Thank you Alex. Yes I would agree with a view placing the Magi within a Zoroastrian tradition, which itself was open to other religious influences. This then gives good grounds for a view that the Daniel tradition of the Jewish Diaspora being involved within Magi circles has strong possibilities. Why else would they be so interested in the King of the Jews, not just as a passing interest, but enough to travel to pay homage; and also having some degree of Biblically based Jewish tradition on which to base their insights. It's one of those ideas which at first seems radical, but once you 'get it' seems to grow in possibilities. The main 'arguments' against are our Christmas card traditions, it's what we've always been taught, here are Gentiles mysteriously worshipping the 'Cosmic Christ' who came for all the world. There are actually some downsides to this view, but we live with them, because we think it's the only option available to us. I'd like to expand a little on this, (both downsides of the tradition and supporting evidence for the 'Jewish' view), if you were interested, but will leave it there for now. I know I'm not the only one who thinks the Magi who visited Jesus were very likely predominately Jewish, so it may be a view you have met already.
Blessings, Frank