Ben-Hur

About this book

Lew Wallace's novel sets the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy Jewish prince unjustly condemned to be a galley slave and robbed of his inheritance, against the birth, ministry, and crucifixion of Christ. Embittered by the betrayal of his Roman friend Messala and enraged by what he perceives as the arrogance of Rome, Ben-Hur slowly comes to the realization that the kingdom offered by the miracle worker and Messiah Jesus is spiritual, not political. The novel begins with a meeting in the desert of the Three Wise Men. Gaspar, the Greek, has learned from study and his country's philosophers that each human being has an immortal soul and there exists one God. Melchior, the "Hindoo," is moved by compassionate love for the suffering. Balthasar, the Egyptian, has performed good works. The three's spiritual journeys lead them to Bethlehem and the cave in which Jesus is born.

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