Voting Station

Magi

Please vote to return to collections.

Biblical Character

The Resume

    (circa 1 BC- )
    (Circa 1 BC)
    Appears in Matthew 2:1-13
    Zoroastrian astrologers, probably from Persia (modern-day Iran)
    Reportedly followed the Star of Bethlehem to visit the baby Jesus (circa 1 B.C.)
    Traditionally called ‘Three Wise Men’ or ‘Three Kings’
    Also known by the names Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, Larvandad, Hormisdas and Gushnasaph

Why they might be annoying:

    Despite the traditional story, there probably were more than three of them, and they weren’t kings.
    Like Shirley MacLaine and Nancy Reagan, they believed in astrology.
    They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts for the baby Jesus, when diapers and formula would have been more practical.
    They did not tell the evil King Herod where to find the baby, causing him to massacre 14,000 male infants in the country.
    The Anglican Church pissed off traditionalists by suggesting they might have been women.
    Most historians believe their part of the story is pure fantasy.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They brought gifts to the baby Jesus even though they were of a different religion (why can’t we all just get along?).
    They tried to protect the baby from the wicked King Herod.
    Mary and Joseph probably traded in the gold, frankincense and myrrh for more useful stuff.
    They inspired the popular Christmas carol ‘We Three Kings.’
    An opera for children, ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors,’ was written about them.
    In some Latino cultures, they are said to bring presents to children the night before Epiphany.
    They may have inspired the Santa Claus legend.

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 57 Votes: 59.65% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 30 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 34 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 79 Votes: 49.37% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 213 Votes: 77.46% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 50 Votes: 66.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 139 Votes: 66.19% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 146 Votes: 39.73% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 82 Votes: 54.88% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 80 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 167 Votes: 37.72% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 195 Votes: 30.26% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 135 Votes: 45.19% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 193 Votes: 48.19% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 175 Votes: 49.71% Annoying