good samaritan

By: BAS Staff

Who were the Samaritans? Dr. Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt University explains how getting an accurate answer to this question can shed light on how shocking the Good Samaritan parable would have been for Jesus’ audience.

By: Megan Sauter

Temples have been found throughout the ancient Near East. What went on at these sites? Along with reconstructing architectural remains, can scholars piece together ancient worship practices? […]

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

The New Testament mentions Martha, a disciple of Jesus, three times (Luke 10:38–42; John 11:1–44; 12:2). Her actions, statements, and profession of faith reveal a […]

By: Samuel DeWitt Pfister

Heavy winter rains led to the discovery of a pair of rare specimens in Israel.

By: Robert Cargill

Migration and immigration are not just modern occurrences—both the Bible and archaeology show that ancient Israel was a land of immigrants. Come along and explore several excavations investigating the movement of peoples throughout the Holy Land and learn about the 2018 dig opportunities!

By: Helmut Koester

Helmut Koester suggests that the parables of Jesus did not communicate a hidden meaning when they were told by Jesus—the parables of Jesus could be understood by all.

By: Reviewed by Victor Paul Furnish

Victor Paul Furnish reviews "'Is This Not the Carpenter?' The Question of the Historicity of the Figure of Jesus" edited by Thomas L. Thompson and Thomas S. Verenna.

By: Reviewed by James D.G. Dunn

The Jewish Annotated New Testament. Edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler This volume introduces the text of the New Testament along with 30 brief essays by some 50 Jewish scholars.

By: Reviewed by John Merrill

John Merrill reviews "The First Christmas", "The Last Week" and "The Meaning of Jesus" By Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright.

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

The Good Samaritan parable begins on the ancient road between Jerusalem and Jericho, where a man is robbed, brutally beaten and given up for dead before finally being helped by a passing Samaritan.