Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men

• True origins of the Three Wise Men
• Historically researched and evidenced
• Based on Biblical study, history, archeology and astronomy
• Scholarly fact-finding about the Magii
• Inspiring, hopeful, and remarkable

"Utterly refreshing and encouraging."  — Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther

"The best book I know about the Magi." — Sir Colin John Humphreys, Ph.D., author of The Mystery of the Last Supper

Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche.

For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy?

In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod.

In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world.

The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment—confirmed by computer models—that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king.

The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.

SKU: 1010666

Satisfaction Guaranteed

The Catholic Company is committed to your complete satisfaction. For over 27 years, we have proudly served our customers by offering meaningful, high-quality Catholic products that inspire and support your faith journey.

Our Promise to You:

• We stand behind every product we sell with a commitment to your happiness. If you are not satisfied, we’ll work with you to make it right.
• 30-Day Return Policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days of purchase. Simply reach out to our dedicated customer service team to initiate your return.
• Guardian Angel Protection: Choose this optional coverage at checkout, and if your item is lost, damaged, or stolen, we’ve got you covered.

Your satisfaction and trust are important to us. Contact us by email, phone, or live chat for assistance with any order, and rest assured—we’re here to help. Thank you for choosing The Catholic Company to be part of your faith journey.

Questions?

For more details on returns, exchanges, or to start a return, our friendly customer service team is ready to assist.