The Virgin Birth of Jesus in the Talmudic Context

May combine two claims.

In the Vienna manuscript of Toledot Yeshu, Mary's husband is named Joseph Ben Pandera, while the impious man who instigated the adultery is named Yohanan.

“The Vienna manuscript, entitled, 'History of the Mother and her Son,' recounts the only version in which Mary's husband is named Joseph Ben Pandera, whereas the impious man who instigated the adultery is named Yohanan.”

• cites J.P. OSIERNot matched

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May combine two claims.

In the Strasburg manuscripts, the Wagenseil and Huldreich versions of Toledot Yeshu, the names are inverted: Jesus' mother's husband is named Yohanan, and the adulterous partner is named Joseph Pandera (or Joseph ben Pandera in the Strasburg manuscript).

“In the Strasburg manuscripts, the Wagenseil and Huldreich versions of Toledot Yeshu , the names are inverted : Jesus' mother's husband is named Yohanan, and the adulterous partner is named Joseph Pandera (or Joseph ben Pandera in the Strasburg manuscript).”

• cites J.P. OSIERNot matched

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May combine two claims.

The name Pantera appears in Epiphanius, Adversus Haereses III, 78, 7, where he quotes Origen regarding Jacob, the father of Joseph and Jesus' grandfather; in that passage Jacob is given the name Πάνθηρ.

“Most interestingly, the name Pantera appears in Epiphanius in Adversus Haereses III, 78, 7, where he quotes Origen regarding Jacob, the father of Joseph and Jesus' grandfather. In that passage Jacob is given the name of Πάνθηρ .”

• cites Epiphanius, Adversus Haereses, III, 78, 7Not matched

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May combine two claims.

Other occurrences of the verb form darash are found, and their authors are well known Sages.

“Other occurrences of the verb form darash are found, and their authors are well known Sages.”

• cites BT Gittin 43aNot matched

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• cites BT Pesahim 42aNot matched

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• cites Ketubbot 49aNot matched

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May combine two claims.

While these names are typical of rabbinical literature, yeshu hanotsri is mainly found in Babylonian sources.

“While these names are typical of rabbinical literature, it should be noted that the latter is mainly found in Babylonian sources.”

• cites BT Sanhedrin 43a ; 107b ; BT Sotah 47aNot matched

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Certain texts of the Tosefta mention the complete name of Ben Patouri(a), who appears to be R. Yehuda ben Paturi, a man who indeed lived in the second century.

“Certain texts of the Tosefta mention the complete name of Ben Patouri(a), who appears to be R. Yehuda ben Paturi , a man who indeed lived in the second century.”

• cites T Sotah V, 13 ; VI, 1Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In the Christian world, the second century was the time of the great Dialogues and disputes with the Jews, including the lost Dialogue between Jason and Papiscos on Jesus, Justin of Neapolis' Dialogue with Tryphon, and Tertullian's Adversus Iudaeos.

“In the Christian world, the second century was the time of the great Dialogues and disputes with the Jews, including the Dialogue between Jason and Papiscos on Jesus, unfortunately lost, the Dialogue with Tryphon of Justin of Neapolis or Tertullian's Adversus Iudaeos .”

• cites Justin of NeapolisNot matched

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• cites Tertullian's Adversus IudaeosNot matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

In Talmudic literature, Christianity is often assimilated to the seduction exerted by prostitution.

“Le christianisme y est souvent assimilé à la séduction exercée par la prostitution.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Yeshu(a) ben Pantera is one of the names used in Talmudic literature to designate Jesus of Nazareth.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The Talmudic polemic and that of Celsus regarding Mary's adultery and the illegitimate birth of Jesus are a counter-narrative to the Evangelists.

“Moreover, his argument, which consists in reading the Talmudic polemic and that of Celsus regarding Mary's adultery and the illegitimate birth of Jesus as a counter-narrative to the Evangelists, is entirely pertinent.”

• cites P. SCHÄFER, Jesus in the Talmud, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2007, p. 20-21.Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The meaning of the cryptogram yeshu(a) ben pantera is far from obvious; it probably changed over time according to the Jewish perception of Jesus.

