The Bible tells us about some wise men or wise men from the East who went to visit and bring three gifts to Jesus in Bethlehem. However, some of the details that are celebrated as tradition are just that, traditions that we have accepted even though they are not in the Bible.
The biblical story about the visit of the wise men from the East to the baby Jesus is found in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 2. Let’s see the details it offers us.
1. Some time had passed since the birth of Jesus. The wise men did not go directly to Bethlehem but went first to Jerusalem and spoke with Herod. From the conversation they had with him we know that some time passed between the time they saw the star for the first time and the day they arrived at the palace to speak with him.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea at the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.
(Matthew 2:1)
2. They were wise men or magicians and came from the East. The word magician was then used to describe wise men who studied astrology and astronomy, men interested in philosophy, in dreams, and in everything that could extend their knowledge.
The countries of the East at that time were what we know today as Iraq, Yemen, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
3. They saw a very bright star and since they knew a lot about astrology they recognized its importance, which announced the birth of a new king for Israel, so they decided to go to worship him. But they went to Jerusalem, the capital, thinking that they would find him there.
Where is he who is born king of the Jews? they asked. We saw his star rise and we have come to worship him.
(Matthew 2:2)
4. After they spoke with Herod, the star that had announced the birth of Jesus appeared for the second time and that had inspired them to make this pilgrimage. They followed her and she led them to Bethlehem, to the place where the baby Jesus was.
“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the chief ones of Judah; for out of you will come a prince who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
(Micah 5:2)
5. The child was not in the manger but in a house and that day he was with Mary, his mother. Probably one or two years had already passed since the birth of Jesus and they had already established themselves as a family in a house.
6. The wise men immediately adored Jesus, they had no problem recognizing who he was: the King.
When they arrived at the house, they saw the child with Maria, his mother; and falling down they worshiped him. They opened his chest and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:11)
7. They took him three gifts with prophetic meanings for the life of Jesus. I pray in recognition of his deity: Jesus, the King of Kings. Incense, which was used in acts of worship, as a sign that Jesus is worthy of our praise and adoration. And myrrh, an ointment that was used for the dead at that time, representing the suffering that he would undergo and the death that he would suffer.
Read more about the origin and meaning of Christmas.
What can we learn from the wise men of the East?
- They studied, they were attentive and they recognized the signs. Do we have that same passion for the scriptures? Are we attentive to the signs of the times?
- They recognized Jesus and worshiped him. Do we realize the move of God in our lives? Do we worship him from the heart and thank him for his work in us?
- They undertook a long journey to see and meet Jesus. Are we willing to sacrifice our comfort and safety to follow Jesus? Do we long to know Him more each day?
- They gave him valuable gifts, they did not skimp on do your best for him. Do we give freely to God and to those around us? Do we give more value to our relationship with God than to the material?
When and where was Jesus born?
Learn more about Christmas with these Bible verses.
Read the biblical account of the birth of Jesus
Bible verses about the birth of Jesus