MAGI FOLLOW THE STAR
MATTHEW 2:1–12
Following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph remained in Bethlehem. It was during those months that they welcomed special visitors who brought very expensive gifts for Jesus. A star led the Magi, sometimes called the Wise Men, to the place where Jesus’s family was staying. We will explore possibilities of the identity of the Magi and the meaning associated with the star that led them.39
The English word Magi is a transliteration of the Greek word magoi. Its traditional use comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament known as the Septuagint. The Greek word magos in Daniel 2 verses 2 and 10 in the Septuagint is a translation of the Hebrew word ashshaph, which is usually applied to those who are involved in the practice of magic and sorcery. Because the Magi in Matthew’s Gospel were following a star to find Jesus, it is sometimes assumed these men were astrologers. There are, however, troubling elements with respect to such an interpretation. In the first place, all acts of divination, including astrology, were strictly forbidden in Scripture and rabbinic literature (Deut. 18:10–12; Mishnah, Sanhedrin 7:11). It is problematic that Gentile astrologers would be looking for a Jewish Messiah, but it is more inconceivable that an observant Jewish couple like Joseph and Mary would allow agents of sorcery into their home. It is plausible the Magi who are reported in Matthew’s Gospel may not have been astrologers but rather descendants of exiled Jews in the east who were wise in the knowledge of God.
Whether the Magi from the east who came to honor Jesus were Jews or Gentiles, Daniel’s place of prominence in the court and among the magi in Babylon suggests he or other Jewish exiles may have taught of the Messiah’s coming. So when the star appeared, some among the magi may have recognized it for what it was and followed it.
There are other interesting elements of the star and the coming of the Magi that suggest scriptural connections. For example, the star functioned in much the same way as the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire that guided Moses and the children of Israel to the Promised Land (Exod. 13:21–22). In a similar way the star led the Magi to the Promised Land and to the very house of its promised King.
The Magi also spoke of the star as “his star” (Matt. 2:2), recalling an account in the book of Numbers concerning Balaam (Numbers 22–24). He was a prophet of divination from Pethor along the Euphrates River who was hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel. Instead he blessed Israel and predicted God would raise up a Jewish king who would rule over the nations. Balaam said it would be the image of the star that represented this political authority: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17).
We do not know whether the star was a purely supernatural manifestation of the glory of God—like the pillars of cloud and of fire of the exodus experience (Exod. 13:22)—or was a providential orchestration of natural events linked to the birth of the Messiah.40 What we do know is that long before Jesus gave his first teaching or chose his first disciple, God set a star in the east to lead men from distant lands to find and worship the Messiah who had been born in Bethlehem.