Classic Christian Literature

One author that I especially appriciate is Alfred Edersheim.

Three of his works that deal with the Jewish culture and its influence on the New Testaments are:

1. Sketches of Jewish Social Life
2. Temple--Its Ministry and Services
3. Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

When Jesus said to Nicodemus,

3:10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?

he fully expected the rabbi to know about spiritual things. Notice that He didn't say, "of course you couldn't know these things."

This helps us to "get into the mind" of that epoch and better understand the "Word of Life."