The story of the Magi bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the young Jesus is found in Matthew 2:1-12. This fascinating account raises the question – why did these wise men from the east bring these particular gifts to Jesus?
To understand the significance of these gifts, it’s important to know a bit about the Magi themselves. The Magi were likely astrologers and wise men from the East, possibly near Persia or Arabia. They studied the stars and were familiar with Jewish prophecies about a coming Messiah. When they saw an unusual star sign in the sky, they realized it was a sign that the Messiah had been born. They followed this star all the way to Jerusalem and then onto Bethlehem, where it led them right to Jesus (Matthew 2:1-10).
The Magi’s gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh were valuable items that were given as acts of worship and honor. They show us a few key things about Jesus and what He came to do.
Gold
Gold was a gift fit for kings. It symbolized Jesus’ royal status as the “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). Even from birth, Jesus was set apart as royalty. Gold was a precious metal used to make coins and crowns for royalty. The Magi recognized that Jesus was an important king and so honored Him with this lavish gift.
Later in His life, when Jesus was crucified, the sign over His cross even proclaimed Him as “King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37). So the gift of gold was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ kingship and pointed to His royal heritage and authority.
Frankincense
Frankincense was a valuable fragrant gum resin used in incense and perfumes. It was sometimes even more valuable than gold! The Magi’s gift of frankincense symbolized Jesus’ role as our High Priest. In the temple, incense was burned daily by the priests as an offering to God. It was a reminder of the prayers of God’s people rising up to Him.
Frankincense may also allude to Jesus being a sacrifice. When sacrifices were made in the temple, incense was burned alongside the sacrificial animals as the priests interceded for the people (see Exodus 30). In the same way, Jesus intercedes for us as our High Priest (Hebrews 7:25) and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:26).
The gift of frankincense shows that the Magi recognized Jesus’ important priestly role even as a young child.
Myrrh
Myrrh was an expensive fragrant spice that was used in perfumes, incense, and for embalming bodies for burial. It had medicinal uses as well. The gift of myrrh symbolized Jesus’ humanity, suffering, and death.
While gold pointed to Jesus as King and frankincense pointed to His priestly role, the gift of myrrh foreshadowed Jesus’ suffering and death for humanity’s salvation. Just as myrrh was used to embalm bodies after death, Jesus would later give His life for our sins (Mark 10:45). Even at His birth, Jesus’ earthly mission of redemption was foreshadowed.
Interestingly, myrrh was also offered to Jesus while He was on the cross. Mark 15:23 describes wine mixed with myrrh being offered to Jesus before His crucifixion, which He refused. The Magi’s gift of myrrh similarly foreshadowed this event decades earlier.
Why These Gifts?
Why did the Magi bring these exact gifts? Frankincense and myrrh were unusual and expensive gifts to give a young child. But the Magi recognized that Jesus was no ordinary child – He was the promised Messiah and Savior of the world.
It’s possible the Magi were familiar with Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah that pointed to His suffering and priestly ministry. Isaiah 60:6 prophesies that “the wealth of the nations” would one day come to the Messiah, which may have signified the gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Isaiah also alludes to the gift of myrrh, saying “For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). This points to the suffering servant who would die for others.
The Magi may have been looking for one who was both a great King and a Suffering Servant – a Priest and sacrifice – for humanity. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh embodied these distinct roles in their very substances.
Another explanation could be that these gifts were simply customary gifts to present to royalty at the time. The Magi may have simply been giving Jesus honorary gifts fit for a king in their culture. However, considering that Scripture points to the spiritual symbolism of these gifts, it seems likely that the Magi intentionally chose gifts that represented Jesus’ identity and mission.
Fulfilling Prophecy
Ultimately, the Magi’s visit fulfilled an important prophecy about the Messiah in Psalm 72 and Isaiah 60. Psalm 72 foretold that wise men from the east would come to honor the Messiah, bringing gifts. We read in Psalm 72:10-11:
“May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!” (ESV).
Isaiah 60:1-7 also prophecies:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you…Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising…they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD…and all from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.”
The Magi were the first fruits of the nations coming to worship Jesus, the light of the world. They set an important example that Jesus came to save people from all nations, not just the Jews. Their gifts helped fulfill the prophecies about the Messiah’s coming reign.
Lessons from the Gifts
As we reflect on the meaning behind the Magi’s gifts, here are some valuable lessons:
- Jesus is King – The gift of gold reminds us of His royal nature and authority.
- Jesus is Priest – The gift of frankincense reminds us of Jesus’ role as intercessor and sacrifice.
- Jesus is the suffering Savior – The gift of myrrh reminds us of His atoning death on our behalf.
- Jesus deserves our worship – The Magi’s example prompts us to come before Jesus in worship like they did.
- Jesus came to save all nations – The Magi show that Jesus came for both Jews and Gentiles.
The Magi went to great lengths to honor Jesus, leaving their homes and undertaking a long journey to worship Him. The gifts they brought required sacrifice and demonstrated their understanding of who Jesus was. As we reflect on their gifts, we can be prompted to also honor Christ as the true King and offer our lives as a fragrant offering before Him.
Just as the Magi worshipped Jesus with joy that day, we too can worship Christ with thanksgiving for who He is and all He has done for us.
Additional Insights
Here are some additional insights on the meaning of the Magi’s gifts:
- The number three has significance – There were three gifts which may represent the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- The gifts bless Jesus’ family – The costly gifts helped provide financial support for Jesus’ earthly family as refugees in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).
- They confirm Jesus as Messiah – The gifts fulfilled Messianic prophecies and signaled to others that the Magi recognized Jesus as the promised King.
- They show Jesus is Savior of all – The Magi were the first gentiles to worship Jesus, showing His salvation reaches beyond Israel.
- They exemplify true worship – The Magi gave their best gifts in an act of lavish worship. Their gifts did not benefit themselves but honored Christ.
In summary, God used the gifts of the Magi to accomplish a few key purposes. They helped confirm prophecies about the Messiah, supported Jesus’ earthly family, and set the stage for understanding Jesus’ mission to redeem people from all nations.
The Magi gave gifts of immeasurable value because they recognized Jesus as the promised Savior worthy of their worship. Their gifts remind us to also honor Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
