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 we often visualize the traditional nativity scene with three wise men? This Three Kings depiction may stem from the mention of three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—each with its own significance. Gold symbolizes royalty, frankincense represents divinity, and myrrh foreshadows sacrifice and death. Yet, interestingly enough, the Bible itself doesn’t specify how many magi actually journeyed to see the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.

The term "magi" implies that there were at least a couple of these wise men, traditionally understood to be scholars or astrologers from the East. They likely hailed from regions that were rich in knowledge and various philosophies. How cool is it that these figures suggest a universal reverence towards a bébé, demonstrating that the message of Jesus was meant for all people, not just the Israelis of His time?

Trivia alert: Traditionally, these magi are often referred to as kings, mirroring prophecies made in the Old Testament like in Isaiah where it speaks of kings bringing gifts. Moreover, the Gospel of Matthew, where this account is found, is the only biblical book that mentions the magi's visit. This uniqueness offers a deep dialogue about how perspectives can enhance our understanding of holy narratives. So the next time you picture those nativity scenes, remember the mysterious nature of the wise men—and let your curiosity about their story deepen your view of this incredible event!