The historical background is quite accurate, we get that sense from not only John but Paul's letters and in Acts.
Since I don't wish to contend, dear PSacto (as always, the greatest of love and peace to you!), I will just leave the following in response to the accuracy of the "historical background":
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/12/21/ancient-document-three-wise-men_n_1162489.html?ref=religion&ir=Religion&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl16%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D122152
Given that the teaching as to "three" wise men/astrologers/Magi came from the Catholic Church (based on the gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh), which church has apparently had possession of this document for at least 250 years (now, where do you think THEY got it from?), I cannot put MY faith in every "historical record." As to this one (re the Magi), while I don't take much issue with the interpretation (from an 8th-century manuscript, which itself is "a copy of a text first written down almost half a millennium earlier," or say, somewhere in the 3rd century A.D.), based on what I received on the matter from our Lord*, there is at least one flaw in that:
"The wise men are described a descendants of Seth, the third son of Adam."
If the account of the Flood is accurate (and I believe it is), then their coming from Seth is irrelevant, as ALL men... including these... are descendants of Seth. Because ALL come from Noah, 8th in line after Seth. There is no reason, then, for Seth to be singled out from, say, any of his others siblings, including Cain. These would HAVE to come from Seth.
My point is that a teaching/understanding (i.e., "three wise men") doesn't necessarily support the "historical background"... nor is the "historical background" always accurate. Often... it is what man wants us to believe it is. Again, then, I can only rely on what comes forth from the One who says:
"Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge." Proverb 8:6-9
I trust and have faith in HIM, dear one... and so put faith in HIS words to me. Even if man does not agree. Unfortunately, I do not always or necessarily trust "historical records"... because they are often what the commissioner/scribe/copyist want them to be... rather than the truth. Or are fraught with human error. So... as with all other things of this nature, I gotta go with him on this one, I do, dear one.
But, of course, you... and others... are always absolutely free to believe whatever it is they wish. Easier to know what the truth of such matters really IS, though... if you just go to him... and ask HIM. A lot less speculation to put oneself through.
Again, peace to you (always)... and may JAH bless you and yours this holiday season!
YOUR servant (always), sister, and fellow slave of Christ,
SA
*It was, in fact, a VERY large caravan, with MANY coming to do obeisance and give gifts... and they came from the Orient (East), yes, but not as far east as the interpreter believes (they came from the land where Abraham, who was from the East, had sent his sons by Keturah) nor the middle east as many others believe). As I've posted before, though, there are a LOT of similarities in the religion/worship/beliefs of those IN the Far East to that of the Hebrews... because the first Hebrew, Abraham, came from that region. He was an adult, married man when he left... and so absolutely took some practices from that region with him.
