Matthew 2:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, the one who had once mocked was himself mocked, as the wise men understood from the vision that they had been tricked by his words, “And I will go and worship him” (cf. Matt. 2:8). Just as a sign was given to Hezekiah to declare the truth to all through the miraculous reversal of the sun, allowing them to recognize the One who brings life from death, the star that appeared for the wise men also served as a herald of good news to all creation. Through this star, which unnaturally guided them and revealed the path, they learned to place their trust in God who descended to show humanity the way to His kingdom. As the sun was darkened at His crucifixion to reveal the reality of His death, the star that shone was dimmed, allowing the entire earth to witness the birth of the Son. A radiant star announced His joyful birth, whereas darkness enveloped the earth at His sorrowful death. Just as Hezekiah was saved from physical death by the sign, the wise men were preserved from the hidden death that awaited them through this celestial sign. The star, guiding the wise men on their journey, was clearly visible to them, yet its true essence remained concealed; this parallels Christ, whose light illuminated all humankind, while His nature and path remained veiled from their understanding.

Isaiah had foretold this victory at the inception of our Lord and Savior's earthly life, as he proclaimed, For before the child shall be able to utter, ‘Father,’ ‘mother,’ he shall receive the riches of Damascus and the spoils of Samaria in the sight of the king of Assyria (Isaiah 8:4). The "riches of Damascus" refer to the gold bestowed by the Magi upon the incarnate Son of God. The "spoils of Samaria" signify those wise men themselves, who He redirected from the false worship of the Samaritans and their idols. Those who had once been ensnared by the devil due to misguided beliefs ultimately became reclaimed by God through the knowledge of Christ. The "king of Assyria," in this context, represents either Herod or the devil, against whom the Magi stood firm by worshipping the Son of God, our Lord and Savior.

There is no mention of an Angel from the Evangelist, which suggests they received the revelation directly in a dream. Their belief in the message came purely through faith, as one might expect. They likely did not learn of Herod's intentions but were simply instructed not to return the way they had come, to protect their faith from confusion and temptation.

How could Herod’s flattering words be overcome by sleep? One must acknowledge that even ordinary dreams can leave profound impressions, and dreams from God are particularly compelling. A notable instance is Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (see: Dan. 2). History also tells of the most unrighteous individuals turning toward virtue through dreams. For example, there are accounts of those who awoke from a dream that transformed their whole being, only to forget the specifics but retain the imperative to abandon vice for virtue. They followed this urging and became saints.

What alternative route was available for the Magi upon their return? Though they could have bypassed Herod by going through Jerusalem, their obedience to the Divine voice led them to avoid that path entirely. Instead, they journeyed south from Bethlehem, circumventing the Dead Sea—a more arduous and less frequented route, yet they chose it without hesitation. Thus, by stating that the Magi returned to their homeland by another way, the Evangelist concludes their narrative.

What became of them thereafter? They do not appear again in the Gospel. However, ancient tradition suggests that their fervor for the faith of the Jews and their belief in the newborn King only intensified upon their return. When the followers of Christ were scattered across the globe, the Magi, upon hearing their teachings, were among the first to embrace the Christian faith, becoming its emissaries, and ultimately martyrs for Christ. Therefore, while they may have worn earthly crowns, they were later adorned with heavenly ones. Such individuals could not waver in their faith but instead grew ever stronger, ultimately being gathered by the sword into the harvest of Christ. The experiences of those who follow Jesus Christ affirm the Apostle's words: ‘But all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted’ (2 Tim. 3:12).

Reflecting on this event reveals the profound wisdom of Divine Providence. The Jewish people were not deemed worthy of a direct revelation of the Messiah. Some among them were indeed righteous, but the vessels of God’s message had to reach Herod and the Sanhedrin. If a Jew had been chosen for this, endless inquiries would likely have ensued, putting the Divine Child at risk. Hence, God called men from the East, strangers to Jerusalem, to bring this message and confound the city. In this way, God revealed Himself to His people, leaving them unresponsive. There could have been no more significant announcement; from the least to the greatest, all could recognize the Messiah.

