Matthew 2:11 - They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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What does "Matthew 2:11" mean?
Matthew 2:11 is a pivotal verse describing the visit of the Magi (often called Wise Men) to the young Jesus. Let's break down what it means:
"They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother..." This clarifies a few things. First, the Magi didn't arrive at the manger scene. They came to a house where Jesus, Mary, and likely Joseph were living. Second, it emphasizes the humanity of the situation – a child with his mother in a home. The Magi had followed a star, indicating divine guidance, yet they found a very human scene.
"...and they fell down and worshiped him." This is the heart of the verse. These foreign dignitaries, learned men who likely held positions of influence and status, worshiped a young child. This is significant because worship was reserved for deity. Their act of prostration (falling down) implies recognition of Jesus' divine nature. This worship wasn't just a courteous bow, but a deep act of reverence and adoration, acknowledging Jesus as someone far greater than themselves.
"Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." The Magi presented valuable gifts. These weren't just random presents; their specific choices are laden with symbolic meaning:
Gold: Traditionally associated with royalty, representing Jesus as the King of the Jews.
Frankincense: An aromatic resin burned in religious ceremonies, symbolizing Jesus' divinity and his role as a priest. It was used in temple sacrifices and represented prayer ascending to God.
Myrrh: A fragrant resin used for embalming and anointing. It foreshadows Jesus' suffering and death, pointing towards his role as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
In summary, Matthew 2:11 is a powerful declaration of Jesus' identity. It shows that:
Jesus, even as a young child, was worthy of worship.
He was recognized as something far beyond an ordinary child by these learned foreigners.
The gifts they presented were not just expensive, but symbolically rich, foreshadowing Jesus' roles as King, Priest, and ultimate Sacrifice.
The verse highlights the universal significance of Jesus. The Magi, representing the Gentiles (non-Jewish people), came to worship him, indicating that Jesus' mission was not just for the Jewish people, but for all nations. They came from afar to acknowledge and adore the King of Kings.
Matthew 2:11 - They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
What does "Matthew 2:11" mean?
Matthew 2:11 is a pivotal verse describing the visit of the Magi (often called Wise Men) to the young Jesus. Let's break down what it means:
"They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother..." This clarifies a few things. First, the Magi didn't arrive at the manger scene. They came to a house where Jesus, Mary, and likely Joseph were living. Second, it emphasizes the humanity of the situation – a child with his mother in a home. The Magi had followed a star, indicating divine guidance, yet they found a very human scene.
"...and they fell down and worshiped him." This is the heart of the verse. These foreign dignitaries, learned men who likely held positions of influence and status, worshiped a young child. This is significant because worship was reserved for deity. Their act of prostration (falling down) implies recognition of Jesus' divine nature. This worship wasn't just a courteous bow, but a deep act of reverence and adoration, acknowledging Jesus as someone far greater than themselves.
"Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." The Magi presented valuable gifts. These weren't just random presents; their specific choices are laden with symbolic meaning:
Gold: Traditionally associated with royalty, representing Jesus as the King of the Jews.
Frankincense: An aromatic resin burned in religious ceremonies, symbolizing Jesus' divinity and his role as a priest. It was used in temple sacrifices and represented prayer ascending to God.
Myrrh: A fragrant resin used for embalming and anointing. It foreshadows Jesus' suffering and death, pointing towards his role as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
In summary, Matthew 2:11 is a powerful declaration of Jesus' identity. It shows that:
Jesus, even as a young child, was worthy of worship.
He was recognized as something far beyond an ordinary child by these learned foreigners.
The gifts they presented were not just expensive, but symbolically rich, foreshadowing Jesus' roles as King, Priest, and ultimate Sacrifice.
The verse highlights the universal significance of Jesus. The Magi, representing the Gentiles (non-Jewish people), came to worship him, indicating that Jesus' mission was not just for the Jewish people, but for all nations. They came from afar to acknowledge and adore the King of Kings.