5 Common Myths about the Three Wise Men in the Christmas Story

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…” Matthew 2:1

They’ve been called magi, kings, and wise men. But who were they, really? They were most likely the King’s personal advisors. Their responsibilities included reading the stars, and a host of wisdom-seeking work. Some early church traditions say there were twelve. Today, we choose to honor three, because three very significant gifts were offered. Over time, church traditions have assigned them names: Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar.

What does “Magi” Mean?

Kings were in the habit of gathering the best and brightest into an advisory body of wise men, stargazers, and dreamers. Magi are consulted in the Book of Daniel, and by Pharoah in the time of Joseph. The Greek word magi indicates these men were astrologers and interpreters of omens—following a star and dreaming dreams.

Truth is, our faith allows a holy place for mysteries to persist. But if you’d like a bit more clarification of the myths surrounding these mystery men, here are some insights:

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We have no idea how many there were. This was assumed because three gifts were given to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  However, we don’t know the quantity of those gifts or even if Jesus was only given one of each. There is no way to know how many.

Myth #2: They Rode on Camels

This is a common misconception. Whenever you see movies from this time period, the actors are riding on camels. However, people in northern Arabia typically only rode Arabian horses. At the time of Christ’s birth, camels were used as pack animals, but wealthy travelers used the more comfortable and swift horse.

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Matthew never says that they followed a star. He says they saw a star, which history teaches is the Northern Star. The wise men were astrologers, and the star was an astronomical sign they saw that signified the prophecy of the Jewish king.  That doesn’t mean a star led them from Arabia to Jesus. 

Myth #4: They Were Kings

It is unclear whether or not they were royalty, but they were not kings. You can throw out the “We Three Kings” picture completely. They had royal connections and were trusted by King Herod.

SEE ALSO: "What Made the Wise Men Wise?"

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This idea was added to tradition later. They likely came from Arabia, not from other countries or diverse backgrounds.

Editor’s note: If you’re wondering a bit more about the origin and purpose of the wise men, here is some further clarification:

Where Did the Wise Men Travel From?

They came “from the east,” which, based on the nature of their gifts and Old Testament prophecy, means they most likely came from the ancient Arabian kingdom of Sheba. Arabia was known for its vast wealth from gold mines in Africa, as well as the Boswellian and Commiphora trees — from which frankincense and myrrh are derived. Of course, men from Persia could have brought these gifts, but they signify a giving of the best commodities from their own country to a neighboring King.

What Gifts Did the Magi Give to Jesus?

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh have their primary significance in their value, which establishes their suitability for a King. Matthew 2:11 tells us these gifts were great treasures, given as worship, but they may have even greater significance. Gold was indeed associated with royalty, but it may also foreshadow Jesus' purpose: in 1 Kings 6:20-22, the walls of the Most Holy Place and the altar are overlaid with gold. Frankincense was part of the ceremonial worship of a deity. This gift underscores their belief that the newborn king carried a claim of deity. Myrhh was used as a perfume, anointing oil, medicinal tonic, and as a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial (John 19:39-40). Perhaps this gift indicated Jesus’ humanity and the manner in which he would save his people—that he would die for them.

Dwight Longenecker is a parish leader, award-winning blogger, and speaker. A graduate of Oxford and Bob Jones University, he has written sixteen books on different aspects of religion. He is the author of a new book, Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, available in bookstores now.

For more information, visit dwightlongenecker.com

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