Jesus Remembered: Christianity in the Making, vol. 1

THE MISSION OF JESUS §12.2
a restoration of paradise 61 as variations.
3. Although this hope is often referred to as 'the messianic age', 62 the involvement
of a particular (messianic) figure or divine agent seems to be
more like another variation. 63 The imagery of a great feast is independent,
though sometimes linked — hence (misleadingly) the description 'messianic
banquet' , 64
4. Some envisaged a renewed covenant, of a turning from transgression, a
fresh outpouring of the Spirit, and a level of law-keeping and holiness not
known before. 65
5. A further variation brought to the fore by Sanders and deserving of special
mention is the hope for the building of a new temple. 66
6. Wright has drawn particular attention to another element within the various
scenarios envisaged — the return of Yahweh to Zion. 61
7. Within a widespread conviction of Israel's vindication and final triumph
the future of the other nations/Gentiles was a matter of some speculation
and disagreement. 68 A few could envisage only their destruction. 69 More
commonly the expectation was for the Gentiles to come in pilgrimage to
Zion to pay tribute 70 or to worship God there ('eschatological prose-
dent on the exclusion of those with such defects (lQ28a [lQSa] 2.3-10; 11Q19 [HQTemple]
45.12-14).
61. Isa. 11.6-8; 25.7-8; 51.3; Ezek. 36.35; Jub. 4.26; 23.26-29; / En. 25.4-6; 1QH
16[= 8] .4-11). See further D. S. Russell, The Method and Message of Jewish Apocalyptic (London:
SCM, 1964) 283-84.
62. A popular description.
63. See, e.g., Theissen and Merz, Historical Jesus 531-37, and further below, §15.2.
64. Isa. 25.6; Ezek, 39.17-20; lQ28a (lQsa) 2; 1 En. 62.14. See further D. Smith, 'Messianic
Banquet', ABD 4.788-91. Even in the Jesus tradition the imagery is not strictly of a messianic
banquet; see below, §12.4f.
65. Isa. 44.3-4; 59.20-21; Jer. 31.31-34; Ezek. 36.25-29; 39.28-29; Joel 2.28-3.1; Zech.
14.16-21; CD 8.21; 19.33-34; lQpHab 2.3-4; 1Q34 2.5-6. See also H. Lichtenberger, 'Alter
Bund und neuer Bund', NTS 41 (1995) 400-14, on the Qumran texts (401-406).
66. Tob. 14.5; Jub. 1.15-17, 29; 1 En. 90.28-29; 91.13; 11Q19 (HQTemple) 29.2-10;
T. Ben. 9.2; Sib. Or. 3.294. See Sanders, Jesus and Judaism 11-SI; and further J. Ädna, Jesu
Stellung zum Tempel: Die Tempelaktion und das Tempelwort als Ausdruck seiner messianischen
Sendung (WUNT 2.119; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2000) 25-89.
67. Isa. 24.23; 25.9-10; 40.3-5, 9-10; 52.7-8; 59.20; Ezek. 43.2-7; Zech. 2.10-12; 8.3;
14.4; Mal. 3.1; Jub. 1.26-28; 11Q19 (llQTemple) 29.3-9; Shemoneh 'Esreh 16. See further
Wright, Jesus 616-23.
68. Cf. the survey in Sanders, Jesus and Judaism 213-18.
69. Ps. 2.8-9; Zeph. 2.9-11; Sir. 36.1-9; Bar. 4.25, 31-35; Jub. 15.26; I En. 90.19; 1QM;
Pss. Sol. 17.24; and understandably in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction in 70 CE —
4 Ezra 12.33; 13.38; 2 Bar. 40.1; Rev. 19.17-21.
70. Isa. 18.7; 45.14; 60.3-16; 61.5-6; Hag. 2.7-9; 1QM 12.14; 4Q504 4.9-12; Pss. Sol.
17.30-31; Sib. Or. 3.772-76.
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