Empire Podcast Summary Episode 213: How Three Wise Men Became Three Kings (Ep 2) Release Date: December 19, 2024

Hosts: Anita Anand and William D. Rimple
Guest: Lloyd Llewelyn Jones, Professor of Ancient History and Clergy Member

1. Introduction: Revisiting the Nativity Story

In this festive episode of Empire, hosts Anita Anand and William D. Rimple welcome back expert guest Lloyd Llewelyn Jones to delve deeper into the origins and transformations of the Three Wise Men from the nativity narrative. Building on the discussions from the previous episode, the conversation explores how historical empires influenced the biblical story of the Magi and their evolution into the figureheads known today.

2. The Evolution of the Three Wise Men

Original Gospel Account:
The episode begins by examining the Gospel of Matthew, which mentions the wise men without names, emphasizing their role as witnesses to the birth of Jesus. Jones explains, “The magi are the witnesses to the birth of a messiah... this is when Jesus appears before witnesses for the first time” (07:00).

Naming the Magi:
The names Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar are not found in the Bible but emerged in later Christian traditions. Jones clarifies the variations in their names due to transliteration across cultures: “For some it’s Caspar, for others it’s Gaspar, for others it’s Kashtar, and so on” (04:39).

3. Transformation into Kings

Influence of Early Christian Scholars:
Jones highlights the role of early theologians like Tertullian in reshaping the Magi into kings. “Tertullian... probably as far away from Persia as you could be at that date... He’s making them kings because ‘Magi’ meant priest, which had little resonance for him” (31:31).

Medieval Adaptations:
During the Middle Ages, the Magi were depicted as representatives of Christ’s kingship on earth, aligning with the era’s theology. This period saw the Magi adorned with crowns and portrayed as diverse rulers from different continents, reflecting the expanding European empires.

4. Artistic Representations of the Magi

Renaissance Depictions:
The Renaissance era brought a surge in artistic portrayals of the Magi, often incorporating elements of the contemporary European worldview. Jones notes, “You can virtually date all of these depictions of the Magi by the appearance of a single black Magi from between about 1480 to about 1780” (35:30).

Challenges in Representation:
Artists like Hieronymus Bosch struggled with depicting the Magi accurately due to limited exposure to different cultures. “In the 15th century, artists had not seen many black people, they didn’t know what to do with them,” comments William D. Rimple (36:52).

5. Christian Traditions and Celebrations

Epiphany Variations:
Jones discusses how different Christian traditions celebrate Epiphany, commemorating the Magi's visit. While Western Christianity observes it on January 6th with traditions like the French galette du roi, other traditions, such as the Armenian and Syriac churches, have their distinct practices. He explains, “Depending on when you place Christmas Day, of course, that has a huge knock on effect for when you place epiphany” (37:32).

Cultural Practices:
Anita Anand shares personal experiences from Egypt, highlighting the variance in celebration dates and the impact on local communities, “If you’re a Coptic child, it’s a whole month after everyone else has opened” (40:03).

6. Preservation and Current Relevance

Syrian Christian Heritage:
The discussion underscores the importance of preserving ancient Christian texts and artifacts in Syria, especially amidst current geopolitical instability. Jones emphasizes, “There are libraries and archives in Syria that go back to the founding of the Christian church. And we don’t know the half of what’s there yet” (20:04).

Cultural Heritage Threats:
Anita Anand poignantly describes the proximity of historical monasteries to modern-day conflict zones, reflecting on the vulnerability of these treasures: “One of the greatest libraries and one of the most important monasteries is in Sayyidina, immediately beside where this hideous prison full of political prisoners is” (20:04).

7. Notable Quotes

• Lloyd Llewelyn Jones: “The magi are the witnesses to the birth of a messiah. It’s a revolution in the world where God for the first time enters the world fully formed, fully human and fully divine” (07:00).

• William D. Rimple: “You're gorgeous and brilliant and wonderful and you're going to be a very busy big in the cloth this week” (40:37).

• Anita Anand: “I was 21” (26:31).

8. Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of the Magi

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the enduring legacy of the Magi and their significance in both religious and cultural contexts. They tease the next episode, which will explore the origins of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, promising deeper insights into these symbolic gifts.

Closing Remarks: William D. Rimple expresses gratitude to Lloyd Llewelyn Jones for his enlightening contributions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical nuances behind familiar stories. “As always on Empire, we find out we really don’t know it very well at all” (40:14).

Timestamps

• [07:00] - Importance of the Magi as witnesses
• [04:39] - Variations in Magi names
• [31:31] - Tertullian’s influence on Magi portrayal
• [35:30] - Renaissance depictions of the Magi
• [36:52] - Artistic challenges in representing diverse Magi
• [37:32] - Variations in Epiphany celebrations
• [20:04] - Preservation of Syrian Christian heritage
• [40:03] - Personal anecdotes on Epiphany in Egypt
• [40:14] - Closing reflections on historical narratives
• [40:37] - Hosts’ closing remarks

This episode of Empire offers a fascinating exploration of how the story of the Three Wise Men has been shaped by historical empires, theological debates, and cultural exchanges. It reveals that the familiar nativity narrative is a tapestry woven from diverse traditions, each adding layers of meaning and significance over centuries.