The answer is: It doesn't say

There is no indication of how many wise men visited Jesus, except that there were at least two because the word 'magi' is plural.

Many people confidently say "three" when asked how many wise men visited Jesus because of the gifts mentioned: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of those precious gifts can easily lead to the assumption of three distinct visitors. But the truth is, the Bible simply doesn’t specify the number, which gives us room for a bit of creative exploration.

The "magi," or wise men, mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew were possibly astrologers or scholars from the East, who traveled quite a distance following an unusual star. This star’s appearance might have reflected ancient astrological beliefs linking celestial events with significant births or changes in leadership. Such narratives echo throughout history, suggesting a higher purpose woven into nature.

Australia once debated whether these visitors could be from Persia or even ancient Babylon, revealing much about their cultural influence. While we might not know the exact number of magi who arrived in Bethlehem, their visit symbolizes wisdom seeking truth—a universal endeavor across ages.

Even if they didn’t come in large factions, their iconic gifts tell a profound story about acknowledgment of Jesus's significance. In heavily symbolic times, such ceremonial presents connected to various religious aspects revealed attitudes of reverence. So think of the magi as representatives from distant lands—a sign that even amidst humble origins, great depth and connection exist across continents, virtues that we can all carry today.