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| PentecostalTheology.com
Matthew 2 recounts the visit of the wise men to the nativity:
2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men 4 from the East came to Jerusalem 2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
As they brought three gifts, western tradition numbers them at three (though some Eastern traditions, especially Syriac, count twelve).
The only indication of origin in the text is that they came from the East. Tradition holds they were kings. Matthew calls them μάγοι. This is often translated as “wise men” or transliterated as “magi.” The notes from the NET Bible state, “The Greek term magi here describes a class of wise men and priests who were astrologers (L&N 32.40).” What does it mean that they were “wise men”? Was this an official title in the Eastern realms or more of an honorific? What more has been learned of such “priests and astrologers”?
Varnel Watson
3 mags on camels?
James L Alldredge
Part of the order overseen by Daniel during his captivity
Varnel Watson
? tell us more
James L Alldredge
Daniel was made head of the order after interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he also prophesied the coming of the Messiah and gave the exact time (70 weeks prophecy). They knew when, they knew where and they knew why from studying and preserving Daniel’s prophecies.
Varnel Watson
You think they came from Babylon instead of the East?
James L Alldredge
Persian or Parthian is more likely
Varnel Watson
wasnt Persia part of Babylon during Daniel ?
James L Alldredge
Other way around, Persia conquered Babylon and Daniel ended up as head of the priests of Zoroaster. The term Magi is actually a Persian word for wise man
Varnel Watson
Persia after Hammurabi where now is Dubai – not the persian empire that came later. Pls dont tell us Trump the Cyrus will be sending us 3 more wise men this Christmas season
James L Alldredge
Daniel’s Persia stretched from modern Turkey to India, but at the time of Jesus birth “Magi from the east” would have referred to the region from Arabia to Iran
Gerald Foister
The wise men never came to the nativity it was at least two years before they found him in the house
Varnel Watson
Did they stay in Bethlehem for 2 yrs or just for the census? Gerald Foister
Matthew and Luke make no reference to a length of time that Mary and Joseph stayed in Bethlehem. In fact Luke’s account suggests they only stayed there not much more than 40 days (Luke 2:39, cf. Lev.12:1-8), though in his account they return to Galilee directly, not by way of Egypt.