| Hi Penny,
Here's what I have been able to dig up:
1) It is a myth that there were 3 wise men. It states in Matthew 2:1-9
that there were wise men, but it doesn't mention how many. I don't know
where the number 3 came from.
2) It is also a myth that the 3 wise men visited the Christ-child at the
manger. There is no evidence to support this. More than likely they
visited him when he was a little older (probably when he was two or less).
In Matthew 2:It mentions that they visited him at his house (not a manger).
3) I don't know if he is looking for an answer from the bible or from the
scientific community. If it is from the bible, then the reference to
the star is in Matthew 2:2,9-10. If he is looking for "proof" from
astronomers on the subject, he may have to do a little digging. From
what I saw on TV a while back, it is known that there was a supernova
around the time of Christ's birth. Whether this is the same star that
the wise men were referring to, I don't know.
A copy of Matthew Chapter 2 follows on the the next page.
Best Regards,
Frank
Matthew Chapter 2
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days
of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east
to Jerusalem.
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we
have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was trou-
bled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes
of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ
should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus
it is written by the prophet.
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least
among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a
Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, en-
quired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search di-
ligently for thy young child; and when ye have found him,
bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the
star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it
came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the
young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and
worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and
myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not
return to Herod, they departed into their own country anoth-
er way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take
the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be
thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the
young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by
night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, say-
ing, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise
men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the
children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts
thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the
prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weep-
ing, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children,
and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord ap-
peareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take thy young child and his mother,
and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead which
sought the young child's life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother,
and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in
the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither;
notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned
aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He
shall be called a Nazarene.
|
| Penny,
Here's some additional info (see .3):
�� 1) It is a myth that there were 3 wise men. It states in Matthew 2:1-9
�� that there were wise men, but it doesn't mention how many. I don't know
�� where the number 3 came from.
The number of wise men myth is probably a guess from the number
of gifts given: gold, frankincence, and myrrh (See Matthew 2:11).
The number of wise men is never mentioned.
�� 3) I don't know if he is looking for an answer from the bible or from the
�� scientific community. If it is from the bible, then the reference to
�� the star is in Matthew 2:2,9-10. If he is looking for "proof" from
�� astronomers on the subject, he may have to do a little digging. From
�� what I saw on TV a while back, it is known that there was a supernova
�� around the time of Christ's birth. Whether this is the same star that
�� the wise men were referring to, I don't know.
When I took astronomy in college (~1980) I seem to remember the
following (I don't have my notes with me, so this is all from
memory). There was a triple-conjunction (alignment of three
planets within � second of arc) in the year 4 BC. A triple
conjunction is a very rare event (it happened again in 1980). I
believe the planets were mars, jupiter, and neptune (three of the
brightest objects in the sky). One of the planets (I don't
remember which) was known as the 'Star of David'. The
conjunction appeared in a constellation (again, I don't remember
which) known as the 'House of David'. This would have been a
pretty significant sign.
I hope all of this helps, and I'll try to fill in the missing
info as soon as possible.
Randy Morris
|