Where Did The Wise Men Find Jesus

Where was Jesus when the wise men found Him and gave Him gifts?

Where was Jesus when the three wise men came upon Him and presented Him with gifts? I do not believe this occurred at the time of His birth since they had to move after they had stopped to meet Herod.

Bible Answer:

The traditional nativity scenes seen on Christmas cards, paintings, and in-church displays portray Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and three wise men, among other people and animals. However, this is incorrect since the wise men did not pay a visit to the Christ on the day of His birth. The three kings of the East arrived many years after Jesus’ birth. Presented here is a section of the Christmas narrative from the gospel of Matthew. In the days of Herod the king, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, a group of magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, proclaiming.

Wise Men Arrive In Jerusalem

When the three wise men arrived in Jerusalem, they inquired as to the location of Jesus’ birth. The following is the response they received. It is at Bethlehem of Judea that the prophet prophesied: “AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER, WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.” (Isaiah 9:6) Matthew 2:5-6 (KJV) (NASB) This upset King Herod, who secretly convened a meeting with the three wise men. The wise men were asked how long ago the star had shone, and Herod then informed them that Jesus might be located in Bethlehem, according to tradition.

Then Herod secretly summoned the magi, who were able to establish the precise moment the star shone for him.

Matthew 2:9 (KJV) (NASB)

Where Was Jesus When the Wise Men Found Him?

The star was out of the ordinary since a typical star does not travel in front of a person and then come to a complete halt. A regular star does not appear to move since it is billions of miles away in the sky and so appears to be stationary. These three wise men were guided to Jesus’ home by a particular, divinely designed light that shone from the sky above them. And when they entered the home, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they dropped to their knees and worshiped Him, and they gave Him with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh from their treasuries, which He accepted.

  1. The Greek term for house is isoikia, which means “household.” It simply refers to a house or a residence.
  2. and not in a private residence In the meantime, she gave birth to her first-born son, whom she wrapped in cloths and placed at a manger since there was no room for them in the inn.
  3. It indicates that the wise men arrived between one and two years after the king’s death.
  4. The solution is found in Matthew 2:16, which is the Bible.
  5. We learn in Matthew 2:16 (NASB) that King Herod slaughtered all of the infants who were two years old or younger in order to gain power.

Why? Because the wise men had informed him that they had been monitoring the star for almost two years, he decided to investigate. Because of this, it may be concluded that the wise men did not pay a visit to Jesus when He was resting in the manger at the inn.

Conclusion:

As a result, the wise men came about one to two years after the birth of Jesus. It is likely that one year is a more accurate estimate because the wise men required time to journey from the east to find Jesus. Nevertheless, Matthew makes it plain that Jesus was already in a dwelling when the three wise men arrived. God had arranged for these wise men to pay a visit to Jesus. Although the Bible never explains why this occurred, it does serve as a demonstration of God’s faithfulness and grace!

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I’m on the lookout for God. Is it true that Jesus was born on December 25th? Is there any proof that Herod killed kids under the age of two in the modern era? What was Jesus’ age when the three wise men discovered Him? Where was Jesus when the three wise men came upon Him and presented Him with gifts? The Arrival of the Three Wise Men To Pay a Visit to Christ, the Magi Set Out on a SearchThe Magi of Christmas

The Christmas Story – All About The Wise Men

God Is Seeking You Were Jesus’ parents aware that he was born on the 25th? If Herod killed kids under the age of two, is there any secular evidence to support this claim? What was Jesus’ age when the three wise men came upon Him and discovered Him? The wise men came across Jesus and presented Him with gifts, but where was he at the time? When the Magi arrive, everything changes. It was the Magi of Christmas who came to pay a visit to Jesus.

The Story in the Bible

“Where is he who is born King of the Jews?” they inquired after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during Herod the king’s reign. Look, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem to inquire. Because we saw his star in the east and have came to adore him,” says the author. And when King Herod learned of it, he was concerned, as was the entire city of Jerusalem. And after collecting all of the top priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them as to where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea, for it is stated via the prophet, ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come out a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel,'” they explained.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, he told them to go and look for the tiny boy with diligence, and when they found him to bring me news so that I too might come and adore him.

And when they saw the star, they were filled with a tremendous amount of happiness.

They then presented him with presents, which included gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which they had opened from their riches. After receiving a warning in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they decided to take a different route back to their home country. Matthew 2:12 – 12:12

The History behind the Three Kings/Wise Men/Magi in the Christmas Story

Wise Men traveled to find Jesus after His birth, most likely from a territory that is now either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia or Yemen, or from an area that is now southern Turkey and northern Syria, to seek for Him after His birth. Despite the fact that they are commonly referred to as the “Three Kings,” the Bible does not specify how many there were or that they were kings. One possibility is that they were the Kings of Yemen, which would make sense given that the Kings of Yemen were Jews at the period.

