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Empire
212. Who Were The Three Wise Men?
Dec 17, 2024
In this lively discussion, Professor Lloyd Lewellyn-Jones, an expert in ancient history and Persian culture, sheds light on the Three Wise Men, often overlooked figures in the Christmas story. He reveals their true identity as Zoroastrian priests and delves into their cultural connections with Jewish heritage. The conversation explores the significance of their gifts and the political tensions of their time between the Parthians and Rome. With humor and insight, they unravel the complexities of the Nativity narrative, illuminating the evolving interplay of empires and faith.
44:43
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Quick takeaways
- The Magi, depicted in Matthew's Gospel, represent a blend of Persian and Jewish culture, reflecting the historical tensions between empires.
- Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh convey profound meanings about Jesus's identity, emphasizing his kingship, divinity, and future suffering.
Deep dives
The Role of the Magi in the Nativity Story
The Magi, often referred to as the Three Wise Men, play a significant role in the Nativity story, traditionally arriving to present gifts to the newborn Jesus. Their story, primarily sourced from the Gospel of Matthew, reveals the complexity of the Nativity narratives, as Matthew's account includes the Magi while others, like the Gospel of Luke, completely exclude them. This divergence highlights that Christmas traditions often amalgamate disparate sources, leading to a narrative that simplifies these varying accounts. Notably, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize Jesus's kingship, divinity, and future suffering, respectively, with each gift carrying deep significance relevant to Jesus's identity and mission.
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