Yeshua ben Panthera : l’origine du nom. Status Quaestionis et nouvelles investigations

Abstract

Yeshua ben Panthera is the most ancient name attributed to Jesus in the rabbinical literature: we find it in the Tosefta (c. 300 C.E.). The author of this article examines the various assumptions which have already been proposed by several scholars to explain the name “Pantera” - also attested by Celsus (c. 170 C.E.) - and the surname “Ben Panthera”. The name Panthera is also attested by epigraphy and various Christian documents present Panther(a) as Joseph’s father or Mary’s grandfather. Thus, the author estimates that, in fact, there are two different questions here. On the one hand: is “Ben Panthera” really an infamous designation? And, on the other hand: has the tradition of the name any historical value? He concludes that Panthera might be nothing but a family name or the second name - or eventually the nickname - of Jesus’ father (Joseph).