That is a very interesting question.  Let’s begin by reading Matthew 2:1-2 which says, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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.” 

From this brief portion, we learn that wise men from the east were following a star to see the “King of the Jews.”  Who are these wise men?  According to the original Greek language, these men were “mágos” or Oriental scientists.  They were astronomers who read the signs in the skies…the different stars and what they signified. 

The Jews were eagerly looking for the coming of the Messiah. By computing the time mentioned in Daniel 9:25-27, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” they knew that the period was approaching when the Messiah should appear. This person, they supposed, would be an earthly prince, and they were expecting that he would deliver them from Roman bondage. It was natural that this expectation would spread into other countries as well.  Josephus, a well-respected Jewish historian made mention of the same expectation. The fact that such a person was expected is clearly indicated. Under this expectation these wise men came to give him tribute and inquired eagerly about where he was born. 

These wise men, or astronomers, paid special attention to the skies and the different stars there.  How did these men discern the importance of this particular star or shining appearance in the sky?  We really do not know, but it seems it could have been by divine revelation to these men from the east.  We read in Matthew 2:11-12, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And BEING WARNED OF GOD IN A DREAM that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”  If the Lord communicated with these men in a dream to warn them, it is reasonable to think that He had led them to the house where the child was at that time.  It is not profitable to spend much time in speculation, so I’ll just leave that thought for you to consider. 

Sadly, when these wise men (we do not know how many there were) inquired of Herod about the birth of this king, the chief priests and scribes were able to discern the location of His birth from the scriptures, yet it seems this truth meant nothing to them.  In Matthew 2:5-6, we see these men were aware of what the Bible taught about the birthplace of their Messiah. In their words, they referred to Micah 5:2 which says, “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”  To have this knowledge, but have no respect for it, would condemn these men.  They should have followed along with the wise men and bowed their knees to Him, but they did not.  May I ask you, dear reader, have you bowed your knee and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior?  The day will come when every man will bow to the Lord.  Some will bow to Him as their Lord and Savior, while others will have to bow before Him as their judge.  We are instructed in Philippians 2:10-11, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Have you done so?  Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus for your eternal salvation?  I urge you to put your faith in Him today, before it is eternally too late.  (CC)  (657.4)