As Jewish New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine can attest, the New Testament can often seem strange or even offensive to Jews, but with a better understanding of the texts as Jewish literature about Jesus the Jew, both Jews and Christians can gain an appreciation of its deep Jewish context. In this painting of the Sermon on the Mount by Fra Angelico, Rabbi Jesus teaches his disciples. (Scala/Art Resource, NY)
Most Jewish readers approach the New Testament, if they approach it at all, with at best a certain unfamiliarity. This is unfortunate, according to Jewish New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine, for much if not all of the New Testament is Jewish literature. She points out that Jesus the Jew is the first person in recorded history to be called “Rabbi,” and Paul is the only undisputed first-century Pharisee from whom we have written records. Most of the other New Testament writers were also Jewish, writing for a Jewish audience.
Unfortunately, for many who are Jewish, New Testament writings may well leave a first impression of dismay, if not worse. For these readers, a second look is advisable. When the New Testament is understood within its own historical context, not only can Jews recover part of Jewish history, but they can also comprehend the New Testament’s polemics, its assertions of Jesus’ divinity and its claims of fulfilled prophecy.
The Galilee is one of the most evocative locales in the New Testament—the area where Jesus was raised and where many of the Apostles came from. Our free eBook, The Galilee Jesus Knew, focuses on several aspects of Galilee: how Jewish the area was in Jesus’ time, the ports and the fishing industry that were so central to the region, and several sites where Jesus likely stayed and preached.
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Amy-Jill Levine’s fine article will help all of us to understand that Jesus had come to the Jews, to set up the kingdom that the prophets had spoken of. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10: 5-7). In Acts 9:15 the resurrected Lord describes Saul (Paul) as “…a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel…”. Now there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile! “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…” (Ephesians 2: 14).
Maybe I’m confused but I understood the term “Rabbi” to date back to the Maccabean Revolt…over 100 years before Jesus was even born.
Also, Josephus would be as “undisputed” as Paul and he also claimed to be Pharisee. His works are well preserved. I’m sure there are more works as well but Josephus just comes to mind.
And the New Testament doesn’t “often identify” Jews as the enemy. When the term is used negatively it is almost always referring to the Jewish leadership (but not even all them are seen as the enemy…Jairus, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea).
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