The word
magi originally referred to
Zoroastrian priests in
Persia, but by the time this gospel was written it had come to mean anyone who dabbled in the
occult arts such as
magic,
astrology, and dream interpretation. Since the chapter later refers to their interest in stars it is likely
magi here refers to astrologers. The KJV translation as "wise men" is considered by modern scholars as quite inaccurate, mostly motivated by the desire not to imply any support for the arcane arts. Matthew never says how many magi there are, just that there are more than one. Traditions such as the magi being kings and having names developed later. There are many different translations of the word found, such as "wise men" and "astrologers". The only other place the word occurs in the New Testament is at
Acts 13:6 and
Acts 13:8. The magi in question is a negative figure and the word is more often translated as
magician or
sorcerer. The phrase "from the east" is the only information Matthew provides on where the magi came from. Many scholars have theorized about where this east might be. Traditionally the view developed that the magi were
Persian or
Parthian, and artworks generally depict them in Persian dress. The main support for this is that the first magi were from Persia and that land still had the largest number of them. The interest in astronomy leads some to believe they were from
Babylon, which was the centre of astrology at the time. The oldest attested theory, dating from 160 AD, is that they were from
Arabia. This fits with the gifts they brought, which come from that part of the world. Brown comments that the author of Matthew probably didn't have a specific location in mind and the phrase "from the east" is for literary effect and added exoticism. Dale Allison connects the magi with the prophet
Balaam, who was also "from the mountains of the east".
Saint Remigius states that "opinions vary with respect to the Magi. Some say they were Chaldæans, who are known to have worshipped a star as God, and by their fictitious god were shown the way to the true God. Others suppose they were Persians, while others state that they came from the ends of the world. The most probable opinion is, that they were descendants of Balaam, who had the prophecy, There will rise a Star out of Jacob, (Numb. 24:17.). Once they saw the star they knew a King was born."
Augustine comments on the coming of the Magi, saying, "Jesus then was manifested neither to the learned nor the righteous. Because ignorance belonged to the shepherds, impiety to the idolatrous Magi. Still, that Cornerstone attracted them both to Itself, for He came to choose the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and He came not to call the righteous, but sinners, in order that nothing great should exalt itself, none weak should despair." ==Commentary from the Church Fathers==