THE MAGI

     The Parthian Empire of Persia ruled from 247 B.C. to A.D. 228.  They defeated Alexander the Great's successors and conquered most of the Middle East and southwest Asia.  The Parthians had the only empire the Roman Empire could not defeat.  Their Parthian dress included belted tunics, full sleeves, Parthian caps, and trousers.  Traveling many miles and across enemy territories, it is also likely that they were escorted by a military patrol.  Eastern traditions say that twelve Magi went to Judea to worship the Messiah.  These wise men out of Persia were educated individuals and familiar with the Biblical prophesy of Numbers 24:17:  I shall see him, but not now:  I shall behold him, but not nigh:  there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.  In the book of Matthew, chapter 2, we are told, in verses 1,2,11:  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, 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.  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 frakincense, and myrrh.

     Gold, frankincense, and myrrh represent the three offices of Jesus as king, priest, and savior.

     Gold for his kingship; frankincense was a spice for his priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment for his death.

      When the Maji arrived in Jerusalem, king Herod and all of Jerusalem did not know that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem---two years earlier.