THOSE WHO HEARD IT FIRST. THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT TO JESUS' JEWISH AUDIENCE - Tecno-Libro

This book will argue that, in the Sermon on the Mount, a very Jewish Jesus - a man true to the religio-political views of his day - reaffirms a Jewish ethical form of non-violent resistance. The most important evidence available is the Gospel of Matthew itself, Jewish ethical writings such as Pirkei Avot, other Mishna writings, and writings on the lex talionis. The evidence points to an audience that would have perceived Jesus as teaching non-violence in a context of resistance rather than completely passive submission. That this is the most plausible interpretation is evident from a comparison of the Gospel account with the oral law. The evidence will demonstrate how Jewish political ideologies regarding peace had opposed the Roman Empire since the fall of the Hasmonean Dynasty and had fostered a climate of political discontent. This discontent reflected the resolution of the Jewish people to overcome their oppression. However, some such as Bar Kochba and Judas Maccabee fought for political liberation of the