Herod in Jerusalem impatiently awaited the return of the wise men. As time passed, and they did not appear, his suspicions were roused. The unwillingness of the rabbis to point out the Messiah's birthplace seemed to indicate that they had penetrated his design, and that the magi had purposely avoided him. He was maddened at the thought. Craft had failed, but there was left the resort to force. He would make an example of this child-king. Those haughty Jews should see what they might expect in their attempts to place a monarch on the throne.

Vismændene havde været blandt de første, der bød Frelseren velkommen. Deres gave var den første, der blev lagt for hans fødder. Og hvilken forrettighed modtog de ikke selv gennem denne gave! Det fryder Gud at ære den offergave, der gives med et kærligt sind, og han giver den de største muligheder for at bruges i hans tjeneste. Hvis vi har givet Jesus vort hjerte, skal vi også bringe ham vore gaver. Vort guld og vort sølv, vore dyrebareste jordiske ejendele, vore største sjælelige og åndelige evner bør i fuldt mål vies til ham, som elskede os og gav sig selv hen for os.