1 NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men [ The New Testament was originally written in Greek and when we take a look at the Greek word, the translators translated into English as wisemen, we find that it is magi. Magi was the name used to refer to Zoroastrian priests who's home would have been in Persia. Inspired men - perhaps prophets. Bruce R. McConkie says that the tradition of three wise men is probably because of the three gifts that we mentioned. But there could have been more wise men who were coming. And just like the shepherds were special and the shepherds were not ordinary, these wise men were not ordinary travelers. They were not scholars or astrologers, but... And you can read this in the Bible Dictionary. It says, "they were spiritually sensitive and knowledgeable prophets on a divine errand." These were prophets. Joseph Smith teaches us that they were not just seeking a king, they were seeking the Messiah because they knew that he would come. God led Lehi and his family to the Americas. So is it not possible that he led other faithful Israelites to other parts of the world? Wherever the wise men were, they, like Lehi and Nephi, knew about Christ. These wise men were Israelites looking forward to Chirsts coming. They lived in one of the nations to the East. ] from the east [ Abraham knew and recorded when the Only Begotten Son would descend from His throne to be born in a manger, He would be recognized and honored as the Heavenly King by magi from the East. (For the translation of "magi" in Matthew 2:1, see NIV; NASB; Young, Young's Literal Translation, 1 of New Testament ("mages"); and Albright and Mann, Matthew, 11, and see accompanying commentary on the magi on 12-15) Who were they, and how did they know how to find and recognize the infant King? "The Magi are said to have called their religion Kêsh-i-Ibrâhim, i.e., creed of Abraham, whom they considered as their prophet and the reformer of their religion. These Magi traced their religious books back to Abraham, who was believed to have brought them from heaven." (Haug, Essays on ... the Parsis, 16) According to this tradition, it was the books brought down by Abraham from the throne of Jesus which guided the magi to the manger to worship the infant King of Heaven. ] to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him [ The wise men, familiar with the prophecies that foretold the birth of Christ, and recognizing the signs that had been given. Where is the record of this star in the old testament, what is the reference that they are referring to? Every Christmas pageant celebrates the wise men following the star but where is the reference? But in the Bible, we only read of the star in the New Testament. There's not one mention of the star in the Old Testament. How did the wise men know the star was the sign of Christ's birth? The current Old Testament has no such prophecy. There is a verse in Numbers that does talk about a star, but not directly. So as you search through the Old Testament, you're not seeing this prophecy that they're talking about in the New Testament. Even though Christians all over the world are celebrating this, they're actually demonstrating and acknowledging that there has to be other scriptures and other revelation in addition to the Bible. So they are talking about something that's not necessarily stated clearly in our current Old Testament. So I think it's very satisfying to think that all Christianity is singing about a star that's not found in the Old Testament, but it's found in the Book of Mormon. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied in Helaman 14:5, "There shall be a new star arise such an one as ye never have beheld." Now, of course, the wise men would not have read about the star in the Book of Mormon scriptures. But just as prophets in the Americas knew about the star, then there had to be additional scripture, and there had to be a revelation of the star to these wise men to know that that's what they were looking for. Neal A. Maxwell said this. He said, "The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the babe, has given at least equal attention to the placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives so that our light may not only lead others, but warm them as well." The way, he looked at the star and thought, "Man, the Lord must have placed that in its orbit long before it happened." He's saying the Lord does that with each of us in our lives, places us in our precise human orbit. So I need to thank both of you for being in my orbit. Elder Maxwell. He said, "Just as the rising generation is here now by divine design, so are we who have been placed just ahead of them. Our lives and theirs have and will intersect many times before it is all over and not by accident." They came into Jerusalem and asked this of Herod, Herod thinking that the promised Messiah would be a threat to his kingdom, sent soldiers to destroy every child two years old and under in Bethlehem. But an angel had warned Joseph and he had taken Mary and the child Jesus to Egypt.

The wise men arrived in Jerusalem when Jesus was a young child. They were directed by Herod’s court to Bethlehem. “And when they were come into the house [Jesus was no longer in a stable], they saw the young child [no longer a babe] . . . and fell down, and worshipped him.” (Matthew 2:11.) Then the wise men, because an angel warned them not to return to Herod, departed into their own country by another way. When Herod saw that the wise men did not return, he sent his soldiers to kill every child “two years old and under.” (Matthew 2:7, 16.)

