Did you know we have no proof of how many wise men there were?

Question

For years we have assumed that there were three, but in fact there is no proof. I learned this in my New Testament class, just thought you might find it interesting.

Answer 1

*Yes, I knew that. anyone who has ever read the bible knows that. I never understood how Christians can brag about not being religious, and say they have a personal relationshig with Christ when they know nothing about the bible except why they learn in some kind if church class. But they say they are not religious. Right. *

Answer 2

I have known for a long time there were most likely more than three...people turned three gifts into three bringers of those gifts. Many think Jesus was just a little baby when the Magi actually arrived from their long trip...he was closer to two years old by that time, and by that time Mary and Joseph and the young Jesus had already moved into a rented flat. They were not living in the stable all those months. The shepherds were the ones who made it to the manger scene. The angel told Joseph to use the gifts to get the heck out of Bethlehem, and go to Egypt because evil King Herod was planning to kill Jesus, his legitimate rival to the throne he didn't deserve. That is why Herod killed the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem very soon after Joseph and his little family departed for Egypt. God is slick like that.

Answer 3

Biblical SCHOLARSHIP never had any major questions, the number is simply not stated. It is likely from an understanding of the times that there was a LARGE group traveling together. My GUESS is that the total group ranged from 20 to 100, with 2 to 5 principle "wise men" and their servants, guards, etc.

Answer 4

Not only that, but the Magi were in fact Burial people by "profession" that's why their gifts to the child were burial in Nature. The Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Each played a part in the burial profession.

They were also "astrologers" and saw the sign that a King would be born in the Royal House of the Kindgom of Israel. That's why they started their journey, to pay respects.

Answer 5

There were just three gifts mentioned. That could be were the number three started.

Did you also know that they came to see Jesus at a house and not at the manger? Yet in many manger scenes at Christmas people add the three wise men. They were not even there.

Answer 6

Yes I knew that, many people say three wise men because there were three gifts given to Jesus, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh so naturally people thought there 3 men but the Bible just says men from the east came to see Jesus

God Bless You

Answer 7

"Proof" no, "evidence" yes.

We say there were three of them because they brought three gifts. But you're right, there might have actually been a group. It was likely a small group because they moved about in secrecy and traveled back to Babylon via the desert spice trade routes.

Answer 8

I have heard this long time ago: "Take the wisdom even though it comes forth from the mouth s of the crazy ones".

Do you realize know how difficult it is to establish a record of all the wise ones?

Answer 9

the fact is that there were probably many more, but they never got mentioned, And I doubt they gave theinfant gifts, or even showed up at the manger,rather they just showed up in the court and told the king there was going to be a new king born, according to the astrology of the time.

Answer 10

If there were more than three, why did only three bring
a gift to the Christ Child? Actually, it doesn't really matter
how many there were........we just know they came and
they saw, and they were amazed.