Welcome Dr. Tabor.

In your book "JESUS DYNASTY," wasn't James found in another tomb which you visited?

-- ropp6388



No, we have never found the James ossuary in any tomb. Take a look again at that Introduction in my book, as it is a good refresher on this whole subject. You are right, I do discuss two tomb, the Tomb of the Shroud and the Talpiot tomb, both of which I test in terms of a potential link to the James ossuary. However, since I finished the book in late 2005 we have been able to establish much more and everything now seems to point to the Talpiot tomb. In fact, I end the chapter with that idea, something about "pending new discoveries."

Why was the latin version of the name Mary used instead of the hebrew? I mean did the family start using latin names instead of traditional hebrew and why only hers? Did she die after some unknown switch to latin usage?

-- lochsloy



It is not really "Latin," but the term "Latinized," was used, meaning it was put into a form we recognize in Greek/Latin/English: Maria. No, she is not the first to use this form, there are quite a few others. It is really more of a shortened form of the name Miriam or Mariam, you can see how the "M" can get dropped, then that passes over into Greek, then Latin, and finally English.

In the book you mentioned that the bones from the James ossuary were removed and put in safe keeping. With the evidence you have brought to light being used in the defense of Golan in this next week - and with the many experts that have come forward that have stood behind the authenticity of the James ossuary - can the DNA from the Jesus bone box finally be compared with DNA that COULD POSSIBLY be extracted from the James ossuary bones? What act of God what it take to get this analysis done?

-- 2wenter



That would truly be a wonderful thing but I am not sure what happened to those materials. They are not really "bones," in the sense people might imagine. They are residue with some bone fragments. The IAA is not clear on whether they have them but they have long ago been "cleaned out." We will try to see what we can find out, as Simcha has a relationship with Golan that is cordial.

Dr. Tabor, does the academic/religious community put much stock in the gnostic gospels? the dead sea scrolls? the acts of philip? What would it take for religious leaders to admit that they are just as important as the books that made it into the Bible? and lastly, do you feel that if the church was given irrefutable proof regarding some of the claims presented in the documentary, would they still deny the facts? would proof still not be enough?

-- eire1168



It depends on the scholar you ask. April DeConick at Rice has a really interesting Blog: http://forbiddengospels.blogspot.com/. Take a look at it, I highly recommend. She is one of the scholars who has argued that the non-canonical materials can yield as much reliable history, read carefully and critically, as those in the N.T. The Dead Sea Scrolls are of course another thing, in that they are totally Jewish, not Christian. I don't think the Church will ever change the "canon," or the various "canons," that pertain to each. There is just too much at stake. But fortunately we can all read these texts. However, one must take care. All the attention the Gospel of Judas got last April turns out to be miscast in that Dr. DeConick and others now say those positive interpretations were based on misreadings of the text.

Dr.Tabor, Isn't it a logical conclusion that Jesus being a Jewish man would have indeed followed Judaism? One if the first commandments was to be fruitful and multiply.Joseph would have indeed made arrangements for a wife for Jesus.Since it is a Jewish custom. Since it is one of his claims to fame that he didn't transgress any of Torah.I am wondering why no one brings up the laws that govern the Jewish lifestyle.

-- txwhisper



It is interesting that as "shocking" as it is to think about Jesus married with children, there is no teaching of the church that he was not. What we lack is good evidence. In my book, The Jesus Dynasty, I took the position that it is unlikely he was married. This tomb represents a case in which the archaeological record might inform us. And maybe, just maybe, if we then look, we might find references to this within our N.T. gospels. Simcha is convinced that the Beloved Disciple is the son. I am not so sure, as I still stay with the idea it is James, but I think we need to look. There is also that young man who runs away naked at the arrest of Jesus, only in Mark. Strange story. He was with the group, at the last supper and arrest. Who is he?

What are the chances that the IAA will permit further exploration of the "Jesus Tomb" as well as exploration of the second, unopened tomb? Is there any further information about the wall inscription on the "Jesus Tomb?"

-- 2cirius



I think the changes are very good indeed. The coverage of the film in Israel has been positive and it was aired there early afternoon which was evening Israel time. It will be interesting to hear the reactions in tomorrows papers. There is a strong and vocal group of scholars who really oppose Simcha and all these ideas, but we will have to wait and see how things come out. I do think the tomb is worth looking at very closely. It was dug in an emergency situation in one or two days.

Dr. Tabor,
will be possible to test the "Jesus son of Joseph" bones to see if there is any sign of crucifixion?
Could a DNA test eventually relate them to the bones of Maria in the Talpiot tomb?