  1. They were, without a doubt, guys of considerable intellect.
  2. ‘ Magos is derived from the ancient Persian term ‘Magupati,’ which means “magupati’s throne.” A priest of a sect of ancient Persian faiths such as Zoroastrianism was known by this title, which was awarded to him by his peers.
  3. In those days, both astronomy and astrology were considered to be part of the same overarching study (and’science,’ as it were), and they went hand in hand with one another.
  4. They would have also been extremely wealthy and well-regarded in their own community as well as by individuals from other countries and religions who did not share their beliefs.
  5. The origin of the new star in the sky is still a mystery, and there are several possibilities, including comets, supernovae, planets colliding, and even something supernatural!
  6. The Magi would have become familiar with the predictions of an unique Jewish Savior (also known as the Messiah) from their time as captives in ancient Babylon some hundred years before the birth of Jesus.
  7. They are frequently described in the following ways:
  • He has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green robe with green gems on it. Gaspar (or Caspar) also has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) He is known as the “King of Sheba.” Gaspar represents the Frankincense that was given to Jesus, and Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold mantle, represents the frankincense that was presented to Jesus. He is known as the “King of Arabia.” Melchior represents the gold that was presented to Jesus, while Balthazar, who has dark complexion, a black beard (or no beard!) and a purple cloak, depicts the silver that was brought to Jesus. He is the King of Tarsus/Macedonia as well as the King of Egypt. When Balthazar is presented before Jesus, he represents the gift of Myrrh that was delivered to Jesus.

Herod requested that the Wise Men locate Jesus and inform him of his whereabouts, not so that he might go and honor him as he had stated, but so that he could murder him! He interpreted Jesus’ words as if he were a new King who could come and usurp his position of authority. Because Jesus would have been between the ages of one and two when the Wise Men discovered them, it is likely that they were living in a typical dwelling, most likely in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, when the Wise Men discovered them.

Then they presented him with their presents. Although the presents appear to be weird to give to a baby, Christians believe that they had the following symbolic meanings:

  • Historically, gold has been connected with kings, and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. Frankincense is a fragrant oil that is occasionally used in church services to indicate that people are willing to worship Jesus. It is a perfume that is applied to dead bodies in order to make them smell pleasant. According to Christian belief, it demonstrated that Jesus would suffer and die.

All of the presents are also from the Arabian Peninsula, which is located east of Israel. A dream forewarned the wise men that they should not go to Herod and inform him where Jesus was, preventing Herod from carrying out his heinous plot to kidnap and kill Jesus.

The wise men visit Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12) – The identity of Jesus – CCEA – GCSE Religious Studies Revision – CCEA

When Herod reigned as king of Judea, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. One day, certain men who were astronomers traveled from the east to Jerusalem and inquired as to “Where has the Baby been born to be the king of the Jews?” They had gone to worship him because they had seen his star in the east. Herod became enraged and summoned the leading priests and professors of the law, inquiring where the Messiah would be born. They informed him that Bethlehem had been prophesied in the Bible. Herod requested that the visitors inform him of the whereabouts of the infant so that he, too, may offer adoration to him.

They adored him and presented him with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which he accepted.

Background

Bethlehem was a little village about six miles outside of the city of Jerusalem. It served as King David’s residence for a while. Therefore, it is noteworthy that Jesus was born there, since the Jews were expecting the Messiah, as predicted in the Old Testament, to arrive from the same location as King David’s birthplace. When these prophesies are fulfilled, Matthew loves to remind his readers of it, and he does it frequently. King Herod was descended from Jewish ancestors to a certain extent.

In the eyes of many, Herod was an unacceptably authoritarian dictator because he performed precisely what the Romans commanded him to do.

Thus, Herod was in a precarious situation and was anxious about having his authority taken away from him.

According to the Roman Emperor Augustus, it was safer to be Herod’s pig than it was to be his son.

Understanding the text

The visitors are referred to as “Magi” (wise men) by Matthew, and it is possible that they were astrologers who followed the sign of an unique star in the sky. They were most likely from the Persian Empire. The Magi may have paid Mary and Joseph a visit weeks or perhaps months after the shepherds paid them a visit, if they had found lodging in a home during that time (verse 11). Some traditions make mention of the Magi’s inquiries. A great ruler is described in the Old Testament as bringing presents to him (Psalm 72:10-11), and monarchs will come to Jerusalem to honor God’s light, according to the Old Testament (Isaiah 60:3).

