Jesus and His Jewish Influences

Course Overview

Embark upon an in-depth investigation of the ancient world that Jesus was born into, and discover what effect it had upon his life and ministry in this course taught by an award-winning professor.

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 has influenced global civilization and continues to resonate with over 2 billion people today. Yet, few ask where his revolutionary ideas originated.

This course explores Jesus’s teachings and actions in the context of the rich traditions and historical developments of ancient Jewish beliefs. Through 24 engaging lectures, you will gain insights into the cultural, social, and religious landscape of the time, addressing key questions about early Judaism and its evolution into Christianity. With a focus on historical texts and archaeological discoveries, you’ll learn how the tumultuous events of Jewish history shaped Jesus and the movement that followed.

Video Lecture List

1. Jesus and Judaism

• 30 min
• Set the stage for exploring Jesus’s Jewish influences and what it meant to be a Jew in the ancient world.

1. Sacred Mountains and Law Giving in Judaism

• 35 min
• Examine the importance of the Torah and connections between Moses’s law and Jesus’s teachings.

1. The United and Divided Israelite Kingdoms

• 31 min
• Trace the transformation of the Israeli tribes into a monarchy and the resulting cultural schisms.

1. The Destruction of Solomon’s Temple

• 30 min
• Explore the impact of the First Temple’s destruction and its significance in the context of the Gospels.

1. The Jewish and Samaritan Schism

• 36 min
• Investigate the division between Jews and Samaritans and its implications during Jesus’s time.

1. The Jewish Diaspora and the Golden Rule

• 28 min
• Learn insights from the Book of Tobit and Esther on the treatment of others in light of Jesus’s teachings.

1. Alexander the Great’s Impact on the Jews

• 31 min
• Discover how Alexander’s visit influenced Jewish traditions and potential parallels with Jesus’s narrative.

1. Jews and Greek Rule: The Heliodorus Affair

• 30 min
• Analyze the power struggles during the Ptolemaic rule and their effects on Jewish life.

1. Desolating Sacrilege and the Maccabean Revolt

• 29 min
• Follow the events surrounding the Maccabean Revolt and their significance for Jesus’s message.

1. Apocalyptic Works and the “Son of Man”

• 32 min
• Examine various apocalyptic narratives and the meaning of “son of man” in biblical texts.

(…Continued through all 24 lectures)