1400s The Adoration of the Magi

Paolo Uccello born Paolo di Dono as (Italian artist, from 1397 to 1475) Detail Adoration of the Magi (Quarate predella)

In Mark 15:23, Jesus is offered wine with myrrh before his crucifixion, because it was then believed to be a painkiller. Myrrh was also used at that time used in oil used for anointing kings, which is significant given that the Magi had come looking for the king of the Jews.

The Gospel of Matthew is the only one of the 5 gospels in The New Testament of the Bible to mention the Magi. Matthew 2:1–2 records that they came "from the east" to worship the "king of the Jews." The gospel does not mention the number of Magi. Still, most western Christian denominations traditionally portray them to have been 3 in number, based on the biblical statement that they brought 3 gifts on the day of Thr Epiphany, January 6th

1562 The Adoration of the Magi

1562 Jacopo Bassano (Italian painter, 1510-1592) The Adoration of the Magi

While it’s difficult to tie the Magi to any specific people, the very brief descriptions of them in the Gospel of Matthew do track with understandings of the world at the time the Gospel was written, thought to be sometime between 70 CE & 85 CE.

January 6th is observed as a Christain church festival called Epiphany in commemoration of the arrival of the Magi at the end of their long journey from the Far East, in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In Western Christain churches, Epiphany portrays the 1st manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. In some Eastern Christain Churches, Epiphany celebrates baptism of Christ. (The word Epiphany also defines "a revealing scene or moment," & may also be seen as "an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being.")

 

1500s The Adoration of the Magi

Attributed to Tintoretto, Jacopo Robusti (Italian, 1518-1594),  Adoration of the Magi

The Magi have come to be known as "wise men." Their orientation was much more focused on a science kind of religious revelation. The shepherds were notified immediately after Jesus' birth by angels. Looking to a star is “very much in keeping with the religious tradition of this place in time of looking to the heavens, the stars, & the planets for information about the gods’ wishes & doings, & some stars or planets were identified with God,” says Dr. Kristin Swenson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

January 6th is observed as a Christain church festival called Epiphany in commemoration of the arrival of the Magi at the end of their long journey from the Far East, in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In Western Christain churches, Epiphany portrays the 1st manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. In some Eastern Christain Churches, Epiphany celebrates baptism of Christ. (The word Epiphany also defines "a revealing scene or moment," & may also be seen as "an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being.")

 

1400s The Adoration of the Magi

Geertgen tot Sint Jans (Early Netherlandish painter, c 1465–c 1495), Adoration of the Magi

The Gospel of Matthew is the only one of the 5 gospels in The New Testament of the Bible to mention the Magi. Matthew 2:1–2 has it that they came "from the east" to worship the "king of the Jews." The gospel does not mention the number of Magi. Still, most western Christian denominations traditionally portray them to have been 3 in number, based on the biblical statement that they brought 3 gifts.