We often picture them as wise, old sages, or perhaps as kings, based on the familiar Christmas carol. But historically we actually don’t know a lot about these magi who visited the Messiah after his birth. We don’t know their names or their origin – although the text does say they came from “eastern lands” – or even their occupation. Some historians suggest the wise men were part of a priestly class, while others surmise, based on the men’s knowledge of the stars, that they were astrologers.
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Published on December 23, 2013 01:00