Help needed--Epiphany bible study
Well, DQ, all I can comment about is from the Biblical account and logic.
I'm not sure what you are looking for, exactly.
From Matthew chapt. 2: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men (magi--but not "kings") came from the east to Jerusalem, asking everybody, no doubt, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews?'
Herod, the Roman king of Judea at that time, when he heard these things, was troubled, and sent for all the chief priests and scribes, demanding of them where the Christ (Messiah) should be born.
The priests and scribes could quote the verse, but notice, nothing is said that they also wanted to worship Him. They had head knowledge, but no hearts desire to go to Bethlehem.
I'll pause here to say, there obviously were a lot more than three magi. To be traveling almost two years from far off Persia, they would have had a large caravan, causing quite a stir in Jerusalem.
Herod spoke privately to the magi, enquiring when the star had appeared. Obviously he must have learned the time of the star's appearing, for he sent them to Bethlehem.
Obviously, once they reached Jerusalem, the star disappeared. Then, once they knew to go to Bethlehem and search for the young child, the star reappeared, to their exceeding great joy. The star then guided them to the house where Jesus, as a young child, was with Mary his mother.
NOTICE: Jesus is a young child, and He and Mary are in a house.
The magi presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold, of course represents royalty; frankincense is a perfume or incense, which represents the prayers of the people; and myrrh, is used for embalming, and perhaps, prophecying of his coming death.
The magi after worshipping Jesus, were warned in a dream to not return to Herod, but to depart to their own country by a different way.
I hope this helps. Bick
