"Patterns of Persuasion in the Gospels will open the next stage in Synoptic studies. Mack and Robbins have returned synoptic criticism to the road it missed when Bultmann and Dibelius decided to ignore Greco-Roman education and rhetoric. Starting from a sophisticated and detailed study of what the rhetorical handbooks say about the elaboration of chreiai, they illuminate the most basic techniques and logic which the Gospel writers used in developing the Jesus traditions. It is required reading for everyone with a serious interest in the critical study of the Gospels." — Stanley K. Stowers, Brown University (from the back cover)