“So we have found that the meaning of the cryptogram, yeshu(a) ben pantera , is far from being obvious. It probably changed over time according to the Jewish perception of Jesus.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Yeshu(a) ben Pantera is one of the names used in Talmudic literature to designate Jesus of Nazareth.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The accusation of adultery is a challenge to belief in the virginal conception and to Jesus' status as the Messiah descended from David.

“Thus Schäfer regards this accusation of adultery as a challenge to belief in the virginal conception, as a challenge to his status as the Messiah descended from David, a position that one can only accept without reservation.”

• cites ibid., p. 22Not matched

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May combine two claims.

The injurious remark regarding the virgin birth of Jesus does not appear to be of pagan origin; rather it is Jewish in origin and was probably widespread a few decades before Celsus made use of it.

“However, this injurious remark regarding the virgin birth of Jesus does not appear to be of pagan origin. Rather it is Jewish in origin and was probably widespread a few decades before Celsus made use of it.”

• cites ORIGEN, Contra Celsum I:32Not matched

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In John 6:42, the verse offers a supplementary element referring explicitly to Jesus' parents, who seemed to be known by the speakers; no arguments are employed to counter the affirmation of a natural birth of Jesus.

“In John 6:42, the verse specifies : 'Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know ?' It thus offers a supplementary element referring explicitly to Jesus' parents, who moreover seemed to be known by the speakers. Therefore it can be emphasized that no arguments are employed to counter the affirmation of a natural birth of Jesus.”

• cites John 6:42Not matched

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The close similarity between the Talmudic words and those of Celsus regarding the name Pantera suggests a common source.

“According to Peter Schäfer, the close similarity between the words in the Talmud and those of Celsus (as attested by Origen) regarding the name Pantera suggests a common source.”

• cites P. SCHÄFER, Jesus in the Talmud, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2007, p. 20-21.Not matched

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May combine two claims.

In Toledot Yeshu, the structural outline of the biography of Jesus in the Gospels is preserved while reshaped to produce a truncated version of the events; its remarks are based on Talmudic sources that have been thoroughly reworked, and it presents a Jewish life of Jesus.

“In this work, the structural outline of the biography of Jesus in the Gospels is preserved, while it is reshaped to produce a truncated version of the events. The remarks in the book are based on Talmudic sources that have been thoroughly reworked. Toledot Yeshu is thus given over to a thorough revision of the stories in the Gospels, presenting it in the form of a Jewish life of Jesus.”

• cites S. KRAUSSNot matched

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• cites W. HORBURYNot matched

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• cites H.J. SCHONFELDNot matched

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May combine two claims.

The tradition of Jesus' mother's adultery is also found in certain Christian apocrypha, showing that the accusation emerged around the beginning of the second century.

“The tradition of Jesus' mother's adultery is also found in certain Christian apocrypha, showing that the accusation emerged around the beginning of the second century.”

• cites Gospel of Thomas 105Not matched

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• cites Acts of Pilate II:3Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The expression Ben Pantera expresses mockery and even scorn towards Jesus.

“The expression Ben Pantera expresses mockery and even scorn towards Jesus.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Yeshu(a) ben Pantera is one of the names used in Talmudic literature to designate Jesus of Nazareth.

May combine two claims.

The insulting accusation of Mary's adultery was widespread among the Jews, and was probably transmitted to the pagans and finally found its way into the Christian apocrypha; hence it is probably quite a longstanding tradition.

“These sources lead one to conjecture that the insulting accusation of Mary's adultery was widespread among the Jews, and that it was probably transmitted to the pagans and finally found its way into the Christian apocrypha. Hence it is probably quite a longstanding tradition.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

It is extremely difficult to imagine that the Sages would have employed a Greek term in Hebrew transliteration with the omission of certain letters; it is much more likely that they used their own phraseology for derisive purposes.

“It is extremely difficult to imagine that the Sages would have employed a Greek term in Hebrew transliteration with the omission of certain letters. It is much more likely that they would have had recourse to their own phraseology, used for derisive purposes.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

It is difficult to state why Jacob, Joseph's father and Jesus' grandfather, should have been called Πάνθηρ, and this instance sheds no new light on the origin of the cryptogram pantera.

