Jesus and His Times
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Series of three videos giving background information to understand the land and people of Jesus' time.
Description
Vol 1. Jesus--The Story Begins. 61 min.
Vol 2. Jesus--Among the People. 57 min.
Vol 3. Jesus--The Final Days. 55 min.
Category of Video: Bible background. Educational.
Salient actor/narrator characteristics:
The re-enacted scenes come from the Luke Video (Jesus Film). There is an unseen narrator throughout.
Other Noteworthy Characteristics:
Vol 1: Explains such concepts as census, tax, betrothal, divorce, stoning, inns, shepherds, stables, mangers, sheep, swaddling clothes, circumcision, redeeming sacrifice, Magi. Spends significant time on historical detail regarding Herod the Great, attempting to understand both physical and psychological details. In discussion regarding the star, mentions Halley's Comet, super nova, planetary conjunction, and "private sign" to the Magi as possibilities. Suggests that the timing was right for a planetary conjunction in 7 BC, since Jesus' birth was likely in 7 or 6 BC, two or three years before Herod's death in 4 BC. Suggests that perhaps the Holy Family fled to Alexandria in Egypt. Visits modern-day Nazareth, and "re-enactment village" to show likely scenes from Jesus' everyday life growing up. Includes discussion of Torah, Sabbath, and Passover Seder meal.
Vol 2: Perhaps the most useful in explaining concepts necessary for understanding the gospel narratives. Excellent descriptions and depictions of the Judean wilderness, the Essenes (from among whom John the Baptist may have come), Pharisees, synagogues, phylacteries, Galilee boats and fish nets, Diaspora, tax collectors, zealots (freedom fighters), Samaritans (including modern-day scenes of Samaritans offering Passover sacrifice on Mt Gerizim), sacrifices, plows, wheat, barley, flax, linen, threshing, winnowing, mustard seed, sheep, grapes, vines, wine, winepress, wineskins, and wedding celebrations.
Vol 3: Discusses ancient and modern Jerusalem in some detail, focusing especially on the Temple. Describes political context in which Jewish leaders feared Jesus might spark an uprising. Shows Mount of Olives, olive fruit, press, and oil. Discusses details of crucifixion. Mostly a re-telling of the final days of Jesus, as illustrated in the Luke Video.
Considerations
Biblical/Cultural accuracy: High.
Notable interpretation or contextualization of Scripture. Deals with possible explanations of the star followed by the Magi. Excellent attempts to understand meaning and impact of Scripture on original audiences by looking at Holy Land in its historical and current context. Faithful to gospel story throughout with lots of background information but minimal theological interpretation.
Limitations
Level of media sophistication required to understand video: High.
Switches frequently between re-enacted scenes, architectural models, current scenes of ancient ruins and contemporary Jewish society, and famous works of art through the centuries. Lecture-style presentation.
Guidelines for Use
Type of audience for whom this video might be useful: Bible School students. Bible translation teams.
Purpose of the video given as an attempt to understand more of the land where Jesus lived and the people who lived on it (and still live there) in order to gain a better understanding of Jesus and his times.
Additional Recommendations:
A wealth of Bible background information. Vol 2 is the most helpful in terms of explaining and illustrating key concepts for understanding the gospel narratives. It would be very helpful to have a script of at least this volume. Could profitably be used along with video as basis for discussion for how to define a number of terms in a glossary for a NT or other publication about the life of the Jews in Bible times. A good bit of each video is taken from the Luke video (Genesis project) or Jesus film.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
For overseas shipments from USA, consider buying/shipping via Vernacular Media Services (VMS)
Cost
Reader's Digest has a 2-DVD set available for $24.99 (April 2008)
The 3-tape VHS version is available from Amazon for $1.50 to $5.00; DVD version available for $15 from another source found by Google. (March 2008)
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Producer: Reader's Digest Video
Current copyright owner
The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
Other Information
Reviewed by
Steve Quakenbush on 21 March 2002
Date
Added to SPARK by SPARK Staff - Ron on 30 October 2007