John the Baptist was a small child, just six months older than Jesus, who also lived with his parents in the vicinity of Bethlehem when Herod gave out the order to murder the babies. John escaped murder by the selfless courage of his father, Zacharias. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “When Herod’s edict went forth to destroy the young children, John was about six months older than Jesus, and came under this hellish edict, and Zacharias caused his mother to take him into the mountains, where he was raised on locusts and wild honey. When his father refused to disclose his hiding place, and being the officiating high priest at the Temple that year, was slain by Herod’s order, between the porch and the altar, as Jesus said.” (Teachings, p. 261. Compare Matthew 23:35.) Zacharias died, then, to save his son; he died a noble martyr, perhaps the first of the Christian era.]

3 When Herod [ Joseph Fielding McConkie, he said this about Herod, and I just was struck by the language. He says, "A fiend in a human body, a man who had drenched himself in the blood of the innocent, a man whose deeds were enough to cause hell itself to shudder. None other than Israel's King, Herod the Great. Herod had made his alliance with the powers of the world. His friends were Augustus, Rome and expediency. He had massacred priests and nobles. He had decimated the Sanhedrin. He had caused the high priest, his brother-in-law, to be drowned in pretend sport before his eyes. He had ordered the strangulation of his favorite wife. Though she seems to have been the only person he ever loved. Any who fell victim to his suspicions were murdered, including three sons and numerous other relatives. Such is the irony of history that the most wicked man to ever sit on David's throne was its occupant in the very day when He came whose throne it was. And who in due course would reign in righteousness thereon. It was to this man, who personified the wickedness of the world and the corruption of the earth, that the Wise Men of the East went and bore their testimony that Israel's rightful king and ruler had been born." And then he says this, " The question as to whether Herod really believed Israel's king had been born is of little moment. What is of importance, that which makes the Nativity story complete, is the evidence of the anger and wrath of Hell at the birth of God's son. The glad tidings of Heaven had no such effect on the prince of darkness and his murderous wrath." And then this. "As Satan's chief apostle, Herod, with all the cunning of Hell, sought to destroy the Christ child. Of a truth, the kingdom of God will never go unopposed in the days of Earth's mortality, the period of Satan's power." He said there was an opposition, kind of a witness, going after him the moment he's born. From Special Witnesses of the Birth of Christ, Joseph Fielding McConkie. It's a Sperry Symposium classic. ] the king had heard these things, he was troubled, [ Why? Because he had been duped by the wise men. He realized that he had not heard from them where this King was born at. ] and all Jerusalem with him. [ Can you imagine the gossip spreading and the discussion that would ensue. ]

4 And when he [ Herod. ] had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. [ These are priests and guys who know their scriptures. Herod says to them "Okay, where is it that Christ should be born?" Well, in the book of Micah there's a reference to Bethlehem. So they knew their scriptures. But apparently they didn't have the Holy Ghost as Jesus was in their midst and they knew it not. The wise men knew it and had for some time as they came from miles away. But the chief priests nope - tells us something there. Not acting or interrupting te srciptures with the Holy Ghost as their guide. You can intellectualize yourself and be real smart. But what about the Holy Ghost? Without the Holy ghost what do you really have?" Even the prophets in the Americas knew. Where do you want to put your trust? ]

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, [ Micah 5:2 ]

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, [Christ ] that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. [ By this time Jesus was already a young child. Joseph and Mary had settled into a home in Bethlehem v11. So the pictures we see and the story we heard are really composites of two different accounts. ]

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child [ Jesus - so some time had passed during their travels as he is a young child. ] with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense,. [ Gold was used to symbolize the glorious nature of God himself and the temple where he dwelt in the heavens. All of the vessels and furnishings in the Jerusalem temple were made of gold to symbolize this. Frankincense was the key ingredient in the special incense blend used in the Holy of Holies. Each of these would have had great value; these gifts timed just right might have been used by Joseph to fund his trip to Egypt mentioned in v 13. Elder Oaks, in the First Presidency devotional just recently before Christmas of 2021, said that, "These gifts may have been the reason that Mary and Joseph could afford to go to Egypt." These gifts I had always thought of as just being very symbolic. But President Oaks reminded us that there may have been some practicality in these gifts, as well. Elder Oaks said perhaps these gifts enabled them to move to Egypt. That sounds much better than the song where it says "A child, a child shivers in the cold. Let's bring Him silver and gold." And I thought, "He doesn't need silver and gold." He's shivering in the cold. Let's bring Him a blanket. But this makes sense. If a child, a child is under threat, He needs money to move. That makes more sense. ] and myrrh< [ Myrrh was the primary component in the holy anointing oil used in the temple. Why myrrh? In the ancient world, almost all kings were anointed with a special healing ointment, which was most often a special concoction or a mixture of oil and the primary tree-based ingredient used in the anointing oil was myrrh. (Myrrh was specifically mentioned and is the primary ingredient in the oil the priests at the tabernacle were instructed to make as the holy anointing oil. )(Ex. 30:23) They brought the Christ child myrrh, because he is the Christ and as the Christ, it actually means in Greek "the anointed one", so as the future king of Israel, the myrrh that the wise men brought actually attested of Christ’s role as the king and the one who would heal all wounds. They knew he was to be a King, and so he was given the anointing oil give to a King at his anointing. ]

