Matthew 3
Intro: Joseph, being warned in a dream, flees to Egypt -- John's mission -- He baptizeth Jesus.
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is the child that is born, the Messiah of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard of the child, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests, and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, saying, Where is the place that is written of by the prophets, in which Christ should be born? For he greatly feared, yet he believed not the prophets.
5 And they said unto him, It is written by the prophets, that he should be born in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus have they said,
6 The word of the Lord came unto us, saying, And thou Bethlehem, which lieth in the land of Judea, in thee shall be born a prince, which art not the least among the princes of Judea; for out of thee shall come the Messiah, who shall save my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had called the wise men privily, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found the child, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.