FACTS ABOUT THE MAGI IN THE BIBLE!
11 UNUSUAL FACTS ABOUT THE MAGI IN THE BIBLE
Facts about the magi in the Bible that will intrigue you to learn more about the Christmas story in the scripture.
The Bible is filled with amazing stories of God and people. Some still carry a sort of mystery to them. I believe the Magi in the Bible (or wise men) are one of those stories.
Fact 1 – Magi were Wise Men
Have you ever wondered what is the difference between magi and wise men? The magi were classified as wise men since they understood things beyond the common man. Smith’s Bible Dictionary states,
“The Magi took their places among “the astrologers and star gazers and monthly prognosticators.” It is with such men that, we have to think of Daniel and his fellow exiles as associated.
Fact 2 – The Magi were like the Prophet Daniel
The earliest Greek translation found in scripture for magi is found in Daniel 2:2, 10 where they translated the Hebrew term astrologer into magi (Greek). Daniel the prophet was considered to be a chief astrologer or chief Magi.
Fact 3 – The Magi Were Most Likely Believers in Yahweh and the Coming Messiah
Because of the connection with being astrologers. There are statements made claiming that the Magi were magicians or sorcerers and even involved in the occult. This could be true but the prophet Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were considered magi yet were believers in Yahweh and served Him only. (Check out the book of Daniel for details).
They also didn’t view Jesus as just a newborn King of the Jews, but deity as they bowed down and worshipped him.
Fact 4 – They Came from a Country in the East
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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew doesn’t give an exact location, but what we do know is that the term “magi” has a Persian background. Hence the reference comes from Daniel 2 that is seen in fact #2.
Fact 5 – Their Might Have Been More Than Three Wise Men
Here we go…time to crush our mental image of the three wise men. Technically scripture doesn’t say how many wise men came to visit Jesus.
We traditionally in the west view it as three wise men because three gifts were given to Jesus. This makes a lot of sense. One gift per person to the King of Kings.
But in Eastern tradition, they believe it was 12 magi that showed up. Which, is the number of government in scripture. This also makes a lot of sense.
This would also connect with the theory of the Magi being descendants of the tribe of Levi. They could have represented each tribe of Israel.
Fact 6 – The Gifts Made Jospeh, Mary, and Jesus Wealthy
We know there were three gifts given to Jesus. Gold, Franksines and Myrrh. All three reserved for kings and diety because of their value. So, I highly doubt that these wise men came from a great distance to give a tiny bit of each gift.
They came to worship the King of Kings, who they knew was diety…they knew he was the Messiah. They brought gifts to honor him. They brought them enough that the could escape Herod and travel to Egypt. They had enough to be a foreigner their in Egypt and to come back.
Fact 7 – Herod Feared and Respected the Magi
Herod was the Roman-appointed king of Judaea. He had power and authority. Yet, here come the Magi saying…
“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
ταράσσω tarássō, tar-as’-so; of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate (roil water):—trouble.
To roil water is To make (a liquid) turbulent or muddy or cloudy by stirring up sediment.
Now you would think that the king of Judaea would have said, “You know what last time I checked I WAS KING…I don’t like what these magi are saying…go capture them and kill them.”
I mean it makes sense. The Magi are saying that Herod shouldn’t be king, but that this baby should be. I’m pretty sure kings of the past have cut people’s heads off for far less.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
This truly reveals what kind of man Herod was.
Fact 8 – The Magi Were Not at the Birth of Jesus
Here is another fact to blow up the imagery of the wise men for us. Nowhere does it state that they met Mary and Joseph in the manger at the birth of Jesus.
It states in Matthew 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother…
Looks like they were living in a house, not in a manger.
And these are the facts we know….
Herod wanted to kill all boys ages two and under.
All those beautiful pictures and nativity scenes depicting them there at the birth are probably not as accurate as we have thought.
Fact 9 – The Magi Believed God Spoke in Dreams
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
I love this about the Magi. They believed God spoke through the prophets of old as they studied to see when the Messiah would come, but they also believed God still spoke.
They heeded the warning and left. Interesting enough God then speaks to Joseph in a dream warning him to flee to Egypt.
Fact 10 – In the 3rd Century Is When the Magi Were Considered Kings
Here are some western historical facts about the Magi. These are things we have grown to think of as truth because of tradition. There is just no real scriptural backing to know if it is true.
It was around the 3rd Century when the magi were considered to be kings. Many believe this is because of the interpretation of the fulfillment of prophecy in Psalm 72:10-11
“The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”
Fact 11 – Only the Gospel of Matthew Mentions the Visit of the Magi
Out of 4 gospels, Matthew is the only one that shares the story of the Magi. Even though Matthew is considered to a synoptic gospel, Mark and Luke don’t share the story.
Matthew wrote his gospel for the Jewish people. He goes into detail in the genealogy of Christ…all 41 generations! His goal is to show the Jewish people the Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.
So, the story of the Magi must give some kind of significant meaning to the Jewish people. Most likely to show Jesus fulfilling prophecy at the very start. Also, the Jewish culture could be very familiar with Magi and what they represented in Jewish culture at the time.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this article. I will say I had a ton of fun learning about the magi and it really added an even deeper beauty to the Christmas story. These individuals sacrificed a ton to see Jesus.
Not adult Jesus who was doing miracles, but Jesus as a tiny child…a baby or toddler. It’s beautiful!
