Mitchell has culled through the synoptic writings and given us brisk and accurate renderings, paired with his fascinating reflections on them and some apt comparisons to other philosophers, Zen masters, visionaries, and poets. This approach succeeds brilliantly. Jesus, or at least Mitchell's attractive portrait of him, leaps into life and will fire the interest of believers and nonbelievers alike.
–Harvey Cox, Tikkun

Thank God for Stephen Mitchell. His latest book, The Gospel According to Jesus, is excellent reading for those who prefer being pulled from preoccupation with self to the poetic and profound. The introduction alone offers enough fresh and disturbing ideas to be worth the price of the book... The center of the book is a new translation from the Greek of the sayings of Jesus and commentary on the same. By using the best of modern scholarship, Mitchell strips the gospel to its essence, omitting all passages that were added by the early church. As a result the "good news" is once again news. In the hands of this sculptor of words, the reflections on the text are masterpieces.
–Mary Lou Kownacki, Commonweal

Mitchell's translations of the Tao Te Ching and The Book of Job are widely regarded as masterpieces; this book is even more valuable. We live in a civilization based on a twisted compromise of Jesus' teachings, and this very credible account of what Jesus may have actually said is a small but potent antidote.
–Michael Ventura, L. A. Weekly

Very provocative and very thoughtful — a remarkable book.
–Studs Terkel, WSMT