Watch Jesus and His Jewish Influences

TV-PG
2015
1 Season

Jesus and His Jewish Influences is a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural and religious context that shaped the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Presented by Reverend J. P. Burns, a biblical scholar with a deep knowledge of Jewish history and tradition, this course offers a unique perspective on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

The course consists of 24 half-hour lectures that cover a wide range of topics, including the historical background of first-century Palestine, the different sects and ideologies that existed within Judaism at the time, the messianic expectations that were prevalent among Jews, and the ways in which Jesus' teachings challenged and transformed traditional Jewish beliefs.

One of the striking features of this course is its emphasis on the Jewish roots of Christianity. Rev. Burns makes a compelling case that Jesus was, in many ways, a product of his Jewish environment, and that his teachings can only be fully understood within the context of Jewish history and thought. He traces the origins of key Christian doctrines, such as the divinity of Christ, the Holy Trinity, and the idea of salvation, to Jewish precedents and influences.

Another key aspect of the course is its focus on the historical Jesus. Rev. Burns draws on the latest scholarship in the field of biblical studies to provide a nuanced and multifaceted portrait of Jesus as a historical figure, rather than an abstract theological concept. He examines the sources that inform our understanding of Jesus, such as the New Testament gospels, the writings of Jewish historians such as Josephus and Philo, and archaeological evidence from the time period.

Throughout the course, Rev. Burns engages with challenging questions and controversies that have surrounded the study of Jesus and his Jewish influences. For example, he tackles the question of whether Jesus saw himself as the Messiah, as well as the debate over the relationship between Jesus' teachings and the teachings of the Jewish sages. He also explores the ways in which the early church developed its own distinctive theology and practices, and how this led to a divergence from Judaism.

Overall, Jesus and His Jewish Influences is a fascinating and enlightening course that will deepen your understanding of Jesus, Judaism, and the complex interplay between these two traditions. Rev. Burns is an engaging and knowledgeable lecturer who brings a wealth of historical and religious expertise to his teaching. Whether you are a Christian seeking to deepen your faith or a curious scholar of religion, this course is a must-watch.

Jesus and His Jewish Influences is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between December 11, 2015 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

24. Jesus's Teachings and Sayings in Context

December 11, 2015

Close out this insightful course with a pointed consideration of how selected passages from the Gospels can be better understood within their Jewish context. The three passages you explore involve the concept of Hell, Jesus's cleansing of the Temple, and John's account of Jesus's healing of a blind man.

23. Jesus's Apocalyptic Outlook

December 11, 2015

Join Professor Magness as she shares some of her own research into Jesus, comparing and contrasting his apocalyptic beliefs with those of the Qumran sect associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. As you'll discover, one cannot understand Jesus's exorcisms and healings without understanding the notion of apocalyptic purity.

22. Rabbinic Judaism's Traditions about Jesus

December 11, 2015

What was Jewish life like after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.? How did the religion survive this trauma? With insights from various historical sources, chart the rise of Rabbinic Judaism-the literature of Jewish sages who portray Jesus as an illegitimate child and magician.

21. Flavius Josephus: Witness to 1st Century A.D .

December 11, 2015

One cannot explore Jesus and his Jewish influences without understanding the life and works of Flavius Josephus, the ancient Jewish author who was a witness to the period during and after the life of Jesus. Here, learn how his fascinating historical writings complement what the Gospel authors relate.

20. Jesus's Prophecy: Jerusalem's Destruction

December 11, 2015

The First Jewish Revolt against Rome culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Explore how this cataclysmic event had profound aftershocks for subsequent Jewish history-as well as early traditions surrounding Jesus (for example, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants in the Gospel of Matthew).

19. Anarchy in Judea

December 11, 2015

In the first half of this lecture, examine the growing anarchy that led to the First Jewish Revolt against Rome-including the rise of others who, like Jesus, claimed to be the messiah. Then, follow the story (as related by Josephus) of the trial and execution of Jesus's brother, James the Just.

18. Pontius Pilate: A Roman Prefect

December 11, 2015

Following the death of Herod the Great, there began a period of direct Roman administration of Judea under prefects, the most famous of whom was Pontius Pilate, who would later oversee the trial of Jesus. Learn the historical backstory of both this figure and another contemporary of Jesus, Herod Antipas.

17. The Reign of Herod the Great

December 11, 2015

What are the historical roots of the often-disputed Massacre of the Innocents reported in the Gospel of Matthew? Find out in this lecture on the reign of Herod the Great, a man notorious for killing members of his own family and best remembered for his biblical campaign of infanticide.

16. The Hebrew Scriptures and the Septuagint

December 11, 2015

First, examine the €œLetter of Aristeas,€ which describes translating the Torah into Greek. Then, meet Philo of Alexandria, whose writings (preserved by Christians) are based on an allegorical method of interpreting the Bible. Finally, using a passage from Isaiah, discover why Jews eventually came to reject the authority of the Septuagint translation.

