Over the centuries, legend has assigned them names: Gaspar, or Casper; Melchior, and Balthasar. (Daniel 9:24-27, NIV). Another unknown fact is the time of arrival of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. Despite their culture and religion in a foreign land, they accepted Jesus as their Savior. The shepherds find their place, and the three Wise Men and their camels join them. The gifts of the Three Kings symbolize Christ's identity and mission: gold for a king, incense for God, and myrrh used to anoint the dead. What Are the Steps of Presidential Impeachment? Directed by Antonio Navarro. Why did Herod ask the wise men “what time the star had appeared”? Christmas words -- Three Wise Men. Tradition says that there were three and that their names were Gaspar/Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar/Balthazar, but since the Bible does not say, we have no … Who Was the Ethiopian Eunuch in the Bible? You've heard their names: According to legend, they're the three Persian wise men, or kings, who traveled by camel … The exact number of Wise Men is not known but since the Bible talks of three gifts that were presented, it is assumed there must have been three Wise Men, each bearing his own gift. Three Wise Men are known to be the three men from the east who came to visit Lord Jesus in manger. With Jose Coronado, Juan Echanove, Imanol Arias, Javier Gurruchaga. Neither the names nor the number of these wise men are given in the Gospels. They doggedly followed a star that led them to Jesus. In Matthew 2:1, 7, and 16, the author uses the plural in Greek ( magoi , magous , magon respectively) and in 2:5, 7-13 the Greek indicates "they" and "them" which likewise reveal that there were more than one magi. According to legend in Western Christianity, there were three “wise men” who visited Jesus after His birth, bearing gifts.Their names were Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar, and they were of various ethnic/racial origins. There is a message in the title "Wise Men." Scholars believe that gold is either a simple valuable or a symbol of kingship. The earliest apocryphal version of Jesus’ birth is a document called The Gospel of James or The Protoevangelium of James. We love to sing carols about the three wise men, and place them in a manger scene, where they never seem to fit in—they and their jewel-bedecked camels and their opulent robes and gifts of gold seem an odd contrast to the “king” we know. He is the King of Sheba. The History of the United States' Golden Presidential Dollars, How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Schools and Education in Lasting Ways. The Three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings or the Magi, were Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. Despite their great fame, however, there is only one short passage in the New Testament that tells of the Magi, and this account is remarkably vague about these figures, in Matthew chapter 2, verses 1 through 12. It was written that they were from the east and that they brought three gifts to Christ; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Discovering that the Messiah was to be born, they organized an expedition to find him, following a star that led them to Bethlehem. M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University, The Magi were both real and symbolic. The names of the wise men, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, do not come from the Bible and did not appear in Christian literature until over five hundred years after the birth of Jesus. Gaspar represents the Frankincense brought to Jesus. Here are some things the Bible doesn’t say about the wise men. Matthew 2:1-2After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? The Three Kings were among the wisest men of their time. However, the Bible does not say there were only three wise men. Traditionally, Christmas cards and book illustrations show Jesus still lying in a manger when the Wise Men came to visit Him. However, because there were three gifts, tradition asserts that there were three wise men (although early traditions included as little as two, three, four, eight, or as many as a dozen kings). The names of the wise men, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, do not come from the Bible and did not appear in Christian literature until over five hundred years after the birth of Jesus. The account of Jesus’ birth fol… The Crossword Solver finds answers to American-style crosswords, British-style crosswords, general knowledge crosswords and cryptic crossword puzzles. Many characters in Scripture go unnamed. This is how they are often portrayed: Gaspar (or Caspar ), who wears a green cloak and a gold crown with green jewels on it. The core of the parable is the Magi’s journey: The Magi undertook a journey to encounter God. The three wise men met first with King Herod, whom he learned of Jesus’ birth from, this initial meeting with the King is consistent with an official Imperial visit from China. However, Matthew’s account of the magi’s visit in the Gospel (which is the only reference in the Bible to these famed visitors) tells us none of these characteristics. The Protoevangelium tells the story of Mary’s birth and childhood, her betrothal to Joseph and the birth of Jesus. The magi were given other names, as well, including Apellus, Amerus, and Damasius, which were used in Peter Comestor's medieval Historia Scholastica . The Three Kings, or Magi, are mentioned only in the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12. Click the answer to find similar crossword clues. They have become known most commonly as Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar (or Casper). Traditional nativity scenes depict three "Wise Men" visiting the infant Jesus on the night of his birth, in a manger accompanied by the shepherds and angels, but this should be understood as an artistic convention allowing the two separate scenes of the Adoration of the Shepherds on the birth night and the later Adoration of the Magito be combined for convenience. There could have been many more. The designation "Magi" refers to a Persian religious caste, but when this Gospel was written, the term was loosely used for astrologers, seers, and fortunetellers. Like the number of Magi, the names of these wise men are also unknown. When we seek God with sincere determination, we will find him. What Does George Soros' Open Society Foundations Network Fund? By using Learn Religions, you accept our, Enjoy the Complete Christmas Story of the Birth of Jesus, Epiphany and the Three Magi - Medieval Christmas History, Meet Herod the Great: Ruthless Ruler of the Jews, Chronology of the Birth and Life of Jesus Christ, 7 Religious Christmas Quotes to Inspire You, The Ultimate List of Christmas Bible Verses to Celebrate Jesus' Birth. In about the 8th century the names of three Magi—Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa—appear in a chronicle known as the Excerpta latina barbari. Matthew says only that these visitors came from "the east." According to Isaiah the three wise men names are Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior. 2 Comments. The single biblical account in Matthew simply presents an event at an unspecified point after Christ's birth in which an unnumbered party of unnamed … Foolish people, like Herod the Great, reject Jesus and even seek to destroy him. Fact Check: Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe? By the time they met Jesus, he was in a house and was a child, not an infant, implying they arrived a year or more after his birth. If indeed these men were scholars from Persia, they would have been familiar with Daniel's prophecy about the Messiah or "Anointed One." Frankincense is either plain perfume or a representation of deity. In the Bible, they presented gifts to Jesus soon after his birth. See also: our list of 'Christmas Card Sayings and Expressions'.. Posted by Friar William on December 03, 2001. In many Spanish towns that custom continues, while others now ask a prominent resident of African descent to take on this role in the cavalcades. Matthew reveals nothing of these visitors' ancestry. Gaspar represents the Frankincense brought to Jesus. Since there were three gifts, it has been inferred that there were three … Matthew does not call them kings; that title was used later, in legends. Ironically, the Gospel of John states that Nicodemus brought a mixture of 75 pounds of aloe and myrrh to anoint Jesus’ body after the crucifixion. The journey of the Three Wise Men who followed a star to Bethlehem, a journey which the entire Church celebrates on the Solemnity of Epiphany as the culmination of the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas, is like a living parable. He and/or they associated the star of Bethlehem ’s appearing with the conception or the birth of the One “who has been born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). These wise men paid Jesus the kind of respect only God deserves, bowing before him and worshiping him. Gaspar (or Caspar), who has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) About 200 AD, nonbiblical sources started calling them kings, perhaps because of a prophecy in Psalm 72:11: “May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.” (NIV) Because they followed a star, they may have been royal astronomers, advisers to kings. The Gospel of Matthew does not give the names of the Magi (or even how many there were), ... fitting in with this traditional icon motivated his representation in the cavalcades of Three Wise Men by a person made up in black. Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior. What Were the Wise Men’s Names? According to the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-16), the wise men or Magi followed a star to the birth place of Christ. When Bible characters get more face time in media than they do in the Bible, you’re sure to hear a few things about them that aren’t biblical. Three gifts (see gold, frankincense and myrrh) could have been presented by two, three or thirty wise men. Extra Biblical writings about the mysterious Magi proliferated. (NIV), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. April 9, 2013. Three Arabian princes followed a star to find baby … Few details are given about these men in the Bible, and most of our ideas about them actually come from tradition or speculation. Names of the Three Kings Matthew reveals nothing of these visitors' ancestry. The Three Wise Men all came from lands east of Jerusalem after seeing a special star in … Some Bible scholars think Joseph and Mary sold the wise men's gifts to pay for their trip to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution. When they found Jesus in Bethlehem, the three gifts that they offered were gold, frankincense and myrrh. The three kings are also referred to as the wise