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A new interpretation of the non-diffracting Bessel beams is given as a superposition of two fields described by Hankel functions. Within our picture, supported by the Sommerfeld radiation condition, we find that Bessel beams must be of finite transverse extension. Our approach also easily explains propagation characteristics of Bessel-Gauss beams and, in general, the propagation of amplitude modulated Bessel beams. Consequences are discussed and contrasted with the classic theory of Bessel beams.