# Is “There were three wise men” in the Bible?

> No. “There were three wise men” is not a Bible verse. It comes from Christian tradition, not Scripture.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/three-wise-men
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Matthew says magi came from the east and brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11). He never says how many there were, and he does not call them kings.

Christian tradition, not Scripture. Origin: Tradition counted three because there were three gifts. The names Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar came centuries later.

## What the Bible says instead

> Once Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the time of King Herod, magi from the east made their way to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? For we saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
>
> — [Matthew 2:1-2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/2#1) (Lumin Translation)

> They went into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
>
> — [Matthew 2:11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/2#11) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “There were three wise men” in the Bible?

No. “There were three wise men” is not a Bible verse. It comes from Christian tradition, not Scripture. Matthew says magi came from the east and brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11). He never says how many there were, and he does not call them kings.

### Where does “There were three wise men” come from?

Tradition counted three because there were three gifts. The names Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar came centuries later.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:11. Matthew says magi came from the east and brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11). He never says how many there were, and he does not call them kings.

## More

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- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)