After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem...
Matthew 2:1
You might be familiar with the Christmas carol, “We Three Kings.” As you read the Bible verse above, did you notice Matthew calls them Magi and not kings? The word magi is related to our English word for magician, but they were not likely magicians as we use the word. Ancient records show they may have been priests in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian/Iranian religion that continues today.
Magi were counselors, scholars, and scientists whose life’s work was to uncover and map out the mysteries of the world. They also served as wise advisors to kings.
Matthew states they came “from the east”, which translates to “from the rising of the sun.” Many scholars believe the Magi most likely came from Persia, which at that time stretched from eastern Syria to India,
a distance spanning over 5,000 miles. The Bible does not mention the names of the Magi or their number.
These Magi were unlikely to have been Jewish, and yet were the first to see and follow the signs of the Messiah, the promised savior of the Jewish nation. This is the first indication that Jesus would be coming for everyone.
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