Jesus as a Dark Horse

Patrick Reany

27 March 2024

Introduction:

At the time of Jesus there was a difference of opinion among the Jews about the physical origin of the Christ. Some believed that He would come from Bethlehem; others from Galilee. But the most interesting opinion concerning the physical origin of Christ is that he would be from parts unknown, as if his first public appearance would be him riding into Jerusalem on a white horse or walking in from the eastern desert. But I know of no verse in the Law or the Prophets that claim that the origin of the Christ would be mysterious, so where did this idea come from? From the Jewish Esoterica or Mysticism, perhaps?

In the person of Melchizedek we have a sort of forerunner of Jesus in this prominent person whose origin is mysterious, although I don't know that anyone ever pointed out the mysterious origin of Melchizedek until the writer of Hebrews did:

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. -- Hebrews 6:20

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. -- Hebrews 7:1-3

Genesis 14:18-20, which tells the initial story of Melchizedek, and which the reader can lookup if interested. But Psalm 110:4 gives us a reference to him which is one of the most mysterious verses of the Old Testament.

The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Patrick:
According to https://literarydevices.net/

A dark-horse is a person who comes out from nowhere, wins, and becomes a hero.

Why is it, then, that some Jews from Jerusalem said of Jesus:

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he [Jesus], whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. -- John 7:25-27

Also see Isaiah 53:1-2 for another hint of his origin [For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground].

So, although I can see how the Jews of Jesus' day might be of different opinions on where the Christ would come from, I don't see why some of them assumed that they weren't supposed to know his origin, as though they expected that God had intended that the Christ must not have a known earthly origin. Were they expecting the Christ to just descend from heaven or just walk out of the desert, unknown to anyone in Israel?

Later in John 7, others claim that Christ was not a dark horse (he was from Bethlehem or Galilee). It's very confusing. It seems that the Jews of Jesus' day believed all kinds of contradictory things concerning the origin of Christ. Is there some esoteric doctrine about the Christ's origin that I'm not aware of?

Comment?

ChatGPT:
The passages you referenced from the Gospel of John indeed reflect some of the complexities and debates surrounding the identity and origin of Jesus among the Jewish people of his time. It's important to consider the historical and cultural context in order to understand the perspectives presented in these passages.

Firstly, regarding the notion of Jesus being a "dark horse" or of unknown origin, it's evident that there were differing beliefs and expectations among the Jewish population regarding the Messiah. Some may have held to the idea that the Messiah would emerge suddenly and unexpectedly, without a clear earthly origin. This could stem from various interpretations of Messianic prophecies, as well as from the anticipation of a divine figure whose origins were not necessarily rooted in conventional human lineage.

On the other hand, as you noted, there were also prophetic expectations regarding the Messiah's birthplace, such as the prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. This belief was reinforced by the teachings of Jewish scholars and the scriptures. Additionally, the reference to Isaiah 9:1-7, which speaks of a great light shining in Galilee, could have led some to associate the Messiah with that region.

The confusion and contradictory beliefs among the Jewish people regarding the Messiah's origin are reflective of the diverse interpretations of scripture and the complexities of Messianic expectations during that time. Some may have been more influenced by traditional teachings and prophecies, while others may have been open to different interpretations or were influenced by contemporary events and perspectives.

It's also worth noting that the Gospel of John, like the other Gospels, was written from a particular theological perspective and aimed to convey specific messages about Jesus' identity and mission. The passages you referenced may reflect the author's efforts to address and reconcile these various beliefs and interpretations within the narrative framework of the Gospel.

Overall, the complexities surrounding the beliefs about the Messiah's origin among the Jewish people of Jesus' time highlight the diversity of thought and interpretation within Judaism, as well as the challenges of reconciling different prophetic traditions and expectations with the person and teachings of Jesus.

Patrick:
So, you are not aware of any esoteric teaching of the first century that might have led to the belief that the Christ would not have a known origin?

ChatGPT:
While there were various teachings and interpretations circulating in the first century regarding the Messiah, including some esoteric or mystical beliefs, there isn't a widely recognized or documented esoteric teaching specifically stating that the Messiah would have no known earthly origin.

