes the balsam groves back and returns them to Herod. Herod is loyal to the empire. He calls himself King of the Jews, but he builds 3 temples in worship of Caesar. He isn’t even a Jew by nationality. He is an Edomite.
He tried to win people over by expanding the temple. When it didn’t work he started killing anyone who he even thought opposed or threatened him. He commanded that the 12 most beloved men from the territories be killed on the day he died so that Israel would mourn on the day Herod died.
Magi- not kings and not three of them. It was probably a caravan with pomp and circumstance. It probably looked more like Prince Ali’s caravan in Aladdin. The town was confused and not celebrating. They didn’t know what was going on.
They were astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams. The same word is used in Daniel 5:11 of Daniel. He was the prince of the Magi.
Zoroastrianism appeared in Persia at the same time that Daniel was in Babylon. Daniel seemed to have a strong influence on Zoroaster. It is the only other religion of the time that believed in one god that would send a Messiah. Daniel 9:24-26
70 7s is 490 years from when Artexerxes said, “rebuild the temple.” which is the exact time that Jesus went to the cross. Only this group of outsiders are tracking the time and only they are paying attention to the signs.
They walk into Herod’s palace with gold (the symbol of royalty), frankincense, and myrrh (the symbols of Herod’s personal wealth) and ask, “where is the new king.”
The Magi had to have been shocked that no one in Israel knew what was going on or seemed to care.
Just because Jesus is born King of the Jews doesn’t mean he is born only for the Jews.
Jesus
Matthew keeps repeating “Herod the king.” It is purposeful to point out the false kingship of Herod’s household and that Jesus is the true king.
Instead of taking life, Jesus gives life. Instead of amassing wealth, Jesus shows a servant kingdom. Instead of forcing praise, he gave up his throne and humbled himself in humanity.