Behind Melchior we see a middle-aged Balthazar bending towards the baby boy. The myrrh that he holds refers to the death of the redeemer. Caspar is the youngest of the three, and his gift consists of frankincense, symbolising divinity. Aside from the three age periods, the three kings also represent the three human races and the three continents that were familiar in the Middle Ages. The white Melchior represents Europe, the brown Balthazar represents Asia, and Caspar, depicted here as a Moor, stands for Africa. This symbolism demonstrates that Christ has appeared to the whole of humanity, of all nations and ages.

In between the heads of Balthazar and Caspar we see the face of a young man with moustache and pointed beard. This figure has been interpreted as a self-portrait, yet Bloemaert was already aged 58 when he made this painting, and it is improbable that he would paint a much younger version of himself. The figure is more likely the person who commissioned the painting. The painting has been shortened on the right-hand side, as is revealed by a copy made of the original in the atelier and by a preliminary sketch for the painting, which is also part of the collection of the Centraal Museum.