Three Wise Men
Another common, traditional belief is that there were three wise men that traveled from the orient to bring gifts to a newly born Yeshua. So, how many wise men were there?
It is in the song, three wise men, or is it we 3 kings of orient birth. Where did that come from? Certainly not from scriptures, Matthew 2:1.
1Now when Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
It does not state how many came, or who they were.
Matthew 2:9-11
9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
They gave three gifts. There is nothing written about them being kings, or how many there were. One should not go beyond what is written.
Where did these wise man come from, and who were they? We cannot know for sure; however, we can make an educated guess. More than likely they were from Jewish communities east of Jerusalem, because they too were returning for the Feast of Sukkoth.
Additionally in Matthew 2:2:
2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Why were they looking for a star? More than likely they knew of the prophecy in Numbers 24:15-17:
15And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Today the Bible is translated into almost every known language. Back then it was basically Hebrew, and the Septuagint had been in existence for over 100 years, which is a Greek translation. It is highly unlikely anyone but the Jews knew of this prophesy and were looking for the Messiah. The Jewish scholars knew about Daniel 9. The Messiah was predicted in the Talmud. Those who studied knew that the Messiah was coming.
Return to Birth of Messiah