Contents

1. Introduction
Joel B. Green and Lee Martin McDonald
2. New Testament Chronology
Lee Martin McDonald
Part 1: Setting the Context: Exile and the Jewish Heritage
3. Exile
Nicholas Perrin
4. The Hasmoneans and the Hasmonean Era
Larry R. Helyer
5. The Herodian Dynasty
Everett Ferguson
6. Monotheism
Nathan MacDonald
7. The Scriptures and Scriptural Interpretation
Lidija Novakovic
Part 2: Setting the Context: Roman Hellenism
8. Greek Religion
Moyer V. Hubbard
9. The Imperial Cult
Nicholas Perrin
10. Greco-Roman Philosophical Schools
John T. Fitzgerald
11. Civic and Voluntary Associations in the Greco-Roman World
Michael S. Moore
12. Economics, Taxes, and Tithes
David J. Downs
13. Slaves and Slavery in the Roman World
S. Scott Bartchy
14. Women, Children, and Families in the Greco-Roman World
Lynn H. Cohick
15. Education in the Greco-Roman World
Ben Witherington III
Part 3: The Jewish People in the Context of Roman Hellenism
16. Temple and Priesthood
David Instone-Brewer
17. Jews and Samaritans
Lidija Novakovic
18. Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes
Michelle Lee-Barnewall
19. The Dead Sea Scrolls
C. D. Elledge
20. Prophetic Movements and Zealots
James D. G. Dunn
21. Apocalypticism
Larry R. Helyer
22. Synagogue and Sanhedrin
Kenneth D. Litwak
23. Jews in the Diaspora
David A. deSilva
24. Noncanonical Jewish Writings
Daniel M. Gurtner
25. Jewish Identity, Beliefs, and Practices
Archie T. Wright
26. Jewish Education
Kent L. Yinger
27. Healing and Healthcare
Joel B. Green
Part 4: The Literary Context of Early Christianity
28. Reading, Writing, and Manuscripts
E. Randolph Richards
29. Pseudonymous Writings and the New Testament
Lee Martin McDonald
30. Literary Forms in the New Testament
Thomas E. Phillips
31. Homer and the New Testament
Thomas E. Phillips
32. Josephus and the New Testament
Michael F. Bird
33. Philo and the New Testament
Torrey Seland
34. Rabbinic Literature and the New Testament
Bruce Chilton
35. Early Canonical Christian Writings
Nicholas Perrin
Part 5: The Geographical Context of the New Testament
36. Jesus Research and Archeology
James H. Charlesworth
37. Egypt
John D. Wineland
38. Palestine
Thomas R. Hatina
39. Syria, Cilicia, and Cyprus
Mark Wilson
40. The Province and Cities of Asia
Paul Trebilco
41. Galatia
Mark Wilson
42. Macedonia
Gene L. Green
43. Achaia
Gene L. Green
44. Rome and Its Provinces
Thomas Hatina
Additional Resources
Money in the New Testament Era
Lee Martin McDonald
Measurements in the New Testament Era
Lee Martin McDonald
Glossary
Joel B. Green and Lee Martin McDonald
Indexes

A Comprehensive Resource on the New Testament World

"The World of the New Testament is a comprehensive resource for understanding the various contexts of the New Testament writings. . . . Particularly noteworthy is the breadth of subject matter covered and the annotated bibliography at the end of each essay. . . . A wide-ranging and helpful resource."
--Kathleen E. Mills, Review of Biblical Literature

"This book is targeted to students in both universities and seminaries, though it could still be of use to scholars who are seeking to refresh their memory of a particular topic. . . . The World of the New Testament would make a good textbook for any course that attempts to understand the New Testament in its wider Greco-Roman milieu."
--Sean A. Adams, Expository Times

"This collection is as good as it gets, and readers should find much to value in these pages, which are rich in detail and [written] for students and laypersons alike. Moreover, each entry includes an annotated bibliography that provides excellent direction for further research. The indices to the volume are stellar and will provide helpful guidance for readers."
--Todd Penner, Interpretation

"Green and McDonald have designed a work composed of numerous topics essential for engaging the historical context of the New Testament and earliest Christianity, and they have assembled a good team of experienced and emergent scholars, who give concise and informed discussions of these topics. The result is a valuable volume, especially for students and general readers but also for scholars who want to catch up on any of the topics included."
--Larry W. Hurtado, New College, University of Edinburgh

"The depth and breadth of The World of the New Testament will make it a standard work for libraries and the bookshelves of both pastors and scholars across a wide range of traditions. Here, in one judiciously edited volume, readers will find ready access to information about Hellenistic philosophy, Jewish history, Jewish and Greco-Roman customs, and much more. The abundance of illustrations, maps, and diagrams brings the material to life. This will prove to be an invaluable resource for years to come."
--Susan Eastman, Duke Divinity School