50th Anniversary of Geza Vermes’ English Translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of Prof. Geza Vermes’ English translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls (first made in 1962). There is an interview with Prof. Vermes on the BBC’s Heart and Soul with John McCarthy, which covers Vermes’ English translation of the DSS and his writings on the historical Jesus. You can listen to the interview on BBC iPlayer.

I would contest nearly every point Vermes makes about the historical Jesus in the interview, even so, I am immensely grateful for his work on the scrolls, his update of Emil Schurer’s History of the Jewish People, and his contribution to historical Jesus studies. His translation of the DSS is a very accessible and affordable book that I still urge students to purchase. I remember, during my doctoral studies, having a thorough read through it and underlining every reference to Gentiles, Romans, or the Kittim. So congrats to Prof. Vermes.