December 4, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say there were three Wise Men?”

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:1ff

The Wise men were following a star that announced to the world that something fantastic had transpired. The celestial announcement was telling them that a king had been born. Was the star a one-time phenomenon, or was it something more “extra-terrestrial”? Some believe the “Star of Bethlehem” was a comet. Comets were considered harbingers of important events in history. So perhaps a comet like Halley’s Comet was the culprit. Others believe the Star of Bethlehem was a conjunction or gathering of planets in the night sky. Since the planets all orbit the sun, there will be times when they seem to approach each other to appear like one light source. Finally, the Star of Bethlehem could have been caused by an exploding star – called a supernova. How long this light would have appeared in the sky is unknown but could have accounted for the light. There are ways we might be able to account for a celestial event, but there is no way to determine how many Wise Men came to see the baby Jesus.

The Bible lists three gifts that were brought to the baby Jesus – this accounts for the tradition of three Wise Men. We just do not know how many made the trip. What we do know is they were wise – because they did not return to Herod to give him a report – but returned home by a different route. I have just wish I could have witnessed the Star of Bethlehem – to have stood in the desert with the Wise Men and the shepherds and witnessed the celestial event. It must have been a sight to see.   

Pastor Dave