The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Rush Rhees approaches the gospel accounts through the human life of Jesus, tracing how his followers came to understand his character and authority. Written as a companion to gospel reading, this religious study brings together biography, historical background and interpretation. Its early sections consider Roman rule in Palestine, the religious groups of the period, the sources for Jesus' life and the problems of comparing four gospel narratives.

The discussion then follows Jesus' teaching and ministry, with particular attention to his relationships with the disciples and the people who gathered to hear him. In the passage near Jericho and Jerusalem, Rhees examines the tension between popular hopes of kingship and Jesus' emphasis on service and the cost of discipleship. Readers interested in Christian thought can use the book to connect familiar episodes with broader questions of faith and leadership. An appendix offers references and further discussion for more detailed study.