Is Jesus In the Dead Sea Scrolls?

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Such links with Christianity, of course, depend on whether the scrolls were written in Jesus' era pparently referring to the coming Messiah, the text declares that he will "heal the wounded, resurrect the dead ((and)) preach glad tidings to the poor." The passage closely resembles the words of Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4) ty concern is simply to find out what this text means." He asserts that here and in parallel passages, the Dead Sea Messiah "appears as triumphant -- as is usually the case. That is the normal Jewish tradition." Eisenman says either translation is possible, whereas Wise concludes that the matter will always remain uncertain because of textual problems.

If Eisenman is right, there will be furious debate over whether the Dead Sea Scrolls undermine the traditional Christian faith. The texts could be interpreted as buttressing skeptical contentions that the New Testament was purposely shaped to fit Jewish expectations and did not recount actual events. However, Wise, Eisenman's sometime ally, says the evidence could equally back ws preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."

-- THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7: 20-23

Surely the Lord shall visit the pious and shall call the righteous by name. His spirit shall hover over the poor; by his strength he shall renew the faithful. He shall glorify the pious upon the throne of the eternal kingdom. He shall release the captives, restore sight to the blind, make straight those who are bent double . . . He shall heal the wounded, resurrect the dead, preach glad tidings to the poor.

-- FROM WISE'S RECONSTRUCTED DEAD SEA TEXT 4Q521