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Epiphany · The Epiphany of Our Lord · Year A

Matthew 2:1-12

The Visit of the Magi

January 6, 2026

The Adoration of the Magi, Gerard David
The Adoration of the Magi, Gerard David, c. 1520The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Under a ruined arch Mary holds the child on her lap while the oldest king kneels before him, the others wait behind with their gifts, and a road winds away into the hills.When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy … they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Gerard DavidThe leading painter of Bruges around 1500, known for still, devout scenes and clear, deep landscapes.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one of the largest art museums in the world.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 2:1-12Mt 2:1-12
EpistleEph. 3:1-12Eph 3:1-12
Old TestamentIsa. 60:1-6Is 60:1-6
PsalterPs. 72:1-11 (12-15)Ps 72:1-11 (12-15)

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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Commentary

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

The Lutheran anchor voice, weighing how Epiphany gets flattened into a children's pageant.

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

A Reformed homiletical read on the political danger the magi's question poses to Herod.

Matthew 2 CommentaryMt 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the star, the magi, and the flight to Egypt.

Matthew 2:1 CommentariesMt 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub

A one-stop aggregator of classic public-domain commentaries on the chapter.

Matthew 2 (Barnes' Notes)Mt 2 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Barnes' plain-sense notes give historical grounding for the magi and Herod's court.

Matthew 2:1 InterlinearMt 2:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text word by word for anyone checking the magi's exact wording.

A New Story, Feast of Epiphany Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

An Anglican preacher reads Epiphany as an invitation into a new story.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 1-13 VideoMt 1-13 Video BibleProject

A visual walkthrough of Matthew's structure through chapter 13.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 2 CatenaMt 2 Catena Catena

Patristic comment on the chapter collected verse by verse.

Sermons & Reflections

An Ordinary Epiphany The Christian Century

An essay reading Isaiah 60 and Matthew 2 together as an unassuming Epiphany.

Podcast

#701: Day of Epiphany Working Preacher

Luther Seminary faculty talk through all four Day of Epiphany texts.

Art & Music

Epiphany of the Lord, Year C Vanderbilt

Curated art keyed to this exact set of readings.

Study Hub

Matthew 2:1-12Mt 2:1-12 Textweek

A broad link hub for anyone who wants to keep digging beyond this list.

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