Were the gifts of the magi meant to save Jesus from the pain of arthritis? It’s possible, according to researchers at Cardiff University in Wales who have been studying the medical uses of frankincense.
Since the early days of Christianity, Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of the meaning and significance of the gold, frankincense and myrrh that the magi presented to Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew (2:11). These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. In fact, these same three items were apparently among the gifts, recorded in ancient inscriptions, that King Seleucus II Callinicus offered to the god Apollo at the temple in Miletus in 243 B.C.E. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6). Although Matthew’s gospel does not include the names or number of the Magi, many believe that the number of the gifts is what led to the tradition of the Three Wise Men.
Interested in learning about the birth of Jesus? Learn more about the history of Christmas and the date of Jesus’ birth in the free eBook The First Christmas: The Story of Jesus' Birth in History and Tradition.
In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming—an interpretation made popular in the well-known Christmas carol “We Three Kings.”
The traditional gifts of the magi—gold, frankincense and myrrh—may have had symbolic as well as practical value. Researchers believe the medicinal uses of frankincense were known to the author of Matthew’s gospel.
Still others have suggested that the gifts of the magi were a bit more practical—even medicinal in nature. Researchers at Cardiff University have demonstrated that frankincense has an active ingredient that can help relieve arthritis by inhibiting the inflammation that breaks down cartilage tissue and causes arthritis pain. The new study validates traditional uses of frankincense as an herbal remedy to treat arthritis in communities of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where the trees that produce this aromatic resin grow. Did the Magi “from the East” know of frankincense’s healing properties when they presented it to young Jesus?
Based on Strata, “The Magi’s Gifts—Tribute or Treatment?” Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 2012.
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I think this is reading rather too much into this charming Matthean fable. Maybe the anti-arthritic properties were to be used to counteract the deformative consequences of the swaddling bands (but then that’s crossing over to Luke!).
The Bible does not tell us the reason, but it does tell us to not go beyond what is written. The account is not a fable even though some people would like to believe it is so. There has always been people who ressist the Holy Spirit and try to minimize the gospel.
I consider myself to be a fairly spiritual person, a person of faith, but for the life of me I can not figure out how a reasonable person could read these insightful and well researched and documented articles and then resort to bashing them in the name of fundamentalist literalism. If really understanding scripture is your goal then read on and be enlightened.
I am not bashing the article. The article is good. We don’t know what the wise men’s intent was; we only know how it could be seen as significant. Archaelogy helps to develop insight into the Biblical time period.
Are they serious! What a load of rubbish, I cannot believe that intelligent people at a university can come up with this. They must not have enough to do with their time.
I’m curious Marilyn, do you work at a university?
No I don’t David, but I do read my Bible and I know what it says and what it does not say. No wonder Jesus chose mere fishermen to be his disciples, maybe He knew something?
Barry, you are right on of course and poor Marilyn just doesn’t seem to get it, the fishermen were chosen because they were simple people so easily led like sheep even turned on him at the end predictable.
The Magi were by all accounts polytheists and recognized what John wrote of: the word (prophecy) became flesh and dwelt among us. Intrinsically his birth and existence is both spiritual and practical for such a caravan of astrologists. They were multidimensional in their actions because aside from being polytheists they were human and as human beings it’s not uncommon or abnormal to have multiple uses and interpretations of a gift especially in the time in which they lived. Religion was practical. Example: hand washing is both practical as for hygiene and symbolic of spiritual cleansing.
The Magi were Zoroastrian priests, who were no less monotheistic than Jews or Christians – though Judeo-Christian scholars derogatorily label them “dualists” for their emphasis on the two opposing principles of good and evil. The dualistic “monotheism” of the “Abrahamic” religions probably descends directly from the Zoroastrianism of Achaemenid Persia – which could point to another another meaning of the Christmas story: the original monotheists are shown giving their blessings to the newest one.
Assuming there is no relationship between the gifts and the temple worship, perhaps they were just practical “gifts” of medicine. Gold was used to fill teeth in ancient Egypt (http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/medicine-in-the-ancient-world.asp) maybe the baby Jesus had arthritis and bad teeth and these were just the gifts he needed to heal him of his physical infirmities (He certainly never complained about joint pain or toothaches). And the wise men (following a mysterious, heavenly light all the way to the baby’s home) knew that. Because that makes sense.
