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The Magi were, according to the Gospel of Matthew, a group of wise men who came from the East to pay homage to the infant Jesus when he was born at Bethlehem.

< Events : Journey of the Magi -- Adoration of the Magi -- Relics of the Magi >

< People : Mary of Nazareth -- Joseph of Nazareth -- Jesus of Nazareth -- Amahl -- Herod the Great >

< Fiction : Magi (art) -- Magi (cinema) -- Magi (literature) -- Magi (music) >

Overview

The episode of the Adoration of the Magi is narrated only in the Gospel of Matthew. The legend of the Magi originated from the merging of traditions about "wise men from the East" with the memory of the appearance of Halley's Comet in October 12 BCE (and again in January 66 CE). "Wise Men from the East" had the reputation of interpreting the exact meaning of exceptional astronomical phenomena, like the appearance of a comet, which were believed to announce exceptional historical events, like the birth of a new King.

Later Christian tradition embellished the episode, and a series of legends began to flourish about the identity and whereabouts of the "three" Magi, who were described as "kings" coming from the East. By the 5th-6th century, Melchior (Melkon) of Persia, Kaspar (Gaspar, Jaspar) of India, and Balthazar of Arabia emerged among the most popular characters in the Gospel.

According to the 12th-century Vita Eustorgi, the bishop of Milan St. Eustorgius obtained permission from the Emperor to transfer to Milan the remains of the three Magi, which in the fourth century had been "discovered" by St. Helena and taken to the Church of St. Sofia in Constantinople. In 1164 Milan was looted by Federico Barbarossa and the remains of the Magi was transferred to the Cathedral of Cologne where they are still preserved. See Relics of the Magi.

Around 1370 Johannes of Hildesheim in his Historia Trium Regum collected all traditions about the Magi into a long and detailed narrative, which became standard in Western Christianity. The work enjoyed great popularity and was translated into German, Dutch, French, English and Danish. At the end of the 15th century, the Historia de gestis trium regum would be among the first printed books--Mainz [Germany]: Johann Guldenschaiff, 1477 [1478, 1486]; Cologne [Germany]: Bartholomaeus de Unkel, 1481; Modena [Italy]: Dominicus Richizola, 1490; and in English translation, London [England]: Wynkyn de Worde, 1499.

Magi, in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Mt 2:1-12 (NRSV) -- [1] In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, [2] asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." [3] When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. [5] They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: [6] 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" [7] Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." [9] When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. [11] On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Cf. Protoevangelium of James

[21] And, behold, Joseph was ready to go into Judea. And there was a great commotion in Bethlehem of Judea, for Magi came, saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. And when Herod heard, he was much disturbed, and sent officers to the Magi. And he sent for the priests, and examined them, saying: How is it written about the Christ? Where is He to be born? And they said: In Bethlehem of Judæa, for so it is written. And he sent them away. And he examined the Magi, saying to them: What sign have you seen in reference to the king that has been born? And the Magi said: We have seen a star of great size shining among these stars, and obscuring their light, so that the stars did not appear; and we thus knew that a king has been born to Israel, and we have come to worship him. And Herod said: Go and seek him; and if you find him, let me know, in order that I also may go and worship him. And the Magi went out. And, behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them until they came to the cave, and it stood over the top of the cave. And the Magi saw the infant with His mother Mary; and they brought forth from their bag gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by the angel not to go into Judea, they went into their own country by another road.

External links

• Wikipedia

Additional Bibliography

• Martin McNamara, “Were the Magi Essenes?”, Irish Ecclesiastical Record, 110 (1968), 305-328.