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In the Steps of Jesus: Second Edition
Millions of people across the world have heard of Jesus Christ, but how many are truly acquainted with the key locations he frequented? In the second edition of this established text, Peter Walker shares the fruits of his lifetime's research and expert knowledge to present a rich and engaging guide to the historical aspects of Jesus' world.
Following the chronology of Jesus' life and ministry and drawing especially on the Gospel of Luke, we move from Bethlehem to Nazareth to the desert, and then follow him on his final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. In each chapter particular attention is given to what Jesus did in that location, placing his ministry within its original historical and geographical context, and raising questions of archaeology, authenticity and the recorded evidence of later pilgrims and historians. This new edition takes into account the archaeological discoveries of the last 15 years to provide an up-to-date guide to the Holy Land of today. Using maps, timelines and boxed features that highlight and analyse key topics, In the Steps of Jesus is a rich and absorbing text that presents scholars at all levels of study with a unique insight into Jesus' world.
Following the chronology of Jesus' life and ministry and drawing especially on the Gospel of Luke, we move from Bethlehem to Nazareth to the desert, and then follow him on his final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. In each chapter particular attention is given to what Jesus did in that location, placing his ministry within its original historical and geographical context, and raising questions of archaeology, authenticity and the recorded evidence of later pilgrims and historians. This new edition takes into account the archaeological discoveries of the last 15 years to provide an up-to-date guide to the Holy Land of today. Using maps, timelines and boxed features that highlight and analyse key topics, In the Steps of Jesus is a rich and absorbing text that presents scholars at all levels of study with a unique insight into Jesus' world.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 8, 2025
Great explanation of locations and their historical meaning
May 13, 2018
Peter Walker's book is a fantastic option if you want a concise pictorial guide into the Holy Land where Jesus ventured. His book covers all the places where Jesus traveled and taught, right up to his death and resurrection. With lots of geographical information as well as both ancient and modern facts, it's well worth the read.
March 8, 2019
nice to have a counter narrative and more detail in reading this while on Pilgrimage.
September 11, 2019
An excellent "walk" through the Holy Land, to the sites of Jesus' ministry.
September 16, 2019
This has been a great book to read before my trip to Israel and the Holy Land. I’m sure I’ll want to read it again after I get back.
December 30, 2024
A valuable and panoramic view of the Holy Land, integrating Scriptures, history, people, geography, archaeology, photographs, charts, and above all, spiritual insights.
January 1, 2013
"In The Steps of Jesus" is partly a commentary and partly a travel guide to Israel. The author used Luke as an outline for which places to discuss in which order. Each location had its own chapter, and he started the chapter with a quote from the New Testament about an event that happened at that location. He then gave a short description of the site and told what Old Testament events also happened at that location to give some insights into the cultural heritage of the site. He then described the sites that a modern tourist might be interested in that related to the Bible or early church history.
Based on the online descriptions I read for this book, I expected a lot of descriptions and full-color pictures of what the landscape and places would have looked like when Jesus walked the land. While there were a few pictures like this, most were of modern tourist spots including those that look nothing like what was originally there. Some pictures didn't have captions. In addition to the pictures, there were some maps and charts of key dates for things that happened in that area.
I liked the author's (brief) descriptions of what the place looked like if you were standing there. He also gave some background information, but a lot of that was very speculative, especially in the beginning chapters. At least he usually pointed out that it wasn't a "known fact" or if other opinions existed. I didn't agree with much of his speculation, and some of it even seemed contradictory to previous statements. For example, he said that Jesus' birth would have been full of shame (in other people's view) since Mary wasn't even properly wed, yet later he said these exact same people would "foster and guard any royal claimant growing up in their midst" (meaning Jesus).
The locations covered: Bethlehem, Nazareth, the river Jordan, the Judean Desert, Galilee and its villages, Samaria, Caesarea Philippi, Jericho, Bethany, the Mount of Olives, the Temple, Jerusalem, Golgotha and the tomb, and Emmaus.
Based on the online descriptions I read for this book, I expected a lot of descriptions and full-color pictures of what the landscape and places would have looked like when Jesus walked the land. While there were a few pictures like this, most were of modern tourist spots including those that look nothing like what was originally there. Some pictures didn't have captions. In addition to the pictures, there were some maps and charts of key dates for things that happened in that area.
I liked the author's (brief) descriptions of what the place looked like if you were standing there. He also gave some background information, but a lot of that was very speculative, especially in the beginning chapters. At least he usually pointed out that it wasn't a "known fact" or if other opinions existed. I didn't agree with much of his speculation, and some of it even seemed contradictory to previous statements. For example, he said that Jesus' birth would have been full of shame (in other people's view) since Mary wasn't even properly wed, yet later he said these exact same people would "foster and guard any royal claimant growing up in their midst" (meaning Jesus).
The locations covered: Bethlehem, Nazareth, the river Jordan, the Judean Desert, Galilee and its villages, Samaria, Caesarea Philippi, Jericho, Bethany, the Mount of Olives, the Temple, Jerusalem, Golgotha and the tomb, and Emmaus.
February 4, 2009
Great illustrations following the NT locations.
September 26, 2016
I devoured this book, and took it with me to my recent trip to Israel. Essential for anybody planning a pilgrimage to Israel/Jordan.
March 10, 2020
excellent background for trip to Israel
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews