The Magi follow the star to Jesus (Matthew 2:4-10)

They came looking for the One who was born King of the Jews! They had seen His star in the east, and so they came looking for Him. But why did God provide the star?

Herod's Inquiry. Herod was disturbed. So he decided to find out if such a person had been born - not so much for them, but so that he could kill the child.

Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what 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) Matt. 2:4-6

Where was the King of the Jews or the Messiah to be born? He was to be born in Bethlehem according to this prophecy (2 Sam. 5:2; Micah 5:2). It was a town about five miles south of Jerusalem.

The theme of the gospel of Matthew is that Jesus was and is the Messiah. He has already repeated this theme in Matt. 1:1 and Matt. 1:23. He will do it again. God's message is clear: Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews.

The Silver Tongue. Herod was a crafty individual with a silver tongue. This type of person is common in every business, government, and church. He or she is someone who is sweet and polite but decaying on the inside. Now that Herod had discovered where the child was to be born, he set the trap.

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” (NASB) Matt. 2:7-8

Herod did not plan to worship anybody. He planned to kill the child. He was a liar with a silver tongue.

After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. (NASB) Matt. 2:9-10

There are a number of non-scientific and non-biblical views people have about this star. Some believe that the star was a great nova which was recorded in the Chinese records in 5 B.C. Others believe that the star was Halley's Comet on 12 B.C., and many believe that it was the junction of Jupiter, Saturn, and the sign of Pisces of 7 B.C. Others contend that Jupiter was the star, and that it stood still over Bethlehem.