Cultural and Historical Background for New Testament Studies
These are articles about a variety of subjects giving helpful information to aid the understanding of the New Testament: including cities, cultural issues, historical and political information, as well as religious and philosophical movements. Choose the link to the left to reach the article you require.
Jewish Groups
This contains a lot of information about Judaism in the first century, describing the origin and
characteristics of the different religious groups we meet in the New Testament, including the
Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and Essenes.
Herod’s temple Take a tour around one of the most magnificent buildings of ancient times - the temple built by
Herod the Great in Jerusalem, where so many important events described in the Gospels took
place.
AD 70
This tells about the dreadful suffering of the Jews during the siege of Jerusalem and the
fall of the city to the Roman army in AD 70.
Jewish Ages
How old is old? An interesting list showing the Jewish view of age, and what they thought
we are ready for at different stages of life.
Money
This lists the different coins and currencies in circulation in the first century which are
mentioned in the New Testament, and suggests the modern value of some of them.
Taxation
This describes the unjust taxation system in Israel under Roman rule, explaining the job
Matthew did before Jesus called him to be a disciple.
Annas and Caiaphas
Learn more about the Annas the high priest, and his notorious family, including Caiaphas, who
was high priest during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Pontius Pilate
Find out more about the infamous governor of Judah, and his part in the trial of Jesus.
Roman Emperors
A short biography of each of the Roman Emperors who reigned during the first century, giving
the dates of their reign, and whether they persecuted the church.
Nero
A description of the notorious Emperor Nero, the Fire of Rome in A.D. 64, and his
persecution of the church that resulted.
Roman Government
When reading the Book of Acts, there are a number of different titles for Roman
governors and military ranks. This lists them and explains what these were.
Travel
During his ministry Paul travelled thousands of miles around the Roman Empire. This article
describes the transport system in the first century.
Corinth
A study looking at the history of Corinth, its many religions, and its culture during the
first century, giving helpful information for the setting of Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth.
Ephesus
A description of the city of Ephesus as it was in the first century, and the foundation of the
church there, giving helpful background information to several New Testament letters.
Gnosticism
Many of the letters in the New Testament counter early forms of this influential false teaching.
This article describes its origins, main teachers, and most important aspects of its doctrines and
practices.
Patronage
A description of the rigid social classes in the Roman Empire, with a focus on the unjust
system of patronage, which was challenged in the early church.
Slavery How were slaves treated in the Roman empire? This gives helpful background information for
the Book of Philemon.
Stoicism
An account of the history of Stoicism, a summary of its beliefs, and its impact on the world
of the first century.