How Far Did The Magi Travel To Find Jesus

How far did the magi travel to see Jesus?

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How far did the magi travel to see Jesus?

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of Herod the king, the wise men went from the East to Jerusalem, according to the Bible (Matthew 2:1). From the context of this chapter, we cannot determine the particular region or nation from where the wisemen’s journey to Jerusalem began. As a result, we have no way of knowing how far they have traveled. However, there are a few possibilities to take into consideration. As far as the Jews were concerned, the “East” included the regions of northern Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia.

For example, the city of Haran was located in “the country of the people of the east,” which means “the land of the people of the east” (Genesis 29:1, 4).

  1. Balaam was also brought to Moab by the king of Moab, who described him as having come “from Aram, out of the mountains of the east” (Numbers 23:7; 22:5).
  2. The Sajûr Valley, which is located between Aleppo and Carchemish and is near the Euphrates River, has lately been identified as the location of this false prophet’s residence (Numbers 22:5) If this is correct, the magi would have journeyed around 400 kilometers to Bethlehem.
  3. A voyage of 400 miles would have taken the magi around two to three weeks on camels or approximately a month on foot, depending on their speed.
  4. As a result, we might assume that the magi may have gone from the “east,” which could have been a wide area of Mesopotamia spanning 400 to 700 kilometers.

Who were the magi?

Known as the “wise men from the east,” according to Matthew’s narrative, the magi spent their time studying the stars and the skies. Moreover, they were well-versed in Astrology, which was considered to be a highly respected science at the time. Legend has it that the magi were a tribe of people who belonged to a larger group of people known as the Medes, according to the ancient historian Herodotus. From the Babylonian through the Roman empires, they were able to retain a position of immense prominence and influence in the Middle East.

The magi are mentioned for the first time in Daniel’s book, which has the most detailed description of them.

And for those who were earnest in their study of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit assisted them in understanding the prophesies that foretold the advent of theMessiah– the Savior of the entire world.

The irony of rejection is shown in John 1:11, where it states of Jesus, “He came unto His own, and His own did not welcome Him” (He came unto His own) (John 1:11).

Consequently, it demonstrates that God has children in every faith and that He is inviting them to strive for knowledge of truth and to follow the correct path (John 10:16).

Why did the magi travel to see Jesus?

The apparition of Hisstar served as a notification to the magi that a king had been born in Judea. In order to pay their respects to the newborn king (Matthew 2:1–2:12), they followed this moving star, guided by their faith. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they made contact with Monarch Herod in order to find out where the birthplace of the Jewish king was located. After hearing the news, Herod responded by telling them that he had not heard about the child, but that a prophesy had said that the Messiah would be born at Bethlehem, which they accepted (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6).

  • The magi followed the Star of Bethlehem and discovered Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus.
  • They also presented Him with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which He accepted (Matthew 2:11).
  • As a result, they took a different route back to their homeland (Matthew 2:12).
  • According to the time he had established from the wise men regarding the days of Jesus’ birth, he went ahead and did it (Matthew 2:16).
  • The Gospel of Matthew includes passages regarding Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ birth in a manger, and King Herod, among other things.
  • BibleAskTeam is dedicated to His service.

How long did it take the wise men to find Jesus?

Asked in the following category: General The most recent update was made on February 21st, 2020. The wise men that were described in the Bible were actually Parthian Magi (Parthian Magi). In all, the distance between Parthia and Jerusalem is roughly 500 kilometers long. This voyage would have lasted between 50 and 60 days by caravan, assuming there were no major delays or disruptions. What we do know is that they returned to Nazareth. After their return from Egypt, Matthew, the knowledgeable narrator, informs us that they returned to Nazareth (Matthew 2:22,23).

  1. In a same vein, how did the three wise men track down Jesus?
  2. This group of people presentsJesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and as verse 11 indicates, “when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped him.” People often wonder how far the Three Wise Men were able to glimpse Jesus.
  3. It is estimated that this distance is 9,125 miles (one-way).
  4. The origins of the Three Kings/Wise Men/Magi in the Christmas Story are explained here.

