Mysteries of The Messiah

MYSTERIES OF THE MESSIAH
Bringing Understanding to the Life of Jesus With This Easy to use !o"#rehensi$e Resour%e On the Histori%a&' !u&tura&' and Je(ish Issues that Sha#ed the Ministry En$iron"ent of Jesus
Wi&&ia" H) Heinri%h
Last u#date (as on *o$"+er ,-' ./,0
1&ease note2 This edition of Mysteries of the Messiah is on&y a+out ,'/// #ages) A "ore %o"#&ete edition (i&& +e #osted +y the end of Fe+ruary' ./,3) Additiona& $ideos and u#dates (i&& +e #osted as funds +e%o"e a$ai&a+&e)
JESUS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE by Lillie A. Faris.
It is good to be highly educated; it is better to be educated from on high; but it is best to be both. - Author Unknown
Heinrich, William H., 1947Mysteries of the Messiah / y William H. Heinrich !nclu"es io#ra$hical references an" in"e%. &i rary of 'on#ress 'atalo#in# in (u lication )ata* 1. +irst 'entury ,u"aism -. .i lical History /. 0oman History 4. 1heolo#y 2. Hermeneutics an" A$olo#etics 3. Ancient Mi""le 4ast 'ultural 5tu"ies 6 1997 7 -81/ y William H. Heinrich. All 0i#hts 0eser9e" All ri#hts reser9e". :o $art of this $u lication may e re$ro"uce" for commercial $ur$oses without the $rior $ermission of the $u lisher, e%ce$t as follows* !n"i9i"uals may "ownloa" the entire e- ook for the $ur$ose of $ri9ate stu"y, research, or for classroom use. 1eachers may make multi$le co$ies of a section or sections of this we site/e- ook for classroom use only, not to e%cee" one co$y $er stu"ent in the class. 1hese co$ies shoul" $ro9i"e the a$$ro$riate cre"it ;title of this we site/e- ook an" author<s name=. Any fees char#e" to stu"ents must e limite" to $a$er an" ink. !llustrations an" $hoto#ra$hs are use" y $ermission, the work of the author, or are in $u lic "omain. While e9ery effort has een ma"e to trace co$yri#ht hol"ers an" seek $ermission to use illustrati9e material, the author an" $u lisher a$olo#i>e for any ina"9ertent errors or omissions an" woul" e #la" to rectify these in future e"itions. (u lishe" y 49i"ence of 1ruth Ministries, !nc. ( ? .o% 1 Witmer, (A 172@2-8881 Unite" 5tates
Unless otherwise note", all 5cri$ture Auotations are taken from the H'5. , 'o$yri#ht 6 1999, -888, -88-, -88/, -889 y Holman .i le (u lishers.
4 Use" y $ermission. H'5. is a fe"erally re#istere" tra"emark of Holman .i le (u lishers.
Welcome to Mysteries of the Messiah we site/e- ook where you will #ain a "ee$er un"erstan"in# of the ,ewish, cultural, an" $olitical issues that sha$e" the ministry en9ironment of ,esus. 1his "ocument is the culmination of thousan"s of hours of research an" writin#, to hel$ you attain a "ee$er un"erstan"in# of the wor"s an" work of ,esus our Messiah. 1his is an e"itor<s e"ition, meanin# that corrections an" a""itions will e forthcomin#. 1his we site/e- ook contains 7 More than 3 9i"eo mini-lectures y lea"in# scholars who "iscuss im$ortant "etails More than ! wor"s an" $hrases e%$laine" Hebrai" style of #oetry restore" in a$$ro$riate $assa#es An i$ter$al sear"h e$%i$e in the full manuscri$t ;After March 1, -814= More than & B i lical "ifficultiesC an" har" sayin#s carefully e%$laine" More than &' Auestions are answere" concernin# issues of the culture, ,u"aism, an" the $olitical en9ironment, inclu"in# some that stu"ents may ha9e o9erlooke". ALL .i lical $assa#es a$$ear in bol( re( fo$t More than ' ancient e%tra- i lical Auotations a$$ear in bol( bl)e fo$t that $ro9i"e insi#ht to the reli#ious, cultural an" $olitical en9ironment of ,esus. More than *' $hoto#ra$hs, many of which were taken y the author :early & ma$s an" illustrations More than &+, si$%le-s#a"e( #a%es of te%t. More than * a$$en"ices. More than 3+ footnotes, many with multi$le references More than . + wor"s in the entire manuscri$t More than ' listin#s in BWorks 'ite"C
5 More than &+ listin#s in . 1a les of 'ontent More than */ BA &esson in +irst 'entury HermeneuticsC e%$lanations.
1his e- ook was written for a roa" au"ience, es$ecially non-4n#lish s$eakin# $astors an" stu"ents who mi#ht ha9e limite" 4n#lish skills, to recei9e an e%cellent Western seminary-le9el e"ucation on the life an" times of ,esus. +urthermore, this site will e continually u$"ate" as a""itional information is o taine". !t is my ho$e that as you stu"y, your knowle"#e an" faith will #row in the Din# of kin#s an" &or" of lor"s. 7 0e9. )r. William H. B.illC Heinrich
U$it & I$tro()"tio$ to this 0ebsite Cha#ter & First Thi$%s First
&. &. & 0el"o1e Welcome to one of the most com$rehensi9e sites on the life an" times of ,esus. )isco9er the fascinatin# historical, cultural, an" reli#ious ack#roun" that sha$e" His ministry en9ironment. 1his e- ook was written in layman<s lan#ua#e. !t #oes "ee$ into an o9erwhelmin# su$$ly of ancient literary an" archaeolo#ical e9i"ence that not only she"s li#ht on the su Eect, ut also su$$orts the historical accuracy of the i lical accounts. +or elie9ers, a "ee$er un"erstan"in# of their own faith will e enriche" an" mysterious ri""les will e e%$laine". +or those who ha9e "isa#ree" with the su stance of this work, a far more enli#htene" un"erstan"in# of ,esus an" 'hristianity will e re9eale". 1herefore, oth committe" elie9ers an" committe"
6 ske$tics will e in for a real treat.
4ideo Insert
/,)/,)/,)4, An e6%iting $ideo #re$ie( 7.2008 a MUST SEE9 !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e)
4ideo Insert
/,)/,)/,)4. We&%o"e and introdu%tion %o""ents +y the author' ;r) Wi&&ia" H) <Bi&&= Heinri%h 7320>8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) &. &. * 0hy the $a1e Mysteries of the Messiah? Din# 5olomon once sai" that there is nothin# new un"er the sun, so why the mysterious name of this we siteF 1hat is a #reat Auestion an" ! am so #la" you aske". !n a""ition, there is an ol" a"a#e that says, 2If $e3+ it is )$tr)e4 If tr)e+ it is $ot $e3.5 1he term Mystery or Mysteries herein "oes not "enote an unknowable thin#, ut what has een withheld or withdrawn from common knowle"#e an" cannot e known without s$ecial manifestation of it. 1 1here is nothin# mystical a out ,esus. 1he name was selecte" ecause as one stu"ies ,esus in His historical an" cultural conte%t, su""en clarity comes to $assa#es that once were clou"y. A fresh re9elation of life comes to His wor"s an" work. What may e mysterious to some has een known to a few throu#hout history. 1he author an" those who worke" on this $roEect $assionately a"9ocate that the .i le is to e elie9e" an" truste" ecause it is the written wor" of the li9in# Go". 1his e- ook/we site is inten"e" to rin# 1. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*7@.
7 #reater un"erstan"in# of the #os$els which ,esus li9e" an" ministere". y illuminatin# the cultural conte%t in
&. &. 3 Ho3 to Use this site (lease see the link title" 2Ho3 to Use this Site5 on the Home $a#e, u$$er ri#ht corner. !t $resents the followin# ways you will e a le to fin" what you are lookin# for* 1. &ook for the to$ic or ty$e it in the search en#ine. i lical $assa#e in the 1a le of 'ontents an"
-. How to fin" the search en#ine* a. !n the we site $re9iew or e- ook, click on the 2Sear"h E$%i$e+5 ta in the u$$er left corner of the screen. . Go to the ri#ht si"e an" scroll "own to 2Sear"h this 6o")1e$t.5 1y$e the i lical reference you are lookin# for. .e sure to use only these a re9iations 7 two letters an" a $erio" 7 for the #os$el ooks* Mt. I Matthew Mk. I Mark &k. I &uke ,n. I ,ohn
c. Usin# the a re9iate" style, ty$e the name of the #os$el ook an" cha$ter num er followe" y a colon. !n this manner, for e%am$le, Mt. 1* will e "istin#uishe" from Mt. 1 which will also #i9e you Mt. 1*1@. A9oi" usin# 9erse num ers as your num er may e within a ran#e of num ers an", therefore, will not e foun". +or e%am$le, Mt. 2*2 is within Mt. 2*4-18 an" conseAuently will not e foun". !nstea", look for Mt. 2* an" scan throu#h the "ocument until you come to Mt. 2*4-18.
Please $ote7
8 Dey wor"s an" $hrases in the i lical te%t that are un"erline" ha9e e%$lanations in the $ara#ra$hs that follow. .elow is an e%am$le taken from &uke 1-*1/--1, althou#h only 9erse 1/ is use" for this illustration. :otice that the $hrase, 2(i8i(e the i$herita$"e5 is un"erline". 1he un"erline means that this $hrase is e%$laine" further "own. 1herefore, scroll "own in the te%t until you fin" 26i8i(e the i$herita$"e5 with commentary. !n some cases, that e%$lanation is "own a $a#e or two, in other cases it mi#ht e fifteen $a#es or so. !. 3. * L9. &*7&3-*& FAITH :F THE F::LISH ;ICH MAN So1eo$e fro1 the "ro3( sai( to Hi1+ 2Tea"her+ tell 1y brother to (i8i(e the i$herita$"e 3ith 1e.5
&3
Here is the commentary of the un"erline" i lical $hrase* 26i8i(e the i$herita$"e.5 !t was not uncommon for $eo$le to take their $ro lems an" conflicts to a res$ecte" ra i. ?n the other han", it was a common $ractice for itinerant ra is to tra9el from 9illa#e to 9illa#e where they woul" ser9e in a Eu"icial ca$acity an" ren"er "ecisions on ci9il an" reli#ious matters. 1he 0omans ha" #i9en the ,ews sufficient autonomy concernin# Eu"icial matters with the authority to enforce com$liance to a "ecision if necessary. !n this case, a man reAueste" ,esus to act as Eu"#e in a family matter of inheritance. ,esus refuse" to ren"er a "ecision, not ecause He was unAualifie" or unconcerne" + ut ecause He focuse" on those who ha9e no ri#ht to Eu"#e.
