In this companion volume to Authenticating the Words of Jesus , the authors examine the important issue of the original setting and context in which the words of Jesus were spoken. They proceed on the assumption that authenticating the activities of Jesus is just as important as authenticating his words. A historical framework, made up of several fairly certain facts, must be clarified and used as a primary criterion for determining which sayings and episodes ought to be considered the stronger candidates of authentic tradition and how they should be interpreted. Many of Jesus’ sayings cohere with historical elements and oftentimes either explain them or are explained by them.