Matthew 2:1 says, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,  Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  We know that Mary and Joseph were there due to the census to be used for taxation purposes.  This was also the fulfillment of a prophecy.  God can even use ungodly governments to accomplish His purposes.  We are told that wise men came from the east seeking Jesus.  We are not told how many, nor are we given their names.  We normally say three wise men because later three gifts were given, but we cannot state this as a certainty.  We simply need to allow God's word to say what it says without adding to it.  Verse three states, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  These wise men were seeking the One Who was born the king of the Jews.  We are not told when they came, but the star they were following led them to Jerusalem.  Going to those in power in the government was the wrong thing to do, since Jesus did not come to be an earthly King, but a heavenly King.  If we are truly seeking Jesus, God will lead us to where He is.  It is even more than that.  God will seek us and call us to salvation through Christ.  Verse three states, When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  Instead of rejoicing at the news that the wise men shared, we are told that King Herod was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him.  In those days, and some places in the world today, if the ruler is troubled, then because they are under his power all the people are troubled also because they do not know what he is likely to do.  Verse four states, And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  King Herod brought the religious leaders to himself for answers.  He didn't just request an answer, but he demanded one.  We might think that God would have sent an angel to the high priest, but instead He sent an angel to a group of shepherds.  God has often had to work outside the established religious order to accomplish His will because the religious order, or leaders, have become corrupt.  Verse five states, And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,  The chief priests and scribes knew where the event was to happen, Bethlehem, but they did not know that it had happened, nor did they go to find out.  That is the problem with religion based on ritual rather than relationship.  A person may know the Bible backward and forward as the saying goes, but still not have a personal relationship with God.  Verse six says, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.  This was what had been prophesied.  There wasn't just a checklist of prophecies that had to be checked off, but all the prophesies about Jesus were fulfilled.  Verse seven declares, Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  Herod asked the wise men privately when the star appeared.  We can assume that the chief priests and scribes were not that interested.  Herod was not interested so he could go worship Jesus, but so he could destroy Him.  When God's people aren't interested in worshipping Christ, we can be sure that the world is intent on destroying His gospel.  Verse eight states, And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.  Herod lied to the wise men about his intentions.  Many people in power today are not reluctant to lie to God's people about their reasons for wanting their support.  Hopefully, unlike the chief priests and scribes we will look beyond their words and look to God for understanding.  We must have a desire to always seek the will of God first, and never aid those who would destroy God's word or teachings..