The Jews in the Time of Jesus: An Introduction [Paperback]

Stephen Wylen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Explores the history and religion of the Jews in the late Second Temple and early rabbinic era, emphasizing those aspects of early Judaism that are significant to Christians seeking to understand the context in which Jesus lived and taught.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is Jewish history, but with an emphasis on those topics that are of interest to Christians. -- Shofar

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809136104
• ISBN-13: 978-0809136100
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent survey of Early Christianity and Judaism, December 20, 1999

By 

J. Daar - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jews in the Time of Jesus: An Introduction (Paperback)

The subtitle of this book is "An Introduction" and I think it is aptly named. For the interested non-specialist, Wylen lucidly explains the opinions and debates of interpreters and scholars in the many fields touching on this subject. He convincing places Jesus as a Jew in the context of the great diversity of Jewish practices and beliefs in the first century. He demonstrates the evolution of ideas such as the physical resurrection of the dead and the concept of an immortal soul. Sources discussed include the apochrypha, pseudepigrapha, the apocalyptic writings, Philo, the New Testament, Josephus, and the Misnah and the Talmud.

I have read other works that touched on some of these subjects, but what impresses me about this book is it's readability and clarity.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Guide to Undestanding Judaism in Jesus' day, March 6, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jews in the Time of Jesus: An Introduction (Paperback)

Knowledge of the Jewish faith is essential to any serious study of the Christian scriptures. Stephen Wylen's THE JEWS IN THE TIME OF JESUS is an essential tool in understanding the Judaism of the days of Jesus Christ. The book is written in a manner that is both academic and personal. The author is a rabbi by profession but also has a keen understanding of Christianity. His writings are meant to educate Christian readers about Judaism but at time it also confronts misconceptions about Judaism.

The topics in the book include historical details regarding the Greeks, Romans, the Maccabees, etc. While this information is informative, it is not the book's greatest strength which can be found in the way the author paints a picture of Jewish life at the time of Jesus. Rabbi Wylen pays close attention to the various groups within Judaism: The Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, as well as the other figures we find in the gospel. The book helps the reader get a sense of the world of Jesus' day and the audience to whom Jesus spoke. The information about Jewish rituals and festivals is also helpful. The book also contains a great deal of information about the Temple and its history, including the revolts which led to the break between Christianity and Judaism. This information is critical in understanding the differences between the two great faiths. We also get some wonderful information about the great rabbis of Jesus' day and in the years of early Christianity.

The book is easy to read and can be used as a quick reference for people involved in preaching, Bible study, or religious education. The book has an informative bibliography which includes editorial comments by the author. While some readers may disagree with some of his opinions, they are still helpful as Christians and Jewish people try and come to an understanding of each other.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Start!, September 24, 2000

By 

The Rev. Dr. Daniel J. G. G. Block - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jews in the Time of Jesus: An Introduction (Paperback)

Rabbi Wylen is, himself, something of an extraordinarilly ecumenical individual: a Jew occasionally teaching at a Catholic University. It comes as no surprise, then, that he has written an extraordinarilly ecumenical text. Reviewing a wide variety of sources Wylen displays an encyclopedic knowledge of Jewish life, law, and practices during the period of the Second Temple. He firmly places Jesus of Nazareth within the context of normal, first century, Galilean, Jewish experience.

Rabbi Wylen's work would seem to be of the greatest value for Christian non-scholars seeking to better understand the circumstances surrounding the earthly life of the one whom they worship. Rabbi Wylen exposes widely held myths, long promulgated by ignorant preachers (e.g.: the "lex talio" was no longer practiced in the first century), and helps us to better understand particularly difficult passages of the New Testament (e.g.: the Palm Sunday Gospel appears to include practices reserved for Sukkoth). In the process he more clearly illuminates the Gospel and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.

This is a wonderful book for those who are serious about Biblical scholarship: who do not mind having their assumptions challenged. If you want to be comfortable, buy another book. If you want to learn, purchase this one.