The New Testament in Its World: Illustrated 992-Page Introduction

Illustrated Page: The New Testament in Its World is a one-volume introduction to the history, literature, and theology of the New Testament and early Christianity. It situates the texts in Second Temple Judaism and Greco-Roman society, with surveys of each New Testament book and illustrations, maps, charts, and diagrams.

At a glance

Surveys each New Testament book and places its contents in historical and social context.
Includes substantial sections on the historical Jesus, the resurrection, and Paul's chronology and theology.
Discusses textual criticism and the formation of the New Testament canon.
Illustrations, maps, charts, diagrams, and artwork support the explanations.
Written by N. T. Wright with input from Michael Bird, for classroom and personal study.

Price

$24.82Save 59%

Reference price: ~~$59.99~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Offers broad coverage across all New Testament books alongside historical and literary context.
Visual material and maps add reference aids to the text.
Connects textual study with questions about early Christianity and Christian life.

Cons

At 992 pages and 4.4 pounds, this is a substantial book to read or carry.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication and format
Publisher	Zondervan Academic
Publication date	November 19, 2019
Edition	Illustrated
Language	English
Print length	992 pages
ISBN-10	0310499305
ISBN-13	978-0310499305

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	4.4 pounds
Dimensions	6.63 x 2.16 x 9.47 inches

What to know before buying

Video and workbook companion resources are described as available separately and are not established as part of this book's package.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Students seeking a comprehensive New Testament course text.
Readers who want historical and social context for the New Testament and early Christianity.
Personal study focused on Jesus, Paul, textual criticism, and the canon.

Less suited to

Readers looking for a short overview or a lightweight book for frequent travel.
Buyers seeking a Bible translation rather than an introduction and survey.

The New Testament in Its World: Illustrated 992-Page Introduction · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 1,318 ratings

5 stars88%88%
4 stars8%8%
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Customer feedback describes the book as informative and useful for understanding New Testament content and its historical background, with positive comments about the writing, appearance, and maps. Readability is mixed: some find it very readable, while others find it hard to read. That contrast matters for a long, detailed reference intended for study, and a strong overall rating distribution does not guarantee an easy reading experience for every buyer.

Positive themes

Customers praise its informative treatment of Bible history and New Testament content.
Customers also value the writing, appearance, and maps.

Mixed feedback

Readability is not uniform. Some customers find it approachable, while others find it difficult.

Frequently asked questions

What does this book cover?

It surveys the New Testament books and discusses their historical, literary, and social settings, with major sections on Jesus, the resurrection, Paul, textual criticism, and the canon.

Does it include maps and other visuals?

The listing describes frequent illustrations, maps, charts, diagrams, and artwork.

Are the video lectures or workbook included?

The listing says video and workbook companion resources are available separately. It does not establish that either is included with this book.

Is this a compact read?

No. The listed print length is 992 pages and its listed weight is 4.4 pounds, so it is better suited to sustained study than a small, portable read.