JW's Am I understanding Matthew 2:7-11 correctly?

Question

That Jesus was presented with the gifts not when he was born but after his birth since he was in a house?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses are certainly not the only Christians to recognize that the "Magi" (or astrologers) did not travel to the manger on the day of Jesus' birth. It was likely months after the birth that the Magi traveled to Jerusalem rather than Bethlehem. Besides entering a house, they saw a "child" rather than a newborn.

(Matthew 2:11) And when they went into the house they saw the young child with Mary its mother, and, falling down, they did obeisance to it. They also opened their treasures and presented it with gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.


Interestingly, there is absolutely no evidence that there were three Magi. "Catholic Encyclopedia" actually notes that various works of art depict two or three or four or eight or even twelve Magi visiting Jesus and Mary.
[quote]
“The Gospel narrative omits to mention the number of the Magi, and there is no certain tradition in this matter. Some Fathers speak of three Magi; they are very likely influenced by the number of gifts.”
[unquote]

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20001215/

Answer 2

Correct. Jesus was two or under.

Mat 2:16 "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men."

Matthew in the KJV says “the young child”, Mt.2:8,9. Some translations word it, “the toddler”. The Greek uses two different words for when the shepherds visited Christ, and for when the wise men visited Christ. The shepherds saw the “babe”, in Luke 2:12, 16.

Strong’s Concordance lists the Greek word as 1025 (brephos), which Thayer’s defines as “an infant.” The wise men saw the “child”, in Mt.2:8,9. Strong’s Concordance lists the Greek word as entry # 3813 (paidion), which Thayer’s defines as “a young child, of a (male) child recently born.”

Herod enquired of the wise men as to what time the star appeared in the East, (Mt. 2:7), and later destroyed all male children in Bethlehem and surrounding area that were 2 years old and under, based on the information that the wise men had given him regarding the appearance of the star. Mt.2:16

Answer 3

I am not a JW but Jesus did not receive the gifts until he was about two years old.

Answer 4

In those days it took a long time to get from one place to another, because they had to walk every where.
Matthew 2:1 says "After Jesus had been born in Beth′le·hem of Ju·de′a in the days of Herod the king, look! astrologers (Magi = magic practicing priests) from eastern parts came to Jerusalem."
These magi went to Herod because they had seen a star in the sky, Herod sent them to find Jesus in order to kill him. But in verse 12 it says - "However, because they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another way."

Answer 5

Jesus was no longer in the stable where he was visited by shephards. It was about 2 years later when the astrologers visited him in a house. Matt. 2:11 says: "And when they went into the house they saw the young child with Mary its mother, and, falling down, they did obeisance to it."

Answer 6

Am not a JW, but Jesus is believed to be about 2yo when the wise men visited.

Edit:
PS I did not copy Mel's answer! Just not as quick as she was.

Answer 7

Yes Skyler, he was Not an Infant in a Manger. Apart from that there is NO evidence that there were Only 3 Men.

Answer 8

If he born in an stable and when they went to him they were in a house what deductions you get from that?

Answer 9

Jesus was about 2 when the gifts came and they weren't given by Astrologers. That is Witness myth.