Because our faith is based upon a historical figure for whom more evidence exists than for
Julius Caesar. Christians, Jews, journalists, theologians, historians and sceptics all take an active
interest in every archaeological or manuscript discovery that might shed light or doubt on the
origins of our faith. We, too, must be armed with these facts to confirm our faith and equip
ourselves with reasons for the faith we hold in order to answer enquirers (1 Peter 3.15).
During the 1990s many articles have been published identifying Jesus as a Jew(1), a Christian(2),
an Essene(3), a politically correct socialist(4), a Buddhist(5) and most recently a Freemason!(6) In
March-April 1996 alone several articles in major newspapers and periodicals were published
concerning the historical figure of Jesus. Many of these covered the recent find(7) of inscribed
burial caskets from the 1st century. In one tomb were found the names of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph, another Mary (suggested to be Mary Magdalene), a Matthew and a Juda son of Jesus.
Inevitably this led to speculation that Jesus had not been raised from the dead which was in
contrast to a survey(8) that showed that half of Britain still believed in the resurrection, more than
4 times the adult church-going population! TIMEmagazine recently(9) ran a cover story entitled
"The Search for Jesus . . . What are Christians to believe?" In these pages we will do just that,
search for the real Jesus, the 'Christian' God and Jewish man "in one agreed."
The Bible itself has a high view of literal historical narrative, all of it was written for our
instruction (Romans 15.4; 1 Corinthians 10.11), therefore we can be instructed out of the
historical life of Jesus as much as from his definitive theological statements about God. We will
derive faith from history rather than divide faith from history.
Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith
"The only Jesus most people want is the mythic one. They don't want the real Jesus. They want the one they can worship. The cultic Jesus." (10)
One problem of past and present has been the division between faith and history, between the
divine and the man, between worship and apologetic. Very often people are not interested in the
Jesus of history, the so-called 'real Jesus' but they are content with the one they have come to
worship even if the resemblance is distorted, exaggerated or quite different altogether. I, myself,
have always been curious by the lack of comment or quotation from the life of the earthly Jesus
within the writings of the New Testament epistles. The gospels are bursting at the seams with
facts about Jesus' ministry yet Paul prefers to concentrate on the risen Christ and virtually ignore
his human lifespan and teaching. It is no wonder that some have mischievously or sceptically
claimed that Paul turned the brand of Judaism that Jesus taught into a new religion: Christianity.
As a result sceptics, scholars and the odd firm believer have sought to uncover the historical
Jesus from the ecclesiological wrapping in which he is now presented and worshipped. Some of
the plainest facts have proven to be the most shocking or surprising, but first an overview of the
so-called 'quests' to find Jesus.
The Second Quest revived the so-called 'problem' in Ernst Käsemann's 1953 lecture: 'The
Problem of the Historical Jesus'. Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Rudolf Bultmann and others had
accepted Kähler's conclusion that faith could not depend on the historical Christ since "we can
now know almost nothing concerning the life and personality of Jesus".(13) Käsemann responded
to Bultmann and suggested that information about the historial Jesus could be dug out from the
gospels through critical analysis such as form criticism. During the 50s and 60s one aberration of
true theological and historical inquiry was the premise that authentic and original Jesus material
was to be found not in its faithfulness to his Jewish context but in its 'dissimilarity'! The
paradox is that about 90% or more of Jesus' sayings are parallelled in contemporary Jewish
teaching. This leaves just 10% for the real Jesus. This is exactly the Jesus that the Professor
Funk's Jesus Seminar have embraced, ". . . way less than 25% of the words attributed to Jesus
were his".(14) Their method (if it could be called that) is to 'vote' on Jesus' sayings to determine
their authenticity, allotting them different coloured counters or beads according to what extent
they 'sound like Jesus'. Were they there? The gospel writers were! Out of the Jesus Seminar two
adherents Burton Mack and Dominic Crossan have promoted Jesus as 'wandering cynic
preacher', a stoic Greek philosopher who gathered disciples around himself. The rejection of
Jesus as a Jewish teacher wrenching him from his context inevitably leads to bland assertions
that he was heavily influenced by Greek thought. Arguably Crossan sees Jesus as a Jewish form
of cynic or gnostic philosopher but for Mack the least Jewish parts of the gospels are the most
authentic.
The Third Quest has been so named since perhaps the 70s and overlaps with that above. One
early distinction was the involvement of Jewish scholars also attempting to reclaim or recover the
historical Jesus. Geza Vermes' book Jesus the Jew was provocative in its title alone - although
what could be more undeniable than Jesus' Jewishness? Hyam Maccoby (and S.Brandon)
promoted Jesus as a Jewish revolutionary whilst Vermes saw him as a Galilean Hasid, at least
accepting some of the miraculous as a defining characteristic of this type of Jewish 'holy man'.
