New Testament

Potential bread basket from a mosaic at the 'Burnt Church' at the Hippos-Sussita Excavation Project at the Susita National Park, summer 2019. (courtesy Michael Eisenberg)

September 4, 2019, 11:00 pm

Mosaic near Sea of Galilee may mark new site for Jesus loaves and fishes miracle

Colorful 6th-century Byzantine design indicates miracle took place on the opposite side of sea from traditionally assigned spot, archaeologist proposes; mosaic expert disagrees

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Pope Francis during the weekly general audience on May 8, 2019, at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP)

May 12, 2019, 1:57 pm

Pope urged by Jews to take care over Pharisees talk

References to the ancient Jewish sect, a precursor of rabbinic Judaism criticized by Jesus, were for centuries an expression of Christian anti-Semitism

By AFP and TOI staff

A Christmas star is seen in front of the Church of Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, on Dec. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

December 11, 2018, 4:48 pm

Can astronomy explain the biblical Star of Bethlehem?

Experts weigh in on whether the Gospel account of Jesus’s birth, including the wise men who were guided by a ‘star in the east,’ has any scientific merit

By David Weintraub

Illustrative: The Three Wise Men (Rawpixel/iStock)

From the WebDecember 21, 2017, 4:35 pm

Smells like heaven: Kibbutz farm recreates Magi’s gifts to Jesus

Aromatic plants bestowed on the infant Jesus are being cultivated by an Israeli entrepreneur aiming to turn the gifts of the Christmas story into balms and incense, Reuters reports

A view of the mosaic of transfiguration which covers the surface of 46 meters square inside the basilica of the monastery of Saint Catherine is shown on Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 in South Sinai, Egypt. (AP/Samy Magdy)

December 17, 2017, 2:14 am

Egypt reopens ancient Sinai library housing 4th-century New Testament

Largest collection of early codices and manuscripts outside of Vatican now open to public at St. Catherine’s Monastery after three years of renovation work

By Samy Magdy

Dr. Yonatan Adler on-site at the stone quarry and tool production center excavations at Reina in Lower Galilee. (Samuel Magal/IAA)

August 10, 2017, 11:51 am

2,000-year-old stone workshop discovered near where Jesus turned water into wine

Because it was immune to ritual impurity, the use of stoneware was rife among Jews during the Roman era

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Jewish studies professor Azzan Yadin-Israel. (CC, BY-SA, Asherif99444/Wikimedia)

May 11, 2017, 10:43 pm

Into the Fire: A Jewish studies prof. searches for The Bible in the lyrics of The Boss

Azzan Yadin-Israel maps theological parallels in the songs of Bruce Springsteen, finding Sodom and Gomorrah, the Exodus, and much more from Testaments Old and New

By Cathryn J. Prince

Rabbi Shneur Odze, a UKIP candidate who came in sixth in the May 2017 race for Manchester mayor. (Screen capture: YouTube)

April 16, 2017, 3:12 pm

UK rabbi-politician burns Christian Bible, sparking ire

UKIP Manchester mayoral candidate Shneur Odze criticized for tweeting image of smoldering scriptures on Passover eve

By TOI staff

Amos Oz, at home in Tel Aviv, discussing 'Judas,' his latest novel, released in English in September 2016 (Jessica Steinberg/Times of Israel)

October 2, 2016, 6:36 am

There are no traitors, says Amos Oz, only those unafraid of change

Celebrated Israeli author discusses his latest book, ‘Judas,’ about Jesus and his controversial disciple, with 1950s Jerusalem as the backdrop

By Jessica Steinberg

View of Israel's Lower Galilee. April 25, 2015. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

August 19, 2016, 3:51 am

Archaeologists in Galilee unearth synagogue from Jesus’s time

Remains of ancient rural structure uncovered in northern Israel in area where he is believed to have traveled to preach

By Stuart Winer

'The Testament of Mary' opened in Boston's New Repertory Theatre in January of 2016. Actress Paula Langton portrayed Mary in the one-woman show. (Andrew Brilliant/NRT)

February 19, 2016, 6:51 am

Not so virgin ‘Mary’ production condemned as blasphemous

A new Boston run of ‘The Testament of Mary,’ a one-woman show about Jesus’ last days, draws the ire of religious groups

By Matt Lebovic

Sandro Botticelli's 'Adoration of the Magi' c. 1475–1476, Tempera on panel (public domain)

October 26, 2015, 3:16 pm

As planets align, some see return of Jesus’ Star of Bethlehem

The rare convergence of Venus, Jupiter and Mars this week has some wondering if it’s time to cue the magi

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during Game Two of the 2015 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California on June 7, 2015 (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/via JTA)

June 11, 2015, 3:05 am

Golden State’s Curry has Hebrew tattoo

Team’s regular MVP has a phrase from the New Testament inked on his right wrist — in the language of the Jews

By Gabe Friedman

Illustrative: Detail from 'Noli me tangere' by Titian, c. 1512, depicting a meeting between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. (public domain via wikipedia)

December 30, 2014, 4:50 pm

‘Lost Gospel’ depicts a married political activist Rabbi Jesus

Simcha Jacobovici and Barrie Wilson’s bestseller portrays a Jesus married to Canaanite priestess Mary Magdalene, who, after the crucifixion, founds the Church of the Gentiles

By Michael Posner

Ancient Capernaum, on the shores of Lake Kinneret (photo credit: Shmuel Bar-Am)

December 20, 2014, 12:04 pm

A Galilee Christmas tour, in the footsteps of Jesus

The New Testament comes alive along the shores of Lake Kinneret

By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am