Wise men translates a Greek noun which originally referred to Persian priests who were experts in astrology and in the interpretation of dreams. But the word may also be used in a derogatory sense of “magician” or “charlatan,” a meaning which it has in its only other New Testament occurrences outside Matthew’s nativity narrative (Acts 13:6, 8). Matthew most likely has Babylonian astrologers in mind. “Astrologers” (NAB, NEB, Phps) is perhaps the nearest technical term, but in light of its intended
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