The New Testament:
“And the Word became flesh,
and dwelled among us…”
John 1:14
Ch. 2: The New Testament
World of Jesus
Homework
• (due Weds, 3/16) Read pp. 52-59(top);
NB: RQs, p. 59 & Refl., p. 59
• (due Thurs., 3/17) Read 59-63; NB:
RQs, pp. 61 & 63; Refl., p. 63
• (due Fri.,3/18) Read pp. 63-69; RQs
pp. 67 & 70
Homework
• (due Mon., 3/21) Read pp. 70-76; RQs
pp. 74 & 76
• (due ., /) From PPt & other, research
your Jewish sect in prep for debate
• (due Tues., 3/22) Prepare for Review
• (Weds., 3/23) TEST on Ch. 2
Political background
• Maccabean revolt
(167-160 B.C.)
against Antiochus
IV won Jewish
independence, &
established
Hasmonean
dynasty(13463B.C.)
Political background
• John Hyrcanus I
– High Priest-King in Hasmonean
line
– 134-104B.C.
– Conquered all former territory in
Israel
– Forced all non-Jews to be
circumcised or leave (ouch!)-why?
• Sign of being fully Jewish
• “Cleansed” nation of pagan influence
Political background
• Aristobulus (104-103B.C.), next High
Priest declared himself king… some thought
him Messiah, but…
• not in line of David
• Israel became divided
over who would be
Messiah…
After the Maccabees
• Israel divided into
factions
• Eventually
conquered by
Romans in 63 B.C.
• Herod the Great
installed as “puppet”
king in 40 B.C.
“Pax Romana”
• Roman “peace”/
order from
Augustus> 5th c
• Benefits?
–
–
–
–
Common language
Road system
Legal justice
Strong military
Herod the Great
• Ruled from c. 40-4
B.C.
• Beseiged Jerusalem
w/ 60,000 Roman
troops
• Called “the Great”
> economic
prosperity under his
reign
Religion in Roman Empire
• Romans tolerated any
religion, if
– Obedience
– Taxes!!
• Some idea of God thru
philosophy/reason
Spread of Jewish Religion
• 3 Key factors:
1. Jews lived throughout empire
2. The Septuagint (LXX)
3. The rise of synagogues
Spread of Jewish Religion
• Jews were spread
throughout Roman
empire
– Popularity of
Judaism
– Prepared “the
Nations” for
coming of the
Christ
Spread of Jewish Religion
• The Septuagint or
LXX made God’s
revelation known
throughout Greek
& Roman empires
Spread of Jewish Religion
• Synagogue had
replaced Temple
as center of Jewish
life
– Why?
– How connected to
our Christian
worship?
Proselytes of the Gate
• Judaism very popular
in Roman empire- why?
• Who were they?
• They were more ready
to “receive the
Christian messagewhy?
Judaism in Jesus’ time:
4 Major Groups
• Pharisees
• Sadducees
• Essenes
• Zealots
Pharisees
•“separate” or “pious” ones
•most influential group
•laymen/ not official clergy
•focus:
–Strict living of Law(Torah)
–No compromise w/ gentiles
(Romans)
•Expected MESSIAH
WHO STRICLY
TAUGHT THE LAW
Sadducees
• Priestly aristocracy (high
priests)
• Concerned w/ Temple
practices/ worship
• Generally
wealthy/establishment
• Politics: supported
Hasmoneans/Romans
• Expected HIGH
PRIESTLY MESSIAH
Essenes
•Monastic community
•Lived in desert around Dead Sea
•Believed Jerusalem priesthood and
worship were impure
•Focus: pure living of Law
•Apocalyptic group: awaited a New
Age/ Kingdom of God
•Expected
SPIRITUAL/OTHERWORLDLY MESSIAH
Zealots
•“sicarii” (“dagger-carriers”)
•hated foreign Roman rule
•basically, terrorists: use of violence, etc.
•Kingdom of God by force
•Led revolts against Rome (66-70; 132135 AD)
•Expected MILITARY “BINLADIN”-LIKE MESSIAH
Debate
• The Roman tax, once again, has
been increased, bringing more
hardship for our People.
Furthermore, the tax must be paid
in Roman currency bearing the
image of Caesar as a god! What
shall be our response to this new
decree?
Debate
• Jeshua bar Joseph, a rabbi from
Nazareth, has been teaching &
practicing many things which
appear contrary to our Law, the
Torah, yet he displays miraculous
powers. He is quickly becoming
popular among the people, and
some hail him as our awaited
messiah.
Debate
• Our disagreements about him
could cause unrest among the
people, even rebellion! And we all
know how the Romans would
respond to that! What shall be our
response to this rabbi and his
radical teachings & practices?
…and you???
• Reflect & write on:
–What is your “image” of God? Who is
God for you/in your life?
–What role do you honestly expect
God to play in your daily life/in the
world?
–Is that expectation fair? Why/why not?
Judea and Galilee
• After Babylonian exile,
people re-settled
– Mostly in south, around
Jerusalem (former
Judah > Judea
– Some in north, into
Galilee (w/in former
“Israel”)
• Trouble w/ Palestine
for Rome?
The Samaritans
• Ethnically mixed
(w/ pagan peoples)
• Worshipped the
One God but
differently
• Other Samaritan…
stuff