The Magi recognized Jesus by faith

"They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  (Matthew 2:  10 - 11)

When the magi saw the Child Jesus and Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage.  They recognized Him as a Divine King.  They were not ashamed or hesitated to adore and worship Him.  The magi were kings in their own rights.  God who moved their hearts to make the long and often treacherous journey to see His Son guided them through a star and gave them the faith to recognize Jesus even though disguised as a humble child of humble parents in a humble home.

The priestly class did not recognize Jesus when He was brought to the temple for presentation to God.  But He was recognized by Simeon and Anna through faith.

While the leaders of the people stood close to the cross on Calvary to mock Jesus and gloat in His pains and weakness, the Good Thief suffering the same fate as Jesus recognized Him as the Son of God.

In this side of eternity, we can only recognize Jesus through faith.  "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  (2 Corinthians 5: 7)