The Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew, is familiar to all Christians. Yet, despite its familiarity, there are many questions surrounding this sermon and scholars have done their best to provide answers. Was it really a sermon, or was it a mountain retreat that consisted of many speeches from Jesus? How are we to understand Jesus’ words in a pre-Christian context? Insights from the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew and Talmud help to answer such questions.

In his book, The Mountain Yeshiva: An Old Look at the Sermon on the Mount, author James. R. Ward is primarily interested in how Jesus’ listeners understood His message. He looks at it, not through the lens of Church history but rather, in its original Jewish context.

For those serious Bible students who desire the educational middle-ground between an academic work and a devotional guide, The Mountain Yeshiva: An Old Look at the Sermon on the Mount will provide you with an interesting analysis of chapters five through seven in the Gospel of Matthew.

James Ward’s diverse background enables him to bring a unique perspective to the scriptures. His decades of experience as a Bible teacher, IT professional, and understanding of the Bible languages helps him to notice many of the important details in God’s word. Those details often work to demystify the passages in question and illuminate the simple understanding of the speaker’s intentions. The author also seeks to peel back the layers of traditional interpretation that often hide the plain understanding of the scriptures. He is a technician and a teacher who seeks to reveal basic truths that are there waiting to be found.