Jesus: An Illustrated Life

by Jean-Pierre Isbouts

Two thousand years after his death, Jesus of Nazareth remains one of history's most influential and fascinating figures. In this powerful, elegantly written, and expertly illustrated celebration, Jean-Pierre Isbouts brings readers into Jesus' life journey on a deeply human level, narrating his experiences from his earliest years to his mission travels in lower Galilee to his final days in the Garden of Gethsemane. Key events and figures from John the Baptist to Mary Magdalene to Judas are highlighted in compelling detail. Carefully selected artwork featuring some of the great artists of the ages--da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many more--illustrate indelible moments in Jesus' life, from Mary's annunciation to the Last Supper. Breathtaking National Geographic photography and maps complete the package, drawing readers into a time, a place, and a life that would forever change the world.
 
Absorbing, engaging, and meticulously researched, this inspiring journey reconstructs the seminal moments and intense spiritual dimensions of the life of Jesus of Nazareth in a stunning visual celebration.

Genres: Religion, Faith, History

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2015

About the author

Jean-Pierre Isbouts was born in 1954. He is a humanities scholar and graduate professor in the doctoral programs at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. He has published widely on the origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, including the bestseller Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas; Young Jesus: Restoring the "Lost Years" of a Social Activist and Religious Dissident; From Moses to Muhammed; The Shared Origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; and The Mysteries of Jesus. An award-winning filmmaker, Isbouts has also produced Charlton Heston's Voyage Through the Bible, The Quest for Peace, and Young Jesus.

Reviews

[Beauregard Bottomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads doesn't have The Great Course "Searching for the Historical Jesus", so I'm using this book in its place as a placeholder.

I want to note that The Great Courses have this course for $24.95 or that it is available on Wonderium which is the way I watched it. (Wonderium is a very good deal for those who are inclined, and it’s even a better deal when I piggy back off of someone else’s account).

This book from this professor is very close to what the course is presenting, and if one day Goodreads gets this course listed I’ll just transfer these notes on the course to their proper place.

I do want to make a couple of quick comments on this video presentation. The visual travelogue and the maps that Dr. Isbouts give are outstanding, and the political, economic, sociological, and theological nuances are contextualized such that I’m able to re-order in my mind what was probably actually happening at the time of Jesus in Judea.

There are lot of nuances that are in the New Testament that aren’t obvious to most readers of the Bible. Dr. Isbouts looked at the local politics that were going on at the time, and how Galilee, for example, was getting economically exploited, and the rest of the region was not. Jesus as a social justice warrior (that by the way is a good thing not a bad thing as Republicans often will mock) makes sense in the context of the times and the place he came from, and Dr. Isbouts explains those connections.

Jesus would cross borders because the law couldn’t cross certain borders and he and his followers understood what the significance would be when they would cross back, for example.

This lecture series is not perfect, for me. After all, I don’t think Jesus had a cosmic energy that enabled him to heal through his touch as Dr. Isbouts will say. Belief in magic is not necessary in order to get a lot out of this series.

I had just watched The Great Course Series on The Dead Sea Scrolls by Dr. Rendsburg, and this lecture was easier for me to follow because of that. Dr. Isbouts connects the people of Qumran back to what was happening in Judea and helps straighten out the sects of Essenes, Sadducees, Pharisees, and early Christian sects.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Lenten reading for this year was a bit of a challenge trying to decipher Jesus' life through Gospel accounts and the Jewish traditions (Old Testament) that influenced them. Interesting things that I never thought about.
A National Geographic book that features outstanding art, maps, artifacts and photographs that do bring things to life and give perspective.

[Tristan Searle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of Jesus—regardless of whether it is closer to fact or mythology—is forever one of the greatest stories in history. This guide nicely compiles it down to its most stand-out elements (as well as lesser known events) and includes art from across different cultures and time periods that help shine a new perspective on his life and death.

Big parts of what make the story so interesting are the colorful side characters/archetypes who bring a greater layer of depth to the events. There is the classic betrayer who in a final act of snideness kisses Jesus on the cheek to indicate who the Roman guards should arrest. There is the thief Jesus talks to on the cross whom he promises will see paradise. And then perhaps my favorite, Mary Magdalene the unofficial disciple, who spreads his message when he is alive and makes sure he is buried before the Sabbath after his death.

[C. J. Scurria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This special edition of National Geographic covers everything of the birth of Jesus to the death and resurrection, backed up by not just the bible but historical findings. Also covering how it reflected early century to modern culture all within this magazine is told with a journalistic flair.

Finding this last year on the eve of easter was such a blessing. I now want to check out Isbouts' other journeyed outings on the bible as well.

[Mike Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and informed by the latest scholarship and archaeology, Isbouts' biography places Jesus firmly in his time and place. Enriches one's understanding of the Gospels.

[Debbie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book that provides helpful historical background for the story of Jesus life and death.

[Gabrielle]

The illustrations are breathtaking and the content powerful. Thank you, Mr. Isbouts. Exactly what I needed this Easter.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work is more historical than spiritual, but it was still a good addition to my library of knowledge about the Savior. Some of the points Isbouts makes clash with modern-day revelation that I hold as truth as a Latter-day Saint, but most of it just enhanced my understanding of the life and times of Jesus Christ. The author skimmed over the resurrection so quickly that it made me doubt he believes it actually happened, but in many other places in the text he reveals his personal faith.

I enjoyed this book enough to give it 4 stars, as reading a few chapters each week has enhanced my Sundays over the past few months.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we've learned to expect from National Geographic, this book is beautifully illustrated with reproductions of old paintings as well as photographs. But the text also is quite good, giving us a living history and a strong sense of what life was like in that time. It's great for looking at with someone else and discussing the images, as well as reading the text.