What are the tools of the trade?

When we begin to study the teachings and teaching methods of the early Rabbis, an exciting thing happens. We are quick to discover that the words and teachings of Jesus reflect (and even sometimes repeat verbatim) the words and teachings of other early Jewish Rabbis. The methodology, hermeneutics, argumentation, theological presuppositions and subject matter of the Jesus' teachings are all patently Rabbinical. Even his use of parables was a common method of teaching in the First Century. Many of his parables are drawn from existing Rabbinic parables which Jesus reworked in order to serve his message. In short, he used the tools of the Rabbis to convey his message. He used Rabbinic teaching methods and relied on Rabbinic material.

Jewish literature offers us the ability to compare his words with the words of his contemporaries. We are better able to understand obscure idioms or elements of Jewish style which Jesus employed when we compare and contrast his words with the words of the other Rabbis. Through Jewish literature, we are better able to perceive the points of conflict between Jesus and Judaisms of his day. Best of all, we are better able to understand him and his message in the original context.

Jesus is a Rabbi. His teachings were Rabbinical in nature. To fully understand who he is and what he teaches we must explore the institutions of Rabbinical teaching and methodology.