The Brother of Jesus - by Hershel Shanks & Ben Witherington (Paperback)

About the Book

From the Back Cover

The first definitive account of what scholars and the media are calling 'the most important archaeological discovery' about Jesus and his family.

This is the definitive story of the recent discovery of the first-century ossuary (limestone bone box) with the legend 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus', and its implications for understanding Jesus, his family (mother, father, brothers), his followers, the first Christians and the Jewish Christian movement in Jerusalem that James led. This ossuary is the first ever archaeological discovery directly confirming the existence of Jesus, and his relationship to his father, Joseph, and brother, James, who became the leader of the important Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem. No one is as qualified and well connected to recount the discovery and its authentication as Hershel Shanks, whose magazine first broke the story.

Review Quotes

"Anyone with an interest in archaeology or the historical Jesus will find this book fascinating." - Booklist

"Readers...will learn much about archaeology and early Christianity from this good example of archaeological and biblical popularization." - America Magazine

"A most interesting and helpful book...a thorough and balanced job. An essential purchase for libraries of all sizes." - Library Journal

"A well-argued and truly fascinating study of the ossuary and its importance. Particularly interesting is the book's discussion of what the ossuary does for Jewish-Christian relations." - Publishers Weekly