Was Jesus a Zealot

Answer 1

This question is asking for an opinion, so there may be some disagreement here.

Perhaps if you consider the definition of Zionist: someone who wishes for the Jews to live in an autonomous state, Jesus may have fallen into the category

Answer 2

The Zealots were an early Jewish sect opposed to Roman rule of Judea. The Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus do not depict him as a Zealot, since he is recorded as on good terms with a number of Romans and approved payment of the Roman taxes.

Some say the Jesus movement may have emerged from another early Jewish sect, the Essenes.

Others, such as Burton L. Mack (Who Wrote the New Testament) see Jesus more closely associated with the Cynics. Anecdotes of the kind attributed to Jesus were common within the Cynic traditions. Opponents would attempt to catch a Cynic in some inadvertent inconsistency, but the Cynic would then take the opportunity to expose normal expectations as ridiculous. They used mildly humorous put-downs, erudite observations and insights, as well as biting sarcasm, to make their points.

Answer 3

Zionism is the modern political movement that originally supported the creation of a homeland for the Jews, and now supports the the state of Israel. At the time attributed to Jesus this would have been a meaningless concept, as the homeland of the Jews was accepted as Judea, where they formed a majority.

Answer 4

I don't believe anybody saw Jesus as a Zionist. This term only became known much later than his era and could never be applied to his attitude.

Answer 5

Jesus is a Jew by nationality.