Where in the New Testament are the names of the three Magi?

The story of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings, is a well-known part of the Christian tradition surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi were a group of astrologers or wise men from the East who visited Jesus shortly after his birth, bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, the New Testament provides little detail about the Magi themselves, and their names are not mentioned in the biblical text.

Despite the lack of specific names in the New Testament, there are a number of traditions and legends that have developed over the centuries about the identities of the Three Wise Men. One of the earliest and most influential of these traditions comes from the apocryphal Gospel of Matthew, which was written in the 8th century and is not considered part of the biblical canon. In this version of the story, the names of the Magi are given as Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar.

The names of the Magi may have also been influenced by other sources, such as ancient Persian and Babylonian texts that mention astrologers or wise men. In these traditions, the names of the Magi are given as Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa.

Despite the lack of biblical evidence, the story of the Magi has become an important part of the Christmas tradition in many parts of the world. In art, literature, and music, the Three Wise Men are often depicted as exotic and mysterious figures, bearing gifts and following a star to the birthplace of Jesus.

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Jamie Larson
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