Matthew’s account of the arrival of the Magi is intriguing in many ways. For some, it has almost become part of the “once upon a time” character of the nativity story. But these were real historical figures whom we are certain to meet in heaven when that will have become our mutual eternal home. And this was a real historical event which was at the heart of the gospel itself. Matthew is the only one who chose (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to include these Magi in the narrative. His is the Gospel written especially for the Jews, so how marvelous to read how he chose to tell them that the birth of their King was welcomed by these influential men (though probably not kings) from the East, and how they bowed down before Him to worship Him.
We often ask questions about the Magi that the Bible doesn’t answer. Who exactly were they? What was their home country? How did they know about this? Were they astrologists? What was this star? Did it actually move? How did they travel 800 miles across the desert? Were they riding on camels, wearing robes and turbans, balancing gift containers on their laps? How did their “escape” evade Herod’s spies, and why didn’t he send soldiers to chase them down? Obviously we do not need to know the answers to those questions, because the Holy Spirit has not chosen to provide such details. Our focus needs to be on the Spirit’s intent. As Alistair Begg has said, in places like this in the Bible “the main things are the plain things.”