The Sermon on the Mount never ceases to challenge readers in every generation. New methods and
new insights into new surroundings have to be applied to the most influential speech ever
given. In this study Ernst Baasland takes a fresh look at the history of research done on it
both on its broad influence and on the variety of interpretations. The historical questions are
seen from new perspectives. Is orality the key to a better understanding? To what extent can we
reconstruct a pre-text and the question of authenticity be answered? These questions are seen
through historiographical lenses. The author argues in favour of a universal addressee and
maintains that the speech contains radical philosophical thinking. The first audience consisted
of Jews and the religiously based understanding of life is conceived within Judaism. However
its ethics of wisdom is developed in a Hellenistic setting and provides a radical philosophy of
life.