&. &. / 6e8elo# the S9ill 1o "e9elo$ your skill on fin"in# information Auickly, #o to the BHow to Use this 5iteC link an" scroll "own a cou$le of $a#es. 1here you will fin" se9eral search $ro lems for which the answers are in this (re9iew. +ollow the "irecti9es an" see if you can fin" your $assa#es or answers to your Auestions.
9 &. &. ' Citatio$ !t is recommen"e" you use the followin# citation metho" for your work* We site a""ress, Unit num er, 'ha$ter num er, 5ection num er, followe" y the i lical reference at that location. :ote that each cate#ory is se$arate" y a $erio". +or e%am$le* Heinrich, William H. Mysteries of the Messiah . www.mysteriesofthemessiah.com 84.81.8/. &k. 1*1-4 )ate 0etrie9e". N:TE7 5ome style manuals "o not su##est unit or cha$ter num ers. Howe9er, "ue to the si>e of this e- ook, it is su##este" that writers who cite this work a"" unit num er, cha$ter num er, an" section num er imme"iately after the we site name ;for e%am$le* 81.81.83=. &. &. . State1e$t of P)r#ose !t is the $ur$ose of this stu"y to in9esti#ate the historical an" cultural conte%t of the life an" times of ,esus. +or those who may not e familiar with these areas of stu"y, some re9elations may e challen#in#. 1herefore, let<s follow the wor"s of the $ro$het !saiah ;1*1@= B'ome now, let us reason to#ether.C Allow the 5$irit of Go" to mo9e in your heart as you stu"y this with an o$en min". Jou will attain a #reater un"erstan"in# of the #os$els an" the life of our 5a9ior. &. &. < E$(orse1e$ts 1he en"orsements are liste" un"er the 4:)?054M4:15 ta of this we site. )rs. (eterson an" Woo" ha9e o ser9e" the $ro#ress of this $roEect for more than a "eca"e. )r. Da akEian not only e"ite" this work, ut once he tra9ele" with the author to !srael so he coul" etter critiAue it. )r. 5haheen was amon# the first to ha9e access to this material for his stu"ents who ha9e limite" 4n#lish skills. 1heir insi#hts an" su##estions contri ute" to this work. &. &. , Prefa"e 'hristians to"ay ha9e little un"erstan"in# of what "aily life was like for ,esus an" other ,ewish $easants. (eo$le were hel" in economic sla9ery with limite" reli#ious free"om. ,esus was orn at a time when ra is an"
10 teachers throu#hout the ancient Mi""le 4ast - elie9e" that a Messiah woul" come an" "eli9er them from forei#n o$$ressors. 1he su Eect was acti9ely "e ate" amon# the ra is, who hel" a wi"e 9ariety of $hiloso$hies an" theolo#ies. !n a""ition, ,ewish scholar (hilo was writin# his :eo-(latonist $hiloso$hies while the 4ssenes wrote of an en"-of-the-earth a$ocaly$se in their )ea" 5ea 5crolls. !t is not sur$risin# then, that many false messiahs a$$eare" at this time which #a9e the $eo$le reason to Auestion ,esus. A"" to the reli#ious mi%, the two most si#nificant ra is of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio", 0a is Hillel an" 5hammai an" their stu"ents were ha9in# constant theolo#ical "e ates an" ar#uments concernin# $etty issues of life. At this same time there were also numerous riots initiate" y nationalistic ,ewish Kealots an" the threat of full scale wars an" famine. !n the mi"st of this $ain an" sufferin#, 0oman ta%ation re"uce" the ,ewish $easants to economic s. 1his was the $erfect theolo#ical Aua#mire that create" the chaotic en9ironment for ,esus to #i9e His messa#e of ho$e, sal9ation an" eternal life. +la9ius ,ose$hus, the first century ,ewish historian, confirme" in his writin#s that it was a culture near the e"#e of chaos an" which contri ute" to the social $olitical tension of that time. Un"erstan"in# ,esus in His conte%t #i9es "e$th an" un"erstan"in# to His wor"s an" work. 1hose who claim the .i le is not rele9ant for to"ay, in essence, acknowle"#e their lack of un"erstan"in# of life in first century !srael ;then calle" ,u"aea=. +ew reali>e that to"ay<s Mi""le 4ast tensions an" conflicts are $ale in com$arison to the "ays of ,esus. Jet this e- ook, with its 9arious e%$lanations, illustrations, an" $hoto#ra$hs, will only touch the ti$ of the $ro9er ial ice er# in "escri in# the challen#in# life an" times of ,esus. &. &. ! A"9$o3le(%1e$ts ! wish to say that it is im$ossi le for anyone to com$lete a work of this ma#nitu"e without the assistance of frien"s, historians, archaeolo#ists, an" $eers, who are scholars in their own aca"emic "isci$lines. 1his work woul" not e what it is to"ay, if it was confine" to my limite" talents. 1herefore, ! e%$ress Eoyful #ratitu"e to the many fine associates an" scholars who ha9e $ro9i"e" si#nificant in$ut an" su$$ort. ?nce u$on a time, shortly after Go" create" "irt, ! was a stu"ent at Halley +or#e 'hristian 'olle#e. ?ne "ay ! ha$$ene" to hear (rofessor )r. )aniel
2. !n this e- ook, the term Bancient Mi""le 4astC is use" for what is commonly referre" to in other ooks as Bancient :ear 4ast.C 1he reason is that some stu"ents may not e acAuainte" with the term B:ear 4astC as it a$$ears to e out of "ate an" can no lon# e foun" on any mo"ern ma$s.
11 Mc:au#hton tell another stu"ent that he "ou te" that any more than two or three $ercent of i lical writers take time to research ori#inal sources. 0ather, most will Auote the o$inion of another author. 1hat ten-secon" soun" ite chan#e" my metho"olo#y of research. ! was "etermine" not to write an o$inion of someone else<s o$inion, ut cite ori#inal Auotations where9er $ossi le. 1herefore, when researchin# the e9ents that surroun"e" the life of ,esus, ! re9iewe" the writin#s of authors who li9e" an" wrote close to the time an" location of ,esus. ! also e%amine" their $hiloso$hies an" iases. .ecause of the $assin# comment y )r. Mc:au#hton, this work contains hun"re"s of ancient e%tra- i lical Auotations. &ater, while in #ra"uate school, ! wrote a term $a$er that Bwent a".C !t was on the historical an" cultural ack#roun" of the infancy narrati9es of ,esus. ! was a solutely ca$ti9ate" y it. 1he $a$er #rew an" #rew an" e9entually ecame a master<s thesis. &earnin# the first century historical an" cultural en9ironment ecame my $assion. !n the $rocess ! was $ri9ile#e" to o tain the teachin# notes, ooks, au"io ta$es, an"/or 9i"eos from se9eral $rominent scholars. !n a""ition, ! was $ri9ile#e" to sit un"er the instruction of )rs. .ryant Woo" an" ,ames McGahey of &ancaster .i le 'olle#e. )r. Woo" was also the a"9isor for my master<s thesis, which is now rather $ale com$are" to this work. ! woul" e remiss if ! "i" not say that )r. Woo" has "eca"es of archaeolo#ical fiel" e%$erience in the Mi""le 4ast. He authore" many articles in aca"emic Eournals such as Bible and Spade an" Biblical Archaeological Re iew. Amon# his many cre"its are ninety articles in the $resti#ious !onder an Archaeological Bible. Another archaeolo#ist an" scholar is my frien" (rofessor Gor"on +ran>. &ike )r. Woo", he has authore" "o>ens of aca"emic Eournals an" has years of fiel" e%$erience. .oth scholars are affiliate" with Associates for .i lical 0esearch. +or more information, $lease 9isit www..i leArchaeolo#y.or#. ! tra9ele" many times to !srael where a num er of e%cellent scholars, like )rs. 5te9e :otley an" 5e,in Dohl of ,erusalem Uni9ersity 'olle#e, tau#ht the lan" of the .i le as if it were the fifth #os$el. While there, !sraeli nati9e an" tour #ui"e Arie ar )a9i" ecame my frien" an" $ersonal tutor as we tra9ele" to#ether throu#hout the country. We 9isite" the si#nificant an" interestin# i lical sites, inclu"in# some that are off the eaten $ath. 're"it must e #i9en to the scholarshi$ of )r. )wi#ht (entecost of )allas 1heolo#ical 5eminary, which was es$ecially hel$ful in this research, as well as a set of au"io ta$es y )r. Arnol" +ruchten aum. Howe9er, this e- ook is a9aila le only ecause a "e"icate" team of e"itors
12 who ha9e s$ent hun"re"s of hours enrichin# the work. !t "i" not take them 9ery lon# to reali>e that 4n#lish is this writer<s secon" lan#ua#e. My a$$reciation #oes to 4lana .eckett an" 5hirley 5hen er#er for their e"itorial comments, as well as to my "ear cousin, Anita Hermann, who is a retire" e"ucation $rofessor from the Uni9ersity of Wisconsin 7 Milwaukee. 1wo scholars re9iewe" this manuscri$t from Boutsi"e the o%.C 1hey $resente" Auestions an" insi#hts ! ha" not consi"ere". My frien" )r. 4" Da akEian, who is a retire" $rofessor of e"ucation, share" his thou#hts from an e"ucator<s $ers$ecti9e an" offere" $ra#matic su##estions an" insi#hts. He ecame so in9ol9e" that once he tra9ele" with my wife (ai9i an" me to !srael, Eust so he coul" etter critiAue my work. His critical thinkin# an" analysis is always insi#htful. ! also a$$reciate the comments $ose" y )r. Gil (eterson, retire" $rofessor, $resi"ent, an" chancellor of &ancaster .i le 'olle#e. )urin# his career he tra9ele" to !srael some thirty-three times. He is not only a #reat scholar an" teacher, ut a "ear frien" who s$ent many hours re9iewin# this east of a manuscri$t. 1o"ay so much of the aca"emic worl" is known for its ske$ticism an" humanism. 1hese fine scholars, howe9er, stan" on 5cri$ture as the infalli le, inerrant, ins$ire" Wor" of Go". :o teacher is e9er successful unless they ha9e ha" some fine tutors, an" ! ha9e een lesse" with the est of the est. !n the course of time, Mysteries of the Messiah" has #rown to ha9e a life of its own. As it $ro#resse", an increasin# num er of scholars ecame a9aila le to share their insi#ht an" knowle"#e on 9i"eo. 1heir mini-lectures a"" a whole new $ers$ecti9e to aca"emic stu"y, whether you are new to i lical stu"ies or on the "octoral le9el. ?nly with the a"9ent of the !nternet has this ecome $ossi le. Amon# them are )r. Hel"t from He rew Uni9ersity, )r. &owe from the Uni9ersity of the Holy &an", )r. (aul Wri#ht from ,erusalem Uni9ersity 'olle#e an" many more. ! am #rateful to e9eryone one of them. 4ach has their cre"its mentione" at the en" of their 9i"eo $resentation. ?ne reason ! ha" so many e"itors is that e9ery time one finishe" e"itin#, ! ma"e the corrections an" a""e" another hun"re" an" fifty $a#es. 5o finally, #oin# "own the home stretch to a finishe" Bterm $a$er,C ! am #rateful for .onnie Dre$$ for her $roofrea"in#. 1his e- ook has truly ecome a team $roEect. When this $roEect e#an as a term $a$er, the !nternet was in its infancy. ! ha" no i"ea that within a few years it woul" $roEect this manuscri$t aroun" the worl". 1his new form of communication o$ene" a new worl" of
13 transmittin# information an" i"eas. ! am thankful for the followin# scholars an" s$ecialists who ha9e share" their knowle"#e an" e%$ertise on 9i"eos that are linke" to the worl" wi"e we . A9inoam .oyer Gor"on +ran> (etra Hel"t Michael Deatin# Malcolm &owe ,ohn Met>#er Allen (hili$$s MaE" 5hufani ,ako 5tein er# ,oe Wehrer .ryant Woo" (aul Wri#ht ,oel en Josef All the contri utions of so many who came y my si"e is now a9aila le for you ecause of a talente" com$uter an" !nternet technician, Austin Gin"er. He too cau#ht the 9ision of this $roEect an" ha9e ma"e it a9aila le on the worl"-wi"e-we . Whate9er merits an" "eficiencies are foun" in this $roEect, the former is #reater an" the latter are fewer ecause of the #enerous hel$ an" constructi9e su##estions of so many. My o$inions are not necessarily those of the contri utors. As was $re9iously state", few historians an" writers ha9e een $ri9ile#e" to recei9e the le9el of scholarshi$ an" e%$ertise that has een affor"e" to me. +inally, ! am #rateful to my lo9in# wife, (ai9i. We met in ,erusalem while ! was workin# on this an" another research $roEect. 5he was nearin# the en" of ten years of ministry to the $oor an" Holocaust 9ictims. 5he has a heart of #ol" an" is an encoura#er who #a9e u$ many hours while ! was a sor e" in ooks an" #lue" to the com$uter. Jes, i lical research can ha9e its une%$ecte" lessin#s, such as a eautiful sunset we""in# alon# the 5ea of Galilee an" a life-lon# $artner in ministry.
