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Epiphany Season · Year A

Epiphany of the Lord

Some years Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday falling between January 2nd and 8th · January 6, 2026

Triptych of the Adoration of the Magi, Hieronymus Bosch
Triptych of the Adoration of the Magi, Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1495Museo del Prado, Madrid
A conventional adoration in the centre, surrounded by Bosch's usual strangeness: a half-naked figure watching from the stable doorway whom scholars have argued about for a century.It is Matthew 2, with the visitors and the gifts, and with something off to the side that the gospel does not account for.Hieronymus BoschA Netherlandish painter of demons, hybrids and exact human cruelty, whose work was collected by Philip II and has never been fully explained.Museo del Prado, MadridSpain's national collection, formed from what the Spanish crown had bought over three centuries, which is why its Titians and Rubenses are unmatched.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 2:1-12Mt 2:1-12
Second ReadingEph. 3:2-3a, 5-6Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6
First ReadingIsa. 60:1-6Is 60:1-6
Responsorial PsalmPs. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Overview & Insights

“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Matthew contrasts Jesus’ identity as the Messiah—the true King who enacts Israel’s return from exile—with Rome’s client-king, Herod, affirming Jesus’ identity through Old Testament testimony, God’s protection, and worship of Jesus by the Gentile magi.

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Take it further: Matthew 2:1-12

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12Commentary on Mt 2:1-12 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on how the Magi's journey reframes Epiphany as revelation reaching outward to the nations.

Matthew 2:1-12 CommentaryMt 2:1-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Herod's fear set against the Magi's joyful worship of the infant king.

Matthew 2 CommentaryMt 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse exposition of the Magi's visit and Herod's murderous response.

Matthew 2:1 CommentariesMt 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on the star's rising and the Magi's search for the newborn king.

Matthew 2 - Barnes' NotesMt 2 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes verse by verse on the Magi's journey and Herod's deceit.

Matthew 2 CommentaryMt 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on the star and the Magi's worship.

The Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre's Catholic exegesis of the Magi as the first Gentiles to worship Israel's king.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 2:1 InterlinearMt 2:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for magi, star, and homage.

Matthew 1-13 OverviewMt 1-13 Overview BibleProject

Animated literary overview of Matthew's opening chapters, tracing how the Gentile Magi foreshadow the gospel's reach.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 2 - Catena Bible & CommentariesMt 2 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment chained verse by verse on the star, the Magi's gifts, and Herod's rage.

Worship & Prayers

The Epiphany (RCL) The Lectionary Page

Collect and full appointed texts for the Epiphany in the Revised Common Lectionary.

Podcast

Bishop Barron: The Answer to Your Deepest Longing Word on Fire

Bishop Barron preaches this Sunday’s Mass readings, including Matthew 2:1-12.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Curated visual art, hymns, and music indexed to the appointed texts.

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