One of the best known and most
important references on the life
of Christ ever written, Alfred Edersheim's The Life and
Times of Jesus the Messiah
is a storehouse of information
on the background of the New
Testament. This classic work
successfully portrays the
streets, the marketplaces, the
religious conflicts, the people,
and the places of Jesus' earthly
ministry.
Edersheim divides his work into
five sections, or books
— all contained in this single
volume:
• Book 1—The Preparation for
the Gospel
Introductory historical,
religious, political, and
cultural material based on the
author's extensive knowledge of
Jewish lore and customs.
• Book 2—From Bethlehem to
Jordan
The background of Herod and his
reign, St. John the Baptist and
his message, and the birth and
baptism of Jesus.
• Book 3—From Jordan to the
Mount of Transfiguration
Thirty-seven chapters explore
the miracles and teachings of
Jesus' early ministry.
• Book 4—The Descent into the
Valley of Humiliation
A history of the latter part of
Jesus' ministry from the
Transfiguration to the journey
to Jerusalem.
• Book 5—The Cross and the
Crown
A chronicle of each day of
Passion Week, from Palm Sunday
to the Resurrection.
• Appendices
Valuable background material on
Jewish history, tradition, and
law.
