Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
by Reza Aslan
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan holds a well received rating of 3.82 out of 5, based on 41.1K reader ratings. First published in 2013. The book spans 296 pages.
About Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
From the internationally bestselling author of No god but God comes a fascinating, provocative, and meticulously researched biography that challenges long-held assumptions about the man we know as Jesus of Nazareth. Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher and miracle worker walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was captured, tortured, and executed as a state criminal. Within decades after his shameful death, his followers would call him God. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most influential and enigmatic characters by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived: first-century Palestine, an age awash in apocalyptic fervor. Scores of Jewish prophets, preachers, and would-be messiahs wandered through the Holy Land, bearing messages from God. This was the age of zealotry—a fervent nationalism that made resistance to the Roman occupation a sacred duty incumbent on all Jews. And few figures better exemplified this principle than the charismatic Galilean who defied both the imperial authorities and their allies in the Jewish religious hierarchy. Balancing the Jesus of the Gospels against the historical sources, Aslan describes a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction; a man of peace who exhorted his followers to arm themselves with swords; an exorcist and faith healer who urged his disciples to keep his identity a secret; and ultimately the seditious “King of the Jews” whose promise of liberation from Rome went unfulfilled in his brief lifetime. Aslan explores the reasons why the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. And he grapples with the riddle of how Jesus understood himself, the mystery that is at the heart of all subsequent claims about his divinity. Zealot yields a fresh perspective on one of the greatest stories ever told even as it affirms the radical and transformative nature of Jesus of Nazareth’s life and mission. The result is a thought-provoking, elegantly written biography with the pulse of a fast-paced novel: a singularly brilliant portrait of a man, a time, and the birth of a religion.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Reza Aslan |
| Published | 2013 |
| Pages | 296 |
| Kindle Price | $13.99 |
| Genres | History, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Religion & Spirituality |
| Average Rating | 3.82 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 41,094 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth?
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth is categorized as History, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth worth reading?
Based on 41.1K reader ratings, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth has an average score of 3.82 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth?
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth has 296 pages.
Who wrote Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth?
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth was written by Reza Aslan. It was first published in 2013.
What is the ISBN for Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth?
The ISBN-13 for Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth is 9781400069220.0.
How much does Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth cost on Kindle?
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth is available on Kindle for $13.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
