Who's Who in the Age of Jesus

by Géza Vermes

The books of the New Testament are some of the most extraordinary documents ever created-brilliant, vivid works central to the lives of many millions of readers over the centuries. Yet the picture they give of Jesus's world is a very partial one. Written some time after the events they describe, and with very specific doctrinal aims, they offer fascinating glimpses of Palestine that are nevertheless often refracted through a prism of doubtful clarity.

Geza Vermes, one of the world's foremost biblical scholars, is uniquely positioned to guide the reader through the many conundrums presented by the New Testament. Who's Who in the Age of Jesus is an ambitious and enjoyable attempt to sift through the sources for the period to create biographies of all the major (and some fascinating minor) figures from Jesus's era. The book allows readers to understand a Jewish, Roman, and Hellenistic world crowded with explosive, mutually antagonistic groups-a world that would give rise both to a new Judaism and ultimately to Christianity.

Genres: Religion, History

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2005

About the author

Géza Vermes was a Jewish Hungarian scholar and writer on religious history, particularly Jewish and Christian.

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost left this one on the library shelf, I was sure that I had read through this before. I'm a Vermes fan and enjoy his contributions to the historical Jesus canon. Geza Vermes was the first Professor of Jewish Studies at Oxford and has many honorary doctorates to his name. He has been contributing to the picture of the authentic man from Galilee for more than forty years, and even in his late eighties shows little sign of slowing down. In 2010 he published 'Searching for the real Jesus' - 'Jesus-Nativity-Passion-Resurrection' and 'Jesus in the Jewish World'.
'Who's Who in the Age of Jesus' from 2005 is not the usual format. This is a compendium set out in alphabetical order. It's range encompasses the time of the first Roman sandal to enter the promised land, that of Pompey the Great, through to the second Jewish revolt against Rome led by Simeon Bar Kosiba ending in 135CE, which perfectly matches my own period of interest.
The short biographies in this Who's Who include Roman Emperors and Statesmen from Pompey to Hadrian, all the Hasmonaean and Herodian Jewish rulers, Roman Governors of Judaea and Syria, Jewish High Priests, Rabbis, leading female figures, Jewish charismatics and ascetics, revolutionaries, writers and a very comprehensive list of New Testament figures. The author is not only fluent in New Testament and Josephan texts but utilises the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, the Mishnah and Dead Sea Scrolls.
Vermes writes "Christianity does not primarily insist on the effort of humans to obey the teaching and follow the example of Jesus. It is characterized by belief in the redeeming power of the suffering,death and resurrection of Christ, a deified human being. This is a new religion, constructed not on the simple and down to earth gospel of the prophet from Nazareth, but on the mystical vision of the author of the fourth Gospel and of St.Paul, which has been developed into fully fledged Christianity by the various Churches over the centuries up to the present day."

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

An okay reference tool to be taken with a grain of salt as the liberal scholarship sours it quite a bit where it claims some biblical contradictions that simply are not there or are easily resolved.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another informative and interesting read

[Mariusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent reference book, less so as a stand alone reading matter. As with other Vermes books, thoroughly put together.

[Jim Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book but some datings are off

This book is worth getting along with the audible title. Good book but some datings are off. That is it!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference book of real historical figures that existed in the time of Jesus.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably most useful for specialized, the book’s encyclopedia-like entries are usually interesting and when you read enough of them you become enthralled with this fascinating historical era, and the related historiography of the age.

[Kim Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting and informative, although it appears to be written from a somewhat skeptical of the Bible view.