This work investigates the historical reliability and transmission of the oral traditions concerning Jesus of Nazareth prior to their codification in the Gospels. A. J. B. Higgins, a noted scholar in New Testament studies, utilizes critical analysis of early Christian sources to evaluate how the teachings and actions of Jesus were preserved and adapted by the early church. The text provides a framework for understanding the transition from oral proclamation to written record within the context of the Scottish Journal of Theology's academic standards.

Scholars frequently cite this volume as a focused contribution to the mid-20th-century debate regarding form criticism and oral tradition. It remains a specialized resource for students and researchers interested in the technical aspects of New Testament textual transmission.