Jesus the Jew

*I know this is an extremely old article [I dug it out of the back of my closet} but it is well worth the read.

Jesus was a committed Jew of his day. And to truly understand Jesus, we need a solid background in Jewish religious, social, and political history.

Jesus, a rural Jew, lived in Galilee, in the northern part of Palestine. And in Jesus day, Galilee was divided into an upper and lower region. The lower region, where Jesus lived was a rich valley that stretched from the Mediterranean to the sea of Galilee, a distance of about 25 miles.

As far as we know, in Jesus' time there were four principle Jewish sects: The Essenes, the Zealots, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees.

The Essenes, whose name may come from an Arabaic word meaning "pious," had already withdrawn from Jerusalem and Temple participation by the time of Jesus. In isolated monastic communities established in the Judean wilderness, they studied scriptures and developed a rule of life. Essenes were known for their piety--daily prayer, prayer before and after meals, strict observation of the Sabbath, daily ritual bathing, emphasis on chastity and celibacy, wearing white robes as a symbol of spiritual purity, and sharing communal meals and property. Nowhere in the Gospels, however, is Jesus presented as adhering to the Essenes way of life.

Jesus was not a zealot either. Zealots were Jews who vehemently opposed the Roman occupation of Palestine. But there is no evidence in any of Jesus' teachings that he encouraged revolt against Rome.

Jesus also was clearly set apart from the Sadducees, whose name in Hebrew means "Righteous ones." These Jews believed in a strict interpretation of the Torah and did not believe in life after death. Jesus, of course believed in bodily resurrection (Mark 12:18-27)

Contrary to common understanding, Jesus may well have been close to the Pharisees, even if he did debate them vigorously. Many of Jesus' teachings and much of his style was similar to theirs. To understand this, we need to compare the central teachings of the Pharisees to Jesus' teachings.

The Pharisees were a lay reform group within Judaism. The name Pharisee itself means "separate ones" in Hebrew, which refers to a ritual observance of purity and tithing; the word Pharisee can also be translated as "The interpreter," referring to this group's unique interpretation of Hebrew scripture.

As reformers, the Pharisees did not oppose Roman occupation; rather their focus was on reforming the temple, especially with respect to its liturgical practices and priests. And the Pharisees turned their attention toward strengthening Jewish devotion to the Torah, which, they said, had to be continually readjusted within the framework of the contemporary Jewish community. While the Pharisees insisted that the 613 commandments found in the written Torah remained in effect, the commandments had to be carefully rethought in light of new human needs.

The temple priests, though, looked upon the precepts of the Torah more literally and primarily in terms of sacrificial observances at the Temple. The Pharisees, on the other hand, taught that every ordinary human action could become sacred--an act of worship. Doing a "good deed" for another human, a "mitzvah" in Hebrew, was accorded a status that in some ways, surpassed Temple worship. This was truly a revolution in religious thinking.

In addition, a new religious figure in Judaism--the teacher--or Rabbi--emerged within the Pharisaic movement. For their part, rabbis fulfilled a twofold role in the community: They served as interpreters of the Torah and, more importantly, they helped make its teachings relevant. Their principle task was instructional, not liturgical.

From the Pharisaic reform emerged what was later called the synagogue ("assembly of people"). The synagogue became the center of this movement, which quickly spread throughout Palestine and the cities of Jewish Diaspora. Unlike the Jerusalem Temple, the synagogues were not places where priests presided and sacrifices were offered; rather they were places where the Torah was studied, rabbis offered interpretations, and prayers were said. Thus, synagogues became not merely "houses of God" but far more "houses of the people of God."

The Pharisee also emphasized table fellowship--a way of strengthening relationships within a community. In the eyes of the Pharisees, the Temple altar in Jerusalem could be replicated at every table in the household of Israel. A quiet but far reaching reform was at hand. There was no longer any basis for assigning to the priestly class a unique level of authority.