After Jesus’ birth, a group of wise men traveled to find Him, most likely from a region that is now either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, or Yemen, or a region that is now southern Turkey and northern Syria, and they were looking for Him.

How long is the journey from Babylon to Bethlehem? How old was Jesus when they got there? — The Word for Word Bible Comic

How old was Jesus when the Magi arrived? I’m attempting to figure out how old he was at the time. Some scholars believe that one of the most important aspects was the fact that they saw the star of his birth and then traveled to Jerusalem, where they informed Herod of the event (Matt 2:7), before continuing on to Bethlehem. Considering that the Magi traveled from the East, most likely from Babylon, one wonders how long it would take them to cover the journey. According to Google Maps, the distance between the two locations is approximately 1,150 kilometers.

  • Certainly, the Magi’s caravan would have taken slightly less time, but the Magi may have needed to delay the voyage for some time to prepare, so a few months gives us an excellent indication of how long the journey would have taken.
  • (See Luke 2:22.) There is some evidence that the couple remained at Bethlehem for a period of time, presumably surrounded by Joseph’s family, as they would have been.
  • (Matthew 2:16; Luke 2:17) The baby Jesus would have been between the ages of 4 months and 2 years, based on the evidence presented here, it would appear.
  • This, combined with the fact that Herod was still alive at the time of Jesus’ birth, is a factor that has already pushed the date of Jesus’ birth back into what we call BC years.
  • So, to summarize, I suppose I will depict Jesus as being between 6 and 9 months old in the comic book.

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?

Because the gifts from each day are repeated (and added to the next day’s offerings), the total is 364! That is a significant number of presents. However, they are little when compared to the singular gift that God provided to the world when He sent His Son into the world.

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 arrived, they approached King Herod and inquired 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.

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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.

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.

for more information on this topic).

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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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.

How long did the wise men travel (time) before they saw the baby Jesus?

Number one in Matthew 2:13 (NKJV): The wise men from the East came to Jerusalem after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of Herod the Great, as recorded in the book of Matthew. 2 Putting it another way, “What happened to the One who was born King of the Jews? We have come to worship Him because we have seen His star in the East and have come to honor Him. On December 22nd, 2020, ClarifyShareReportAsked robert fowler is a well-known author. The responses from the community are arranged according to how many people voted for them.

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The biblical narrative does not include any precise information on the origins of the three wise men or the length of time it took them to arrive to the city of Bethlehem.

It is important to note that the term “East” is capitalized in the passages above, suggesting that these great men belonged to the “Eastern School of Astrology (Astronomy).” Almost certainly, this institution was located in Babylon, which served as the capital city of both the “Babylonian Empire” and the “Medo-Persian” empires at different times.

  • Individuals and camels with a big cargo may travel around 30 kilometers in a single day.
  • These wise men were well-versed in the prophesies (predictions) of a great Jewish ruler who was to come, the Messiah, and were conversant with the traditions of the time.
  • When Israel was invaded and exiled, there was a lot of confusion (Israel to Assyria, Judah and Jerusalem to Bablyon).
  • The Babylonian and subsequently Medo-Persian governments, in particular, were dominated by Daniel and his companions, who rose to positions of power.
  • In the beginning, the wise men traveled to Jerusalem because they anticipated that this great monarch would be descended from the royal family that already resided in the capital city.
  • King Herod inquired as to when they had first noticed the star in order to determine when the kid could have been born.
  • Because of the testimony of Daniel, his companions, and the whole exiled Jewish community, the wise men were able to identify the God of the Bible.
  • This group of people came with presents to revere and adore this king because they desired to get the blessing of the Supreme Being.
  • Briefly stated, it was most likely a conjunction of the planet Jupiter and Regulus, which is a star in the constellation Leo (the king), with the constellation Virgo (the virgin) rising underneath it, that caused the event.

