Magi🫅🏿

Magi

Magi

Magi (Mt 2:1) — From Greek magos (borrowed from Old Persian maguš), transmitted through Latin magus/magi. Related to English mage. In the pagan world, magi were respected for their knowledge in astrology, medicine, and dream interpretation. In Jewish thought, however, they were often viewed with suspicion, associated with “evil from the east.”

Mage — Later English form of magus, narrowed to mean “magician” or “sorcerer.” The lexical link highlights the tension between wisdom and sorcery, respect and suspicion.

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Theological Significance: In Matthew’s Gospel, God overturns assumptions. Those considered outsiders — even “evil” — are the first to worship Christ. The magi thus foreshadow the inclusion of Gentiles, the “other sheep” Jesus spoke of (John 10:16).

Historical Note: The Bible never says there were three magi — only that they brought three gifts. Tradition fused the gifts with the number of travelers, but the text leaves the group open.

Cultural Note: Just as Jesus was likely a dark-skinned Middle Easterner, the magi were not white, blond, or blue-eyed. They were outsiders — Asian and Middle Eastern figures — whose presence challenges romanticized depictions and reminds us of God’s plan to include all nations.

Theological Significance: The magi embody the tension between suspicion and inclusion. What looked like “evil from the east” became the first worship of Christ. Their journey reveals the miracle of Christmas: outsiders welcomed, boundaries overturned, and glory given to God alone.