besides them young shepherds in the field, but the foreigners, three gifts means three men’s or there were many of them that came but three have the heart and/or money to buy the gifts for the newborn King…?
The bible never says that there were 3 wise men. It only mentions the 3 gifts.
three gifts from the Magi’s….does this mean there was only three man that recognize the Messiah’s Arrival…?
6 Responses
Leave a Comment
July 29th, 2010 at 4:25 am
Yes. Not many knew about the greatest birth of all times. God does things in mysterious ways.
References :
July 29th, 2010 at 4:30 am
No, I believe there were hundreds.
It was enough of them to scare the hell out of Herod in his own country.
References :
July 29th, 2010 at 4:53 am
The bible never says that there were 3 wise men. It only mentions the 3 gifts.
References :
July 29th, 2010 at 5:13 am
We don’t know how many magi arrived. Maybe there were 15 and they all went in together on the gifts — we just don’t know and can’t pretend to know.
But at any rate, the shepherds went rejoicing and telling others what they had seen. We don’t know after that how many people came to see Jesus.
References :
July 29th, 2010 at 5:55 am
In fact, the Bible does not describe how many "magi" there were.
Ancient Christian tradition teaches that there were 3 "magi", and this tradition is still commonly taught in the Roman Catholic Church and most (if not all) of the Orthodox Churches. The tradition adds that they were kings and names them (different names in different traditions). It seems certain that this tradition developed at least a couple of centuries *after* the event occurred - which means that it is almost certainly not based on historical record or actual historical events.
Note, though, that you err in one sense: it would not be the custom of shepherds to present a gift to the newborn king of Judea. Indeed, they might expect to be thrashed for presuming to do such a thing for one of Herod’s sons! The magi, however, must have been men of wealth to be able to make the journey and offer even token gifts that would be acceptable to a monarch’s son. Remember: the magi went to Herod’s palace first, naturally expecting the newborn king to be one of Herod’s sons and living there. It is clear that they must have had a fair degree of respectability (either wealth or status), as they were granted an audience with Herod himself.
Other than the shepherds, the magi and Mary and Joseph, it seems that Jesus’ status as "king" was probably either not known by most people (most likely) or was known but not believed (much less likely).
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/
References :
July 29th, 2010 at 6:38 am
Not only 3 men that recognize the Messiah’s arrival, but recorded event was about the gifts, and what they mean, and that the most significant representation of the meaning of the arrival :
1.That the birth of Jesus was an event of great moment, worthy of the divine interposition in directing these men to find the place of his nativity.
2.God will guide those who are disposed to find the Saviour. Even if for a time the light should be withdrawn, yet it will again appear, and direct us in the way to the Redeemer.
3.Our being led to Christ should fill us with joy. He is the way, the truth, and the life; the Saviour, the friend, the all in all; there is no other way of life, and there is no peace to the soul until he is found. When we are guided to him, therefore, our hearts should overflow with joy and praise; and we should humbly and thankfully follow every direction that leads to the Son of God, Joh_12:35-36.
References :
JML