Those who lived in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion were well aware of the celestial phenomena and other natural events that occurred on that day – the earthquake, total darkness caused by an eclipse, and the blood moon that night – because they had traveled from all over the known world to celebrate the Passover holiday.

  • That is why, in his magnificent lecture on the day of Pentecost, Peter references the prophet Joel from the Old Testament (Acts 2:17-21).
  • The prophecies of your children and grandchildren will be fulfilled, your young men will see visions, and your elderly men will dream dreams.
  • I will perform miracles in the heavens above and signs on the surface of the earth below, with blood and fire and billows of smoke as a backdrop.
  • Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, no matter who they are.” The Bible predicts that the Messiah will appear when the periods have come to their conclusion.

This prophecy was fulfilled by the conjunction of Jupiter and Regelus, as well as by the total eclipse of the sun and the blood moon. Responses received on December 23rd, 20202 Vote for it, share it, and report it.

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What Did the Magi Eat on their Journey?

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The Journey of the Magi

For generations, people have speculated and researched the account of the three wise men (also known as the magi), who traveled to Bethlehem and presented gifts to the newborn King Jesus. What was the star’s name, and who were the three wizards? A knowledgeable man who provided advice to rulers, the magi of the East were known throughout history. Their origins may be traced back to the Babylonian and Persian Empires, respectively. In addition to being affiliated with the religion of Zoroastrianism, they were also associated with astrology and the magical arts.

  1. Eventually, as a result of the people’s uprising, the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, razed its walls, and demolished the temple.
  2. Following the defeat of the Babylonian Empire by the Medes and Persians in 538 B.C., the descendants of the Jewish exiles were given several opportunities to return to Israel and rebuild the city’s walls and temple.
  3. As a result of their apparent knowledge of Jewish traditions and beliefs, it is likely that the magi in the Christmas story were descended from these exiled Jews who remained in Babylon, and that they were actively looking for signs in the heavens that would herald the birth of the Messiah.
  4. There is a significant difference between recognizing signs that God has written into our mathematically precise universe and believing in an elaborate scheme that links the movements of the stars and planets to our daily lives.
  5. They had no idea where to go in Jerusalem—or, as it turned out, in Bethlehem—because they had never been there before.
  6. They were diligent seekers for the truth.
  7. They had an eye for detail, which made them sensitive to any patterns and anomalies that arose in the data they were continually collecting.

The limited evidence of Matthew’s biblical account suggests they were Jews who were looking at the stars for signs and they had enough knowledge of the Bible that it also gave them clues.

But, there was only one way for them to confirm their findings— they had to take the long journey to Jerusalem.

The journey took many months to complete, but the magi were determined to find this new King.

Disturbed by the news, Herod consulted the chief priests and teachers of the law to see if they could shed any light on the wise men’s question (Matthew 2:4).

These Jewish leaders told Herod about the prophet Micah, who had identified Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2).

Obviously the priests and teachers of the law had devoted their lives to studying and memorising the Old Testament, but they didn’t understand the significance of what they read until someone asked the right questions.

(Matthew 2:8).

The magi, on the other hand, were willing to listen to this new information and they went looking where the evidence from the Bible pointed them.

When these wise men “saw the child with his mother Mary.

(verse 11).

What the stars had announced and the prophets had proclaimed had now become real!

We can see God’s creation and believe in Him.

We can even believe the testimony of those who say they know Him.

God was no longer distant or silent to the magi.

The journey of the magi began as a fact-finding tour and ended with a personal encounter with the Saviour of the world.

They found the One who would later say, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). (John 14:6). They were never the same again. Biblical Prophecies of Jesus’ birth

Prophecy: Fulfilment:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2). “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea” (Matthew 2:1).
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).
“ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch’ ” (Jeremiah 23:5). “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David” (Mat- thew 1:1).

What does the Bible say about the three wise men (Magi)?

QuestionAnswer Because of the three gifts that were given: gold, incense, and myrrh, we might presume that there were three wise men there at the time (Matthew 2:11). The Bible, on the other hand, does not state that there were only three wise men. The number may have been far higher. Legend claims that there were three, and that their names were Gaspar/Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar/Balthazar; but, because the Bible does not include their names, we have no way of knowing whether or not the tradition is correct.

