The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
Dr. B. Brandon Scottearlychristiantexts.com
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
The Greek word magoi is a transliteration of the Persian magush , who were Zoroastrian priests. They were experts on the motion and reading of the stars, i.e., astronomy and astrology. Greek authors did not have a clear understanding of either Zoroastrianism or what the Persian priests ( magush ) actually did. They viewed them as involved in the da... See more
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
There is a comical element here. As experts on the stars, they follow it all the way from “the east” and then lose it as they approach their final destination. And of all people to ask for directions, they choose King Herod who tricks them into betraying the new king of the Jews. This is a bit of a Marx Brothers routine with a dark side.
As soon as ... See more
As soon as ... See more
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
The ancients thought of celestial events as signs from the gods. Augustus interpreted a comet in 44 BCE as Caesar’s soul ascending to the heavens, thus marking the deification of Julius Caesar, his uncle. A temple in Rome was dedicated to Deified Julius which included a statue of Caesar with a comet affixed to his forehead. Many coins were issued h... See more
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
In that cultural space it makes sense for the story of Jesus, as a religious competitor, to be told with similar events
The Revised Standard Version (1952) and New Revised Standard Version (1989) both used wise men, but the New International Version (1983) and New American Bible (2011), and the latest version of NRSV (2021) all have used Magi, following Jerome’s transliteration.
The shift to Magi and away from wise men indicates that recent scholarship has become uns... See more
The shift to Magi and away from wise men indicates that recent scholarship has become uns... See more
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
The Magi follow the star from the east. The east is the place of exile, as emphasized in the third part of the genealogy that opens this gospel: “after the deportation to Babylon” (Matthew 1:12). They enter the holy city of Jerusalem which is the home of King Herod. Matthew’s gospel is remapping sacred geography. The holy city becomes a place of mu... See more
The Three Wise Men (or Magi) and Their Tragic Role in the Gospel of Matthew
The term "Babylon" is often used to refer to the general area of Babylonia, which includes the city of Babylon and the surrounding region. The Babylonian Empire, and later the Persian Empire, controlled this area during the time of the Babylonian exile. In the Gospel of Matthew, the reference to the Magi coming from the East and the mention of Babylon as the place of exile could be a symbolic connection.