Each Gospel writer/evangelist had his own reasons, insights and ideas for writing his account of Jesus’ life. Each of the evangelists also wrote for a particular community of believers which influenced his choice of material which was both oral and written. Luke, who was a second generation Christian, was not only interested in writing an account of Jesus’ life but also including in his gospel an account of Jesus’ birth. He also wrote from a particular perspective that emphasized the events leading up to Christ’s birth. On the other hand, Matthew was more interested in emphasizing the events following the birth: the visit of the Magi, the flight into Egypt, the murder of the infants by Herod and the return from Egypt.

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi from the East. These three individuals have been referred to as Wise men, Kings, Magi but were in all probability astrologers. The future rejection of Jesus by Israel and his acceptance by the Gentiles are retrojected into this event of Matthew’s account. Matthew interprets the visit of the Magi as foreshadowing the rejection of Jesus by his own people and his acceptance by the Gentile world. The story of the Magi is primarily theological in interest and purpose. Jesus is presented as the King-Messiah of the Gentiles but not by his own people. Popular devotion especially since the early medieval times has added to the story some details such as the number three based on the three gifts, and the transformation of the astrologers into kings and their names.

-Fr. Bill