Each Christmas I get a little more scrooge-like as I drive past nativity scenes depicting three kings waiting in line to present the baby Jesus with their gifts. Some early church traditions even have names for the robed worshipers, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, but we have no way of knowing if this was accurate. So, were there three guys who visited a baby Jesus?
Conclusion; Perhaps! Matthew 2:11 describes the scene like this “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” As to the location, the first evidence we have is the reference to a going to a house, no mention of manger. Second point is the gift Mary and Joseph gave when consecrating Jesus as a “child” was two young pigeons (Luke 2:22). If they had already received the gifts from the wise men, it is unlikely they would have opted for the smallest and least expensive yet acceptable offering. I read this as Jesus did not receive these valuable gifts until after he was consecrated.
As to the number of men, we know there were three gifts, not necessarily three men carrying them, let alone if they were kings. As to their occupation, the term “Magi” (Strong’s word 3097 “magos” is mostly closely translated to sorcerer, magician, or wizard, not king.) While there may or may not have been three of them, and while someone with their skills might certainly present as though they were kings, these men were without a doubt wise. They traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles and presented priceless gifts in homage to the power they recognized as far greater than their own. We doing the same would make us wise!