“With his characteristic mastery of the historical sources, clarity, and utterly compelling conclusions, Paul Barnett has produced a book that puts the trials of Jesus in their historical context, illuminating the underlying political, religious, and social elements that underpin the Gospels’ portrayals of these pivotal moments in human history. I highly recommend it as a book deserving of careful study and reflection.”
—Constantine R. Campbell, professor of Biblical Studies, Sydney College of Divinity
 
“Paul Barnett's detailed study of the historical and cultural background and the individual characters of the trial narratives is both fascinating and enlightening. The information provided by the trials serves as a window into the meaning and historical significance of the crucifixion, relating it not only to the history preceding it, but also to the history that follows it, in the birth of the church. I know of no other book that provides such a brilliant and helpful synthesis.”
—Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary      
 
“Here we have another ‘classic Barnett’: a historical investigation combined with theological considerations, a consistent focus on the biblical and relevant extrabiblical texts, and a refreshing refusal to engage with (and drown in) secondary literature. The general reader will benefit immensely from reading Barnett’s latest study of Jesus and the early church.”
—Eckhard J. Schnabel, Mary F. Rockefeller Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“Paul Barnett is a serious and experienced scholar and ancient historian. The latter training comes to the fore in this book, which sheds clear light on the historical background to the life, trial, and death of Jesus.”
—Alanna Nobbs, professor emerita, Macquarie University
 
“Respected senior scholar Paul Barnett sets Jesus’s trials in an informatively wider sociopolitical context than is typical in other discussions. The book is eminently readable and finds cohesiveness in the ancient evidence.”
—Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
 
“This volume provides a sweeping backdrop to the context of Jesus’s ministry, arrest, and trials. Deeply informative, accessible, and fascinating, Barnett tells the story not just about Jesus, but about all of Israel’s history leading to the climactic finale of the messiah’s death.”
—Gary M. Burge, Calvin Theological Seminary 
 
“Informed by a deep grasp of the history, cultural forces, and major players (political and religious) leading up to Jesus’s public appearance in the late AD 20s, this book is a gamechanger for making sense of many New Testament complexities and crosscurrents. Best of all, it accounts for how ‘a culture of hatred of Jesus’ (Barnett’s words) saw his death kick-start what became the largest religion in the world today. This is the best short book on the subject from this angle that I have ever read.”
—Robert W. Yarbrough, professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary​

Paul Barnett is a New Testament scholar and Australian Anglican bishop. An expert in historical Jesus studies, he is also the author of Is the New Testament History? and the New International Commentary on the New Testament volume on 2 Corinthians.

Table of Contents

1. The Night He “Was Betrayed”
2. The Persians
3. Hellenism
4. “Zeal” for the Lord
5. The Maccabean Dynasty
6. The Romans
7. The Intruding Idumeans
8. Alliance of Antony and Herod
9. Herod the “Great”
10. Archelaus, Ethnarch of Judea, Idumea, and Samaria
11. Judea
12. The Governor of Judea and the Outbreak of Prophecy
13. Jesus, Prophet and Rabbi
14. The Galilean Blasphemer
15. Annas and Caiaphas
16. Pontius Pilate
17. Herod Antipas
18. The Jewish Trials
19. The Roman Trial of Jesus according to Mark, Matthew, and Luke
20. The Roman Trial according to John
21. Herod Antipas, Jesus, and Pilate
22. The Testimonium Flavianum
23. The Lamb without Blemish in the Gospel of Mark
24. The Annas Vendetta
25. The Passing of the Judges
26. Antinomy
27. The Birth of the Church