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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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