The Jewish Annotated New Testament Quotes

“Pistis does not signify mere acknowledgment of a truth claim, or stand, in contrast to works. Rather, like Heb ’emunah, it signifies loyalty and trust, which include appropriate behavior; hence, faithfulness. Where Paul contrasts faithfulness to deeds, he is actually contrasting two different propositions for two different groups (non-Jews or Jews), and thus two different ways of being faithful (by non-Jews, apart from circumcision and thus not under Mosaic covenant obligations because they do not become Jews/Israelites; by Jews, including circumcision and concomitant Mosaic covenant obligations). Paul opposes the idea that the faithfulness of Christ-following Gentiles should be measured by the obligation of faithfulness to proselyte conversion, which he indicates generally by reference to “circumcision” or “works of law.” Later, in the argument of Romans, especially chs 6–8; 11–15, Paul defines the faithful lifestyle expected of Gentiles.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“Just as the Gospel of Luke promotes a particular Christology (view of Jesus), which is distinct from that found in Matthew, Mark, and John, so Acts promotes a particular view of Paul. This characterization of Paul can be seen as distinct from his self-presentation in his letters. In particular, given that Paul had developed a reputation for speaking against Torah (See “Paul in Jewish Thought,” p. 741), Acts “rehabilitates” Paul by presenting him as a loyal Jew who promotes circumcision and participates in rituals in the Jerusalem Temple”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“no manuscript evidence suggests that the first two chapters are additions,”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“some Christians considered Pilate a convert to Christianity, and he is honored as a martyr in the Coptic Orthodox Church; his feast day is June 25.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“And yet there is much in the New Testament that is not anticipated in the Tanakh, such as the core idea of a divine messiah who brings redemption by dying for Israel’s sins. Some of these ideas exist separately in the Hebrew Bible—a messiah (though that term is never used there of the future ideal Davidic king), a future ideal king who has some supernatural or at least hyperbolically described characteristics (see Isa 11.1–5), though he is never called divine, and a suffering servant (see esp. Isa 53), though the identity of this servant is very unclear, and it is uncertain if the Hebrew Bible intends an individual or a group, and if this servant lives in the past, present, or future.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“This solution, while logical, may also in part be motivated by Christian theological concerns. The idea of Q developed in the late nineteenth century in Germany, where Protestants and Catholics needed to find unity in their newly emerging nation-state, and the Jewishness of Jesus was increasingly being negated by the forerunners of Nazi theology”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“we have no complete narrative of Jesus’ life that existed at the time of Paul, and there may have been none. Thus, Paul’s epistles demonstrate some knowledge of what Jesus said and did, and Paul did have contact with some of Jesus’ original followers such as Peter and John (see Gal 2), but Paul does not appear to know the Gospels”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“None of the canonical Gospels provides an explicit date of composition. Paul, who likely died during Nero’s persecution of Christians in Rome in 64 ce, never mentions the Gospels, and most scholars agree that the canonical Gospels postdate him.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“15 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, * ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything,”
― Amy-Jill Levine, The Jewish Annotated New Testament