This time of year, many Christians all over the world remember the birth of Jesus Christ. The story is retold in a variety of ways.  There are sermons, nativity scenes, plays, songs, etc.  One of the elements associated with this story is the record of the “wise men” from the Gospel of Matthew.  

Some of what you read in this article does not agree with some traditions. I invite you to take the time to consider this exciting information. The Scriptures rightly understood give us the truth and traditions must always take a back seat to the Word of God.

Where Did They Come From?

The only account of the “wise men” coming to Bethlehem in the Bible is recorded in the gospel of Matthew. (That record is printed in full at the end of this article.)

The Bible says that they came from the “East.”  This would indicate the area of Persia. The “wise men” are also referred to in some circles as, “The Three Kings.” In this article I am using the word “Magi” instead of “wise men.”  

In the gospel of Matthew, the words “wise men” are from one Greek word, “magos.”  This is the name given by the Babylonians (Chaldeans), Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers etc.”

There are many who regard this word as having its origins in Babylon.  That is very interesting because in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, this word, “magos,” is found in the book of Daniel, where it is translated “magicians.”

Some scholars have concluded from studying ancient records that the earliest Magi lived in the Persia area.  They were a religious sect predating Zoroaster, who founded the Zoroastrian religion.  The Magi then adopted the Zoroastrian religion and became the priesthood for that religion.