Readings from the First-Century World: Primary Sources for New Testament Study

Encountering Biblical Studies

by Walter A. Elwell (Editor), Robert W. Yarbrough (Editor)

Readings from a variety of genres provide Bible readers with essential background information on the New Testament.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

About the author

Walter A. Elwell (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is emeritus professor of biblical and theological studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he taught for nearly thirty years. He has edited numerous biblical reference works, including the Baker Theological Dictionary of the Bible and the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.

Reviews

[Greg Baughman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, concise overview with a decent bibliography for later use. Worth picking up if you are seeking to gain an understanding of the cultural context of the New Testament.

[Nickolas Wingholt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nerded out over this book. Simply a collection of writings that give context and contour to many events taking place in the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Elwell and Yarbrough give an extremely brief, positioning note before each excerpt but then it's off to the races. This collection gave me so much relevant information to first-century Judea that it has significantly affected for the better my reading of the New Testament Scriptures. 1st time read. 4/5.

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated the use of primary sources!

[Robert Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, short quotations for NT background. Very helpful, though I could've done with the OT quotes just being references and the space saved for other stuff. Josephus, Tacitus, the Gemara, Philo and others a very apropos. Highly recommend, even though it is geared "towards college freshmen and sophomores" - don't I feel dumb!

[Jay Yousef]

Read the first section on gospels. It was really interesting to read the original sources and is also a great resource to know where to find more information on these topics. Very helpful resource for understanding the first century mind.

[Brenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elwell has collected short readings from non-canonical authors, papyri, inscriptions, and Mishnah that bear upon New Testament interpretations. Josephus features prominently.