  • People sometimes believe there were three guests since there were three presents, however Matthew does not specify how many visitors there were or how many gifts there were.
  • He obtained this information by consulting with the leading priests and instructors of the law.
  • Accordingly, the conclusion was reached that the future monarch would be born at Bethlehem (or Israel).
  • As part of the birth tale, the Magi have a symbolic responsibility to fulfill.

They are coming from the east. They also depict those with a different social position in society than the lowly shepherds, who are worshipping Jesus in a same manner. The gifts of the Magi are also highly symbolic of Jesus’ future life, as they represent the king, the God, and the human being:

  • Gold is a valuable metal that symbolizes monarchy and authority. There is a strong focus on Jesus’ status as the ruler of the kingdom of God. The color gold depicts Jesus’ monarchy
  • The color silver represents the kingship of Satan
  • And the color blue represents the kingship of God. Frankincense is a resin derived from a tree that is utilized in temple worship for its fragrant scent (and still used in some churches today). When Jesus is regarded as God, Frankincense signifies this. Myrrh was an oil that was used to anoint the deceased before they were buried. Christ’s humanity and death are symbolized by the myrrh.
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The Magi are cautioned not to return to Herod because he wants to harm the infant, as they learn in a dream. Dreams and angels play a significant role in the birth tales of children and adults. They are the means through which God interacts with mankind and directs events on the earth’s surface.

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 2 – New International Version

Two years after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, Judea, A)”>(A)during the reign of King Herod, B)”>(B)Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem2and inquired, “Where has the one who has been born king of the Jews?” We have come to adore him because we have seen his star D)”>(D)when it rose and because we have seen his star C)”>(C)when it rose.” 3When King Herod learned about this, he was alarmed, as was the entire city of Jerusalem.

4After gathering all of the people’s greatest priests and teachers of the law, he inquired of them as to where the Messiah would be born.

8He dispatched them to Bethlehem, instructing them to “seek thoroughly for the infant.” You must immediately inform me of your whereabouts so that I can go and adore him as well.” 9After they had heard the king, they continued on their journey, and the star that they had seen as it rose followed them until it came to rest above the location where the kid had been discovered.

11When they arrived at the home, they saw the infant with his mother Mary, and they bowed their heads and worshiped him as they entered.

12 Moreover, after being warned I)”>(I)in a dream not to return to Herod, they chose an other way back to their homeland.

The Escape to Egypt

13After they had left, an angel K) appeared “Joseph had a dream in which the (K)of the Lord appeared to him. L)”>(L) Get up,” he said, “take the kid and his mother and go to Egypt.” Keep your position until I tell you, since Herod is on the lookout for the kid in order to kill him.” M) “> The following is an example of a formalized formalized formalized (M) After that, he got up, took the kid and his mother with him to Egypt while it was still dark and lived there until Herod’s death, which was the next day.

Consequently, the Lord’s words to Elijah via the prophet were fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”N)”>(N) (O) As soon as Herod understood that he’d been outwitted by the Magi, he became enraged, and he issued orders to slaughter all of the boys in Bethlehem and its environs who were two years old or younger, in line with the time frame he’d received from the Magi.

The Return to Nazareth

19After Herod’s death, an angel S)”>(S)of the Lord appeared in a dream T)”>(T) to Joseph in Egypt, telling him that his father had died. 20Then he replied, “Get up, take the boy and his mother, and flee to the land of Israel, since those who were attempting to take the infant’s life have been defeated.” “> The following is an example of a formalized formalized formalized (U) Consequently, he rose from his bed, gathered his family, and traveled to the country of Israel. 22However, when he learned that Archelaus had taken over as ruler of Judea in the stead of his father Herod, he became fearful of going there.

In this way, X)”>(X)what was predicted by the prophets, that he would be known as a Nazarene, was fulfilled.Y)”>(Y) Z)”>(Z)

Cross references

  1. Matthe 2:14:Lk 2:4-7
  2. Matthew 2:15:Lk 1:5
  3. Matthew 2:2:Jer 23:5
  4. Mt 27:11
  5. Mk 15:2
  6. Lk 23:38
  7. Jn 1:49
  8. 18:33-37
  9. Matthew 2:6:1Sa 5:2, Mic 5:2
  10. Matthew 2:11:Isa 60:3
  11. Matthew 2:11:Ps 72:10
  12. Matthew 2:12:Heb 11:7
  13. Matthew 2:12

New International Version (New International Version) (NIV) NIV® stands for New International Version® of the Holy Bible. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, and 2012 byBiblica, Inc.®Used with permission from the owner. All rights are retained around the world. The New International Version (NIV) Reverse Interlinear Bible provides translations from English to Hebrew and from English to Greek. Zondervan has copyright protection till the year 2019.

