Jesus was not born into Christianity. He emerged from the diverse and turbulent Jewish world of the first century—a world shaped by Torah, Temple, Roman occupation, competing schools of interpretation, and hopes for Israel’s restoration.

In this episode of Thursday Journal, we examine Jesus within that original setting. We explore the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, revolutionaries, and ordinary villagers who inhabited his world; the Jewish foundations beneath his prayers, teachings, parables, healings, and shared meals; and the meaning of the Shema, Hallel, Sabbath, Passover, ritual fringes, and the selection of the Twelve.

We also examine the similarities between Jesus and the Pharisees, the debates associated with Hillel and Shammai, first-century expectations surrounding the Messiah, and the confrontation at the Jerusalem Temple th ...