The Final Days of Jesus: The Archaeological Evidence

by Shimon Gibson

Overview

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 hisworld.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061458491
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/09/2010
Pages:	254
Sales rank:	707,987
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Shimon Gibson is a renowned British archaeologist. Senior Associate Fellow at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research. He was recently appointed adjunct Professor of Archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.He undertook his academic studies at the Institute of Archaeology, UniversityCollege, London.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

1 The Road to Jerusalem 1

2 Raising a Dead Man 17

3 Festivities at the House of God 37

4 Signs and Wonders at Bethesda and Siloam 59

5 The Heavy Hand of the Law: A Trial 81

6 The Split in the Tree: A Crucifixion 107

7 The Burial of Jesus 127

8 Who Moved the Stone? 149

Conclusion 167

Excursus The Talpiot Tomb and the “James” Ossuary 175

Notes189

Acknowledgments 205

Bibliography 207

List of Illustrations 235

Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings 239

Index 245

What People are Saying About This

Jonathan L. Reed

“A well-written guide to the archaeology behind Jesus’ death and burial, written by one of Jerusalem’s finest archaeologists.”

James H. Charlesworth

“For over 25 years, Gibson, a distinguished archaeologist, has excavated in and near Jerusalem’s 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.”

Jodi Magness

“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.”

Herb Krosney

“Gibson’s book punctures fourth century mythology with first century evidence drawn from intimate knowledge of the great city of Jerusalem. Gibson’s background in landscape archaeology and his analyses of the physical evidence...combine to provide a provocative series of observations and insights.”

Geza Vermes

“An expert archaeologist’s valuable insights on the final days of Jesus.”

Editorial Reviews

A well-written guide to the archaeology behind Jesus’ death and burial, written by one of Jerusalem’s finest archaeologists.

Jonathan L. Reed

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

Gibson (The Cave of John the Baptist: The Stunning Archaeological Discovery That Has Redefined Christian History) takes readers along as he excavates sites associated with the death of Jesus. For example, he excavates a burial site called the Shroud Tomb near Mount Zion, in which was found human hair and a shroud. From the analysis of these, he hypothesizes how Jesus's body might have been prepared for burial and presents the general context for Jewish burials in first-century Palestine. Illustrating a common weakness of similar archaeological works, seasoned archaeologist Gibson offers robust depictions of digs, but most of his significant conclusions are conjectures at best. He establishes that leprosy did indeed exist in Jesus's time, thus biblical references to it were not mistaken identifications of psoriasis or related skin disorders. But, like any responsible archaeologist, he can only explain how this particular burial might reflect burials in Jesus's time and how goods found in association might have been ritually used. This readable work with ample endnotes is recommended where interest warrants.
—Sandra Collins

Library Journal

A well-written guide to the archaeology behind Jesus’ death and burial, written by one of Jerusalem’s finest archaeologists.” — Jonathan L. Reed, author of the HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament

“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

“For over 25 years, Gibson, a distinguished archaeologist, has excavated in and near Jerusalem’s 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

“An expert archaeologist’s valuable insights on the final days of Jesus.” — Geza Vermes, FBA, University of Oxford, author of JESUS THE JEW and THE PASSION

“Gibson’s book punctures fourth century mythology with first century evidence drawn from intimate knowledge of the great city of Jerusalem. Gibson’s 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

From the Publisher

Gibson’s book punctures fourth century mythology with first century evidence drawn from intimate knowledge of the great city of Jerusalem. Gibson’s background in landscape archaeology and his analyses of the physical evidence...combine to provide a provocative series of observations and insights.

Herb Krosney

An expert archaeologist’s valuable insights on the final days of Jesus.

Geza Vermes

For over 25 years, Gibson, a distinguished archaeologist, has excavated in and near Jerusalem’s 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