14
U$it & I$tro()"tio$ to this 0ebsite Cha#ter * For I$=)iri$% Mi$(s

&. *. & 0hy is this St)(y I1#orta$t> A chil" was once aske" to "escri e ,esus. He answere" y sayin# that ,esus was the first 'hristian who went to 5un"ay school e9ery 5un"ay. Unfortunately, there are many who ha9e that same o$inion to"ay. 1his te%t will $resent the historical ,esus as He truly li9e". ,esus was an ortho"o% ,ew who also intermin#le" with the Gentile Greeks an" 0omans who li9e" in the ,ewish lan". 5ome of His actions ha" $rofoun" im$lications to them, which are not rea"ily i"entifia le y wor" stu"ies. A chan#e of $erce$tion an" un"erstan"in# is reAuire" y the mo"ern rea"er ecause we ten" to inter$ret the wor"s an" miracles of ,esus from a Western-'hristian $oint of 9iew, ut sel"om think of them from a first century ,ewish, Greek or 0oman $oint of 9iew. 1his e- ook was written for the stu"ent who has asic knowle"#e of the .i le, an" the #os$els in $articular. Without that foun"ational knowle"#e, this e- ook mi#ht e a it o9erwhelmin#. +or the stu"ent who has Bthe asics,C this will e an e%citin# resource. 1he esta lishe" .i le teacher will fin" this e- ook $ro9i"es historical an" cultural insi#hts that are often misse" in other te%ts. ?ne mi#ht ask, BWhy shoul" one stu"y the historical an" cultural en9ironment in which ,esus ministere"FC 1here are se9eral reasons outline" elow. 1he rea"er will,
15 1. &earn the conte%t of His wor"s an" actions. Un"erstan"in# the conte%t #i9es clarity an" meanin# of His instructions an" their a$$lication for your life. -. Get to know who ,esus was as a human an" learn to know Him etter on a $ersonal asis. /. +in" their faith ecome stron#er throu#h knowin# that all the acti9ities surroun"in# ,esus< life 7 inclu"in# the thin#s He "i" 7 ha" een $re"icte" centuries earlier. 4. &earn to un"erstan" many of the alle#ories, $ara les, fi#ures of s$eech, an" other literary "e9ices use" y the #os$el writers. / 2. Un"erstan" solutions to many $ro lematic 9erses that ha9e een la ele" as B i lical "ifficulties.C 1he #os$els were not written with "ifficulties. 1hese arose in the course of time as man ecame more "istant from the first century historical an" cultural settin#. Most commentaries are some len" of hermeneutical 4 an" e%e#etical 2 e%$lanations with the focus on wor" stu"ies an" fi#ures of s$eech. 1he historical an" cultural as$ects all too often are not #i9en sufficient attention. 1his stu"y will clarify these $oints, resultin# in a new an" "ee$er un"erstan"in# of the #os$el narrati9es. 1his manuscri$t has lessons in hermeneutics i"entifie" as follows* 2A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s.5 More than two "o>en mini-lessons ai" the rea"er in un"erstan"in# how the #os$el writers inter$rete" their own He rew .i le. 1he term hermeneutics, for the $ur$ose of this manuscri$t, is the stu"y of how a $assa#e was un"erstoo" y those with whom ,esus con9erse" an" tau#ht.3
3. An e%cellent resource for a com$rehensi9e i lical stu"y is 4thel ert W. .ullin#er<s ook, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible. ;Gran" 0a$i"s* .aker. 1@9@, 1992=. 4. 1he art an" science of inter$retin# any te%tL !t is from the Greek wor" hermeneuo" an" is further "efine" as Bthe stu"y an" statement of the $rinci$les on which a te%t is to e un"erstoo". .ruce. BHermeneutics.C 1*348. 5. 4%e#esis is the critical an" analytical e%$lanation of any te%t. 6. .ruce, BHermeneutics.C 1*348.
16 !t is #oo" to know what the #os$els ha9e to say, ut it is e9en etter to un"erstan" what they mean. Wor"s ha9e histories. ?nly on rare occasions can a wor" e tie" "own to an unchan#ea le meanin# when consi"erin# all of the chan#es of culture an" lan#ua#e. +or e%am$le, consi"er the sim$le wor" Bta le.C !n Greek this noun has a secon"ary sense Ba anker<s ta le,C as in Matthew -2*-7, where the Bmoney e%chan#ersC are literally, Bthe men who sit at ta les.C7 ?ne woul" ha9e to know the cultural conte%t to un"erstan" the meanin# of the wor". 'oul" there e any $ossi ility this is where the wor" B ankerC ori#inate"F 'oul" the tem$le aristocrats ha9e een $ri9ate ankersF Dnowle"#e of the cultural $ractices will enhance the un"erstan"in# of the wor"s an" actions of ,esus. &. *. * The ;esear"her?s Challe$%e Co$"er$i$% the a)thor7 Writers, scholars, an" researchers, try as they mi#ht, are sel"om as o Eecti9e as think they are. 1his seems to e es$ecially true in $olitics an" reli#ion. !n this case, the author aske" se9eral in"i9i"uals to hel$ him e o Eecti9e. +urthermore, Eust as the author analy>e" ancient writers for their $hiloso$hies an" iases, he has his. 1herefore, it is im$ortant to state that he is a 'hristian. .ut it is e9en worse than that 7 he is an e9an#elical 'hristian. At this $oint, a rief s$iritual resume is in or"er. !n 197/ he was heale" instantly of an occasional ut $ainful ack $ro lem. 1wenty-one years later he was "ia#nose" with a hu#e 13 cm. ;3M inches= late sta#e 4 chon"rosarcoma tumor in his left hi$ 7 a cancer with almost >ero $ercent sur9i9al rate. 1he result of fi9e sur#eries, he lost his left hi$, left le#, the u$$er lo e of one lun# an" se9eral chunks of the other, ut was #i9en a secon" chance of life. After all that, in the summer of -881 he returne" to !srael for a""itional research. When he came home, no"ules were "isco9ere" a#ain throu#hout oth lun#s an" this time "octors sai" it was ho$eless. After all, there is a limite" amount of lun# tissue that can e remo9e" after which life is no lon#er 9ia le. +rien"s at church $raye" for him as they ha" "one so many times efore. When he returne" to the me"ical center three months later, 7. :eill, %nterpretation. @1.
17 all the no"ules were #one an" there ha9e een no a""itional si#ns chon"rosarcoma. Ho$efully you can un"erstan" that he may nee" a little hel$ kee$in# his ias out of his writin#. Co$"er$i$% this st)(y7 'ultural customs 9arie" amon# the ,ewish $eo$le from area to area an" e9en within ancient !srael ;,u"aea=. 1his stu"y ecame more "ifficult when consi"erin# that customs chan#e, e9en if e9er so slowly, from one century to another. +or e%am$le, at the time of ,esus, oys were e"ucate" in ,erusalem, ut in Galilee oth oys an" #irls were e"ucate". 1o a"" confusion to the cultural mi%, not all ,ewish sects a#ree" on this an", therefore, not all $arents e"ucate" oth oys an" #irls in Galilee. 'onseAuently, if an ancient "ocument woul" e foun" that states a certain $osition on e"ucatin# chil"ren in Galilee, the researcher cannot assume that it re$resents the o$inion of all the $eo$le. ?n another issue, in the $rocess of re9iewin# hun"re"s of ancient e%trai lical ;non- i lical= writin#s, the challen#e was to a9oi" attri utin# a custom or elief to the time of ,esus when it "i" not elon# to that time $erio". As )arrel .ock an" Gre#ory Herrick sai", B.ecause we cannot e sure that i"eas from a later $erio" were also $resent in an earlier $erio", information comin# from these sources nee"s to e use" with caution to a9oi" the "an#er of $roEectin# conce$ts ack into an earlier $erio".C @ &earnin# the multifacete" en9ironment of culture, $olitics, an" reli#ion has ecome as much of an art as a science 7 a""s un"erstan"in# to the "efinition of Bhermeneutics.C +or the $ur$ose of this stu"y, the i"eal writer of yesteryear Auote" herein was one who li9e" in the lan" of ,esus an" at the time of ,esus. 1he further in time an" #eo#ra$hical "istance an ancient writer was from the life of 'hrist, the more sus$ect that writer<s manuscri$t ecomes. Howe9er, that "oes not ne#ate it 7 ut it "oes raise the ar for "iscernin# critiAue. :early all scholars "iscount writin#s after the si%th or se9enth centuries ecause they are little more than fanciful le#en"s. 1here are hun"re"s of ancient manuscri$ts in the $ossession of uni9ersities an" museums $reten"in# to $ro9i"e a""itional "etail to the life an" ministry of ,esus. 0emem er, ,esus "i" say there woul" e false teachers.
