Peter was a fisherman and Jesus referenced fishing several times in his earthly ministry. Find out what fishing was like in New Testament times. In Jesus’ time, fishing took place mostly on Lake Galilee, because the Jewish people could not use many of the harbors along the coast of… Read More

Crucifixion is one of the most painful forms of execution invented. Learn about Jesus’ crucifixion and why this form of death was significant Have you ever thought about what Jesus went through when he died on the cross? This piece can help you gain a better understanding of the… Read More

Proper burial was important to the ancient Israelites. Read about the traditions and factors surrounding this practice. The people of Israel and the other countries of the ancient Near East considered it very important to honor those who had died by giving them a proper burial. Because of the warm… Read More

Scrolls transferred God’s Word to subsequent generations. Find out how these items were made and used in the ancient world. In ancient times, writing was done on scrolls made of leather or papyrus. The papyrus plant, which grows abundantly in Egypt, provided the material for scrolls. Carbon-dating has shown… Read More

It symbolizes the Holy Spirit, flows out of rocks, decimates armies and acts as a cleansing agent. Water is a key image in the Bible. Find out why. In the ancient Near East, great civilizations grew up in the areas close to rivers, such as the Nile in Egypt… Read More

Wine was an important beverage in the ancient world. As a result, wine is a significant symbol throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Middle East, wine is made from grapes that are picked late in the summer and then spread out on the ground for a while… Read More

In biblical times, feet were very useful – most travel was done by foot. Find out what it was like to travel over land in biblical times. Most travel in Bible times was done on foot. People walked along paths or roads known as “ways.” Many places in the… Read More

First century Judaism revolved around the temple. So did the Sadducees. Read about what these Jewish leaders believed and why they eventually disappeared. This group’s name may come from Zadok, the high priest of Israel at the time of King David. The Sadducees may have also been descendants… Read More

Perfection. The Essenes would settle for nothing less. See what role this disciplined and secluded sect of Judaism played in the New Testament world. The Essenes may have been formed as a group at about the same time as the Sadducees. Instead of trying to influence the priesthood… Read More

Literacy was low in the biblical world, so people who could read and write held important roles in government and religion. Those Jews who filled jobs set up by the Romans to help run the government in the land were called “scribes.” Because they could read and write in… Read More