These are articles about a variety of subjects giving helpful information to aid the understanding of the New Testament: including cities, cultural issues, historical and political information, as well as religious and philosophical movements. Choose the link to the left or below to reach the article you require.
NT People confirmed by archaeology
This page contains a list of nearly thirty people named in the New Testament whose existence has been confirmed by archaeological discoveries, including images, inscriptions, or historical records.
Jewish Groups
This contains a lot of information about Judaism in the first century, describing the origin and characteristics of the different religious groups we meet in the New Testament, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and Essenes.
Herod the Great and family
Four generations of the family of the Herods ruled over Israel during New Testament times. This page gives information about each of the Herods and the part they played in the events of the New Testament.
Herod's Temple
Take a tour around one of the most magnificent buildings of ancient times - the temple built by Herod the Great in Jerusalem, where so many important events described in the Gospels took place.
AD 70
This tells about the dreadful suffering of the Jews during the siege of Jerusalem and the fall of the city to the Roman army in AD 70.
Jewish Ages
How old is old? An interesting list showing the Jewish view of age, and what they thought we are ready for at different stages of life.
Money
This lists the different coins and currencies in circulation in the first century which are mentioned in the New Testament, and suggests the modern value of some of them.
Taxation
This describes the unjust taxation system in Israel under Roman rule, explaining the job Matthew did before Jesus called him to be a disciple.
Annas and Caiaphas
Learn more about the Annas the high priest, and his notorious family, including Caiaphas, who was high priest during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Pontius Pilate
Find out more about the infamous governor of Judah, and his part in the trial of Jesus.
Emperors
A short biography of each of the Roman Emperors who reigned during the first century, giving the dates of their reign, and whether they persecuted the church.
Nero
A description of the notorious Emperor Nero, the Fire of Rome in A.D. 64, and his persecution of the church that resulted.
Roman Government
When reading the Book of Acts, there are a number of different titles for Roman governors and military ranks. This lists them and explains what these were.
Travel
During his ministry Paul travelled thousands of miles around the Roman Empire. This article describes the transport system in the first century.
Virtual Missionary Journeys
This page enables you to follow Paul's Missionary Journeys through the use of the internet, including Google Maps.
For each location there are links to Wikipedia, a road map showing the wider location, a satellite view of the actual archaeological site, as well as links to the Holy Land Photos website which contains hundreds of photographs.
Corinth
A study looking at the history of Corinth, its many religions, and its culture during the first century, giving helpful information for the setting of Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth.
Photos of Corinth
A series of photographs showing the site of the ancient city of Corinth and the surrounding area
Ephesus
A description of the city of Ephesus as it was in the first century, and the foundation of the church there, giving helpful background information to several New Testament letters.
Photos of Ephesus
A series of photographs showing the site of the ancient city of Ephesus and the surrounding area
Gnosticism
Many of the letters in the New Testament counter early forms of this influential false teaching. This article describes its origins, main teachers, and most important aspects of its doctrines and practices.
Patronage
A description of the rigid social classes in the Roman Empire, with a focus on the unjust system of patronage, which was challenged in the early church.
Slavery
How were slaves treated in the Roman empire? This gives helpful background information for the Book of Philemon.
Stoicism
An account of the history of Stoicism, a summary of its beliefs, and its impact on the world of the first century.
Greek Games
In several of his letters, Paul makes references to the Greek games, particularly the foot-race and boxing, as metaphors of the Christian life, which he describes as a race, and as a fight.
Visit Patmos and the Seven Churches Virtually
This page enables you to follow the route joining the seven cities which received a letter in the Book of Revelation through the use of the internet, including Google Maps.
For each location there are links to Wikipedia, a road map showing the wider location, a satellite view of the actual archaeological site, as well as links to the Holy Land Photos website which contains hundreds of photographs.