The three kings present their gifts to Jesus in Sandro Botticelli's "The Adoration of the Magi" (ca 1478). Botticelli, a Florentine, created several well-known paintings of this scene, which was ...

Within the New Testament, the story of the wise men is found only in the Gospel of Matthew. It spans 12 short verses, and is simpler than most readers likely remember.

The magi are also referred to in the Old Testament in the Book of Daniel, named for a Jewish prophet who lived between 620 and 538 BCE and was known for his skill in dream interpretation.

According to the Bible, although the birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas Day (Dec. 25), the Three Wise Men did not get to see him until twelve days later, which is why Three Kings Day is ...

Scholars have provided different interpretations of who the 'wise men' were who visited Jesus soon after his birth. (Christophe Lehenaff/Collection Moment via Getty images) ...

Melchior is said to be the oldest of the three Magi, who is supposed to have offered Christ the gold. St. Bede the Venerable says that he was an old man with long white hair, and that he lived to ...

Although the three visitors are popularly referred to as kings, in the Bible they are rather described as wise men, in some translations astrologers or magi — priests specialized in the study of ...

Christmas nativity scenes around the world feature a familiar cast of characters: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, an angel or two, some barnyard animals, shepherds and, of course, the three wise men ...

As Christmas approaches, Nativity scenes showing three wise men visiting the newborn Jesus are put up around the world. A scholar of Christian literature offers an explanation on their identity.