Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction : the Messiah in the Old and New Testaments / Stanley E. Porter -- Old Testament and related perspective. The Messiah : explorations in the Law and Writings / Tremper Longman III. Figuring the future : the Prophets and Messiah / Mark J. Boda. The Messiah in the Qumran documents / Al Wolters. Messianic ideas in the apocalyptic and related literature of early Judaism / Loren T. Stuckenbruck -- New Testament perspective. Jesus as Messiah in Mark and Matthew / I. Howard Marshall. The Messiah in Luke and Acts : forgiveness for the captives / Stanley E. Porter. Remembering Jesus : John's negative Christology / Tom Thatcher. Divine life and corporate Christology : God, Messiah Jesus, and the covenant community in Paul / S.A. Cummins. Messianic themes of temple, enthronement, and victory in Hebrews and the General Epistles / Cynthia Long Westfall. The Messiah in the Old and New Testaments : a response / Craig A. Evans.

When the ancients talked about "messiah," what did they picture? Did that term refer to a stately figure who would rule, to a militant who would rescue, or to a variety of roles held by many? While Christians have traditionally equated the word "messiah" with Jesus, the discussion is far more complex. This volume contributes significantly to that discussion. Ten expert scholars here address questions surrounding the concept of "messiah" and clarify what it means to call Jesus "messiah." The book comprises two main parts, first treating those writers who preceded or surrounded the New Testament (two essays on the Old Testament and two on extrabiblical literature) and then discussing the writers of the New Testament. Concluding the volume is a critical response by Craig Evans to both sections. - Publisher.