The author Dr‎.‎ William Marty walks you through the history leading up to the arrival of Jesus in order to help you in a better understanding of His life and teachings‎.‎ He answers questions like‎:‎

   • Why did ‎"‎Israelites‎"‎ start being called ‎"‎Jews‎"‎‎?‎    • What‎'‎s a ‎"‎synagogue‎"‎ and what happened to worshiping in the temple‎?‎    • Who were the Pharisees and why was Jesus so upset with them‎?‎    • Why didn‎'‎t anyone like the Samaritans‎?‎

When you get to know the times in which Jesus lived‎,‎ you‎'‎ll better understand His teaching and ministry‎.‎ And along the way‎,‎ you will discover how God prepared the world for the One who would turn it upside down‎.‎

‎"‎Marty‎'‎s brief volume is a less‎-than‎-200‎-page survey of the history between the Testaments that helps set the stage for the entrance of Jesus Christ and the New Testament era‎.‎ If one can keep up with the real‎-life cast of characters‎-‎-mostly rulers and rebels‎-‎-this book is a gem for the beginning student of biblical history and for the Bible study teacher investigating the backdrop of Jesus‎'‎ life and teaching‎.‎‎"‎ ‎-‎-The Baptist Standard

“Most of us probably think we know a lot about Jesus‎.‎ After all‎,‎ we’ve read all the Red Letters in the gospels‎.‎ But you never really know or fully understand Jesus‎,‎ His stories and ways‎,‎ until you know the world in which He lived‎.‎ This book is a great opportunity to get to know Jesus better‎!‎”

—Dr‎.‎ Joseph M‎.‎ Stowell President‎,‎ Cornerstone University‎,‎ Grand Rapids‎,‎ Michigan