Bible Gateway Recommends

Asked in the following category: General The most recent update was on April 17, 2020. The Star of Bethlehem, often known as the Christmas Star, occurs just once in the Gospel of Matthew’s birth tale, when “wise men from the East” (Magi) are encouraged to journey to Jerusalem by the star’s illumination. The star directs them to Jesus’ house in the town, where they worship him and present him with presents, respectively. When the Wise Men discovered Jesus and Mary, they would have been living in a typical dwelling, most likely in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, because Jesus would have been between the ages of one and two when they were discovered.

  • As a result, the issue arises as to who led the Three Wise Men to Jesus.
  • During Christmastime, the devout sing about the “Star of Wonder,” which directed the wise men to a manger in the little town of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
  • In a similar vein, what did the three wise men bring to Jesus?
  • Is it possible that the Three Kings followed the North Star?

Because of this ” star in the east,” they proceeded to Jerusalem and informed King Herod of the prophesy predicting the birth of a new ruler over the people of Israel, which he accepted.

We Three Kings

Three wise men are frequently seen in nativity scenes. Is there anything in the Bible that reveals anything about these wise men? Who were they, and where did they come from? Who were they and where did they come from? Tim Chaffey, AiG–US, debunks some of the most popular myths about them in this article.

Clearing Up Misconceptions

In recent years, numerous doctrines that have little or no biblical foundation have seeped into mainstream Christian thinking. The purpose of this online series is to dispel some of the most widely held misunderstandings about the Bible. They may be found in nativity scenes all around the world. They have been the subject of songs and poetry written on them. They have appeared in films, plays, and Sunday school skits, among other things. They are perhaps of the most well-known figures in our society, since practically everyone has seen depictions of three wise men traveling on camels and following a star in their travels across the world.

  • What exactly do we know about these three individuals, who are now known by the names Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar?
  • Several specifics about the magi are provided in Scripture, and this essay will investigate many of them.
  • How did they find out about the King of the Jews, you might wonder?
  • When and when did they have their encounter with the LordJesusChrist?

Magi, Kings, or Wise Men?

According to the New King James Version, the Greek word o (mgoi) is translated as “wise men,” although the NASB and NIV render it as “smart men.” originally referred to a group of Persian wise men and priests who were tasked with interpreting extraordinary signs, notably those related to the stars and the zodiac. In the end, the term was used to indicate to a person who possessed supernatural knowledge and aptitude, a magician, or even a deceiver or seducer, depending on the context and context.

2 This is the story of the three wise men, as told in the book of Matthew: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of Herod the Great, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” It is for this reason that we have come to worship Him after having seen His star in the East.” (Matthew 2:1–2; Mark 2:1–2) Most likely, the original meaning ofmgoiis in mind here—wise individuals who were able to understand extraordinary signals.

This identification can be attributed to at least three different factors.

Second, the Bible indicates that they came from “the East,” which would put them in the general area of Babylon and ancient Persia, respectively.

At the time of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24–26), he was a powerful government figure in Babylon, about 600 years before the birth of Jesus.

Thousands of Jews resided in Babylon during the time of the Exile (605–536 BC), and they continued to have a significant presence there for several centuries afterward.

How Did They Learn of the King of the Jews?

The third argument mentioned above gives a viable answer to this query. Because the magi were said to have had access to the Hebrew Scriptures, it is possible that they were aware of the promises of the impending Messiah. The book of Numbers, according to some academics, provided the magi with information about the infant who would be preceded by a star. ” I see Him, yet not now; I behold Him, but not close; a Star shall spring out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” ” I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not close” (Numbers 24:17).

After all, God had cautioned them in a dream not to go back to Herod after they had seen the newborn Jesus and offered their gifts to Him in the first place (Matthew 2:12).

The fact that they were expecting to see a kid who was “born King of the Jews” may be inferred from historical records.

How Many Magi Came to See Jesus?

Despite the fact that the famous Christmas song and customs tell us that three wise men came to see Christ, the Bible does not specify how many wise men were there. The following is what Matthew had to say about the magi’s appearance: When they had finished listening to the king, they began to go; and lo, the star that they had seen in the East had preceded them all the way to where the little Child was, where it stood. When they spotted the star, they were filled with an excruciating amount of excitement.

And when they had finished opening their riches, they offered presents to Him, including gold, frankincense, and myrrh, among other things.

However, because theBibledoes not specify the number of magi, we can only make educated guesses.

When and Where Did They See the Lord Jesus Christ?

