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A.D. Chronicles #9
Ninth Witness
It is a time of great danger and suffering...
Yet the candle of hope still gleams
The census riots are barely past. Bands of Zealots roam the canyons. Anguished shrieks echo against the hillsides of Nazareth as Rome crushes the last Jewish resistance. Herod the Butcher King is dead, but Antipas, his cruel son, now reigns in the Galil. As the Jews remember their deliverance from evil Haman, they wonder, Where is there a Mordechai for this age? Where an Esther?
Nine-year-old Jude and six-year-old Kerah watch as their father, the hero of Galil, hangs on a Roman cross. His dying whisper to Jude? "Take your sister to Jerusalem." But the journey is long and dangerous.
Zachariah, Elisheba, and young Youchanan watch compelling signs in the heavens and ponder what they mean. Could a day of justice be coming for the Jews?
Aged acholar Rabbi Mazzar travels with his three Yeshiva students to Jerusalem for Passover and their bar mitzvahs. He has high hopes for twelve-year-old Yeshua, who seemd to study people as well as Torah. Could such a one make a great rabbi? Or be the founder of something even more enduring?
Yet the candle of hope still gleams
The census riots are barely past. Bands of Zealots roam the canyons. Anguished shrieks echo against the hillsides of Nazareth as Rome crushes the last Jewish resistance. Herod the Butcher King is dead, but Antipas, his cruel son, now reigns in the Galil. As the Jews remember their deliverance from evil Haman, they wonder, Where is there a Mordechai for this age? Where an Esther?
Nine-year-old Jude and six-year-old Kerah watch as their father, the hero of Galil, hangs on a Roman cross. His dying whisper to Jude? "Take your sister to Jerusalem." But the journey is long and dangerous.
Zachariah, Elisheba, and young Youchanan watch compelling signs in the heavens and ponder what they mean. Could a day of justice be coming for the Jews?
Aged acholar Rabbi Mazzar travels with his three Yeshiva students to Jerusalem for Passover and their bar mitzvahs. He has high hopes for twelve-year-old Yeshua, who seemd to study people as well as Torah. Could such a one make a great rabbi? Or be the founder of something even more enduring?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2008
89 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
201 books1,361 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 13, 2024
Another great entry in this series from the Thoenes.
April 3, 2022
4.5 stars.
Man was this book short for a Thoene book. I'm not used to that XD
I've read a lot by this author, a total of... *counts* about 24 different books. And when you've read that much by a single author, which is probably the most I've ever read by one author, you get to know what are their best books and plots.
This was not one of those for the Thoenes. It just wasn't their best book, although it was a good book. But it was shorter, and the ending felt a little forced and quickly done. I wasn't expecting it when it happened, I thought I still had a chunk more to go.
Anyhow, it was still a good book. Seeing a portrayal of young Yeshua was interesting, and of course it had the historical development that is in every Thoene book.
I also found it very amusing that it is portrayed that (minor spoiler: Yeshua meeting Simon Peter when they were young XD). That was fun to read. My favorite part may have been Yeshua conversating with the learned Rabbis, and what that might have looked like. I also enjoyed how His future as Israel's Messiah and Savior was hinted at throughout the story, again one of my favorite parts.
So yeah, I did enjoy this book, it just wasn't the BEST book of the Thoenes. For me, those might be either Warsaw Requiem or Second Touch. Probably Second Touch.
Man was this book short for a Thoene book. I'm not used to that XD
I've read a lot by this author, a total of... *counts* about 24 different books. And when you've read that much by a single author, which is probably the most I've ever read by one author, you get to know what are their best books and plots.
This was not one of those for the Thoenes. It just wasn't their best book, although it was a good book. But it was shorter, and the ending felt a little forced and quickly done. I wasn't expecting it when it happened, I thought I still had a chunk more to go.
Anyhow, it was still a good book. Seeing a portrayal of young Yeshua was interesting, and of course it had the historical development that is in every Thoene book.
I also found it very amusing that it is portrayed that (minor spoiler: Yeshua meeting Simon Peter when they were young XD). That was fun to read. My favorite part may have been Yeshua conversating with the learned Rabbis, and what that might have looked like. I also enjoyed how His future as Israel's Messiah and Savior was hinted at throughout the story, again one of my favorite parts.
