In this debut episode of Context is Everything, we dive deep into the world Jesus walked into—and why so many people didn’t recognize Him as the Messiah they’d been waiting for. From dusty Galilean streets to the political tensions of ancient Jerusalem, we unpack the religious factions, cultural expectations, and prophetic hopes that shaped first-century Jewish life.
Why didn’t Jesus fit the mold? What kind of deliverance were people expecting? And what happens when the Savior you get looks nothing like the one you imagined?

Whether you're a lifelong believer or just history-curious, this episode will challenge what you think you know and reveal just how much the why matters.

Sources and References:

Josephus – *The Jewish War* and *Antiquities of the Jews*. Primary sources for Jewish life, sects, and Roman rule.

James H. Charlesworth – *Jesus and Archaeology*. Archaeological context for Galilee and early Jesus movement.

Sean Freyne – *Galilee from Alexander the Great to Hadrian, 323 BCE to 135 CE*. Political and social history of Galilee.

Richard A. Horsley – *Archaeology, History, and Society in Galilee*. Focused on economics, resistance, and daily life in Galilee.

The Bible Project - 'Second Temple Period'. Accessible visual explainer of the intertestimental period.

BYU Religious Studies Center - 'Why Did So Many Jews Reject Jesus As the Messiah' by Jeffery R. Chadwick. LDS perspective on cultural expectation of the Messiah.

My Jewish Learning - 'The Messiah in Jewish Tradition'. Non-Christian Jewish view on messianic theology.

Book of Mormon Central - KnoWhys and articles exploring messianic prophecy and Second Temple Judaism.

The Interpreter Foundation - Contextual LDS analysis of ancient scripture and Jesus's ministry.

The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ (Deseret Book, 3-volume series). A detailed look into Jesus's mission and Jewish Culture from an LDS standpoint.

*The Chosen* - Television series portraying Jesus's ministry with historical and cultural depth (Angel Studios).

Come Follow Me Insights - BYUtv and YouTube series featuring Tyler Griffin and Taylor Halverson. LDS gospel study with historical context.

Museum of the Bible & Israel Antiquities Authority - Exhibits and reconstructions of 1st-century Jewish life and locations such as Capernaum.

Amy-Jil Levine - *The Misunderstood Jew*. Jewish perspective on Jesus and New Testament Interpretation.

Reza Aslan - *Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth*. A bold, modern retelling of Jesus in the political landscape of Roman Judea (read critically).