This entry is for a Biblical Person, based on a historical interpretation of the bible. See biblical.htm for more details.

Magi

M, #2400203
Pedigree

Names and Titles

Greek: μάγος (mágoi) Magi.
CHRONOLOGY of the life of Jesus

Dating the Birth of Jesus
While we have no definative date given to determine when Jesus was born, we do have some events to give us an estimate.

  1. From the Nativity accounts, we are told that Jesus was born during the reigh of King Herod I 'the Great', who is generally agreed to have died about 4 BC, or possible in 1 BC.

  2. From the start of his ministry. It is stated that Jesus was 'about 30 years old' when he started is ministry 1

  3. One point that goes against this dating is Luke's mention of the Census of.2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem looking for him. King Herod I "the Great" of Judea (Ἡρώδης) (Mt 2) heard about them and asked the Teachers of the Law where the Christ was to be born, to which they replied Bethlehem in Judea.
King Herod I "the Great" of Judea (Ἡρώδης) (Mt 2) called the Magi and found out when the star had appeared, and sent them to Bethlehem, asking them to report to him so he could come and worship him.
The Magi followed the star and found Jesus with Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him, and presented him with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. Having been warned in a dream not to go back to King Herod I "the Great" of Judea (Ἡρώδης) (Mt 2), they returned home by another route.3
After the Magi left, an Angel of the LORD (Bible) sppeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Jesus and Mary to escape to Egypt because King Herod I "the Great" of Judea (Ἡρώδης) (Mt 2) was going to try and kill Jesus.4
King Herod I "the Great" of Judea (Ἡρώδης) (Mt 2), when he realizes that the Magi had outwitted him, orders that all boys in Bethleham and vicinity, two years and under are to be killed in an attempt to kill Jesus.5 Magi refer to the group of wise men who came to visit Jesus.

Scriptures (References)

Book VerseTitle
Book of Matthew in the BibleMatthew 2:1-12The Visit of the Magi.
Book of Matthew in the BibleMatthew 2:13-15Escape to Egypt.
Book of Matthew in the BibleMatthew 2:16-18The Massaccre of the Infants.

Periscopes

Periscope 16 Matthew
2:1-12 Wise men visit from eastern lands Jesus (Ἰησοῦς) (NT), Bethlehem, Judea, King Herod I 'the Great', Magi, Jerusalem, King of the Jews, Chief Priest, Teachers of the Law, Christ (Χριστός), Israel and Mary (Μαρία) (Gospel).6 Periscope 17 Matthew
2:13-18 Joseph takes his family to Egypt Egypt; Angel of the LORD (Bible), Joseph (Ἰωσήφ) (Gospel), Egypt, King Herod I 'the Great', The LORD (Lord), Lord, Magi, Bethlehem, Jeremiah, Ramah and Rachel.6
Last Edited29 Sep 2023

Citations

  1. [S3] International Bible Society, editor, The Holy Bible, New International Version (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), Luke 3:23. Hereinafter cited as NIV.
  2. [S260] Wikipedia, online http://en.wikipedia.org/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_of_birth_of_Jesus
  3. [S3] International Bible Society, NIV, Matthew 2:1-12.
  4. [S3] International Bible Society, NIV, Mt 2:13-15.
  5. [S3] International Bible Society, NIV, Mt 2:16-18.
  6. [S308] Sean Boisen, Author, The Composit Gospel (Bellingham, WA: Faithliife, 2019).