"In the wake of several other fine dictionary efforts, we now have in hand the Dictionary of the New Testament Background from InterVarsity Press. It provides one-stop shopping on a host of background issues with up-to-date bibliographies and a coterie of the top scholars writing in their areas of specialty. For anyone wanting to set the New Testament in its proper historical, social, literary and theological contexts, this volume is a must. Clean out the old leaven of outdated background books and put this one on your shelf."
- Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Out of context a text may be manipulated to denote something unimaginable to the author. That has happened to the New Testament authors, especially over the past two hundred years. Texts about love were interpreted to generate hate. The DNTB will help all who are interested in the original meaning of a New Testament text to comprehend the original context and become a more reliable interpreter of the sacred. The DNTB has a wide range of subjects, and most are discussed by leading experts. I recommend it."
- James H. Charlesworth, George L. Collord Professor of the New Testament and editor of the Princeton Dead Sea Scrolls Project, Princeton Theological Seminary

"This, the fourth in the series of IVP dictionaries of aspects of the New Testament, supplements the first three in an essential manner by providing space for detailed discussions of the historical, social, religious and literary context of the early church. Written in many cases by scholars who are internationally recognized authorities on the specific topics covered, these essays cover the ground clearly, succinctly and yet comprehensively, and provide adequate references and bibliography for students to proceed further. The importance of context and background for understanding texts cannot be overemphasized, but there is a danger of simply distilling out the information most directly relevant to a given text and thereby giving a skewed impression of the whole; this is a danger which is avoided by the present volume which is much more holistic in its approach. Students will bless IVP for this welcome tool for study, and they will pray for the timely appearance of similar volumes devoted to the Old Testament."
- I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen

"Yet another superb dictionary from IVP! This, like the others, will be within arm's reach whether I'm preparing a sermon or writing a book, or even just browsing in the fascinating hinterland of early Christianity."
- N. T. Wright, University of St. Andrews, Scotland

"The breadth and scope of the dictionary on the one hand, and the depth of scholarship demonstrated on both small and large entries are notably impressive, and it is clear that everything that anyone might wish to know about the background of the New Testament is to be found in this massive work. Not only does it deserve an important place with the other encyclopedic dictionaries in the IVP series, but it will hold a unique place among all dictionaries of this kind. More power to IVP for this bold undertaking, and salutes and best wishes for continued production and success with the entire project."
- David Noel Freedman, professor of history and chair in Hebrew biblical studies, University of California, San Diego

"Where would you go to find a succinct overview about marriage, sex and the family in the New Testament world? Or a brief introduction to any book of the apocrypha? Or a description of a particular philosophy or religion that competed with Christianity in the first century? Or the most important historical and cultural developments that led to the Hellenization of Israel? Or a brief description of the city of Corinth? These and numerous related topics are all addressed in IVP's new blockbuster Dictionary of New Testament Background. The authors form an all-star cast of scholars from all major branches of Christianity and Judaism, with a heavy emphasis on evangelicals. But expertise is never sacrificed for the sake of a uniform theological perspective, and the contributions are both up-to-date and filled with detailed, state-of-the-art bibliographic references. A must buy for anyone who wants in one volume so rich an array of historical and cultural background information for the New Testament."
- Craig L. Blomberg, professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

"The Dictionary of New Testament Background--the last of four dictionaries on the New Testament--is the climax of the series because in this field there is the greatest need of additional information for understanding the New Testament better. Written by acknowledged scholars, many with international reputations, it will be a necessary aid for scholars as well as pastors, teachers and lay people interested in the New Testament and its message. Especially helpful are its carefully selected bibliographies. The reader will be surprised and delighted by the richness of its learned, reliable and interesting content."
- Martin Hengel, emeritus professor of New Testament and Early Judaism, University of Tübingen

"The Dictionary of the New Testament Background fills an important gap in current, up-to-date resources for serious New Testament study. Taking full advantage of the advances made since mid-twentieth century, due in large part to the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi documents, and the review of the whole field they have caused, the editors and authors of this latest InterVarsity Press dictionary have made us all a tremendous gift in on-going efforts to understand the complicated world out of which the New Testament arose. It is a gift for scholars and beginning students alike: each article is written by a specialist in the field, thus benefiting specialists in other fields; and each article is written so that neophytes can understand the most complex of issues."
- James A. Sanders, president, Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center

"The Dictionary of New Testament Background follows in the authoritative, wide-ranging and enormously illuminating tradition of its three magnificent predecessors (DJG, DPL and DLNTD). Articles are written with the power, depth and critical insight of the best contemporary scholarship while remaining accessible to the student, pastor and teacher. This volume will be especially valued by all who seek to understand the complex of Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds into which the New Testament church was launched. It combines an excellent and comprehensive guide to intertestamental-period thought, practice and literature with a veritable treasure trove of selected bibliography. As a research student I would have sold my shirt for it. Together with the other three dictionaries in the series, it will provide an enduring contribution and a landmark of twentieth-century New Testament scholarship."
- Max Turner, London Bible College

"This splendid dictionary will be widely used as a major resource by all serious students of the Bible. Leading international specialists have contributed learned but accessible articles on an impressively wide range of topics. This dictionary may well turn out to be the finest in the set of four, which together are making a remarkable contribution to New Testament scholarship."
- Graham Stanton, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

"An excellent resource for students who are eager to continue their research into the cultural contexts of the New Testament. Although it is a bit beyond most beginners, that is an advantage to those who need an intermediate level vehicle."
- David W. Chapman, Presbyterion: Covenant Seminary Review 32, no. 2

"If there's only one book that a student can get on NT background, then this has to be it. Its breadth and depth is unmatched by anything that I've had access to in my studies."
- Nick Norelli, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (rdtwot.wordpress.com), June 16, 2008