Rediscovering the Jewish Roots of Jesus

Reimagining the Jewish Jesus

Reimagining the Jewish Jesus

Reimagining the Jewish Jesus

Reimagining the Jewish Jesus

•

When Judaism reformed after the destruction of

When Judaism reformed after the destruction of

Jerusalem (70 CE), it wanted as little do with

Jerusalem (70 CE), it wanted as little do with

Christians as Christians did with Jews.

Christians as Christians did with Jews.

•

It was thus in the interest of both religions to

It was thus in the interest of both religions to

downplay the Jewishness of Jesus.

downplay the Jewishness of Jesus.

This has been the state of affairs in Jesus studies

This has been the state of affairs in Jesus studies

up until the last 20 years.

up until the last 20 years.

Geza Vermes, 

Geza Vermes, 

Jesus the Jew

Jesus the Jew

, 1973

, 1973

Subtitle “A Historian’s reading of the

Subtitle “A Historian’s reading of the

Gospels” – which in practice means – without

Gospels” – which in practice means – without

the usual Christian assumptions.

the usual Christian assumptions.

Vermes concludes that all of the messianic or

Vermes concludes that all of the messianic or

divine texts were added by the early church

divine texts were added by the early church

and were not spoken by Jesus.

and were not spoken by Jesus.

It is about time the church realised that Jesus

It is about time the church realised that Jesus

was a Jew not a Christian

was a Jew not a Christian

E.P.Sanders, 

E.P.Sanders, 

Jesus and Judaism

Jesus and Judaism

, 1985

, 1985

After years of immersion in the Jewish texts,

After years of immersion in the Jewish texts,

Sanders thought that Jesus is best

Sanders thought that Jesus is best

understood as a Jewish restoration prophet,

understood as a Jewish restoration prophet,

who believed he would have a crucial role

who believed he would have a crucial role

in inaugurating God’s kingdom.

in inaugurating God’s kingdom.

With respect to Jewish Law, Jesus was an observant Jew,

With respect to Jewish Law, Jesus was an observant Jew,

who worshipped God in the synagogue on the sabbath,

who worshipped God in the synagogue on the sabbath,

prayed Jewish prayers, assumed Jewish piety (when you

prayed Jewish prayers, assumed Jewish piety (when you

prayer ... fast ... give alms). He tells a healed leper to offer

prayer ... fast ... give alms). He tells a healed leper to offer

the prescribed sacrifices and a questioner to find God’s will

the prescribed sacrifices and a questioner to find God’s will

in the Law.

in the Law.

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

One sabbath he was going through the grain fields; and as

One sabbath he was going through the grain fields; and as

they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of

they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of

grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing

grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing

what is not lawful on the sabbath?“ ...

what is not lawful on the sabbath?“ ...

Jesus replies:

Jesus replies:

"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not

"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not

humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even

humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even

of the sabbath."

of the sabbath."

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not

"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not

humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even

humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even

of the sabbath.“

of the sabbath.“

Standard Christian interpretation

Standard Christian interpretation

•

As the divine Son of Man, Jesus was not bound by

As the divine Son of Man, Jesus was not bound by

Jewish sabbath rules.

Jewish sabbath rules.

•

Jesus came to set us free from such rules and

Jesus came to set us free from such rules and

regulations.

regulations.

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

This interpretation is difficult to square with Jesus’ own

This interpretation is difficult to square with Jesus’ own

claim to uphold the Law:

claim to uphold the Law:

Matt 5:17 (Sermon on the Mount)

Matt 5:17 (Sermon on the Mount)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the

prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.

prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.

Mark 7:9

Mark 7:9

You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God

You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God

in order to keep your tradition!

in order to keep your tradition!

Is there an alternative?

Is there an alternative?

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not

"The sabbath was made for humankind, and not

humankind for the sabbath;

humankind for the sabbath;

Interpretation

Interpretation

The sabbath is God’s gracious gift to humanity – so why

The sabbath is God’s gracious gift to humanity – so why

are you corrupting it by forbidding my (hungry) disciples

are you corrupting it by forbidding my (hungry) disciples

from plucking some of the corn?

from plucking some of the corn?

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

1. Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

But what of Jesus’ claim to be “Lord of the sabbath“?

But what of Jesus’ claim to be “Lord of the sabbath“?

Two main possibilities

Two main possibilities

•

As lord of the sabbath, I have the right to decide

As lord of the sabbath, I have the right to decide

whether plucking corn (through hunger) does or does

whether plucking corn (through hunger) does or does

not constitute breaking the sabbath.

not constitute breaking the sabbath.

•

As lord of the sabbath, I have the right to decide

As lord of the sabbath, I have the right to decide

whether plucking corn (through hunger) constitutes a

whether plucking corn (through hunger) constitutes a

temporary suspension 

temporary suspension 

of the sabbath, as when David ate

of the sabbath, as when David ate

of the bread in the house of God.

of the bread in the house of God.

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

Mk 7:18-19

Mk 7:18-19

“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from

“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from

outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the

outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the

stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“ (Thus he declared

stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“ (Thus he declared

all foods clean).

all foods clean).

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

Mk 7:18-19

Mk 7:18-19

“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from

“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from

outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the

outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the

stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“ (Thus he declared

stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“ (Thus he declared

all foods clean).

all foods clean).

Standard Christian interpretation

Standard Christian interpretation

Jesus is saying that food laws concerning what you can

Jesus is saying that food laws concerning what you can

and cannot eat have nothing to do with what God wants –

and cannot eat have nothing to do with what God wants –

which is love for God and neighbour.

which is love for God and neighbour.

In support ...

In support ...

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

It was Paul’s view (Rom 14:1-3)

It was Paul’s view (Rom 14:1-3)

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the

purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in

purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in

eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those

eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those

who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those

who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those

who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for

who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for

God has welcomed them.

God has welcomed them.

•

For Paul, food laws are a matter of indifference and

For Paul, food laws are a matter of indifference and

certainly not binding on Christians.

certainly not binding on Christians.

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

However, this was not the view of Peter (Acts 10:9-14)

However, this was not the view of Peter (Acts 10:9-14)

Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and

Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and

wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared,

wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared,

he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and

he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and

something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered

something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered

to the ground by its four corners.  In it were all kinds of

to the ground by its four corners.  In it were all kinds of

four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then

four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then

he heard a voice saying, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat."  But

he heard a voice saying, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat."  But

Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten

Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten

anything that is profane or unclean."

anything that is profane or unclean."

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

Indeed, Peter and Paul fell out over it (Gal 2:11-14)

Indeed, Peter and Paul fell out over it (Gal 2:11-14)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his

face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain

face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain

people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles.

people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles.

But after they came, he drew back and kept himself

But after they came, he drew back and kept himself

separate for fear of the circumcision faction ...

separate for fear of the circumcision faction ...

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

What are the implications of Peter’s reply: “I have never

What are the implications of Peter’s reply: “I have never

eaten anything that is profane or unclean."

eaten anything that is profane or unclean."

•

At no time in my 3 years with Jesus did I ever break one

At no time in my 3 years with Jesus did I ever break one

of the food laws.

of the food laws.

•

Almost certainly, neither did Jesus (or we would have

Almost certainly, neither did Jesus (or we would have

followed)

followed)

•

The aphorism is not about whether certain foods make a

The aphorism is not about whether certain foods make a

person unclean but whether the contents of their heart

person unclean but whether the contents of their heart

make them unclean.

make them unclean.

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

Mk 7:21-23

Mk 7:21-23

For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil

For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil

intentions come: fornication, theft, murder,  adultery,

intentions come: fornication, theft, murder,  adultery,

avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander,

avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander,

pride, folly.  All these evil things come from within, and

pride, folly.  All these evil things come from within, and

they defile a person.“

they defile a person.“

•

The point is not about which foods defile and which do

The point is not about which foods defile and which do

not; it is about the nature of the human heart.

not; it is about the nature of the human heart.

•

Indeed, we see from the beginning of the story that the

Indeed, we see from the beginning of the story that the

dispute is about hand-washing rituals not food laws.

dispute is about hand-washing rituals not food laws.

