Magi
“Wise men or priests”
Summary
The Magi were wise men from the East who followed a star to Jerusalem and Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
☩The Term 'Magi'
The Greek word μάγοι, translated 'wise men' in Matthew 2, originally designated a priestly caste among the Medes and Persians. These priests were devoted to astronomy, astrology, and the interpretation of dreams. The term appears in the Old Testament in connection with the Babylonian court, where the 'Rab-mag' (chief of the magi) held an important position. While the word later came to denote practitioners of magic arts in a negative sense—as with Simon Magus and Elymas in Acts—Matthew uses the term in its more honorable meaning of Eastern sages devoted to the study of nature and divine matters. Philo described such men as those 'who gave themselves to the study of nature and contemplation of the divine perfections, worthy of being counselors of kings.'
☩The Visit to Bethlehem
Matthew's Gospel alone records the visit of these Eastern sages to the infant Jesus. They came to Jerusalem asking, 'Where is He that is born King of the Jews?' having seen his star in the East. Though the exact country of their origin is unspecified—with suggestions ranging from Persia to Arabia to Babylon—they were clearly Gentiles familiar with Jewish messianic expectations. The prophecy of Balaam concerning a star arising from Jacob may have been known to them through the Jewish diaspora or through Daniel's influence among the Babylonian wise men. After inquiring of Herod, they were directed to Bethlehem based on the prophecy of Micah. The star then guided them to the house where the child was, and they worshiped him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
☩Significance
The visit of the Magi carries profound theological meaning. God raised up testimony from among the Gentiles to the birth of the Messiah, even while Jerusalem and its religious leaders remained troubled and indifferent. The gifts they presented have traditionally been understood symbolically: gold for his kingship, frankincense for his deity, and myrrh anticipating his sacrificial death. Warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way, frustrating Herod's murderous designs. Later tradition embellished the account, ascribing names to the Magi—Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—and describing them as three kings representing Europe, Asia, and Africa, though Scripture provides no such details.
Related Verses1 mention
Matthew· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Magi," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Magi," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.George Morrish, "Magi," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Magi," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).