8. .ock an" Herrick, &esus in 'onte(t. -8.
18 &. *. 3 The A$alysis of A$"ie$t 0riti$%s !n this research, #reat care was taken to authenticate the relia ility of sources. With oth mythical an" le#en"ary information a$$earin# real on the !nternet, it is Auite easy to arri9e at conclusions that "iffer from historical truth. +or e%am$le, while researchin# ,ose$h of Arimathea, it was o 9ious that he was a mem er of the 5anhe"rin an" "i" not a#ree with the hi#h court on the fate of ,esus. !nformation eyon" what is $resente" in the .i le has een foun" to e hi#hly s$eculati9e. ?ne source says that he was the youn#er rother of the Hir#in Mary. Another in"icates that he ha" attaine" wealth y shi$$in# tin from Great .ritain to 9arious 0oman cities. +urthermore, he is sai" to ha9e een instrumental in #ettin# a church starte" in the .ritish !sles somewhere etween the years /7 an" 3- or 3/. !n this research, many le#en"s were unco9ere" that are an attracti9e an" tantali>in# mi%ture of minimal truth an" ma%imum fiction. ,ose$h of Arimathea<s relationshi$ with the 5anhe"rin is true, ut e9erythin# else is creati9e fiction. 1here are no early an" relia le recor"s that confirm his relationshi$ to Mary an" neither is there a relia le source for him ha9in# een a shi$$in# tycoon. +urthermore, stan"ar" history has re$eate"ly "emonstrate" that 'hristianity "i" not come to .ritain until centuries later. !f this account were true, it woul" mean that the foun"in# of the church in .ritain $re"ate" the foun"in# of the church in 0ome. 5o where "i" this fanciful story ori#inateF Historians elie9e that the connection etween ,ose$h an" .ritain ori#inate" in the writin#s of the early church father 1ertullian. Howe9er, an" more im$ortantly, those same scholars stron#ly elie9e this le#en" was not ma"e y 1ertullian $ersonally, ut was inserte" y a co$yist or e"itor centuries later. Another challen#e of this research has een the $henomenal amount of information that was $rocesse". 1his "ata re$resents a wi"e 9ariety of 9iew$oints an" #reat care was taken to "etermine what information was truthful, relia le an" acce$ta le, an" what nee"e" to e "iscar"e". 5e9eral im$ortant factors nee" to e consi"ere".
19 1. !t was assume" that the #os$el narrati9es were written with inte#rity an" accuracy, as the authors were moti9ate" to communicate the e9ents of ,esus with oth historical an" theolo#ical accuracy. Ama>in#ly, critical scholars elie9e i lical history was falsely create" to $resent theolo#ical truths. Jet, archaeolo#ical an" literary e9i"ence confirms the historical accuracy an" truth of the entire .i le 7 oth 1estaments. -. Ancient writin#s, such as the A$ocry$ha, (seu"e$i#ra$ha, ,ose$hus, )ea" 5ea 5crolls, other works an" authors are consi"ere" as $rimary historical an" cultural sources reco#ni>in#, howe9er, their theolo#ical an"/or $olitical 9alue coul" e tainte" to reflect the author<s $ersonal "octrine an" $ur$ose. 1hese e%tra- i lical sources are for literary, historical an" cultural un"erstan"in#, an" e9en the historical accuracy is sometimes Auestione". /. 5ince the ancients o 9iously "i" not write for the mo"ern inAuirin# an" analytical min", freAuently there are #a$s in history where no information is a9aila le. 1herefore, when one #os$el left a historical #a$, we are "e$en"ent u$on another #os$el to $ro9i"e the necessary information. 4. +inally, some scholars ha9e een concerne" with the #os$els as B$rimary sources,C ecause, after two thousan" years, the ori#inal manuscri$ts are lost. 1he same was sai" of many ?l" 1estament ooks. Howe9er, the "isco9ery of the )ea" 5ea 5crolls ;"iscusse" later= "emonstrate" that the ?l" 1estament 5cri$tures were faithfully transmitte" without errors, other than an ink stroke here or there. 1herefore, it can e assume" that the :ew 1estament ooks were also faithfully transmitte" without errors. ?ne of the maEor resources is the writin# of the first century historian, ,ose$hus. His work time an" time a#ain reflects accurate information, yet on occasion his ias a$$ears, such as with e%a##erate" $o$ulation estimates. Howe9er, if it were not for his writin#s, our knowle"#e of ,ewish history - es$ecially in the Greek an" 0oman (erio"s - woul" e "rastically re"uce". Much of what we know to"ay of certain e9ents an" $ersons im$ortant to ,ewish history was "etaile" for us y him an" are not
20 mentione" y any other source. Whate9er his iases an" e%a##erations mi#ht e, these are minimal in the o9erall o"y of knowle"#e he recor"e". 'oncernin# rules of inter$retin# ;known as BhermeneuticsC= ancient works, oth i lical an" e%tra- i lical, it shoul" e note" that the rules in the i lical $erio" sometimes "iffer in some cases from what scholars use to"ay. 4%am$les of hermeneutics of the i lical era are illustrate" throu#hout this e- ook where e%$lanations of relate" 5cri$tures are nee"e". A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 Here is an im$ortant note for to"ay<s rea"ers* While colle#e te%t ooks ha9e een written on the science an" art of hermeneutics, three rules ;one of which is ne#ati9e= are liste" elow. 1. 1he first is relate" to a Auestion often $ose" y 5un"ay school teachers, BWhat "oes the te%t say to meFC 1his Auestion, as insi#htful as it may e, is har"ly a$$ro$riate. While the intent is to #ain s$iritual meanin#, it assumes the im$osition of our un"erstan"in# u$on the te%t. 1he si#nificant Auestion to ask is BWhat "i" the te%t mean to the authorFC !n or"er to "etermine the i lical author<s meanin# one must "etermine who is s$eakin# ;the su Eect=L to whom ;in"irect o Eect=L an" then answer the Auestions of when, how, an" whyL which will enhance meanin# as it will inclu"e history an" culture. -. A rule of inter$retation not to e use" is known as the 0ule of +irst Use. !t assumes that the use of a wor" in the first $lace in the .i le a$$lies to all su seAuent a$$lications. 1he fallacy is that this ne#ates the conte%t of the wor" e9ery time thereafter - a horrific 9iolation of hermeneutics. 4ach a$$lication must stan" on its own merit. 1herefore, B'ome now, an" let us reason to#etherC ;!sa.1*1@=. /. +inally, another rule is to remem er that wor"s ha9e meanin# in conte%t with other wor"s. !t has often een sai" that a 9erse taken out of conte%t is a $rete%t an", therefore, can lea" to errors in un"erstan"in#. :ote the followin# e%am$le* MaEor (remise* Minor (remise* 'onclusion* All Americans are fat ,ohn is fat ,ohn is an American
21 ? 9iously ,ohn coul" e from any country in the worl". !m$ro$er mi%in# of 9erses out of conte%t will always lea" to erroneous conclusions. Many elie9e the entire .i le literally, when in fact, they acce$t its teachin#s literally. 5ome $assa#es are fi#urati9e, others are inten"e" to e factual an" literal, ut all are colore" y the conte%t, history, an" culture, oth $a#an an" ,ewish. :o wor"-for-wor" translation can e successful in $resentin# a BliteralC translation ecause many nuances of the ori#inal lan#ua#e "o not ha9e corres$on"in# wor"s in other lan#ua#es. 5cholars often #o to #reat len#ths to "etermine the meanin# of Greek an" He rew wor"s in the conte%t ut may un"erstate the historical an" cultural influences. :ew 1estament stu"ies cannot e fully un"erstoo" without a foun"ational knowle"#e of the ?l" 1estament an" the first century ,ewish culture. 1his work is an attem$t to rin# forth the full "ynamics of the wor"s an" works of ,esus y $lacin# them in the historical an" reli#ious conte%t of His "ay. &. *. / Priority of 0riti$%s Harious sources were acAuire" for this research. Generally writin#s closest to the life of 'hrist in time an" "istance were consi"ere" the most relia le. 'on9ersely, so-calle" insi#hts written "urin# the Mi""le A#es cannot e consi"ere" e9en if in a#reement with 5cri$ture. 1his is stan"ar" in all aca"emic "isci$lines of i lical stu"y. 1he sources use" are liste" elow from the most relia le to the least. 1. -. /. 4. 2. 3. 7. .i le 1he Mishnah an" relate" ,ewish writin#s )ea" 5ea 5crolls ;4%tra-.i lical Writin#sL -88 .' 7 A)78= ?l" 1estament A$ocry$ha ;also known as )euterocanonical .ooks= +la9ius ,ose$hus ;A) 47-188= (hilo of Ale%an"ria ;-8 .' 7 A) 28= Harious 'hurch +athers
1here is, howe9er, an im$ortant $oint to consi"er in the $rioriti>in# of resources. !t is unfortunate that many 'hristian scholars elie9e that the ,erusalem 1almu" an" the .a ylonian 1almu" do not reflect ,ewish life at
22 the time of ,esus. Ama>in#ly, some ,ewish scholars "isa#ree. :ote the followin# comments foun" on a ,ewish we site* 1. B1he 1almu" is, then, the written form of that which in the time of ,esus, was calle" the 1ra"itions of the 4l"ers,C y 0a i Michael &. 0o"kinson -. B1he ,ewish reli#ion as it is to"ay traces its "escent, without a reak, throu#h all the centuries, from the (harisees,C y the Uni9ersal ,ewish 4ncyclo$e"ia.9 More information is $resente" on this su Eect in Unit 8- at B *. * .i lical An" 4%tra-.i lical Writin#s.C 5ee also A##e$(i@ **+ B.rief )escri$tion ?f :on-.i lical .ooks 'ite".C A Fi$al Co11e$t o$ 0riti$%s 1his manuscri$t has sur9i9e" com$uter crashes, free>e-u$s an" a host of other challen#es. 1ruly this work is a work of lo9e an" a callin#, not for $ersonal #ain. 1he 9alue of the e%tra- i lical ooks, "o>ens of $hoto#ra$hs an" seemin#ly en"less e%$lanations will $ro9i"e you, the rea"er, with insi#hts into the ,ewish, 'ultural, an" (olitical Worl" that sha$e" the Ministry 4n9ironment of ,esus. Ho$efully, this in turn will ena le you to think, $ray an" minister to others with a #reater le9el of knowle"#e, insi#ht an" s$iritual awareness. &. *. ' Abbre8iatio$s +or the enefit of those rea"ers who are not fully acAuainte" with 9arious sources, a re9iations in this ook ha9e een limite" an" the full names of 9arious resources are freAuently $oste". Aibli"al Abbre8iatio$s :l( Testa1e$t Gen. Genesis 4c. 4cclesiastes 4%o"us
4%.
