The Ethno-Geographical Context of the New Testament Books

Gospel of Matthew – Jewish: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to Palestinian Jewish Christians (perhaps in Syrian Antioch).

Gospel of Mark – Roman: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to Roman Christians.

Gospel of Luke – Greek: written by a non-Jewish author from a Greek perspective to a Greco-Roman audience.

Gospel of John – Gentile: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to non-Jewish Christians perhaps in the Asia Province (around Ephesus?).

Acts of the Apostles – Greek: written by a non-Jewish author from a Greek perspective to a Greco-Roman audience.

Romans – City of Rome: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to Jewish and Gentile congregations in the Roman Empire’s capital.

1–2 Corinthians – City of Corinth, Achaia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a predominantly Gentile congregation in Achaia’s capital (a Roman colony).

Galatians – Southern Galatia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to predominantly Gentile congregations most likely in the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (all Roman colonies except Derbe). 

Ephesians – City of Ephesus, Asia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a predominantly Gentile congregation in Asia’s capital (“a free city”).

Philippians – City of Philippi, Macedonia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a Gentile congregation in a Roman colony.

Colossians – City of Colosse, Asia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a predominantly Gentile congregation in the smallest city in the Phrygian Lycas River Valley.

1–2 Thessalonians – City of Thessalonica, Macedonia Province: written by Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian(s) to a predominantly Gentile congregation in Macedonia’s capital (“a free city”).

1–2 Timothy – City of Ephesus, Asia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a Greek-Jewish Christian working with the church in Asia’s capital city (“a free city”). 

Titus – Crete Island Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a Greek Christian working with churches on the island province of Crete.

Philemon – City of Colosse, Asia Province: written by a Hellenistic/Hebraic Jewish Christian to a Christian colleague in the smallest city in the Phrygian Lycas River Valley.

Hebrews – Hellenistic Jewish: written by Hellenistic Jewish Christian(s) to Hellenistic Jewish Christians (perhaps in Rome?).

James – Jewish: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to Jewish believers probably in Palestine.

1–2 Peter – Asia Minor Provinces: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to predominantly Gentile congregations in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 

1, 2, 3 John – Asia Province: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to non-Jewish Christians perhaps in the Asia Province (around Ephesus?).

Jude – unidentified Christians: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to unidentified Christians, probably somewhere other than the Asia Minor provinces, who were confronting a heretical movement similar to that faced by the audience of Peter’s letters.

Revelation – Asia Province: written by a Palestinian Jewish Christian to suffering Christians in at least seven churches in the Asia Province.

--Kevin L. Moore

*For detailed analysis of each of the above, see K. L. Moore, A Critical Introduction to the NT 58-229.

Related Posts: The Bible's Geographical Context Part 1 & Part 2

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