The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV – Easy English)

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Vocabulary to Learn

1. Magi: Wise men or astrologers from the East who studied stars and sought the newborn King.
2. Disturbed: Feeling troubled or upset.
3. Shepherd: One who guides and protects, often used to describe leaders or Jesus.
4. Frankincense: A fragrant resin used in worship and religious ceremonies.
5. Myrrh: A valuable perfume used in anointing and embalming.

Grammar Points

1. Reported Questions

   • “He asked them where the Messiah was to be born.”
   • Used to retell a question in a narrative form.
   • Example: She asked what time the train would arrive.

2. Prepositions Indicating Purpose

   • “We have come to worship him.”
   • Indicates the reason or intent for an action.
   • Example: He went to the store to buy milk.

3. Past Continuous Tense

   • “When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed.”
   • Describes an ongoing action or state in the past.
   • Example: They were studying when I called.