Killing Jesus: A History

Discuss the portrayal of the political and social context of first-century Judea in Killing Jesus. How does the book characterize the various political figures and factions involved in the events leading up to the crucifixion?

In what ways does Killing Jesus engage with contemporary political and cultural narratives, and how might these influences shape the presentation of historical facts within the book?

How does this book intervene in ongoing debates over the interpretation of Jesus’s life and death? How does it balance scholarship with entertainment?

How does the book address the motivations of both Jesus’s followers and his enemies, and how does this portrayal influence the reader’s understanding of the beginning of the Christian movement?

Blaming the Jewish community for the death of Jesus is a well-worn antisemitic trope. How does Killing Jesus contribute to or resist this trope? How does the book depict Jewish people’s role in the crucifixion, and what does this portrayal suggest about how the people of Judea navigated their precarious position on the periphery of the Roman Empire?

Analyze how Killing Jesus frames the relationship between religion and politics in the ancient world. What insights does the book offer into how these two forces interacted during Jesus’s lifetime? Use specific examples.

How does Killing Jesus portray enemy figures such as Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Caiaphas in the events leading to Jesus’s crucifixion? How does this interpretation compare with traditional historical or biblical accounts?

How does Killing Jesus contribute to or challenge existing narratives about the life of Jesus within the context of American popular culture? What does the book’s success and reach suggest about the intersection of religion, history, and media in contemporary society?