The selected readings of the Epiphany Gospel in the ceremonial year, regardless of the year A, B and C, are all stories of "wise men coming to Korea" described by Ma Dou (Ma 2:1-kloc-0/2). This is a very dramatic story, which can be divided into many different scenes: the wise man came to Jerusalem (1-2), met with Herod (3-6), Herod's instructions (7-8), the guidance of aliens (9- 10), and worshipped the baby (160).
Jewish reaction
When the "astrologers" of the East arrived in Jerusalem, they asked, "Where is the newly born king of the Jews?" This problem not only made Herod uneasy, but also caused a "panic" in the whole city! What Matteo describes here is not the attitude of the masses because they are afraid of Herod, but the "manifestation of divinity" (Mal. 14: 26). This reaction shows that all Jews and their kings are opposed to the ideas of these wise men from far away.
The savior of the "David family"
On the orders of Herod, the Jewish scribes carefully studied the place where Messiah was born. They quoted the prophet Micaiah as saying clearly that the Messiah sought by the wise should have been born in Bethlehem, Judah. Matteo slightly changed the text of Miu 1 and added the scripture "He will feed my people Israel", so that the baby to be born will be associated with David, to show that Jesus is the savior expected by the people and will come from the "David family".
Herod with malice
Herod told the wise men about the research results of the Jewish scribes and asked them to report back to him when they found the baby. His purpose seems noble, but in fact he has ulterior motives. The dream of Yue Se described in Ma 2: 13 shows that Herod actually wanted to kill the "King of the Jews".
Wise men worship babies.
Astrologers from the East immediately set off for Bethlehem, about 8 kilometers from Jerusalem, after receiving instructions from Herod. The star that led them to Jerusalem appeared again, which made God's guidance visible. The wise men who traveled long distances finally saw what they had been longing for, so they worshipped the baby with joy and presented gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. There are "three pieces" in the gift, which symbolizes the honor given to the emperor, showing that this baby is the "king of peace" that everyone expects (Ixo: 6). In Matteo's mind, these astrologers are the symbols that all people in the world worship God, and they are the foreimages of foreigners who enter the church. 28: 19).
The wise go home
After worshipping the baby, the doctors didn't go back to Herod, because they were instructed in their dreams to go back to their hometown by another way. This special dream once again shows that God guides everything, and the obedient attitude of the wise men is an example for Christians to learn.