i think jesus was very aware of what he expected, about the way he needed to go to achieve his goals and how everything will turn out at the end.

Its not about going arround and fake people to believe. i think he knew exactly what the people wanted to hear/get/have at this period of time.
and way more important he knew how to reach them and most important he knew how to keep in their minds and stories.

all of this is neccessary to keep a religion "alive".
a charismatic and smart person with the key to success (and with a few supporting followers that are not only decoration but participate in this work) thats all you need.
and offering the "market" what they want.

during his time religion was more or less a work or law. you have to obey, obey, obey.
he simply got rid of this and put the connection between god and the mankind into first position.
not only into first position but into actual connection. (god being a part of everyone was a revolution)

while others preached rituals it must have been quite impressive at the time what jesus had to say.
kind of a young and charismatic revolutionist with new visions and the will to go his way whetever happens.

in any way quite impressive
cheers