A Traditional belief of most Christians and Catholics are that 3 wise men showed up at the manger, and awed the sheperds with expensive gifts that they brought to Jesus. This has always been a fun trivia question I like to ask people, and I thought since the celebration of Christ's birth is on the horizon, it would be a good one to start with and will hopefully get everyones wits sharpened.
How many wise men came, and when did they show up? Back it up with why you believe it, and with scripture references if applicable.
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9 comments:
Hi Trent!
Well, I think the wise men came when he was around 2 years old considering the fact that they said, "We have seen his sta in the east." Practically, if the star appeared at His birth and they started traveling, it would take them about 2 years to get there. They certainly wouldn't get there the same night.
Plus there is this:
"16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men."
Herod goes two years and younger based on what the wise men told him about the time they had seen the star.
I presume the star appeared when he was born, although I suppose it MAY have been there before; I am not sure.
I have heard that there were probably more like 300 wise men, but I can't remember why that was said, so I have no way to back it up!
Good question!
Rose! Thanks for visiting. :) I would tend to agree about his age, though I am thinking it was probably somewhat under 2 only because Herod seemed like the kind of guy who liked the odds in his favor. If he thought Christ was around 2, I am thinking he would have slain 3 and under.
I am looking forward to others commenting.
As for the number thats interesting. :) I have heard large numbers also. I look forward to more thoughts on that also. I truly have no idea so am looking forward to being educated.
Rose, I would love to link your blog here with your permission.
Three is an highly convenient number for depicting in a painting.
Of course you have my permission. Thanks.
Yes, 3 is a convenient number. Every visual artist knows that 3 is a pleasing and dynamic number of items for positioning a composition . :~)
Oh, and I agree - about His age - You are right - he was probably well under two because of the odds thing/Herod.
Ok Rose, adding you. :)
matthew, thanks for visiting! :) I would like to link you as well.
Interesting, no one is going to defend the tradition of 3? :)
Hi all,
Here is my two cent's worth as to the age thing. I feel Jesus was around 2-3 months old as it really only takes around that long to travel anywhere by camel and boat in that region to get to where you need to be, at the most 5-6 months camels are pretty fast animals and the wisemen didnt have to travel that far. From what is now modern day Iraq to Israel is only around 600-700 miles or so that would take about 2-3 months. It used to take a wagon train that long to make the trip across the Oregon trail which was over 1500 miles in that time and they where much slower then what a camel train could move.
chuck, why do you say they came from Iraq?
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