Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Studying the New Testament -- The historical setting of the New Testament -- The world of Jesus in his Jewish homeland -- The Mediterranean world of the Apostle Paul -- Sources for the story of Jesus -- The story of Jesus -- The teachings of Jesus -- The Gospel According to Matthew -- The Gospel According to Mark -- The Gospel According to Luke -- The Gospel According to John -- The Acts of the Apostles -- Paul of Tarsus: life and teachings -- The Letter to the Galatians -- 1 and 2 Thessalonians -- 1 Corinthians -- 2 Corinthians -- The Letter to the Romans -- Colossians and Ephesians -- Philippians and Philemon -- The pastoral letters: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus -- The Letter to the Hebrews -- The Letter of James -- 1 and 2 Peter and Jude -- The Letters of John -- The Revelation of John -- The preservation and communication of the New Testament.

This completely revised and updated second edition of The New Testament in Antiquity skillfully develops how Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman cultures formed the essential environment in which the New Testament authors wrote their books and letters. Understanding of the land, history, and culture of the ancient world brings remarkable new insights into how we read the New Testament itself. Throughout the book, numerous features provide windows into the first-century world. Nearly 500 full color photos, charts, maps, and drawings have been carefully selected. Additional features include sidebars that integrate the book's material with issues of interpretation, discussion questions, and bibliographies.