So yeah, I did enjoy this book, it just wasn't the BEST book of the Thoenes. For me, those might be either Warsaw Requiem or Second Touch. Probably Second Touch.
April 15, 2019
Yeshua comes of age. He and his parents travel to Jerusalem for the Passover. We know very little about the boy Jesus, except for the Biblical account of this visit to the Holy City. With great historical knowledge, the authors paint a believable scenario of what the days leading up to Passover, and that one glimpse into Yeshua's youth might have been like. Another good read!
October 27, 2011
An interesting take on what happened during Jesus' time in Jerusalem when he was twelve.
June 19, 2018
I found this book hard to get into and not that compelling. The story kept switching between the life of Yeshua and his family - representing the young Jesus - and a boy, Jude and his sister, Kerah, children of a Zealot also called, Jude, crucified for his faith. It did give me a little more of an idea of how Jesus' childhood might have been but it was all supposition on the behalf of the authors, Bodie and Brock Thoene.
I also completed the study section at the back of the book but again it didn't reveal anymore facts or bible teaching over what I already knew. I loved the book on writing that this pair of authors wrote and so wanted to read their fiction. Sadly, it was a disappointment.
I also completed the study section at the back of the book but again it didn't reveal anymore facts or bible teaching over what I already knew. I loved the book on writing that this pair of authors wrote and so wanted to read their fiction. Sadly, it was a disappointment.
June 13, 2019
3.5*
One of the shortest of the A.D. Chronicles, Ninth Witness brings us back to Jesus' (Yeshua's) youth. In a story that encompasses Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' travel to Jerusalem, and the three days that His parents searched for Him, we are introduced to the world that Jesus grew up in… and some characters that truly add depth to the story. Short and sweet, Ninth Witness is a thoughtful look at what Jesus may have been like as a boy. A little slower than some of the Thoene's other titles, it is still an enjoyable entry into the series.
One of the shortest of the A.D. Chronicles, Ninth Witness brings us back to Jesus' (Yeshua's) youth. In a story that encompasses Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' travel to Jerusalem, and the three days that His parents searched for Him, we are introduced to the world that Jesus grew up in… and some characters that truly add depth to the story. Short and sweet, Ninth Witness is a thoughtful look at what Jesus may have been like as a boy. A little slower than some of the Thoene's other titles, it is still an enjoyable entry into the series.
March 8, 2017
All of the books in this series have been superb. This one concentrates on the events of Yeshua's trip to Jerusalem at the age of twelve.
The other main storyline revolves around Jude and Kerah, orphaned children of a Galilean Zealot who was caught and crucified by the Romans. They have no one to lean on except each other ... until Jude meets a kindly Galilean woman named Mary ...
The other main storyline revolves around Jude and Kerah, orphaned children of a Galilean Zealot who was caught and crucified by the Romans. They have no one to lean on except each other ... until Jude meets a kindly Galilean woman named Mary ...
February 11, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this fictionalized
account of the time when Jesus was a twelve-year-old boy and taken to Jerusalem for the Passover by his parents. I enjoyed the portrayal of Jesus and he said some things in the book that he actually said later in his life but made it very believable that he would have known and said these things when he was younger as well. It was short but very enjoyable.
account of the time when Jesus was a twelve-year-old boy and taken to Jerusalem for the Passover by his parents. I enjoyed the portrayal of Jesus and he said some things in the book that he actually said later in his life but made it very believable that he would have known and said these things when he was younger as well. It was short but very enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2017
I actually found myself more disappointed by this book and those that follow than the ones I mentioned below. Even though I read this book mere hours ago, I have only vague recollections of the contents. This book did not survive the second round of the purge from my personal collection.
March 31, 2018
Goes back in time to when Christ/Yeshua was a teenager. Tells about Joesph/Yosef and Mary trying to find Him on their way home from Jerusalem, and then going back to Jerusalem to find Him in the Temple. Christ needed to be/start to be 'about His Father's business'.
