Each of them at once gathered together a retinue of servants, as well as troops of horses, camels and dromedaries, all of which were laden with the choicest products of their respective countries. Then they started out in search of the new-born king. They looked up to the star as their guide, for it moved forward as they moved, and they well knew that it had been sent to show them the way. Where the three kings met is not told, but they arrived in Jerusalem together. As soon as they had entered the city gates the star which had guided them disappeared. Now this was in accordance with the will of God,--that on the failure of their starry guide the kings might make inquiries in the capital of Judea, and by these means publish abroad the birth of the Son of God. Hence Herod and the Jews in general could have no excuse for ignoring this great event, and “the care and diligence of the Magi would reprove their negligence and indifference, because having Christ so near them, they did not seek Him, while these strangers came from distant countries for this cause alone.” [Illustration: The Three Kings visit Herod. Painting by Sebastian Conea.] And in fact the three kings, as they rode through the streets of Jerusalem, asked of every one they met: “Where is He who is born King of the Jews? We have seen the star and have lost it.” None could give them any information, for no one in Jerusalem had seen the star. One of the writers who tells this legend pauses to praise the “holy boldness” with which the Magi published a new king in Jerusalem without having fear of Herod who might have been capable of putting them to death for this cause. This writer quotes with approval the words which Saint John Chrysostom later addressed in imagination to the kings. “Tell me, oh good kings, do you not know that whoever proclaims a new king in the life of a reigning king is liable to death, that you do this thing, and thus place yourselves in manifest danger from Herod, who may easily command you to be put to death?” The same writer quotes with similar approval Saint John’s answer to his own question:-- “The faith of these kings was so great and the love they bore to the new-born King so fervent, that even before they had seen Him they were ready to die for love of Him.”[3] The news of how three great kings, with a vast following of servants and beasts of burden had arrived in Jerusalem soon reached the ears of King Herod. He was greatly troubled when he heard that they had come in quest of a new-born King of the Jews, well knowing that the kingdom of Judea did not belong to him by succession or by birth, but that he had received it as a reward from the Romans, who had unjustly taken possession of it. The first thing he did was to call together all the wise and learned men of Jerusalem, and ask them what the prophets had said about the coming of the Messiah, and the place where he would make his first appearance on earth.