9. http://www.come-and-hear.com/navigate.html. April 11, 2012.
23 55. of 5olomon &e9iticus !saiah :um ers ,er. ,eremiah )euteronomy &am. &tations ,os. ,oshua 5on#
&e9.
!sa. :um.
)eut.
4>ek. 4>ekiel ,#. ,u"#es )an. )aniel 0uth Hos. Hosea 1 5amuel ,oel ,oel 5amuel Amos. Amos
0uth
1 5am.
- 5am.
24 1 D#. 1 Din#s ? . ? a"iah - Din#s ,on. ,onah 1 'hronicles Mic. :ah. :ahum 4>ra Ha . Ha akkuk :ehemiah K$h. Ke$haniah 4sther Ha#. Ha##ai ,o Kech. Kechariah (salms Mal. Malachi (ro9. Ne3 Testa1e$t Mt. 1im. Matthew 1 1 1imothy (ro9er s Micah 'hronicles
- D#.
1 'h.
- 'h.
4>ra
:eh.
4st.
,o .
(s.
25 Mk. 1im. &k. &uke 1it. 1itus ,n. ,ohn (hm. (hilemon Acts Acts He . He rews 0omans ,as. ,ames 1 'orinthians 1 (et. (eter - 'or. - (et. (eter Gal. Galatians 1 ,n. 1 ,ohn 4$hesians - ,n. - ,ohn (hili$$ians / ,n. / ,ohn 'olossians ,u"e ,u"e 1 1hessalonians 0e9. 0e9elation - 1hessalonians 'orinthians 1 Mark - 1imothy
0om.
1 'or.
4$h.
(hl.
'ol.
1 1hess.
- 1hess.
26 E@#la$atio$ of the I(e$tifi"atio$ of the 6ea( Sea S"rolls B6SSC 1he )55 an" relate" fra#ments are i"entifie" with the followin# metho"olo#y* 1. 1he ca9e num er. -. 1he letter BNC followin# the ca9e num er se$arates the artifact from all other ancient writin#s foun" elsewhere in !srael. /. Artifact num er +or e%am$le, the i"entification of B1N,u C refers to the fra#ment foun" in 'a9e 1, at Numran ;where the 5crolls were "isco9ere"=, ook of ,u ilee. At times a $articular set of letters or name will e attache" as well, such as B')C for Ka"okite )ocument, also known as the 'airo )ocument of the )amascus 'o9enanters M)ltifario)s Abbre8iatio$s A) a.m. . .' c. cf. 'h. ". e.#. ff. M5;5= $.m. Afternoon 'irca Anno )omini Ante meridiem .orn !n the year of the &or" .efore noon
.efore 'hrist A out, aroun", a$$ro%imate 'om$are to or see 'ha$ter )ie" +or e%am$le +ollowin# Manuscri$t;s= post meridiem
:ther Abbre8iatio$s
27 Where9er Auotations a$$ear the names e%tra- i lical ooks Auote" may e shortene", ut are not a re9iate". +ootnotes contain oth full an" shortene" titles.
U$it & I$tro()"tio$ to this 0ebsite Cha#ter 3 Tables of Co$te$t
1&ease note2 Boo:"ar:s and hy#er&in:s (i&& +e %o"#&eted +y Fe+ruary .-' ./,3)
28 Please $ote --!f this is your first time at this we site, it is su##este" that you first rea" the followin# three sections, which are locate" a o9e. 81.81.8/ How to Use this 5ite 81.81.84 )e9elo$ Jour 5kill 81.81.82 'itation 'ha$ters 81 an" 8- of Unit 81 are not $oste" in the General 1a le of 'ontents with the e%ce$tion of 5ections 8/, 84, an" 82 a o9e. 1he 1a les of 'ontent are as follows* 81.8/.81 General 1a le of .i lical (assa#es an" 'ommentary 81.8/.8- 1a le of (hoto#ra$hs an" !llustrations 81.8/.8/ 1a le of Ma$s 81.8/.84 1a le of Hermeneutical (rinci$als Use" y +irst 'entury ,ewish Writers 81.8/.82 1a le of Answers to Nuestions $ose" y 'ritics an" Analytical 1hinkers 81.8/.83 1a le of Hi"eo Mini-lectures y Archaeolo#ists, Historians, 5cholars, an" ?ther 'ontri utors.
&. 3. & Ge$eral Table of Aibli"al Passa%es a$( Co11e$tary U$it & I$tro()"tio$ to this 0ebsite a$( E-boo9 BSee Pre8ie3C U$it * C)lt)ral Aa"9%ro)$( St)(ies *. & Peo#le Gro)#s 8-.81.81 !ntro"uction 8-.81.8- Ara s ;5ee B!"umeansC= 8-.81.8/ )ias$ora 8-.81.84 4l"ers 8-.81.82 4$icureans
8-.81.83 4ssenes 8-.81.87 Gentiles 8-.81.8@ Greeks
29 8-.81.89 Hassi"im 8-.81.18 Hellenists
8-.81.11 8-.81.18-.81.1/ 8-.81.14 8-.81.12
Hero"ians !"umeans ,ews (harisees 0omans
8-.81.13 8-.81.17 8-.81.1@ 8-.81.19 8-.81.-8
5a""ucees 5amaritans 5chool ?f Hillel 5chool ?f 5hammai 5cri es
8-.81.-1 5icarii 8-.81.-- Kealots *. * Aibli"al A$( E@tra-Aibli"al 0riti$%s 8-.8-.81 !ntro"uction 8-.8-.8- Ante-:icene +athers 8-.8-.8/ A$ocry$ha 8-.8-.84 .i le 8-.8-.82 'o"e%
8-.8-.83 8-.8-.87 8-.8-.8@ 8-.8-.89 8-.8-.18
)ea" 5ea 5crolls )euterocanonical .ooks )i"ache Gemarah Gnostic
8-.8-.11 8-.8-.18-.8-.1/ 8-.8-.14
Gos$els He rew .i le ,ewish Writin#s ,ose$hus
30 8-.8-.12 Mi"rash
8-.8-.13 8-.8-.17 8-.8-.1@ 8-.8-.19 8-.8-.-8
Mishnah :ew 1estament ;:1= ?ral &aw ?l" 1estament ;?1= ?ral 1ra"ition
8-.8-.-1 8-.8-.-8-.8-.-/ 8-.8-.-4 8-.8-.-2
(entateuch (hilo (liny 1he Joun#er (seu"e$i#ra$ha 5e$tua#int
8-.8-.-3 8-.8-.-7 8-.8-.-@ 8-.8-.-9 8-.8-./8
1almu" 1anakh ;5ee BHe rew .i leC= 1ar#um 1orah 1osefta
*. 3 Si%$ifi"a$t C)lt)ral Ele1e$ts 8-.8/.81 !ntro"uction 8-.8/.8- A#riculture 8-.8/.8/ 4conomy 8-.8/.84 4"ucation 8-.8/.82 4thnic )i9ersity
8-.8/.83 8-.8/.87 8-.8/.8@ 8-.8/.89 8-.8/.18 8-.8/.11
+amily Go9ernment &an#ua#e Messianic 4%$ectations ?ccu$ations An" 1ra"es 0eli#ious !nstitutions
31 *. / 6iffere$"es Aet3ee$ First Ce$t)ry ;o1a$-Gree9 A$( Je3ish 0orl(8ie3s 8-.84.81 !ntro"uction 8-.84.8- Hiew ?f Go" 8-.84.8/ 5i#nificant Writin#s O 1ruth 8-.84.84 (osition ?f Man, Hiew ?f &ife 8-.84.82 !n"i9i"ualism 9s. 'ommunity
8-.84.83 8-.84.87 8-.84.8@ 8-.84.89 8-.84.18 8-.84.11
5a ath )ay ? ser9ances Work An" 1he (ur$ose ?f 4"ucation Hiews ?f .o"y, 5oul, An" 5$irit Un"erstan"in# History An" 1he +uture )i9ine Healin# Human An" )i9ine 0elationshi$s
U$it
3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( 3. & A$"ie$t J)(aea B/ A.C. D & / A.C.C 8/.81.81 !ntro"uction 8/.81.8- '. 4888 ..'. M/- A"am An" 49e 8/.81.8/ -188 7 1@28 ..'. A raham 8/.81.84 1@73 7 1443 ..'. 5oEourn !n 4#y$t 8/.81.82 1443 ..'. 1he 4%o"usL 1he 1orahL Moses An" A (a#an 5eer (re"ict 1he 0e"eemer 8/.81.83 1443 - 1828 ..'. ,u"#es 0ule" Go"<s (eo$le
3. * First Te1#le Perio( A$( E@ile B& /
A.C. D '&' A.C.C
8/.8-.81 1he Unite" Monarchy 8/.8-.8- 9/1-2@3 ..'. 1he )i9i"e" Monarchy 8/.8-.8/ @th 'entury ..'. !saiah 8/.8-.84 7// ..'. !srael +alls 1o 1he AssyriansL !sraelites )e$orte" 1o 1he 4astL 7-/ ..'. !srael 4n"s 8/.8-.82 781 ..'. Assyrian Attack
32 8/.8-.83 3-3 ..'. ,eremiah .e#ins His Ministry 8/.8-.87 31- ..'. Assyrian :ine9eh +alls 1o .a ylon An" Me"ia 8/.8-.8@ 382 ..'. ,u"ea +alls 1o 1he .a yloniansL +irst )e$ortation ?f ,ews 1o .a ylon 8/.8-.89 297 ..'. 5econ" )e$ortation ?f ,ews 1o .a ylon With )aniel An" 4>ekiel 8/.8-.18 2@7 7 213 ..'. 4%ilic (erio"
8/.8-.11 2@7 ..'. 1hir" )e$ortationL ,erusalem An" 1he 1em$le )estroye" 8/.8-.1- 3th 'entury ..'. 0eli#ion ?f 1he Koroaster 8/.8-.1/ 2@8s An" 278s ..'. 4"omite !n9asions !nto ,erusalem 8/.8-.14 2/9/2/@ ..'. .a ylon +alls 1o 1he (ersians ;(ersian 4m$ire 2/9-//1 ..'.= 8/.8-.12 7-/ - 2/9 ..'. 5ummary ?f 5i#nificant )e9elo$ments ?f Assyrian An" .a ylonian 'a$ti9ities
3. 3 Se"o$( Te1#le Perio( B'&' A.C. D A.6. < C 8/.8/.81 2/@ 7 444 ..'. 4%iles 0eturn 1o ,u"eaL 1em$le 0econstruction .e#ins 8/.8/.8- 212 ..'. 5econ" 1em$le 'om$lete" 8/.8/.8/ 429 7 442 ..'. 4>ra An" :ehemiah 8/.8/.84 444 ..'. (ro$hecy 'oncernin# ,esus An" His Ministry 8/.8/.82 44/ ..'. M/- Malachi 8/.8/.83 488 ..'. M/- He rew .i le !s B'anoni>e"C
3. / I$ter-Testa1e$t Aa"9%ro)$( BC. / A.C. D A.6. 3 C 8/.84.81 !ntro"uction 8/.84.8- /28 ..'. (ersians 'a$ture ,erusalem 8/.84.8/ /41 7 -78 ..'. 4$icurus
33 8/.84.84 //4 ..'. 5ummary ?f )e9elo$ments ?f (ersian )omination 1hat 5ha$e" ,ewish &ife !n 1he +irst 'entury. 8/.84.82 //4 7 3/ ..'. Ale%an"er 1he Great An" 1he Hellenistic (erio" 8/.84.83 //- ..'. +irst 5amaritan 1em$le .uilt 8/.84.87 //1 ..'. Ale%an"er 'onAuers 1yre An" ,u"aea 8/.84.8@ //4 ..'. (ersia +alls 1o Ale%an"er 1he Great 8/.84.89 /-/ ..'. )eath ?f Ale%an"er 1he Great 8/.84.18 /19 ..'. ,ewish +amilies 1aken 1o 4#y$tL (tolemy )ynasty ?f 4#y$t 0ules ,u"aeaL 1he (arthian An" 0oman 4m$ires .e#in 1o 0ise
8/.84.11 /11 ..'. Greek 5eleuci" 4ra .e#ins 8/.84.1- /81 ..'. Greek 5eleuci" 'ontrol ?f 1he Holy &an" !s 5ecure" 8/.84.1/ -@/ ..'. (tolemy (hila"el$hus, Din# ?f 4#y$tL 5e$tua#int 1ranslation ?f 5cri$ture r" 8/.84.14 / 'entury ..'. Greek !nfluences 'hallen#e ,ewish Halues An" 1ra"itions 8/.84.12 -88 ..'. :on-0a inic Writin#s .e#in* )ea" 5ea 5crolls, A$ocry$ha, An" (seu"e$i#ra$ha
8/.84.13 19@ ..'. 5yria An" ,erusalem 'ome +irmly Un"er 1he 'ontrol ?f 1he Greek 5eleuci"s 8/.84.17 173 7 134 ..'. Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies, Din# ?f 5yria 'ontrols ,erusalem 8/.84.1@ 171 ..'. Ka"okite (riesthoo" 4n"sL 1em$le (riesthoo" 5ol"L 1he 4ssenes 8/.84.19 178 ..'. Messiah (re"icte" .y 0oman (oet Hir#il 8/.84.-8 137 ..'., )ecem er, Antiochus !H )esecrates 1em$le
8/.84.-1 137 ..'. 1he Macca ean 0e9olt 7 -2 Jears ?f Military .attles An" Guerrilla War .e#in
34 8/.84.-- 134 ..'. Greek (ersecution 4n"sL &imite" ,ewish !n"e$en"ence .e#ins 8/.84.-/ 134 ..'. )ecem erL 1em$le 'onsecrate"L 5anhe"rin 0esumes 8/.84.-4 13- ..'. Helleni>e" ,ews 'rucify 38 Hasi"im ,ews 8/.84.-2 12/ ..'. ,onathan 1he Hi#h (riest An" Go9ernorL ,ewish Anti5emitism Grows 8/.84.-3 14/ 7 1/2 ..'. Macca ean 0e9olt B4n"e",C 5imon 0ei#ne" 3. ' Je3ish So8erei%$ty A$( ;o1a$ Co$=)est BC. &./ A.C. D A.6.< C 8/.82.81 !ntro"uction 8/.82.8- 1/2 7 3/ ..'. 1rue !n"e$en"enceL 0ule ?f 1he Hasmoneans 8/.82.8/ 1/2 7 184 ..'. 0ule ?f ,ohn HyrcanusL 5amaritan 1em$le )estroye" 8/.82.84 184 7 18- ..'. 0ule ?f Aristo ulus ! 8/.82.82 18- 7 73 ..'. 0ule ?f Ale%an"er ,annaeus
8/.82.83 98 7 @@ ..'. ,ewish 'i9il WarL @88 (harisees 'rucifie" 8/.82.87 73 7 37 ..'. Nueen Ale%an"ra 5alome 0ei#nsL (harisees 'ontrol 1he 1em$le 8/.82.8@ 5ummary !nfluence ?f BHellenistic 0eformC ;//1 7 3/ ..'.= 8/.82.89 37 7 3/ ..'. 'i9il War .etween Aristo ulus !! An" Hyrcanus !!L 0oman !n9asion 8/.82.18 3/ ..'. Honi, 1he ,ewish Miracle Worker Dille"
8/.82.11 3/ ..'. 0omans ?r"er Attem$ts 1o Dill !nfant .oys .ecause ?f (ro$hecy ?f A :ew-.orn Din# 8/.82.1- 3/ ..'. 0ome 'onAuers ,u"aeaL Hyrcanus !! !nstalle" As 0uler 8/.82.1/ 3/ ..'. - A.). /1- 0oman (erio" 8/.82.14 2/ ..'. (arthians Attack An" Dill 1he 0oman General 'rassus
35 8/.82.12 28 ..'. 0a i :ehumias Accurately (re"icte" 1he Messiah<s 'omin# 8/.82.13 47 ..'. Anti$ater (rocurator ?f ,u"aea 8/.82.17 47 ..'. Hero" .ecomes Military 'omman"erL 4%ecutes He>ekias, 0e$riman"s 5anhe"rin 8/.82.1@ 44 ..'. ,ulius 'aesar Assassinate"L Au#ustus 0ei#ns 8/.82.19 4/ ..'. Anti$ater Mur"ere"L Another (arthian 1hreat 8/.82.-8 48 7 /9 ..'. .rief (arthian !n9asion of ,erusalemL Hero" ;the Great= #i9en 0oman Military to +i#ht (arthians an" ,ewish +ree"om +i#hters 8/.82.-1 /7 Great 8/.82.-- /8 8/.82.-/ -4 8/.82.-4 -8 (arthia 8/.82.-2 -8 7 4 ..'. 'onAuest An" 0ule .y Hero" 1he 7 -8 ..'. 5chool ?f HillelL 5chool ?f 5hammai 7 -1 ..'. +amine !n ,u"aea ..'. 1reaty 4sta lishe" .etween 0ome An" ..'. &ea"ershi$ 'han#e !n 5anhe"rin
8/.82.-3 -8-19 ..'. Hero" 1he Great .e#ins 1em$le 0emo"elin# An" 4%$ansion 8/.82.-7 ---18 ..'. 'onstruction ?f 1he Artificial 5ea$ort Har or At 'aesarea
3. . The A(8e$t :f Joh$ The Aa#tist A$( Jes)s B,-/ A.C.C 8/.83.81 7 7 3 ..'. ,ohn 1he .a$tist !s .ornL 0oman (eace 8/.83.8- 3 7 2 ..'. 1he .irth ?f ,esus 8/.83.8/ 2 7 4 ..'. Mary, ,ose$h, An" ,esus +lee 1o 4#y$t 8/.83.84 4 ..'. 1he )eath ?f Hero" 1he Great 8/.83.82 4 ..'. ,ews 0e9olt At (asso9erL /,888 Dille"
8/.83.83 4 ..'. 7 A.). 41 1he )i9i"e" Monarchy
36 8/.83.87 4 ..'. 7 A.). 3 Hero" Archelaus 4thnarch 0ules ?9er ,u"ea, 5amaria, An" !"umea 8/.83.8@ 4 ..'. 7 A.). /4 Hero" (hili$ 1etrarch 0ules ?9er :orthern )istricts 8/.83.89 4 ..'. 7 A.). /9 Hero" Anti$as 1etrarch 0ule" ?9er Galilee An" (erea 8/.83.18 - ..'. 5e$$horis .ecomes 1he 5eat ?f Go9ernment
8/.83.11 4 ;4n"= 7 / ..'. Mary, ,ose$h, An" ,esus 0eturn +rom 4#y$t 8/.83.1- 8 1here !s :o Jear Kero 8/.83.1/ A.). 1 Greeks +orm A 1ra"e 4m ar#o A#ainst ,ews 8/.83.14 A.). 3 ,ewish 0e9olt A#ainst ArchelausL Kealot Mo9ement 5oli"ifie" 8/.83.12 A.). 3 7 @ ,esus Goes 1o 1he 1em$le 8/.83.13 A.). 3 7 18 'o$onius 0e$laces Hero" Archelaus As (rocurator ?f ,u"ea 8/.83.17 A.). 3 7 12 Annas A$$ointe" Hi#h (riest 8/.83.1@ A.). 7 5amaritans )efile 1he 1em$le 8/.83.19 A.). 1- Arta anus !!! .ecomes 1he Din# ?f 1he (arthian 4m$ire 8/.83.-8 A.). 14 7 /7 1i erius 'aesar ?f 1he 0oman 4m$ire
