Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see Three Kings (disambiguation), Wise men (disambiguation) and Three Wise Men (disambiguation)
The biblical Magi[a] (/ˈmeɪdʒaɪ/ or /ˈmædʒaɪ/;[1] singular: magus), also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings, also the Three Magi (Greek: Οι Τρεις Μάγοι; Hebrew: שלושת האמגושים; Arabic: المجوس الثلاثة) were distinguished foreigners in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition. They are said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition.
The Three Magi, Byzantine mosaic c. 565, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy (restored during the 18th century). As here Byzantine art usually depicts the Magi in Persian clothing which includes breeches, capes and Phrygian caps.
Matthew is the only one of the four canonical gospels to mention the Magi. Matthew reports that they came "from the east" to worship the "king of the Jews".[2] The gospel never mentions the number of Magi. Still, most western Christian denominations have traditionally assumed them to have been three in number, based on the statement that they brought three gifts.[3] In Eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac churches, the Magi often number twelve.[4] Their identification as kings in later Christian writings is probably linked to Isaiah 60:1–6, which refers to "kings [coming] to the brightness of your dawn" bearing "gold and frankincense".[5] Further identification of the magi with kings may be due to Psalm 72:11, "May all kings fall down before him".[6][7]
