"You are not yet 50"

[max-greece]

Apart from the obvious possibility that Jesus had not aged well and that therefore they took him to be older than he was there is a vague sort of idea in Judaism that 50 is an age of maturity when you have a right to opine on issues. At the same time there was a sense that anyone who died before making it to 50 had died young - even back then.

This is the safer bet, i believe. Kabbalah, a later development, traditionally held 40 to be the magic number. Jews like their life events well defined, no doubt.

Still, I like the conspiracy aspect of my previous post. It appeals to my subversive nature.

Yes - it did get lowered at some point due to a distinct lack of longevity amongst Jews (although rarely due to natural causes).

Basically being Jewish is a bit like getting cancer - it may well kill you - but its not contagious.