Appearing only once in the story of Jesus' birth, the wise men from the East made a lasting impression in the Christian imagination.
ByJean-Pierre Isbouts
Published December 24, 2018
• 5 min read
National Geographic explores notable biblical figures in our ongoing series People in the Bible, as part of our coverage of the history of the Bible and the search for sacred texts.
Many Christmas carols make mention of the three kings, who follow a star and come to pay homage to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. In the Bible, they are not called kings, and their number is not specified—instead they are “wise men from the East.” At many courts in the east, including ancient Babylon and Persia, learned astrologers often served as priestly advisers, practiced in the art of magic. In the centuries since, the three magi have been interpreted as kings.
According to the Book of Matthew, a bright star led the magi from the east until it stopped “over the place where the child was,” and “upon entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Matthew 1:24).
The magi knelt down for the baby Jesus and “offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Their gifts are possibly an allusion to Isaiah’s vision of nations rendering tribute to Jerusalem: “A multitude of camels shall cover you. they shall bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Matthew 2:11, Isaiah 60:6). (Learn the difference between Arabian Camels and Bactrian Camels.)
King Herod had heard rumors of the birth of a new “king” and jealously sought out the baby. In the Book of Matthew, the magi stopped at Herod’s palace on their way to Bethlehem, and the king asked them to let him know where this newborn babe was, so that “I may also go and pay him homage.” But the magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and so they left for their own country by another road” and were never heard from again (Matthew 2:12).
Building a backstory
Later tellings of the story identified the magi by name and identified their lands of origin: Melchior hailed from Persia, Gaspar (also called "Caspar" or "Jaspar") from India, and Balthazar from Arabia. Their gifts had special symbolic meanings as well: gold signified Jesus' status as "King of the Jews;" frankincense represented the infant's divinity and identity as the Son of God; and myrrh touched upon Jesus' mortality. (Learn what archaeology is telling us about the real Jesus.)
Popular depictions of Christmas seem to compress the nativity story, making it appear as though the three kings’ show up in Bethlehem on Christmas, but traditional celebrations put their visit 12 days after Christmas. Called Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, it is the official commemoration of the arrival of the Magi and is one of Christianity’s oldest holidays. Roman Catholics celebrate Epiphany on January 6, and Orthodox Christian faiths celebrate on January 19.
Entries in this series have been adapted from Who's Who in the Bible: Unforgettable People and Timeless Stories from Genesis to Revelation, published by National Geographic Books.
I am an avid scholar of biblical history and religious studies, with a profound interest in the cultural and historical context of biblical narratives. My expertise extends to the figures mentioned in the Bible, and I have delved deep into the intricate details surrounding the events and characters in biblical stories. This article discussing the wise men from the East and their role in the narrative of Jesus' birth is within the purview of my extensive knowledge.
The concept of the wise men, or magi, from the East, as described in the Book of Matthew, is a fascinating aspect of the biblical account of Jesus' birth. Contrary to popular Christmas carol depictions of "three kings," the Bible refers to them as "wise men from the East." The association of these wise men with learned astrologers from ancient Babylon and Persia adds a layer of historical and cultural significance to the narrative.
The magi's journey guided by a bright star, leading them to the place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, is a pivotal moment in the biblical story. Their act of kneeling down to pay homage and presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh is a symbolic gesture with roots in both biblical prophecy and cultural practices of the time.
The mention of the magi's gifts as an allusion to Isaiah's vision of nations rendering tribute to Jerusalem adds depth to the interpretation. Gold symbolizing Jesus' status as the "King of the Jews," frankincense representing the infant's divinity and identity as the Son of God, and myrrh touching upon Jesus' mortality, are nuanced elements that reflect the intricate layers of meaning embedded in the biblical narrative.
The encounter with King Herod, who sought information about the newborn "king" out of jealousy, adds a political dimension to the story. The magi's decision to avoid Herod after being warned in a dream contributes to the mysterious and enigmatic nature of their role in the narrative.
Later retellings of the story, which identify the magi by name—Melchior, Gaspar (Caspar or Jaspar), and Balthazar—and specify their lands of origin as Persia, India, and Arabia, respectively, showcase the evolution of the narrative over time. The symbolic meanings attributed to their gifts and the association of the magi with specific regions further enrich the cultural tapestry of the biblical account.
Moreover, the article highlights the discrepancy between popular depictions of the magi visiting Bethlehem on Christmas and the traditional celebration of their visit 12 days after Christmas, known as Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This detail underscores the historical and cultural variations in the interpretation and commemoration of biblical events within different Christian traditions.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of biblical history, cultural contexts, and religious studies allows me to appreciate the multifaceted layers of meaning embedded in the narrative of the wise men from the East, as presented in the article.
