Soon after on Lake Galilee, a storm strikes and Yeshua saves the boat and crew by calming it. This is accurate. He used the spirit of God within him to do this.

The next reference to the possessed man is an addition.

The victim was mentally unstable and Yeshua healed him. His treatment by the locals, who chained him, was nothing short of barbaric.

The reference to spirits and suicidal pigs is a blatant anti-Semitic addition.

After healing the poor man, he sends him home with a mental note. “Tell your family what the Lord has done for you.”

Now this is important. It shows that Yeshua worked miracles by the spirit of God. That is what he meant. It does not infer that he is God. As a Hebrew, he would never have made such a claim. Whether direct or indirect.

Yeshua then raises the daughter of Jairus, and warns about keeping it private. The reference to the woman being healed by touching his cloak is accurate. As is his statement, “Who touched me.”
He would have felt the power, supplied by the spirit of God, being drained somewhat. The reaction of the disciples is a little comic and obviously genuine.

Yeshua then returns to Nazareth where he is obviously recognised. Joseph is not mentioned which means that he had passed on. The people reject him because they knew him. The reference to prophets not being respected in their hometown is accurate. The reference to his relatives and family show the strained relations. I think it is likely Yeshua would have put that bit like this. “Why don’t they believe me?”

The disciples are then put in groups of two and sent out. Again, reference to evil spirits/demons has been added. The other reference to shaking the dust off feet in places they are not welcome is an obvious addition. Yeshua would not have threatened.

Next, we hear that the Baptist is dead. This happened, though the account in Mark and elsewhere is obviously rumour. You cannot blame him for recording what he heard though.

Herod would never have explained why or how he died. His body would have been buried quietly and not returned to his followers.

After the disciples returned to Yeshua, an interesting incident occurs that needs thorough explanation. It concerns the feeding of the 5000. This number is too large. Mark miscounted. There were probably around 100 though. Substantial in those days. The actual feeding miracle is accurate, done through the spirit of God.

Next, we find an addition. Walking on water did not happen. He crossed the Lake by boat. God’s spirit does not extend to that feat. It would break one of His own laws, which are sacrosanct.

Yeshua then heals at Gennesaret. This is followed by the ancestors incident. It is accurate that the Jewish faith follows the ancestors teaching, and that before eating they ritually washed their hands. The accusation that the disciples did not do this is an addition. They would have done, like Yeshua himself.

The reference to hypocrites is correct. He was referring to the Mosaic Law, which many of them twisted for their own ends. It also makes clear that Yeshua upheld the Mosaic Law by his direct quote.
Yeshua then tackles the thorny issue of ritual uncleanliness.
The first section regarding everything is okay to eat is an addition. This was a sop to the Gentiles and part of the Pauline Heresy. Yeshua and his followers would have kept away from foods that were forbidden. However, his reference to Man s speech and actions is genuine.

Yeshua then heads for the area around Tyre, Phoenicia. He basically needs rest, hence the reference. The reference to the woman is an addition. The accurate part, where he tells her that feeding children comes before feeding pets is true. It is obvious she brought the kids along, and Yeshua saw that they were half starved. He gave her sound advice.

From here, he travels to Lake Galilee, a favourite spot. At this location, he heals a deaf-mute. What follows is also accurate, though the figure of 4000 is far too high. I suggest around a 100 were present. His sympathy for the people is genuine.

The Pharisees asking for a miracle is an addition. They would not have done this. The next section too is an addition. Apart from the warning regarding Herod. At this time, the Roman’s were the real threat.

At Bethsaida, Yeshua heals a blind man before he decides to satisfy his curiosity. He simply asks his disciples, “What do the people think about me?”

Fair question really.

Their reply is more than interesting.

“Well, some think you’re John the Baptist, while others think that you’re Elijah or one of the prophets.” Yeshua then asks, “How about you?”

Peter answers, “You are the Messiah.”

Yeshua then advises that he keeps this to himself.

This series shall continue...