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

Mk 7:1-2

Mk 7:1-2

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had

come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed

come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed

that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands,

that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands,

that is, without washing them ... So the Pharisees and the

that is, without washing them ... So the Pharisees and the

scribes asked him, 

scribes asked him, 

"Why do your disciples not live

"Why do your disciples not live

according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled

according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled

hands?“

hands?“

What about the specific statement that Jesus

What about the specific statement that Jesus

declared all foods clean?

declared all foods clean?

2. Jesus and the food laws

2. Jesus and the food laws

“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from

“Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from

outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the

outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the

stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“

stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“

(Thus he declared

(Thus he declared

all foods clean.)

all foods clean.)

•

These are not Jesus’ words.

These are not Jesus’ words.

•

Mark telling his Gentile readers that they do not need to

Mark telling his Gentile readers that they do not need to

take up the food laws because the implication of the

take up the food laws because the implication of the

aphorism is that it is not necessary.

aphorism is that it is not necessary.

•

Mark might be denying the Pharisaic claim that food is

Mark might be denying the Pharisaic claim that food is

made unclean if strict hand-washing rituals are not kept.

made unclean if strict hand-washing rituals are not kept.

Food that the Law says is unclean is simply not in view

Food that the Law says is unclean is simply not in view

(Jesus, the disciples and the Pharisees went nowhere

(Jesus, the disciples and the Pharisees went nowhere

near it).

near it).

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

1 Thess 4:15-16

1 Thess 4:15-16

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we

who are alive, 

who are alive, 

who are left until the coming of the Lord,

who are left until the coming of the Lord,

will by no means precede those who have died. For the

will by no means precede those who have died. For the

Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's

Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's

call and with the sound of God's trumpet, 

call and with the sound of God's trumpet, 

will descend from

will descend from

heaven,

heaven,

 and the dead in Christ will rise first.

 and the dead in Christ will rise first.

•

Paul believed that Jesus would return in cosmic glory

Paul believed that Jesus would return in cosmic glory

and it would happen soon.

and it would happen soon.

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

Acts 1:9-11

Acts 1:9-11

When he had said this, as they were watching, he was

When he had said this, as they were watching, he was

lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  While he

lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  While he

was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,

was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,

suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.  They

suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.  They

said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward

said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward

heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into

heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into

heaven, 

heaven, 

will come in the same way as you saw him go into

will come in the same way as you saw him go into

heaven.“

heaven.“

•

Luke thinks it of in much more concrete terms – he will

Luke thinks it of in much more concrete terms – he will

descend in the same way that he ascended.

descend in the same way that he ascended.

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

Matt 25:14-21

Matt 25:14-21

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves

and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five

and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five

talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to

talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to

his ability. 

his ability. 

Then he went away. 

Then he went away. 

The one who had received the

The one who had received the

five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made

five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made

five more talents ... 

five more talents ... 

After a long time the master of those

After a long time the master of those

slaves came and settled accounts with them. 

slaves came and settled accounts with them. 

Then the one

Then the one

who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five

who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five

more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five

more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five

talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said

talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said

to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have

to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have

been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of

been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of

many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

Christian interpretation

Christian interpretation

•

Jesus is talking about his second coming.

Jesus is talking about his second coming.

•

He is entrusting his future mission to the disciples

He is entrusting his future mission to the disciples

•

When he returns he will call them to account for what they

When he returns he will call them to account for what they

have done.

have done.

•

Those who have been fruitful will be rewarded in heaven.

Those who have been fruitful will be rewarded in heaven.

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

Tom Wright, 

Tom Wright, 

Jesus and the Victory of God

Jesus and the Victory of God

, 1996

, 1996

•

After the exile, the Jews hoped for the coming of God (‘Prepare

After the exile, the Jews hoped for the coming of God (‘Prepare

the way of the Lord – Isa 40:3)

the way of the Lord – Isa 40:3)

•

His Jewish disciples, who had not been taught anything about a

His Jewish disciples, who had not been taught anything about a

‘second coming’ of Jesus, would most naturally interpret the

‘second coming’ of Jesus, would most naturally interpret the

parable in the light of this.

parable in the light of this.

