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The Hebrew Yeshua vs. the Greek Jesus

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What Carl Sagan did for astronomy, Nehemiah Gordon has done for the field of English-Hebrew-Greek linguistics as it is connected to the synoptic New Testament gospels. A bold statement, but arguably true for this narrow biblical topic. This short, readable, scholarly work is a must read for anyone who seeks to to know what Jesus (Yeshua in the Hebrew) REALLY said about some lifestyle choices. Though having broad implications, the book mostly deals, exhaustively, with a small passage from Matthew chapter 23 where Jesus spoke regarding obedience to the Pharisees. Gordon's credentials as a linguist are impressive. Remarkably, Gordon is not a believer in Jesus as Messiah, but rather is a Jewish Israeli-American "Karaite" (scrict Hebrew scripturalist). The work is objective and I had originally intended to comment that Gordon had no Christian agenda (he doesn't), but after considering the matter I realized that he DOES have an agenda . . . to portray Jesus as a Karaite (again, one who adheres to the Hebrew, or so-called "Old Testament", scriptures). And I found that I must agree. Gordon handles the issue of Jesus-Yeshua's identity as the Messiah respectfully, and does not offend those of us that accept Him as the Son of God and our Savior. There have been many books written relatively recently, rightfully discussing the life of Yeshua in the 1st century Jewish context. This one is unique and should be read, ESPECIALLY by Messianic believers who are trying to figure out what to do with Oral Torah and rabbinical mandates. Also - SOME knowledge of Hebrew will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of this book. However, due to the author's careful "teaching" style no other language skill is required above the ability to read high school level English.

How many people know there is a Hebrew version of Matthew and how it differs
from the Greek version? Well, everyone who loves Scriptural truths will love
this book. You will learn a lot about Orthodox and Rabbinical Judaism, not
to mention learning at a deeper level what Yahusha was up against when
confronting the nonbelieving Pharisess. In the DVD one can learn a great
deal also, and Gordon is an excellent speaker, able to rivit the attention
without any high tech visuals. I think it must take a significant amount
of courage to speak out against traditions that Gordon was raised in and
I applaud him for that and for the fact that he has brought a great treasure
to our attention. Like many truly great treasures, it will probably be
considered a trinket, or worse, to so many in the world.

The key to unlocking the truth of Scripture is understanding proper context. The specific passage researched by Mr. Gordon in this book has long puzzled me. This author has resolved the seeming conflict of Yeshua's supposed affirming words in this passage against His condemning addresses to the Pharisees in so many other passages. This short, easy-to-read study is rich with historial and cultural context, honorable scholarship, and a touch of humor. This book could change your life!

This book's title is a little misleading; it does not really contrast the Jewish version of Jesus with a Greek version, but rather it focuses on the meaning of the phrase, "the seat of Moses" and whether Jesus taught his disciples to follow the rabbinic rulings of his day (or oral tradition).

The author (Nehemia Gordon) appeals to a late (14th century) Hebrew version of Matthew (preserved by Shem Tov in the 14th century). Nehemia Gordon maintains this version might reflect the original version of Matthew. According to the very early church father, Papias, Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. As a Karaite Jew, the author rejects rabbinic Judaism but embraces the Biblical Judaism described in the Old Testament. His view is that Jesus also rejected rabbinic Judaism and the oral law.

In the Hebrew version of Shem Tov, Jesus tells his disciples to obey MOSES, but not those who sit in the seat of Moses. The Greek version of the text says to obey THEM (i.e., the authoritative Pharisees).

Even if ShemTov's Matthew is NOT related to the original Matthew which Papias referred to, even back translation from Greek into Hebrew could clarify matters, like the seat of Moses. This back-translation is an area where evangelical scholarship needs to develop. If Jesus spoke Mishnaic Hebrew (and there is a movement in this direction, as opposed to the established view that he spoke Aramaic), then it could be helpful to recreate the words he spoke in the language in which he spoke them. But that is my soapbox, not the author's.

The book is a quick, interesting read. If you are interested in Jewish roots, you will find the book worth thinking about. Although Gordon is not a Christian, there is nothing hostile or offensive in the book toward those of us who follow Jesus.

This book has kick started a desire in me to learn more about Yeshua, Judaism, and the Hebrew language. I've been a Christian all my life, but now I'm beginning to question what I've been taught in the church about Jesus. Its time for bible colleges to start researching and teaching the whole truth.

Was Yahshua clashing with the Pharisees over Torah obedience? No way. He commanded us to obey Torah. Nehemiah Gordon does a fantastic job demonstrating the real dispute between Messiah and the Religious leadrs of His day. It was not about Torah, but about their "Takanot and Ma'asim" man-made religious traditions that kept people in bondage. This is written in the pages of the REnewed Covenant scriptures, but church doctrine has blinded us to this truth. You will read the B'rit Chadasha (New Testament) with fresh eyes after you read this.

The Video is even better.

This book is essential for all those who seek the authentic.

Nehemiah's exposition of Matthew 23:3 is excellent, and resolves a dilemma which must puzzle almost every believer who seriously considers the implications of this verse, and its contradiction with what Yeshua says in the rest of Chapter 23.

