Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament

by J. Julius Scott Jr.

This survey of intertestamental Judaism illuminates the customs and controversies that provide essential background for understanding the New Testament. Scott opens a door into the Jewish world and literature leading up to the development of Christianity. He also offers an accessible overview of the data through helpful charts, maps, and diagrams incorporated throughout the text to engage his readers.

Genres: Theology, New Testament, Biblical Studies, Christianity, History, Reference, Textbooks

416 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[Timothy Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could do without part 1 of this book. Parts 2 and 3 were of immeasurable value!

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is loaded with information regarding the Jewish intertestamental period. In addition, the analysis of this information is balanced and the author does not try to make more of what we know than is tenable. Two minor strikes against it, I don't think he gave a decent rebuttal against the New Perspective on Paul and at times the overlap in material between one chapter and another made the book redundant. In all, however, this is an excellent resource and for a grad-level textbook, it was quite readable. (But certainly not something the average Joe off the street could pick up and easily follow.) It is definitely an excellent introduction to the topic.

[Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to first century Judaism. Easy to read and very nuanced. I also appreciated his comments on the New Perspective on Paul and his treatment of apocalyptic literature.

[Debbie Blane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another teacher at the college where I will be teaching loaned me this book to help me prepare for teaching New Testament Background in January. Learning a lot so far! Continued on December 7th: The book is good, interesting, and an excellent springboard into looking further at the issues which are introduced. As I found myself being overwhelmed by detail I moved on to other books on the subject.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid and thorough. Interesting and unexpected comments on NPP.

[Jamey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a good idea of what I was getting into when I picked this book up, for the title hides nothing: “Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament” contains just that- nearly everything you could think of about the Jews that lived in Jesus day, and their immediate ancestors. The reader learns such things as Jewish customs, sects, interpretations of the Bible, history, belief system, lifestyle, hope for the Messiah and so much more. The book is long, heady, information dense, and entirely worth the read. The reader will come away with a more solid understanding of Jewish life surrounding Jesus’ time, and a better knowledge of why the Jews reacted the way they did to the actual Messiah.

[Zach Waldis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave this three stars because NT Wright is such a superior writer, but this is a valuable book, especially if you are like me and do not have time to read all of Josephus and Philo and the Mishnah and the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Old Testament Apocrypha/Pseudipigraphica...........

Worth reading, I would say, especially for pastors and students, but if you're just getting started, NTPG is far superior.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some may be familiar with Williston Walker's church history textbook. It's not very entertaining reading, but it seems to cover everything essential in church history. If you underlined or highlighted the important lines, you'd underline the whole book. This book is like that. It tells you everything you wanted to know and more. Scott's treatment is careful and judicious, not making more of the evidence than is wise. Recommended for anyone interested in the subject.

[Michael Burchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a New Testament History class I am taking. Very informative on the topic of Intertestamental Judaism and how it relates to Christianity. My understanding of New Testament backgrounds was expanded by Scott's work.

[JSem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful intro to various Jewish groups and messianic expectations in the intertestamental period. Rigorous but not too academic.

[Finny Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative introduction to the New Testament. Not only does the author explain the historical background but also gives an excellent introduction to the books of the New Testament

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic piece of scholarly work, J. Julius Scott Jr presents the standard text of Jewish backgrounds in light of the New Testament with his Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. The book is as engaging as is it comprehensive, with deep historical and theological insights capturing the eclectic and nuanced culture that helped shape the writers of our NT canon.

This material is so rich in detail and insight, careful examination of this text needs to be done insofar as one can fully absorb the profound historical scholarly work presented in this tome. In short, if one has the gusto and inclination to patiently study such a text, this one will open your eyes in ways hitherto unimagined, making your reading and studying of the Gospels all the more existential and real. A wonderful scholarly work, and certainly one for the shelves.

Brent McCulley

[R.K. Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a whooping scholarly book, so come with a dictionary to make sure you know what those words mean, but it's got all the pluses of a great scholarly work; good research, interesting points, well identified sources.

And on a more personal note--the book felt like dry but interesting information, but I noticed that now as I read the Bible I feel like so much more of a part of it because I understand the nuances of some of their culture and thinking. It's so much more involving now. I'm so glad I read it. I will read it again.

[Brian Chilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my textbooks for New Testament Orientation I at Liberty University. This is an excellent textbook and will open up your eyes to the culture and times of the Intertestamental period and the New Testament times. Understanding this information opens up your eyes to the New Testament. It is going from an analog black and white view of the New Testament to a color, high definition view of the New Testament. If you are a New Testament student or scholar, you will enjoy this book. One warning, though. The text is a graduate level book and is written accordingly.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a valuable resource in helping one to understand the context of the life of Jesus. It is moves quickly without getting bogged down yet gives the reader a good idea about the subject matter at hand. It is basic and does not get into a lot of in depth detail but again does provide a good base so one will have a good handle on the Jewish background of both the NT and the intertestamental period; which I found very interesting and helpful.

[J. Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for better understanding the cultural context into which the New Testament was birthed. The Intertestamental Period is often overlooked by the community of faith as a valuable arena of study.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be more dry than it was but it was actually very fascinating. Anyone who is a student of the New Testament will enjoy getting a "behind-the-scenes-look" at the time period of Jesus, the 12 and the apostle paul. Great Book!

[Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of valuable information here, coupled with some poor analysis. My biggest concern is that Scott mischaracterizes the role of Torah in Second Temple Judaism to retain an essentially Lutheran understanding of Paul.

[Jonathan Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an easy read, but didn't expect it to be. This book is full of useful information and very informative since the Bible moves from the Old to New Testament without any background for what happened in the many years in between.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book itself often repeats itself. Rather than focus on the current audience it deals with the audience before the New Testament. The apocrypha including its Jewish books is what this book is really about.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening.

[Sean-david · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight on Intertestamental Judaism and early NT thought

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in my New Testament Orientation class.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gives a great look at the situations that molded the thoughts and drives of the New Testament people. It can be a slow read but the knowledge gleaned is well worth it.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to get a sound introduction to the intertestamental period.

[Jason Bratcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and an easy read.

[Josh Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study of the intertestamental period.

[Conor Searl · Rating 3 out of 5]

well written, informative, a little boring.

[Nathan Marone]

This is a very good introduction to the Jewish world of the New Testament. Scott's goal here is to synthesize a lot of the cultural issues that surrounded and inform our understanding of the New Testament. He works with primary sources gracefully and has a humble opinion of the tentative conclusions we can draw about certain aspects of the culture. Some might consider this work dry, but I think it serves to give the New Testament reader a dose of sympathy for some of the characters and controversies that crop up. Without the background, it's too easy to default to a dismissive stance toward various groups like the Sadducees or to be completely baffled by controversies over how some people responded to the claims of Jesus. Highly recommended.