Customer Reviews

Daily Life at the Time of Jesus

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I received this book in the mail, I was initially disappointed. I had ordered it before it was in print, so there was no information about the book on Amazon.com. I had hoped for a thick volume, and instead I received a slender picture book.

To my surprise, the book is quite comprehensive. Most of my daily life books about Biblical times get so caught up in the history of the Jews and the politics of the region that they neglect the real daily life of the people. This book ignores the politics and instead concentrates on the stuff you buy a book like this to learn.

Instead of just showing pictures of the coins of the time, for example, this book gives a chart showing what a shekel would buy. Instead of going into the history of why people made their pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the writer instead focused on what happened when they got there. These things are invaluable from a writer's standpoint, because when you're writing a book from the perspective of someone who lived in a particular time, the protagonist doesn't care about the history of his actions. All he cares about is what he's doing.

If you're looking for a book that doesn't explain why but is keenly focused on the what and how, this is the book for you. I own seven or eight books of daily life in Biblical times, and this is one of two I'll actually use in my writing.

This is far more than it seems by this Amazon.com listing, I feel that it is mis-classed as a children's book and should be considered by all ages. The wealth of information about the way of life during the days of Jesus brings the whole Bible alive!! Excellent family reading!

This is a delightful book to have in a collection of Bible study resources. It is a brief survey of interesting aspects of life in Biblical times with full page illustrations. The drawings are a powerful tool for comprehending a land and lifestyle that is foriegn to us and helps set the scenes of the Bible with context.

The text of the book is brief, but informative. The first chapter of the book describing the political backround of the gospels is first rate; the best summary I've ever read on this complicated subject. Sorting out the political dynamics within Judea as well as the Roman political intrigues, and how they clash is the only way to fully understand the gospel.

This book is worthwhile because it has something for everybody. You could use it to teach young kids as well as adults, and it is also an enjoyable read.

The Daily Life at the Time of Jesus was an excellent resource for our VBS. It had excellent diagrams that helped us set up our classrooms. It also has detailed descriptions of life around AD 4 - 30. The pictures were bright and colorful and appealed to the kids. I was extremely excited when I received it because I knew it would be a great teaching tool for years to come.

MY FAMILY REALLY ENJOYED THE PICTURES AND HISTORICAL CONTENT. ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR ALL AGES TO ENJOY. I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED HISTORY AND ON THIS ALONE WAS VERY INTERESTING, THE PRESENTATION WAS ALSO EASY FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY TO UNDERSTAND. A VALUED PART OF OUR BIBICAL LIBRARY.

Miriam was our tour guide a couple weeks back in Israel and I know her to be very knowledgeable about the country, it's history, archeology, etc.. The book is well titled and gives a good basic understanding of life back then. Especially helpful in one's understanding of the Bible and why Jesus did the things he did and said things the way they were. Puts it in context. Such a small book can't be highly comprehensive, though if you're interested in the Herods it is quite so. It does pack a lot of information in a small package. The illustrations by the former Russian lacquer box painter, are very nice, representative and helpful. Not a children's book, highly recommended to anyone with any interest in the country, the times, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

I bought this book, hoping to supplement our homeschool Bible studies. I found it not as readable as I had hoped. It's also too advanced for my elementary aged daughter. The pictures are nice, but it's just too detailed and sophisticated for her now. Maybe in future years we can use this book.

This book is hardly a weighty academic tome. On the contrary, it is an easy-to-sample, beautifully designed and printed little overview of things, great and trivial, at the time Jesus lived. Do not expect to be profoundly educated by this book. Do expect to be entertained and to learn.

"Daily Life at the Time of Jesus" gives Bible background information about daily life that helps readers better understand some things that are referred to in the gospels. The author based her information on ancient writings, the New Testament, and archeological findings. The text was accompanied by full-color maps of Israel, photographs taken around Israel and of archeological items, and illustrated artist reconstructions of daily life and buildings. There was also a timeline (with 4 B.C. for Herod's death, for those who are interested in that) and a family tree from King David to Jesus.

It's written at a level for Middle Schoolers to adults. I learned some new and interesting information, and I really liked the chart telling how much the various coins would have bought back then. Though each section was brief, this book covered some information I haven't seen elsewhere. Overall, I'd recommend this book.

The author started with a brief history of Herod the Great up to the time of Jesus. It then talked about Jerusalem, the Temple, the Sanhedrin, pilgrimage, the Antonia Fortress, the Roman Army, crucifixion, a wealthy household in Jerusalem, the village, a village house, working in the fields, domestic animals, the shepherd, olive press, blacksmith, carpenter, weaver, grain mill, synagogue, education, a wedding feast, food and drink, fishermen (including information about fishing net types and how to use them), a country manor, wine press, doctor, burying the dead, Qumran, balsam production, Dead Sea scrolls, Masada, mosaics, Herod's other palaces, Caesarea, a pagan temple, city gate and market, and money and prices.

Great colorful book!
Simple & easy to understand book...All about the daily life of Jesus back in the days..the life, the ceremonies and all the interesting stories! I highly recommend it!