Rejoicing in the Unexpected in Matthew 2

The visit of the magi in Matthew 2 is a common Advent theme. But what do we really know about this rich portion of Scripture?

We are familiar with the image of three noble figures in exotic garb riding camels—even though there is no mention of camels or the number of magi. Then there is the “star,” often depicted as a bright heavenly orb shining with laser-like intensity over a stable replete with magi, shepherds, and animals—even though it is a house, not a stable, and the shepherds are not present.

In addition, when we just read the biblical text, there are many elements of contradiction, or perhaps it would be better to call them surprising reversals, which we often overlook. Let’s touch on a few of those surprising reversals.

Our text

The best place to start is by reading the text of Matthew 2—the infant narrative concerning Jesus. You might be tempted to brush over it casually because you think you know what it says and means. I encourage you to take a bit more time to see if you can pick out some surprising reversals.

Pay attention to the interactions between the magi and the star, the magi and King Herod, and then the attendance of the magi in the house in Bethlehem. Are there other things you find unexpected?

Three secondary figures

First, we introduce three secondary figures in this scene and draw one essential element from each.

1. The ‘magi’:

Many translations render this as “wise men” (e.g., KJV, NKJ, ESV, NET, NLT, NRS). A few (e.g., NASB, NIV) leave the word relatively untranslated as “magi” from the Greek word magos and its plural magoi. This Greek word is at the root of our English word “magic.”

This Greek word occurs eight times in the Bible: twice in the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament (OT) called the Septuagint (abbreviated by the Roman numerals LXX) in Daniel 2:2, 10, and six times in the New Testament (Matthew 2:1, 7, 16(2x); Acts 13:6, 8). So, half the occurrences of this word are in Matthew 2.  

For our purposes, a magos is a Gentile whom BDAG* describes as a Babylonian or Persian “wise man and priest, who was expert in astrology, interpretation of dreams, and various other occult arts.”

2. The ‘star’:

For many, the ‘star’ seems to be their main focus in this segment. Although determining the identity of this ‘star’ is important, I will reserve a more detailed study for another time.

Much has been written about this “star” throughout the millennia, and there is still no consensus. Keeping in mind the nature of the magi who identified the star, interpreters both ancient and modern, and some biblical references and metaphors related to stars, there are at least five opinions, including:

• a planetary conjunction (Kidger, Molnar),
• a supernova (McIvor),
• a comet (Humphreys),
• an angel (Theophylact, Allison), and
• the shekinah, like the pillar of fire that led the Israelites in the wilderness (Viviano, Leithart).

Feel free to let me know what you think the ‘star’ is with the reasons for your conclusion.

For our purposes, the magi learned of the birth of the “king of the Jews” and traveled a great distance when they saw “his star in the east” (2:2).

3. Herod:

This is Herod the Great, who was made king by the Romans in 40 BC. He ruled over Judea from 37-4 BC and was known for his large building projects and cruelty. He founded a dynasty, and eleven family members are mentioned in the Gospels and Acts, including Herod Archelaus (2:21), Antipas, Agrippa, and Drusilla.  

For our purposes, Herod the Great took the title “King of the Jews/Judea” as a cruel Roman functionary.

Now, with those bits of information for context, let’s encounter the unexpected in some surprising reversals.

Surprising reversal #1: outsiders instead of privileged insiders

In the historical narratives of the OT, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians coming to Jerusalem were invaders intent on deposing the king of Israel, conquering its lands, and oppressing its people.

It is, therefore, unexpected that these Persians came not to conquer but to worship (2:2):

Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.

 

Surprising Reversal #2: obedience instead of ignored knowledge

In theological terms, evidence of God in Creation and the conscience is called general revelation. The Word and Scripture are more precise and powerful witnesses, called special revelation. One would think that those with special revelation would have the advantage of knowing God over those limited to general revelation.

It is, therefore, unexpected that Gentiles—experts in astrology, interpretation of dreams, and various other occult arts, no less—are informed and guided by a “star” to worship the newly born king of the Jews.

Whereas the Jewish “chief priests and teachers of the law,” knowing the Scripture about the prophesied birthplace of the promised Messiah-King (Micah 5:2), showed no curiosity or interest in going a mere ten kilometers (six miles) to Bethlehem with the magi to discover their Messiah-King.

Well did Jesus say to those ignoring what they knew of Scripture,

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (John 5:39-40)

How can we diligently study the Bible and miss Jesus?

Surprising Reversal #3: honor instead of cultural shame

The magi were people significant enough for two audiences before King Herod. We can assume that a substantial retinue of guards and servants accompanied these magi.

We can also imagine that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus lived in relative poverty in a humble dwelling in Bethlehem. You might wonder why they continued living there almost two years later instead of returning to their hometown in Galilee. The answer probably lies in the shame in their culture associated with a child believed to have been born out of wedlock.

It is, therefore, unexpected that the magi were overjoyed (2:11):

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Despite the modest surroundings, these dignitaries worshiped a child who was less than two years old and living in poverty under a cultural cloud of shame. They honored him by worshiping him and presenting extravagantly expensive gifts from their treasures. They had found the King!

Surprising Reversal #4: now instead of distant then 

Today, we are immeasurably more privileged than the magi.

We have the witness of the Scriptures to the Eternal Son becoming a human:

• in the womb of Mary,
• who lived among us,
• who was horribly abused,
• who was crucified,
• who died,
• who was buried,
• who rose from the dead, and
• who is coming again.

And yet, there are still many

• who are not aware of the Messiah-King,
• who have no interest in or curiosity about the Messiah-King,
• who know the Good News of Jesus but will not receive, worship, and live for him.

It is, therefore, unexpected that those who have so much will have it taken from them and see it given to those on the ‘outside’—those raised in non-Christian homes, the foreigner, the poor, the lowly, and so many other ‘nobodies’—who will worship the Lord Jesus as their king.

For me, these are all causes for rejoicing.

What about you?

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Note: BDAG* refers to the 3rd edition of A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 608.

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