Historical
Cultural Context Epiphany of the Lord C
January 3, 2016
Jesus' Visitors
Scholars
do not consider Matthew’s report about the
Magi who come to visit Jesus at his birth as
historical fact. It is rather a rich, traditional
reflection upon Scripture, perhaps the story
of Balaam in Numbers 22-24, intended to demonstrate
that Gentile believers are an integral part
of God’s plan from the very beginning!
In Matthew’s story line, representatives from the nations to whom the risen Jesus
sends his disciples (Mt 28:19) are already present at the beginning of Jesus’
life (Gospel).
Just as our ancestors in the Faith frequently reflected upon and interpreted
their scriptures creatively to help them understand and explain Jesus, so too
did their Christian descendants throughout the ages continue that creative reflection
upon Matthew’s story of the Magi’s visit to the newborn Jesus.
In this latter process, the number of visitors (never mentioned by Matthew) varied
from two (see the art in the Roman catacombs of Sts. Peter and Marcellinus) to
twelve (in some medieval Eastern lists).
Matthew’s mention of three gifts prompted
the conclusion that there were three visitors.
Early on (end of the second century),
these Magi, or astrologers/astronomers (these disciplines were not yet distinct),
were elevated to royalty.
A tradition dating from about A.D. 700
describes one
of the visitors as “black-skinned and heavily bearded” and named Balthasar.
John J. Pilch
John
J. Pilch is a biblical scholar and
facilitator of parish renewals.Liturgical Press has published
fourteen books by Pilch exploring the
“cultural world” of the Bible.
Go to http://www.litpress.org/ to
find out more.
The complete text of the
above article can be found in:
The Cultural World of Jesus, Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C
John J. Pilch. The Liturgical Press. 1996. pp. 16-18.
Art by
Martin Erspamer, O.S.B.
from Religious Clip Art for the
Liturgical Year (A, B, and C).
Used by permission of Liturgy Training
Publications. This art may be reproduced
only by parishes who purchase the
collection in book or CD-ROM form. For
more information go to: http://www.ltp.org/