January 26, 2021
Ninth Witness...another wonderful book about young Jesus
No one really knows much about Jesus as a young boy. But we know the story about him being left behind in Jerusalem. This book adds meat to the story of what maybe life was like for young Yeshua. Well done, highly recommend.
No one really knows much about Jesus as a young boy. But we know the story about him being left behind in Jerusalem. This book adds meat to the story of what maybe life was like for young Yeshua. Well done, highly recommend.
August 8, 2021
Another excellent book! Have you ever wondered what young Jesus was like? Again, this book details the life and times of people who walked this earth when Jesus was alive and walked with them.
Excellent!
Excellent!
July 8, 2022
Excellent
As in the other books in this series, it is well written. The time period and the characters come alive for me. It should be read by all who love the Lord or if you want to know about Jesus. This is my 3rd time reading this series, but won't be the last.
As in the other books in this series, it is well written. The time period and the characters come alive for me. It should be read by all who love the Lord or if you want to know about Jesus. This is my 3rd time reading this series, but won't be the last.
January 1, 2024
This story once more jumps chronologically. Peniel and Zacchaeus listen as Mary and Jude recall the events around Jesus journey to the temple for his bar mitzvah. The ending has the gospel punch which we love from Bodie Thoene.
November 2, 2019
Great book! Super authors.
November 24, 2020
no offensive content: Xn historical fiction
May 24, 2021
Enjoying this series, still.
This one is the story of young Jude and Jesus's Passover visit to Jerusalem.
This one is the story of young Jude and Jesus's Passover visit to Jerusalem.
October 22, 2025
Definitely not nearly as strong as some of the other books in this series. Still insightful & creative nonetheless. I enjoyed it!
June 19, 2014
This is the first book in the series in which I have felt a little disappointed. First of all, it tries to make a novel of one snippet of Jesus' childhood--his being accidentally left behind in Jerusalem during Passover at the age of twelve.
As always, the Thoene's meticulous historical research leaves nothing to be desired in the way of detail. Their delving into Scripture, and using story to bring the Old Testament messianic prophesies to life is a refreshing approach in Christian fiction. As usual, I really enjoyed the way the Thoene's are able to insert me into the story in such a way that the sights, smells, sounds, and circumstances of 1st century Jerusalem are almost tangible. (Aside from an inordinate amount of middle-eastern people with fair skin...)
My main criticism has gradually come to the forefront. I suspected in some of the earlier books in the series, especially the ones concerned with Mary & Joseph, and the story of Jesus' birth, that the Thoene's lean heavily in favor of the Catholic theology that Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her life after her first son's supernatural birth. Since this is a book review, and not a theology lesson, I will simply state that there is no evidence in Scripture that Mary and Joseph had no more children. In fact, there is clear evidence to the contrary. In an otherwise immaculately correct work of fiction, this is a glaring disappointment to me.
This book uses a side story of a couple of orphaned children to explain in a more roundabout way that Mary & Joseph adopted the other children mentioned in Scripture. This feels quite a bit like reaching a little bit too far for a more complicated explanation than the Bible gives us.
My final criticism is that this book is far too short. It ends abruptly, and rather unsatisfactorily. I feel as though more and more pages are being devoted to the accompanying study questions, rather than just telling the story and letting it speak for itself. Personally, I'd rather read and enjoy a story than answer a bajillion questions that could easily be posted in downloadable content online for those interested in using these books for further study or homeschooling.
I want to give this book more stars, but I can't in all honesty. I'm bummed, because of how much I've enjoyed the rest of the series.
As always, the Thoene's meticulous historical research leaves nothing to be desired in the way of detail. Their delving into Scripture, and using story to bring the Old Testament messianic prophesies to life is a refreshing approach in Christian fiction. As usual, I really enjoyed the way the Thoene's are able to insert me into the story in such a way that the sights, smells, sounds, and circumstances of 1st century Jerusalem are almost tangible. (Aside from an inordinate amount of middle-eastern people with fair skin...)
