Abstract

For most of Jesus’ life, his ministry on the earth was marked with a sense of obscurity. The Gospels tell a story that after Jesus calming the storm in the presence of his disciples, they asked, “Who is this man? That even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matt 8:27). On an occasion where Jesus was anointed by a sinful woman upon whom Jesus pronounced words of forgiveness, the guests at the table exclaimed: “Who is this man, who even forgives sins?” (Lk. 7:49). After beheading John the Baptist, King Herod made a similar statement: “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” (Lk. 9:9). Thus the origin, identity, and even the role of Jesus Christ were for most of his earthly ministry obscure to the Christians (disciples), the religious establishment (the Pharisees and Sadducees), and the political elites (King Herod).