  1. This is a frequent mistake.
  2. Because of this, Matthew 2:11 states that the wise men came to Jesus’ home and worshipped him, rather than at the stable.
  3. According to one estimate, the wise men journeyed between 800 and 900 kilometers to view the Christ child.
  4. Daniel 9:24-27 contains a prophesy that predicts the birth of the Messiah and provides a timeframe for that event.
  5. As part of his prophecy, Balaam expressly refers to a “star coming out of Jacob.” The wise men were lead to the location of the King of the Jews by a miraculous celestial occurrence known as the “Star of Bethlehem,” which they dubbed “His star” and which they termed “His star” (Matthew 2:2).
  6. They were ecstatic as they followed God’s leading (Matthew 2:10).
  7. Following a dream in which God advised them against going back to Herod, they decided to leave Judea via a different path in disobedience of the king (Matthew 2:12).
  8. They were very intelligent individuals!
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When Did the Three Wise Men Visit Jesus?

The sequence of events that occurred between the time of Christ’s birth and the time He went to live in Nazareth is hotly debated. The time of the Magi’s arrival is the most contentious issue, and this is where the debate begins. If this can be known, it may be possible to schedule the other events with relative ease. The arrival of the Magi was traditionally dated to the 6th of January, or the 13th day after the birth of Jesus, according to ancient and contemporary traditions. In that case, assuming that the star heralded His birth and that they departed as soon as it appeared, they would have been on their trip for just around 10 days at that point.

  • It is currently commemorated in both the Greek and Roman Churches with reference to the two preceding events, with the adoration of the Magi being the most significant of these events in both churches.
  • The tradition, on the other hand, did not command widespread acceptance.
  • Others have speculated that the date of January 6th was chosen only for the sake of convenience, rather than having any actual chronological relation to the event.
  • Secondly, Jesus and His parents returned to Nazareth immediately after the presentation, indicating that the presentation must have taken place prior to their visit (Luke 2; see also Mark 2).
  • However, none of these arguments is conclusive.
  • Many of the fathers believe that they discovered Him still in the manger, or stall, which may be correct if the manger was in a cave at the back of the home.
  • However, this is a purely arbitrary interpretation.
  • He doesn’t tell anything about the Magi, about the slaughter of the children, or about the journey into Egypt.

The following is an adaptation of The Life of Our Lord on the Earth by Samuel James Andrews. Credit for the photo: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Denis-Art Photo Credit:

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Christmas Story

The Gordon sophomore Nicole DePue ’08 began her trek to the top of Masada mesa on her alone, while her fellow Israel Seminar students gathered at the base of the mesa for a lecture. She needed an hour’s head start on her competitors in order to reach the summit at the same time. The chore of walking is difficult for DePue, who explains why. This was something I wasn’t sure I could do with my feet. Hopefully, they would not suffer from severe pain, making it impossible for me to continue on.” Almost since she was a child, physicians have been unable to determine what is wrong with DePue’s feet.

  • DePue took three times as long to reach the summit of Masada on that particular day.
  • The heart of the Christmas tale is comprised of a number of difficult travels.
  • The magi arrive at Nazareth by way of the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • “I understand what it’s like to rely on God to help you through a physical obstacle so that you can do what God has called you to do,” DePue adds.
  • In addition, I am confident that Mary and Joseph prayed the entire journey to Bethlehem.” Nicole DePue (far right) poses with her family on the roof of the Herodium in Jerusalem on Christmas Eve in 2010.
  • Because these voyages are only mentioned in a few phrases in the Bible, there is a lot of room for our imaginations to run wild.
  • Here are five things about Christmas that you probably didn’t know before: Is it possible that you’ve wondered why Mary and Joseph waited until Mary was almost nine months pregnant before making the 80-mile trek to Bethlehem for the census?
  • DePue believes there is one conceivable answer, which we will never know for certain.
  • “It’s possible that she had a fever.” Furthermore, during the winter season, it is wet and the temperature would have dropped well below freezing at times.
  • That’s why I’m leaning toward the idea that it won’t be winter.” Regardless of whether Mary was a few days away from giving delivery, Joseph would have waited until the situation was safe to depart.
  • No one has any idea.

In the end, DePue explains, “Christianity desired to cover all non-Christian celebrations by declaring their own holiday in their stead.” “The winter paganic celebrations fused with the celebration of Christmas.” Prior to the celebration of Christmas, the 25th of December was a Roman holiday commemorating the birth of the sun deity, Mithra.

It’s possible that they didn’t have much option except to wait.

According to DePue, this does not give enough time for Mary and Joseph to take breaks to go to the restroom, cook or eat meals, or even to recover their breath.

“Plus, I don’t believe they have a realistic understanding of what it would be like to travel while pregnant in her third trimester.” Out of consideration for the practical difficulties associated with not being able to use the restroom or eat, DePue is concerned about another aspect of the four-day hypothesis: it indicates something else that he is not happy with.

There was no pressing need to hurry.

He would have given top priority to her health and well-being.” With these considerations in mind, DePue believes that Mary and Joseph traveled an average of two miles per hour and 12 miles per day (for a total of six hours of journey time).

She thinks that their travel took around one week in total. DePue even took the effort to sketch up a probable route for them to take: The red line on the map depicts the route taken by Mary and Joseph, according to DePue’s imagination.

Day 1: Nazareth to Beth Shean

Freshwater, food plants (such as date palms), and protection from the Samaritans are all available in the Jordan River Valley. DePue believes the two camped near to the river throughout their journey. It is possible that many of their family did not welcome them since Mary was pregnant and unmarried, and as a result, they may not have had the choice of remaining in communities.

Day 4: Jordan River Valley to Jericho/North end of the Dead Sea

The trek from Jericho to Jerusalem, according to DePue, would have taken Mary and Joseph two days because the entire route is a steep incline. “The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the face of the planet,” says the author. In the high country, you’ll find Jerusalem.”

Day 7:Jerusalem to Bethlehem

There are only two more miles to go on this portion of the voyage. It’s a five-mile downhill journey. In their journey, they would have traveled through the city of David, which was located to the south of Herod’s capital. Scholars are divided on whether Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem or if she did it on foot. DePue hopes that she was successful. “It’s a highly meaningful gesture,” she adds. When they arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey with Mary, Jesus was still in the womb. which is the same side from which Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday.” The arrival into Jerusalem on a donkey via the East gate may have served as a sort of epilogue to Jesus’ life.

We don’t know who they are or where they came from, nor do we know how they came to know to follow the star to Jesus.

Nebuchadnezzar was a king who came from ‘the East.’ Under Daniel’s leadership, the Jews throughout the diaspora relocated to ‘the East.’ “‘The East’ was commonly used to refer to Babylon.” The majority of biblical historians believe that the magi traveled the same route Abraham did from Ur to Canaan (marked by the orange line).

Because the magi take a different path home in order to escape Herod, DePue believes they returned to Babylon through the purple line, departing from Nazareth rather than Bethlehem, as described in the Bible.

By the time they arrived in Jerusalem, they were seeking for a child, not a baby, which suggests that they had been on the road for a long time before arriving.

There are no creatures in this world.

“This leads me to believe that Jesus had already arrived in Nazareth when the magi arrived,” DePue speculates.

“The magi took a different route home in order to avoid Herod’s presence in Jerusalem,” she adds.

“It wouldn’t make any logical sense.” If you are experiencing the Christmas story for the first time, we hope these five insights from Nicole DePue will help you appreciate what Mary, Joseph, and the magi went through in order to welcome Christ into the world.

Nicole DePue is an author and speaker who lives in New York City. Merry Christmas to you! Masada National Park’s ancient remains at the summit of the Masada mesa are shown in the header image.

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