Rabbi Jesus, an Intimate Biography: The Jewish Life and Teachings that Inspired Christianity, by Bruce Chilton
He was born a mamzer, in effect an illegitimate child. His father died when he was 12 and when he was a teenager he joined the followers of John the Immerser, memorizing John’s Mishnah or message, which focused on the relationship between repentance and release from sin and talked about the Chariot, the moving throne of God.
Jesus was 18 when John was executed by Herod Antipas and the blow was a severe one. He went home to Nazareth and briefly followed his older half brothers into the rough carpentry trade. But instead of following John’s immersion routine, he began to promote feasting. The author describes him at this point as “chubby and balding.” Accepting someone else’s hospitality meant his family had to return the favor and the financial strain on them caused them great annoyance. In addition, Jesus was in contact with people his family considered unclean.
This is the beginning of a remarkable book that “details the philosophical and psychological foundations of Jesus’ beliefs…providing evidence that contradicts long-held beliefs about Jesus and his movement.” I recommend it.
Peggy Mooers, November 2013