8/.83.-1 A.). 13 7 17 4lea>ar .en Ananus A$$ointe" Hi#h (riest 8/.83.-Hi#h (riest 8/.83.-/ 8/.83.-4 8/.83.-2 'aesar A.). 1@ 7 /3//7 ,ose$hus .ar 'aia$has A$$ointe" A.). 1@ Hero" Anti$as .uil"s 1i erias A.). 19 ,ews 0iote" !n 0ome A.). -- 7 /1 5eEanus, 1he Arch 4nemy ?f 1i erius
37 8/.83.-3 A.). -3 7 /3 (ontius (ilate (rocurator ?f ,u"aea 8/.83.-7 A.). -7 1he Ministry ?f ,esus, 1he 'hrist .e#ins
U$it
/ D The Early Eears :f Jes)s /. & I$tro()"tio$ 84.81.81 !ntro"uctionL 1he Worl" 5ta#e is 5etL ,ohn<s (rolo#ue 84.81.8- ,n.1*1-- 1he 4ternality ?f Go". 84.81.8/ ,n.1*/-1@ 1he Wor" ?f Go" .ecame 1he (erson ,esus. 84.81.84 &k. 1*1-4 !ntro"uction .y &uke
/. * The Ge$ealo%ies :f Jes)s 84.8-.81 !ntro"uction 84.8-.8- Mt. 1*1-17 1he Genealo#y ?f ,esus As 0ecor"e" .y Matthew 84.8-.8/ &k. /*-/ -/@ 1he Genealo#y ?f ,esus As 0ecor"e" .y &uke
/. 3 The Airths :f Joh$ The Aa#tist A$( Jes)s 84.8/.81 &k. 1*2-17 ;'. 3 7 4 ..'.= 1he .irth ?f ,ohn +oretol" 84.8/.8- &k. 1*1@--2 Kechariah Ma"e 5$eechless 84.8/.8/ &k. 1*-3-/@ :a>arethL Mary 1ol" ?f 'once$tion 84.8/.84 &k. 1*/9-42 Hilla#e !n ,u"eaL Mary Hisits 4li>a eth 84.8/.82 &k. 1*43-23 Mary Gi9es (raise 1o Go" 84.8/.83 &k. 1*27-33 ,ohn 1he .a$tist !s .orn An" :ame" 84.8/.87 &k. 1*37-@8 Kechariah (ro$hesies ?f ,ohn<s Ministry 84.8/.8@ Mt. 1*1@--2a ,ose$h !s 1ol" ?f Mary<s 'once$tion 84.8/.89 &k -*1 .ethlehem ;'. 3 7 2 ..'.=L 1he 0e#istration ;?r 'ensus= 84.8/.18 &k. -*4-7 .ethlehem* 1he .irth ?f ,esus 84.8/.11 &k. -*@-14 .ethlehem* An#els (roclaim 1he .irth
38
/. / The Christ Chil( Is Ho$ore( A$( Co$se"rate( 84.84.81 &k. -*12--8 .ethlehemL 5he$her"s Honor 1he !nfant ,esus 84.84.8- &k. -*-1 ,esus 'ircumcise" An" :ame" 84.84.8/ &k. -*----4 ,erusalemL ,esus !s (resente" !n 1he 1em$le 84.84.84 &k. -*-2-/2 ,erusalem* 5imeon 4%$resses ,oy ?f 1he .irth 84.84.82 &k. -*/3-/@ 1he 1em$le* Anna, 1he (ro$hetess ?f Asher
84.84.83 Mt. -*1-@ ,erusalem ;'. 4 7 - ..'.=* 1he Ma#i 5eek ,esus 84.84.87 Mt -*9-1- 1he 5tar ?f .ethlehem* 1he Ma#i Honor ,esus
/. ' The Great Es"a#e A$( ;et)r$ 84.82.81 Mt. -*1/-12 4sca$e 1o 4#y$t 84.82.8- Mt. -*13-1@ .ethlehem* Hero" ?r"ers 1he 5lau#hter ?f Joun# .oys 84.82.8/ Mt. -*19--/L &k. -*/9-48 :a>areth* 0eturn 1o :a>areth 84.82.84 Mt. -*19--/L &k. -*/9-48 +rom 4#y$t 1o :a>areth /. . The Aoyhoo( Eears :f Jes)s 84.83.81 !ntro"uction 84.83.8- &k -*41-28 ,erusalem* ,esus Hisits 1em$le 84.83.8/ &k. -*21-2- :a>areth* Growin# U$ !n :a>areth
/. < Filla%e Life I$ NaGareth 84.87.81 )aily &ife !n :a>areth
U$it
'
The Early Mi$istry :f Jes)s
39 '. & The Mi$istry :f Joh$ The Aa#tist 82.81.81 !ntro"uction 82.81.8- &k. /*1-3 ;Mt. /*1-/L Mk. 1*--4= ,ohn )eclares His Ministry 82.81.8/ Mt. /*4-3 ;Mk. 1*2-3= Alon# 1he ,or"an 0i9er* ,ohn .a$ti>es .elie9ers 82.81.84 &k. /*7-14 ;Mt. /*7-18= ,ohn 'ontinues 1o (reach 0e$entance
'. * The I$tro()"tio$ A$( Te1#tatio$s :f Jes)s 82.8-.81 !ntro"uction 82.8-.8- &k. /*12-1@ ;Mt. /*11-1-L Mk. 1*7-@= ,ohn Announces 1he 'hrist 82.8-.8/ Mt. /*1/-17L &k. /*-/a ;Mk. 1*9-11= +rom Galilee 1o ,or"an* ,esus !s .a$ti>e" 82.8-.84 Mt. 4*1-11L Mk. 1*1/ ;&k. 4*1-1/= Wil"erness Mountain* 1he )e9il 1em$ts ,esus
'. 3 The 0it$ess :f Joh$ The Aa#tist 82.8/.81 ,n. 1*19--@ .ethany* ,ohn 4%$lains His Ministry 82.8/.8- ,n. 1*-9-/4 ,ohn !ntro"uces ,esus
'. / The Mi$istry of Jes)s Ae%i$s 82.84.81 !ntro"uction 82.84.8- ,n. 1*/2-21 1he +irst )isci$les '. ' Jes)s ;e8eals Hi1self 82.82.81 !ntro"uction 82.82.8- ,n. -*1-11 1he +irst Miracle !n 'ana 82.82.8/ ,n. -*1- !nterlu"e At 'a$ernaum 82.82.84 ,n. -*1/--2 1em$le 'leansin#, Merchants )ri9en ?ut 82.82.82 ,n. /*1--1 :ico"emus An" His :ew .irth
40 82.82.83 ,n. /*---/3 ,esus An" ,ohn !n ,u"ea 82.82.87 &k /*19--8 ,ohn 1he .a$tist !m$risone" U$it . - The Mi$istry :f Jes)s A""elerates .. & The Mi$istry :f Jes)s Ae%i$s I$ Galilee 83.81.81 !ntro"uction 83.81.8- ,n. 4*1-/ ,u"ea* ,esus &ea9es +or Galilee .y Way ?f 5amaria 83.81.8/ ,n. 4*4--3 1he Hilla#e ?f 5ychar !n 5amaria* 1he 5amaritan Woman 83.81.84 ,n. 4*-7-/@ 5$iritual +oo" 83.81.82 ,n. 4*/9-4- 5amaria* 1he +irst Woman 49an#elist 83.81.83 ,n. 4*4/-42 Galilee* ,esus 0eturns 1o 1he (ro9incial )istrict ?f Galilee 83.81.87 ,n. 4*43-24 'ana* .oy Heale" !n 'a$ernaum 83.81.8@ Mt. 4*1--17L &k. 4*14-12 ;Mk. 1*14-12= 'a$ernaum
.. * ;eHe"tio$ I$ NaGareth 83.8-.81 !ntro"uction 83.8-.8- &k. 4*13-/8 :a>areth* ,esus 0eEecte" At His Home
.. 3 The Mi$istry :f Jes)s A""elerates I$ Galilee 83.8/.81 &k. 2*1-11L Mt. 4*1@--- ;Mk. 1*13--8= 5ea ?f Galilee* (eter An" 1he 'atch ?f +ish 83.8/.8- Mk. 1*-1--- ;&k. 4*/1-/-= ,esus 1eaches At 'a$ernaum 83.8/.8/ Mk. 1*-/--@L &k. 4*//-/7 Man )eli9ere" +rom A )emon 83.8/.84 Mk. 1*-9-/1L &k. 4*/9 ;Mt. @*14-12= (eter<s Mother-!n-&aw Heale" 83.8/.82 Mk. 1*/--/4 ;Mt. @*13-17L &k. 4*48-41= Many Are Heale"
41
83.8/.83 Mk.1*/2-/@ ;&k. 4*4--4/= ,esus Goes ?ut 1o (ray 83.8/.87 Mt. 4*-/--2 ;Mk. 1*/9L &k. 4*44= ,esus 1ra9els 1hrou#hout Galilee 83.8/.8@ Mk. 1*48-42 ;Mt. @*1-4L &k. 2*1--13= 1he &e$er !s Heale", 5on ?f )a9i" FFFFF 83.8/.89 &k. 2*17L Mk. -*--4aL &k. 2*17-19 ;Mt. 9*1--= 'a$ernaum* 1he (aralytic !s Heale" (ro lem >F 83.8/.18 Mk. -*3-1- ;Mt. 9*/-@L &k. 2*-1--3= 5cri es Nuestion Authority ?f ,esus 83.8/.11 Mk. -*1/-14 ;Mt. 9*9L &k. 2*-7--@= 0e#ion ?f Galilee* Matthew !s 'alle"
U$it
< D :##ositio$ A%ai$st Jes)s Gro3s <. & Jes)s St)$s The Je3ish Lea(ershi# 87.81.81 !ntro"uction 87.81.8- &k. 2*-9-/8L Mt. 9*1--1/ ;Mk. -*12-17= 4atin# With 5inners 87.81.8/ &k. 2*//-/9 ;Mt. 9*14-17L Mk. -*1@---= )isci$les :ot +astin# 87.81.84 ,n. 2*1-12 ,erusalem* A$ril A.). -@, 1he 5econ" (asso9er 87.81.82 ,n. 2*13--9 0esurrection An" &ife 87.81.83 ,n. 2*/8-47 )iscussion ?f Authority
<. * The Sabbath Challe$%e 87.8-.81 !ntro"uction 87.8-.8- Mt. 1-*1-@L Mk. -*-/--@ ;&k. 3*1-2= Galilee* (luckin# Grain ?n 5a ath
42 87.8-.8/ Mt. 1-*9-14L Mk. /*1-3L &k. 3*3-11 Healin# ?n 1he 5a ath
