I've been reading some N.T. Wright lately and have had my eyes open to lack of my understanding of the Hebrew/Israelite culture that colors my understanding of the Jesus narratives. Knowing the political, social and economic situations of the various groups that where in play definately gives a different meaning to some of the passages. Much more "political" in nature, considering all that was going on in Israel at the time.

For instance being a disciple (talmid) meant something quite different than what our western version means:

A talmid did not follow a rabbi as a student. They desired to gain the rabbi's knowledge, but for a greater goal-they wanted to become like the rabbi himself.

A talmid followed the rabbi everywhere-every day, and every hour of the day-often without knowing or asking where the rabbi was going. The talmid rarely left his rabbi's side for fear that he would miss a teachable moment. He watched the rabbi's every move, noting how he acted and thought about a variety of situations.

Talmidim trusted their rabbi completely. They were eager to hear the rabbi's teachings and they worked passionately to incorporate the rabbi's actions and words into their lives. The disciple's deepest desire was to follow his rabbi so closely that he would start to think and act like the rabbi himself.

Here is an interesting site: Follow The Rabbi