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Likewise, the Magi's social status is never stated: although some biblical translations describe them as astrologers, they were increasingly identified as kings by at least the third century, [2] which conformed with Christian interpretations of Old Testament prophecies that the messiah would be worshipped by kings. [7] [8]
The gospel describes how magi from the east were notified of the birth of a king in Judaea by the appearance of his star. Upon their arrival in Jerusalem , they visited King Herod to determine the location of the king of the Jews ' birthplace.
The work is largely an expansion of the story of the Adoration of the Magi found in the Gospel of Matthew.Modern scholars have divided the work into 32 short chapters: a short 2-chapter prologue; a first-person plural account of the Magi's journey in chapters 3–27; and an epilogue in chapters 28–32 where Judas Thomas visits Shir afterward as part of his missionary work to the East.
Adoration of the Magi, Chartres Cathedral, by Jehan de Beauce, France, 16th century. The Gospel of Matthew tells how the Magi (often translated as "wise men", but more accurately astrologers) [12] arrive at the court of Herod in Jerusalem and tell the king of a star which signifies the birth of the King of the Jews:
January 6 marks Epiphany, the final night of the "Twelve Days of Christmas," and the traditional date when the Magi visited baby Jesus and his parents. You might be packing up your Nativity scene ...
Also any soldiers or others close to Herod would have known very well why they were hunting the infant King of the Jews and may have balked at killing the potential messiah. The magi as foreigners and gentiles might have been more likely to trust Herod and have had fewer qualms if they did suspect him. [3]
The Jewish leaders try to silence the Magi with gifts of money. King Herod, the main villain in Matthew, has more a secondary role here; it is the Jewish authorities and scribes the work depicts as the primary unbelievers. [4]
Caspar is behind the kneeling Melchior in The Magi visiting child Jesus, by Dieric Bouts. Matthew wrote that the Magi brought three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts apparently have deeper significance, the gold signifying the regal status of Jesus, the frankincense his divinity, and the myrrh his human nature.