The Eyewitnesses discusses the creation of a project that seeks to explore what it would have been like to be an eyewitness to key events in the life of Jesus Christ. The author argues that the New Testament is not solely based on the accounts of its four gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—but is corroborated by a broader historical context where many people witnessed Jesus\’ ministry, miracles, and significant events like the Sermon on the Mount, the Last Supper, and others. The book aims to combine information from the Gospels and historical accounts to form the basis of the observations made by bystanders or eyewitnesses at these events.
The inspiration for this work came from Jesuit Priest James Martin\’s book “Learning to Pray,” where Martin talks about “Ignatian Contemplation,” encouraging readers to imagine themselves as part of the biblical scenes. The author hopes that by focusing on events witnessed not just by the disciples but by ordinary people—sometimes in great numbers, sometimes very few—readers will better appreciate the impact that Jesus had both during his time and today. The ultimate aim is to allow readers to place themselves in the shoes of an eyewitness during these significant events, enriching their understanding of that time and its ongoing relevance.