Jesus and the Poor sharpens readers' perceptions of Jesus' concern for the poor by setting his teaching within an accurate and vividly described account of the harsh economic relations of his world. Typical ancient economic problems, including the limited diet of the peasant/artisan mass, peasant debt, the harsh lives of day-labourers, frequent resort of poor women to prostitution, and the luxurious indulgence of the elite, are illustrated from Biblical, Intertestamental and other materials. This socio-economic 'map' enables the student and general reader to understand Jesus' sharp...