3 Answers

Larry, Curly and Mo

Gaspar.
Melchior.
Balthasar. 

What does the Bible say?

1) The Bible does not give the names of these men or number how many there were. Some have speculated that the number was three based on the three different types of gifts given to Jesus, but there could have been 2, 3, or far more in that group. (Matthew 2:1-11)

2) When Jesus was born, the Bible states that the shepherds living out of doors were the only ones told by the angel where to find the newborn. Those shepherds along with Joseph and Mary were the only ones attending Jesus’ birth, not the so-called wise men. (Luke 2:8-16)

3) What the Bible describes about these so-called wise men is not favorable. The Greek word ma’goi or maji is used in reference to them. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that ma’goi had supernatural knowledge and ability and sometimes were practitioners of magic. The Greek historian Herodotus referred to them as men who specialized in astrology, interpretation of dreams, and casting of spells. (Matthew 2:1) Even though astrology and magic are very popular today, God’s word condemns both of these practices that are linked to spiritism. These astrologers were not sent from God. (Isaiah 47:13-15; Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The lowly shepherds were the only ones invited by God’s angel to visit the baby Jesus.

4) When these men reached Jesus, they reached him some months after his birth when he was living in a house, not a stable. (Matthew 2:11) Thus, the popular nativity scenes are fictional, not factual.

5) Did God use the star to guide the astrologers to Jesus? Consider this: The shepherds who visited the baby Jesus were told exactly where to find him by the angel, but the star first led the pagan astrologers to wicked King Herod. King Herod secretly ordered the men to advise him of where Jesus could be found pretending to want to do good to him. Actually, King Herod sought to kill Jesus. After the astrologers visited Jesus in the house (not stable), they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod so they returned to their homeland via another route. (Matthew 2:7-12) Matthew 2:13 explains: “After they (the astrologers) had withdrawn, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying: “Get up, take the young child and its mother and flee into Egypt; and stay there until I give you word; for Herod is about to search for the young child to destroy it.” Would God who used angels to inform the humble shepherds of Jesus’ birth now guide the pagan astrologers by means of the star first to Jesus’ enemy and then to the child himself so that he could be killed by Herod? Not at all. That star was actually a sinister device of Satan to destroy Jesus, but God protected his Son by warning Joseph to escape.

Aside from the brief account in the Bible, “everything written about the Wise Men stems principally from legend,” says The Christmas Encyclopedia. Would true Christians want to perpetuate a fabled Nativity that distorts the truth surrounding the birth of Jesus? Surely the answer is no.