Faith is important in the Christian religion but not necessarily blind faith; logic can be involved in our worldview. Historically the southern kingdom of Israel (Judah) was sacked in 586 B.C.and most of the educated were taken away to Babylon.(Persia, modern day Iraq). Daniel 3 tells us the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego; Daniel 6 tells us one of many stories concerning Daniel. My point being that these men found the courage and integrity to stand before a king and refuse to bow, bend, burn or be breakfast for lions. Integrity has a way of being an honorable trait to wise men. Nebuchadnezzar was obviously wise and promoted these men and others, to positions of high authority, even above native Persians. In fact, Daniel was appointed the third highest ruler in all of Persia. This 'pre-history' is to set the stage for my main explanation. Logically, the following generations of the captive Hebrew children were educated in Persian schools, in the ways of their new 'home counrty' and became part of the fabric of Persian society; living as well as they could according to God's Laws but also in obedience to those in authority over them. Just as logically, we must believe that some enjoyed the same privileges and honors as Daniel and his friends. Given that the Bible was primarily (if not exclusively) a Jewish book it follows without too much of a stretch at all that the "Magi" were either devout men of God (Jews) or Persians who had come to believe, through association with these Jews, in the One True God. They knew very well, regardless of original nationality, the Scriptures and prophecies of the 483 years from the building of the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra & Nehemiah)to the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:25)and were anxiously awaiting the 'sign' promised them in Numbers 24:17 & Isaiah 60:3. These educated scientists and astronomers were, in fact, looking for the star and were wise enough to discern the difference between it and the 7 B.C.conjoining of Saturn and Jupiter, (joined in 6 B.C.by Mars) comets, super novas or other celestial phenomona. Sorry this has been so long, history must be fully explained to be fully understood. There is much more to the history of these Wise Men, but this cursory start is enough to explain who they were.