The three wise men did not arrive at the time of Jesus’ birth but came some time afterward, likely between one to two years later. This conclusion is supported by the biblical account in Matthew 2:16, which states that King Herod ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the information he obtained from the wise men about the star’s appearance. Since Herod’s decree targeted children up to two years old, it indicates that Jesus was at least a toddler when the wise men arrived. The Gospel of Matthew also specifies that the wise men found Jesus in a house, not in a manger, using the Greek word oikia, which refers to a dwelling or home, suggesting a settled location rather than a temporary animal shelter. This detail further supports the idea that the family had moved from the manger setting to a house, which would have occurred after the initial birth. While some traditions place the visit on January 6, known as Epiphany, this date is not necessarily tied to the historical timeline and may reflect liturgical practice rather than chronological accuracy. Therefore, the evidence from Scripture points to the wise men arriving after a period of time, with one to two years being the most commonly accepted estimate.
“If you love me, keep my commandments“