Feel free to drop me a comment below! I would love to hear from you.
Facts about the magi in the Bible that will intrigue you to learn more about the Christmas story in the scripture.
The Bible is filled with amazing stories of God and people. Some still carry a sort of mystery to them. I believe the Magi in the Bible (or wise men) are one of those stories.
Fact 1 – Magi were Wise Men
Have you ever wondered what is the difference between magi and wise men? The magi were classified as wise men since they understood things beyond the common man. Smith’s Bible Dictionary states,
“The Magi took their places among “the astrologers and star gazers and monthly prognosticators.” It is with such men that, we have to think of Daniel and his fellow exiles as associated.
Fact 2 – The Magi were like the Prophet Daniel
The earliest Greek translation found in scripture for magi is found in Daniel 2:2, 10 where they translated the Hebrew term astrologer into magi (Greek). Daniel the prophet was considered to be a chief astrologer or chief Magi.
Fact 3 – The Magi Were Most Likely Believers in Yahweh and the Coming Messiah
Because of the connection with being astrologers. There are statements made claiming that the Magi were magicians or sorcerers and even involved in the occult. This could be true but the prophet Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were considered magi yet were believers in Yahweh and served Him only. (Check out the book of Daniel for details).
They also didn’t view Jesus as just a newborn King of the Jews, but deity as they bowed down and worshipped him.
Fact 4 – They Came from a Country in the East
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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew doesn’t give an exact location, but what we do know is that the term “magi” has a Persian background. Hence the reference comes from Daniel 2 that is seen in fact #2.
Fact 5 – Their Might Have Been More Than Three Wise Men
Here we go…time to crush our mental image of the three wise men. Technically scripture doesn’t say how many wise men came to visit Jesus.
We traditionally in the west view it as three wise men because three gifts were given to Jesus. This makes a lot of sense. One gift per person to the King of Kings.
But in Eastern tradition, they believe it was 12 magi that showed up. Which, is the number of government in scripture. This also makes a lot of sense.
This would also connect with the theory of the Magi being descendants of the tribe of Levi. They could have represented each tribe of Israel.
Fact 6 – The Gifts Made Jospeh, Mary, and Jesus Wealthy
We know there were three gifts given to Jesus. Gold, Franksines and Myrrh. All three reserved for kings and diety because of their value. So, I highly doubt that these wise men came from a great distance to give a tiny bit of each gift.
They came to worship the King of Kings, who they knew was diety…they knew he was the Messiah. They brought gifts to honor him. They brought them enough that the could escape Herod and travel to Egypt. They had enough to be a foreigner their in Egypt and to come back.
Fact 7 – Herod Feared and Respected the Magi
Herod was the Roman-appointed king of Judaea. He had power and authority. Yet, here come the Magi saying…
“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
ταράσσω tarássō, tar-as’-so; of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate (roil water):—trouble.
To roil water is To make (a liquid) turbulent or muddy or cloudy by stirring up sediment.
Now you would think that the king of Judaea would have said, “You know what last time I checked I WAS KING…I don’t like what these magi are saying…go capture them and kill them.”
I mean it makes sense. The Magi are saying that Herod shouldn’t be king, but that this baby should be. I’m pretty sure kings of the past have cut people’s heads off for far less.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
This truly reveals what kind of man Herod was.
Fact 8 – The Magi Were Not at the Birth of Jesus
Here is another fact to blow up the imagery of the wise men for us. Nowhere does it state that they met Mary and Joseph in the manger at the birth of Jesus.
It states in Matthew 2:11, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother…
Looks like they were living in a house, not in a manger.
And these are the facts we know….
Herod wanted to kill all boys ages two and under.
All those beautiful pictures and nativity scenes depicting them there at the birth are probably not as accurate as we have thought.
Fact 9 – The Magi Believed God Spoke in Dreams
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
I love this about the Magi. They believed God spoke through the prophets of old as they studied to see when the Messiah would come, but they also believed God still spoke.
They heeded the warning and left. Interesting enough God then speaks to Joseph in a dream warning him to flee to Egypt.
Fact 10 – In the 3rd Century Is When the Magi Were Considered Kings
Here are some western historical facts about the Magi. These are things we have grown to think of as truth because of tradition. There is just no real scriptural backing to know if it is true.
It was around the 3rd Century when the magi were considered to be kings. Many believe this is because of the interpretation of the fulfillment of prophecy in Psalm 72:10-11
“The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”
Fact 11 – Only the Gospel of Matthew Mentions the Visit of the Magi
Out of 4 gospels, Matthew is the only one that shares the story of the Magi. Even though Matthew is considered to a synoptic gospel, Mark and Luke don’t share the story.
Matthew wrote his gospel for the Jewish people. He goes into detail in the genealogy of Christ…all 41 generations! His goal is to show the Jewish people the Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.
So, the story of the Magi must give some kind of significant meaning to the Jewish people. Most likely to show Jesus fulfilling prophecy at the very start. Also, the Jewish culture could be very familiar with Magi and what they represented in Jewish culture at the time.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this article. I will say I had a ton of fun learning about the magi and it really added an even deeper beauty to the Christmas story. These individuals sacrificed a ton to see Jesus.
Not adult Jesus who was doing miracles, but Jesus as a tiny child…a baby or toddler. It’s beautiful!
Feel free to drop me a comment below! I would love to hear from you.
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