Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament

by J. Julius Scott Jr.

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2000

Overview

This survey of intertestamental Judaism illuminates the customs and controversies that provide an essential background for understanding the New Testament. Helpful charts, maps, and diagrams are incorporated throughout the text.

Key Features

• Outlines the historical framework of the Old Testament and intertestamental periods
• Discusses the period termed as “Intertestamental Judaism”
• Includes various maps, figures, and tables to help enhance study

Contents

• The Background and Setting of Intertestamental Judaism
• The Crises and Responses of Intertestamental Judaism
• The Religious Thought of Intertestamental Judaism: A Background for Christian Customs and Controversies

Top Highlights

“The Maccabean revolt was not directed primarily against Hellenism in general but against pagan worship” (Page 117)

“First, Intertestamental Judaism is a descendant of the Old Testament Hebrew faith and culture, but is not identical with it.” (Page 21)

“Eighty percent of the Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are taken from the Septuagint.” (Page 135)

“Whereas Christianity frequently stresses the importance of orthodoxy (right doctrine or belief), Judaism is more concerned with orthopraxy (correct and proper behavior, actions, practice).” (Page 123)

“By the time of Jesus the majority of the common people thought of the coming Messiah primarily as a political, military king who would deal with the external crises faced by the nation.” (Page 310)

Endorsements

Professor Scott has provided students and pastors with a first-rate study of intertestamental Judaism and how this period—its literature and institutions—serves as background for a better understanding of the New Testament. What makes this book especially useful is that it not only offers an accessible overview of the data (history, institutions, religious thought) but also engages with the ideas and controversies that emerged within the Judaism of this period. The reader is thus given an especially helpful entry into the complex and varied phenomenon called early Judaism—of which Jesus, Paul, and most of the other New Testament writers were a part.

—Gordon D. Fee, emeritus professor of New Testament studies, Regent College

Overall, the volume offers a very detailed yet readable treatment of its topic, clearly relevant for the Christian student yet valuable for numerous other readers as well.

—Themelios

To be recommended for its cautious approach to controversial subjects.

—International Review of Biblical Studies

This volume provides a wealth of practical information furnished in a tightly written style, which will make it a helpful basic reference for general discussion of the major tensions and trajectories within intertestamental Judaism. . . . Scott’s 30 years of teaching experience is evident in the way he has very compactly brought together an enormous amount of material about an area of biblical study that is constantly expanding. . . . Scott has served Christian students well by opening a door into the Jewish world and literature leading up to the development of Christianity.

—Catholic Biblical Quarterly

This . . . is an excellent one-volume introduction to the historical and cultural backgrounds of early Christianity. The layout of the book is very straightforward and easy to follow. In addition, the table of contents is more complete than most books published in the present day, and it serves the reader well. . . . An outstanding survey of the historical and religious developments in Second Temple Judaism as they relate to New Testament Studies.

—Review of Biblical Literature

This easy-to-read reference is a great help in understanding the New Testament.

—Conservative Theological Journal

I recommend this study to anyone who wants to become a better interpreter of the New Testament.

—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Product Details

• Title: Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament
• Author: J. Julius Scott Jr.
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2000
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 416
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Judaism › History--Post-exilic period, 586 B.C.-210 A.D
• ISBNs: 9781441252289, 9780801022401, 1441252282, 0801022401
• Resource ID: LLS:JEWBACKNT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:52:22Z

About J. Julius Scott Jr.

James Julius Scott, Jr is Emeritus Professor of Biblical and Historical Studies at Wheaton College Graduate School. His doctorate is from the University of Manchester where he studied under F. F. Bruce. He is ordained in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America.