Jesus and His Jewish Influences

By: Jodi Magness, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jodi Magness

Jesus - a Jewish man from first-century Judea - was perhaps the most influential person in world history. His life and beliefs sparked a movement that influenced the course of global civilization, and his teachings gave rise to a faith currently practiced by over two billion people around the world. And yet, as revolutionary and lasting as his ideas are, few of us think to ask: Where did they come from?

It's important to realize that Jesus' actions and teachings didn't emerge from a vacuum. Rather, they were the products of a fascinating dialogue with - and reaction to - the traditions, cultures, and historical developments of ancient Jewish beliefs. In search of a more complete comprehension of Jesus' legacy, this course explores fundamental questions such as: How was early Judaism different from the Rabbinic Judaism practiced today? What kind of world did early Jewish sects envision, and how does Jesus' worldview relate to theirs? How did events like the Babylonian exile and the reign of Herod the Great affect the development of Judaism up to Jesus' time?

Follow an acclaimed archaeologist to unearth the roots of Jesus' actions and teachings within the traditions and beliefs of ancient Judaism. These fascinating 24 lectures approach the subject of Jesus from a historical rather than scriptural perspective - one rooted in ancient texts and archaeological discoveries. This investigation reveals hidden insights into how the tumultuous events of early Jewish history shaped an individual - and a movement - whose legacy endures to this day.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Fascinating

Professor Magness is not the most dynamic of The Great Courses professors, but the insights, scholarship, and organization she brings to this series are outstanding, making it a fascinating listen.

Whether you are religious or not, whether you are Jewish or Christian or Muslim, if you are at all curious about how history is made, you will surely find this series riveting. I thought I knew a few things about biblical Israel, Roman antiquity, Jesus and ancient Judaism... but Professor Magness pulls it all together into a context that makes all of it make sense.

at first

Seems to have much irrelevant information at first as well as some lectures ending abruptly. Become much better in the last 2/3 of the series.

Interesting subject and coverage

Loved the information and a new perspective on the life of Jesus, particularly healing and ritual purity.

Fascinating; gives context to gospel AND history

Who or what is a Pharisee? A Samaritan? Where else in the ancient world of the middle east do we hear a phrase like "Son of Man"? How many other great flood stories were floating around in the context of the Noah story? What were these temples, and where?
I appreciate some Christian believers seem to be rolling their eyes and drumming their fingers waiting for a simpler story that neatly fits their limited cognitive maps of what Jesus supposedly was or is. Those with short attention spans need not apply. However, for me there is plenty of colorful story to keep my eyelids from drooping. This professor has a quality I admire, a wonderful clear cadence, scarcely ever fumbling. (I cannot stand a professor who inserts a lot of "uhhh" and "you know" in the delivery.) This has deepened and widened my comprehension of the ancient middle east considerably. All sorts of peoples and places and beliefs are discussed. The politics and religions of various dynasties and groups are made clear. It's well worth it!

not quite what I was expecting

a lot of good information on the Jews before and after Jesus but not much relating specifically to Jesus. what there was was excellent but only a few chapters.

Informative

This course was packed full of information I did not know before, or did not fully understand in historical, political, and religious context.

Christianity's cradle explored in early Judaism

When you hear the title of the course "Jesus and His Jewish Influences" you might think, "Another course on Jesus!" Prof Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism, UNC at Chapel Hill, surprises with a course that is actually more about first century Judaism - of which early Christianity was a part - than about Jesus.

In 24 half an hour lectures she introduces the listener to the Jewish world in which Jesus lived in. Early on you will come to understand the importance and significance of mountains to Jews, whereafter you will be introduced to a concise historical overview of second temple period Judaism. At the end of each lecture she will link it to Jesus.

Some of the more interesting lectures to me, was that of Alexander the Great's Impact on the Jews (lecture 7), especially the parallels she drew between Alexander and Jesus. In Lecture 11 she challenges the general view that Jesus came from the lineage of David, arguing forcably that as a Galilean his forebears probably was forcefully converted to Judaism, similarly as what happened to Herod the Great's parents. In lectures to follow she discusses the various Jewish sects from which Jesus could have come. She looks at the arguments for and against these origins for Jesus. I found lecture 18 about Pontius Pilate also very interesting, as she properly de-romantised him and places him in a convincing historical context.

At long last The Great Courses guides are also available in PDF format for download after you have purchased the title. I found that the guide was a good refresher after listening to the lectures. It helps you remember and revise the contents. For each lecture it contains questions about the contents and reading suggestions. The bibliography has an added explantion to each book quoted or used in the lecture series. I though the guide was not only very helpful, it brings a new dimention to the way I listened to the lectures. Furthermore it is informative as a stand-alone book also.

I can highly recommend this lecture series, as a window on the time around Jesus. It is just as important to understand Jesus' time as his words. Enjoy this listen!

Fascinating and Riveting

The lecturer kept me engaged throughout the course, exceptionally well prepared and presented , with this indepth account of the Jewish influences in which Jesus carried out his ministry. Entire course is well founded in solid scholarship of early Judaism and early Christian thought.

Fantastic, but should be titled, “The Jewish Influences of Jesus”

As a minister and working on graduate degrees in Biblical Studies, this was fascinating to me. So many wonderful in-depth insights into the Jewish context in which Jesus lived. Dr. Magness goes into the background of the Jewish history and all of the Jewish factions including primary sources of their doctrine. The material on the Essenes and Jesus’ reaction to them was particularly enlightening.

Having said that, if you are looking for devotional material, this is not for you. This is a scholarly work that will challenge pre-conceives notions and interpretations of the Bible. Which is fine by me.

The other thing is that this really isn’t Jesus and his Jewish influences, it’s the Jewish influences of Jesus. Dr. Magness talks mostly about the Jewish world outside of Jesus and then ends most lectures with an example of how it influenced Jesus.

I loved this, so I would recommend, but only if you’re willing to accept things from what a scholar can provide.

Easy listening

I like the way the narrator helps the listener understand how many Herod's there were, and which Herod did what, when, etc. Good high school level history.