"In this authoritative and thought-provoking work, Geza Vermes transforms our understanding of Jesus. Taking a fresh approach which gives an equal voice to both New Testament and non-biblical Jewish writings, he explores the differing portrayals of Jesus that have defined two millenia of Christian belief and speculation. Beginning with the most recent Gospel, the Gospel of John, Vermes takes us back in time to reveal the historical figure of Jesus hidden beneath the oldest Gospels, revealing how and why a charismatic Palestinian holy man was elevated into the divine figure of Christ"--Back cover