Event New Testament
The visit of the magi
Also known as The wise men, Epiphany
Magi from the east followed a star to Jerusalem asking where the king of the Jews had been born. Herod's scribes pointed them to Bethlehem from Micah's prophecy, and the magi found the child with Mary, worshiped Him, and gave gold, frankincense, and myrrh before slipping home by another road.
Why it matters. The first worshipers of Israel's king are foreigners, a signal that the blessing promised to Abraham for all nations is beginning. The scene also introduces the hostility of Herod that shadows the whole story.
- Primary passages
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: medium
Matthew alone records the magi. They come to a house, not the manger, and Herod's later order concerns boys two years old and under, so the visit may fall well after the birth. The number of magi is not given; the tradition of three comes from the three gifts.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The presentation in the temple precedes The visit of the magi
Historical inferenceMedium confidenceMatthew's magi find a child in a house and Herod targets boys up to two years old, which suggests a visit some time after the forty-day presentation. Luke 2:39 moves the family directly to Nazareth, so the ordering is a harmonization choice.
Evidence:Other responsible views
- Magi before the presentation: Some harmonizations place the magi within the first weeks in Bethlehem, before the trip to the temple, and the flight to Egypt after it.
The visit of the magi precedes The flight to Egypt
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe angel's warning to Joseph comes after the magi have gone.
Evidence:Herod the Great participates in The visit of the magi
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceHerod receives the magi, consults the scribes, and sends the visitors to Bethlehem with a false request.
Evidence:Jesus participates in The visit of the magi
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe magi find the child with His mother and worship Him.
Evidence:Mary, mother of Jesus participates in The visit of the magi
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMatthew names Mary as present when the magi enter the house.
Evidence:The visit of the magi occurs at Bethlehem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe magi are sent to Bethlehem and find the child there.
Evidence:The visit of the magi occurs at Jerusalem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe magi first arrive in Jerusalem and are interviewed there by Herod.
Evidence: