The King-Makers Bow

The King-Makers Bow: What the Magi Really Mean for Christmas
Matthew 2:1-11

Hearers of the Word:

Theme:  Gentile king-makers from the East traveled hundreds of miles to worship a toddler because they recognized in Jesus the promised world-King that their own order had been waiting centuries to crown.

Introduction:  Kings, Magi, and wise men are often familiar Christmas-card imagery, but what do we learn from Scripture and history?   So the questions to consider is threefold: Who are the wise men / Magi? (and) why did it matter to Matthew? (and) wha does it matter to us today?

I. Who Are These Magi?

    a. Dispelling the myths

• They were not kings
• There were not necessarily three of them (3 gifts ≠ 3 men)
• Names  given to them later were Caspar, Balthazar, Melchior
• The  supposed skulls are late traditions with no historical basis
• Unknown number; pastor believes there were “many” of the magi who came and not just three

    b. The Purpose of the Magi  (Matt 2:2, 8, 11) 

• Primary purpose: to worship the newborn King (Matt 2:2, 8, 11)
• Secondary purpose: they function as “king-makers” who recognize and appoint the true King
• Matthew uses them to prove Jesus is both Son of David and Son of God

Keynote: The Magi were the king makers, and no one could become king unless they appointed them king.

II. Historical and Biblical Background of the Magi

    a. Who they were.

• A real priestly tribe/clan, not a generic word for “magician”
• Ancient, possibly going back to Abraham’s era; definitely prominent in Babylon and Medo-Persia
• Semitic, monotheistic (originally), hereditary priesthood
• Highly influential “king-makers” in the Persian Empire (Esther, Daniel 6)
• Controlled coronation and judiciary; no one ruled without their approval

    b. How they knew about the Messiah?

• Babylonian captivity brought Jews (and OT prophecies) to the East
• Daniel and other Jewish exiles remained and taught the Magi
• Daniel became chief of the Magi (Dan 5:11) and taught Messianic prophecies
• Some Magi apparently believed Daniel’s prophecies and awaited the Jewish Messiah-King

    c. Religious parallels and differences.

• Monotheism, angels/demons, future judgment, hereditary priesthood, blood sacrifice, coming deliverer, prophecy
• Later influenced by Zoroastrianism (hybrid religion)
• Some occult practices and astrology, but core monotheism remained

III. Why Their Worship Matters for Matthew (and for Us)

Let’s step back into the manger scene for a moment and ask the question Matthew wants every reader to ask: Why does this story even belong in the Gospel?  Matthew could have gone straight from the escape to Egypt to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He didn’t. He stopped the whole story to tell us about a caravan of Gentile king-makers who rode hundreds of miles, walked into a little house in Bethlehem, and fell on their faces before a toddler.

So why does this matter so much to Matthew—and why should it matter to us this Christmas?

First, the Magi confirm that Jesus is the promised King of the Jews.

Remember: these men were the official “crowners” of kings. No one in the greatest empires the world had ever seen took a throne without the Magi’s blessing. They were the ones who decided, “This is the legitimate king.”

And now the king-makers show up in Bethlehem—and they don’t anoint Herod’s son, they don’t anoint Caesar’s heir—they bow to a child born in poverty and say, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the East and we have come to worship Him.”

Do you see what Matthew is doing? He’s putting the world’s most prestigious royal endorsement committee on their knees before Jesus.

Second, the Magi prove that Jesus is the King of the whole world—not just Israel.

This is huge for Matthew. He’s writing to Jewish people who thought the Messiah would come for them alone. But right here in chapter 2, before Jesus ever says a word or does a miracle, the first worshipers who come to Him are not priests from Jerusalem—they’re pagans from Babylon.

Gentiles—uncircumcised, non-kosher, former astrologers—are the very first to bow.

Isaiah had said it centuries earlier: “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isa 60:3). Matthew says, “Look! It’s already happening!”

The shepherds got the news first, but the Magi are the first-fruits of the nations. And if the Magi are worshiping Him in chapter 2, then the Great Commission in chapter 28 makes perfect sense: “Go make disciples

Application:  Who Will You Crown This Christmas?

Invitation: Bow now while grace is offered; one day every knee will bow (Phil 2:9-11)

Doers of the Word:

1. From Curiosity to Conviction: The Magi were powerful, busy, wealthy men who dropped everything and traveled 900+ miles. What most surprised or challenged you about who the Magi actually were and why they came?

2. Evaluate your life and attitude. Are you more like Herod or the Magi – which posture Is yours right now?  Who will you crown this Christmas?

3. In your personal study this week study Matthew 2.  Read also Jeremiah 39, Daniel chapters 2, 4, 5 and 6. Esther 1; Acts 8; Acts 13.