The Middle Class Jesus

A Tract Book Essay

By

Anthony J. Fejfar, J.D., Esq., Coif

© Copyright 2007 by Anthony J. Fejfar

I have a radical argument to make. I argue that Jesus of Nazareth

was a middle class person, not poor. Let us first look to the home which

Jesus most probably lived in. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus was a

carpenter and a furniture maker. In every culture, even today’s culture, a

carpenter doing finish carpentry or a hand made furniture maker is a skilled

tradesman, and middle class. I argue that Jesus grew up in a middle class

household and received a middle class education. Jesus’ education was

probably that of a Hellenistic Jew, giving him a very good classical greek

education in addition to the Torah.

I also argue that Jesus was a Jewish lawyer with a graduate education,

perhaps even a Sadducee. I argue that the Saddducees believed in

reincarnation rather than life after death in “Heaven.” I argue that Jesus

not only was a rabbi or teacher, but was also a member of the Sanhedrin. I

argue that Jesus was a radical lawyer who dedicated his life to the call of the

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book of Isaiah for social justice. By the time of his public ministry, Jesus

from probably disbarred or expelled from the Sanhedrin for heresy. In any

event, as an adult, I argue that Jesus of Nazareth was a professional, with a

professional education and a middle class lifestyle. Some may think my

argument that Jesus was a lawyer is unfounded, but it is no more unfounded

than the argument that Jesus was an illiterate, itinerant preacher.