The Magi:

Aquila · #1 12-22-2011, 10:23 AM

What are some of your thoughts on the Magi?

I was taught that they were a royal class of astrologers from Persia who studied Scripture and perhaps believed in the God of the Hebrews since the time of Daniel. The text is interesting:

Matthew 2-10
{2:1} Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea
in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men
from the east to Jerusalem, {2:2} Saying, 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. {2:3} When Herod the king
had heard [these things,] he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him. {2:4} And when he had gathered all the chief
priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of
them where Christ should be born. {2:5} And they said unto
him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the
prophet, {2:6} And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art
not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall
come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. {2:7}
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men,
enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
{2:8} And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and
search diligently for the young child; and when ye have
found [him,] bring me word again, that I may come and
worship him also. {2:9} When 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. {2:10} When they saw the star, they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy.

Traditionally we see three Magi in Nativity scenes. However, we read how when the Magi arrived in Jerusalem they inquired as to the whereabouts of the one “born King of the Jews”. Had a band of three astrologers knocked on Herod’s door and asked this question, odds are Herod would laugh them out of his presence stating that he alone was King of Judea. However, their inquiry greatly troubled Herod and the entire city. I was taught that this is because the Magi wasn’t a caravan of three lonely Magi looking to find the King and offer him gifts from their saddlebags. But rather this was a royal entourage truly bearing royal gifts as a peace offering. This means that there may have been dozens of Magi present. The treasures they brought would have been a fitting offering for a King; therefore a royal entourage of Parthian guards would have been present, perhaps numbering well over one hundred. With tensions high in Jerusalem and talk of revolt, such a royal display of honor and power would have greatly troubled both Herod and the city of Jerusalem, for they had a very tense peace with Rome. Also Herod would have seen this as a direct threat to his throne and power.

Based on the text, it looks as though they originally saw the start in the East some time before their arrival in Jerusalem. Allow for the necessity of securing the gifts, amassing a royal entourage, and then travel from Persia… it may have been anywhere from a year to two years before the Magi arrived in Jerusalem. Thus, unlike what we see in the Nativity scenes, Jesus was most likely a child of between 1 and 2 years old when the Magi arrived in Jerusalem.

Anyone hear of this theory? What do you think?

Also, what was the nature of Magi astrology?