“A text without a context is just a pretext for whatever you want it to mean.”1
—Ben Witherington III
When we remove Scripture from its historical and geographical context, we risk missing out on its deeper truths. As students of the Bible, we want to understand the time and place in which the sacred words were recorded. Let’s explore three key advantages of studying the historical and geographical context and how this can enrich our understanding and confidence in the Bible.
1. Studying context protects us from inserting a false narrative.
The Bible was written in a very different literary style and with a distinct cultural context much different from ours. Today, we expect important documents to cover every detail and caveat. Maybe this stems from our legal worldview—where communication is expected to be clear and concise. However, ancient writers didn’t prioritize the exhaustive details that modern readers might expect. Their motivations for recording history and wisdom were often different from ours. One challenge for contemporary readers is that we often struggle with gaps in information, which can lead us to fill in those gaps with our own assumptions or biases, creating a false narrative. Our familiar context can easily replace the hard work of understanding the original context. For example, when we encounter a passage that’s unclear, we might be tempted to create a narrative that makes sense to us, even if it distorts the original meaning. This can result in false interpretations of Scripture. A classic example is the tradition of the three wise men in the Christmas story. While the Bible never specifies how many Magi there were, we assume three, likely because of the three gifts mentioned, or maybe because three slots are available in Christmas pageants. (wink)
2. Studying context broadens our understanding of the true narrative.
When we don’t study the historical and geographical context, we limit our understanding of the Bible. Like any good researcher, we know that without understanding the background of a topic, we miss important details that help us fully grasp the subject. There are countless examples of how increasing our contextual knowledge can help us be better scholars and theologians.
Consider the example of Deborah in the book of Judges. The Bible records Deborah as a leader within the nation of Israel after they settled in the promised land. If we were to rank the Old Testament judges, where would Deborah fall? Perhaps below Samson or Gideon?
Without studying the geographical context, we might view Deborah as a local leader assisting Barak in his battle against the Canaanite King Sisera. However, when we examine a Bible atlas, the story takes on new depth. Judges 4:5 tells us that Deborah sat “between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim,” which places her about ten miles above Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Barak, from the tribe of Naphtali, was stationed in Kedesh, more than fifty miles away in the northern part of Israel. This geographical information shows that Deborah was not just a local leader but a national figure. Barak likely traveled for three days to reach her.
By simply studying a map, we gain a much richer understanding of Deborah’s role and uncover a deeper layer of meaning in her story. The entire Bible is filled with contextual information waiting for us to discover.
3. We gain a greater awareness of the Bible’s connectedness by studying context.
Studying historical context helps us see how the Bible is interconnected across time and culture. It’s like traveling in a foreign country without knowing the language—you can only understand pieces of what’s happening. But when you understand the language, your experience becomes richer and more fulfilling. Learning the historical context of the Bible reinforces the message that the Bible is the authoritative standard of truth throughout history, providing security and reassurance in our faith. For example, if we take the time to study the historical context of Jesus’s encounter with the Pharisees during his mock trial, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of the weight of his statements.
In Mark 14:61-62, the high priest asked Jesus, “‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus, ‘and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.'” The high priest tore his garments in response.
While we may assume the priest tore his clothes because of Jesus’s statement, does investigating historical background provide more insight?
The phrase “coming in the clouds” or “riding on the clouds” can be connected back to the Old Testament. In Daniel 7:13, Daniel describes a vision in which “one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven.” Other passages about “riding on the clouds” are:
- Deuteronomy 33:26: “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, the clouds in his majesty.”
- Psalm 68:4: “Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds—his name is the LORD and celebrate before him.”
- Psalms 68:33: “to him who rides in the ancient, highest heavens.
Look, he thunders with his powerful voice!”
The epithet “rider of the clouds” also appears in other writings of the Ancient Near East. For example, clay tablets from the city of Ugarit (1400–1200 BC) refer to Baal as “a rider of the clouds.” The Canaanites living in the city worshiped Baal as the god of the heavens and thunder. But in the Old Testament Scripture, the Lord is consistently shown as greater than all other gods. When Jesus referred to Himself as “coming with the clouds” in Mark 14:62, He was making a powerful claim of authority as the Ruler of the heavens. His statement draws from centuries of cultural and religious understanding about the One who reigns over the skies. By studying the historical context, we recognize that Jesus was asserting His sovereignty as the ultimate Ruler of the universe. This deepens our appreciation for the Bible’s interconnectedness and strengthens our faith.
As we reflect on these points, let’s remember that by exploring the historical and geographical context, we unlock a whole new world of understanding in our Bible reading. Consider the promise in Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.” The words of the Bible sometimes transcend our physical and spiritual understanding, but God promises to give us wisdom. Through diligent study, we become better students of God’s Word and more faithful followers.
To dive deeper into Scripture and hear more from Amy Williams, check out Symposium: A Biblical Training Event for Women by Lifeway Women Academy. Over two days, you’ll learn from women Bible teachers including Jen Wilkin, Courtney Doctor, Elizabeth Woodson, and more about how to teach Scripture in a way that’s true to God and His Word and accessible to others. If you love to teach God’s Word, this event will help you walk away better equipped to follow that passion and calling. Learn more at lifeway.com/symposium.
ABOUT AMY WILLIAMS
Amy Williams is the Director of the Museum of the Bible and Archaeology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and an Adjunct Instructor for the Thrive Program at Leavell College. She loves to speak about the history of the Bible and the context and background of the Biblical world so women can more deeply experience the joy of God’s Word. She serves alongside her husband, Dr. Tim Williams, at Williams Boulevard Baptist Church. They have served in ministry for over two decades in Canada, South Africa, and Louisiana.
Work Cited
1. Ben Witherington, “Asking the Right Question,” Bible Review 19.2 (2003): 10.
