The Wise Men — Bible audio story cover art

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-23

They followed a star for months. Herod followed them with a sword.

Magi from the east — scholars, astrologers, possibly from Persia or Babylon — arrive in Jerusalem asking a dangerous question: Where is the one born king of the Jews? We saw his star and have come to worship him. King Herod, who murders family members to protect his throne, is deeply disturbed. He gathers the chief priests, learns the prophecy points to Bethlehem, and sends the Magi there with a request: find the child and tell me, so I too may worship him. The Magi follow the star to the house, present gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and are warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Joseph is warned too — flee to Egypt. Herod, realizing he's been outwitted, orders every boy under two in Bethlehem killed.