God is the best author. He loves writing stories. One of God’s authorial devices is foreshadowing. He loves dropping clues about what will happen at the end of the narrative. If you have the eyes to see, you can see clues scattered about Jesus’ final days in his early days.

The intersection of the Magi and Jesus was years in the making. The backstory of the Magi is shrouded in mystery. By digging up clues from the text and what we know of Persian culture, we can piece together who these men must have been.

Searching Priests

The Magi were likely Zoroastrian priests, educated in astronomy, astrology, and theology. Like Jews, Zoroastrians were monotheists. Their god was Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians believed that the forces of good and evil were in an eternal struggle. Unlike Jews, their god was limited by evil forces, which were led by Angra Mainyu, the angry spirit.

Zoroastrians were taught to pursue the truth's path and build their lives on good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Like Jews, Zoroastrians also believed in a Messiah.