The World Jesus Knew

This is an excellent book by Anne Punton. 'The World Jesus Knew' is full of very useful information for Bible artists. Anne Punton worked for CMJ, (Church's Ministry among Jewish people), for 12 years in Israel, which explains her knowledge of Jewish culture and traditions. She goes into great detail on Biblical clothing, the construction of buildings, the methods and tools of agriculture, the landscape and climate of the Holy land, and lots more. It's one of those rare reference books that you can't put down! If you're illustrating the Bible, you need this book! Graham Kennedy (Bible illustrator) [...]

"The World Jesus Knew" has got to be one of the best books of its kind. Five Stars are not enough. The sub-title, "Beliefs and Customs from the Time of Jesus" sounds too mundane for the exciting information found within these pages.The book specializes is showing how Biblical manners, customs, or culture "figure in" to events recorded in the Gospels. For example, the type of "inn" in which Jesus was born was probably a two story rectangular building with a well in the courtyard. The rooms were upstairs with an animal "garage" downstairs, below each room. Jesus was probably born in one of these animal shelters.As a seasoned Christian and pastor, I picked up many insights from this readable volume. A number of these tidbits can be found elsewhere, but much of this information was new to me. "The World Jesus Knew" is a must for any serious Christian--pastor, professor, or dedicated laymen--anyone who wants to better understand the Gospels. For another example, in northern Israel (where Jesus was raised), women would wear coins given them at marriage--their security---sewed into their head dresses. This sets the tone for understanding the parable of the lost coin. More was at stake for the woman who lost the coin than just a few meager dollars.This book is filled with gems like this and offers numerous interpretational possibilities, most within an evangelical framework. A few interpretations are a bit of the stretch, but many ring true. The author nicely references Scripture passages.Although most information provides enlightenment toward understanding the Gospels, there are other portions of Scripture brought to light through these cultural insights. The section on the cultivation of the Olive Tree and how branches were grafted in helps open up that passage in Romans. The chapter titles include: "The Home Jesus Entered, The Education Jesus Received, The Clothes Jesus Wore, Cultural Ways Jesus Followed, The Temple Jesus Loved, The Synagogue Jesus Attended" and more. The author writes from a fairly conservative evangelical position and with great respect for the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. She has obviously thoroughly researced the Talmud and many other traditional writings from ancient Judaism in her attempt to set a cultural context for the Gospels. Although obviously a scholar, Punton communicates simply, clearly, and interestingly. GREAT INFORMATION. EASY TO UNDERSTAND. GET THIS BOOK.