The answer is: It doesn't say

There is no indication of how many wise men visited Jesus, except that there were at least two because the word 'magi' is plural.

Isn’t it fascinating how our mental images of the nativity often include three wise men? This idea arises from the mention of three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, the biblical text itself—specifically in the Gospel of Matthew—doesn’t specify the number of magi who came to pay homage to the baby Jesus. The term “magi” is indeed plural, suggesting at least two, but that’s all we can conclude from the scripture itself.

An interesting little trivia nugget is that these "wise men" likely hailed from Persia (modern-day Iran) and were more akin to scientists or priests than what we typically might think of today. They studied the stars and were keen observers of celestial events, which led them to follow the star that heralded Jesus' birth. Some traditions even give them names: Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, but these names are nowhere found in the biblical texts.

Furthermore, the gifts they offered—gold as a royal tribute, frankincense as a symbol of divinity, and myrrh foresight into Jesus's future suffering—carry a deep significance in both cultural and theological realms. Using their understanding of science and the cosmos, these magi set an example that sometimes knowledge and spirituality can beautifully intertwine. So why not embrace a bit of mystery? Instead of getting hung up on details, perhaps we can celebrate the themes of journey, knowledge, and giving that these visitors represent!