Yeshua ben Pantera: Who is Pantera? Jewish texts designates Jesus as Yeshua ben Pantera or Yeshu ben Pandera. Historians and linguists have several theories regarding where the name “Pantera” originated
A Roman Soldier
Some historical accounts, including those by the 2nd-century Greek philosopher Celsus (an early critic of Christianity), claimed that Jesus was the illegitimate son of a Roman soldier named Tiberius Iulius Abdes Pantera. A tombstone for a soldier by this name was actually discovered in Germany in the 19th century, though there is no definitive proof he was the man mentioned in these texts.
A Play on the Greek Word for Virgin
Many scholars believe “Pantera” is a satirical pun on the Greek word “Parthenos” (meaning virgin). Since Christians claimed Jesus was born of a virgin (parthenos), critics may have corrupted the word into Pantera (panther) as a mocking rebuttal of the Virgin Birth.
A Family Surname
Others suggest Pantera may simply have been a nickname or a family name within the lineage of Joseph or Mary that was preserved in Jewish oral tradition.