Although the popular perspective, as depicted in films such as The Nativity Story, holds that the three wise men saw Jesus on the night of His birth, research has found that this is exceedingly unlikely. It is revealed in Matthew 2:1 that the magi traveled to Jerusalem and later met with Herod after Jesus was born. Because the shepherds received the heavenly news of Christ’s birth at night, it is reasonable to assume that Jesus was born at night. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,” the angel announced to the shepherds in Luke 2:11: “For the Lord has come to you.” v (smeron) is the Greek word that is translated as “this day,” and it literally means “the same day as the day of the discourse” (i.e., today).

  1. The idea that the three wise men would arrive in Jerusalem at night and instantly gain a meeting with Herod is thus exceedingly improbable to me.
  2. Herod was informed by the experts that the Messiah would be born at Bethlehem, as promised in Micah 5:2 (the book of Isaiah).
  3. It is reasonable to suppose that the three wise men met with Herod the day after Jesus’ birth, and that their first visit to Jesus occurred that evening.
  4. Please also our article, “Christmas Timeline of the Biblical Account,” for further information.

The article will also provide an outline for further research. As we read the Bible in order to obtain a thorough knowledge of these events, may we, like the wise men, offer our adoration to the SaviorJesusChrist.

About the wise men

The three wise men (also known as the Magi) are deeply entwined with the customs of Christmas. Who hasn’t seen photographs of the reportedly three wise men admiring the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem’s manger, together with the shepherds, immediately after his birth, and wondered what they were thinking? Are these traditions, however, correct? What was the identity of the wise men (Magi)? Were there three of them? I’m not sure where these came from. When did they come to see Jesus? What does the Bible have to say about these people?

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1. Who and how many were the wise men (Magi)?

The names of the wise men are not given in the Bible, thus we cannot know who they were. Consequently, any names that you may have heard that are apparently their names are only a matter of tradition. Regarding their number: Although the Bible informs us that the three wise men presented three gifts to the infant Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:21), it never mentions that they were likewise three in number. It is stated in the Bible that they were of a plural number (“wisemen”), which implies that there were more than one of them.

  1. However, it is possible that there were more than two or three of them because such lengthy excursions were typically planned in huge caravans for the sake of security.
  2. As for its definition, it was first used to describe a member of the priestly and wise men class among the Medes, Persians, and Babylonians who were primarily knowledgeable in astronomy, astrology, and enchantment1.
  3. It is in the book of Daniel that this term is used with this meaning, according to the LXX (old Greek translation of the Old Testament) (see Daniel 1:20, 2:2, 10, 27, 4:7, 5:7, 11).
  4. As a result, when the Bible states, for example, in Daniel 5:11, that Daniel was made “chief of the magicians,” it is referring to the Magi, a caste of erudite, clever men who were elevated to this position.
  5. With regard to our situation, it is apparent that the wise men (Magi) who came to meet Jesus were members of the first of these categories, i.e., they belonged to the learned men’s caste (a sorcerer would have never come to worship the Son of God).

2. Were the wise men present the night of Jesus’ birth?

During the Christmas season, we have all seen depictions of the three wise men (Magi) praying with the shepherds in front of the newborn Jesus in the manger. Despite the fact that this tradition is widespread, it does not accurately reflect what occurred. The wise men’s visit is first mentioned in Matthew 2:1, where we may read: “And it came to pass after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod the king, that wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,” Matthew 2:1. It appears that the wise men did not arrive in Jerusalem until after the birth of Jesus, as stated in the preceding verses.

  1. Obviously, this was not the night of Jesus’ birth, but rather the night “AFTER Jesus was born,” as the saying goes (Matthew 2:1).
  2. Furthermore, according to Matthew 2:11, when they arrived in Bethlehem, Jesus was no longer a newborn, but rather a young kid of around three years old.
  3. When Herod interviewed/interrogated the wise men, according to Matthew 2:7, he inquired of them as to what time the star appeared and they responded appropriately.
  4. Consequently, if Jesus was born at the time of “his star appearing” in the east, “, it may be deduced that when the Magi came to see him – following which the slaughter in Bethlehem occurred – he was no more than two years old, albeit he was not much younger than that2.
  5. iii) The wise men were intelligent individuals who traveled from the East.
  6. It is stated in the Bible that when they came to visit Jesus, he was not a newborn in a manger, but rather a young kid in a home, maybe as young as two years old.

See, for example, E.W. Bullinger’s “A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament”, published by Zondervan Publishing House in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, on page 887.2. A different age restriction would have been selected if this had not been the case.

Who arrives on the 12th day of Christmas? Three Wise Men, of course

The museum’s curator of Latino history and culture in the Home and Community Life division, Dr. Margaret Salazar-Porzio, and intern Jonathan Borda discuss the highlights of the museum’s collection of Three Kings sculptures in honor of Three Kings Day on January 6. For many individuals in the United States, singing about the 12 days of Christmas is a childhood memory. It is a classic song of 12 cumulative verses that each time involve an increasing and increasing quantity of presents; remember the ringing chorus, “five golden rings”?

