Synopses & Reviews
Ever since the gospels were written there have been questions about the momentous events that occurred during the final days of Jesus. Renowned archaeologist Shimon Gibson breaks new ground examining the critical last days of the life of Jesus using his extraordinary access to firsthand archaeological findings as principal evidence. Gibson explains: “The purpose of this book is to unravel once and for all the mystery surrounding the final days of Jesus in Jerusalem: why he went there; how he came to be arrested, tried, and crucified; and where his place of burial was located. There is no doubt that some of my conclusions regarding Jesus and Jerusalem may be controversial.”
Describing the events of the final days of Jesus chronologically, beginning with his entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey and ending with his burial in a tomb after having been crucified, Gibson unveils a vivid picture of first-century Jerusalem; its monuments, streets, and houses; and, of course, the Jewish Temple that was the jewel in the crown of the city. The Jesus that emerges in these pages is a teacher and healer who captures the fascination of the crowds. As a man from an accomplished and well-off rural background, trained in matters of ritual purification by John the Baptist, and as a believer in alternative healing methods, Jesus's speeches and teachings—made in the tinder-box atmosphere of Passover festivities in Jerusalem—scared the Jewish and Roman authorities to such a degree that they decided to have him put to death. Gibson reveals how archaeology has a major role to play not only in how the gospels should be read and understood, but also in understanding Jesus in his world.
Review
“An expert archaeologists valuable insights on the final days of Jesus.” Geza Vermes, FBA, University of Oxford, author of JESUS THE JEW and THE PASSION
Review
“Shimon Gibson, an archaeologist with many years of experience working in Israel, presents an up-to-date and credible description of discoveries relating to Jesus last days. Gibson synthesizes evidence from archaeology and the New Testament to craft a clear and enjoyable account.” Jodi Magness, Professor of Early Judaism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Review
“For over 25 years, Gibson, a distinguished archaeologist, has excavated in and near Jerusalems walls. The book, directed to a wide audience, is rigorously scientific, and frequently brilliant. It is a must read for all Jews and Christians who are curious about Jesus and his final fateful week in Jerusalem.” James H. Charlesworth, George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Princeton University
Review
“A well-written guide to the archaeology behind Jesus death and burial, written by one of Jerusalems finest archaeologists.” Jonathan L. Reed, author of the HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament
Review
“Gibsons book punctures fourth century mythology with first century evidence drawn from intimate knowledge of the great city of Jerusalem. Gibsons background in landscape archaeology and his analyses of the physical evidence...combine to provide a provocative series of observations and insights.” Herb Krosney, author of The Lost Gospel: The Quest for the Gospel of Judas Iscariot
Synopsis
Ever since the Gospels were written, there have been questions about the momentous events that occurred during the last days of Jesus's life. Renowned archaeologist Shimon Gibson examines these critical days, using as principal evidence his extraordinary access to the latest archaeological findings.
Beginning with Christ's triumphant Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem and ending with his burial, Gibson unveils a vivid picture of first-century Jerusalem. The Jesus who emerges in these pages is a teacher and healer who captivates the crowds, and whose speeches scared the Jewish and Roman authorities to such a degree that they decided to have him put to death.
Shimon Gibson is a British-born, world-renowned archaeologist who completed his Ph.D. on ancient landscapes in the Levant at the Institute of Archaeology, University College, London. Specializing in the Holy Land, Gibson is the author of more than 100 research articles and the co-author of two scientific monographs on the antiquities of Jerusalem. Gibson is also the co-editor of the Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land and the editor of The Illustrated Dictionary & Concordance of the Bible.
"Shimon Gibson, an archaeologist with many years of experience working in Israel, presents an up-to-date and credible description of discoveries relating to Jesus' last days. Gibson synthesizes evidence from archaeology and the New Testament to craft a clear and enjoyable account."
- Jodi Magness, Professor of Early Judaism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
--Jonathan L. Reed, author of the HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament
Synopsis
“No one knows more about the history and archaeology of ancient Jerusalem than Shimon Gibson.... This book is destined to become the standard in the field.” — Prof. James D. Tabor, author of
The Jesus Dynasty A world renowned archaeologist reveals the historic footprint of Jesus in Jerusalem and what really happened during the final days. Fans of Elaine Pagels and of John Dominic Crossan and Marcus J. Borgs The Last Week will find a wealth of new information in The Final Days of Jesus, the first book of its kind to present a detailed archaeological footprint of Jesus.
About the Author
Shimon Gibson is a senior associate fellow at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem and an adjunct professor of archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During the past thirty years he has conducted numerous excavations and field surveys in different parts of Israel. He was the head of the research and scientific reports department of the Israel Antiquities Authority from 1995 to 1999.