New Testament · Matthew 2:1–15
The Visit of the Magi — Bible Story for Kids
Wise men from the east followed a star to find the child Jesus. They worshipped him and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This is a retelling for children, written by BibleKenya from the Bible passages shown on each picture. It is not a Bible translation.
from far away in the east saw a special star. They travelled to Jerusalem to find the new king.
After was born in , from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to him."
Bible explorer Matthew does not say how many wise men there were. Three gifts are named, so people often picture three.
King was upset. He learned from God's word that the king would be born in . He told the , "Find him and tell me."
King was troubled. The chief priests and scribes told him that the Christ would be born in , as the prophet Micah wrote. Herod sent the to Bethlehem and said, "Search carefully for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and him."
Bible explorer Herod did not really want to worship Jesus (Matthew 2:13).
The star went ahead of them and stopped over the place where was. They were full of joy!
The star they had seen went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
They found with his mother in a house. They bowed down and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
They came into the house and saw the young child with , his mother, and they fell down and him. Opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Bible explorer Frankincense is a sweet-smelling resin; myrrh is a perfume also used in burial.
God warned the in a dream not to go back to , so they went home another way. God told Joseph to take and to Egypt to keep them safe.
Being warned in a dream not to return to , the went back to their own country another way. An angel told Joseph in a dream, "Take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt." Joseph got up by night and went.
Bible explorer Matthew says Jesus was in a "house" and calls him a "young child", so the visit may have been some time after his birth.
The end of the story
Read it in the Bible
This is the Bible text itself, from the version shown. Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
Matthew 2:1–15 WEB
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’” 7Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.” 9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11They 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. 12Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. 13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” 14He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt, 15and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Who is in the story?
- Jesus The child the wise men came to worship (Matthew 2:11).
- The wise men Visitors from the east who followed the star (Matthew 2:1-2).
- King Herod The ruler in Jerusalem, who was troubled by news of a new king (Matthew 2:3).
- Mary Jesus' mother (Matthew 2:11).
Words to learn
- Bethlehem
- Bethlehem is a small town. King David was born there, and Jesus was born there too.
- Wise men (Magi)
- The wise men were visitors from a faraway land in the east. They followed a star to find Jesus and brought him gifts.
- Prophecy
- A message from God spoken through a prophet. Prophecy in the Bible includes warnings, calls to return to God and promises about the future, not only predictions.
- Worship
- Worship means showing God how great he is: praising him, praying, singing and obeying him. Psalm 95 says, "Come, let's worship and bow down".
What can we learn from this passage?
People from a far country came looking for Jesus and worshipped him with joy. God guided them by a star, warned them in a dream and kept the child safe. Matthew 2:10–12