The Mysterious Magi
How can God announce Jesus' birth to His own nation — the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel? How can God witness to the nobles, dignitaries, "higher ups"? The answer has never before been told. The answer is in the mysterious Magi . . . the much maligned, much misunderstood Magi! Matthew is the only Gospel writer who records this great story. But scholars cannot agree about what Matthew means. Do you know who the Magi were?
Commonly the Magi are supposed to be either heathen or pagan worshippers of Zoroaster, or maybe practicers of black magic.
The Bible talks of two kinds of Magi or Magians. The earliest mention in all ancient records of the Magi is found in Jeremiah 39:3, 13. The King James says "Rab-mag," left untranslated because the translators did not know the meaning. Rab-mag has correctly been deciphered as "Chief Magi." These were pagan priests, physicians, learned men in the company of the Babylonians. The best authorities — ancient and modern — all tell us that "Magi" comes from mag or mog meaning priest, great one, from the old Persian language called pahlavi. You may confirm this in any reliable Bible dictionary. From these priests (Magi) descend a long line of evil and perverted priests, sorcerers, etc. — from Haman the Agagite (Book of Esther) to Bar-jesus or Elymas the sorcerer (Magian) of Acts 13. So the Bible shows that "Magi" sometimes means a priest of paganism.
But that is not all.
Classical history, ancient Greek dictionaries, and the Bible all agree there is another kind of Magian or Magi. Look at Daniel 2:48: "Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler of the whole province of Babylon, and CHIEF of the governors OVER ALL THE WISE MEN [Hebrew: Magi] OF BABYLON." One of God's most righteous men is PRESIDENT of the Babylonian Magi! Since Daniel remained president for a long time, this Bible example proves there was at least one righteous Magi — namely Daniel. Daniel also certainly taught, and set the example of, God's way to those he ruled! Through Daniel's teaching the Magi (priests) of the pagan world came into contact with Bible prophecies about Christ, as we shall see proved later. But this does not answer the question: Who were the Magi of Matthew?
Where Did the Magi Come From?
Let's get the truth straight at last! Commentaries and Bible dictionaries are in confusion on this vital point. Matthew certainly knew where they came from. He tells us they went back to "their own country" — he had to know which country, to know it was their own. Matthew is not trying to hide their identity by saying Magi "from the East" (or "Eastern Magi"), HE IS TELLING US WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
But where is "the East?"
Based on a misunderstanding of such prophecies as Ps. 72:10-11 and Isa. 60:6 (which Matthew did not think were fulfilled by Magi) many commentators think "the East" means ARABIA. But Arabia proper in the Bible is normally called either "Arabia," or "the South."
How about INDIA? Were the Magi really Brahmins? No, the Magi did not come from India. The king of India — uneasy at the prophecy of a world ruler, and hearing a report of the expedition of the Magi to the West — sent emissaries in the first year of the Christian era (that is, 1 A.D., Christ's fourth year), to find out whether the predicted royal child had actually appeared (Sir William Jones, Asiatic Researches, Vol. 10, p. 27-28). This report from Indian history proves the Magi were not Indians: the Indians heard about the Magi. Further, if the Magi were Indian, they would have reported to India. The Indian king would already have known the child was born. Obviously the Magi were not Indians, not Brahmins.
And EGYPT? No, Egypt is never called "the East" in the Bible, Egypt lies to the southwest.
The most common suggestion for the Magi's home is PERSIA. The pagan Persian Magi were priests of the false savior, Zoroaster. Did Zoroastrians come to see Christ in Matthew 2? The best answer here is found in the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Hastings, Vol. VII, p. 244 which says: "It is noteworthy, therefore, that Matthew 2 . . . ISOLATES THE MAGI FROM PERSIAN RELIGION." This source spends pages proving that pagan Zoroastrians did not study astronomy. Furthermore, they despised dreams. But the wise men of Matthew are very learned in astronomy, and certainly do not despise dreams.
No, the wise men are not Persian, not Zoroastrian Magi.
The Mystery Solved!
Then were the Magi from Babylon, or from east of the Euphrates River, or from Bactria? All these places have been suggested by scholars. In the face of such confusion, you might become confused yourself. Don't be! You need to know just two important facts to dispel confusion.
