A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word

“Jeff Kennedy provides readers with a well-researched, insightful, and compelling study of Jesus’ Nazareth sermon in full context. Kennedy does a beautiful job in interpreting the sermon and at the same time takes a deep dive into the thorny question of Jesus’ literacy. Highly recommended.”


—Craig A. Evans, distinguished professor of Christian origins, Houston Christian University





“Could Jesus read and write? Or was he an illiterate rural Galilean? Seeking to find the answer, Jeff Kennedy engages in a rich study of what is perhaps the key text for answering those fascinating questions—Jesus’ synagogue teaching in Capernaum, recorded only in the Gospel of Luke (4:16–31). Yet more than simply answer that question, Kennedy argues that in Capernaum Jesus presented a radical new reading of the text of Isaiah, which privileged the poor and challenged existing social status.”


—Paul Foster, professor of New Testament and early Christianity, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh





“Taking on the questions of both literacy and synagogue readings with serious, critical examination, Jeff Kennedy’s solid study of Jesus’ synagogue speech places the scene in its cultural context and makes the case that the report of this event is rooted in Jesus’ ministry. In a time where various forms of skepticism reign, this is a refreshing and useful study of a key text in Luke.”


—Darrell L. Bock, senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary





“Jeff Kennedy argues persuasively that Jesus was not only literate, he was also a capable public reader and expositor of Scripture. This is not to contend that Jesus possessed the high degree of literacy held by many Roman and Jewish elites. However, it does contribute to the case that Luke’s portrayal of Jesus reading and expounding on Scripture in the synagogue in Nazareth is likely historical.”


—Michael R. Licona, professor of New Testament studies, Houston Christian University





“Jeff Kennedy undertakes a thorough engagement with historical Jesus studies and the literacy debate concerning first-century Judaism. He offers an historically convincing portrait of Jesus as a capable public reader (Luke 4:16–30) who set into motion the traditions remembering Jesus’s miraculous ministry, prophetic form, and claims of divine authority. Kennedy offers an essential analysis of the current literacy debate regarding the Palestinian Christ, which is must-reading to stay abreast of these complex issues.”


—Michael J. Wilkins, distinguished professor emeritus of New Testament language and literature, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University





“In A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word, Jeff Kennedy invites us to confront a provocative question: Was Jesus merely an illiterate peasant, or did he possess the access, ability, and authority to read and interpret texts? Kennedy skillfully challenges prevailing views about Jesus’ illiteracy, unveiling Luke’s portrayal of him as an authoritative reader and expositor of Scripture. Backed by compelling evidence from oral-literary traditions and Luke’s Christological framing, Kennedy’s narrative offers a refreshing perspective on Jesus’ authority and the profound impact it had on his ministry.”


—Brian J. Wright, adjunct professor, Lancaster Bible College





“The religious authorities in Jesus’ world were known for their ability to read, transcribe, compose, and interpret written texts. Was this also true of Jesus? In this carefully researched and illuminating study, Jeff Kennedy sheds new light on the background of Jesus and offers a compelling explanation for how this prophet, ‘mighty in deed and word,’ posed a threat to the religious authorities of his day.”


—Benjamin P. Laird, professor of biblical studies, Liberty University