ebooks World Jesus Knew by Anne Punton in History

Review

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Very informative interestingBy Debbie"The World Jesus Knew" is a Bible backgrounds book about the time of Jesus. The focus was on what Jesus would have experienced (as a Jewish male raised in Galilee; etc.). This information was based on ancient sources (like the Mishnah) and archaeology.The book was easy to read and understand; and I found it very interesting. She included some information that isn't often focused on. The topics that she talked about helped me to better understand the gospels. A few sections; like about the day of Jesus' birth; were full of speculation; but the author was clear about how she got the idea and that it was speculation. Her speculations were reasonable even if her arguments didn't necessarily change my mind.There were some black and white photographs illustrating the text; like of clothing or agricultural tools. Overall; I'd recommend this book to those who would like to better understand the time of Jesus and who'd also like a readable text rather than a more formal one.Some of the topics covered were: betrothal; the day Jesus was born; his genealogy; circumcision; naming; purification after childbirth; redemption of the firstborn; the educational system; clothing; jewelry; prayer shawls and phylacteries; the language (with examples of certain words that don't translate easily into English); the countryside Jesus traveled; seasons; wells and springs; ploughing; sowing; reaping; threshing; winnowing; selling; buying; baking; types of common foods; hospitality; greetings; farewells; traveling; gates; bazaars; clean and unclean; vows; fasting; charity; the festivals; the temple and how it was run; prayers prayed; synagogues and how they were run; the scriptures Jesus read; pharisees; sadducees; scribes; priests; Levites; Herodians; Zealots; Samaritans; and Essenes.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Informative; helpful; easy readBy Deus estI enjoyed this well-written accounting of the customs and milieu of Jesus' culture and times. By revealing some simple house-keeping facts; a wholly different understanding of some scriptures emerge! For example; the information about "burden bearing" being a paid skill a few middle eastern people still practice today coupled with seeing that different words were used in the original Greek for "burden" in Galatians 6:2-5 gives a better insight into what seems like a scriptural contradiction. In one verse we are encouraged to "bear one another's burdens (Greek- baros: Ga:6:2); then in Ga:6:5; we are encouraged to "bear our own burdens" (Greek-phortion). Baros means heavy load often carried strapped on the back as was done in those days; a load that could kill or maim if the person fell; whereas phortion meant a light hand-carried load in those days.Much more is explored in this good book that is helpful to a deeper understanding of Jesus and words of Scripture; both old and New Testaments. As I write this; I see that it is a book worth re-reading to me. I first read it with impatience because it has much information I already knew; hence the four stars. An author can't help that much with a diversified audience! But I must report that every chapter had some useful nugget of insight for me.Enjoy!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not for the Casual Reader but Well Worth the TimeBy Cloud WalkerThe information presented in this book brings those "ah-ha" moments as well as shines Light on certain phrases and passages that make the book absolutely invaluable.That it is a scholarly book is abundantly clear as Mrs. Punton goes to great length to validate her work and conclusions. For me; as I have become somewhat of a browser in reading; this was difficult at first but as I read I began to really look forward to and appreciate the cadence of her writing. She states her point; cites the various references and then draws the reader back to the main point effortlessly.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to peer more clearly into the world as it was when Jesus walked here in Person.