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?
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 toddler, not a newborn baby in a manger.
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 improved science, traveling hundreds of miles to worship a child they had never seen.
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