More recently in the 90s the lapsed believer A.N.Wilson has followed Vermes' work. From a
Jewish understanding E.P Sanders has also written putting Jesus into his Jewish context,
harmonising and explaining apparent conflicts with the Pharisees. Other Jewish angles have seen
Jesus as an Essene, a Prophet, a Pharisee, a Rabbi and more - whilst these are radical the simple
assertion that Jesus was a Jew still proves the most controversial.
Jesus the Jew?
'Jesus the Jew', or the 'Jewish Jesus', has proved to be a controversial and offensive statement for
something so apparently obvious. However, Gentile prejudice has not only made Jesus out to be
a Western Christian, but also white, blond, blue eyed and on Hollywood's casting list. The Jewish
scholar, Geza Vermes, was reprimanded by the chaplaincy at an English University for
suggesting that Jesus was a Jew. American films have had the phrase, "Moses was an Hebrew,
Jesus was a Christian". Friedrich Delitzsch (son of Franz, the evangelical scholar) said Jesus
was a Gentile. Another German, Queen Victoria's grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II, accepted the
Germanophile Houston Stewart Chamberlain's idea that Jesus was an Aryan.(15) Pre-Hitler
anti-Semitism was rife in England and Germany at the end of the nineteenth century. In the
middle of this century Pope Pius XII and the Catholic church said little or nothing about the
holocaust and a Catholic theologian(16)proclaimed that Jesus was a Gentile based upon the
immaculate conception of Mary because his "mother Mary had no physical and moral connection
with those ugly dispositions and powers which we condemn in those who are full-blooded
Jews".(17) The most recent definition to come out is that of the 1993 edition New Shorter Oxford
English Dictionary which redresses the balance and calls Jesus a "Jewish preacher", though this
caused an outcry and a member of the General Synod described this as "a rather derogatory
term".(18)
From the Jewish side comes the affirmation that, "Jesus . . . never wished to see his fellow Jews
change one iota of their traditional faith. He himself remained an Orthodox Jew to his last
moment".(19) So was Jesus an exemplary orthodox Jew and did he want them to change their
faith?
Even as a Jew, "the cumulative effect of reading his words is to be confronted by a wholly
distinctive view and voice - distinctively Jewish, distinctively of its time, but distinctive".(20)
Jesus was raised a Jew
From his birth, as is indicated by his very Jewish genealogy, Jesus was raised a Jew. He was
circumcised the eighth day (Luke 2.21), bore a common Jewish name, Yeshua, 'he [God] saves'
(Matthew 1.21). In fact, Yeshua was the fifth most common Jewish name, 4 out of the 28 Jewish
High-Priests in Jesus' time were called Yeshua. Joseph was the second most common male name
and Mary the most common amongst women, this in itself is sufficient evidence to throw doubt
on the recently found tomb of 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph', as it is like finding the gravestone of Mr
and Mrs John Smith! In passing, it is worth noting that we do not know for sure if Jesus was born
in a stable surrounded by animals, only that he was laid in a feed trough. In fact, Justin Martyr(21)
in the middle of the 2nd century said that it was in a cave that Jesus was born owing to their
being "no room at the inn" (Luke 2.7). That this story was widely believed (e.g., by Origen and
the Apocryphal gospels) is evident from the fact the Constantine had a church built on the site of
the cave in the 4th century.
After his birth, Jesus was presented to the Lord in the Jerusalem temple (Luke 2.22; cf.
Deuteronomy 18.4; Exodus 13.2,12,15) according to Mary's period of uncleanness (Leviticus
12.2-8). A sacrifice was offered for him - a pair of doves and 2 young pigeons - which indicated
that his family were not wealthy (Leviticus 12.2,6,8; Luke 2.22-24). Thus Jesus was raised
according to the law (Luke 2.39).
Jesus the Carpenter?
Recently, a Jesuit lecturer has painted Jesus as a "successful builder" and "relatively well off"(22)
but others before have tried to suggest that Joseph's carpentry firm was more than a simple
workshop. These vain attempts to raise Jesus above the level of a humble carpenter are futile
since we know that his parents were not well off. As cited above they offered the poor man's
sacrifice at Jesus' birth - a pair of doves and 2 young pigeons - (Leviticus 12.2,6,8; Luke
2.22-24).
But where do we get the idea from that Jesus himself was a carpenter? Another myth perhaps?
