Why the Wise Men Gave Gifts and Worshipped Jesus
When the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, they did not come merely as observers of a celestial phenomenon. Scripture tells us that when they found the Child with Mary His mother, “they fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). Their actions were intentional, theologically informed, and profoundly meaningful.
Matthew describes the wise men (Greek: magi) as men who had seen “His star in the East” and traveled a great distance with a singular purpose: “to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). They were learned men. They were scholars who studied astronomy, prophecy, and ancient texts. The wise men understood that the appearance of the star signaled the birth of a divinely appointed King.
Unlike Herod, who feared losing power, or the religious leaders, who possessed biblical knowledge but failed to act, the wise men responded with obedience. They understood that a king worthy of such a sign deserved not only acknowledgment, but worship. Their journey itself was an act of devotion.
Before a gift was ever opened, the wise men fell down and worshiped Him. This is important to see. Worship came first. They did not worship Mary, nor the star, or the mere idea of a coming ruler. They worshiped the Child Himself.
Jesus was not seated on a throne, surrounded by royal splendor. He was a young Child in humble circumstances. Yet these men recognized what others missed: divine kingship wrapped in human humility. True worship does not depend on appearances; it responds to truth. The wise men worshiped because they understood who Jesus was, not because of where He was born.
The gifts the wise men presented were not random or merely expensive. Each gift carried deep symbolic meaning, pointing to the identity and mission of Christ.
Gold was a gift fit for a king. It symbolized royalty, authority, and sovereignty. By offering gold, the wise men acknowledged Jesus as the rightful King. This fulfilled Old Testament prophecies that Gentile nations would bring tribute to the Messiah (Isaiah 60:6).
Frankincense was used in temple worship. It symbolized prayer, holiness, and divine presence. This gift pointed to Jesus’ deity and priestly role. Though He was a Child, He was also God in the flesh. He was the One who would mediate between God and man.
Myrrh was used for embalming and burial. This gift foreshadowed suffering and death. Even at His birth, Scripture reminds us that Jesus came not only to reign, but to redeem. The cross was already in view. Together, these gifts proclaimed a profound truth: Jesus is King, God, and Savior.
The wise men did not give in order to gain favor. They gave because worship naturally leads to sacrifice. When they opened their treasures, they were offering their best in response to God’s greatest gift. This challenges modern ideas of worship that are often passive or convenience-based. True worship costs something. It involves surrender, humility, and generosity. The wise men teach us that encountering Christ rightly leads us to lay our treasures at His feet. The wise men stand as a model for all who seek Christ. They followed God’s revelation, obeyed despite obstacles, worshiped without hesitation, and gave without reservation. They recognized that Jesus was worthy of both their reverence and their riches.
In contrast, others in the story had proximity to truth but no response. The wise men remind us that knowledge alone is not enough. What matters is how we respond when we encounter Christ.
The wise men gave gifts and worshiped Jesus because they recognized who He truly was. Their worship declared His worth. Their gifts declared His identity. And their journey declared their faith.
Today, the question remains the same: when we come to Jesus, do we come merely to observe—or to worship and give Him our very best?