Returning by Another Way

Matthew 2:1-12

The Big Idea

God can guide people, and we can respond by obeying wise warnings.

The Bible Story

The Wise Men Visit Jesus

Matthew 2:12 says that after the Magi visited Jesus, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. They obeyed and went back to their country by another way. Matthew does not describe what the dream looked or sounded like, and it does not name the route they took. This moment follows their journey from the east to Jerusalem, their search for the child born king of the Jews, and their visit to Jesus in a house with Mary, his mother. They worshiped Jesus and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The passage identifies them as Magi from the east, but it does not state their number or names. This account is from Matthew 2:1–12.

Themes

God’s guidance Jesus as king Obedience to warning Seeking Jesus Worship

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the Magi obey and go back to their country by another way.

Talk together

Talk about it

What did the Magi do after the dream warned them?
How can we obey a wise warning?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to discuss the Magi’s obedience and God’s guidance. Keep the dream’s contents unknown, and avoid adding a named route, camels, a specific number of Magi, danger, violence, or later events. It works well for family reading, Sunday school, classroom discussion, or homeschool Bible study.

Source note