This book is written for non specialist readers. Though based on ample and profound scholarship, its language is simple and straightforward and technical terms are avoided. Is purpose is to give a fresh and vivid understanding of this great drama in the world's history. Professor Benoit divides the drama into thirteen main sections, each of which is preceded by the relevant passages in the four gospels, set out in parallel columns. In each section he first compares or contrasts these biblical accounts to bring out their peculiarities and interdependence. This process does not stop short at purely literary analysis but attempts to detect traces of earlier verbal accounts underlying the written text.