Background
• The first emperor of
Rome (30 BCE-14 CE),
brought peace to the
Roman Empire, called the
census of “the whole
world”
• Stepson of Augustus and
second emperor of Rome
(14 CE- 37CE);
• according to Luke 3, Jesus
came to John for baptism in
the fifteenth year of Tiberius’
reign.
• For most of the gospel
references he is called
Caesar.
• 63 BCE, Syria and Palestine absorbed into the Roman Empire;
after this date, Jewish rulers were merely puppets of Rome
• 40 BCE Roman Senate appoints Herod I king of Judea;
• he adopted a form of Judaism, but he was mostly unpopular
with Jews;
• he reigned 37- 4 BCE,
• extended the boundaries
of the kingdom almost to
that of King David;
• it included Samaria and
Galilee and territories
east of the Jordan River
• Herod’s most famous building
project, one of the most
magnificent sanctuaries in the
ancient world;
• Successors
• Philip (4 BCE-34 CE), tetrarch of areas north and east of Sea of Galilee
• Herod Antipas (4BCE-39 CE), territories of Galilee and Perea (a region
east of the Jordan); This Herod beheaded John the Baptist; and whom
Jesus called ‘that fox’ Luke 13: 31
• Herod Archelaus, (4 BCE- 6CE); southwest, and Judea, Samaria, Idumea;
removed for incompetence; replaced with a series of procurators, Pontius
Pilate (26-36 CE)
• Herod Agrippa I, according to ACTS 12, beheaded James;
• Herod Agrippa II examined Paul when he was imprisoned at
Caesarea Maritima
• The “jewel of the
Galilee.” It was one of
the capital cities of the
Galilee and the first
capital of Herod's son,
the independent Jewish
client king of Rome
• First century Jewish
historian
• Provides important
material on first-century
Judaism and the early
Christian period
Pharisees
Academy of Jamnia
Sadducees
Samaritans
Essenes
Zealots
• Leading religious group in
Judaism 200 BCE- 200 CE
• Name derives from a word
meaning “separatists”, referring
to strict observances which
separate it from common life
• Views on resurrection and the
afterlife anticipate Christian
teaching
• Although sometimes criticized
by Jesus, the Pharisees are
sometimes his friends
• Paul was a Pharisee
• A meeting of prominent rabbis and Pharisees that met at
Jamnia in about 90 CE
• Ushered in a new stage in Judaism
• Enabled Judaism to survive without the Temple, priesthood, or
homeland
• Ancient scripture, “I require mercy, not sacrifice,” Hos 6:6
• Ultraconservative Jewish sect
100 BCE- 100 CE
• Wealthy and land-owning
• Recognized only the Torah,
not the Prophets or Writings
• Controlled the Temple and
priesthood
• Colluded with Rome, making
them unpopular with other
Jews
• Inhabitants of the territory of
Samaria
• One-time capital of the
northern kingdoms
• The orthodox Jews believed
Samaritans were descended
from Jews who had
intermarried with foreigners,
making them unacceptable
• Jesus attempted to ease
judgment of Samaritans
• Nationalistic party of first century
Judaism
• Dedicated to ridding Judaism from
foreign domination
• Militaristic and fanatically patriotic
• Resulted in unsuccessful rebellion against
Rome where the Temple was destroyed
(66-73 CE)
• An ascetic sect of first
century Judaism
• Apocalyptic convictions
(thought the end of the
world would come soon)
• Rituals like baptism and
sharing bread and wine
• Associated with Qumran
community which produced
the Dead Sea Scrolls