A comparison of classical Jewish, early Christian and Gnostic interpretation creates a three-dimensional picture of the development of these religious movements in Palestine. The author shows the contradictions in their approaches to Scripture, which largely determined the continued existence of both religions. The study is written based on a careful analysis of the sources, but is so clear and simple that it is accessible to a wide range of interested readers. Mark Hirschman teaches midrash. Talmud and Rabbinic Teaching at the University of Haifa, Hebrew University and Oranim.