Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the Gospel of Matthew, the wise men from the East visit the young child Jesus with his mother Mary. When they saw him, they fell down and worshiped him, recognizing his divine significance. The gifts they presented – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – were not only tokens of their respect and adoration, but also held symbolic meanings. Gold was a gift fit for a king, symbolizing Jesus' royal status. Frankincense was used in worship, symbolizing Jesus' divinity. Myrrh was used in embalming, foreshadowing Jesus' sacrificial death. These gifts were not just random offerings, but intentional symbols of who Jesus was and what he would do. The visit of the wise men and their gifts affirm Jesus' identity as the prophesied Messiah and king, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. This verse highlights the adoration and recognition of Jesus' significance by people from different backgrounds and regions, emphasizing his universal impact and importance in the world.
Theological Overview
When the wise men arrived at the house where Jesus was, they worshipped him and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The act of worshiping Jesus and offering gifts holds significant theological meaning. The worship of Jesus reflects the acknowledgment of his divine nature and the recognition of his kingship. The presentation of gifts, specifically gold, frankincense, and myrrh, holds both symbolic and practical significance. Gold symbolizes Jesus' royalty and kingship, frankincense symbolizes his divinity and priesthood, while myrrh symbolizes his death and the sacrifice he would make for humanity. The gifts also serve as provisions for Mary and Joseph to sustain themselves during their flight to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. Through this verse, we see the wise men demonstrating homage to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, affirming his identity and purpose as the Savior of the world.
Matthew 2:11 in other translations
American Standard Version
And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
World English Bible
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Douay-Rheims
And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And went into the house, and founde the babe with Mary his mother, and fell downe, and worshipped him, and opened their treasures, and presented vnto him giftes, euen golde, and frankincense, and myrrhe.