Some say three wise men (magi) were 3 kings named Balthazar, Gaspar, Melchior. Where do they get this from?

Answer 1

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Tradition.

According to tradition dating back to medieval times, their names were Balthasar, Gaspar (or Casper), and Melchior. They are often depicted as representing the three races. The Bible says they came from the East, but exactly where is not known. Arabia, Babylon, and Persia are popular choices. According to one tradition, Balthasar was king of Arabia, Gaspar was king of India, and Melchior was king of Persia.

An 8th century saint, Bede the Venerable, described the kings this way: "The first was called Melchior; he was an old man, with white hair and long beard; he offered gold to the Lord as to his king. The second, Gaspar by name, young, beardless, of ruddy hue, offered to Jesus his gift of incense, the homage due to Divinity. The third, of black complexion, with heavy beard, was called Baltasar; the myrrh he held in his hands prefigured the death of the Son of man."

The Bible, however, does not describe the kings or reveal their names. In fact, it does not call them kings at all, but simply Magi, or Wise Men. The Magi were a Median priestly caste who rose to power in ancient Persia (today's Iran). Their religion, Zoroastrianism, was founded around the 6th century BC by a Median man named Zoroaster. The Magi were held in awe as highly educated scientists and scholars who could interpret dreams and even control demons.

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Asker's Comment:

Indeed. I perceive the magi (wise men) were Babylonian Jews, since the Bible says their arrival stirred up all Jerusalem (at festival time) and also king Herod (who lived in the royal roman city). So there had to be many, and only Babylonian Jews would stir up all Jerusalem at festival time.

Answer 2

They made it up.

Answer 3

from the holy bible. matthew, i believe.

Answer 4

Wise men will still seek Him.As for there being Three wise men the Bible does not say that, it only says wise men, man added the (three) because their gifts were Gold, Frankincense, ans Mire.

Answer 5

It's a legend. The reason they say there wree three is because three gifts are mentioned: gold frankincense, and myrhe - but we don't know how much there was. For all we know, there might have been a dozen of them.
The reason they say they were kings, is that they were magi, that is governing officials - or the king's wise men. So someone must have said, at one point, "royal magi" - meaning the magi of the king - and you can imagine how it goes from there. Of course, if it weren't for that we wouldn't have the cute Christmas carol: "We three kings of orient are..." As for the names, somebody must have just picked out any oriental names.