Who Were the “Three Wise Men”? Did They Follow the “Star” of Bethlehem?
The Bible’s answer
Contrary to popular Christmas tradition, the Bible does not use the terms “three wise men” or “three kings” to describe the travelers who went to see Jesus after his birth. (Matthew 2:1) Instead, the Gospel writer Matthew used the Greek word ma’goi to describe those who visited Jesus. The word likely refers to experts in Astrology and other occult practices. * A number of Bible translations call them “astrologers” or “magi.” #
How many “wise men” were there?
The Bible does not say, and traditions about their number vary. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Eastern tradition sets the number of Magi at 12, but Western tradition sets their number at three, probably based on the three gifts of ‘gold, frankincense, and myrrh’ (Matthew 2:11) presented to the infant.”
Where the “wise men” kings?
Although in Christmas tradition the visitors are often depicted that way, nowhere does the Bible call them kings. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, that designation was added centuries later as part of the traditions that “embellished the narrative.”
What were the names of the “wise men”?
The Bible does not reveal the names of the astrologers. According to The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, “attempts to name them (e.g., Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) rest upon legends.”
When did the “wise men” visit Jesus?
The astrologers may have visited Jesus a number of months after his birth. This is evident because King Herod, who wanted to have Jesus killed, ordered the slaughter of boys who were two years old and younger. He based that age range on information he had received from the astrologers.—Matthew 2:16.
The astrologers did not visit Jesus on the night of his birth. The Bible says: “When they went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.” (Matthew 2:11) This indicates that the family were by then living in a house and that Jesus was no longer an infant in a manger.—Luke 2:16.
Did God have the “wise men” follow the “star” of Bethlehem?
Some people believe that God sent the so-called star of Bethlehem to guide the astrologers to Jesus. Consider why that cannot be the case.
What appeared to be a star led the astrologers first to Jerusalem. The Bible says: “Astrologers from the East came to Jerusalem, saying: ‘Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when we were in the East, and we have come to do obeisance to him.’”—Matthew 2:1, 2.
King Herod, not the “star,” was the first to direct the astrologers to Bethlehem.
When he heard of a rival “king of the Jews,” Herod investigated where the promised Christ was to be born. (Matthew 2:3-6) On learning that it was to be in Bethlehem, he told the astrologers to go there, look for the child, and report back to him.
Only then did the astrologers go to Bethlehem. The Bible says: “After they had heard the king, they went their way, and look! the star they had seen when they were in the East went ahead of them until it came to a stop above where the young child was.”—Matthew 2:9.
The appearance of the “star” set in motion events that threatened the life of Jesus and resulted in the murder of innocent children. When the astrologers left Bethlehem, God warned them not to return to Herod.—Matthew 2:12.
How did Herod react? The Bible says: “Herod, seeing that he had been outwitted by the astrologers, flew into a great rage, and he sent out and had all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its districts killed, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had carefully ascertained from the astrologers.” (Matthew 2:16) God would not have caused such a wicked thing to be done.—Job 34:10.
# See the New American Standard Bible, The New American Bible, The New English Bible, and the New International Version Study Bible. The King James Version refers to these visitors as “wise men,” but it does not say that there were three of them.
In traditional Christian accounts of the birth of Jesus, it is commonly depicted as three wise men or three kings who visit him after his birth. There is no mention of three shepherds in relation to the visit of the Magi.
There were three wise men along with shepherds in Jesus's birth story. There was also a king
Matthew chapter 2
The shepherds did not give Jesus gifts; it was the wise men (Three Kings) who presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. They offered these gifts as symbols of his royalty, divinity, and eventual sacrifice.
The three wise men, also known as the Magi, were said to have visited baby Jesus first after following a star to Bethlehem. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor and celebrate his birth.
Traditionally, the shepherds were said to visit Jesus on the night of his birth, while the wise men arrived later, possibly up to two years after his birth. However, in the Bible, it is not explicitly specified whether they visited on the same day.
The three kings mentioned in the Bible are Melchior, Gaspar (Caspar), and Balthazar. They are commonly known as the Magi or the Three Wise Men, who visited the baby Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
These stories show Peter's loyalty and his human weaknesses. Despite his initial promise to always follow Jesus, he later denied him three times out of fear. However, Jesus' message to Peter at the Resurrection demonstrates forgiveness, reconciliation, and the opportunity for redemption.
His father and His mother Mary ..
Shepherds saw Him and when He was two or so the wise man or men came to see Him. It says in the beginning of Luke in the Bible
Jesus calms the storm: Jesus and his disciples were on a boat when a fierce storm arose. Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves, calming the sea. This display of power showed the disciples Jesus's authority over nature. Feeding of the 5,000: Jesus miraculously fed a large crowd of 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish. This event demonstrated Jesus's compassion for the hungry and his ability to provide abundantly even in times of scarcity. Walking on water: Jesus walked on water to meet his disciples who were in a boat struggling against the waves. Peter also briefly walked on water towards Jesus before losing faith and sinking. This miracle reinforced Jesus's divine nature and the importance of faith in following Him.
We have no idea what the shepherd's names were. Luke 2:8-20 is the only mention of these characters in the Scripture, and we are not told of their names. Also, you ask what the "three" names were--we are also not told of the number of shepherds who came to visit the Lord Jesus Christ.
the three kings created three kings day when they gave baby jesus presents
The shepherds did not give Jesus gifts. The wise men from the east gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincence, and myrrh. He was about two years old when they came.
The three kings gave Jesus gold, myrrh and frankincense.
The three shepherds who visited Jesus were known as the Magi. They were a group of wise men from the East who had followed a star to Bethlehem. They were believed to be Persian astrologers and were known by the names of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. These three men followed the star and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus. They were the first to recognize Jesus as the King of the Jews and paid homage to Him.
we celebrate the three kings day because the three kings were the ones that bring the gifts to child Jesus
The three kings, also known as the Magi, are said to have brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus as a symbol of royalty, divinity, and mortality. These gifts were significant in their representation of Jesusβs role as a king, a priest, and a savior.
We three kings by jesus
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