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How Old Was The Lord Jesus When The Wise men came?
How Old was Jesus when The Magi arrived to worship Him?
- According to historians and biblical scholars, The Lord Jesus was between 13 months and 2 years old when the wise men or magi came to see Him.
- This is largely based on Herod's wicked decree that all male children 2 years and younger should be put to death.
- Herod based this on the Magi's findings and when the king star appeared in the sky.
- Scholars estimate that The Lord Jesus Christ was between 13 and 24 months old at the time the Magii arrived.
The words used in Scripture also give us a clue of The Lord's age.
The Greek word brephos (βρέφος) refers to an infant or newborn, typically in the first days or weeks of life. In Luke 2:12,16, it describes Jesus using brephos at the manger with the shepherds, emphasizing His vulnerability and infancy.
By contrast, paidion (παιδίον) means a young child or toddler, broader than brephos, and can indicate a child up to two or three years old. Matthew 2:8,11,16 uses paidion when describing Jesus during the Magi’s visit and Herod’s decree. This suggests Jesus was no longer a newborn, consistent with scholarly views that several months—or even up to two years—had passed since His birth.
Bible Scholars on This Topic:
| Scholar (Institution & Work) | View on Jesus’ Age When the Magi Arrived |
|---|---|
| Alfred Edersheim – The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (1883), University of Vienna | Edersheim argued Jesus may have been 1–2 years old based on Herod’s order to kill children two years and under (Matt. 2:16). He believed the journey of the Magi likely occurred after the presentation in the Temple. |
| Samuel Andrews – The Life of Our Lord Upon the Earth (1891) | Andrews suggested Jesus was likely over a year old when the Magi came, given the use of paidion (young child) instead of brephos (infant). He argued that the family had likely left the stable and was in a house (Matt. 2:11). |
| William Milligan – University of Aberdeen, The Resurrection of Our Lord (1881) | Milligan believed Jesus was between 1–2 years old based on the timeframe of Herod’s calculations of the star’s appearance. He interpreted the narrative as historically consistent with a delayed arrival of the Magi. |
| James Orr – University of Glasgow, The Virgin Birth of Christ (1907) | Orr held that Jesus was not a newborn, citing linguistic and social factors showing the family had settled. He also saw Herod’s decree as precise evidence that Jesus was beyond infancy. |
| F.W. Farrar – Cambridge University, The Life of Christ (1874) | Farrar suggested the Magi arrived many months after the birth, possibly up to two years. He reasoned that the presentation in the Temple and relocation to a house indicated time had passed. |
| Philip Schaff – Union Theological Seminary, History of the Christian Church (1890) | Schaff believed Jesus was likely over a year old when the Magi appeared. He argued the Magi followed a star over time, signaling a prolonged journey and delayed visit. |
| John Lightfoot – Cambridge University, Horæ Hebraicæ et Talmudicæ (1658) | Lightfoot believed Herod’s decree implies Jesus was possibly around two years old. He also referenced Jewish customs to support the idea that Jesus was no longer an infant when visited. |
| Henry Alford – The Greek Testament (1863), Trinity College, Cambridge | Alford noted the Greek term paidion and the use of “house” instead of “manger,” arguing Jesus was likely 1–2 years old. He viewed Matthew’s chronology as intentional rather than immediate. |
| George Rawlinson – Oxford University, Historical Illustrations of the Old and New Testaments (1877) | Rawlinson held that Jesus may have been between 1–2 years old due to the travel distance of the Magi and narrative clues. He saw Herod’s command as historically reasonable only if time had passed. |
| J. Gresham Machen – Princeton Theological Seminary, The Virgin Birth of Christ (1912) | Machen believed Jesus was not a newborn at the Magi’s arrival. He reasoned that the family’s transition from stable to house implies months, perhaps up to two years, had elapsed. |
Age Of Jesus when The Wise Men Arrived according to Matthew 2:16-18
- 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 inquired of the wise men.
- 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
- 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
The Story of The Magi and Why They Brought Him Specific Gifts
The gifts delivered to the Lord Jesus have great historic meaning.
Gold – Kingship of Christ
Gold signifies Christ’s royal authority and eternal rulership. It acknowledges Him as the promised King of the Jews and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, worthy of honor and obedience.
Frankincense – His Divinity & Priestly Role
Frankincense was used in temple worship and priestly rituals which symbolizes Christ’s divine nature and intercession before God. It reveals The Lord Jesus as both true God and eternal High Priest for humanity.
Myrrh – His Death & Sacrifice
Myrrh was used for embalming and burial preparation, prophetically pointing to The Lord Jesus' suffering, atoning death, and sacrificial mission. It foreshadows the cross and His redemptive work for salvation.
| Gift | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gold | Kingship of Christ |
| Frankincense | His divinity & priestly role |
| Myrrh | His death & sacrifice |
But this begs the question of how the Magi knew about this prophesied Messiah and His divinity.
Here are the scriptural references and historic accounting of this preparation by Almighty God.
Scripture:
“Then the king promoted Daniel… and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.” — Daniel 2:48
Daniel’s promotion placed him in direct authority over the magi, or “wise men,” of Babylon. Scholars before 1920 such as E.W. Hengstenberg (Christology of the Old Testament, 1854) and Alfred Edersheim (The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, 1883) believed that Daniel likely introduced messianic prophecies to them. His teachings may have been preserved across generations, making the Magi in Matthew 2 aware of the coming Jewish Messiah and attentive to celestial signs.
| Scripture | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Matthew 2:1–12 | Describes their journey to worship the newborn “King of the Jews.” |
| Daniel 2:48 | Daniel becomes chief of the magi in Babylon—possible source of their messianic expectation. |
| Numbers 24:17 | Prophecy of a star rising out of Jacob—possibly known to them. |
In closing, the Lord Jesus was most likely between 1-2 years old at the time that the Magi came, placing His birth around 6 BC based on the 4BC death year of King Herod.
