What Ancient Coins Can Teach Us About the Bible

When we recognize the Bible as a product of the ancient world, we can look for subtle ways that biblical authors incorporated elements of everyday life — including coins! We spoke with historian Michael Theophilos about everything we can learn from ancient coins (politics, economics, visual culture, propaganda), and then we found some fascinating examples of how language and symbols from coins made their way into the Bible.

If you want to dive deeper into coins and the New Testament, check out Michael's book, Numismatics and Greek Lexicography. 

Here are some cool images of coins Michael described in the episode:

• A denarius minted by Caesar Augustus with the image of the comet or bright star
• An ancient coin from Yehud (Persian-ruled Judaea) featuring a disembodied ear

Also, the newly redesigned Bible Odyssey website has some great articles about coins, taxes and the Temple in the 1st Century:

• Money
• Commerce and the Temple in First-Century Jerusalem
• Taxes in First-Century Palestine

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Theme music written and performed by Dave Roos