The Old Testament has two expressions for "the East" — anything on the east side or eastern is termed "what is before" (meaning the near east). Anything far to the east or distant as the rising of the sun is termed "rising of the sun" (meaning distant east). So also Matthew — who follows the Hebrew very closely in every way — has two expressions for areas east of Palestine. First, Matthew says the Magi are from "eastern parts" (in Greek, tonanatolon), or the distant East. Second, Magi see the star in "the east" (teanatole in Greek) — west of the Magi, but east from Palestine's view, in the "Near East." (See Upham's Star of the Wise Men)
Now consider this. One great empire east of the Euphrates — biblically "the distant east" — conquered the lands east of the Euphrates area, had Babylon as its capital, and included the areas of Persia, Bactria, etc. It was the Parthian Empire. It ruled this whole area, and was the empire of THE EAST; the land of the MAGI!
Who Were the Parthians?
The Parthians rose to power around 250 B.C. in and around the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. That was the very land into which the House of Israel — not Judah — was exiled! The exiles in this land were members of the ten tribes of Israel! The Parthian Empire included none other than the exiled lost ten tribes of Israel — many of whom remained in the land of their captivity until about A.D. 226."
Were there Magi in Parthia? Indeed! The geographer Strabo shows the strong influence of Magi in the king's council of Parthia, which "consists of two groups, one that of kinsmen [king's relatives], and the other that of wise men and MAGI, from both of which groups the kings were appointed" (Geography, 11.9.3).
Final Proofs
Contrary to the false story of "Three Kings" who are supposed to be the Magi, eastern writers all agree there were TWELVE Magi! Thus, the Magi do not represent the three sons of Noah, nor the Trinity or any such idea.
What do the twelve Magi represent? Is it coincidence that there were TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL? And certain of the ancient Magi could claim Abraham as their father! (See McClintock & Strong's Cyclopedia, article "Magi")
The Magi of Matthew 2 were following the star, were following the prophecy of Numbers 24:17 — "There shall come a star out of Jacob [and most of the "lost tribes" of Jacob or Israel in New Testament times were in Parthia], and a scepter shall rise out of Israel." This explains why later tradition connects the Apostle Thomas' work with the Magi in Parthia, after the resurrection of Christ. The distant nation of Israel had a witness of Christ at His birth, (not to mention other nations through which this large caravan of Magi traveled)!
Now we clearly understand why Matthew mentions the Magi. Matthew — and he alone — puts in the words of Christ: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24). But we do not read that Christ went to the "lost sheep of Israel." No, He personally did not go to preach to the house of Israel.
THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL CAME TO CHRIST! Is it mere coincidence that the shepherds (Jews) come first to Christ; the Magi (representing the tribes of Israel in exile) come second; then the Gentiles come third? An amazing story of precision, of fulfilled prophecy!
But there is more. How does God witness to the whole nation? Let's see.
"When Herod the king had heard these things [the Magi arriving at Jerusalem], he was troubled, and ALL JERUSALEM WITH HIM" (Matt. 2:3). This Idumean (not Jewish) king is SHAKEN! Prophecy is being fulfilled! A new king threatens Herod's throne.
"And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where (not "whether") the Christ should be born" (verse 4). What meeting is this?
Nothing less than the Supreme Court of the Jewish nation: THE SANHEDRIN.
"And they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet" (verse 5). Do you realize what Matthew is saying?
The greatest ruling body in the nation — the Sanhedrin — pronounces with one voice that Christ is born in Bethlehem. They do not deny the fact!
They publicly and officially proclaim the truth of God to the king.
Do you see now how God has reached the king? Do you see how God has witnessed to the rulers and nobles of that age? Do you see how (probably under threat of their lives from Herod) the Sanhedrin pronounces and admits the truth of the Old Testament — only to deny it a generation later? That very Sanhedrin (with slight changes of personnel) killed the same Jesus whom they testified of!
This only begins the "great story never told." You need to begin reading your Bible! You will see a great story all through the pages of your New Testament. You will see diametric opposites from what is commonly taught in the name of religion today! The great story of Christ's life — as the Bible tells it — is not being published by the professing Christian world today.