Unlike the wise men, who travel to Jerusalem following a very general sign of a star, the Jewish leaders are not moved by their more specific knowledge of the Messiah through Scripture to seek Christ. This contrast is further shown in Matthew 3:9, Matthew 8:10–12, Matthew 15:28, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 22:5–10, Matthew 24:14, and Matthew 28:19.
There is a strong contrast between the attitude and actions of the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Gentile wise men. The wise men make the long journey to Jerusalem based on nothing more than the rather obscure sign of the star. The fact that they are willing to undertake this long journey, based solely on the sign of the star, testifies of their tremendous zeal. The Jewish leaders, on the other hand, despite their knowledge of the clear testimony of the prophets, do not seem to be moved at all. This same contrast is found in several places in the Gospel according to Matthew: Matthew 3:9, Matthew 8:10–12, Matthew 15:28, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 22:5–10, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19.1
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: