Reviewing Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian

by Ben Witherington III

 (IVP Academic, 2019)

When we misunderstand the cultures that birthed the Scriptures (whether Bronze Age Mesopotamia or late first century Rome), we often also misunderstand the Scriptures themselves. In Priscilla, Prof. Ben Witherington of Asbury Theological Seminary helps us understand not only the Early Church leader Priscilla (of Priscilla and Aquila fame) but also the world in which she served. Witherington accomplishes this through the medium of good historical fiction—verifiable facts inside believable fictional narrative. To bolster narrative choices, Witherington’s book includes relevant illustrations, including archaeological photographs and Latin and Greek translations. Priscilla demonstrates that history is engaging, its details and explanations clarifying, and its perspectives and concerns relevant.

Learning about first century culture helps readers when applying lessons from Priscilla’s life of twenty-first century issues. In Priscilla, readers learn about the struggles Christians experienced under Emperors Claudius, Nero, and especially Domitian. Less weighty but equally interesting are the challenges of frequent missionary travel and a bi-vocational ministry. Priscilla’s successes become examples and exhortations. Witherington sets his book near the end of Priscilla’s life, and long after the Aquila’s death during Nero’s persecutions, with the premise that the elderly saint is sharing a lifetime of experiences. As she reflects, she tells not only her own story but that of other first century leaders, including Mary Magdalene, Junia, and Paul. 

While Witherington’s academic specialties include women in the New Testament, Priscilla is neither a commentary nor a history. Instead it is a coherent interpretation of the existing facts (biblical and extrabiblical) about Priscilla’s life—here well-researched interpolation is wrapped in engaging storytelling. Purists might think the Witherington has taken too many liberties. I am more understanding. For many Christians, the Bible, with its over forty authors from different times and places, can seem foreign. Well-written, well-researched approaches like that in Priscilla push Bible students toward a nuanced and more accurate understanding of what they are reading.

Women are half the church: they have played a vital role in the church’s history. Priscilla was Paul’s fellow worker, a dedicated missionary and house church host, a teacher and a servant. In his book, Witherington helps us understand the events and circumstances that shaped her teaching and service. Priscilla deserves to be read.