The Wise Men Worshiped

The story of Jesus birth and early life has been one that has captured the imagination of millions of people for centuries.  Because the Bible does not give us much information about His early life, many myths and misconceptions have arisen.

    Among the misconceptions surrounding His birth is that the wise men who came from the east went to the stable where Jesus was born to present the gifts they brought.  But did they?  Only Luke records the events of the stable and the manger.  He tells us that shepherds were told by an angel of the Lord where they could find Christ the Lord.  They immediately went and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Luke 2:16

    Matthew only tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  He says nothing about the stable or the manger.  He does tell us about the wise men who came from the east to worship the one born King of the Jews.  When they inquired in Jerusalem where they could find this newborn King, they were told that the prophet wrote that He would be born in Bethlehem.  As they followed the star, it settled over the place where the young Child was.  Matthew 2:9  In Matthew 2:11 we read, “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.”  Did you notice that Matthew identified Jesus as a young Child in verses 8,9, 11, 13, & 14.  And that the wise men went to the house, not the stable, where the young Child was.  It was there that the wise men presented the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus.  This was obviously a good while after His birth.

    Since these wise men (magi) came from the east they must have traveled for many days before arriving in Jerusalem and going on to Bethlehem.  Obviously Mary would have taken
Jesus to a place more suitable than a stable as soon as she could.  Hence, they moved into a house where the wise men found them and came to worship and bring their gifts.