Q: Is it magi or wise men?
A: Yes. The term magi is the precise Greek word used in Matthew’s gospel and first century hearers/readers of Matthew 2 wouldve easily understood this to describe “Daniel-like” spiritual advisors who could discern prophecy. Today, however, most people associate the term with a magician who does card tricks in Vegas. For our anglicized ears, wise men sounds a bit less foregin and it too is a perfectly fine description. The historian Cicero describes magi as being “wise and learned men among the Persians.” Thus, either is fine. More importantly we know that they believed God’s Word, recognized that Jesus was the Christ, and worshipped Him.
