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New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus

July 19, 2010

New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus

Insights from His Jewish Context

by David Bivin
(Lois Tverberg and Bruce Okkema, eds.)
© 2006, En-Gedi Resource Center
Softcover, 208 pages, ($14.99) $13.99

Download a sample chapter (pdf)

What if we could walk on a dusty road with Jesus as one of his first Jewish disciples? What if we heard his teachings in the context of the rabbinic conversations that surrounded him? Here we examine Jesus’ lifestyle as a first-century Jewish rabbi and how his words would have been understood within the larger framework of Judaism. His words grow in clarity and depth when seen in the light of their original setting.

David Bivin is the founder and editor of Jerusalem Perspective, a journal that explores the Jewish context of the Gospels. Bivin has traveled and lectured internationally for more than 25 years, and is the author of hundreds of articles on that subject.

New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus is a collection of some of his best writing on the Jewishness of Jesus, edited for the general reader. The book examines Jesus’ lifestyle as a first-century Jewish rabbi, and looks at how his words would have been understood within the larger framework of first-century Judaism. Many scholarly footnotes make it a valuable help to those who want to study in depth.

“In Jerusalem, David Bivin has interacted for decades with some of the best Jewish scholarship in the world. This book displays many of the brilliant Hebraic gems the author has mined that help illuminate the pages of the Gospels. Clearly written and very readable, Bivin shows why Christians need rabbinic sources if they intend to know and understand Jesus in his first-century Jewish setting. New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus is a valuable resource for every serious student of Scripture.”

— Marvin Wilson, Author of Our Father Abraham: The Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

Now available! Order New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus ($14.99) $13.99.

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Comments

  1. Kathy Alford says

    August 2, 2012 at 10:53 am

    How is this book different from Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus (1995, Third Printing)?

  2. Lois Tverberg says

    August 2, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Despite the name similarities, the two books are unrelated. The older book talks about language issues in the gospels. “New Light” presents an overview of Jesus’ teaching ministry and Jewish life in light of his context.

    As an editor, I took part in the discussion for what to title “New Light” when it was published. We liked the phrase “difficult words of Jesus” — it seemed appropriate and made people curious. But now I see that the similar name sounds as if the books are related, which isn’t actually true.

    Check out the sample chapter pdf for more idea of what New Light is like.

    • Kathy Alford says

      August 2, 2012 at 12:12 pm

      Thank you, Lois. That really helped!

  3. Thom Tapp says

    February 13, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Is this book available as an e-book? If so, where can I buy it?

  4. Lois Tverberg says

    January 26, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    You can get an ebook version at Amazon at this link.

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