Jesus in the Talmud
by Peter Schafer
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In Peter Schäfer’s book “Jesus in the Talmud,” he explores the contrasting portrayals of Jesus in the Jewish Talmud and the Christian Bible. Here are six key comparisons that highlight the negative depiction of Jesus in the Talmud versus the positive representation in the Christian scriptures:
- Illegitimate birth: In the Talmud, Jesus is referred to as “ben Pandera” or “son of Pandera,” implying that he was the illegitimate child of Mary and a Roman soldier named Pandera. This is in stark contrast to the Christian belief in Jesus’s virgin birth, as described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
- Sorcery and deception: The Talmud accuses Jesus of practicing witchcraft and deceiving the people of Israel. It states that he led them astray with his magical powers, allegedly learned during his time in Egypt. Conversely, the Christian Bible presents Jesus as performing miracles through the power of God to demonstrate his divinity and to bring about healing and restoration.
- Idolatry: According to the Talmud, Jesus was guilty of idolatry, as he allegedly set up a brick and worshipped it. This is opposed to the Christian understanding of Jesus as the Son of God, who taught his followers to worship the one true God and to reject idolatry in all its forms.
- Execution: The Talmud suggests that the Jewish authorities executed Jesus for his crimes, including blasphemy and leading the people astray. In contrast, the Christian Bible emphasizes that Jesus was crucified by the Romans at the behest of the Jewish religious leaders, ultimately dying as the sacrificial lamb for the sins of humanity.
- Afterlife: The Talmud teaches that Jesus is punished in the afterlife by being boiled in excrement in Hell. This stands in sharp opposition to the Christian belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven, and his exalted status at the right hand of God the Father.
- Discipleship: The Talmud portrays Jesus’ disciples negatively, suggesting they healed in Jesus’ name but were ineffective. On the other hand, the Christian Bible presents the disciples as faithful followers of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles and spread the gospel message.
The Talmudic and Christian understandings of Jesus are fundamentally irreconcilable. The Talmud presents Jesus as a false prophet, a deceiver, and a sorcerer, whose life and teachings were antithetical to the principles of Judaism. In stark contrast, the Christian Bible portrays Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the savior of humanity, whose life, death, and resurrection offer the promise of redemption and eternal life. These opposing perspectives on Jesus underscore the deep theological divide between Judaism and Christianity and highlight the challenges in reconciling these two faith traditions.