The story of the wise men, also known as the Magi, is found only in Matthew 2:1-12. The Bible does not specify the exact number of Magi that came to see Jesus, simply stating that wise men came from the east. Most assume there were three because of the three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, the number of wise men is not essential to the story.
Here is what the Bible reveals about the Magi:
- They were “wise men from the east” (Matthew 2:1). Traditionally called the “three kings,” they were likely astrologers and/or astronomers from Persia, Babylon or Arabia.
- The Magi told King Herod that they saw Jesus’ star “in the east” and had come to worship Him (Matthew 2:2). They associate the star with the King of the Jews.
- Herod, greatly disturbed, asked the scribes where the Messiah would be born according to prophecy. They said in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:3-6; Micah 5:2).
- Herod secretly sent the wise men to report back after they found Jesus so he could also “worship” Him (Matthew 2:7-8). Of course, Herod did not want to worship Him but to kill Him.
- The wise men followed the star from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, where it stopped over the place where Jesus was (Matthew 2:9-10). God supernaturally revealed the exact house to the Magi.
- They rejoiced when they saw the star and found the Christ child. They worshipped Him and gave Him treasures – gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11).
- The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home another way (Matthew 2:12).
This brief biblical account leaves many unanswered questions, which has led to extra-biblical legends and traditions over the centuries:
- The Magi’s names – By the 8th century, they are given the names Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
- Their number – Though early church fathers suggested up to 12 wise men, tradition settled on three, probably because of the three gifts.
- Their origin – Likely Persia or South Arabia. Many believe they were descended from the prophet Daniel.
- The star they saw – Some believe it was a rare alignment of planets, a supernova, a comet, etc. But it seems rather to have been a special revelatory act of God.
- The gifts they brought – Gold representing Christ’s kingship, frankincense a symbol of deity, and myrrh used to anoint the dead, signifying His suffering and death.
- Their remains – Tradition says their remains were discovered in Persia and later transferred to Europe’s great cathedrals.
Various other extra-biblical traditions emerged about the Magi over the centuries, including their clothing style, races, facial hair, ages, servants and more. But the Bible gives very few details.
So what biblical truths can we glean about the Magi?
1. The wise men were truth seekers
The Magi were not Jews but Gentiles. They were not part of the chosen people, yet they sought out the Messiah. The Bible paints them as philosophers and astronomers who studied the heavens for guidance and truth. According to the historian Herodotus, the Magi were a priestly class of nobles and advisers in the Medo-Persian empire. Other ancient historians describe them as interpreters of omens and dreams. The Bible depicts them as upright men seeking a king, the King of the Jews.
Matthew 2:1-2 (ESV) – Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
The Magi sought truth through philosophy, astrology and other means available to them. While the Bible warns against astrology, God used the Magi’s existing beliefs to draw them to Himself. He does the same with us today, meeting us where we are.
2. The Magi were unsatisfied with the status quo
The Magi were not content with just studying the heavens or serving in their prestigious, comfortable roles as royal advisers. When they discovered the star indicating a new king was born, they embarked on a long, difficult journey to find Him. They left their homes and risked Herod’s wrath to meet this king themselves.
The Magi could have ignored the star. They could have reasoned that they already had their own religion, wisdom and duties to fulfill. But when they heard God’s revelation, it drew them to seek Him at any cost. The Magi were not complacent but willing to embrace God’s unexpected work in their lives.
3. The wise men sought Jesus humbly
The learned, noble Magi did not come before Jesus with pride or a sense of superiority. When they found the true King, they humbly worshipped Him in awe. They gave Him their best gifts. The Magi recognized Jesus as King even though He came as a lowly child, not a royal ruler. God opened their spiritual eyes to see and worship Christ.
Matthew 2:10-11 (ESV) – When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
The Magi set an example of seeking Jesus with humble faith, not self-importance. They fell in worship before a poor child, not a royal throne.
4. Their search was divinely ordained
God sovereignly led the Magi to Jesus through the star, just as he led the shepherds through the angelic host. The Magi did not haphazardly decide to follow a star. God intentionally drew them by His revelation as part of His divine plan.
