Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
I should be led to conceive, that this visit of the Wise Men was not immediately on the birth of Christ, but perhaps a considerable time after. Some have thought nearly two years. For as the flight into Egypt could not have been so immediately on the birth, we may, reasonably infer, that the over-ruling providence of the LORD, did, in this instance, as in that of Moses, conceal the wonderful event to the most suited time for discovery. Exodus 2:2. I mention this the rather, because it is no uncommon thing to behold representations of the virgin, and an infant, in pictures, by way of setting forth the nativity. Alas! how senseless and unbecoming are all such things in relation to the solemn subjects of holy scripture! And how much they degrade what they mean to embellish! - In relation to those wise men, we are wholly at conjecture who they were, or from whence, (more than from the East), they came. Some have thought that they were men who practiced magic, like Balaam. And it is remarkable, that this man prophesied of a star which should come out of Jacob. Numbers 24:17. And Jesus himself is called the bright, and morning star. Revelation 22:16. But be this as it may, certain it is that an angel from heaven proclaimed to the Jewish shepherds the birth of Christ. And why should it be thought incredible, that the same glorious intelligence was communicated to Gentile philosophers by the ministry of a star? Reader! let us both pause over this account of the wise men. Did they come from the East, over vast regions, to hail the Savior? And shall not we feel constrained to welcome his approach? Did the LORD hang out in the heavens a light so direct to point to Jesus? And shall not you and I hope, that he will send out his light and his truth to guide us unto Jesus? Surely the grace shewn to those Gentiles ought to encourage us!