Visitation of the Magi

Gentile wise men (Greek: magoi, possibly Persian astrologers or scholars) traveled from the East following a miraculous star to worship the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This event, celebrated as Epiphany, reveals Christ as the light to the nations beyond Israel.

The magi arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Their question troubled Herod the Great, who secretly gathered information about the prophesied birthplace (Micah 5:2) and requested the magi report back so he could “worship” the child—actually plotting infanticide.

The star led them to the house where the young child lived with Mary (not the stable of his birth). They fell down and worshiped him, offering three symbolic gifts: gold (for a king), frankincense (for deity/priesthood), and myrrh (foreshadowing death and burial). Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed by another route, frustrating Herod’s murderous scheme.

The magi’s worship demonstrates that Christ came not only for Jews but for all nations—the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as King and God incarnate. Their gifts would later help finance the flight into Egypt when Herod ordered the massacre of male infants in Bethlehem.