Why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

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Hi there, many others like you have asked, why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus?

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Let's find out, shall we? You can discover this answer and more on GotQuestions .org.

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Matthew 2 tells us that the Magi traveled from the east in search of the Christ child.

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They inquired of King Herod where they might find him, saying, Where is he who has been born

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King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose, and have come to worship him.

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Upon finding the baby Jesus, they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

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Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. Its value could very well have financed

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Joseph and Mary's trip to Egypt. The Bible does not tell us any other significance to these three gifts.

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However, tradition has it that there is a deeper meaning for each of the three. We'll explore them now.

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Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were often made from gold and the

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Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold. The gift of gold to the Christ child, Jesus, was symbolic of his divinity,

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God in the flesh. Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out.

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It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God.

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Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to Jesus was symbolic of his willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving himself up, symmetrical to a burnt offering.

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Myrrh was also a product of Arabia and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense.

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It was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink.

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Such drink was given to our Savior when he was about to be crucified as a stupefying potion.

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Matthew refers to it as gall. Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction.

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The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when he gave his life on the cross for all who would believe in him.

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Alright, that answers your question, why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus?

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On our website, GotQuestions .org, you'll find an in -depth article with citations and resource suggestions.

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