Bible Question: Where was Jesus when the wise men found Him and gave Him gifts?

Bible Question:Where was Jesus when the wise men found Him and gave Him gifts? I do not think this happened when He was born since they had to travel after they stopped to see Herod.

Bible Answer: The wise men arrived after Jesus' birth. Here is a portion of the Christmas story.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying . . . (NASB) Matthew 2:1

This verse tells us that Jesus had already been born when the magi or wise men arrived in Jerusalem. So, you are correct. Jesus had already been born.

Wise Men and Herod. After they arrived in Jerusalem, the wise men asked where Jesus was to be born. Here is the answer they received.

In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER, WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'" (NASB) Matthew 2:5-6

Herod then asked the wise men how long ago the star had appeared and indicated Jesus would be found in Bethlehem. So the wise men left for Bethlehem and as they went the star they had been following reappeared again.

And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. (NASB) Matthew 2:9

Wise Men and Jesus. The star was unusual because a normal star does not move in front of a person. A normal star does not appear to move because it is high in the sky. This was a special, divinely appointed star which led them to Jesus' house.

And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (NASB) Matthew 2:11

Notice that Jesus is now in a house. Jesus was born in an inn, in a manager, and not in a house.

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NASB) Luke 2:7

So the wise men arrived sometime after Jesus' birth. It appears the wise men arrived sometime between one to two years later. Why one to two years? Listen to this passage,

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi. (NASB) Matthew 2:16

Conclusion:The wise men arrived about one to two years after Jesus' birth. One year is probably a better estimate since the wise men needed time to travel from the east to find Jesus. Jesus was in a house when the wise men visited Him. God wanted these wise men to visit Jesus. Scripture never explains why this happened, but it demonstrated God's faithfulness to His spoken Word. This gives me confidence that He is faithful to me when He says that He cares for me and will meet my needs. God is faithful. He promised Jesus' birth. Our God is a faithful God. Praise Him, for He deserves our praise!