Providence fulfilled its purpose and left the choice to the people: either to worship the Messiah with the wise men and the shepherds, or to dismiss this revelation with apathy, allowing curiosity to overshadow worship, ultimately choosing their own path instead of the way to Bethlehem. It is particularly notable that the news of the Messiah reached the Jews from the Gentiles. Therefore, St. Chrysostom refers to the Magi as ‘the firstfruits of the Church.’ Indeed, they served as gifts from paganism: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

What was true then remains true now. In that time, with the Jews relying on the law, they believed salvation rested solely in their hands—much as the Church may now think of itself. It likely never occurred to them that the Gentiles would first receive the revelation of the Messiah. The Gentiles came to Him and fulfilled their role, while the Jews only observed. Today, some Christians may think salvation is exclusive to Christianity, perceiving darkness and desolation elsewhere, while God’s presence permeates all creation. Just as the heavens extend above the earth, so does God’s Providence embrace the universe. Even now, some Gentiles can exemplify virtues of piety that challenge Christians, if not in matters of faith itself. History is replete with such examples.

This reading reflects on the Gospel accounts concerning the earthly life of Jesus Christ prior to His public ministry of salvation. The journey of the Magi and their adoration of Jesus Christ serves as a pivotal moment in this narrative.

Whether you are a king adorned in royal garments, enlightened with all the secrets of wisdom, remember that without coming to honor the Divine Child, the glory of your status and the depth of your knowledge will fail to redeem you.

A person who departs from Christ to Herod may often find their way back to Christ, while one who forsakes Herod for Christ wholeheartedly is unlikely to return to Herod. In other words, individuals who, having sinned, move from Christ to the adversary and later repent, frequently return to Christ; yet those who reject the adversary to embrace Christ find it challenging to revert to the adversary. For someone who has never encountered evil and has maintained their purity until they are aware of wrongdoing can easily be ensnared by the adversary and led astray. However, if they have faced temptation in the evil they discovered, and turned away from the good they have abandoned, they are tormented by guilt and seek out God whom they have turned away from. One who has experienced evil and then turned to good rejoices in the righteousness they have attained and turns away from the evil they have shunned, making it difficult for them to revert to wickedness.

Who could have imagined that the arrival of the One, whose birth went uncelebrated in Jerusalem, would be known in distant lands like Persia or Arabia? Despite being far away, the Gentile Magi not only learned of this momentous event but also bravely traveled from afar to worship the newly born Savior of all. It appears these Gentiles were indeed recipients of God’s grace. They had not studied the prophetic texts but were aware from ancestral traditions that a magnificent King would be born in Judea. Yet, upon seeing His star, they journeyed to Jerusalem, undeterred in their quest, even in light of hearing that a powerful and tyrannical king had long reigned in Judea. They risked their safety by inquiring about another King. Faced with the stark reality of His humble circumstances, the meager swaddling cloths, and the modest Mother, they still recognized the Savior and worshipped Him as God. What incredible perseverance, toil, and peril they undertook—merely to honor the infant King, who seemed unable to offer any reward to His worshippers. Is this not a faith reminiscent of Abraham, the patriarch of believers? In this faith, they surpassed even the Jewish people. It was not without reason that the first apostle of Christ declared that “in every nation, he who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him” (Acts 10:35). The example of the Magi illustrates that such individuals can indeed be found across all nations. Meanwhile, the Jews relied on the Law, possessed an understanding of the prophecies concerning Christ, and were informed of His birthplace, yet none among them thought to accompany the Magi to Bethlehem to witness the child they sought. What a grave oversight! What spiritual blindness! Because of this, they forfeited the immense joy that the pagan Magi experienced. The Queen of the South will rise in judgment against this generation and condemn it, for she journeyed from the utmost corners of the earth to seek the wisdom of Solomon; yet here, among them, is something greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). These wise Gentiles will also stand in judgment, reproaching the negligence of the Jews! St. John Chrysostom perceives in the Magi's homage a foreshadowing of the Church’s future: just as the Magi honored Christ before the Jews, so too will the Gentiles embrace the Church of Christ before the Jewish people.