Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Prolegomenon: Of History, Historians, and Biographers

1 From Alexander to Alexandra and Beyond (356–67 B.C.)

2 The Rise of the Herodians, the Birth of Jesus, and the Dawn of an Empire (63–4
B.C.)

3 The Herodians and Their Prophetic Adversaries: John and Jesus (4 B.C.–A.D. 27)

4 The Coming of the Prefect and of the Perfect: Pilate of Rome and Jesus of
Nazareth (A.D. 26–29)

5 The Trials and Tribulations of Jesus (A.D. 29–30)

6 The Rising of the Son and the Birth of the Church (A.D. 30–33)

7 The Roads from Jerusalem (A.D. 33–37)

8 Dark Passages (A.D. 37–47)

9 The Gentile Mission and the Jerusalem Council (A.D. 48–49)

10 Good News Heading West (A.D. 50–52)

11 The Expansion of the Enterprise (A.D. 53–57)

12 Trials and Executions: Signs upon the Earth (A.D. 58–62)

13 Through the Refiner’s Fire (A.D. 63–68)

14 The Dawn of the Age of Inspiration (A.D. 68–70)

15 Beyond Jerusalem, Jamnia, and the Julio-Claudians (A.D. 70–81)

16 The Dominion of Domitian (A.D. 81–96)

Scripture Index

Ancient Writings

Subject Index

Essential to an understanding of the New Testament is a comprehension of the individuals, events, and social movements that shaped the setting from which Jesus and his followers emerged. Unfortunately, many accounts by historians can leave readers feeling overwhelmed and confused. New Testament History provides a worthy solution to this problem. A well-known expert on the social situation of the New Testament, Ben Witherington offers an engaging look into the world that gave birth to the Christian faith.