Son of God

Summary

The book Son of God is a tie-in with the 2014 film ofthe same title from Twentieth Century Fox. Like the movie, the book is epic in scope,providing a panoramic picture of first-century Judea as it recounts the eventsand reveals the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Though based on New Testament accounts, including the fourGospels and the book of Acts, Son of God reads like a contemporarynovel, delving deeply into the character of Jesus and the personalities andmotives all of those who surround him, both his followers and his enemies. Evenminor Gospel characters—Mary Magdelene, the servant Malchus, the Jewish elderNicodemus—come vividly to life, and the book’s portrayal of the politicalmachinations behind Jesus’ trial and death—the contest for power between theRoman governor Pontius Pilate and the high priest Caiaphas—is especiallyengaging.

Beyond depicting the historical milieu in which Jesus lived,Son of God deftly explains the customs and culture of the Jewish peopleand the Roman officials and soldiers who oppressed them, enhancing readers’understanding of the biblical record. In its final part, the book extends theChristian story past Jesus’ resurrection to show how Jesus’ followers,impassioned by their faith, began spreading his message of salvation throughoutthe wider world. Grittily realistic, Son of God pulls no punches inconveying the harsh realities of Jesus’ era. But it is also inspirational, showinghow Jesus transformed the lives of the humble and the powerful alike—andconveying Jesus’ message of comfort and hope to present-day readers.