The Wise Men
Gentile Gentiles 'from the east' (Matthew 2:1) · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- wise men, Magi
- Role
- Gentile visitors who came to worship the infant Jesus
- When
- c. 6-4 BC
What they did
Following a star, they came to Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews, found the young child with Mary his mother, worshipped him and offered gold, frankincense and myrrh, then returned home another way after being warned in a dream.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
As Gentiles who worshipped the Christ child, they foreshadow the nations coming to the light of Christ. The Bible does not give their number or names.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (KJV)
Bible references
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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. Matthew 2:1-2 (KJV)
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 (KJV)
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Matthew 2:12 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.