Matthew 2:12 (ESV) – And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
God also protected the Magi, warning them in a dream not to return to Herod. The Lord sovereignly ordained their journey to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. And afterward, He directed them home safely by a new route.
5. The wise men were unlikely recipients of God’s grace
As Gentiles, the Magi were outsiders to the covenant between God and Israel. Under the Old Covenant, Gentiles were not privy to the revelation, law and promises given exclusively to Israel. But with Jesus came the dawning of a New Covenant with Israel and greater revelation to the Gentile nations.
The Magi were among the first fruits of God extending His salvation and revelation beyond Israel to the rest of the nations. Paul later called this God’s “mystery” or His plan to redeem both Jews and Gentiles alike (Ephesians 3:2-6). The Magi were unlikely recipients of God’s grace, yet He drew them to the Messiah.
6. They were used by God to bless and protect
God used the Magi to bless Jesus’ earthly parents. The gifts they brought likely funded Mary, Joseph and Jesus’ escape to Egypt and sustenance there until Herod died (Matthew 2:13-15). God also used the Magi to protect Jesus by revealing Herod’s murderous intentions to them.
Matthew 2:12 (ESV) – And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
The Magi played a vital role in warning Joseph to flee from Herod to Egypt. Their costly gifts blessed the poor family. And their diligent search was used by God to reveal the Messiah’s birthplace.
7. They returned home transformed
Encountering Jesus profoundly impacted the Magi. After worshipping Him, they did not return to Herod as ordered but obeyed God’s warning in the dream. The Magi encountered genuine wisdom from Christ, not merely their own earthly wisdom or astrology. God awakened them to His revelation.
They returned to their homeland by a new route, transformed by Jesus. The Magi must have recounted their incredible experience many times, spreading the news about the Messiah’s birth. God uses our encounters with Jesus to change our paths and spread the Gospel.
8. The Magi set an example for discipleship
The Magi lived centuries before Jesus called His disciples, yet they modeled elements of true discipleship. Disciples humbly worship Jesus, offer Him their best sacrifices, obey Him even at personal cost, rely on His revelation above all else, spread His fame, and walk in a new way after meeting Him. The Magi did all these things.
Most importantly, the Magi sought Jesus for His sake, not their own. They did not seek Him for wealth, prestige or power like Herod and the Jewish priests. The Magi simply wanted to worship the new King. Even before Jesus’ public ministry, they exemplified sincere seeking after Christ.
9. The Magi were the first fruits of the Gentile harvest
The Magi likely spread the news of Jesus’ birth back in their homeland. Early church fathers claimed the Magi founded churches and some were eventually martyred for Christ. While the Bible does not confirm these traditions, we do know the Magi encountered Jesus as the first Gentile believers and lived to tell about Him.
Jesus’ great commission to reach all nations began with the witness of the Magi back to their own people (Matthew 28:19). In gathering people from every tribe and nation, God often starts with just a few converts like the Magi who multiply His harvest (Romans 1:13).
10. The Magi foreshadowed Jesus’ universal impact
When the Magi appeared to worship Jesus the King of the Jews, it foreshadowed the salvation Jesus would one day bring to all peoples, not only the Jews. The Messiah came through Jewish lineage, yet He did not exclusively minister to the Jews.
Jesus said “many will come from east and west” to experience God’s kingdom while some Jews will be excluded (Matthew 8:10-12). The story of the Magi’s long journey from afar previews the later Gentile missions. It signifies that Jesus’ life and sacrifice impacted humanity globally, beyond nation or race.
We do not know exactly what happened to the Magi after they returned home. But we do know God selected these unlikely foreign truth seekers to play a unique role. As the first Gentiles to worship Jesus, they helped prepare the way for the Gospel to spread across the world.
The Magi remain models of sincerity, diligence, sacrifice and humility before Christ. Like them, we can set aside earthly pursuits to truly worship Jesus, obey His direction, support His work, and testify about Him to others for His glory.