“Knowing What to Do,” by Rev. Mark Caggiano, 1/11/26
Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem,
asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east, and have
come to pay him homage.”;

The magi, sometimes called kings and other times wise men, were from Persia. The name magi is the plural of
the term magus, which comes into the English language as the word magic or magician. The magi were a caste
of Persian priests known for their skills in subjects like astrology and the interpretation of dreams.
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

King Herod, who was also not exactly a king but more an administrator appointed by the Romans, wanted to
know where and when the messiah had been born. For you see, a messiah would have been someone able to
challenge the Romans for control of the land of Israel, and not coincidentally, challenge the right of Herod to
rule on the Romans’ behalf. And he planned to use the magi to help him achieve his purposes…