• Was born in Nazareth in turbulent period of Jewish history
• Roman policies collided with hope for Jewish restoration theology
  • Message was brought that current order would succumb to heaven
  • Many Jews looked for signs of coming redemption
• Received John’s message in preparation for coming Kingdom
• Continued to preach message of the Kingdom even after John’s arrest
• The Kingdom he proclaimed would bring radical changes
  • Penitent tax collectors, harlots enter before chief priests, elders
  • Poor would precede rich, lowly would inherit the Land
• All felt bonded together in new community, called by knowledge of End
• Alarmed by possibility of use of Roman force, arranged to arrest him