Bethany,
Yes, it can be surprising that Jesus was regarded as a great rabbi by the Jewish people. The Jewish historian during the first century AD mentions that Jesus was a wise man who performed deeds. Although there is some debate as to how much of Josephus’ work was later modified by Christians. In my own research I have found Jewish and agnostic scholars conduct research on Jesus and His teachings. Notably David Flusser and Paula Frederiksen. The dark stain of antisemitism in the church’s history has done more to keep Jews from acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.
