This article compares the recorded teachings of Jesus to what is now known about the teaching of rabbis in the first half of the first century. The author looks at three examples: prayer, divorce and earthly rewards. Knowledge of the Rabbinic teachings is used to illuminate the meaning of the recorded words of Jesus. It is demonstrated that Jesus challenges, subverts and nuance the common teachings of his day. In addition, if emerging knowledge of these early traditions is ignored then it is very difficult for the words of Jesus to be understood in their original context or applied appropriately today.