Jesus and His World: The Archaeological Evidence

by Craig A. Evans

Publisher:

Westminster John Knox

, 2013

Overview

In this provocative work, world-renowned scholar Craig A. Evans presents the most important archaeological discoveries that shed light on the world of Jesus of Nazareth. Evans challenges many sensational claims that have been proposed in recent books and peddled in the media by using archaeological findings to uncover the truth about several key pieces of Jesus’ world. For example, what was the village of Nazareth actually like in the time of Jesus? Did synagogues really exist, as the Gospels say? What does archaeology tell us about the ruling priests who condemned Jesus to death? Has the tomb of Jesus really been found? Evans’s engaging prose enables readers to understand and critique the latest theories—both the sober and the sensational—about who Jesus was and what he lived and died for.

This new edition includes an additional appendix with questions for discussion and reflection, making it ideal for both group and individual study.

Key Features

• Explores the intersection between archaeology and biblical studies
• Considers recent technological tools which aid archaelogical research
• Includes discussion questions for individual or group study

Contents

• In the shadow of Sepphoris: growing up in Nazareth
• Among the devout: religious formation in the synagogue
• In the books: reading, writing and literacy
• Confronting the establishment: ruling priests and the temple
• Life with the dead: Jewish burial traditions
• Appendix 1: Have we found the family tomb of Jesus?
• Appendix 2: What did Jesus look like?
• Appendix 3: Questions for discussion and reflection

Top Highlights

“Often what archaeologists uncover is not so much proof but clarification.^{2” (Page 1)}

“Archaeologists of the land of Israel can usually find the 70 ce layer in the excavation cake because of the devastation that resulted from the Jewish revolt against Rome (66–70 ce). Many cities and villages were badly damaged if not destroyed altogether, and damaged and destroyed buildings often became the fill and foundations on which the new structures were built.” (Page 24)

“Galilean Jews in the time of Jesus were no doubt influenced by Greek thought and customs to some extent, but not to that of embracing ideologies that seriously conflicted with Jewish faith.” (Page 22)

“Galilee was far more integrated into the larger Roman Empire than at one time imagined. Galilee, Samaria and Judea were no backwater.” (Page 21)

“Among the animal remains that date before before 70 ce they found no pig bones” (Page 24)

Praise for the Print Edition

This fascinating work proves that you don’t have to be either a scientist or a doubter to truly understand the times and places that populate the New Testament.... In a field crowded with critics, this brief work is a refreshing and readable alternative and will be warmly welcomed by many, scholars and students alike.

—Publishers Weekly

Although written for nonexperts, this up-to-date survey of a truly fascinating topic has much to teach the experts, too. Particularly noteworthy is the thought-provoking case for widespread literacy in Jesus’ Jewish world, a case that goes against much recent work.

—Dale C. Allison Jr., Errett M. Grable Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Craig Evans has a gift for synthesizing large swaths of complicated technical material, identifying its most significant implications, and making it accessible to nonspecialists. Scholars, students, and general readers will benefit from this engaging overview of how archaeological finds illuminate the life of Jesus, from Galilee to the grave.

—Mark A. Chancey, Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Southern Methodist University

Product Details

• Title: Jesus and His World: The Archaeological Evidence
• Author: Craig A. Evans
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 214
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Archaeology

About Craig A. Evans

Craig A. Evans earned his PhD in biblical studies at Claremont Graduate University and received his decretum habilitationis from Budapest. He is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament; Acadia Divinity College Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada; John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins (Houston Theological Seminary); a New Testament scholar; and a prolific author and popular teacher/speaker.

Evans is well-known for his work on the Gospels, the Historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the archaeology of the New Testament. His passion for archaeology has him frequently participating in Middle East digs and leading Holy Land tours. He has regularly appeared in television and radio interviews, such as the History Channel, BBC, and Dateline NBC, served as a consultant on the National Geographic Society's Gospel of Judas project and for The Bible television miniseries, and is featured in documentaries like Fragments of Truth and the Archaeology and Jesus series.

He's written hundreds of articles and reviews and published more than 70 books, including Jesus and His Contemporaries, Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies, Mark in the Word Biblical Commentary, Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospels, God Speaks, and Jesus and the Remains of His Days: Studies in Jesus and Archaeology. He coauthored Jesus, the Final Days with N. T. Wright.