A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word
Jesus’ Subversive Reading of the Isaian Jubilee in Luke 4:16–30
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2024
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
Did Jesus, the revolutionary figure who changed the world, struggle to read a scroll? A growing number of scholars think so. Luke's account of Jesus reading in the synagogue (Luke 4:16-30) is routinely challenged today in academia. The claim is that Luke either fabricated the account outright or relied upon a mistaken social memory of Jesus reading in the synagogue. Accordingly, Jesus has been recast as an illiterate peasant or semi-literate artisan unable to read and teach the way Luke portrays. In A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word, Jeff Kennedy offers a fresh perspective. He contends that Luke's "reading Jesus" wasn't an attempt to appeal to the cultured sensibilities of his Greek audience, who preferred literate philosophers over illiterate carpenters. Instead, it reflects Jesus' self-understanding as Israel's prophet-sage, anointed to read and proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor. Jesus announces a shocking and provocative message for unbelieving Israel, and he does so with a singular authority. This incident sparks escalating tensions between Jesus and his countrymen, resulting in Christ's glorification through suffering. And Luke tells us that suffering began in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth.
Endorsements (7)
“Jeff Kennedy provides readers with a well-researched, insightful, and compelling study of Jesus’ Nazareth sermon in full context. Kennedy does a beautiful job in interpreting the sermon and at the same time takes a deep dive into the thorny question of Jesus’ literacy. Highly recommended.”
“Could Jesus read and write? Or was he an illiterate rural Galilean? Seeking to find the answer, Jeff Kennedy engages in a rich study of what is perhaps the key text for answering those fascinating questions—Jesus’ synagogue teaching in Capernaum, recorded only in the Gospel of Luke (4:16–31). Yet more than simply answer that question, Kennedy argues that in Capernaum Jesus presented a radical new reading of the text of Isaiah, which privileged the poor and challenged existing social status.”
“Taking on the questions of both literacy and synagogue readings with serious, critical examination, Jeff Kennedy’s solid study of Jesus’ synagogue speech places the scene in its cultural context and makes the case that the report of this event is rooted in Jesus’ ministry. In a time where various forms of skepticism reign, this is a refreshing and useful study of a key text in Luke.”
“Jeff Kennedy argues persuasively that Jesus was not only literate, he was also a capable public reader and expositor of Scripture. This is not to contend that Jesus possessed the high degree of literacy held by many Roman and Jewish elites. However, it does contribute to the case that Luke’s portrayal of Jesus reading and expounding on Scripture in the synagogue in Nazareth is likely historical.”
“Jeff Kennedy undertakes a thorough engagement with historical Jesus studies and the literacy debate concerning first-century Judaism. He offers an historically convincing portrait of Jesus as a capable public reader (Luke 4:16–30) who set into motion the traditions remembering Jesus’s miraculous ministry, prophetic form, and claims of divine authority. Kennedy offers an essential analysis of the current literacy debate regarding the Palestinian Christ, which is must-reading to stay abreast of these complex issues.”
“In A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word, Jeff Kennedy invites us to confront a provocative question: Was Jesus merely an illiterate peasant, or did he possess the access, ability, and authority to read and interpret texts? Kennedy skillfully challenges prevailing views about Jesus’ illiteracy, unveiling Luke’s portrayal of him as an authoritative reader and expositor of Scripture. Backed by compelling evidence from oral-literary traditions and Luke’s Christological framing, Kennedy’s narrative offers a refreshing perspective on Jesus’ authority and the profound impact it had on his ministry.”
“The religious authorities in Jesus’ world were known for their ability to read, transcribe, compose, and interpret written texts. Was this also true of Jesus? In this carefully researched and illuminating study, Jeff Kennedy sheds new light on the background of Jesus and offers a compelling explanation for how this prophet, ‘mighty in deed and word,’ posed a threat to the religious authorities of his day.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem