Parent and Family Background
The story of the magi is included only in the birth narrative of Matthew’s gospel. This birth narrative is written as a way to prove that Jesus is the messiah, the fulfillment of the scripture, the one of whom the prophets spoke. Another purpose of this story is to show that Gentiles, or non-Jews, came to worship the child king.
The Magi
Matthew 2:1-12
When Herod was King and after Jesus was born, three wise men from the East traveled to Jerusalem. The wise men asked the people of Jerusalem, “Where is the child king who has been born? We saw his star in the sky and have come to see him.”
King Herod was frightened when he heard about a new king. He called the wise men to him. Herod told the wise men, “Go and search for the child. When you find him, tell me where he is so that I may go and pay him homage.”
The wise men followed the star to where the child was. When they entered the house, they saw the child with Mary. The wise men knelt down and paid him homage. Then they opened their packs and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So, they returned to their home by way.
Connecting to Faith First - Legacy Edition
Grade 3, chapter 11