How Many Wise Men?
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”Matthew 2:1–2 (KJV)
Almost every nativity scene has three wise men. Christmas songs count them. But open Matthew and read carefully: “there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Matthew never says how many. What he does count is the gifts: “they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Three gifts. We filled in the rest.
It is a small detail, but it is a good habit to build. The Bible says what it says, and it is worth knowing where the text ends and our traditions begin. Most traditions are harmless. Some aren’t. The only way to tell is to read for yourself.
And notice what Matthew does put at the center: what they came to do. They saw the child “and fell down, and worshipped him.” That part of the story is clear. Make it yours this year.
Count it yourself
The phrase “three wise men” appears 0 times in the King James Bible. Read Matthew 2:1–12 and count the gifts instead.
Is there something you’ve always believed about the Bible that you’ve never actually checked in the text?
Lord, teach me to read your word as it is written, and to worship you as those visitors did. Amen.