The Birth of Jesus and the Three Kings

[Yeznik]

At our bible study last week we studied the birth of our Lord and Savior, and I noticed one thing, the three kings that we commonly see associated with the Christ birth are not mentioned. In Matthew and Luke it doesn't state there were three kings, only Magi. The only place where I have read that it mentions the three kings is the Armenian Gospel of Infancy. Has anyone read it in any other place?

[Momzilla]

AFAIK, the number "three" comes from the fact that three gifts were given. I'm not sure where the term "king" originates--maybe in the King James version? Again AFAIK, "magi"--meaning "wise men"--is a better translation.

Hope this helps.

[Michelina]

I don't know where the 'kings' idea comes from. Perhaps it is because these astronomers-astrologers would probably have been members of 'princely' families.

The only place where I have read that it mentions the three kings is the Armenian Gospel of Infancy.

That's interesting, Yeznik. Can you give us a link to that?

[countrymousenc]

Perhaps the idea that they were royalty comes from the expensive gifts they brought?

[icxn]

I think it can be inferred from the following prophecy:

The kings of Tharsis, and the isles, shall bring presents; the kings of the Arabians and Saba shall offer gifts. Psalm 71:10 LXX

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

AFAIK, the number "three" comes from the fact that three gifts were given. I'm not sure where the term "king" originates--maybe in the King James version? Again AFAIK, "magi"--meaning "wise men"--is a better translation.

Hope this helps.
That would be my guess as well. This is a great topic, Yeznik:) . I'm not sure what Tradition has to say about this.

[Yeznik]

AFAIK, the number "three" comes from the fact that three gifts were given. I'm not sure where the term "king" originates--maybe in the King James version? Again AFAIK, "magi"--meaning "wise men"--is a better translation.

Hope this helps.Magi is the Persian word in which the English word magician is derived from, basically these kings were Zoroastrian priests. Also Cyrus the Great, who was annointed by God,that liberated the Jews in the OT was a Zoroastrian.

I did a quick search and I got these links.

http://www.armeniosonline.com.ar/urartu/nueva/apocryphal%20i.htm

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/021216wisemenprint.html

[Moros]

Magi is short for "Majusian" which was what Zoroastrian Priests were called. The '3 Wise Men' came from Persia following a star, which is a prophecy in the Zoroastrian holy texts, which I forget the name of.

[countrymousenc]

I think it can be inferred from the following prophecy:

The kings of Tharsis, and the isles, shall bring presents; the kings of the Arabians and Saba shall offer gifts. Psalm 71:10 LXX

Ah! In many cultures, priests acted in the name of, or on behalf of, their kings, and one acting in the name of another was often referred to as though they were the same as the one in whose name they were acting. Hmmm...

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I think it can be inferred from the following prophecy:

The kings of Tharsis, and the isles, shall bring presents; the kings of the Arabians and Saba shall offer gifts. Psalm 71:10 LXX
:cool: Very cool, icxn. For some reason I must have skipped over that Psalm. I didn't realize that prophesy existed!

[prodromos]

I believe the names of the wise men are preserved in tradition. If I have time I might do a bit of digging later. You might be interested to know that the gifts they brought, or at least a portion of them, are retained at Mount Athos in Greece.

John.

[Yeznik]

I believe the names of the wise men are preserved in tradition. If I have time I might do a bit of digging later. You might be interested to know that the gifts they brought, or at least a portion of them, are retained at Mount Athos in Greece.

John.
According to tradition the names of the wisemen are Melkon, Gasper and Balathazar.

[orthedoxy]

What's intresting about the wise men is that they came to worship jesus, which means they new he was worthy of worship.
the wise men seem to be believers that new about Christ. Why would they travel so far to see Jesus if they were not believers of Christ?
None of the Jews knew who Jesus was but these people they knew and came to worship him.

[prodromos]

According to tradition the names of the wisemen are Melkon, Gasper and Balathazar.
Thanks, they sound like the names I remember so you've saved me the effort of searching my archives :)

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hey, I just wanted to get some clarification. Do Coptic & Oriental Churches accept the Infancy Gospels as valid?

[RobNJ]

AFAIK, the number "three" comes from the fact that three gifts were given. I'm not sure where the term "king" originates--maybe in the King James version? Again AFAIK, "magi"--meaning "wise men"--is a better translation.

Hope this helps.

Just checked an online KJV.. It uses 'wise men" too.

[Yeznik]

Hey, I just wanted to get some clarification. Do Coptic & Oriental Churches accept the Infancy Gospels as valid?
Hello GDE, what do you mean as valid?

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hello GDE, what do you mean as valid?
Hi.:wave: Well, I wasn't very clear there. First of all, I'm hearing there is more than one Infancy Gospel. Is one of them attributed to St. Thomas or something? Sorry, I don't have my facts straight on this. What I really wanted to know was origin of the Infancy Gospel quoted in one of your links (it was the magazine article), and I'm trying to figure out if the EOC accepts it as valid. AFAIK, they do not. IOW, it is considered heretical.

[Yeznik]

Hi.:wave: Well, I wasn't very clear there. First of all, I'm hearing there is more than one Infancy Gospel. Is one of them attributed to St. Thomas or something? Sorry, I don't have my facts straight on this. What I really wanted to know was origin of the Infancy Gospel quoted in one of your links (it was the magazine article), and I'm trying to figure out if the EOC accepts it as valid. AFAIK, they do not. IOW, it is considered heretical.
Hmm..... do you walk around with a book of hard questions to ask or what?:scratch:

AFAIK there are 3 Infancy Gospels (Thomas, James, Armenian). They are not a part of Scripture. You can find the ones written by Thomas and James here http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/. The Armenian one I have read about in bits and pieces. I am still trying to find the whole thing. I have not read these books, If anyone has any info., meaning that people have read these books, regarding the heresies of the books I would like to read them.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hmm..... do you walk around with a book of hard questions to ask or what?:scratch:
Everyone has to be good at something.;)

[pastel]

I think it can be inferred from the following prophecy:

The kings of Tharsis, and the isles, shall bring presents; the kings of the Arabians and Saba shall offer gifts. Psalm 71:10 LXX

Enlightening information! Thank you. I never realized that prophesy existed, either, in the OT. We were alway taught in Church and Sunday School about the "Magi" and they were wise men from the Middle East. There were some speculations about them being astrologers. The gifts may have been from the king or kings in their homeland.

It's good to learn a little something more than before. :amen:

[PaladinValer]

Kings comes out of Holy Tradition (which some of the Infancy Gospels are a part of).

[kieranmullen]

Hello all!

I had quick question. I stumbled on this site while doing some research for a speech tomorrow.

Anyway the reference for the Kings visitiing Jesus was Psalm 72:10 NKJV

However verse 9 states "and his enemies will lick the dust" now obviously Jesus did not end his life that way. Therfore I conclude that this is talking about the "return" of Jesus. (Also Nelson has a Chapter description "The Reign Of The Messiah"

Does any one else see this or is it just me?

Thanks!

KM

[kieranmullen]

Also which versions use magi in replacement of wise men?

I am looking at Holman, The New Living Translation, King James, New King James, New Revised Standard Version,The American Standard Version

And was not able to find it at crosswalk DOT org



Thanks!

KM