The Jesus Family Tomb

The Discovery and Evidence That Could Change History

By: Simcha Jacobovici

Narrated by: Michael Ciulla

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The Jesus Family Tomb tells the story of what may very well be the greatest archaeological find of all time: the discovery and investigation of the tomb belonging to Jesus' family. The tomb in question houses ossuaries (bone boxes) with inscriptions bearing the names of Jesus of Nazareth, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Judas, the son of Jesus. This crypt has been overlooked and ignored for years and exists today under a patio just outside of Jerusalem. The authors have tracked down the location and been granted unequaled access to inspect the findings within the tomb. The artifacts were found, recorded, and catalogued by professional archaeologists in a controlled setting. There is no question of their authenticity.

This is a story that is destined to grab international headlines and raise fundamental questions about the origins of Christianity. The question will undoubtedly arise: are these inscriptions referring to a Jesus and Mary other than the Jesus and Mary of the Gospels? To this end, the listener participates in one of the most controversial investigations of an archaeological find in history. Starting with critical DNA testing from the human remains, the authors, with the help of top scholars and industry leaders, walk us through the actual timeline of the discovery, including an interview with the man who stumbled across the original unearthing of the tomb in 1980. They also detail the paleographic analysis of the ossuaries; analyze the symbology of the tomb and the ossuaries; reveal the importance of the names, using both the New Testament and Apocrypha; and evaluate the patina residue and the statistical probabilities of the cluster of names in the specific location.

A fascinating combination of history, archaeology, and theology, the revelations in this audiobook will change the way we think about God, religion, and everything we have learned about the life and death of Jesus.

©2007 Simcha Jacobovici and Charles Pellegrino (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

A mystery no longer

The book is an archeological adventure and provides compelling statistical evidence for the existence of Yeshua ben Yosef (JC).
The delivery is personal yet scientific and logical. The book is a scientific and personal adventure somewhere between the rigor of a scientific journal and a populist periodical. It takes us back 2000 years to the Realpolitik of the times, relates the customs and behaviours of Jews and raises a number of interesting questions, the least of which is whether JC would have been a follower of his own movement. Another would be: we found it, what next? I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Biblical history, theology, archeology or sociology... or anyone who enjoys a jolly good read!
I am fairly convinced by the conclusion: the only problem is that a mystery is much more exciting when it remains a mystery with all of its possibilities.

Can It Really Be?

Let's get one thing straight, this aint the DaVinci Code. I have already heard a few of my friends refering to this tomb as a Dan Brown doppleganger! Dan Brown's work was fictional, you can still buy any of his books if you look in the fiction section of this or any other book store. Simcha Jacobovici and Charles Pelligreno have given us a documentary peice, which is, to say the least, 'Earth Shattering.' They claim to have found the Tomb of Jesus Christ, and his family. If anything else, these guys did thier homework! They spill out thier theory with astounding casework done by world reknown Archaeologists, Statistitions, Doctors, and Scientists. Because of the nature of the subject, Mr. Jacobovici gave his readers an accurate depiction of life during Jesus' time, and is respectful to Christianity, and sticks to theological fact. I could go into detail, but that would spoil the pleasure of discovering this for yourself. Add an introduction by James Cameron (Terminator & Titanic,) and 'The Jesus Family Tomb' becomes a must read! Can it really be that the Historical Jesus has been found, at last? Mosey on over to the Non-Fiction section and find out.

Worth the read

I would recommend to those interested in this tomb's discovery. Two plots, if you want to call them plots, interested me. First, and foremost, is the presentation of the facts surrounding the tomb and the statistical analysis of the facts as known. Secondly the making of money on religious antiquities, this book and the accompanying Discovery channel presentation included. Both are reasonably well presented leaving the reader with food for thought.

I do have a problem with what I call the Discovery logic. A question is posed such as what if the favorite disciple is Jesus' son. Then a line of thought is proposed as if the original question is an agreed fact. This technique diminishes the ample subject matter with unnecessary tangents.

I have read articles that this story attacks Christianity. I found no such case.

Ciulla's narration is confusing in places as to who is speaking. Shifts from first person to third person are not accompanied by voice change. Accents used need some work.

Fascinating

Full disclosure: I'm an Episcopalian who has always doubted the divinity of Jesus. Call me irrational, but I find more inspiration in the historical Jeshua the Nazarene than the Jesus created by Paul, and later the Romans, to further personal agendas. Thus, this book amazed me. Told like a old-fashioned detective thriller, it presents its findings concisely and with conviction. As one reviewer notes, it is impossible to say whether or not the tomb in question held the remains of the actual Jeshua the Nazarene, but the theories are plausible, the evidence adds up, and for those of you who seek the Jesus of history, you may just find this title more inspiring than a church service.

Sure to stir up reactionaries

First, I am a Christian and inspite of the controversy over the book, my faith has not changed.Yes there is solid evidence presented here, but to me it just confirms Jesus lived and it fills in a lot of gaps. I think Science and Faith can work hand i hand.It's the reactionaries that can't see that. Although techchnically some of the info and facts presented were way over my head.Ultimately whether you believe in the resurection or not shouldn't change wit this book. I did like the voice of the reader..

Must read

A book that everyone needs to read.
Agreed archaeological discovery and yet we have hardly heard anything about it!!

Compelling and Difficult to Debunk

Fascinated by the author’s account of Mary Magdalene and Jesus I dove into this book with a very open mind. I found the science, mathematics and logic to be much more compelling than in my first Simchat Jacobovici read while just as juicy. Knowing that it has been thoroughly “debunked“ I made a deep dive into those debunking nabobs. I was shocked to see the lack of intellectual depth in their arguments. Most lines of attack fell on the notion that Jesus couldn’t afford a crypt or whomever buried them didn’t use the nomenclature we would expect from the New Testament… Which wouldn’t be written for another 70 to 100 years! This book brings the beef and I have yet to find a satisfying debunker.

Wanting more at the end.

I had a great deal of trepadation, whin I first started "The Jesus Family Tomb". My fears subsided as I moved through the book. I Find the information as credible. It's a good read. The auther takes time to help the reader to keep ones fath in the face of a paradime shift. If this book is read of listen to in one session, you will find some information, at the end, to be a little redundant.
I would not recomend "The Jesus Family Tomb" for the Christan that is unwilling to face what unrefuitable evidance.
This documary is smart. It respects the reader sceptisem. It speaks to the reader through facts, and does not ask for the reader to except the information on the basis athority but through evedance.

Groundbreaking

First things first, you MUST have an open mind going into this book. Actually, that may even be unnecessary. "The Jesus Family Tomb" is so packed with both evidence AND statistics, if you do not finish this work convinced of the legitimacy of the findings presented, you are either inhumanly stubborn, a tree, or the Pope. Slam dunk for Simcha et al!

Additionally, this book should be read (or listened to) along with Dr. James Tabor's "The Jesus Dynasty." They really do go hand in hand, as Dr. Tabor was a key player in the Jesus Family Tomb. For a more in-depth historical analysis of Jesus, his family, and the early Church, please read "The Jesus Dynasty!"

Absolutely superb! Science illuminates truth

What an amazing book. I was so impressed with the care and research methods associated with the discoveries. Thank you