Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts
Department
Religious Studies
Advisor's Name
Erik Larson
Advisor's Title
Committee Chair
Advisor's Name
Ana Maria Bidegain
Advisor's Name
Christine Gudorf
Keywords
Jesus' Disciples, The Twelve, Jesus' Messiahship, messianic, Disciples' beliefs
Date of Defense
3-26-2010
Abstract
The question of whether Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, and if so in what sense, is one of the most important in historical Jesus research. Although many factors play a role in answering this question, one has been neglected for far too long: the Christology of Jesus’ disciples. This thesis provides a much needed analysis of the disciples’ view of Jesus. Numerous Gospel passages are evaluated using criteria, such as the criterion of multiple independent attestation and the criterion of embarrassment, to determine their historicity. These passages are then studied against the background of Second Temple Judaism to determine how the disciples viewed Jesus. The analysis demonstrates that from the time Jesus’ disciples first began following him they believed he was the Messiah. Ultimately, this conclusion strongly reinforces the view that Jesus made a messianic claim for himself.
Recommended Citation
Zolondek, Michael V., "The Christology of Jesus' Disciples" (2010). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 164.
http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/164