Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 2:11

"And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." — Matthew 2:11 (ASV)

The house. The place where he was born, or the place where they lived at that time.

Fell down. This was the usual way of showing respect or homage among the Jews, Esther 8:3; Job 1:20; Daniel 3:7; Psalms 72:11; Isaiah 46:6.

Worshipped him. Did him homage as King of the Jews. See Barnes on Matthew 2:2.

Had opened their treasures. The treasures which they had brought, or the boxes, etc., in which they had brought their gold, etc.

They presented to him gifts. These were presented to him as King of the Jews, because they supposed he was to be a distinguished prince and conqueror. It was customary at the birth of a prince to show respect for him by giving him presents or offerings of this kind. This custom is still common in the East, and it is generally unusual there to approach a person of distinguished rank without a valuable present. See Genesis 23:14; Genesis 43:11; 1 Samuel 10:27; 1 Kings 10:2; Psalms 72:10–15.

Frankincense. This was a production of Arabia. It was a white resin or gum. It was obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It was highly odoriferous or fragrant when burned, and was, therefore, used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. See Exodus 30:8; Leviticus 16:12. It is also produced in the East Indies, but chiefly in Arabia; and thus, it has been considered probable that the wise men came from Arabia.

Myrrh. This was also a production of Arabia and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. The name denotes bitterness and was given to it on account of its great bitterness. It was used chiefly in embalming the dead because it had the property of preserving them from putrefaction. Compare John 19:39. It was much used in Egypt and in Judea. It was obtained from a thorny tree, which grows eight or nine feet high. It was at an early period an article of commerce (Genesis 37:25), and was an ingredient of the holy ointment, Exodus 30:23. It was also used as an agreeable perfume, Esther 2:12; Psalms 45:8; Proverbs 7:17.

It was also sometimes mixed with wine to form a drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior, when about to be crucified, as a stupefying potion, Mark 15:23. Compare Matthew 27:34.

These offerings were made because they were the most valuable that their country produced. They were tokens of respect and homage that they paid to the newborn King of the Jews. They showed their high regard for him and their belief that he was to be an illustrious prince; and the fact that their deed is recorded with approval shows us that we should offer our most valuable possessions, our all, to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wise men came from far to do him homage, and bowed down and presented their best gifts and offerings. It is right that we also give to him our hearts, our property, our all.