The Magi were Persian priests so therefore opposed to Rome, indicating the rebellious nature of early Christianity.

Or confirm the intrusion of Zoroastrian thinking into early Christianity, etc. While neither of these views are totally serious, after all the birth of a king was met normally with such gifts, the whole story reeks of politics. At the birth of Jesus, the Parthians were Rome's strongest enemies and, if, for example, the story was a much later edition, the Sasanians were even more of a threat. At the time of Rome and its expansion into Judea the story informs the reader of powerful Eastern influences and peoples.

Insufficient evidence to give any answer. Any attempt would be mere speculation. The purpose of the narrative is to indicate the Magi's belief in the nature and miss@ion of the newborn babe.

Martin McNamara

It seems to me that it is not so much a matter of insufficient evidence but of the impossibility of a plausible answer. Hence it appears an assessment along the lines of what Stanley Wilkin appears to be suggesting is most likely — just a story element borrowed, for propaganda purposes, from practices associated with the birth of literal kings.

Karl, the episode is loaded given the time and place.

If we see the narrative anyway as symbolic, which besides declaring Jesus as king of the world, is largely political. A different take on Christianity. The Roman Empire was close to ruling or dominating the known world in a regional sense, and this section from the Christian works was perhaps a rejection of their empire but also the positing of Jesus etc as the true rulers. The pigs infected with demons, called legion, throw themselves off a cliff, indicating the near future of Rome and its armies.

The Magi were Zoroastrians. They followed the stars (more particularly the moving planets). The moving planets repeated cycles which the Zoroastrians used as clocks. They then noted the cycles of human endeavor. The cycle of interest is that of a development of a new religion (every 1400-1500 years). So, they went to the center of the Israelites (Bethlehem). And sought a newborn that could become a leader. Along the way they passed the Harrods's court. They knew that Harrod was planning a killing of the babes(current to 3 years before) to prevent the rise of his replacement. So, the ``gifts'' were highly prized in Egypt which is where the family had to go to keep Jesus safe. The gifts were to pay the way.

If Jesus was born 7 BC or so, + 1400 to 1500 years puts the next revolution (a replacement of Aristotle) at Galileo or Newton. Seems the Zoroastrian clock is working a kind of astrology). Too bad the precession of the equinox is shifting the correlation with human events.

I agree with this answer John Hodge. The questioner does not wonder about the origin of the Magi, nor about the meaning of this text. The question is what happened to the gifts. Later history shows that they had to flee to Egypt... so they must have cashed in on travel expenses.

Well, that's legend. Try to study ancient history.

The gifts of the Magi indicate that Jesus is a king. By indicating this, their purpose is fulfilled. It's like with modern status symbols: To have them is the real thing,not to use them practically.

Yes, I think those gifts expres recognition of the new born King. Later on those gifts might be used to allow migration of the family to Egypt.

Apologies as this is going to sound more like a sermon than an academic reply. If we look at the Bible as a textbook then it tends to fail us. Yet if we look at it as a text which reveals a message to us then it has greater meaning. So to ask where the gifts have gone as the other contributors say we are left unanswered. yet it we see the 3 gifts as symbolic pointers to the new borns future then we see Gold symbolises the heavenly Kingship of Christ the frankincense symbolic of worship (ie actually seeing our prayers lifted upwards with the physical incense). And myrrh symbolic of the suffering death and mourning as myrrh was used to prepare the body for burial. Sermon over!

Nobody knows this answer and can only speculate. Speculation no.1 - It was used to run to Egypt, pay for his education in Egypt, and buy protection in Egypt. As he came back to Judea confounding the Pharisess and Sadducees in the temple at 12 years old, he was an educated child and what better place to learn the three R's than ancient Egypt.

Speculation no.2 - Sold it. Especially if Judas was around as he stated the oil used to anoint Jesus could be sold and was valuable. Undoubtedly Jesus hung out with people who knew worth of Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh, and was willing to trade it for money. This was common as many things of value was traded by Jews especially for temple money and Mosaic law allowed changing hard products and animals for money (see Jesus beat the thieves out the temple).

My guess and probability is Speculation no.3 THEY USED IT! These were listed as gifts and no mention of the type of the gifts. The Gold could have been money, cups, plates, etc. The frankincense could have been in its resin form, liquid, incense, or powder and was commonly used on skin to stop aging and kill bacteria. The same for Myrrh which was used for various stomach problems, flavor additive in drinks, and embalming (as Joseph died before Jesus). Also, Joseph was a craftsman and could have used all three for Mary and his son. Gold overlay on wood work was very common in those days especially during his time in Egypt. Mary had many the physical and medical uses for Frankincense and Myrrh needed for herself and a young child that did some traveling from Judea to Egypt back later to Judea. Plus traveling cost. With these three things, they could travel first class and not coach.

The spiritual symbolism has already been stated, Gold for Kingship, Frankincense incense for worship (sweet savor to the Lord), and Myrrh for embalming after death.

But because of the numerous uses of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, they used it. But it is all speculation.

Just to be clear, this passage is not so much about politics (how groups of human beings make community decisions together, ideally for the common good) as it is about justice (altruistic ideal based on an assumed tenet of respect for all humanity).

I propose that the visit of the Magi points to the story-telling element that is part of the gospel accounts, only Matthew tells of this 'event'. Mark doesn't even go back into Jesus' life before he's an adult teaching in the synagogues and streets. The nativity is symbolic fiction to give an explanation of the Davidic lineage, to offer a mystical prophecy that was affirmation of the status and purpose of the child. Additionally, Matthew uses many historical references -proof- to give the early church the historical person of Jesus, whom none had likely met.

The three gifts symbolize aspects of his life's message and mission, to compel the new converts with a New Testament prophecy fulfilled:

1) Creator is real and greater than any earthly ruler (gold of kingship),

2) worship is essential for building a relationship with God who wants his creatures to turn back (frankincense), and 3) myrrh as the symbol of Jesus' death being of central importance, not just that he died but there would be (and was, from their vantage point in time) great significance in his dying...which the hearers of the early church would use as the foundation for the next 2000 years (often overshadowing his actual life teachings...especially in this current era).

This gospel particularly is a propaganda/marketing piece to give 'proof' that Jesus was the long awaited anointed one, God incarnate. (Ministers are usually the most critical of the texts because we went to seminary found Jesus and lost our religion.)

(and Matthew uses historical references to give the early church the historical person of Jesus, whom none had likely met)

Only if it is a fictional character, one wonders how it became the basis for the functioning of the system of values that has shaped the life of societies for at least 2000 years?

Is this question directed towards something some proper Beatific thought? Or is just to obtain general information on what's and hads?

اعتقد أن اي معلومة لا ينبني عليها عمل فالخوض في غمارها من العبث غالبا..حبي واحترامي لكم

It is nowhere recorded. Sound biblical interpretation demands that where the Bible is silent, we should remain silent.