logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
53m 13s

One BC: The World Jesus Entered

Bart Ehrman
About this episode

What was the world like just before Jesus was born?

In this special Christmas Eve episode, we explore the political, cultural, and religious climate of 1st-century Palestine with world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Jodi Magness.

From Roman rule and Jewish life to messianic expectations, Dr. Magness helps us understand the historical backdrop that shaped the world Jesus entered.

Up next
Mar 10
Did Jesus Invent Charity?
Bart's newest book, Love Thy Stranger, will be released on March 24th - but really, how much can you say about Jesus' impact on the moral conscience of the west? As it turns out, quite a lot - and this week, we'll be getting into exactly what you can expect to read. 
42m 21s
Mar 3
Did Jesus Invent Modern Morality? Exploring Ancient Ethics
The difference between right and wrong and how to live a good life has been a matter of debate for millennia. In the ancient world, different schools of philosophers subscribed to different theories - but were these discussions something that Jesus would have been aware of? Today ... Show More
54m 34s
Feb 24
Love Thy Stranger: The Radical Origins of Western Compassion
What did it mean to be a good person in the ancient world, and what did ancient cultures say about how we should treat one another? Today, Dr. Bart Ehrman joins me to discuss Jesus' teachings, the cultural norms of his time, and how early Christians changed his message. 
36m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Why the Historicity of Jesus Is So Important?
In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Podcast, J. Warner talks about the importance of being able to make the case for the historicity of Jesus. In a generation ever more skeptical of the real existence of Jesus, now is the time to familiarize ourselves with the evidence ... Show More
27m 59s
Nov 2024
What (and When) Were the Earliest Claims About Jesus?
In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Podcast, J. Warner examines the history related to the eyewitness observations of Jesus. How early are the eyewitness accounts and what precisely was being said about Jesus prior to the creation of these written documents? 
27m 59s
Dec 2024
When was Jesus actually born? Chapter One: An Origin Story
It's December 25th, 2024. Across this wide world, people commemorate one of the most famous birthdays in all of history: the birth of Jesus Christ. Then as now, adherents of Christianity celebrate the coming of the Messiah -- yet why does this holiday occur on a specific date in, ... Show More
44m 51s
Aug 2025
The Death of Jesus
In this episode, we reflect on the death of Jesus Christ—not just as a historical event, but as the central act of God's redemptive plan. Why did Jesus have to die? What did the crucifixion accomplish? And how should His suffering shape the way we understand God, ourselves, and s ... Show More
26m 29s
Nov 2018
Love Poems, Vineyards, and Rocks - Gospel of Matthew Part 28
<p>We look at a story from a controversy that Jesus was involved in in this episode. During his final week in Jerusalem for Passover, he ends up telling this famous story of God’s covenant with Israel leading up to Jesus. He tells it through a story about a landowner who owns a v ... Show More
51m 47s
Mar 2024
#532 The Accurate Date of the Crucifixion - Jimmy Akin
A topic that tends to come around during Holy Week is the accuracy of the crucifixion, including when it occurred. In this episode, Cy and Catholic Answers Senior Apologist, Jimmy Akin, discuss the question of when exactly Jesus was crucified. Cy Kellett: Hello and welcome to Foc ... Show More
1s
Dec 2023
The Advent of Christ
The earliest pages of Scripture promise a Deliverer who will crush evil and bring redemption for God's people. Today, R.C. Sproul explains how Jesus' arrival into the world brought the fulfillment of this ancient promise. Get R.C Sproul's 'The Advent of Glory' and 'Coming of the ... Show More
26m 26s
Aug 2025
The Birth of Jesus - The Gospels
In this Bible Story, we witness the humble birth of our hero, Jesus. Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for the census, and Mary begins to go into labor. The Christ child is visited by shepherds, and a man of God named Simeon who prophesied that He would be the light of the worl ... Show More
14m 58s
Sep 2025
John: The Return Of Jesus Christ
In John 21, Jesus talked about His ‘return.’ He would leave. In due time, He would come back. But for what purpose? And at what point? That will be the focus of today’s study. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did Jesus suggest that John would remain? B) How do the events of 70 ... Show More
24m 40s