My main criticism has gradually come to the forefront. I suspected in some of the earlier books in the series, especially the ones concerned with Mary & Joseph, and the story of Jesus' birth, that the Thoene's lean heavily in favor of the Catholic theology that Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her life after her first son's supernatural birth. Since this is a book review, and not a theology lesson, I will simply state that there is no evidence in Scripture that Mary and Joseph had no more children. In fact, there is clear evidence to the contrary. In an otherwise immaculately correct work of fiction, this is a glaring disappointment to me.
This book uses a side story of a couple of orphaned children to explain in a more roundabout way that Mary & Joseph adopted the other children mentioned in Scripture. This feels quite a bit like reaching a little bit too far for a more complicated explanation than the Bible gives us.
My final criticism is that this book is far too short. It ends abruptly, and rather unsatisfactorily. I feel as though more and more pages are being devoted to the accompanying study questions, rather than just telling the story and letting it speak for itself. Personally, I'd rather read and enjoy a story than answer a bajillion questions that could easily be posted in downloadable content online for those interested in using these books for further study or homeschooling.
I want to give this book more stars, but I can't in all honesty. I'm bummed, because of how much I've enjoyed the rest of the series.
November 27, 2016
The entire AD Chronicles series, starting with book 1, is some of the best writing I've encountered, both in the spiritual and secular realms. Bodie's insights into Scripture are consistently deep, often deeper than what I have seen from many pastors and teachers of God's Word. The fictional details that she creates to flesh out the details of the story not recorded in Scripture seem insightful and accurate to a surprising degree. I highly recommend this book and series as the pinnacle of Bodie and Brock's work, which has all been superb in my opinion. Each book of the series (I've read 1-12) is well written and hard to set down. There is romance, passion, action, and fun. At the same time one can learn Biblical truth and insight, without even being aware of it most of the time. Enjoy.
March 18, 2016
Another great book in the AD Chronicles series. I love how well the Thoenes research history and then use the details to build a story that lets you feel like you are right back in Bible times, seeing the landscape, hearing the sounds, and smelling the scents. The characters and their stories, as usual, draw you right in. I'm mixed in my feelings about how they describe Jesus' younger brother as having been adopted by Joseph and Mary. I don't believe Mary remained a virgin her whole life. But it reminds me that we are all adopted into the family of God. I was really bummed at how short it was. A full third of the book was the devotional, which I read through but really would have preferred to see the story more developed. I don't want to do the devotionals, those should be downloadable content for further study, not included in the book, in my opinion. Still, I ended feeling like I have a better mind's eye picture of what life and times were like when Jesus walked the earth, and I believe this book will add to my understanding and enrichment in my Bible reading. Oh, one other thing...I still can't figure out who the Ninth Witness was? All the other book titles refer to characters or events very clearly described in the story. I'm lost on this one. Is it supposed to be the book itself which is the ninth witness, because it's number 9 in the series? I'm totally lost on that. And that bugs me too.
October 24, 2011
As often happens in long, drawn-out series, the later books often decline in quality and length. This was still a pretty good book, and I did enjoy it and learn about the history and culture of the time when Jesus was alive, but I felt this time the authors strayed more from what the actual Biblical account tells us. To be fair, the Bible is very quiet of the life of Jesus between His birth and the beginning of His ministry; however, I felt that they created a new twist rather than using the information from the scriptures to illuminate what is known. Protestants believe that Mary and Joseph had several children of their own after Jesus was born, whereas Catholics believe she remained a virgin for her entire life. The authors came up with a middle of the road version to try to rectify those two beliefs that I felt was more an attempt to maintain readership across denominations by not offending anyone than shedding light on the truth of scripture. While clever in its own way and an interesting read if I were looking for a true non-fiction story, I was actually disappointed with this book--the first of theirs that I felt that way about.
August 22, 2010
This one wasn't quite as good as the others. Most of the books are in chronological order and all of a sudden this one drops back to Jesus' childhood. There are only several verses in the gospels devoted to Jesus' childhood, so I felt the authors did a good job with "what might have been." I do feel they are very respectful with Christ's character in these books, keeping Him God and working the story around Him.
I didn't expect the book to be so short. I was reading along, thinking it would probably take another 30-45 minutes to finish and then all of a sudden it was the end. The last 1/3 of the book is devoted to a study guide, rather than the story. That surprised me to be finished quite suddenly!
