Is there any evidence historically for how many kings or wise men there actually were. The bible says only wise men came from the east. How many were there, and what is your source.
2007-12-13 13:55:20 · 10 answers · asked by squishy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The three kings are magi, probably Zoroastrians from the area of Persia, who, according to the bible, visited Jesus Christ, as a small child (not at the manger as often portrayed in nativity scenes). Although they were later assigned the names of Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchior, nowhere in the Bible does it say that there were only three magi. The gifts offered to the newborn Jesus have the following significance:
Gold represents Jesus' kingship, not as an earthly king but a heavenly one.
Frankincense represents Jesus' role as priest, he is the perfect intermediary between mankind and God.
Myrrh, associated with death, represents Jesus' role as Saviour, in connection with his ultimate purpose of sacrificing himself to redeem mankind.
If that helps, you're welcome
2007-12-13 13:59:37 · answer #1 · answered by Me 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No historical evidence of how many wise men came from the East but in Matthew it does specifically name three gifts which is probably where the idea of three wise men came from.
2007-12-13 22:09:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nice going! Matthew 2 says only that "behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem." There were three gifts, but that doesn't mean three gift-bearers. Later Christians got nervous when these gaps appeared in the stories, so they filled them in. They even gave them names - Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar and in the 12th century assigned them to the "three races" known at the time - European, African and Asian. Of course, the poor Indians were not known until 1492, so they didn't get to come!
The idea that these gift-bringers were kings is also mistaken. Magi were a semi-priestly class of Persian astrologers. They were well-educated, no doubt, but not rulers in any sense.
Some scholars believe that the story of the Magi (including that of the Star of Bethlehem) have no value as history, but is a powerful symbol of the manifestation or Christ to he Gentiles, or non-Jews. I personally don't get wrapped up in whether they were historic personages or not. The truth of the story is that Christ came to save all humanity -- Jewish and gentile alike. The Christmas story tells a powerful tale that Christ is recognized first by foreigners and by poor (Jews included -- remember Mary, Joseph and the the shepherds!), and last by the religious and secular elites. A powerful lesson that we should not forget while we are indulging in the egg nog!
2007-12-13 22:14:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jeanster 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I just looked a the NCV, NLT, NKJV and KJV and they only say "some" wise men.
Probably the reason people think "3" is because of the three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
2007-12-13 22:02:45 · answer #4 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a suggestion that what they brought was the treasure that Daniel had saved. (He was "fixed" by the king, and couldn't have a family, and being a prophet, knew about the coming Messiah) We don't know for sure, but it likely could be true.
2007-12-13 22:06:10 · answer #5 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there isnt any evidence of any certain number of wise men going....but im willing to bet that there was a good number of them.
2007-12-13 22:00:55 · answer #6 · answered by gelesen2004 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not only is there no evidence of 3 wise men. There is zero historical evidence for this jesus fellow.
2007-12-13 21:58:19 · answer #7 · answered by Biker4Life 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Traditionally three because there were three gifts, but it is not known for sure.
Jim how do we know you exist?
2007-12-13 22:01:49 · answer #8 · answered by mel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sure there was a caravan, because they traveled so far.
2007-12-13 21:58:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
There were three cuz the song says so.
2007-12-13 21:58:19 · answer #10 · answered by dddbbb 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