“A first-ever English translation and detailed analysis of [an] . . . eighth-century text uncovers a far more substantial version of the wise men story.” —USA Today
Theologian Brent Landau presents the ancient account of Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, the three “wise men” who journeyed to Bethlehem to greet the birth of Jesus. The Revelation of the Magi offers the first-ever English translation of an ancient Syriac manuscript written in the second to third century after the birth of Christ and safeguarded for generations in the Vatican Library. Following in the footsteps of Elaine Pagels and her exploration of the Gnostic Gospels, including the controversial Gospel of Judas, Landau delivers an invaluable source of information to a world interested in learning more about the Nativity and the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
“Astonishing, delightful, and theologically sophisticated.” —Marvin Meyer, Griset Professor of Religious Studies, Chapman University, author of Gospels of Mary
“Landau’s presentation—bright and sharp as a gemstone—emphasizes the unique challenge and radical depth of this ancient text’s theology.” —John Dominic Crossan, author of Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography and The Greatest Prayer
“An epic tale. In a new, lucid translation, Landau offers English readers a chance to hear this remarkable story for the first time.” —Karen L. King, author of the Secret Revelation of John
“Landau is to be congratulated for bringing this important and unexpectedly influential work to light.” Jennifer Knust, author of Unprotected Texts
“Landau shows, with skill and authority, how the “Revelation” contains a valuable message of tolerance that is needed as much today as in the years of its composition.” —Los Angeles Times (online)
Brent Landau received his Th.D. from Harvard University and is an expert in ancient biblical languages and literature. He currently teaches in the Religious Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma and lives with his wife in Norman, Oklahoma.
What People are Saying About This
Karen L. King
“Unread for centuries, the Revelation of the Magi retells the Biblical story of three wise men who visited Jesus at his birth, expanding their minor role into an epic tale. In a new, lucid translation, Landau offers English readers a chance to hear this remarkable story for the first time.”
John Dominic Crossan
“Of the many recently discovered earliest Christian documents, Revelation of the Magi is by far the most fascinating. Landau’s presentation—bright and sharp as a gemstone—emphasizes the unique challenge and radical depth of this ancient text’s theology.”
Marvin Meyer
“The fascinating story of the Wise Men from the East who came to see baby Jesus is presented, for the first time in English, in a remarkable new version based on an ancient Syriac text, and the result is a tale that is astonishing, delightful, and theologically sophisticated.”
Jennifer Knust
“This lovely text, skillfully translated and accompanied by expert commentary shows that early Christians approached the Christmas story with refreshing creativity. Landau is to be congratulated for bringing this important and unexpectedly influential work to light.”
