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The Messiah before Jesus: The Suffering Servant of the Dead Sea Scrolls
In a work that challenges notions that have dominated New Testament scholarship for more than a hundred years, Israel Knohl gives startling evidence for a messianic precursor to Jesus who is described as the "Suffering Servant" in recently published fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Messiah before Jesus clarifies many formerly incomprehensible aspects of Jesus' life and confirms the story in the New Testament about his messianic awareness. The book shows that, around the time of Jesus' birth, there came into being a conception of "catastrophic" messianism in which the suffering, humiliation, and death of the messiah were regarded as an integral part of the redemptive process.
Scholars have long argued that Jesus could not have foreseen his suffering, death, and resurrection because the concept of a slain savior who rises from the dead was alien to the Judaism of his time. But, on the basis of hymns found at Qumran among the Dead Sea Scrolls, Knohl argues that, one generation before Jesus, a messianic leader arose in the Qumran sect who was regarded by his followers as ushering in an era of redemption and forgiveness. This messianic leader was killed by Roman soldiers in the course of a revolt that broke out in Jerusalem in 4 B.C.E. The Romans forbade his body to be buried and after the third day his disciples believed that he was resurrected and rose to heaven. This formed the basis for Jesus' messianic consciousness, Knohl argues; it was because of this model that Jesus anticipated he would suffer, die, and be resurrected after three days.
Knohl takes his fascinating inquiry one step further by suggesting that this messiah was a figure known to us from historical sources of the period. This identification may shed new light on the mystery of the "Paraclete" in the Gospel of John. A pathbreaking study, The Messiah before Jesus will reshape our understanding of Christianity and its relationship to Judaism.
Scholars have long argued that Jesus could not have foreseen his suffering, death, and resurrection because the concept of a slain savior who rises from the dead was alien to the Judaism of his time. But, on the basis of hymns found at Qumran among the Dead Sea Scrolls, Knohl argues that, one generation before Jesus, a messianic leader arose in the Qumran sect who was regarded by his followers as ushering in an era of redemption and forgiveness. This messianic leader was killed by Roman soldiers in the course of a revolt that broke out in Jerusalem in 4 B.C.E. The Romans forbade his body to be buried and after the third day his disciples believed that he was resurrected and rose to heaven. This formed the basis for Jesus' messianic consciousness, Knohl argues; it was because of this model that Jesus anticipated he would suffer, die, and be resurrected after three days.
Knohl takes his fascinating inquiry one step further by suggesting that this messiah was a figure known to us from historical sources of the period. This identification may shed new light on the mystery of the "Paraclete" in the Gospel of John. A pathbreaking study, The Messiah before Jesus will reshape our understanding of Christianity and its relationship to Judaism.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 25, 2013
Israel Knohl has some interesting theories concerning messianic ideas and figures before the development of Christology. Knohl, in this book geared toward the lay-person, tries to connect and identify a messiah, he believes was written about in the Dead Sea scrolls and how this view was influenced by Judaism and the struggle against the Rome and it's imperial cult. Knohl proposes the theory of a "catastrophic messianism" that played out in the persons of Menachem the Essene and Simon of Peraea in circa 4 BCE, during a revolt against Rome. He uses the DSS messanic texts 4Q49I, 4QHE, and 4QHa to base his assumptions concerning the reason for the supposed excommunication of Menachem the Essene and his followers.
Israel Knohl makes a lot of assumptions and tries to pair it with history. One of the sections I found most interesting was the influence Roman imperial cult had on the messianic texts of the DSS.
"The divine character of Augustus the redeemer is also clearly
expressed in the art of the period.31 In some artifacts Augustus is
shown sitting on a splendid throne in the company of the gods.32
The Messiah of the Qumran sect described himself as sitting
on a “throne of power” in the congregation of the gods,33 exactly
as Augustus is depicted. The messianic hymns from Qumran describe
the period of redemption in terms remarkably similar to
those in Virgil’s description of the new age. Because the Qumranic
Messiah was active during the period of Augustus, we must
consider the possibility that the political and cultural atmosphere
in Rome as expressed in Virgil’s poetry and Augustus’s propaganda
also influenced the Messiah." pg. 99
Israel Knohl makes a lot of assumptions and tries to pair it with history. One of the sections I found most interesting was the influence Roman imperial cult had on the messianic texts of the DSS.
"The divine character of Augustus the redeemer is also clearly
expressed in the art of the period.31 In some artifacts Augustus is
shown sitting on a splendid throne in the company of the gods.32
The Messiah of the Qumran sect described himself as sitting
on a “throne of power” in the congregation of the gods,33 exactly
as Augustus is depicted. The messianic hymns from Qumran describe
the period of redemption in terms remarkably similar to
those in Virgil’s description of the new age. Because the Qumranic
Messiah was active during the period of Augustus, we must
consider the possibility that the political and cultural atmosphere
in Rome as expressed in Virgil’s poetry and Augustus’s propaganda
also influenced the Messiah." pg. 99
May 25, 2021
A fascinating look at a figure revealed through the Dead Sea Scrolls. Knohl argues that Jesus was following in a Messianic tradition which had its roots in Qumran. Are the contrasts between Hillel and Menahem an indirect vindication of Christian Platonism? Does Jesus' acknowledgment of Menahem as his predecessor imply a stamp of approval over the Qumran community?
The implications of this work are numerous & difficult, which only adds to its weight & importance for anyone aspiring to understand the role of Jesus.
The implications of this work are numerous & difficult, which only adds to its weight & importance for anyone aspiring to understand the role of Jesus.
December 22, 2020
The only interesting narrative in this book is the link between the book of revelation and the Roman occupation of Judaea. The author claims that the apocalypse is already an accomplished event. It doesn’t affirm Jesus met the messiah mentioned in the Qumran texts, but for sure according to what was written; Jesus followed a quite similar path of martyrdom by being murdered by the Romans.
December 23, 2025
A fascinating study. I will be looking further into the issues discussed with more intense readings into the Dead Sea Scrolls.
February 17, 2009
See more from other Shalom Hartman Institute scholars David Hartman and Moshe Halbertal and Donniel Hartman
January 28, 2015
Probably does not deserve four stars but I enjoyed the book a lot. Although much of this book is speculative, it is presented in a way to persuade the reader of "the truth". I was warned about this in the introduction, which helped– somewhat. The main body of the book was only about half the total (fortunately), the rest being footnotes and helpful appendices.
January 15, 2016
I find the conclusion, that Jesus was a successor to a previous Messiah, to be unconvincing. From a faith perspective it is untenable. Regarding evidence, it appears to me the author basis his conclusion on assumptions, leaps in logic, and an utter disregard for the historicity of Jesus' resurrection and the implications of it.
October 26, 2007
I honestly can't remember if I finished this book or not. On the other hand, it did give a neat glimpse into the day to day life of religious dissidents in the Bible days. Up untill now I always pictured it like in Life of Brian, where the various religious factions were arguing about their names.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews