This is Schonfield's last book and third biography of Jesus. It brings over sixty years of his research into the life of Jesus full circle. Written in his usual lucid style and permeated throughout by deep sincerity and love of his subject, this book not only places Jesus firmly among his own people and background, thereby clarifying his actual religious beliefs, but also summarises the essence of our knowledge of the Gospel sources. It explains the meaning of the terms 'Messiah' and 'Messianic', discusses the authorship of St John's Gospel, the term 'Son of Man', and above all shows up obvious interpolations and falsifications in the Gospels. For Schonfield fans this book also contains hitherto unpublished details of the author's own life, revealing how, as a Jew, he discovered Jesus.

The author provides evidence that Paul was not, as Christians claim, the founder of a new religion, but a Jewish mystic who believed in the coming of the Messiah, whom he saw in Jesus.

The author clarifies the meaning of the terms Messiah and Messianic and in the process places Jesus firmly among his own people and background. Recognition is given to the unique moral concepts of biblical teaching, from which Schonfield deduces a path to their universal implementation.