The Magi as wise men: Re-examining a basic supposition (Examining the post-Renaissance tradition of a prejudiced narrative)

The tradition that identifies Matthew's magi as "wise men" is considered in light of narrative criticism, social history, and "Wirkungsgeschichte". An examination of literature relevant to the narrative's setting reveals that Matthew's readers are expected to regard magian learning not as wisdom but as foolishness. Matthew's narrative is prejudiced against scholarship, suc h that the magi's status as fools is what qualifies them as candidates for divine revelation. The tradition that regards the magi as wise men can be t raced to the Renaissance adn attributed to an ideological bias that favours a blessing for scholarship.