15. Was Jesus an Essene?

December 11, 2015

Most of what scholars know about the Essenes, and their apocalyptic outlook, comes from the ancient historians Josephus and Philo. After a deeper dive into who the Essenes were (and how Essene women lived), Professor Magness makes her case for why Jesus could not have been an Essene.

14. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Earliest Hebrew Bible

December 11, 2015

Unpack the hidden meaning and significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls themselves-some of ancient history's most fascinating texts, which date back to the time of Jesus. Among the findings you'll explore here: early copies of the Hebrew Bible, fragments of a Greek translation of the Septuagint, and early biblical commentaries.

13. Jewish Ritual Purity: The Sons of Light

December 11, 2015

Turn from the Pharisees to the Essenes, the sect associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. In the first of three lectures on this fascinating sect, focus on how a strict system of ritual purity was a fundamental part of everyday life at Qumran (the site where the Scrolls were found).

12. Was Jesus a Pharisee?

June 1, 2020

Probe the rise of the Sadducees and Pharisees during the late Second Temple Period. You'll learn how the Pharisaic approach became dominant in Judaism, and you'll spend time investigating what the Gospels say about whether or not Jesus identified as a Pharisee.

11. Jesus's Jewish Lineage

December 11, 2015

Learn how the expansion of the Hasmonean Kingdom provides a sharp context for understanding the birth narratives of Jesus from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The authors of these Gospels went to great lengths to establish Jesus's descent from David. The question is: Why?

10. Apocalyptic Works and the €œSon of Man€

December 11, 2015

From 1 and 2 Maccabees to the Books of Daniel and Enoch, get a close reading of apocalyptic literary works composed in the aftermath of the Maccabean Revolt. Afterwards, Professor Magness probes possible meanings of the term €œson of man€ in both the Hebrew Bible and the Gospels.

9. Desolating Sacrilege and the Maccabean Revolt

December 11, 2015

Follow the turbulent story of the Maccabean Revolt after the outlawing of Judaism under Antiochus IV. Then, examine how the Book of Daniel (written around the time of the revolt) dealt with the concept of €œdesolating sacrilege,€ and how this is repeated in Jesus's own prophesies about the destruction of the Temple.

8. Jews and Greek Rule: The Heliodorus Affair

December 11, 2015

Investigate the strange episode known as the Heliodorus Affair. This power struggle between Jerusalem's elite families during the time of the Ptolemies and Seleucids became a key turning point in the history of Jews in Judea. We also see echoes of this conflict in Gospel accounts of taxation.

7. Alexander the Great's Impact on the Jews

December 11, 2015

Alexander the Great's legendary visit to Jerusalem and Judea had a profound influence on the development of ancient Jewish traditions. Could the ancient warrior also have served as a model for the mythical Jesus? Professor Magness illuminates possible narrative parallels between these two iconic figures of Western history.

6. The Jewish Diaspora and the Golden Rule

December 11, 2015

What insights into the ancient Jewish diaspora communities can we glean from close readings of the Book of Tobit and the Book of Esther? What do these books say about holiness and the treatment of other people (the "golden rule" of Jesus's time)? Join the fascinating historical-literary debate.

5. The Jewish and Samaritan Schism

December 11, 2015

After the end of the Babylonian exile in 539 B.C., returning exiles began to reestablish themselves in Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah. This return would lead to a dramatic schism between Jews and Samaritans-one which, as you'll learn, would influence encounters with Samaritans in Jesus's own time.

4. The Destruction of Solomon's Temple

December 11, 2015

How (and why) did the First Temple Period end? First, examine the reign of King Josiah, whose popular religious reforms reasserted the importance of Jerusalem's Temple. Then, investigate the Temple's traumatic destruction-and its relationship to Gospel accounts about the destruction of the Second Temple.

3. The United and Divided Israelite Kingdoms

December 11, 2015

In this in-depth look at the kingdoms of David and Solomon, follow the transformation of 12 Israelite tribes into a monarchy that eventually crumbled over tensions regarding how to properly worship the God of Israel. Along the way, probe controversies that lie at the heart of modern scholarship's hottest debates.

2. Sacred Mountains and Law Giving in Judaism

December 11, 2015

In ancient Judaism, there was little distinction between religion and politics. In this lecture, explore the importance of the law (the Torah) in the Jewish religion. Then, draw some intriguing connections between the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai and Jesus's own Sermon on the Mount.

1. Jesus and Judaism

December 11, 2015

Begin your fascinating historical adventure by developing a solid framework for your exploration of Jesus's Jewish influences. What was it like to be a Jew in the ancient world? What do we mean when we talk about Jewish temples? And how similar was ancient Judaism to other ancient religions.

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Where to Watch Jesus and His Jewish Influences

Jesus and His Jewish Influences is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Jesus and His Jewish Influences on demand at Apple TV Channels, Prime, Prime Video, The Roku Channel and Hoopla.