by Tosha Reeves

Created on: November 12, 2008

Every year around Christmas time nativity scenes abound. They usually consist of the child Jesus, Mary his mother and his step-father Joseph. There are also among them the three so-called Wise Men also known as Three Kings, or Magi bearing gifts for the infant child. Who were these men? Where were they from and how did they know to visit the child Jesus.

The Magi were a priestly caste from the Medo-Persian Empire who professed to interpret dreams and observed the stars to obtain insight foretelling the future of coming major events. In short these men were magic practicing astrologers. The practice of divination is strictly forbidden by God as can be found in Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Popular legend has it that the name of the Magi are Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar. But is this correct? Matthews Gospel is the only book that mentions the Magi at all. It never reveals the names of these men. The Bible does not even mention the number of Magi present when visiting Jesus. Consider what The Catholic Encyclopedia notes: "The Gospel narrative omits to mention the number of the Magi, and there is no certain tradition in this matter. Some Fathers speak of three Magi; they are very likely influenced by the number of gifts." Simply put there is no way to verify neither the number of Magi nor their names. How did these men come to know where Jesus was located and was Jesus really in a manger when they found him?

Well to answer these questions we can consider a few factors straight from the Bible itself. If we consult our Bibles and turn to the book of Matthew chapter 2 verses 1-12 we can read how the astrologers were guided by a star in the sky to King Herod. It was a well know fact that at any moment the foretold King of the Jews was to be expected soon. Upon seeing a star in the sky the Magi must have concluded it was to signify that the child had been born. We can read in verse 2 of chapter 2 that the Magi asked Herod where the child was. Herod in verse 4 and 5 gathered his chief priests and asked where the child was to be born. Why would the star guide them to Herod? This takes some reasoning on our part. Consider Matthew chapter 2 verse 7-9. Herod told the Magi to inform him when they found the child so he could go and give his respects. But really what was the King's Motive? Verse 9-11 mention that once the Magi found Jesus in a house, note it does not say stable, they fell down to give their respects to him. This is the time they gave their gifts to him as well. Verse 12 states that the Magi did not go back to Herod, because of divine warning in a dream, causing him to pour out his rage among the people. Chapter 2 verse 16 says that Herod fell into a great rage and had all boys under the age of two killed. So it is apparent that some time had elapsed for Jesus family was in a house when the Magi visited. Also Herod wanted the have the child killed so he could preserve his households name on the throne. Another question would be who produced the star in the sky. Again we must consult our power of reasoning and the Bible.

Now that we have learned who the Magi were and where they were from we do well to reevaluate the way these men are portrayed. The Bible does not give much information on these men. But we can look at the context of the surrounding scriptures to come to a reasonable and sound conclusion on their whereabouts.

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