Who Were the Wise Men? The Mystery of the Magi

The story of the Wise Men (or Magi) is a staple of the Nativity, yet the Bible actually tells us very little about them. Who were they really? Where did they come from? And why did they bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh?

By BibleNow Team | 4-minute read

Executive Summary

The Bible calls them “Magi,” likely scholars from the East, not necessarily kings.
Scripture doesn’t say there were three—only that they brought three gifts.
Their journey points to Jesus as King, Priest, and Savior for all nations.

The Biblical Account

In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 2), we read:

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem..."

Notice what is missing:

It doesn't say there were three of them (we guess three because of the three gifts).
It doesn't say they were kings (Magi were likely astrologers or priests).
They likely arrived when Jesus was a young child, not a newborn baby in a manger.

What We Know (and What We Don’t)

We know they came from “the east,” followed a star, and worshiped Jesus (Matthew 2). We don’t know their exact number, names, or precise homeland. The tradition of “three kings” is a later interpretation, not a biblical claim.

Why Did They Follow the Star?

The Magi were scholars of the stars. They observed a celestial phenomenon that signaled the birth of a Jewish King. Their journey was one of faith and science, traveling hundreds of miles to worship a child they had never seen.

What the Gifts Signify

Gold: Jesus as King
Frankincense: Jesus as Priest (worship)
Myrrh: Jesus as Savior (pointing to suffering and sacrifice)

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Assuming the Bible says “three kings.” It doesn’t—focus on what Scripture actually states.
Placing them at the manger. Matthew suggests they arrived later.
Missing the global meaning. The Magi show Jesus as King for all nations, not just Israel.

Related resources

Conclusion

The Magi story is short but profound: a sign in the sky led outsiders to worship the true King. Hold the mystery with humility, and let the story draw you to Jesus.

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