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.
Christ lay in a condition meaner than any peasant child, yet these men rendered Him royal honors because they held it certain, deeply rooted in their minds, that God had appointed Him King. They contemplated His exalted rank in the counsel of God, hidden from outward view. The gifts were the choicest productions of their country, brought as is customary among Persians when rendering homage to kings; I see no solid ground for the fanciful notion that gold signifies His kingdom, frankincense His priesthood, and myrrh His burial.
AI summary
These wise men came so far to worship Christ, yet the Jews themselves would not stir a step to bid Him welcome. It might well have discouraged them to find Him thus neglected at home. But note this: we must continue attendance upon Christ though we be alone in it. Whatever others do, we must serve the Lord; if they will not go to heaven with us, we must not go to hell with them.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 2:9-12
They entered the house without inquiry, assured by the star standing over it that this was where the King of the Jews dwelt. Joseph was perhaps not at home, ordered away by God's providence so these men should see only the mother of Christ, who had no earthly father as man. The Magi fell down and worshiped Him as a king, giving the civil honor their custom rendered to princes, and offered gifts as was usual among Eastern nations when addressing their kings and great persons.
AI summary