2 Answers

they were reputed to come from some southern asian country, like India, or Persia ( Iraq ) or Pakistan

The scriptures do not give extensive details about the men that visited Jesus, but Matthew 2:1 records that they were visitors from the “eastern parts”. The earliest substantial reference about those men (who are also known as Magi) comes from Herodotus, a Greek historian living in the fifth century B.C.E. Herodotus noted that the Magi belonged to a Persian priestly class who specialized in astrology, interpretation of dreams, and casting of spells. In Herodotus’ time, the religion of Persia was Zoroastrianism so it is likely that the Magi were Zoroastrian priests. This is confirmed by the book A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. It too says that the expression “wise men” translates “a Greek noun which originally referred to Persian priests who were experts in astrology. Today Persia is also known as Iran.