The Christ of the Miracle Stories

"Calling on her almost encyclopedic knowledge of conditions in the first-century Mediterranean world, Professor Cotter discusses the miracle stories reported in the Gospel of Mark in terms of the likely reaction of contemporary people upon seeing them or hearing of them. This enables her to portray the Jesus of these stories in terms of his divine authority and power and also as an example of how his followers are to treat those to whom they proclaim the gospel. The book is an excellent source for both historical information and theological reflection."--Paul J. Achtemeier, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

"In this engaging book, Professor Cotter presents the best explanation to date of why Jesus' followers narrated the stories of his mighty deeds as they did. She points us both to the unusually bold, even outrageous, speech of the petitioners and to Jesus' exemplary use of his power to inspire his followers to treat compassionately those who deserve rebuke and rejection."--S. Scott Bartchy, UCLA

"Wendy Cotter's penetrating analysis and her formidable knowledge of the Greco-Roman world are brought to bear on the encounters between Jesus and the forward, pushy, and insistent petitioners of the Gospel miracle stories. Yielding a stream of fresh insights, she shows that the miracle stories were not only attestations of Jesus' power, intended simply to amaze. Cotter shows that the miracle stories serve as anecdotes revealing the face of Jesus--his soul, his virtue--to those who long to know what he was like and to those who strive to be like him."--Graham H. Twelftree, Regent University School of Divinity

"In this exciting new study, Wendy Cotter draws on a wide range of documentation from the Greco-Roman and Jewish historical contexts to explain the characteristics of the petitioners of Jesus across different categories of miracle stories. She likewise examines the virtues of Jesus as portrayed in the miracle stories. The result is an engaging new study in which readers will encounter, for instance, the boldness of a Bartimaeus or a leper together with a Jesus who demonstrates epieikia and a profound philanthrōpia. I highly recommend this book to a range of readers."--Elaine Wainwright, University of Auckland