My dad, a retired Lutheran pastor, says that there were 15-18 wise men. Many people assume that there were three wise men, since Matthew said that they gave three gifts. My dad also says that Jesus was about two, when the wise men found him. The star appeared when Jesus was born, and the wise men came from present-day India.
RE: My dad also says that Jesus was about two, when the wise men found him.
I tend to think this would be correct.
1) It says this in the Bible: ( Matthew 2:11 ):
(capital emphasis mine ):
And when they had come into the HOUSE, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
So, the wise men arrived at the HOUSE where Mary and Joseph lived and not in the stable next tot he inn where the manger was.
2) Herod ordered the massacre of infants two years old and younger.