Wise men, or magi ... who were they ?

Here is the story I said I was going to write about the Wisemen, or Magi, from the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus. I had meant to do it in a different format, but here it is.

In the gospel of Matthew we see the story of the birth of Jesus, and the arrival of Wise Men, or Magi, from the East. The word “wise men" is a traditional word, but in the original language, the word is Magi, or Magician.




These were astrologers from the East, who somehow knew of the prophecies concerning the Messiah and they had followed his star and come looking for him. Matthew says the town was in an uproar over the Magi showing up and asking about this newborn king.
From the traditional play we get three wisemen or magi, but that is because they brought three gifts. Quiet probably there were a lot more than three, and they were probably running around all over Jerusalem asking these questions - Where is the one born king of the Jews?
It would have been troubling for the religious community, and it would have been a problem for the political powers in Jerusalem. Rome ruled, and Rome did not take kindly to the idea of there being any king but Ceasar. Herod had been appointed king. One “born king," would be the rightful ruler, and not one appointed, so these questions would have been troubling to many.
It is possible that the Magi saw the star on the night Jesus was born, but they certainly were not there that night. Most scholars beileve they came from Persia, which was 1,000 miles away. It probably took several weeks to get ready for the journey. Just imagine walking from New York to St. Louis, which is about 1,000 miles. The trip might have taken a year or more.
Some scholars suggest they had been influenced by the teachings of Daniel in Babylon. Regardless, they knew the prophecies. They may have seen the star the same time the Shepherds did, but had to travel a much greater distance.
Exactly who these Magi were is not certain, but it could been Persians from the area around Babylon. When the Hebrews were in captivity Daniel rose to power and became chief of the Magicians. The story is told in the Old Testament, Daniel 5, about how he was in charge of all the magicians.
They could have been descendents of those same magicians.
Magician is a much different word now. At that time it meant people who studied the stars, much like astrologers now, and they were probably also philosphers and mystics to some degree. With Daniel’s influence they could have had all the ancient scriptures of the Jews as well.Matthew 2:11 says they found the child Jesus, worshipped him and gave him gifts.
The Greek word for Child in that verse is “Tekna” as opposed to the baby “Brephos” who was laid in the manger. Tekna refers to a small child, like a toddler perhaps.
When King Herod got word of this, he was understandably upset. He knew the prophecies, and that Jesus was to be a king. This threatened his rulership, and if the Roman government found out, it might put his own life in danger.
Herod also gave the order to kill all babies under the age of 2 (in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi) Matt. 2:17. So its possible he could have been as much as two years old and perhaps they were still living in Bethlehem.
By the time it happened, Joseph and Mary had fled to Egypt with Jesus, and the wise men had slipped out of town as well.