“Nevertheless, as Herford emphasizes, it is difficult to state why Jacob, Joseph's father and Jesus' grandfather should have been called Πάνθηρ . Moreover, this instance of its appearance sheds no new light on the origin of the cryptogram pantera .”

• cites R.T. HERFORDNot matched

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May combine two claims.

Knowledge of Christian belief in the virginal conception and birth among Jews in the late first century has not been attested with certainty; Rokeah's argument based solely on this is baseless.

“Nevertheless it must be stated that knowledge of this Christian belief among the Jews in such an early period has not been attested with certainty. Since this scholar has based his argument on this sole element, it seems baseless to me.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The epithet Ben Pantera became well known among Christians and pagans.

“Moreover, the epithet also became well known among Christians and pagans.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Yeshu(a) ben Pantera is one of the names used in Talmudic literature to designate Jesus of Nazareth.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In an early period the name Ben Pantera was first an oral tradition and was later transcribed in its different forms, first in ancient writings such as the Tosefta and following that in other texts.

“It may well be that in an early period the name was first an oral tradition and that it was later transcribed, in its different forms, first in ancient writings such as the Tosefta and following that in other texts.”

• cites R. BAUCKHAM, Jude and the Relatives of Jesus in the Early Church, Edinburgh, T&T Clark, 1990, p. 119.Not matched

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• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Yeshu(a) ben Pantera is one of the names used in Talmudic literature to designate Jesus of Nazareth.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The defamation attributed to Celsus regarding Jesus' mother predated the second century.

“This passage permits us to assume that the defamation attributed to Celsus regarding Jesus' mother predated the second century.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

In the Christian fight against pagan and Jewish slanders concerning the virgin birth of Jesus, two types of defense were established: taking up the accusation of adultery to counterattack its authors, and exalting Mary's virginity in second-century apocryphal texts to contest Celsus and his disciples.

“If this assumption is retained, we would be in presence of two types of defense established in the Christian world in the fight against the pagan and Jewish slanders concerning the virgin birth of Jesus :”

• AssumptionThe authors state this as an assumption: The second-century apocryphal texts exalting Mary's virginity were a Christian response to Celsus' attacks.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The connection between Christianity and prostitution is to be understood as: prostitution represents the archetype of temptation; similarly, for the Sages Christianity represents the archetype of temptation; that temptation is regarded as absolutely subversive, hence the injunction to keep one's distance from it because it is very difficult to resist.

“This connection is to be understood in the following manner : prostitution represents the archetype of temptation ; similarly, for the Sages Christianity represents the archetype of temptation. That temptation is regarded as absolutely subversive ; hence there is the injunction to keep one's distance from it, because it is very difficult to resist it.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The emergence of the name Ben Pantera must be situated in a spirit of combat but above all of rivalry.

“Certainly the emergence of the name Ben Pantera must be situated in this spirit of combat but, above all, of rivalry.”

May combine two claims.

The Jewish allegation that Jesus was the son of a prostitute is quite well grounded in the Talmudic tradition; it appears in both the Talmudic and Midrashic corpus and without doubt testifies to a very old Jewish representation of the person of Jesus.

“The Jewish allegation that Jesus was the son of a prostitute is quite well grounded in the Talmudic tradition. It appears in both the Talmudic and Midrashic corpus and without doubt testifies to a very old Jewish representation of the person of Jesus.”

• cites Sabbath 104bNot matched

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• cites T. MURCIANot matched

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• cites P. SCHÄFERNot matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

At that time, the doctrinal polemics between Jews and Christians caused the two religions to reach a Parting of the Ways and to regard one another as rivals.

“At that time, the doctrinal polemics between Jews and Christians caused the two religions to reach a Parting of the Ways and to regard one another as rivals.”

May combine two claims.

A text of the Sifra, with content almost identical to that of the Baraita, mentions R. Aquiba in conversation with ben Patouri(a); this contemporary reference completely undermines the identification of the latter with Jesus.

