Who exactly were the Magi?

The three Magi were referred to as the three wise men were in the Gospel of Matthew. It says they came from the east to worship Jesus Christ. Even though the three wise men have remained an integral part of the Christmas season with several stories of the birth of Jesus always mentioning them, their true identity is not known for sure. The question remains, who exactly were the three magi (Wiseman)?

The Mysterious Origins of the Magi: Tracing Their Roots

According to history, the three magi could be Persian priest-astrologers who are capable of interpreting the stars.

According to the bible, the three magi were able to tell the significance of the star, which announced the birth of the savior.

The visit of the three magi confirmed the prophecy made in the old testament by the prophet Balaam: the prophet said, “I see him, though not now; I behold him though not near: a star shall advance from Jacob and a staff shall arise from Israel.

According to St Matthew, each of the magi came with three gifts in their journey. Each of the gifts was described as having different meanings. The gold represents a gift for a king. The frankincense represents a gift for a priest. And the myrrh, which is a gift for someone who would die.

From Persia to Bethlehem: Tracing the Magi’s Journey

The three wise men are also traditionally referred to as kings. This is because, according to Psalm 72, referred to them as kings traveling from the east.

From the seventh century, the western churches began to identify the three magi individually. They called them Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. According to work known as Excerpta et Collectanea, which was released by St Bede, he wrote that the Magi Melchior, who was an older man with white beards, gave his gift of gold as though to a king.

The second magi, named Caspar, was young and had no beard. He gave incense which signified divinity, and the third who was dark-skinned and was bearded gave a gift of myrrh.

The most popular belief about the three magi remains that they are astronomers who came from the east following a star to greet the messiah. So there you have it, whatever you see them as they were three wise men who recognized that someone special was born giving birth to the day we all celebrate as Christmas.