"Simon’s book
argues—powerfully and persuasively—that first common-era century Judaism evoked both
a violent and a non-violent Messianic option. Furthermore, that Jesus deliberately and self-consciously chose that latter
alternative even unto martyrdom. After this book’s challenge, the debate is
no longer the Jesus of History or
the Christ of Faith. It is now whether, be it as Jesus in academy or Christ in
church, that figure is one of violent or non-violent resistance to inequality, injustice,
and oppression."
John Dominic Crossan
Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, DePaul University