The Manifestation of Iesus to the Magi
1. Now when Iesus was born in Bethlehem (of Judea) in the days of Herod (the king) behold, there came certain Magi (men from the east) to Jerusalem, who had purified themselves and tasted not of flesh nor of strong drink, that they might find the Christ whom they sought. And they said,
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we in the East have seen his Star, and are come to worship him.
2. When Herod (the king) had heard these things he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes (of the people) together, he demanded (of them) where the Christ should be born.
3. And they said unto him,
Bethlehem (of Judea); for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come forth a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel[[1].
4. Then Herod, when he had privily called the Magi, enquired of them diligently what time the Star appeared. 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.
5. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the Star (which the Magi of the East saw) and the Angel (of the Star) went before them, till it came and stood over the place where the young child was, and the Star had the appearance of six rays.
6. And as they went on their way with their camels and asses laden with gifts, and were intent on the heavens seeking the child by the Star, they forgot for a little, their weary beasts who had borne thee burden and heat of the day, and were thirsty and fainting, and the Star was hidden from their sight.
7. In vain they stood and gazed, and looked one upon the other in their trouble. Then they bethought them of their camels and asses, and hastened to undo their burdens that they might have rest.
8. Now there was near Bethlehem a well by the way, And as they stooped down to draw water for their beasts, lo, the Star (which they had lost) appeared to them, being reflected in the stillness of the water.
9. And when they saw it they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
10. And they praised God who had shewn his mercy unto them even as they shewed mercy unto their thirsty beasts.
11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the 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, and myrrh.
12. And being warned (of God) in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And they kindled a fire (according to their custom) and worshipped God in the Flame.
13. And when they were departed, behold the Angel (of God) appeared to Ioseph in a dream, saying,
Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and there remain until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek to destroy him.
14. AND when he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, and was there for about seven years until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of God by the prophet, saying,
Out of Egypt have I called my son.
15. Elizabeth too when she heard it, took her infant son and went up into a mountain and hid him. And Herod sent his officers to Zacharias in the temple and said to him,
Where is thy child?
And he answered
I am a minister of God and am continually in the temple. I know not where he is.
16. And he sent again, saying,
Tell me truly where is thy son, Dost thou not know thy life is in my hand?
And Zacharias answered,
The Lord is witness if thou shed my blood, my spirit will God receive, for thou sheddest the blood of the innocent.
17. And they slew Zacharias in the Temple between the holy place and the altar; and the people knew it, for a voice was heard, Zacharias is slain, and his blood shall not be washed out until the avenger shall come. And after a time the priests cast lots, and the lot fell upon Simeon, and he filled his place.
18. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceedingly wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
19. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy (the prophet) saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.[2]
20. BUT when Herod was dead, behold, an Angel (of God) appeared in a dream to Ioseph in Egypt.
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and return 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. And they came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; and he was called the Nazarene.
LECTION 5. 9. -Note the beautiful lesson taught by these words. They look in vain for the signs of God who forget the needs of the poorer brethren and their beasts under their care. To look upon the needs of these who cannot speak (in human tongue) is to find the bright light they lose who only look upwards.
LECTION 5. 16. -Alluding to 2 Chron. xxiv. 20, in the Ierusalem Talmud, and also in the Babylonish, is an account of a priest named Zacharias, who was slain in the court of the priests near the altar, and whose blood never ceased to bubble from the earth, till a great number of priests and rabbins were slaughtered (Talmud Hierosal, fol. 69).
In the Protevangelium attributed to Iames, the first Bishop or Angel of the Church in Ierusalem is introduced the present story of Zacharias, and that Herod who slew the infants in Bethlehem slew also Zacharias the priest in the Temple when he said that he knew not where his infant son Iohn was hidden. It is this story, and not the incident in Chronicles, that most probably is referred to in a latter part of the Gospel by Iesus, being fresh in the memories of that generation, and so more likely to fasten attention.
read: Micah 5:2
read: Jeremiah 31:15