In this bold experiment in Christology, Ben Witherington develops a new, indirect method to discern Jesus’ self-understanding.

Using the evangelist’s portrayals of Jesus’ words, deeds, and relationships as avenues of insight, Witherington reveals a Jesus who both understood and disclosed himself in messianic terms, filling traditional terms–Son of man, Son of David, and Messiah–with new content.

Methodological and Historical Considerations

Formal Arguments

Methodological Matters

Caveats and the Criteria for Authenticity

Christology and the Relationships of Jesus

Jesus and the Baptist

Jesus and the Pharisees

Jesus, Revolutionaries, and Romans

Jesus and the Disciplies

Christology and the Deeds of Jesus

Jesus the Visionary

Miracles and Mighty Signs

Conclusions

Christology and the Words of Jesus

Jesus as Teacher and Preacher

Jesus and the Dominion of God

Abba and Filial Consciousness

The Son of Man

Afterword and Conclusions

Wrede's "Messianic Secret" Motif

Jesus' Self-Perception