It never fails to amaze me how people insist on there being three wise men who visited Jesus on the night of his birth. It shows how tradition can be so misleading.

The biblical narrative of Jesus’s birth reveals nuanced details often misunderstood in popular depictions. Scripture clearly indicates that shepherds were the first to visit the newborn Jesus on the night of his birth, while the wise men arrived later at a house, not the stable. Though traditional nativity scenes frequently portray three wise men, the Gospel of Matthew does not specify their exact number. The actual count could have been two, three, or potentially even twenty travelers who journeyed to pay homage to the child.

Biblical scholars and nativity scene artists often depict an inaccurate representation of the wise men’s visit to Jesus. According to scriptural accounts, the magi did not arrive at the stable where Jesus was born, but rather visited him later in a house, when he was likely a young child. Please read it yourself. Don’t take my word for it.

If we go by the Scripture, which we should, the wise men might have visited as much as two years after Jesus’ birth and likely at least a month later. It may have taken a month or more to move from the manger to a house. Moreover, Matthew calls Jesus a child, not a baby.

Many scholars suggest the visit occurred when Jesus was around one to two years old, based on King Herod’s decree to kill male children under two. While the exact age remains uncertain, it seems most likely that Jesus was slightly older than a toddler. Matthew’s gospel implies he was no longer an infant, as the term “baby” was not used to describe him at this point.

Periodically, I find myself compelled to address this topic, recognizing that not everyone is fully informed. Though some may question its significance, I believe the matter is crucial. Subtle misquotations can be particularly misleading, as even a slight distortion of context or a few misplaced words can fundamentally alter understanding. I’ve often contemplated whether the narrative of the wise men truly belongs within the traditional Christmas narrative, given the potential for misinterpretation.