Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - January, 2005

Bible Study - Matthew Chapter 2
Commentary: Verse 11

...and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

First when “they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”

Second “Then they opened their treasures and presented to him gifts, gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.”

In those times only kings were presented with incense and myrrh. The Maggie believed that the baby born was a King and Messiah, that they were expecting. One can visit a King only with presents.

This should be model for believers. God does not expect any submission without self-submitting to the Lord. It was eastern tradition that one could visit the King only with presents. (Exodus 43:11, Samuel 10:27, 1 Kings 10:2). At that time kings were adorned with gold--this gift signifies His Kingship. Frankincense was used in the prayers. The Fathers have multiple symbolic meanings in the three gifts; this signifies He is God. Myrrh was used to apply to a dead body, signifing His humanity and suffering. It is said that they saw the dream in which Herod seen as one with his sword raised up to strike. It is also said that St. Thomas met theses Magi in Persia when he was preaching the Gospel and he baptized them. Further they helped the saint in spreading the Gospel.