Matthew 2:11 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matthew 2:11 |
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Adoration of the Magi by Bartolomé Estéban Murillo
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| Book | Gospel of Matthew |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 2:11 is a famous verse from the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. It describes a special moment when wise men, also known as the Magi, found the baby Jesus. These wise men had been sent by King Herod. In this verse, they give Jesus precious gifts. This event is often called the Adoration of the Magi in art and stories.
Contents
What Matthew 2:11 Says
The original text of this verse was written in Koine Greek. Here's how it's translated in the World English Bible:
- They came into the house and saw the young
- child with Mary, his mother, and they fell
- down and worshiped him. Opening their
- treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold,
- frankincense, and myrrh.
You can find many other versions of this verse online. For more translations, you can visit BibleHub Matthew 2:11.
The Wise Men's Journey and Arrival
The wise men had traveled a long way to find Jesus. When they finally arrived, they found him in a house.
Finding Jesus in a House
The Bible says the Magi found Jesus in a "house." This has led to some interesting discussions among scholars. Some believe that Jesus' family had settled in Bethlehem for a while. This would mean they had a house there. Other Bible stories, like the one in Luke, suggest the family left Bethlehem soon after Jesus was born.
Many experts think the wise men visited Jesus several months after his birth. This would give the family time to find a house. Some scholars also suggest that in those days, a stable for animals was often part of a peasant's house. So, Jesus might have been born on a lower level of the house where his family lived when the Magi arrived.
Showing Respect: The Magi Worship Jesus
The Bible says the Magi "fell down and worshiped" the infant Jesus. In the Bible, worship is usually reserved for God. Many people see this as a sign that Jesus is divine. It shows how important Jesus was, even as a baby.
"Falling down" means they knelt with their heads on the ground. This was a way to show deep respect and honor. Kneeling became an important part of Christian worship. It was inspired by moments like this in the Bible.
The story also shows that the Magi's devotion was focused entirely on Jesus. They didn't give special attention to Mary, his mother. The Bible doesn't say that baby Jesus performed any miracles during this visit. He was completely passive.
The Special Gifts of the Magi
The gifts the Magi brought are very famous. They are: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
These gifts are mentioned in other parts of the Bible, like Isaiah 60:6 and Psalm 72. These verses talk about kings bringing gifts. This is why people later started to believe the Magi were kings themselves, even though the Bible doesn't say so. Because there were three gifts, people also assumed there were three wise men. The Bible only says there was more than one.
What Did the Gifts Mean?
People have many ideas about what these gifts symbolized:
- Gold is a precious metal. It was often given to kings. This gift showed that Jesus was seen as the King of the Jews.
- Frankincense is a sweet-smelling resin used in religious ceremonies and as incense. It was often used in worship. This gift might show Jesus' divine nature or his role as a priest.
- Myrrh is a fragrant resin used for perfumes and anointing oils. It was also used in ancient times for embalming the dead. This gift might symbolize Jesus' future suffering and death.
Another tradition says that gold represents goodness, frankincense represents prayer, and myrrh represents suffering. Each gift was also linked to a specific wise man: Melchior gave gold, Balthasar gave myrrh, and Gaspar gave frankincense.
Some thinkers, like John Chrysostom, believed these gifts were fit for God, not just a king. He thought they were much more special than the usual offerings of sheep or calves. This suggests the Magi truly worshiped Jesus as God.
What Happened to the Gifts?
The Bible doesn't say what happened to the gifts after the Magi gave them. But several stories have been told over time:
- One story says the gold was later stolen by the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus.
- Another tale suggests the gold was given to Judas, who later misused it.
- A popular belief is that the gifts helped Jesus' family pay for their trip when they had to escape to Egypt.
