I originally learned about The World Jesus Knew: Beliefs and Customs from the Time of Jesus by Ann Punton on The Wretched TV show hosted by Todd Friel. He talked about a few things he learned from this book as he held a copy in his hands. It sounded interesting, and I picked up a copy. I was not disappointed. I give The World Jesus Knew a solid four-star rating.
Punton states that she hopes to present new insights from old sources she sites. She met this goal throughout the entire book. Take, for example, the phrase “you will heap burning coals on his head,” (Prov. 25:22). Punton explained this metaphor from the Hebraic perspective. During biblical times fire was a source of light, but also how they cooked and kept warm. Back then, starting a fire took work, so people tried their best not to let their fires die out. When it did go out, for some reason, people borrowed live coals from a neighbor or friend to rekindle the fire. Live coals were heaped into a container and carried upon the head. So heaping coals on a person’s head was a blessing.
The book uses credible sources and covers everything from the type of home Jesus would have lived in as a boy, synagogue life, clothing, the festivals, the Torah, the Scribes, Pharisees, Herodians, and much more about the culture. The only thing I didn’t care for was her added musings about what she thought might have happened or believed by the people living at the time. Those sections stood out in contrast to the well-resourced elements.
I’d recommend this book to history buffs, Jewish, Christians, and anyone interested in the Bible times and things related to the Bible.
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