Significant manuscripts of Mark support Matthew 13.55 which only describes Jesus as "son of
the carpenter"not as the "carpenter, son of Mary". Indeed, the early 3rd century church writer
Origen(23)writes against Celsus' assertion that Jesus was a mere carpenter, that "in none of the
Gospels current in the churches is Jesus Himself ever described as being a carpenter".(24) This is
still a widely debated topic(25), however Geza Vermes(26) highlights an Aramaic use of the term
carpenter/craftsman (naggar) to metaphorically describe a 'scholar' or 'learned man'.
Nevertheless, the majority of wandering rabbis had a trade to support their learning and teaching
and there is no reason to doubt that carpentry may have been that of Jesus. Although Origen
dismisses Jesus' role as carpenter, the earlier church writer Justin(27) cites it, he says that "He was
considered to be the son of Joseph the carpenter; and He appeared without comeliness, as the
Scriptures declared; and He was deemed a carpenter (for He was in the habit of working as a
carpenter when among men, making ploughs and yokes; by which He taught the symbols of
righteousness and an active life)".
Jesus and Jewish Education
During the so-called 'missing years' filled in by spurious apocryphal gospels, Jesus undoubtedly
received a Jewish education perhaps along these lines: "at 5 years of age" he would be "ready for
the study of the written Torah(28), at 10 years of age for the study of the Oral Torah, . . . at 20 for
pursuing a vocation, at 30 for entering one's full vigour".(29) Interestingly, Jesus did just that,
entering his ministry at about 30 years of age. Also at 30 a Jewish father might publicly declare
his son to be the inheritor of all that he had, or an adopted son in his place. The voice that spoke
out of heaven at Jesus' baptism (Luke 3.22) was God declaring Jesus to be His true son and
inheritor.
The Jews of Jesus' era were world innovators in comprehensive universal education(30). The
majority, if not all, were taught to read and write. The philosopher Seneca remarked that the Jews
were the only people who knew the reasons for their religious faith, something which the apostle
Peter continued to commend (1 Peter 3.15). We often reflect on how Christianity was the
initiator behind much of our modern education system, yet that motivation derives from its
Jewish educational foundations.
The remark of a contemporary Jewish Rabbi was that education began at 6 and from then on we
"stuff him [with Scriptural teaching] like an ox".(31) Jesus only needed to hint at Scriptural verses
for his hearers to recollect the whole contexts in their minds. Their minds worked like Strong's
Concordances. The Scriptural knowledge of most Jewish children then would have surpassed
that of most church leaders now, nevertheless it was faith and application that God was looking
for. Lessons began with the book of Leviticus(32) at age 5 or 6 and progressed onward. Higher
education began at 15 when one would embark on theological discussion with learned teachers or
Rabbis.(33)
By the age of 12 we know that Jesus was growing in understanding as he was found in the temple
precincts "both listening and asking questions" (Luke 2.46). The contemporary method of
teaching included questioning to elicit intelligent responses, so Jesus' asking of questions may
not have been just to obtain knowledge but also to teach it, indeed "they were astonished at his
understanding and answers".
Memorisation was the chief technique of learning. Hence, why Jesus' followers were able to
reproduce his teachings so accurately when they were later written down as our gospels. Given
this fact, it means that we can have faith in the accurate transmission of Jesus' teachings. We
know from early church records that Matthew's was the earliest gospel and that it was written in
Hebrew. Jesus himself must have taught in Hebrew (as all rabbis did) as he says that "not one
yodh or little horn(34)shall pass away from the law" (Matthew 5.18) referring to the smallest
Hebrew letter yodh and the small hook or serif on others. Our Greek gospels are translations
themselves of Jesus' Hebrew teachings and possibly too of an original Hebrew gospel of
Matthew(35).
The study of Greek in Palestine in Jesus' day was not encouraged, although it was a necessity of
daily life in the diaspora lands outside of Palestine. Greek philosophy was equally deprecated in
Palestine. Early church theologians were later to remark "what has Athens to do with
Jerusalem"(36)decrying Greek thinking synthesis with Christian doctrine. It is unfortunate in the
least that even in the church New Testament Greek is studied in preference to Hebrew and the
Greek classics instead of Jewish writings such as the Talmud and Mishnah.
Two rabbinic stories give a flavour of the Palestinian attitude towards Greek:
A Rabbi wrote "There were a 1000 pupils in my father's school, of whom 500 studied Torah and 500 studied Greek philosophy; and of the latter none are left but myself and my nephew"(37)
"A Rabbi asked 'since I have learnt the whole of Torah may I now study Greek philosophy?'", the reply came "'This book of Torah shall not depart out of your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night (Joshua 1.8)', 'now go and search out at which hour it is neither day nor night and devote it to the study of Greek philosophy'"(38)
Access to copies of the Hebrew Scriptures was virtually universal via the synagogues and
schools. In addition, every household might purchase one scroll or another according to their
wealth. However, it was unlawful to make copies of small portions out of context through fear of
transmission of error. Exceptions were made for certain passages though: Genesis 1-9 (the
history of the world from creation to the flood); Leviticus 1-9; Numbers 1-10.35. Since Scripture
was memorised from youth these manuscripts were luxuries rather than essential.