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, [ From the Greek word "egeiro" meaning "get up"] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, [ He immediately got up and did aas he was told. Good example here - don't wait but get going. He left that very night did not wait for better conditions, day light whatever he just did! ] he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: [ This would have been a fairly long journey of some 2-300 miles to Egypt; how often does the Lord require his people to move for their safety? ]

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, [ Hosea 11:1 ] saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, [ Angry ] and sent forth, and slew all the children [ Greek translation is "male babies" ] that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, [ The areas round about ] from two years old and under, [ Provides us some time frame as to how old Jesus was or could have been at the time] according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. [ "When Herod’s edict went forth to destroy the young children, John was about six months older than Jesus, and came under this hellish edict, and Zacharias (John The Baptisits father) caused his mother to take him into the mountains, where he was raised on locusts and wild honey. When his father refused to disclose his hiding place, and being the officiating high priest at the Temple that year, was slain by Herod’s order, between the porch and the altar" Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pg 261]

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, [ Found in Jeremiah 31:15. ] saying,

18 In Rama [ northwest of Jerusalem where Jewish captives were taken prior to being displaced to Babylon. See more inof under Bible Dictionary under "Rachel"] was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel [ Jacob's wife; the mother of Joseph and Benjamin; she died during the birthing process of giving birth to Benjamin Gen 35:16-20. Her tomb is located at the northern entrance to Old Bethlehem; since she died giving birth; she gave her life for it; so the phrase here has special menaing as Rachel would have weeped very much for so great a travesty. ] weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 ¶ But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph [ interesting to note here that all Joseph ever sees is angels in dreams yet Mary and Zacharias both receive angels in plain site; The Lord communicates in different ways with different children, either way he still gets his point across, either way it is revelation. Their stay in Egypt would have been pretty short as Herod died just a few months after he issued the order to kill the male children. ] in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. [ or Nazareth. Why not go back to Bethlehem from where they came? The Angel said told him specifically where to go so that is the answer. They were being obedient. ]

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of [ or in the place of ] his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: [ there; Archelau, Herod's son now ruled Judea; and who knows what his plans were; so to be on the safe side they were instructed to go to Nazareth. Luke 2: 4-5 ] notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he [ Joseph ] turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: [ They went to Egypt, and then it was time to come back to the land of Israel and they went into the Galilee. Now, it makes sense that they would go to a city called Nazareth that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophets. He shall be called a Nazarene. Nazareth was where Mary was from. Joseph was logically from that same area since they were already engaged to each other. So they were going home. But there may have been more reason than just going home to go to Nazareth. Part of the reason that they may have gone to Nazareth is because it wasn't ruled by Herod's son, Herod Archelaus. His area was divided into three areas that were ruled by three of his sons Herod Philip up in the north after Herod's death. So then Herod Philip ruled in the north and then in the Galilee area was Herod Antipas. And then in the south where there was Jerusalem, it was Herod Archelaus. But he, like his father, was so cruel that the Jews finally went to the Romans and said, "We would rather have a Roman rule over us than a so-called Jew who is so cruel. That's why we get Pilate entering the scene because Pilate comes as prefect and the Romans take out Herod Archelaus and put this Roman prefect in his place, which the Jews felt was a better situation than being ruled over by somebody who was as cruel as his father. So maybe they were going back to Nazareth because they didn't want to be under the rule of Herod Archelaus. And that might be one of the reasons. But we also have to recognize that Herod Antipas was the governor of this part of the Galilee, and he was building a palace. He was building a Roman style city in a place called Sepphoris, and that's close to Nazareth. So maybe they went to Nazareth because there was work. There would be work for a carpenter. Now the word carpenter comes from the Greek word tektōn, which is a builder. Maybe Joseph would've been able to find work in stone or even in wood as Herod built this palace. And that may have been the work that drove them to Nazareth, so that Joseph could provide for his family. And of course, in all of this, Matthew sees fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in every move that they make. He says, "This fulfills Old Testament prophecy." That's Matthew's go-to move. we might wonder if Matthew put these two men side by side, Joseph and Herod, to just show us how different men can be. You can be kind and good, and hardworking, and obedient to revelation. Or you can be evil and selfish, and completely governed by your emotions and your fears and insecurities. We don't know if Matthew did that on purpose, but man, you can really see a contrast between Joseph and Herod in these two chapters. ] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. [ What was the source that Matthew was quoting from? There was some ancient scripture held by the Jews, which is now unknown. ]