•

God gave Israel the task of being ‘light to the Gentiles’.

God gave Israel the task of being ‘light to the Gentiles’.

•

He has been ‘away’ a long time but as you have been taught,

He has been ‘away’ a long time but as you have been taught,

when he returns, he will demand a reckoning.

when he returns, he will demand a reckoning.

•

The christological element is not about a supposed ‘second

The christological element is not about a supposed ‘second

coming’ but the ‘first coming’.

coming’ but the ‘first coming’.

•

Jesus is claiming that God is present in his ministry, so now is the

Jesus is claiming that God is present in his ministry, so now is the

time of reckoning (‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God

time of reckoning (‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God

has come near; repent, and believe in the good news – Mk 1:15).

has come near; repent, and believe in the good news – Mk 1:15).

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

Tom Wright, 

Tom Wright, 

Jesus and the Victory of God

Jesus and the Victory of God

, 1996

, 1996

•

Wright does not conclude that the ‘second coming’ is an

Wright does not conclude that the ‘second coming’ is an

error.

error.

•

The belief arose in the church after the resurrection.

The belief arose in the church after the resurrection.

•

But it is not what Jesus was talking about in the parable of

But it is not what Jesus was talking about in the parable of

the talents and similar parables.

the talents and similar parables.

What about Jesus’ reply to the High Priest in Mk 14:62?

What about Jesus’ reply to the High Priest in Mk 14:62?

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

Mark 14:60-64

Mark 14:60-64

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus,

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus,

"Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against

"Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against

you?" But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high

you?" But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high

priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed

priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed

One?"  Jesus said, "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man

One?"  Jesus said, "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man

seated at the right hand of the Power,' and 

seated at the right hand of the Power,' and 

'coming with the

'coming with the

clouds of heaven.'" 

clouds of heaven.'" 

 Then the high priest tore his clothes and

 Then the high priest tore his clothes and

said, "Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard his

said, "Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard his

blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of them condemned

blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of them condemned

him as deserving death.

him as deserving death.

Is this not a prophecy of Jesus’ second coming?

Is this not a prophecy of Jesus’ second coming?

3. Jesus and the second coming

3. Jesus and the second coming

'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the

'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the

Power,' and 

Power,' and 

'coming with the clouds of heaven.'“

'coming with the clouds of heaven.'“

•

They will not literally 

They will not literally 

see

see

 Jesus sitting on a chair next to

 Jesus sitting on a chair next to

God – the expression is metaphorical – you will 

God – the expression is metaphorical – you will 

see

see

 means

 means

you will come to realise that I am on God’s side (and you

you will come to realise that I am on God’s side (and you

are not).

are not).

•

Neither will they literally 

Neither will they literally 

see

see

 Jesus ‘riding the clouds’ like

 Jesus ‘riding the clouds’ like

some cosmic jet-ski.

some cosmic jet-ski.

•

The image comes from Dan 7:13, where the ‘son of man’

The image comes from Dan 7:13, where the ‘son of man’

goes 

goes 

to

to

 God ‘with the clouds’ to receive a kingdom.

 God ‘with the clouds’ to receive a kingdom.

•

Both images are about vindication: you are sentencing me

Both images are about vindication: you are sentencing me

to death but you will come to 

to death but you will come to 

see

see

 (ie. acknowledge) that

 (ie. acknowledge) that

God is on my side.

God is on my side.

Reimagining the Jewish Jesus

Reimagining the Jewish Jesus

•

Christian interpretation often focused on how

Christian interpretation often focused on how

Jesus was 

Jesus was 

set apart 

set apart 

from Judaism and founded a

from Judaism and founded a

new religion.

new religion.

•

Today, scholarship is more inclined to try and

Today, scholarship is more inclined to try and

understand Jesus 

understand Jesus 

from within 

from within 

Judaism and

Judaism and

consequently, how and why his followers ended

consequently, how and why his followers ended

up forming a new religion in opposition to the

up forming a new religion in opposition to the

Judaism that was forced to reform after the

Judaism that was forced to reform after the

destruction of Jerusalem.

destruction of Jerusalem.