Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Jesus and His Times

Rate this book
A perfect companion to the family Bible, Jesus and His Times' evocative text and captions place the reader in the middle of the action of the most famous story in history. More than 400 photographs, drawings and reconstructions, most in full color.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1987

15 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Reader's Digest Association

4,617 books494 followers
The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global media and direct marketing company based in Chappaqua, New York, best known for its flagship publication founded in 1922, Reader's Digest. The company's headquarters are in New York City, where it moved from Pleasantville, New York.

The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
20 (31%)
4 stars
24 (37%)
3 stars
14 (21%)
2 stars
5 (7%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for K.D. Absolutely.
1,820 reviews
April 19, 2014
The first Reader's Digest hardbound book that I've read cover-to-cover. It is full of details about the time of Jesus in the places He was able to roam around from Nazareth, Bethlehem, Galilee to Jerusalem. It tells so much about those places including the history traced back from the time of Moses or even beyond. The parts about Herod and the different kings were a bit boring as I could not really appreciate those (being not trained as a historian) but I just went on reading because the colorful pictures made the reading a bit more interesting especially if I took time to really appreciate the details about the photographs, maps, unearthed fossils, excavations, ruins, etc.

Since it was Holy Week (4-day break from work since Thursday), I simply devour the pages. I just borrowed this from my 96-y/o father-in-law and after reading the book bind got loosened. I think it was because I read this even when laying in bed. My point: if I don't read this book now I am not sure when I'll have the chance to. I have been reading books by individual authors and we all know that authors (even those of the four Gospels) can be driven by self-interest and here is the Reader's Digest team presenting the factual and unbiased perspective about the time when Jesus was on earth.

The book is unbiased because it states clearly if there is nothing stated in the Bible. It does not invent anything. It is unbiased because it repeatedly says, for example, "that there is no historical record of this (event)." In fact, maybe because I've read a number of books challenging the story of Jesus, I was beginning to ask more questions in my mind about what really happened when He was put down from the cross and when people started to talk about Him and that was the start of Christianity really: the talk spread from Jerusalem to many parts of the world and that was how Christianity came to being.

But still Chesterton and the many apologists already debunked all these questions challenging the existence of Christ. My belief for example has been too entrenched in my mind and soul that no matter how many intellectual books I read and many atheists I talk to, my faith will not waiver. I think it is too late a game for me to change my mind even if the historical Jesus is made highly debatable or maybe proven not be existent. Why? It's been there since two thousand years ago and many have died believing on Him. Then didn't He also said: "Happy are those who believe without seeing" (John 20:29). So, it is better to believe that to be lost in the wilderness of life. When lost, sometimes it is better to have something (that's religion) to hold on to, instead of nothing.

A wonderful coffee-table book. Not only pictures but also full of historical facts during the time when Jesus was on earth.

Thank you to Tatay Sim for lending me this book! Made my 2014 Holy Week really productive.

Happy Easter to everyone!
Profile Image for Michael Gerald.
398 reviews56 followers
August 28, 2012
A great companion to the Holy Bible. If you have never been to the Holy Land (as I am), I guess this book is one of the next best things to being there.
Profile Image for Andy Hickman.
7,433 reviews52 followers
December 14, 2018
Indepth contextual information, modern photographs and excellent artwork illustrations.
This book stands out ... partly because of its odd shaping, it is obvious when on a bookshelf!
Profile Image for Michael  Morrison.
307 reviews15 followers
January 24, 2020
Even for non-Christians, this can be a useful, even valuable book.
It is a history of the era attributed to the Christ.
It is well written, beautifully illustrated, and be a handy reference or a nights intriguing reading.
For scholars, for believers, for non-believers, for the curious, this is quite an excellent book.
Profile Image for Kaci.
163 reviews
November 1, 2021
Skimmed this one. Gift from Aunt Jackie. Interesting historical context.
Profile Image for Elekanyani  P Mavhungu.
38 reviews5 followers
November 1, 2022
Classic book on the history of the Jewish nation that became a vessel to bring the Messiah. It was a great experience to learn about the place Jesus grew up in, the people that He grew up with and the areas where He ministered. It's wonderful to get to know the leaders before, during His time and after He left the earth.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.