I look forward to reading the last several books of the series, even though I know I'm going to bawl through the story of Christ's death and then again (but happy tears) at His resurrection.
I didn't expect the book to be so short. I was reading along, thinking it would probably take another 30-45 minutes to finish and then all of a sudden it was the end. The last 1/3 of the book is devoted to a study guide, rather than the story. That surprised me to be finished quite suddenly!
I look forward to reading the last several books of the series, even though I know I'm going to bawl through the story of Christ's death and then again (but happy tears) at His resurrection.
March 22, 2009
I didn't enjoy this most recent book as much as I have enjoyed the others in this series. Despite this being an interesting time in the life of Jesus about which little is known, the authors did not develop the characters nor the plot as well as they have previously. Zadok makes a cameo appearance that doesn't add anything to the progression of the story. The fate of Eizel and the subsequent reaction of the Sparrows was contrived at best. There are some aspects that are theologically questionable as well. I came to the end of the story before I felt that the story had been resolved. This series and the Zion series have been inspiring and interesting, but I wish more time had been devoted to this installment.
August 4, 2012
I was disappointed in the brevity of this novel, and even more so to see that Jesus' brothers and sisters were not included in the narrative of the family journey to Jerusalem. They are mentioned in Matthew 12:46, Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, John 2:12, and Acts 1:14, among others, and Jude calls himself the "brother of James," whom scholars believe was Jesus' half-brother. (The other men named James in the NT are not considered to have been of his stature - a leader and an author of scripture - and one Jemes died too soon to have written it, according to my sources.) I think the story could have been much richer with the siblings in the mix.
Still it was great and I will continue the series and anything else the Thoene's have written. Thankful for authors of their caliber.
Still it was great and I will continue the series and anything else the Thoene's have written. Thankful for authors of their caliber.
March 19, 2014
I have copied and pasted some of my review for the eighth book in the series since I have nothing specific to add about the individual book. I will repeat some things that I have said in previous reviews of books in this series. The latter books in the series are much better than the earlier books, specifically books four, five, and six. For Christian fiction, it's a step above the vast majority though I still have issues with aspects of the story telling.
I can't recommend these books but I don't discourage anyone from reading them.
I can't recommend these books but I don't discourage anyone from reading them.
March 20, 2014
In the wake of a failed rebellion in Galilee, we join several pilgrams to Jerusalem. The first in 9 year old Jude and his younger sister, recent orphans. The second is 12 year old Yeshua. What will happen when they all get there? Even though the story was familiar, I got drawn in by the characters. Unfortunately, I didn't like how they ended the book at all.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
February 24, 2010
I LOVED it. It was more low-key then the other books. Not a big plot, or any war, violence, conflict...ect.
This was the part of Yeshua's life when he was 12-13, and discussed with the rabbi's of Yerushalim, when his parents didn't know where he was. I really felt like I was there, when Yeshua and Josef were killing the passover lamb. Yosef saw Yeshua stiffen when the lamb was laid down and when it was killed Yeshua growned and almost fell over. Very powerful.
This was the part of Yeshua's life when he was 12-13, and discussed with the rabbi's of Yerushalim, when his parents didn't know where he was. I really felt like I was there, when Yeshua and Josef were killing the passover lamb. Yosef saw Yeshua stiffen when the lamb was laid down and when it was killed Yeshua growned and almost fell over. Very powerful.
September 25, 2012
This series continues to frustrate me with the diminishing length of each book for the same price--it feels like they are fleecing the readers--but continues to delight me with the writing. This fictionalization of Luke 2:41-52, Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to Jerusalem as a young boy and leaving him there, had many surprising twists--a very different perspective on Jesus "being about His Father's business." It was completely unexpected, but so fitting and satisfying.
January 12, 2016
Yeshua is approaching His bar mitzvah and He and His parents go Jerusalem for the Passover and to commemorate His coming of age. A heart-warming account of what may have have happened while He was there including adopting a younger brother and sister. I love Bodie and Brock's historical research. They make the Bible seem so alive and the stories they write so real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews