The Historical Jesus and the Temple: Memory, Methodology, and the Gospel of Matthew

Michael Patrick Barber examines the role of the Jerusalem temple in the teaching of the historical Jesus, arguing that Jesus did not reject its validity but likely participated in and endorsed its rites. He locates Jesus' teaching within Jewish apocalyptic eschatology and highlights new developments in scholarship on the Gospel of Matthew to show that its Jewish perspective offers valuable clues about Jesus' outlook.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In his book, Michael Patrick Barber delves into the intricate relationship between the Jerusalem temple and the teaching of the historical Jesus. Drawing upon recent discussions in Jesus studies regarding methodology and memory research, Barber presents a novel approach to reconstructing Jesus' teachings. He argues that while Jesus may have had critiques of certain temple practices, he did not reject the temple's validity altogether. Instead, Barber suggests that Jesus likely participated in and endorsed certain rituals within the temple. Moreover, he locates Jesus' teaching within the context of Jewish apocalyptic eschatology, demonstrating that Jesus' message about the coming kingdom and the role of his disciples played a significant part in temple and priestly traditions that have been overlooked by previous scholars. Barber further highlights recent developments in scholarship on the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing that its Jewish perspective provides valuable insights into the concerns that would have shaped Jesus' outlook. This book represents a bold and pioneering contribution to Jesus scholarship, challenging prevailing narratives and shedding light on the rich tapestry of Jesus' life and teachings.

In his book, Michael Patrick Barber delves into the intricate relationship between the Jerusalem temple and the teaching of the historical Jesus. Drawing upon recent discussions in Jesus studies regarding methodology and memory research, Barber presents a novel approach to reconstructing Jesus' teachings. He argues that while Jesus may have had critiques of certain temple practices, he did not reject the temple's validity altogether. Instead, Barber suggests that Jesus likely participated in and endorsed certain rituals within the temple. Moreover, he locates Jesus' teaching within the context of Jewish apocalyptic eschatology, demonstrating that Jesus' message about the coming kingdom and the role of his disciples played a significant part in temple and priestly traditions that have been overlooked by previous scholars. Barber further highlights recent developments in scholarship on the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing that its Jewish perspective provides valuable insights into the concerns that would have shaped Jesus' outlook. This book represents a bold and pioneering contribution to Jesus scholarship, challenging prevailing narratives and shedding light on the rich tapestry of Jesus' life and teachings.

Weight: 638g
Dimension: 235 x 160 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009210850