Even the animals bow down to the child Jesus in this representation of the Three Kings from Latin America.

As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the men discovered the heavenly infant at Bethlehem after traveling over the desert in search of it with the North Star.

It took them three days to travel by horse, camel, and elephant (respectively) from Bethlehem to the city of Nazareth to give the newborn baby Jesus three symbolic gifts: gold, because Jesus was royalty as “King of the Jews,” frankincense, which represented the baby’s holy nature as the Son of God, and myrrh, which represented Jesus’ mortality.

  • Because of the biblical Nativity narrative, January 6th is not only a holy day in many families, but it is also honored in a variety of ways all around the world on this day of celebration.
  • The set is now on show in the exhibition, Many Voices, One Nation, which is currently taking place.
  • In Argentina, for example, people dress up like the three kings and ride camels in public festivals and parades to raise awareness.
  • If the children have been nice during the year, they will get toys that have been left in the shoe boxes for them.
  • The Great Fruit Cake Toss is a tradition in Colorado that involves individuals costumed as kings and fools competing to see who can toss their fruitcake the farthest.
  • King Cakes are traditionally baked for the occasion, and, unlike the aforementioned fruitcakes, these are really eaten and appreciated by everybody.
  • The Smithsonian Institution has a large collection of Tres Reyes figurines.
  • Dr.

She has also written on her blog on how the Day of the Dead is not the same as Halloween. Jonathan Borda is a museum intern who works in the education department.

Did The Wise Men (Magi) Arrive 12 Days After Jesus’ Birth? Or Was It Much Later?

“WHO Were the Wise Men?” has previously been discussed. as well as “HOW Did They Know?” Let us now explore the question, “WHEN DID THE WISDOM MEN ARRIVE?” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a classic Christmas carol, is about the twelve days of gift-giving that occur throughout the holiday season. Gifts are added to the list with each passing day, based on the day’s number. The most famous feature is the ringing chorus of “five golden rings,” which is sung on the fifth day of the festival. In addition to being a lovely tune to sing, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” also has a nice trivia question: How many gifts were given out during the song?

That is a significant number of presents.

A Theological Significance to the 12 Days of Christmas

The church has historically held that the 12 days between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Magi indicate the period of time between the two events. The celebrations begin on Christmas Day (or, in some traditions, the day following Christmas) and conclude with the feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6th this year.

The Feast of Epiphany

This feast day remembers the day the three wise men arrived at Jesus’ home and presented him with gifts. Some churches’ liturgical calendars refer to this day as “Three Kings’ Day,” which is a reference to the three kings of Saudi Arabia. Some traditions also say that the Feast of the Three Kings commemorates the day on which John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Is this, however, the case in reality?

What does the Bible say?

According to the gospel of Matthew, the Three Wise Men came from the Persian Empire (see Who were the Three Wise Men? for further information). While traveling to Jerusalem in search of the Christ child, they were guided by a bright light in the sky. When they came, they approached King Herod and enquired about the location of the one and only “born King of the Jews” (Mat 2:2). Then, guided once more by the light, they ultimately discovered the infant near the spot where the star had come to rest.

Arrival After The Dedication of Jesus?

Mary and Joseph carried their kid to the temple in order for him to be dedicated to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses. 2:22 (Luke 2:22) As soon as the days of her purification stipulated by the Law of Moses were over, they carried him to Jerusalem to offer him to the Lord; the period for this dedication was expressly defined by the Law of Moses (Lev 12:2-4). After the birth of Jesus, the days of Mary’s purification were to take place at least 40 days later. A lady was considered filthy for seven days after giving birth.

After then, it was necessary to wait 33 days before a woman’s purification was complete.

12:6 (Lev 12:6) If she is expecting a son or a daughter, when the days of her purification are completed, she is required to bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove, for a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest:This offering was to be made before the Lord, in order to make atonement for the woman and to cleanse her from the issue of blood.

What an appropriate offering it would be to make “a lamb of the first year” and a bird of prey (a young pigeon or a turtledove).

There was also a provision created for individuals who could not afford to make a lamb offering. This type of situation allowed the woman to carry two turtledoves or two juvenile pigeons with her.

An Offering of Birds by Mary and Joseph

It is recorded in Luke 2:24 that Mary made an offering of birds (plural). That Mary and Joseph did not have the sufficient means to purchase a lamb for their burned offering is an evidence of their financial inability. It has long been speculated that if the Three Wise Men had visited 12 days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph would have been presented with the priceless gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If this had been the case, Mary would have been able to present a blood sacrifice in the shape of a lamb to the Lord in order to cleanse herself.

