By “Doc” Doug Stauffer
It’s a familiar scene often portrayed in nativity displays: the wise men gather around a baby in a manger. However, a closer look at the Bible reveals a different picture. According to Scripture, by the time the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, Jesus was not an infant in a stable but a “young child” living in a house. This insight corrects our understanding of the Christmas story and underscores the importance of studying Scripture carefully.
Jesus Was a “Young Child” – Not a Baby
Matthew gives us a clear sense of Jesus’ age when the wise men arrived. Matthew 2:11 reads, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.” Jesus is consistently referred to as a “young child” in Matthew’s account (e.g., Matthew 2:8), not as a baby, and the wise men find Him in a “house,” not a stable, indicating time had passed since His birth.
Herod’s Decree: The Killing of Children Under Two Years Old
Another critical detail is Herod’s decree to kill all male children “from two years old and under.” After the wise men did not return, Herod, fearing this “King of the Jews,” ordered the massacre. Matthew 2:16 explains Herod’s order was based on the timing he had “diligently enquired of the wise men.” This reveals that Jesus could have been as old as two years, further confirming He was no longer an infant at the time of the wise men’s visit.
The Star: A Sign After Jesus’ Birth
The timing of the star also matters. In Matthew 2:2, the wise men say, “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.” The star appeared after Jesus’ birth, leading the wise men on a long journey, likely from Persia or Babylon, taking several months or more. By the time they arrived, Jesus was a young child in a house.
Why This Matters: The Importance of Correcting Misconceptions
Some may ask if it’s harmless to believe that the wise men visited Jesus as a baby in the manger. However, the Bible calls us to seek truth diligently (Acts 17:11). Holding to tradition over Scripture can obscure the depth and historical context of God’s word. Every detail in Jesus’ life, even His age when visited by the wise men, emphasizes His identity as Messiah.
A Call to Seek the Truth in Scripture
As Christians, we are called to be “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8), letting God’s word guide us. Jesus warned against “the tradition of men” that can obscure truth (Mark 7:13). In understanding the wise men’s visit accurately, we honor Scripture’s integrity and deepen our faith in the God who came to save us. Including the wise men in a manger scene isn’t the end of the world, and it’s a cherished part of many holiday traditions. However, in our family, we set the wise men further away to reflect on their journey and later arrival, reminding us of the story’s true timeline and the importance of grounding our faith in Scripture.
Dr. Doug Stauffer is pastor of Faith Independent Baptist Church. He was saved July 6, 1980, in Niceville, while stationed at the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base and has now been in the ministry for over 35 years.
