“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

The Magi likely assumed that the newborn King would be related to the current king, so Herod’s surprise may have confused them. And Herod seems more than surprised; he seems threatened and agitated.

Tricked by the Magi, the wise men whom Herod had sent to determine where the infant was, a raging Herod decreed that all children 2 and under who live near Bethlehem are to be killed.

The Magi are warned in a dream not to return to Herod. They obey the dream — disobeying the king. Three people are immensely helped: Joseph, Mary and the child.

Magi’s themselves were not kings. Had they been kings upon visiting King Herod, he would have followed tradition and celebrated their presence with a banquet.

Pastor Lucas Miles of Nfluence Church in Indiana reflected on the story of the Magi's journey to the child Jesus — and how Christians can use this story in their everyday lives.

He was troubled. That’s what it says. King Herod was troubled, and the people were troubled with him. It doesn’t say why, not exactly. But piece it together. What makes a leader insecure? What ...

The Gospels depict many of these interfaith connections. The first is here in the second chapter of Matthew, as the Magi—usually thought to be Babylonian or Persian astrologers, perhaps of the ...

To historians, King Herod the Great of Judea is best known for his large-scale building projects throughout Judea. To most Christians, he is remembered only for his “massacre of the innocents ...

Herod the Great, King of Judea, felt threatened when the Magi—wise men from the East—arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when ...