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Arrival When Jesus was Two Years Old?

Some believe that the Wise Men did not visit until Jesus was two years old and was residing in a home in Nazareth, rather than when he was born. This is based on Matthew 2:11-11, to be precise. When the Three Wise Men “went into the home and saw the little boy,” we are informed that they were “astonished.” When you combine that with Herod’s command that all children under the age of two should be put to death, it’s easy to see why some believe Jesus was close to two years old when the Three Wise Men came.

  • There isn’t any proof to back up this claim.
  • The Greek term paidion, which is translated as “little kid,” is used by Matthew to describe a small child.
  • The assumption of Jesus’ age in accordance with Herod’s order is also dubious.
  • Keep in mind that the Wise Men were meant to report back to Herod on their findings (Matt 2:8).

The Wise Men “Came Into the House”

We know that Jesus was born in a stable, which was a facility that housed animals. The location may have been a stable or a cave, but the most likely location was the bottom floor of a relative’s house, where animals were housed during the colder months. The word “inn” that we translate as “upper room” comes from the Greek word for “lower level,” and it has been hypothesized that Mary and Joseph stayed in the lower level of a Bethlehem house, and that after all of the guests who had been there for the census had left, the relatives invited Mary and Joseph to the upper room where they were welcomed.

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As a result, it’s plausible that the Wise Men were guided to Nazareth by the star, but it’s improbable that their journey would have taken more than two years.

The Timing

It seems undeniable that the story of the Three Wise Men arriving 12 days after Jesus’ birth is inaccurate. The time does not seem to be right. Because Mary and Joseph were devoted Jews, if they had received the beautiful gifts of great value from the Three Wise Men, they might have sold part of the gold, frankincense, or myrrh and used the proceeds to purchase a lamb to sacrifice to God. Instead, they offered birds, with the offering intended for the impoverished who did not have the financial resources to purchase a lamb on their behalf.

Conclusion

So, how long did it take the Wise Men to get to Bethlehem after Jesus’ birth? We simply do not know what to do. The available evidence, on the other hand, is adequate to conclude that it was not 12 days. It would have taken more than 40 days, but it would have taken less time than two years. When it comes to Jesus, we know from the Wise Men that the right reaction is to bow our heads and worship him. When the Wise Men discovered Him, they bowed down and worshipped Him, regardless of His age at the time.

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How Old was Jesus when the Wise Men Came?

Every Christmas, it seems, someone, whether a priest, a friend, or a teacher, asserts that the Nativity scenes and the traditional Christmas tale are all incorrect because Jesus had to have been a toddler by the time the three kings arrived in Bethlehem, according to tradition. Is this something from the Bible? I’d want to provide a definitive solution to the issue, “How old was Jesus when the Wise Men came?” once and for all. There are two points of view on this issue. Traditionally, it is believed that Jesus was born as a baby.

The alternative school of thought holds that Jesus was one or two years old at the time of his death.

The Wise Men/Toddler Jesus View

The Three Wise Men/The Toddler The acts of King Herod at the time of Jesus’ birth appear to have influenced the way people regard Jesus. When the three wise men came to him in search of the Messiah, he inquired as to when the star had first shown (Matthew 2:7). The three wise men traveled to Jerusalem to pay their respects to Jesus before returning home. Herod was “extremely enraged” when the wise men failed to return to him as requested, and “sent forth and killed all the children who were in Bethlehem, and on all of its coasts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men,” according to the Bible.

The Three Wise Men/The Toddler Herod’s view is supported by the majority of Jesus’ followers.

While these arguments appear to be solid, a deeper analysis of the Bible and its underlying Greek language reveals several significant flaws.

The Start of the Star

The Bible does not state that Jesus was born at the time of the first appearance of the star. Those who claim He was are only speculating. Despite the fact that Herod was a powerful ruler, he was unaware of Jesus’ birth. Just because he ordered the execution of children under the age of two does not imply that Jesus was under the age of two at the time of the execution. It appears that Herod also believed that Jesus may have been a newborn infant only a few days old, as he also ordered the execution of newborn newborns throughout his reign.

A Baby is Called a Young Child Too

Paidion is the Greek word that is used to refer to a small kid. It is not limited to children under the age of three. It’s also possible that it’s a newborn infant. When John the Baptist was eight days old, the Greek word paidion was used to describe him (Luke 1:59,66,76,80). It is used three times in the Gospel of Luke: when Jesus was born (Luke 2:17), when he was eight days old (Luke 2:21), and when he was forty days old (Luke 2:17). (Luke 2:27,40). In fact, the word paidion is used of Jesus when the shepherds were there on the night of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:17), exactly one verse after the word infant (brephos) is used to refer to Jesus.

