A caravan of influential and highly educated gentiles from the Far East showed up in Judea, upsetting the capital, and risking a diplomatic incident, to pay homage to a toddler? Now what could this possibly mean to me?
What History says about the Magi
- They were highly educated men from Media/Persia who were skilled in religion, astrology, and the sciences.
- They were politically influential, and considered by some to be “king-makers.”
What the Old Testament says about the Magi
- The Word appears ten times in the book of Daniel in the Septuagint (LXX) translation. Daniel: 1:20; 2:2; 2:10; 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15;
- The Magi were led by Daniel during the time of the Babylonian and Persian Empires. Daniel 2:48, 4:9, 5:11.
- Daniel had the scriptures. Daniel 9:2.
- Daniel received the prophecy that sets a timeline for the arrival of the Messiah (Jesus). Daniel 9:24-27.
What the New Testament says about the Magi
- They came from the east. Matthew 2:1.
- Their presence and inquiry troubled the king and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3.
- They were summoned by the king. Matthew 2:7.
- The chief priests and the scribes legitimized their search. Matthew 2:5-6; Micah 5:2.
- Their gifts showed their great knowledge of the importance of the Messiah (the Christ). Matthew 2:11.
- Gold: A gift fit for a king – the traditional homage paid. Revelation 19:16.
- Frankincense: Used by priests. Hebrews 7:23-8:6.
- Myrrh: A common burial Spice.
- God endorses their actions by warning them about Herod in a dream. Matthew 2:12.
Summary: A group of influential and highly educated Gentiles showed up from far away risking a diplomatic incident to worship Jesus Christ as a child.
See also – Num. 24:17; Is. 60:3; Ps 68:29, 72:10.
What do I say about the Magi?
1. Will I be wise and worship Jesus Christ? Ps. 111:10; John 1: 12, 3:16-18; Php. 2:10-11.
- “And what is this valley called?” “We call it now simply Wisdom’s Valley: but the oldest maps mark it as the Valley of Humiliation.” C.S. Lewis, The Pilgrim’s Regress, bk. 7, chap. 8, p. 125.
- See 1 Cor. 1:18-25 for a discussion of wisdom and foolishness.
2. Will I continue to seek him? Psalm 9:10, 14:2, 27:8, 42:1-4; Dt. 4:29; Matt. 6:33; Rev. 22;17.