The Pharisees saw God not only as creator, giver of the Covenant, and much more, but in a special way, as the Parent of each individual. Everyone had the right to address God in a direct and personal way, not simply through the temple sacrifices offered by the priests.

The Pharisees also believed in resurrection. Those whose lives were marked by justice would rise once the Messiah had come. Then they would enjoy perpetual union with God.

There is little doubt, then, that Jesus and the Pharisees shared many central convictions. The first was their basic approach to God as a parent figure. In story after story in the Gospels, Jesus addresses God in this way. And Jesus' central prayer begins by invoking God as "Our Father" (Matt. 6: 9-13). The effect of this emphasis was fundamentally the same for Jesus as for the Pharisees (although Jesus had a unique position as God's "Only begotten Son"). More than anything, this approach led to both an enhanced appreciation of the dignity of every person and ultimately to the notion of resurrection--and perpetual union with God.

Jesus' own public stance closely paralleled the evolving role of the Pharisaic teacher. Jesus on a number of occasions in the Gospels are filled with examples of Jesus teaching in synagogues.

Jesus clearly picked up on another central feature of Pharisaism as well, that of the oral Torah, which refers to interpretations given by the Pharisees to various Torah texts. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus offers interpretations of Scripture quite similar to those of the Pharisees.

Finally, Jesus also embraced the table fellowship notion of Pharisaism. The meal narratives in the New Testament are an example of this. In the end, He selected table fellowship for a critical of his ministry, the celebration of the first Eucharist.

Then why, in the Gospels, do the Pharisees appear as the archenemies of Jesus? Here is gets complicated. For one thing, some Pharisees were praised by Jesus (for example the scribe of Mark 12:32). And we know that Jesus ate with Pharisees (Luke 7:36; 14:1).

But there was still conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus, nevertheless. And here scholarship offers three possible explanations.

The first sees Jesus and his teachings as quite similar to the Pharisees. The animosity in the Gospel results from subsequent interpretations of Jesus' action. For example, Jesus' practicing healing on the Sabbath or his disciples picking grain in the holy day were actions clearly not supported by the Pharisees.

Another possible explanation results from our enhanced understanding of the Talmud, the collected teachings of the Pharisees and their rabbinic heirs. In the Talmud are references to some seven categories of Pharisees, which clearly shows that the Pharisaical movement encompassed a wide range of viewpoints and, more important, that internal disputes, often of the heated variety, were quite common. The Gospel portraits of Jesus disputing with the "Pharisees" were examples of "hot debates" that were common in the Pharisaic circles rather than examples of Jesus condemning the Pharisees.

A third scholarly approach stresses positive connection between Jesus' central teachings and those of the Pharisees. In light of these, one becomes suspicious about the so-called texts of conflict. Surely Jesus would not denounce a movement with which he had so much in common.

Hence, either Jesus was speaking in a very limited context, or what are commonly called "the conflict stories" represent religious tensions existing in the latter part of the first century when the gospels were written. The Christian community--now formally expelled from the synagogues--was engaged in intense competition for Jewish converts. The New Testament statements about conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees may reflect that competition.

Regardless, one fact remains. Jesus' own Bible was the Hebrew Scriptures. His attitude toward the sacred writings is summed up in the assertion "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish the Law but fulfill (Matt. 5:17).

On the whole, Jesus' teachings were wither literally biblical or filtered through the Pharisaic use of the scripture, or both.

The way the Pharisee and Jesus used the Hebrew Scriptures becomes more clear when Jesus argues his position by using so-called "proof-texts." Here, Jesus quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures to prove a point or refute a critic (See the Sermon on the Mount Matt 5, 6, & 7). In such instances, Jesus was drawing on a technique used by the Pharisees in trying to make a point.

