The Historical Jesus

[Modern Atheism]

 I don't think he was a performer.  I don't think the explanation for those narratives was that he arranged a shitload of elaborate tricks. 

I agree, its probably more like legend that develops over years. There is a first century miracle worker called Apollonius if Tyana. He is also claimed to have worked miracles and even supposedly ascended to heaven. It is all writen in a very detailed way, similar to how the gospels are.