Given all of this we can see that Jesus did not have supernatural help in learning his Scripture but
being a man he learnt it as any other Jewish boy, as an example to us all. Recollect Timothy who
had known the Scriptures (the Old Testament) from his childhood and which were able to make
him wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3.15).
Outward form!
On the outside Jesus even looked like a Jew. Certainly, being faithful to the Law, he wore the
tsîtsith('tassel', Numbers 15.37-41; Matthew 9.20; 14.36; Luke 8.44; in English these are obvious
by the translations 'hem' or 'fringe of his garment' which the crowds were keen to touch in order
to be healed).
He may also have worn the tephillin ('phylacteries', Deuteronomy 6.8), small boxes bound to arm
and head containing the Scriptural verses: Exodus 13.1-16, Deuteronomy 6.4-9 and 11.13-21.
Jesus only criticised the exaggerating of these for ostentatious exhibitionism (Matthew 23.5), a
practice also condemned by later rabbis. Conventionally, these were meant to be discreet and the
arm one was invisible under clothing. A rabbinic source suggests that the head one should only
be worn in Winter under a head band and not in Summer when it would have been conspicuous.
Actually, Edersheim(39) thinks it unlikely that Jesus wore them, the practice was not universal in
Jesus' time and not literally required from a reading of Deuteronomy 6.8.
Religious attendance
Every year, (perhaps the family was prospering or were particularly dutiful for most only went up
to Jerusalem occasionally) Jesus' family went up to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (Pesach)
(Luke 2.41-43) a tradition which Jesus continued (John 12.12; Mark 14.12-26). Jesus also kept
Tabernacles (Sukkôth, 'booths') (John 7.1-39). John 10.22-23 may also indicate that Jesus
celebrated the Hanukkah festival which commemorated the 2nd century B.C. rededication of the
Temple under the Maccabees.
"As was his custom" he also attended synagogue every sabbath (Luke 4.16) even during his
travelling ministry (Mark 1.39; Matthew 4.23; 9.35; Luke 4.15,16-27,44).
Religious observance
In tithing, fasting and almsgiving he was totally Jewish. Although he opposed excessive worrying
about the minutiae of tithing "mint, dill and cumin" (Matthew 23.23) he still argued that the
crowds and his disciples should do as the scribes and Pharisees said (Matthew 23.3; "but not as
they do"!). In fact the law only specified tithing of grain, wine, oil and livestock.(40)
Jesus said grace, or rather a blessing, before and/or after meals (Deuteronomy 8.10; Matthew
6.41; 26.26 and Luke 24.30 which is post resurrection; cf. Didache 10.1). The object of the
blessing was not the food but God, when the New Testament inserts 'it' or 'the bread' in such
verses it is not found in the Greek. It was inconceivable that a Jew would bless the object and not
the originator/creator. The traditional blessing is:
"Barukh attah 'Adonai 'elohenu Melekh ha-olam ha-motsi lechem meen ha-arets"
"Blessed are You, our Lord God, King of the Ages/Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth"
In every respect, therefore, Jesus was a Jew, and was not ashamed to call himself one:
"we know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews" (John 4.22)
Copyright © 1998 Jonathan Went. Used by permission.
Jonathan Went teaches at Christ for England Bible School and tutors Hebrew privately and by correspondence. He is a graduate of University College London. He has studied theology with London Bible College and is researching a PhD on the Hebrew nature of man. He resides in Norwich, England.
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Ernst Käsemann, lecture: 'The Problem of the Historical Jesus', 1953
Günther Bornkamm, Jesus of Nazereth, 1956/60
James M. Robinson, A New Quest of the Historical Jesus, 1959
Jeremias, Joachim, The Problem of the Historical Jesus, Fortress Press, 1964
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D.Flusser, Jesus, Herder & Herder, New York, 1969
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Wilson, A.N., Jesus, Sinclair Stevenson, 1992
Barbara Thiering, Jesus the Man, Doubleday, 1992
Wright, N.T., Who was Jesus?, SPCK, 1992
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W. Hamilton's Quest for the Post-Historical Jesus
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Notes
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Karl Adam from Tubingen; cf. Küng, Judaism 17. 18. 19. 20. A.N.Wilson, Jesus, Sinclair Stevenson, 1992, p.68 21. 22. The Times, November 12 1997 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. Mishnah, Aboth, 5.21 34. This is the literal meaning of keraia the Greek word here 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.