WHO WERE THESE WISE MEN?

“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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him…”

Matthew 2:1-3 ESV

Who were the wise men? How many were there? Where did they come from? Why did they travel to see Jesus? Misconceptions regarding the wisemen have been formed by different influences; from Christmas cards, nativity scenes, ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ episodes, and pageants. Vincent wrote, “Many absurd traditions and guesses respecting these visitors to our Lord’s cradle have found their way into popular belief and into Christian art.” The only verifiable information we have regarding these men comes from scripture.

Wisemen, or Magi, were a priestly line of people. Over time the term Magi has been corrupted. As a result, the term “magician” is derived. Sorcery and Astrology have been associated with the Magi. This group rose to prominence within the Jewish community due to their intuition, wisdom, and knowledge. Stanley Toussaint, in his book, ‘Behold the King’, says this regarding the Magi in Matthews account:

These wise men could be either fraudulent sorcerers or a more honorable class of astrologers. Here they are the latter. “From the east not only specifies their origin but also confirms this view of their calling.” In the east they were looked upon as professionals. It may be that these men became acquainted with the Jewish Scriptures by means of the deportations of Israel to Babylon and to Medo-Persia. The prophecy concerning the star contained in Numbers 24:17 would associate the astrological occurrence with the birth of the Messiah. In addition, the prophecy of Daniel’s seventy weeks in Daniel 9 would cause great anticipation for the coming of the King at this time. It is not without significance David was well known as a “wise man” in the royal courts of Babylon. Since the Magi were astrologers, the sign of the star was highly significant. This with their evident knowledge of some Old Testament prophecies brought them to Jerusalem.

During the time of Matthew 2, tensions ran high among the world’s empires; specifically between the Roman and Parthian Empires. These two empires were violent enemies and Rome had great respect for their enemy’s power. Many magi took advantage of their authority to serve their own greed and pride. It was said they bewitched the people. Philo called these men, “vipers, scorpions, and venomous creatures”, these were the Magi Rome despised. However, the Magi Matthew was referring to in chapter two were men genuinely honorable . The Magi were kingmakers. They were the ruling body for the Parthian Empire.

The Magi were looking for a new king due to problems they had experienced with King Phraades IV, who was their king at the time of Christ’s birth. The Magi were looking for a new king to rise up against Rome. Herod was troubled by the Magi’s arrival into Jerusalem as they rode into town with a large entourage, riding on their steeds, displaying great force asking, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” They were looking for the arrival of a king. The king who has finally come; the one Daniel prophesied (Dan 5:11)

Israel’s spiritual blindness kept them from perceiving the truth of the Magi’s quest for the Christ. “He came into His own but His own received him not.” (John 1:11) The rejection of Jesus Christ dates from His birth. The most Jews were indifferent to the birth of Christ; therefore, the Gentiles were among the first to bow their knees to the Messiah. This is true today, some receive Christ as Savior while most continue to reject him.

The Magi had not come to worship the new King as a result of their own resolve and direction. By God’s sovereignty and providence these wise men were lead to the King through divine revelation in His celestial creation. We serve a God who is “the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.” (Hebrews 13:8) God, through His divine intervention, directs his people to himself just as he did in the with the Magi.