“A text of the Sifra, with content almost identical to that of the Baraita, mentions R. Aquiba in conversation with ben Patouri(a). Needless to say, this contemporary reference completely undermines the identification of the latter with Jesus.”

• cites Sifra Behar Sinai, VNot matched

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May combine two claims.

The Jewish world, well on its way to socioreligious normalization after the destruction of the Second Temple, wished to expel the Judeo-Christians from the Synagogue; the Birkat ha-minim constitutes the most significant step in this direction.

“The Jewish world, that was well on its way to socioreligious normalization after the destruction of the Second Temple, wished to expel the Judeo-Christians from the Synagogue. The Birkat ha-minim constitutes the most significant step in this direction.”

• cites D. JAFFÉNot matched

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May combine two claims.

Although relatively few in number, the Talmudic passages referring to Jesus are very explicit in their reference to Jesus.

“Although relatively few in number, these passages are very explicit in their reference to Jesus.”

• cites R.T. HERFORDNot matched

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• cites H. STRACKNot matched

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May combine two claims.

The connection made by Lauterbach between the Baraita's teaching and the Sermon on the Mount, associating darash and drasha, is speculative and suffers from several difficulties that cast doubt upon its veracity.

“Notwithstanding, this connection, which, to say the least, is speculative, suffers from several difficulties, which cast doubt upon its veracity :”

May combine two claims.

The epithet 'Ben Pantera' is very old and corresponds to a historical period when the Jews wished to represent Christianity to themselves by choosing the person of Jesus as an emblematic figure of that religion.

“We must conclude by saying that the epithet 'Ben Pantera' is very old and corresponds to a historical period when the Jews wished to represent Christianity to themselves by choosing the person of Jesus as an emblematic figure of that religion.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Ben Pantera is the most ancient reference to Jesus to be found in Talmudic literature.

“Thus, Ben Pantera is the most ancient reference to Jesus to be found in Talmudic literature.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The name yeshua ben Pantiri is usually thought to be a deformation of the form yeshua ben pant(d)era, which is supposed to be its original version.

“Hence, the name is usually thought to be a deformation of the form, yeshua ben pant(d)era , which is supposed to be its original version.”

May combine two claims.

Tertullian's passage mentions the Jewish accusation of a union with a prostitute, of which Jesus was the product; this must have been a widespread allegation among the Jews, the very milieu in which Tertullian developed, and it confirms Origen's remarks in Contra Celsum.

“This passage is particularly interesting, because it mentions the Jewish accusation of a union with a prostitute, of which Jesus was the product. This must have been a widespread allegation among the Jews, the very milieu in which Tertullian developed. Moreover, it confirms Origen's remarks in Contra Celsum .”

• cites TERTULLIAN, De spectaculis, XXX, 6Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

It is unlikely that Jesus would have been named with the Hebrew term ben accompanied by the Latin patri.

“It is unlikely that Jesus would have been named with the Hebrew term ben accompanied by the Latin patri .”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The passage from Abot de Rabbi Nathan is crucial because it allows us to distinguish the attitude of the Sages toward the Christian minim.

“This is a crucial text, because it allows us to distinguish the attitude of the Sages toward the Christian minim [heretics].”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the Christian world, the second century represented the concern for construction of an identity passing frequently by self-definition and apologetic steps aimed at informing Roman authorities of the existence and reality of Christianity.

“In the Christian world this century represented the concern for construction of an identity passing frequently by self-definition (in order to dispute internally with personalities such as Basilides or Marcion) and apologetic steps aimed at informing the Roman authorities of the existence and reality of Christianity.”

• cites N. BELAYCHENot matched

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• cites S.C. MIMOUNINot matched

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May combine two claims.

The accusation that Jesus was the son of a prostitute is elaborated in the Midrash in the form of the affiliation between Jesus and Christianity; Christianity is equated with the seduction of a prostitute, from whom one must distance oneself radically.

“The accusation that Jesus was the son of a prostitute is elaborated in the Midrash in the form of the affiliation between Jesus and Christianity. In other words, Christianity is equated with the seduction of a prostitute, from whom one must distance oneself radically, as we see in the following passage :”

• cites Abot de Rabbi Nathan 2/aNot matched

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