Herod was troubled by the prospect of this rival to his dynasty for the scriptures plainly state that the Messiah will reign in Jerusalem over Israel as literally as he did himself. From the scribes he learned that Bethlehem was to be the birthplace of the Messiah according to the prophecy through Micah concerning the one “to be ruler in Israel” Micah 5:2.Waiting for response for Micah 5:2
Many Jews three decades later found it difficult to accept that the Messiah came from Nazareth - a city of Galilee John 1:46,Waiting for response for John 1:46 John 7:52Waiting for response for John 7:52
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It was certainly appropriate that the newborn king should receive gifts from great men, and wise men did come from the east to pay homage. No doubt these men anticipated the birth of the king of Israel from the writings of the prophet Daniel who wrote in their country concerning the time of the Messiah’s coming. They also interpreted an unusual star as a sign that the time had arrived. Naturally, seeking the king of Israel, they went to the palace of King Herod who, at that time under the Romans, reigned in Jerusalem over the Jews.