The World Jesus Knew: Life, Politics, and Culture in Judea and Around the World

by Seth Pollinger, Randy Southern

Jesus lived in a time of great tension and upheaval. It is estimated there were approximately 700,000 Jews then living in Israel under the Roman occupation. Discover how people of that time prioritized serving God in the midst of life’s challenges. How they balanced obedience to their faith with the need to accommodate the ruling powers. This book will help modern readers understand the difficulties and challenges of daily living, religious customs, providing for a family, life at home, education, the Roman occupation, and an authentic view of what was happening throughout the world in the first century.

Genres: History, Spirituality

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2017

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished “The World Jesus Knew.” I guess, since I found the book at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, it’s impact was not what the authors had hoped.
Three reasons I might point out: much of the work seemed to come from the gospels other than John’s-yet he was the disciple at the foot of the cross! He had access to the temple area.
Of what interest to me is what was happening in MesoAmerica? Did they have ANY impact on the Roman Empire? On Jesus’ world? I might understand China, but the Mayans?!
For all of the “factual” material, there is no-for lack of a better word-bibliography! I know it is a work of fiction, but I would have liked to read more on certain aspects of the research done for the book, and was disappointed that wasn’t possible.
It was interesting-but not compelling.

[DiAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keep in mind that this is a fictionalized historical story. It's purpose seems to be to share some very basic Biblical knowledge. I wasn't real impressed with it. Each chapter is introduced with what I assume is factual information. It is then followed by the fictionalized story. I would rather have had more of the facts and less of the story. It's an okay read if you are looking for a book that just hits the high spots without any depth to it.

Jesus lived in a time of great tension and upheaval. It is estimated there were approximately 700,000 Jews then living in Israel under the Roman occupation. Discover the complexities of life in a tiny Nazareth village. Compelling narrative brings to light the rapidly developing cultures throughout the world. The World Jesus Knew immerses the modern reader in the worldwide drama of the first century and depicts an era of global conquest and domination.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a wonderful Lenten book. It was wonderful, though the passion of Christ was depicted so vividly, it would almost break a heart beyond repair. I had to skip a small portion when it was just too heartbreaking.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVORITE SPIRITUAL/ BIBLICAL BOOK I’VE READ THIS YEAR!

If you love history, you will love the way this book is presented! Each chapter is introduced with a historical background, which just fascinated me! For example, the fourth chapter was titled, “The Travel Jesus Knew” and it talked about the travel advances during Jesus days and the advanced Roman road and how it was built. After the introduction in each chapter, it then would go back to the on going story of Jesus and the people who wanted to see him die leading up to the crucification. I found this book to be so well done and so interesting.

My favorite part was the history intro in each chapter because it made the Bible make so much more sense! If you can understand what the culture was like in Bible times, when you read the Bible, it is so much easier to understand what is going on! I have learned so much reading this book and I plan on reading it over and over to continue learning! I highly recommend this book!

[Emily P · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was not what I expected, I did find some information I felt was helpful. I expected that this book would go into more depth than it did on life during Bible times, as it is a book put out by The Museum of the Bible. However, this was less a research book and more a book with factoids or short prefaces to chapters, tucked in between a fictional story with characters that interacted in some way with Jesus.

While I think this could be helpful to the overall understanding of culture and life in Bible times, I was not expecting the fictional aspect of the book, so that left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. I will say that if you are a new Christian, this book would give you a general understanding of cultural, familial and political life in Scripture.

Worth a read, just know it is not necessarily for research as it is for basic informational purposes.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! This was a gift from a friend that saw the book and thought that it would be one that I would like. He was right. Part non-fiction, part fiction. ALL AWESOME!

I loved how this book was laid out. At each chapter of the book, you learn something about how the world was when Jesus was living. Topics varying from politics, money, food, travel and more. The first section of each chapter is about whatever the topic is and then it goes on and there is a story that uses what you just read.

I loved how each chapter built on the last. The fiction part of the story is during the last week or so of Jesus' life.

Thoroughly enjoyable book! I will definitely be reading it over and over again.

[Zipcaddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I overall liked the concept of the book but found the dialogue a little lacking in several areas of the storyline. But again how much to embellish the Word of God is definitely a line I think we all would have a hard time knowing where to stop. I would have liked better story line at the crucifixion they covered the statements of Jesus but I think it could have been better. I would overall recommend the read it was a benefit just to read the beginning of each chapter with the historical content alone! Bigger picture of the times.

[Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is made up of twelve chapters. Each chapter has a historical topic about the culture of Jesus' day. Each historical topic is then followed by a fictional account of what it was like in Jerusalem during the last week of Jesus' life and crucifixion.

It is an interesting and creative idea.
Chapters include the following topics: the politics, the empires, women's status, travel, economic factors, current religions at that time, meals /food, conflict/weapons, the legal system, money, the justice system, and the future of the Roman empire and Christianity.

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book comes from the folks at The Museum of the Bible. It follows the last week of Jesus' life from the triumphal entry to the empty tomb and it is remarkable. The author starts each chapter with a Biblical/historical view of the topic of the chapter and follows with a fictionalized (though very Biblical) account telling the story as a story. This method really places the reader in the scene and helps one to almost experience it. This book is wonderfully written and I highly recommend it fo anyone wanting to grow in their faith and understanding of our Lord.

[Lensey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I like how the author melds fiction with the truth of Jesus’ last days on earth. It was interesting to ‘view’ Jesus through the lens of the regular folks who would have interacted with Him. And I loved the introductions of each chapter that describe life in the 1st century. I’ll be sharing this book with others!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a straightforward nonfiction book from the title but was pleasantly surprised that it's more a narrative of someone watching Passion week happening with little breaks for some explanation of cultural things, etc. It's a good introduction to thinking about the stories culturally. It was a good lead-up read to Easter.

[Mark D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The goal of this book is to instruct the reader of the culture in which Jesus lived. The author writes a fictional story based upon the week of the Crucifixion of Jesus. The author fills in the blanks of the biblical narrative using biblical visualization.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice historical fiction story about the life and times of Jesus and those around him. This book is published by the Bible Museum in Washington DC. I will definitely visit this museum during my next trip to DC!

[Timothy Danger · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this would be a historical book. Out of 165 pages maybe 10 pages talk about historical conditions. The rest is a fictional story that contains fictional main characters interacting with biblical characters. I dunno probably better off watching the passion or something

[Laurel Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A skillful weaving of the events of Christ’s last week with the customs, politics, and religions of the day. This would be a good book to read during Holy Week.

[Johnnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read and full of good info on the world at the time of Christ.

[Joshua Remington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but fun introduction to 1st Century Jerusalem. Much of the book is in the form of a novel, but with notes on particular parts of the culture at the beginning of each chapter.

[Wendy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was quite interesting to see what was happening, not only in Jerusalem, but around the world in Jesus' time. I liked the book.

[Christine Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short quick read. There should be more on the Passover, how each of the parts point to Jesus.