he kings from Persia were probably a very large group of travelers. The magi presented Jesus with three gifts, which is why tradition has whittled their number down to three. The story of the magi is only found in Matthew’s gospel because his audience was Jewish. This story was a link to Jewish history, and only they would have been able to see the connections.

Matthew 2:1–12 tells the story. These “wise men” came from the East in search of a newborn king. Their arrival in the city of Jerusalem would have caused a commotion. A group of this size and this importance would have had quite an entourage. Their status is indicated by the fact that they went to Herod expecting him to give them an audience. Their status is also indicated by the fact that Herod was less than candid about his plans for that “newborn king.”

They went to ask Herod their question, knowing him to be of Jewish lineage. Herod had been raised as Jewish, which is why the Romans chose him to be their leader in Jerusalem. The magi asked Herod where they should look for the newborn king, and he consulted with the Jewish leadership. Micah 5:2 is the verse the Jewish leaders quoted and the reason Herod sent the magi to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was home to King David’s family at one time. It was “little . . . among the clans of Judah.” It was a small place, home to farmers and shepherds. But, just as King David in “ancient days” had come from Bethlehem, so would the Messiah, the One who was to be the “ruler in Israel.” That verse would have led the magi to their king and was also the reason Herod plotted to kill all the young baby boys who had been born there. 

Bethlehem was a small town, so the number of baby boys born there would have been small, probably less than ten. That number wasn’t significant to Roman history, but it was significant to those who were Jewish. That’s why Matthew included this story in his gospel to the Jewish people.

The magi were wise men, likely influenced by the faith that Daniel and others had taught when they were taken captive in the region of Persia hundreds of years earlier. Their faithful teaching during those days had likely inspired these kings to go in search of the new “ruler of Israel” hundreds of years later.

Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. The timing of Jesus’ birth is a testimony to the wisdom, prophecy, and perfection of God’s plan for the salvation of the world.