There is a gap in history between the Old and New Testaments. What happened during those 400 years, and why does life in Jerusalem vary so much after that gap? Dr. William H. Marty answers that in The World of Jesus: Making Sense of the People and Places of Jesus’ Day.

Finishing Malachi and starting Matthew shows a big difference in what life was like for the Israelites. They became known as Jews, and They no longer had rule of themselves. That is easy enough to see, but how did that come about. Using extra-biblical sources, Marty tells about the changes that occurred in the nation of Israel during those 400 years, and how that affected people by the time Jesus was born. He covers the different rulers who took control of Israel, and what they did differently.

There was quite a bit that I didn’t realize, like the high priest losing the hereditary aspect and becoming appointed by the ruler based on politics. The World of Jesus made it easier for me to understand how things had shifted between ancient Israel and Israel in the time of Jesus.

It is written in a straight-forward manner, and isn’t loaded with technical terms that are hard to understand. With that in mind, it isn’t going to take you real deep into all that happened. It is not intended to explain everything that went on. A glossary is included for terms that need additional clarification. It is definitely helpful for understanding the time between the testaments.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review of it.