Note: I have several serious, expensive commentary sets that I consult, but as they are mostly concerned with theology and textual issues, there are other resources that are a better value for this kind of study.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary by Craig Keener.
** RRRVV $35 One volume modern commentary  It’s a good start, but the entry on each passage is short

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary
*RRV $167 Five volume set; the first volume covers the Synoptics. The entries are longer and have pictures, but they have more religiousy theological digressions, so I actually prefer the IVP one mentioned above.

 Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels

***RRVV $39 About 50 longer articles on geographically pinning down various events in the gospels. A lot of good stuff here.

Dictionary of Daily Life in Biblical and Post Biblical Anitquity: 
***RRVVV $48 CBD Four volume set with 7-10 page articles on everything from aqueducts to dogs to pottery. I found it pretty useful, although it may not always cover the topic you want.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
**RRVVV (get it used for cheap!) Big, four volume set with articles about everything, although some are outdated. Affordable. An on-line version is at https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/ 

Traditions of the Rabbis from the Era of the New Testament by Instone-Brewer
***RVV $48 each volume. A multi-volume commentary on the Mishnah that uses textual analysis to isolate the parts that were in use in Jesus’ day. Dense, but my favorite granular resource on Jewish culture. Eye opening!

The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology by Bruce Malina
***RRVVV $29 If you want one book on how to think like a 1st Century Jew, choose this one. Great treatments of the limited good worldview and honor/shame cultures. It's acadmeic--just skip the introduction and you'll be fine!

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Bailey
**RRVV $22 Focuses a lot on understanding the Parables, but a lot of good insights on culture as well.

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Tverberg
**RRRVVV $16 Popular-level, highly-readable treatment applying Jewish culture to the NT. Good place to start.

The World of the New Testament by Green and McDonald
**RRVV $43 Broad overview of cultural practices and thought, with a valuable chapter on economics.

www.MyJewishLearning.com
Articles on contemporary Jewish religious practice arranged by topic.

www.JewishVirtualLibrary.org
Everything you'd want to know about Judaism and its history, practice and beliefs.

These are books by experts on one specific topic. You'll find he most in-depth info here. I’ve read about a hundred books like these for this project (!)—these are the ones I’ve gotten the most out of.

The Quest: Revealing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by Rittmeyer
***RRRVVV $54 The definitive volume on the temple mount and its building by the official architect of the Southern Steps excavation. One of my favorites: I’ve read it several times.

The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen by Mendel Nun
***RRRVVV $15 (if you can find it) Invaluable context for the fishing stories in the bible by a man who fished the sea of Galilee, often with traditional methods, for 40 years. Love this little book! Available in Israel; you may find it used.

With Jesus through Galilee + With Jesus in Jerusalem both by Bargil Pixner
***RRRVVV $30 In-depth and very visual treatment of Jesus’ travels and sites he spent time at by an archaeologist and priest, with a focus on his proposed connections to the Essenes. I consulted the maps and timelines here alot. Highly recommended. Available in Israel

What did Jesus Look Like? By Joan Taylor
**RRV $40 For my whole life I unconsciously pictured Jesus as a white European. I got his hair and clothes wrong too—and all because of a 14^th century forgery! The last couple chapters alone are worth the price of this book.

The Sea of Galilee Boat by Wachsmann
***RRRVVV $23 The account of the famous first-century ‘Jesus Boat’ by the archaeologist who excavated it. Great story and lots of great context for first-century fishing boats!

Entertaining Angels: Early Christian Hospitality in its Mediterranean Setting by Arterbury
**RRV $90 Covers the amazing hospitality practices of the ancient world in Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Christian settings.

From Symposium to Eucharist: The Banquet in the Early Christian World by Smith
**RRVV $35 If you want to know what the Last Supper actually looked like, this is a great place to start!

Paul and First-Century Letter Writing by Richards
***RRVVV$24 Very detailed exposition on writing, scribes, co-authorship, multiple drafts and sending letters in Jesus day. Totals up what Paul’s letters would have cost.

A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion by Burge
**RRRVVV $20 This short book is what most effectively gave me a feel for the place of honor and status in Roman culture.

Travel in the Ancient World + Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World by Lionel Casson
**RRVV $35 People did travel widely in Jesus day, but there were some incredible obstacles! Great info on seafaring in the Mediterranean, how vessels of that day worked and what ancient sailors were capable of.

Sabbath and Synagogue: the Question of Sabbath Worship in Ancient Judaism by McKay
**RV I’d always assumed first-century synagogue services were pretty much like church. This book taught me the difference.

Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus by Jeremias
An older but often-cited book covering all aspects of social and economic life in Jerusalem.

Law in the New Testament by Duncan Derrett
You’ll love this if you are a lawyer! Examples of eastern legal concepts and how they play out in Jesus parables.