Considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century", it became a best-selling American novel. Blessed by Pope Leo XIII, the novel was the first work of fiction to be so honored.
The story recounts in descriptive detail the adventures of Judah Ben-Hur, a fictional Jewish prince from Jerusalem, who is enslaved by the Romans at the beginning of the 1st century and becomes a charioteer and a Christian. Running in parallel with Judah's narrative is the unfolding story of Jesus, who comes from the same region and is a similar age. The novel reflects themes of betrayal, conviction, and redemption, with a revenge plot that leads to a story of love and compassion.
When Judah Ben-Hur's childhood friend, Messala, returns from school indoctrinated by Roman teachings, he cruelly mocks Ben-Hur's Jewish beliefs. Messala works for the new Roman governor, Gratus, who stages an inaugural parade through Judaea. As Ben-Hur watches the scene, he accidentally dislodges a loose tile from his house, which hits the leader. Messala, enraged, ensures that Ben-Hur is harshly sentenced without trial and that his mother and sister are imprisoned. The tale that follows explains how Ben-Hur is relieved of his sentence and returns to a life of prosperity while looking for his family and seeking revenge against Messala. Amid it all, Ben-Hur becomes a follower of the carpenter who he believes will make war against the Romans - although he learns that earthly revenge is not the way of Christ.
The story begins with Wallace's account of the biblical wise men meeting and following the star to Christ. Later, he provides an account of Mary and Joseph seeking a birthplace for Jesus. Ben-Hur, his friends and his family live in the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion, and they follow the Savior, initially anticipating His creation of an earthly kingdom to overthrow Rome. In Wallace's account, Ben-Hur witnesses and tells others about Jesus' miracles, including how He heals Ben-Hur's mother and sister of leprosy. Ben-Hur is the man who offers the wine-vinegar to Christ on the Cross.
And in doing so, places himself in the history of great christian literary fiction.
