Matthew 2:1 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, 2 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. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
This passage of scripture describes for us the utter surprise that obtained when the wise men from the east came inquiring about the birth of Christ. The reason why the scripture says they were "Troubled" is because they were not expecting Him, a scenario that defies logic, since the chosen people had at their disposal, all of the prophecies and inside information pointing to the time when Christ should be born. The prophecy of Daniel was very specific in this regard, so that any diligent student of the scriptures, having basic skills in elementary mathematics, could have arrived at the same conclusion which drove the wise men from the east to come at a specific time, with the expectation that Christ should be born. This particular prophecy was explained very clearly by the angel Gabriel, so that no sincere seeker for truth would be left in any doubt. Let's read:
Daniel 7:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins" ... "and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks" .... 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" .....
The beginning point of the prophecy is clearly stated by the angel Gabriel, so that the calculation of the coming years could not be that difficult to ascertain; and therefore the question that needs to be addressed is, why then did the Jews not know of His birth, while strangers from another land were apparently well-informed on the very same matter? One of the answers to this and similar questions have a lot to do with the habit of the masses leaving the interpretation and study of the scriptures to religious leaders, instead of each person searching the word of God diligently for themselves. This practice opens up the door for unfaithful clergy to put their own spin on the interpretation of events and prophecy, which is then often fed to the masses of people in a generic manner.
What is striking about the first coming of Christ is that not even the priest who dedicated Him knew what was really transpiring, for he saw in the lowly parentage and humble beginnings of the one being dedicated, only a regular person with no exceptional significance whatever. As a matter of fact he was probably surprised when Simeon, and Anna the prophetess came into the sanctuary and started uttering prophecies and blessings upon Christ and Mary, and instead of inquiring about what was taking place, he probably dismissed the whole episode as a locally brewed hype, that would fade with the conclusion of the brief ceremony. Let's read:
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess" .... 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
In our day when we seem to lack the time to do any significant research about the things which pertain to our eternal destiny, we need to remember that history always repeats itself, and thus we should be careful lest the same surprise that was manifested at the first coming of Christ, be repeated at His second coming. The prospect of this scenario occurring once more is very real, hence the reason why the last passage of scripture we will read, cautions us not to be spiritually asleep, lest coming suddenly as in ages past, we are caught off-guard. Let's read:
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man" .... 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!