Through a number of examples he also shows the danger of straying from the written Torah, by either adding to it or taking away from it. That is what the oral law does, which is what defines Pharasaic rabbinism (as distinct from Karaism). Nehemiah shows concrete examples of its anti-Messianic implications, like those which frequently led to disagreements between the Pharisees and Yeshua. He also shows how the traditions of the rabbinists are so deeply embedded, that if Messiah was to appear today and disagree with them on some point, they believe they would have the authority to override Him. Extraordinary!

I found the book easy and enjoyable to read, and it provided many fresh and valuable insights. To those who believe in Yeshua, do not be put off by the fact that it is written by a Karaite Jew. As Nehemiah rightly points out, Yeshua Himself looks very much like a Karaite Jew, One who came to overturn the traditions and reaffirm the written Torah of Moses. Of course He did much more than this, by being the more perfect Sacrifice and the conduit for the Ruach HaKodesh, but that is a whole separate story.

Happy reading, and shalom!

The story of how The Hebrew Yeshua vs. the Greek Jesus came to be is almost as interesting as the subjects covered in the book. A group of men in black coats and hats with long, curly sideburns were gathered to discuss the ancient Biblical Hebrew Calendar. The keynote speaker walked to the table where Messianic Jew Michael Rood was seated, gave him a scrap of paper and said, "You need to contact this person as soon as possible." The next day Rood was face to face with Nehemia Gordon, one of the translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Gordon is not Messianic, but is still considered a rebel by many Jews. Christians would see him as a Jewish equivalent of the Bereans. He interprets his faith by the Word of God as given in the Old Testament. Jews, who are aware of the term, would call him a Karaite. When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, the Pharisees filled the gap left by the end of the priestly system. They added many traditions not found in the Old Testament. Karaites, such as Gordon, reject these traditions. Many Jews today are spiritual descendants of the Pharisees.

Gordon started studying the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew, to answer a question from his Messianic friend. It turns out some of the early church fathers said Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. From there it was translated, with some difficulty, into Greek and other languages. English translations, which came much later, show more signs of "Greek-isms" (patterns of expression characteristic of the Greek language) than "Hebrew-isms." Gordon came across a copy of Matthew from the times of the Inquisition. A Jewish scholar had added it as an appendix to a document he prepared to answer his Catholic interrogators. It was full of "Hebrew-isms" with relatively few "Greek-isms," which means it wasn't Matthew's original but was probably pretty close.

Gordon was amazed to learn that Yeshua (known in Greek as "Jesus") was also a Karaite. He denounced the traditions of the Pharisees and stuck to the Word of God.

The author reveals an important Jewish belief of which most Christians are unaware. The Pharisees taught that Moses received two kinds of law from God. The Written Law was put in the Old Testament. The Oral Law was supposedly not written down at first to keep it out of the hands of the Gentiles. However, as rabbi debated rabbi over the years, their decisions were written down, and that was considered the Oral Law. All Karaites reject this so-called Oral Law.

It is interesting that the Pharisees considered the so-called Oral Law more authoritative than the Written Law or prophetic insight. A good Pharisee was duty-bound to follow the hierarchy's rulings rather than hear God for himself. It is reminiscent of the Discipleship Movement of the 1970s and the church before the Reformation. Although, in theory, the evangelical church rejects this approach, in practice, it is often adopted.

This brings us back to the passage Nehemia Gordon's Messianic friend asked him to investigate, Matthew 23: 2-3. The King James Version puts it this way:

"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not."

Michael Rood was puzzled that Jesus would be telling believers to do whatever the Pharisees say.

When Gordon looked up the passage in the Hebrew version of Matthew, this is what he found:

"The Pharisees and sages sit upon the seat of Moses. Therefore, all that he says to you, diligently do, but according to their reforms and their precedents do not do, because they talk but they do not do."

Here we see that we are not to obey the Pharisees, which is consistent with what we generally find in the New Testament.

The Hebrew Yeshua vs. the Greek Jesus illuminates a number of other significant passages. It is a valuable resource to anyone who wants to study the words of Jesus in their cultural context. It only makes sense that a degree of meaning is lost when the Hebrew is translated into Greek then into English. It is also a blessing to see how the Christian faith stands on Hebrew roots.

The existence of a Hebrew gospel of Matthew has been debated for many years, as well as problems that have arisen with the words of Jesus in Matt 23:3 where He seems to say that believers should follow the teaching of the Pharisees. In contrast to this however it is clear that Jesus was extremely critical of some aspects of their teaching, especially where that teaching contradicted or came against the written Word of God.

In Nehemia Gordon's book, The Hebrew Yeshua vs. The Greek Jesus these issues are discussed in detail.

An excellent thought provoking book that does demand consideration.

An ideal companion book would be "The Hebrew Gospel of Matthew" by George Howard.

Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions:

"What parts of Gods' Laws are still in effect today?"
"Did Jesus give the Pharisees authority regarding Gods Word?"
"Do Ministers or Rabbis have 'Pharisaical' authority TODAY?"

Nehemia Gordon answers these questions (and more) as he presents Shem-Tov's HEBREW Matthew. A 'must read' for all to better understand the messages of Jesus from the original Hebrew.

Nehemias work in the publication & translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls gives him background and experience to bring to life parts of the Hebrew Matthew in understandable English. A disarming midwest style combined with a solid Israeli background clear up many alleged contradictions within the book of Matthew.