Esoteric teachings in Judaism during that time period were often associated with mystical traditions such as Kabbalah, but their focus was more on spiritual insights, hidden meanings within scripture, and the mystical aspects of divine revelation rather than on specific details about the Messiah's origin.

However, it's important to acknowledge that there were diverse religious and philosophical currents within Judaism during the first century, including within groups like the Essenes and certain strands of Pharisaic Judaism, which held a range of beliefs and interpretations regarding Messianic prophecy and eschatology. Some of these beliefs may have been less mainstream and could have included unconventional ideas about the Messiah's nature and origins.

Ultimately, the beliefs and expectations surrounding the Messiah's origin in the first century were shaped by a complex interplay of scriptural interpretation, historical circumstances, cultural influences, and theological perspectives. While there may have been some less widely known or esoteric teachings on this subject, they would likely have been part of a broader tapestry of diverse beliefs rather than a dominant or widely accepted doctrine.

Okay, I finished querying ChatGPT; now it's time to query Copilot.

Patrick:
A dark-horse is a person who comes out from nowhere, wins, and becomes a hero.

Why is it, then, that some Jews from Jerusalem said of Jesus:

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he [Jesus], whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. -- John 7:25-27

Copilot:
Certainly! The passage you've quoted from the Gospel of John raises an intriguing question about Jesus and his origins. Let's explore this further.

John 7:25-27 recounts a conversation among some Jews in Jerusalem regarding Jesus. They express surprise at his boldness in speaking, especially considering that the authorities seek to kill him. Their curiosity leads them to wonder whether Jesus might be the long-awaited Messiah (the Christ). However, they also acknowledge their uncertainty about his origins: "But when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is."

Now, let's delve into some historical and esoteric perspectives:

1. The Essenes:
- The Essenes were a Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known for their ascetic lifestyle, communal living, and esoteric practices.
- Some scholars have speculated about a connection between Jesus and the Essenes. Helena P. Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society, suggested that Jesus was secretly trained by the Essenes and then left their community to become a traveling healer [1].
- However, this idea is not universally accepted. The classical sources (such as Josephus, Philo, and Pliny) describe the Essenes as a secretive, initiatory community engaged in the study of mysteries and esoteric practices. It's conceivable that some early Christians and esotericists imagined the Essenes playing a hidden role in shaping events [1].

2. Gnosticism:
- Gnosticism emerged in the late 1st century AD and included various religious ideas and systems. It coalesced among Jewish and early Christian sects.
- Gnostics believed in secret knowledge (gnosis) that enabled spiritual redemption. They often saw the material world as flawed and ruled by a lesser divinity (the demiurge), while Christ represented the supreme divine being.
- Although Gnosticism isn't directly tied to the Essenes, it shares some similarities in its emphasis on hidden knowledge and spiritual enlightenment [2,3].

3. Early Christianity and Judaism:
- Jesus was a Jew, and the earliest Christianity emerged within Judaism. Acknowledging Jesus as "the Christ" implies fulfillment of promises made to Hebrew patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [4].
- While the Gospels don't mention the Essenes, they do highlight Jesus' unique teachings, healing, and boldness. His origins remain mysterious, and the Gospel of John emphasizes this uncertainty.

In summary, the idea that the Christ would emerge unexpectedly, like a "dark horse," aligns with esoteric themes found in various Jewish and early Christian contexts. Whether the Essenes played a role or not, the mystery surrounding Jesus' origins continues to captivate scholars and seekers alike.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/25/2024
(1) Jesus and the Essenes: An Esoteric History | Bible Interp. https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/jesus-and-essenes-esoteric-history.
(2) Gnosticism - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism.
(3) Gnosticism: Origin, Meaning and Relation to Christianity. https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/gnosticism-11629621.html.
(4) history of early Christianity - Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-early-Christianity.
(5) Jewish Mysticism's Origins | My Jewish Learning. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jewish-mysticisms-origins/.

My Comments:

I have no doubt that the account given in the Gospel of John is correct about there being some Jews at the time of Jesus who actually thought that the Christ should just appear mysteriously from nowhere onto the public scene, as illogical as that is. So, it's possible that the knowledge of the origin of this "Dark-Horse Christ" hypothesis of the Messiah's physical origin has been lost to history.