S8 Ep948: (1) James Tabor introduces the historical Mary through the city of Sepphoris, the urban capital of Galilee located just miles from Nazareth. Unlike the small village of Nazareth, Sepphoris was a bustling Roman "jewel" where Mary was born to parents Joachi

(1) James Tabor introduces the historical Mary through the city of Sepphoris, the urban capital of Galilee located just miles from Nazareth. Unlike the small village of Nazareth, Sepphoris was a bustling Roman "jewel" where Mary was born to parents Joachim and Anne. Joseph is described as a "tecton" or builder, likely a stonemason involved in the city's reconstruction after it was burned by Romans in 4 BCE. Tabor emphasizes the traumatic environment of Jesus' infancy, suggesting Mary witnessed the smoke of the city and thousands of Roman crucifixions, which shaped her spiritual focus on the kingdom of God.