An Inn was a Room in a House

When people traveled during the time of the Bible, they remained in people’s houses as unpaid guests because hotels were extremely scarce. There were no Holiday Inns or Motel 6s to be found here. The law of Moses ordered the Jews to treat outsiders as if they were their own and not to take advantage of them in any way (Leviticus 19:33). It was unethical of them to charge money to people who wanted to stay the night. Given this, it is exceedingly doubtful that there was ever a guesthouse or a hotel in Bethlehem.

  1. Luke 2:7 is the only place where the Greek word for inn (kataluma) is translated as inn.
  2. It is clear from those passages that it is a room in a house, not an inn, that is being referred to.
  3. During Israel’s three national holidays, Jews from all across the country flocked to Jerusalem and slept in residences as non-paying guests, bringing a unique flavor to the city.
  4. What is now referred to be an inn in Bethlehem was most likely a guest room in someone’s home prior to the time of Jesus.
  5. Someone in the guest room is likely to have offered to sleep in the barn so that Mary and Jesus may be able to sleep in the home when the other guests in the guest room learned that Mary had given birth to Jesus.
  6. The inclusion of a dwelling does not necessarily imply or imply that Jesus was not a baby when he was born.
  7. A hotel was located in Bethlehem, but there was no place for Jesus to stay in the inn.
  8. A thirty-story structure with a large illuminated sign on top that reads “Bethlehem Inn” that can accommodate thousands of people?
  9. In the twenty-first century, it was not the case in New York City.
  10. They didn’t have any skyscrapers back then.

They had their own homes. If there had been an inn in Bethlehem, it would have been in a house, and it would have been the same house that the three wise men visited. Once again, the mention of a dwelling does not imply or imply that Jesus was not a baby when he was born.

The Wise Men Arrived in Jerusalem When Jesus Was Born

Matthew 2:1 provides one another argument in favor of the Wise Men/Baby Jesus viewpoint. According to the Scriptures, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.” (KJV) In this passage, it is said that the three wise men arrived in Jerusalem “around the time of Jesus’ birth.” They didn’t show up a year later, either. They arrived shortly after he was born. In Greek, the phrase “when Jesus was born” is an aorist participle.

An aorist participle is one in which the action of the participle (Jesus’ birth) is closely followed by the action of the main verb (Jesus was born) (wise men came to Jerusalem).

Bethlehem was only a half-walk day’s away from the city of Jerusalem.

We Know When they Returned to Nazareth

One more piece of evidence supporting the Wise Men/Baby Jesus viewpoint is Joseph, Mary, and Jesus’ return to Nazareth. It only happened once and both the wise men narrative (Matthew) and the shepherd story (Luke) record it. In the shepherd narrative (Luke) it is quite obvious that they returned to Nazareth (Luke 2:39) very near to 40 days after Jesus was born, “when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were finished” (Luke 2:22). (Luke 2:22). The wise men story (Matthew) tells us that they returned to Nazareth following their return from Egypt (Matthew 2:22,23).

So the wise men’s visit, Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt, and their trip back, all of it had to have happened within 40 days of Jesus’ birth.

The Christmas Timeline

What was the relationship between these events? Here is a narrative that mixes the two stories in the order in which they were written. It was necessary for Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem in order to be taxed. As soon as they arrived, they proceeded to the home of Joseph’s relative. His relatives had a guest room, but the guest room was completely booked, so they had to stay in the barn instead. In the barn, Jesus was born in the middle of the night. Shepherds were visited by angels who informed them of the birth of Jesus.

When they returned, they informed everyone of what had occurred.

That night or the next morning, a relative of Joseph’s took Mary and the infant into the house and threw away some other distant relatives who had been staying there.

Herod inquired of the persons tasked with the task of copying the Old Testament by hand, and they said that Bethlehem was the best location.

The three wise men set out on their several-hour journey to Bethlehem in the chill of the night to avoid being overheated.

They entered the house and presented him with presents.

They got up and departed.

He, Mary, and Jesus embarked on their journey to Egypt.

Herod had seen that the three wise men had not come home.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were in Egypt for approximately a month when the story begins.

Joseph’s dream was interrupted once more by an angel, who assured him that it was fine to return to Israel.

Simeon and Anna identified the infant Jesus as the Messiah when he was a few days old.

Because he was concerned about the attention his Son was receiving in Jerusalem, he and his family traveled west out of Israel and then north to Nazareth.

When the wise men visited, how old was Jesus at the time? Even though the Bible does not specify how old He was, we may safely assume that He was somewhere between 0 and several days old based on what we know about Him thus far. He was not a child of one or two years.

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