Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men Hardcover – November 6, 2017

Highly recommend this carefully researched and well written investigation of an ancient mystery that is as timely and relevant today as it was when "...magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews?'" (See Matthew 2:1-12). And why is this relevant today? As Fr. Dwight Longenecker writes in his conclusion, "Does it matter who the Magi were and where they came from?" His answer is an emphatic yes, and for a very simple reason, "If, Matthew's simple Magi story is rooted in the history, politics, and economics of Palestine and northern Arabia of the early first century then the story is not a fabulous fiction after all. To be sure, it has been exaggerated and embroidered over the years... (but) a story rooted in history stands out clearly. This matters because history matters, and history matters because truth matters."Catholics (like Fr. Longenecker and myself) believe that Sacred Scripture or the Bible is "the words of God, expressed in the words of men" and that the inspired books teach the truth we need for our salvation. And the central truth, the first proclamation, is expressed by Pope Francis in the Joy of the Gospel: "Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free you." Back to Fr. Longenecker's conclusion: "This matters because the events of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most history-shattering events of all time. If the gospel is historical, then it is true, and if it is true, then we must confront the reality of Jesus Christ. And if we encounter Jesus Christ as a historical figure, then we must also deal with the question of who he is and what he accomplished." Fr. Longenecker meticulously explores the biblical and historical evidence for the biblical story of the three wise men and links it together using clearly articulated assumptions to build a very plausible and well-argued case that the simple story in Matthew's gospel not only could have occurred, but that it actually did take place largely as written.Fr. Longenecker begins by posing the simple question, "Three Wise Men: Facts or Fairy Tale?" and then proceeds to answer it in an engaging yet methodical manner. He briefly discusses the Catholic understanding of the Bible and introduces us to Matthew. Then Longenecker considers how Matthew's simple story was expanded and elaborated over the centuries; he uses the very apt comparison to King Arthur to do so. King Arthur is a real, albeit obscure, historical figure and the grand stories of Camelot are an elaboration upon that realty. Similarly, Longenecker argues, the magi as described by Matthew are historical figures and "we three Kings of Orient are" is the mythical elaboration.The core of the book is Longenecker's presentation of the biblical, historical, geographical, and cultural evidence that the magi were almost certainly "magi-type counselors from the court of Aretas IV" -- the king of Nabarea located in northern Arabia (now Jordan) a reasonable 300 miles from Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem. Longenecker introduces us to the Nabeteans, their cities, and their role at the center of commerce in the Middle East at the time. He describes the political and diplomatic situation at the time and why Nabateans would be interested in sending "wise men" as envoys. He convincingly demonstrates that the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are treasures that were well known in Nabatea and, not surprising, were the gifts of choice for a Nabetean king to send in homage to a neighboring king. Finally, Longenecker considers the many theories related to the Star of Bethlehem and shows that the Nabetean wise men were well versed in astrology and in reading the signs in the sky.He takes his evidence augmented by reasonable and defensible assumptions and suppositions and ties them together in a tight narrative that presents a realistic and plausible story. Fr. Longenecker acknowledges that there are aspects of his story that require further substantiation and he encourages scholars in the coming years to build on his work.In sum, for a believing Catholic like me, this book shows the historical basis for the story of the magi , thereby reinforcing my belief in the Bible as the words of God written in the words of men. In the four Gospels, men like Matthew wrote down what they experienced and was reported to them and they did so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But they didn't need to create fanciful stories simply to make a point. Matthew reports that the magi came as envoys to a king; Fr. Longenecker provides a compelling backstory that explains who they were and why they came. The three wise men of the Bible read the signs of their times and made a journey to meet the Lord. May those who read this interesting and excellent book find further encouragement to do likewise.Ray GlennonTwitter @RayGlennon

This book adds excellent archeological logic, politics, economics, and geographic considerations to support the hypothesis that the Magi were real and who/where they came from.

For any reader searching for truth, one can appreciate the great efforts made with the extensive research Fr. Longenecker has completed for this journey seeking answers to uncover the identities of the Magi. He is a captivating read, practical, and a critical thinker, making a compelling case for the Nabatean origin of the mysterious Magi. He maintains strict respect for Mathew’s Gospel accounts of the Nativity of our Lord throughout his book.

Personal study to know more facts about the Magi. I was not disappointed!

Interesting premise that the wise men are nabeateans.Do I believe it?NO.But it is a good read anyway.

If you’ve wondered, as many of us have, whether there might be a story-behind-the-story in the story of the Magi, you will find this book a fascinating read. It proposes the non-traditional (as far as I know) theory that the Magi were astrologers and diplomatic representatives of the Nabatean court and traveled to the Holy Land from Petra, their famous desert capital. This possibility explains multiple details in Matthew’s narrative that otherwise make no sense whatever.Among the compelling points suggested... the Nabateans amassed vast wealth trading in frankincense and myrrh; they were renowned for breeding the ancestors of Arabian horses, which would have expedited the ride from Petra to Jerusalem; their status as diplomats would have facilitated ready access to Herod, who had family connections to the ruling Nabateans.There is also an interesting explanation for the absence in ancient astronomy of any mention of a phenomenon that could be described as the star of Bethlehem, and a discussion of Matthew’s phrase “wise men from the East” (the Nabatean kingdom isn’t, after all, east of Jerusalem).Highly recommended as an interesting read, particularly at Christmas. After reading this, however, you’ll likely look w a more critical eye at your Nativity scene.

For years the ideas behind the Magi and the Christmas Star have troubled me. Who were these people? What signs were they following? It was a cunundrum inside a mystery and I discovered that books about the issue were countless, but only deepened the quandary. Father Longenecker goes a long way towards a solution. Great book.

Very interesting and a good read.

It's been said before, but really, it's a detective journey through the history, politics, economics and cultures of the Middle East. All in order to make a incise and compelling argument.

excellent book giving much food for thought to reader

Very interesting

very good history book on the Magi