Matthew indicates in his Gospel that the Magi came from the East and were guided by a star. Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, had revealed that the Messiah's arrival would be marked by a bright star. With this information, it's likely the magi were Persian priests, educated in astrology and astronomy, who interpreted the star's appearance as a sign of Christ's birth.
From ancient times, gold has been associated with rarity and royalty. Because of its endurance, gold also became associated with immortality. In the time of Jesus gold was an essential gift for a king or deity. The magi's gift of gold symbolizes their acknowledgement of Jesus as a king whose kingdom cannot be destroyed by earthly powers.
As Christianity evolved, so too did the description of the magi. In the seventh century, a work attributed to St. Bede known as the Excerpta et Collectanea indicated the gift of gold was presented by Melchior, a bearded, elderly man. Frankincense, also known as olibanum, was also considered precious. The plant-derived, resin-like substance was used for medicinal purposes and in incense.
Frankincense was not native to Israel and was expensive to import, but was a logical gift to be borne by a visitor from the east to Jerusalem where it was used in ritual by the temple elders. Three Heavens? How are they different? Or Yahweh? Or Yeshua? Why is Dan Missing? Take a Seat NOW! Yes, send me answers to interesting and challenging questions about Jesus and the Bible. Help me get equipped and be encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith.
Get equipped with knowledge! Be encouraged in hope! Live empowered with love! We need your help to share God's truths. We Three Kings? These men were wise. They gave of their time, talents, treasures, and testimonies: They had journeyed far to see this Child—a gift of time.
They had followed His star—a gift of talent read: How did the wise men know to follow His star? They desired to worship Him and brought Him gifts—a gift of treasures. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh The treasures the wise men brought were of significant value and prophetic importance. Pilate proclaimed Jesus King: John But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? He attributed the office of Prophet to Himself with His words: Luke Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
Jesus also confirmed His office as a Prophet by His works: As a Prophet, Jesus did the will of the Father: John Jesus said unto them, My meat [food] is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Verse 4 — We Three Kings Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
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Christmas, abortion, and Joseph, the forgotten man of Christmas Remember the Wonder of Christmas Will you find rest, peace, and joy this advent season? Receive the Promises of God. See Jesus. Visit our YouTube Channel. Who were the Magi? What was the significance of the gifts? Were they for the infant Jesus or for a much bigger purpose? Fact is we will never know for sure the truth about gold, frankincense and myrrh; nor why the Magi travelled half-way across the world to bless the Christ Child with them.
They were obviously astronomers of some sort, because it was the Star of Bethlehem that indicated the birth. When they made it into Jerusalem, they went right to Herod to ask where the Baby might be. Interestingly, Herod seems to know right away that the prophesies about the Messiah were connected, because he asked his scholars where Messiah was to be born.
This is important to note when we look at the potential uses for the gifts in a moment. Church history and tradition have expanded on the story to name the men who actually gave the gifts — Melchior bringing gold, Caspar with frankincense, and Balthasar with myrrh. It has also been suggested that, In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming.
Because the Magi were coming to hail the new king, gold makes sense as an acknowledgement of royalty. Gold was valuable, beautiful, and long-lasting. Scholars generally agree that the gift of gold represented Jesus as a king with an everlasting throne. It was a treasure befitting royalty, albeit royalty in the home of a young, poor family.
As an interesting theory that is somewhat on the fringe, some believe the gold was entirely different. Instead of precious metals, the theory explains that frankincense and myrrh were both precious resins used for fragrance and were both derived from the same region — from the east.
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