men, magi, Persian priests, and astrologers. Scholars have speculated that they came from Persia, Arabia, or even India. Once again, it is due to tradition that we have their names. References. The Three Wise Men. In Western tradition, for instance, the three Magi were Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. God honored the wise men by warning them in a dream to go home by another route and not to report back to King Herod. Accounts have been told about the Three Wise Men and they have been given names. The Crossword Solver found 20 answers to the one of the three wise men crossword clue. Balthasar has a Persian sound. When we get to know Jesus Christ, we are changed forever and cannot go back to our old life. These wealthy travelers were on the opposite end of the social and economic scale as the. Scripture does not say how many wise men there were, but it is generally assumed there were three since they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He is not hiding from us but wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us. As for the names of the visiting wise men, the Bible doesn't tell us, nor does it give their number. Additionally, the names given to these Biblical figures differ based on tradition. The Three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings or the Magi, were Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. Brian Hager. Jesus is not just a great teacher or admirable person as many people say today, but the Son of the Living God. The Answer: According to Matthew 2:1-12, "wise men" came from the East to visit Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense (an aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes), and myrrh (another … and wears a green cloak and a gold crown with green jewels on it. None of these three wise men names carry any ascertainable meaning, but there are several legends and interpretations associated with the three wise men names. The three Kings recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah while he was still a child, and traveled thousands of miles to worship him. Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard … The story of Jesus' birth and the journey of the 3 wise men who brought him gifts. What are the names of the three Wise Men ? Over the centuries, legend has assigned them names: Gaspar, or Casper; Melchior, and Balthasar. They all point to Jesus Christ, the manifestation of God's love for the human race. The Magi -- usually known as the "Three Wise Men" or "Three Kings" -- are easily the most famous of the visitors who appear at Jesus's birth in the Gospel accounts of the Christmas story. There is nothing in the Bible that limits the number of the wise men to three, nor anything that gives a clue to their names. How Does the 25th Amendment Work — and When Should It Be Enacted? After the Three Kings met Jesus, they did not go back the way they came. In Reply to: Christmas words -- Three Wise Men posted by Q on December 03, 2001: : We were discussing this at work -- what were the names of the three wise men who came to see Baby Jesus. There are proof texts to support the identification of the Magi with kings. Wise people acknowledge their need for a Savior and seek to find him. Palestine, Judea, Rome, Arabia, Egypt etc… had well established trade with China. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges. The best-informed children will tell you that the names of the three kings are Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar. ", Learn Religions uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. For example, in the Prophet Isaiah, chapter 60, we read, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Verse 6 says, “They shall bring gold and frankincense.” In Psalm 72, we find a prediction: “The kings of Tarshish and the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.” But Matthew does not want these Magi to be kings… The Three Wise Men all came from lands east of Jerusalem after seeing a special star in the sky that indicated the birth of a special king. He is the King of Sheba. The Magi story began to be elaborated along with the growth of Gnosticism and early Christianity. As real men, the three kings confirmed ancient prophecies about Jesus being the Messiah, and as symbols, they showed that he came to save all people, rich and poor, learned or unschooled, from anywhere in the world. In the Bible, they presented gifts to Jesus soon after his birth. Matthew’s story provides, in my mind, an absolutely brilliant contrast to Jesus. Myrrh is either an embalming ointment or a symbol for mortality. The Bible is a book about Jesus. We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Everyone knows the legend of the three wise men's visit to Bethlehem as retold every Christmas. Updated February 28, 2017 | Infoplease Staff. Enter the answer length or the answer pattern to get better results. Answer: We assume that there were three wise men because of the three gifts that were given: gold, incense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Every Christmas the Nativity set is unpacked. What Were the Names of the Three Wise Men in the Bible. The Question: What were the names of the Three Kings (or Three Wise Men), and the gifts that each brought to the baby Jesus? This video provides a brief introduction into the history of the three Wise Men, or Magi, which are a part of the traditional Christian story of Christmas.