The Magi

Of the four Gospels, the Magi are recorded only in Matthew. Magi were Gentile astrologers who studied the stars and ancient texts to seek answers. According to verse 5 and 6 we see that Isaiah is one of the books they studied. What makes the Gospel of Matthew controversial to many orthodox Jews is the fact Matthew appears to be Pro-Gentile and Anti-Semitic. Throughout his gospel, it is the gentiles who believe in Jesus, seek after him, and accept him more than his own people – the Jews.

I digressed, the Magi (which is where we get our word “magic” by the way) were able, through astrology (which is prohibited in the holy writ), to locate Jesus by following an Eastern star that was mobile. The star came to rest above a house where Jesus was staying. From the time of Jesus’s birth until the time the Magi found him, he was two years old. This debunks the nativity scene that the magi were present at the birth of Jesus.

What is interesting are the three gifts the magi brought with them: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although three items were presented, historically the magi traveled in about groups of 12. Therefore, it is highly doubtful that only three were present. Back to the three gifts, whether they were aware or not, the three gifts foretold the life and death of Jesus. The gold represented him as King, the frankincense represented him as Priest, and the myrrh represented his death (myrrh is commonly used at prepare a body for proper burial. Think back to the women who went to the grave to find Jesus after he resurrected.

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