Simeon’s Gospel offers a fresh way to see the story of Jesus, through the lives of those left behind after his death, people still trying to make sense of faith and history.

When Jesus of Nazareth was executed around 32 AD, his followers stayed in Jerusalem, waiting for his promised return. They believed he would soon return as the Messiah who would renew the world. The past no longer seemed to matter, only the future. But time passed, and their hopes faded. Decades later, some joined a revolt against Rome, believing faith alone would bring divine victory. The fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD ended that dream.

A few small Gentile communities survived. Realizing the wait might be longer than anyone expected, they began writing down the teachings shared by word of mouth. These became the Gospels, not strict histories, but faith stories meant to guide their communities through doubt and distance.

In “Simeon’s Gospel”, Anthony Gifford follows that same spirit of storytelling. He retells the story for our time, restoring its historical texture and human struggle. Rome stands as the oppressor, the powerful few align with it, and ordinary people carry the weight of suffering and hope.

Blending scripture, history, and imagination, Gifford offers a gospel that feels both ancient and alive, an invitation to think, question, and rediscover what Jesus’s words might mean in a world still searching for light.