Michael Brooks
The visit of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men, to the infant Jesus is a significant event in the Christian tradition. The story, as narrated in the Gospel of Matthew, recounts the journey of the Magi, guided by a star, to Bethlehem, where they worshipped and offered gifts to the newborn Jesus. The traditional belief of three wise men is based on the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh mentioned in the Gospel. While the exact time of their arrival is not specified, some scholars estimate it to be up to a year and a half after Jesus' birth, as indicated by King Herod's command to kill male children up to two years old. The Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the visit of the Magi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of visit | The exact date is unknown, but it is estimated to be anywhere between 13 days to two years after Jesus' birth |
| Number of wise men | Three, based on the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh |
| Identity | Unknown, but they were likely astrologers or astronomers from the East, possibly of Persian origin |
| Purpose | To worship the infant Jesus, whom they believed to be the Messiah or "King of the Jews" |
| Guidance | Followed a star that led them to Bethlehem, where Jesus was located |
| Reaction of King Herod | Herod attempted to deceive the wise men to learn the location of Jesus and, upon failing, ordered the killing of all male children under the age of two |
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What You'll Learn
The identity of the wise men
The wise men are described as "distinguished foreigners" and gentiles or non-Jews who came to worship Jesus. They were probably not Jewish, and they may have been part of a Persian priesthood. They were men who read and believed God's word, sought Jesus, recognised the worth of Christ, humbled themselves to worship Jesus, and obeyed God.
The wise men are commonly believed to have been three kings, based on the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that they brought, and Christian interpretations of Old Testament prophecies that the messiah would be worshipped by kings. However, the Bible does not state their number, names, origins, or appearances. The wise men are venerated as saints or martyrs in many Christian communities and are the subject of numerous artworks, legends, and customs.
Some sources name the three wise men as Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior.
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The timing of their visit
The timing of the Wise Men's visit to Jesus is a subject of some debate among scholars and theologians. The Gospel of Matthew, the only book in the Bible that mentions the Magi, does not specify the exact time that elapsed between Jesus' birth and their arrival. However, there are several clues and interpretations that provide a range of possible timelines.
One key factor influencing the timing of the Wise Men's visit is the appearance of a star, which they interpreted as signalling the birth of the "King of the Jews". The time required for them to travel to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, would have been significant. St. Augustine argued that the Magi arrived in Bethlehem thirteen days after the Nativity, placing their visit on January 6th according to the current calendar. However, he based this argument on liturgical dates, which may not accurately reflect the historical timeline.
Another factor is the age range of the children that King Herod ordered to be killed after feeling deceived by the Wise Men. Herod's command to kill all male children under the age of two, or possibly under three according to some sources, suggests that the Wise Men's visit occurred within this timeframe. Some scholars interpret this to mean that the Wise Men arrived up to a year and a half to two years after Jesus' birth.
The presentation of Jesus in the Temple is another event that provides context for the timing of the Wise Men's visit. According to Christian tradition, the presentation of the firstborn typically took place about 40 days after birth. It is presumed that the Holy Family returned to Bethlehem after this presentation, and some time after their return, the Magi made their appearance.
In summary, while the exact timing of the Wise Men's visit to Jesus is not definitively established, various interpretations and contextual clues suggest a range of possible timelines. The appearance of the star, the age range specified by Herod's command, and the timing of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple all contribute to our understanding of when the Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem.
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The star of Bethlehem
According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi, or wise men from the East, followed the star to Jerusalem, where they met King Herod of Judea. They asked him, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Herod, troubled by this news, assembled his priests and scribes to inquire about the Messiah's birthplace. They answered that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Herod passed this information to the Magi.
The star then led the Magi to Jesus' birthplace in Bethlehem, where they worshipped him and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men were then given a divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod, so they returned to their country by a different route.
The exact timing of the Magi's visit to Jesus is not specified in the Gospel of Matthew, but some scholars estimate that it could have been up to a year and a half or even two years after Jesus' birth, based on King Herod's command to kill all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem.
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The gifts of the wise men
Gold was a gift for a king, and the most precious metal of that day. It symbolised royalty and was a fitting gift for the King of Kings. Frankincense was used to worship the king. The gift of myrrh was unusual for a baby, as it was a valuable gum-like substance used to embalm the dead. The wise men gave myrrh because they recognised that Jesus, the King of Kings, had been born to die. Myrrh was also used as a narcotic to dull pain.
The number of wise men is not mentioned in the Bible, but Christian tradition holds that there were three, based on the three gifts. The wise men are also often identified as kings, although this is not stated in the Bible either. The identification of the wise men as kings may have developed from Psalm 72, which says, "May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him".
The wise men followed a star to find Jesus, and then "fell down and worshipped him". They were instructed not to return to Herod, but to return to their country by another way. The gifts of the wise men may have been used to fund the Holy Family's life in Egypt, where they fled to escape Herod's plan to kill Jesus.
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The number of wise men
The wise men are mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as "wise men from the East" or "magoi" in the original Greek text, which does not specify a number. The word "magi" is the plural of the Latin "magus" and the Greek "magos", which refers to a caste of priests in Zoroastrianism who paid particular attention to the stars and were highly regarded for their astrological abilities.
The identification of the wise men as kings may have come from a reading of Psalm 72: "May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him". Some scholars and religious figures, such as Pope Benedict XVI, have suggested that the wise men may have been part of a Persian priesthood or something else, and they were likely not Jewish.
The wise men's visit to Jesus is traditionally celebrated during the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, which marks the Adoration by the Magi. However, the interval between Jesus's birth and the visit is not specified in the Bible, and it may have occurred up to two years later, as suggested by Herod's command to kill male children up to two years old.
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Frequently asked questions
The wise men, or the Three Kings, also known as the Magi, visited Jesus when he was a baby, or a child. The exact timing is not known, but it is thought that they arrived up to a year and a half after his birth.
The wise men visited Jesus in Bethlehem.
The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