The Magi’s valuable gifts, fit for a king, enabled Joseph to have the resources to flee into exile in Egypt escaping from Herod’s assasins.
As a practical person I think the gifts were not only meant for Jesus but for the whole family, frankincense and myrrh was also for Mary who just gave birth and need something to stay healthy and clean both spiritually and physically. Gold has both economic and spiritual value.
Gary, Marilyn,
You both refer to what the bible says but you don’t reference where to find what you’re talking about. I’d be curious to know more about your thought process.
Personally, I will rely on the words of the center of this and so many other debates….the Bible itself.
1 Thes. 5:21
Test everything. Hold on to the good.
To truly believe anything, you must first question it. Until you have thoroughly examined something, you are blind.
Blind faith has become a plague and a powerful weapon used for the opposite of what “Jesus would do”.
We will allow doctors to prescribe chemicals that tend to have as many side effects as our initial root problems, but somehow are unwilling to look into natures long term side effect free, gifts that keep on giving and always have for ages, that are clearly highlighted in the biggest Bible story of them all?
Did God say in the bible, “anti-depressants”, “botox”, “contact lenses”, “life saving laser bypass something or other surgery” ? No….but we believe in our doctors and our medicines heavily. Did God say in the bible, “techno gadgets?” No….but we not only believe in it but rely on those gadgets every day. With all the testing done on those products to make them the success that they are…why wouldn’t we look into ANY possible benefits from these properties that are clearly historically significant?
Peace
One of the enduring mysteries to me is what happened to these most valuable gifts. They could have set Joseph up pretty well but after the giving we hear no more of them.
The Zoroastrians believed that Ahura Madza, the good god of light, was going to send a Messiah to be born in the darkest days of winter. This Messiah was to be conceived by a virgin, after she bathed in a lake. The Zoroastrian Magis lived in opulent wealth away from their followers. Which is the reason why when Islam entered Persia, it steamrolled over Zoroastrianism. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were precious commodities at that time and was used to aid digestion — it is edible, — arthritis, healing wounds, and its aroma meant life. It was used by the ancient Egyptians for mummifying the dead, and later by Jews, Christians, and Muslims who used them in oil to anoint newborn infants.
i dont get it
I think this is very interesting Lafonda. It tells us about the 3 wise men
I have no problem accepting unbelievers. The problem in these conversations clearly reveal those that “think themselves to be wise” but reveal they believe accepting what the scripture says is less than scholarly. I don’t know if there was 3 or 5 or more of the Maji,, I only know what the Word says confirming their presence and presents. If it took 14 months or so in following the star…so what. All the speculation may be for good argument or perhaps interesting preaching. It’s what it is.
The gifts had significant meaning as to who Jesus was, the gifts represented the Magi’s acknowledgement of the fact:
http://planetholy.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/why-gold-frankincense-and-myrrh/
I read the comments by Gabe and seems to me to be very balance and open minded. Would like to here more from ‘gabe’ on dec 25, 2011
Cardiff University were researching the properties of frankincense as a potential help for sufferers of arthritis. They were not making a connection to the Magi – that has been made by others. An interesting jump but it is a jump nonetheless. So, Marilyn, I think they were using their tie wisely as they were attempting to alleviate pain rather than making wild comments on the Bible
As a believer in Jesus Christ and a believer in a Supernatural God or God who is beyond our finite minds (how dare I ) I believe one of the reasons that scripture allows these events is that just as we are called Sons of God and Jesus took on the role of Son of Man, Just as He died to give us immortal life Just as His divine Covenant with us has positive role reversals Just as Abraham basically (in his heart crucified his only son Isaac and Jehovah gave us His only begotton Son Jesus we see Jesus in Ehpesians chapter 4 giving the church gifts on His ressurection from the dead the role reversal. And the gifts in my opinion mean to me that He must be valued, prayed to and remembered for His atoning death on the cross of calvary. A lady told me in a government building yesterday that she unlike me does not believe in a Supernatural God thats OK (not really) you have to believe in something