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How old was Jesus when the Magi visited him?

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We read at Mtt 2:16 (NRSVCE) : "When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men." No king would want to kill his male subjects since it is they who would form his armed forces in future . Herod ordered the male children to be killed because he feared for his throne, but would definitely minimize the upper age, in order to spare those who were beyond doubt ( of having been born the King of Jews ) . It implies that the Magi had taken nearly two years in travelling to Bethlehem after seeing the star, or in the alternative, it took Herod some two years after the Magi's departure to realize that he had been duped by them. Anyway, they visited Jesus after his presentation in the temple, where Joseph and Mary had been able to offer only the minimum requirement of a pair doves (Lk 2:24), not knowing what the Magi would later offer him . Going by the above, it is evident that Jesus was nearly two years of age when the Magi visited him. My question therefore, is: According to Catholic Church, how old was Jesus when the Magi visited him ?
Asked by Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan (13704 rep)
Jan 4, 2021, 11:27 AM
Last activity: Jan 10, 2025, 12:20 AM