The "Proof-Texting" that Jesus used did, at times, pit him against the Pharisees--such as when He challenged certain claims they made about the unwritten law and called them hypocrites for placing higher value on teachings of humans than of God (Matt. 23: 1-36).; such as when He used scripture to refute the Pharisaic teachings about plucking grain on the Sabbath (Matt 12: 1-8). or unwashed hands (Matt. 15:20).

At other times though, Jesus' "proof-texting" placed him on the side of the Pharisees. Once in an impressive debate with the Saduccees, He used Hebrew scripture to reinforce his belief, and that oft he Pharisees, in an afterlife. Jesus was so impressive he won the Pharisees' applause (Matt. 22: 23-33).

Possibly the best example we have of Jesus' use of Hebrew Scriptures is his teaching on love. "Teacher," one Pharisee asked, "which commandment is greatest?" And Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronamy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment" (Matt. 22: 36-39). Them Jesus went on quoting Leviticus 19:18, "The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In brief, Jesus was proof-texting his answer.

Jesus' use of the Hebrew Scriptures, therefore, was unabashedly Jewish. And it was similar to that of his contemporaries, particularly the philosophy of the Pharisees.

Knowing and appreciating the Jewish origins has at least three advantages: First, it helps us revise negative understandings of the Pharisees. It also helps us to avoid anti-Semitism. Finally, it allows us to better appreciate the Jewish roots of Christianity. Ultimately, understanding Jesus as a Jew will help us to better understand both our own faith and that of the contemporary Jews.

Jesus was NOT a jew....He was a Hebrew!!!! Please please stop with the doctrines and traditions of man. The jews are a mix of the babylon race and the hebrew race, Jesus did not come from a mix therefore He is Hebrew not a jew.

Uh, yeah, whatever dude. Do you even know the derivation of the word "Jew"?

Doing a "good deed" for another human, a "mitzvah" in Hebrew, was accorded a status that in some ways, surpassed Temple worship. This was truly a revolution in religious thinking.

Trying to earn ones way into heaven was hardly a revolutionary or new idea. People have been trying to do this from the beginning of time.

What did you think about the comparisons in faith in the article? Clearly, it is a well thought out piece that uses scriptural reference against Pharasaic tradition. You also have several Jews on the thread who stated the info was correct. I think the case is well made that Jesus indeed was unabashedly Jewish and respected his roots and Law.

Regardless, to go back to the first question you asked me, I still feel we have a moral obligation to stand up for and defend Jews and Israel. There are a lot of people on the forum--not just non-believers, but Catholics and Protestants, who think that the Jews are nothing but a bunch of communists of the bolshevik stripe and that the Israeli government is full of the same.

I would argue that even if that were the case it doesn't matter because there will always be the group of people, however small, that are God fearing and who love God. It is quite clear in Matthew 1:1 that God chose to send the Messiah through the genealogical line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, we can't turn our backs on them. Its wrong to do so. That is my only point.

I guess if you only look at that statement and then try to say that doing good deeds is the only reason for the author saying the pharisaical movement is revolutionary, you might see it that way. I took him to meant the previous 4 or 5 paragraphs also.

As to the generations, if one is into numerology one can find some significance in 3 sets of 14, where generation has the value 14 and David also has the value 14. 14 must mean something, although I don't know what, and there is the 3 which might refer to the Trinity. The prophet said the virgin would name the child Emmanuel, but Mary named the child Jesus. There are also a set of minor characters in the Gospels that I have been wondering about. They include Lazarus, Salome, John the Baptist, Magdalene, and Simon Magus. Also, what was Peter's problem with Magdalene? Don't forget the 3 wise men whom some claim to be Persian but could just as easily be Egyptian. Where did the multitude that Jesus fed come from just after John's death? There are a lot of hints and gaps, which is probably what Mohammed seized upon to promulgate his own version of religion, not to mention the Cathars, Manichaeans, and who knows what other heresies and Gnostics.

There is a big problem these days, and we better get our Christianity straight or this Pagan religion of bin Laden is going to be in our face for some time to come.

Paul says there was only one promised seed made to Abraham, and not seeds (v.16).

Paul was wrong. Can you even tell me what passage from Genesis Paul was referring to in Galatians 3:16?

Abraham was justified solely by his faith, and before the law was given at Sinai.

So Abraham really didn't need to circumcise himself and his sons, did he? Nor did he have to follow the commands given to Noah.

The Israelites have no temple, they have no priesthood, and therefore they have no sacrifice for their sins.

How, exactly, do you think that Israel obtained forgiveness for sin in the time between the first and second temples? You really have no understanding of the Jewish concept of qorbanot (sacrifice), what its purpose was, and what it accomplished.

Was Jesus a Jew? It's immaterial.

Sez you. I think the claim that Jesus was the messiah, and that Christians seek to prove this claim by (mis)using the Hebrew scriptures, prove rather conclusively that it is a material question. If Jesus isn't Jewish, then he sure as heck ain't the messiah. You can kiss the Christian grounding in Jewish scripture and prophecy goodbye.

and actually I don't think any of the Gospels say "3 wise men" ... 3 are assumed because of the number of gifts ... it could have been any number of 2 or more ... take a look ... it's a bit surprising ... FReegards ...

Bobby

http://www.SufferingMessiah.Com/welcome.htm

Matthew 23
¹ Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,²saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.³Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do."

Matthew 5
¹⁷ "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.¹⁸For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.¹⁹Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.²⁰For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

Trying to earn ones way into heaven was hardly a revolutionary or new idea. People have been trying to do this from the beginning of time.

Contrary to popular opinion, Jews do not perform mitzvot to try to earn our way into heaven. We do it it out of love and obedience to God and His Law.

Fine, but did you read the entire article or did you only make it half-way through? It discuss that which you posted in regard to why the opinion is held that the Pharisees are considered the archenemy in the New Testament. I thought it did a good job explaining. And if Jesus isn't close to the Pharisees in his teaching styles, which one of the other sects do you consider him to be?

Nationality is not a property of God. Jesus was God's manifestation in a human body. The nationality of that body didn't transfer to God.

Considering that Jews aren't following Christian beliefs, I find it amusing that the rantings of the so-called "Bible-believing" Christians who see the modern Israel as something special and pledge allegiance to Israel, are quoted lovingly by the Israel-first contingent. It's like quoting something people don't believe in when it suits them.

I think the claim that Jesus was the messiah, and that Christians seek to prove this claim by (mis)using the Hebrew scriptures, prove rather conclusively that it is a material question. If Jesus isn't Jewish, then he sure as heck ain't the messiah. You can kiss the Christian grounding in Jewish scripture and prophecy goodbye.

This is an important political/historical source of religious-based Christian antisemitism. Jews, as keepers and expert interpreters of their own sacred books in the original language, rejected the Christian theological textual basis for the claimed messianic nature of Jesus. It was awkward to claim that Jewish scripture supported something that Jews could explain it didn't.

It was important to Him to say that he didn't come to change Jewish Law but fulfill it.

The Jews didn't follow Jesus, and aren't going to. In fact, they take offence at the conversion attempts and are actively opposing it and assimilation. What Jesus hoped would be continuation of the Jewish Law, didn't come to be.

He was showing respect for a beliefs system he abided by-- and that is good enough for me.

I am glad for you. Continue your prayers for the state of Israel and leave us sane Christians alone :)

Nationality is not a property of God.

Hold on there, cowboy, I agreed with you on this.

I find it amusing that the rantings of the so-called "Bible-believing" Christians who see the modern Israel as something special and pledge allegiance to Israel, are quoted lovingly by the Israel-first contingent. It's like quoting something people don't believe in when it suits them.

You are free to be amused by whatever you like. I'm sure Israel appreciates their support. You don't have to agree with someone 100% in order to be friends with them.

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