The term "Magian" refers to members of a priestly caste originating from ancient Media and Persia, known for their religious and astrological practices. The Magians, or Magi, are most famously mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, where they are described as wise men from the East who visited Jesus after His birth. The Magi are often associated with Zoroastrianism, a major religion in ancient Persia, which emphasized the duality of good and evil and the worship of Ahura Mazda, the supreme god.

Biblical Account:

In the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi are described as following a star to find the newborn King of the Jews. They arrive in Jerusalem and inquire, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2). This event is significant as it highlights the recognition of Jesus' kingship by Gentiles, symbolizing the universal scope of His mission.

Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, the Magi present Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). These gifts are often interpreted as symbolic: gold representing Jesus' kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh His future suffering and death. The visit of the Magi fulfills the prophecy found in Isaiah 60:3, which states, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Magi were known for their expertise in astrology, a practice that was highly regarded in the ancient world. Their ability to interpret celestial events was considered a form of wisdom and insight. The star that guided the Magi to Jesus is often referred to as the "Star of Bethlehem," and its appearance has been the subject of much scholarly and theological discussion.

In the context of the ancient Near East, the Magi's journey signifies the acknowledgment of Jesus' birth by the wider world beyond Israel. Their presence in the nativity narrative underscores the theme of divine revelation and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.

Theological Significance:

The account of the Magi in Matthew's Gospel serves to emphasize the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah by non-Jewish figures, foreshadowing the inclusion of the Gentiles in the New Covenant. The Magi's act of worship and the presentation of gifts to Jesus highlight the acknowledgment of His divine authority and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for all nations.

The account of the Magi also illustrates the contrast between the response of the Gentiles and that of Herod and the Jewish leaders, who were troubled by the news of Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:3). This contrast serves as a reminder of the varied responses to Jesus' identity and mission throughout His earthly ministry.

Conclusion:

The Magian visit to Jesus is a profound narrative that encapsulates themes of revelation, worship, and the fulfillment of prophecy. It serves as a testament to the recognition of Jesus' divine kingship by the nations and the unfolding of God's salvific plan for humanity.1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the Magi.

2. (n.) One of the Magi, or priests of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion.

3097. magos -- a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. a ...
... 3096, 3097. magos. 3098 . a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. ... origin,
cf. Rab-mag Definition a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3097.htm - 7k7248. Rab-mag -- perhaps "chief soothsayer," an official of the ...
... king NASB Word Usage Rab-mag (2). Rab-mag. From rab and a foreign word for a Magian;
chief Magian; Rab-Mag, a Bab. Official -- Rab-mag. see HEBREW rab. ...
/hebrew/7248.htm - 6k

3779. Kasday -- inhab. of Chaldea
... Chaldean. (Aramaic) corresponding to Kasdiy; a Chaldaean or inhabitant of Chaldaea;
by implication, a Magian or professional astrologer -- Chaldean. ...
/hebrew/3779.htm - 6k

2445. chakkim -- a wise man
... wise. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chakam; wise, ie A Magian -- wise.
see HEBREW chakam. 2444, 2445. chakkim. 2446 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2445.htm - 6k

Come, Then, Let Some Magian Zoroaster Arrive from a Remote Part of ...
... Book I. 52 Come, then, let some Magian Zoroaster arrive from a remote
part of the globe? Come, then, let some Magian Zoroaster ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/52 come then let some.htm

Smerdis the Magian.
... SMERDIS THE MAGIAN. BC520 ... Cambyses and his friends had been right in their conjectures
that it was Smerdis the magian who had usurped the Persian throne. ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter iii smerdis the magian.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... And they also informed Simon the magian, having sent for him, that, as
has been said, he should not come into the parts of Italy. ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... a very favorable opportunity for maturing their plans, and making their preparations
for the execution of them during the time of the magian usurpation; for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... actions."Cyrus."Character and career of Cambyses."Wives of Cambyses."He marries
his sister."Death of Cambyses."Smerdis the magian."Cunning of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

Preface to the Anti-Manich??an Writings.
... of Chald??a. He belonged to a Magian family, and while still a youth won
a distinguished place among the sages of Persia. He was ...
/.../preface to the anti-manichaean writings.htm

The Rebuilding of the Temple.
... No one grieved when he was killed by a chance wound from his own sword, in the year
522; but a young Magian priest, pretending to be Smerdis, whose death was ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiii the rebuilding of.htm

The Reconnoitering of Greece.
... The Queen Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus, who has already been mentioned as the wife
of Cambyses and of Smerdis the magian, was one of the wives of Darius. ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter vi the reconnoitering of.htm

The End of Cambyses.
... This coincidence between the magian's name and that of the prince led, in the
end, as will presently be seen, to very important consequences. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ii the end of.htm

The Accession of Darius.
... One was Atossa, whom we have already mentioned as having been married to Cambyses,
her brother, and as having been afterward taken by Smerdis the magian as one ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

Magian (4 Occurrences)
... Zoroastrian religion. Multi-Version Concordance Magian (4 Occurrences). Acts
13:6 and having gone through the island unto Paphos, they ...
/m/magian.htm - 7k

Cambyses
... Shortly after this, Cambyses heard that a certain Magian, who claimed to be his
brother Smerdes whom he had secretly put to death, had set himself up as king ...
/c/cambyses.htm - 12k

Chamberlain (14 Occurrences)
... of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sharezer,
Samgar-nebu, Sarsechim, chief chamberlain, Nergal-sharezer, chief magian, and all ...
/c/chamberlain.htm - 14k

Magi (4 Occurrences)
... and Revelation, 243-55), first, that a similar and closer conjunction occurred 59
years earlier, and should therefore have brought a Magian deputation to Judea ...
/m/magi.htm - 26k

Zoroastrianism
... Gnosticism, and Manicheism-contained much more than a Mazdean nucleus, and the
extrication of Mazdean from other (especially older Magian and Babylonian ...
/z/zoroastrianism.htm - 17k

Nebuzar-adan (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 39:13 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the body-guard sent, and Nebushazban,
chief chamberlain, and Nergal-sharezer, chief magian, and all the king of ...
/n/nebuzar-adan.htm - 11k

Interpreted (19 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Acts 13:8 and there withstood them Elymas the magian -- for so is his
name interpreted -- seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith. (YLT). ...
/i/interpreted.htm - 12k

Pervert (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:8 and there withstood them Elymas the magian -- for so is his name interpreted
-- seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith. (YLT). ...
/p/pervert.htm - 12k

Body-guard (23 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 39:13 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the body-guard sent, and Nebushazban,
chief chamberlain, and Nergal-sharezer, chief magian, and all the king of ...
/b/body-guard.htm - 14k

Samgar-nebu (1 Occurrence)
... of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sharezer,
Samgar-nebu, Sarsechim, chief chamberlain, Nergal-sharezer, chief magian, and all ...
/s/samgar-nebu.htm - 6k

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