<. 3 Jes)s The Master Tea"her 87.8/.81 !ntro"uction 87.8/.8- Mk. /*7-1-L ;Mt. 1-*12--1= .ay ?f 1he (ara les 87.8/.8/ &k. 3*1--13 ;Mk. /*1/-19= Hills :ear 1he 5ea* ,esus A$$oints 1- )isci$les 87.8/.84 &k. 3*17-19 Great 'row"s Gather 87.8/.82 Mt. 2*1-1- ;&k. 3*-8--/= 'a$ernaum* 5ermon ?n 1he Mount
U$it
, D To#i"al Iss)es ,. & 0ar$i$% The ;eli%io)s Lea(ers 8@.81.81 !ntro"uction 8@.81.8- &k. 3*-4--3 Woes (ronounce" 8@.81.8/ Mt. 2*1/-13 5alt An" &i#ht ?f .elie9ers 8@.81.84 Mt. 2*17--8 1he &aw An" Gos$el 8@.81.82 Mt. 2*-1--3 1he 5i%th 'omman"ment 8@.81.83 Mt. 2*-7-/8 1he 5e9enth 'omman"ment ,. * Marria%e+ 6i8or"e+ :aths A$( For%i8e$ess 8@.8-.81 !ntro"uction 8@.8-.8- &k. 13*14-1@ (harisees 5coff At (ara le* )i9orce
!ssues 8@.8-.8/ Mt. 2*/1-/- ;Mt. 19*9L Mk. 18*1-= )i9orce !ssues 8@.8-.84 Mt. 19*1 -18 ;Mk. 18*--9= (harisees Nuestion )i9orce 8@.8-.82 Mt. 19*18-1-L Mk. 18*18-1-
8@.8-.83 Mt. 2*//-/7 Honesty Without 5wearin# ?r ?aths 8@.8-.87 Mt. 2*/@-4-L &k. 3*/1 0etaliation +or i""en 8@.8-.8@ Mt. 2*4/-47L &k. 3*/--/3L Mt. 2*4@ &o9e +or 4nemies
43
,. 3 ;i%hteo)s$ess+ Prayer+ A$( Fasti$% 8@.8/.81 !ntro"uction 8@.8/.8- Mt. 3*1 1he (rinci$les ?f 0i#hteousness 8@.8/.8/ Mt. 3*--4 1he (rinci$le ?f Gi9in# Alms 8@.8/.84 Mt. 3*2-12 1he (rinci$le ?f A Mo"el (rayer ;1he &or"<s (rayer= 8@.8/.82 Mt. 3*13-1@ 1he (rinci$le ?f +astin#
,. / Co$"er$s :f Life 8@.84.81 Mt. 3*19--/ 5$iritual 1reasures 8@.84.8- Mt. 3*-2-/4 A9oi"in# An%iety 8@.84.8/ &k. 3*/7-4- ;Mt. 7*1-2= Hy$ocritical ,u"#in# 8@.84.84 Mt. 7*3 !na$$ro$riate 'oncerns 8@.84.82 Mt. 7*7-1- (ersistence ?f (rayer
8@.84.83 Mt. 7*1/-14 1he :arrow An" Wi"e Gates ?f &ife 8@.84.87 Mt. 7*12--8L &k. 3*42L Mt. 7*-1--/ 1estin# 0eli#ious &ea"ers 'f. Mt. 1@*11 (ro lem FF 8@.84.8@ &k. 3*43L Mt. 7*-4--7L Wise An" +oolish .uil"ers
,. ' Asto$ishi$% Po3er A$( A)thority 8@.82.81 Mt. 7*-@--9 'row" !s Astonishe" 8@.82.8- &k. 7*1-9L Mt. @*11-1/L &k. 7*18 'enturion<s Heale" 8@.82.8/ &k. 7*11-17 :ain* Wi"ow<s ?nly 5on 0aise" +rom )eath 8@.82.84 &k. 7*1@--/ ;Mt. 11*--3= ,ohn 1he .a$tist Nuestions 8@.82.82 &k. 7*-4--@L Mt. 11*1--12L &k. 7*-9-/8 ,esus (raises ,ohn 8@.82.83 &k. 7*/1-/2 ;Mt. 11*13-19= ,esus 0e$ro9es 0eEection
44 8@.82.87 &k. 7*/3-28 Anointin# .y 5inful Woman 8@.82.8@ &k. @*1-/ Galilee* Women (ro9i"e 5u$$ort
,. . :f Nat)re+ 6e1o$s+ A$( Heali$%s 8@.83.81 !ntro"uction 8@.83.8- Mk. 4*/2-41 ;Mt. @*-/--7L &k. @*----2= 5ea ?f Galilee* ,esus 'alms 1he 5ea 8@.83.8/ Mk. 2*1--8 ;Mt. @*-@-/4L &k. @*-3-/9= Gerasa* )emon-(ossesse" Gerasene 8@.83.84 Mk. 2*-1--4a ;Mt. 9*1@-19L &k. @*48-4-= ,airus .e#s ,esus 1o Heal 8@.83.82 Mk. 2*-4 -/4 ;Mt. 9*-8---L &k. @*4/-4@= Women 1ouches Garment
8@.83.83 Mk. 2*/2-4/ ;Mt. 9*-/--3L &k. @*49-23= 'a$ernaum* ,airus< )au#hter 0aise" 8@.83.87 Mt. 9*-7-/1 1wo .lin" Men Heale" 8@.83.8@ Mt. 9*/--/4 Mute Man Heale"
! D T)r$i$% Poi$t I$ The Mi$istry :f Jes)s !. & ;eHe"tio$ :f Jes)s A$( His Messa%e 89.81.81 !ntro"uction 89.81.8- Mk. /*-8L Mt. 1-*----4 ;&k. 11*14--/= 'a$ernaum* !s ,esus A )emon ?r 5on ?f )a9i"F 89.81.8/ Mt. 1-*-2--@L &k. 11*-8L Mt. 1-*-9-/- 1he Un$ar"ona le 5in 89.81.84 Mt. 1-*//-/7L Mk. /*-8--1 Wor"s 0eflect 1he Heart 89.81.82 Mt. 1-*/@-4- ;&k. 11*-9-/-= 1he 5i#n ?f ,onah
U$it
45 89.81.83 Mt. 1-*4/-42L &k. 11*-7--@ :ee" +or Moral 0eform 89.81.87 Mt. 1-*43-28 ;Mk. /*/1-/2L &k. @*19--1= ,esus 1ell 1rue Dinshi$ !. * Jes)s A$$o)$"es 0oes4 Lea(ers Atte1#t E$tra#1e$t 89.8-.81 &k. 11*//-/3 !nner 0i#hteousness 89.8-.8- &k. 11*/7-2- 5i% Woes* Hy$ocrisy 'on"emne" 89.8-.8/ &k. 11*2/-24 &ea"ers 1ry 1o 1ra$ ,esus 89.8-.84 &k. 1-*1-1- Warnin# A#ainst Hy$ocrisy
!. 3 Pro#heti" Parables A$( A"tio$s 89.8/.81 !ntro"uction 89.8/.8- &k. 1-*1/--1 +aith ?f 1he +oolish 0ich Man 89.8/.8/ &k. 1-*---/4 1rustin# Go"<s (ro9i"ence 89.8/.84 &k. 1-*/2-48 (ara le ?f Watchful 5er9ants 89.8/.82 &k. 1-*41-4@ 4%hortation 1o Watchfulness
89.8/.83 89.8/.87 89.8/.8@ 89.8/.89 89.8/.18
&k. 1-*49-2/ )i9ision (re"icte" &k. 1-*24-29 )iscern 1he 1imes 'orrectly &k. 1/*1-2 Ur#ency ?f 0e$entance &k. 1/*3-9 Unfruitful +i# 1ree &k.1/*18-17 5too$e" Woman Heale"
89.8/.11 Mt. 1/*18-17 ;Mk. 4*18-1-L &k. @*9-18= (ur$ose ?f (ara les 89.8/.1- Mk. 4*//-/4L Mt. 1/*/4-/2 (ara les +ulfill (ro$hecy 89.8/.1/ Mt. 1/*1-9 ;Mk. 4*1-9L &k. @*4-@= 5ea ?f Galilee* (ara le ?f 1he 5ower 89.8/.14 Mt. 1/*1@--/ ;Mk. 4*1/--8L &k. @*11-12= (ara le 4%$laine" 89.8/.12 Mt. 1/*-4-/8 ;Mk. 4*-3--9= (ara le ?f 1he Wheat
?f 5ower An" 1ares
46
89.8/.13 Mt. 1/*/3-4/ (ara le ?f 1he Wheat An" 1ares 4%$laine" 89.8/.17 Mt. 1/*/1-/- ;Mk. 4*/8-/-L &k. 1/*1@-19= (ara le ?f 1he Mustar" 5ee" 89.8/.1@ Mt. 1/*// ;&k. 1/*-8--1= (ara le ?f 1he Jeast 89.8/.19 Mk. 4*-1--2 ;&k. @*13-1@= (ara le ?f 1he &i#hte" &am$ 89.8/.-8 Mk. 4*-3--9 (ara le ?f 1he 5ee" Growin#
89.8/.-1 89.8/.-89.8/.-/ 89.8/.-4
Mt. Mt. Mt. Mt.
1/*44 (ara le ?f 1he Hi""en 1reasure 1/*42-43 (ara le ?f Halua le (earl 1/*47-28 (ara le ?f 1he )ra#net 1/*21-2/ (ara le ?f 1reasures
!. / The Cost :f Follo3i$% Jes)s 89.84.81 Mt. @*1@--- ;&k. 9*27-3-= 'ost ?f +ollowin# ,esus ;B+o%es Ha9e Holes.C= 89.84.8- &k. 9*29-3- ;Mt. @*-1---= ;B&et 1he )ea" .ury 1he )ea".C=
U$it & D Co$fli"ts I$"rease4 Mi$istries :f The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ & . & The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ To F)$"tio$ As A#ostles 18.81.81 !ntro"uction 18.81.8- Mk. 3*1-3a ;Mt. 1/*2/-2@= :a>areth* ,esus 0eEecte" A#ain 18.81.8/ Mt. 9*/2-/@ ;Mk. 3*3 = :ee" +or Workers 18.81.84 Mt. 18*1-4L Mk. 3*7 ;&k. 9*1--= )isci$les Gi9en (ower 1o Heal 18.81.82 Mt. 18*2-12 ;Mk. 3*@-11L &k. 9*/-2= )isci$les !nstructe"
47 18.81.83 Mt. 18*13-// )isci$les Warne" 18.81.87 Mt. 18*/4-/9 'onflict An" 5acrifice 18.81.8@ Mt. 18*48-4- ;Mk. 9*41= 0ecei9in# )isci$les 18.81.89 Mt. 11*1L &k. 9*3L Mk. 3*1--1/ )isci$les !n Action 18.81.18 Mk 3*14-13L &k 9*9 ;Mt. 14*1--= (erea* Hero" 'urious A out ,esus 18.81.11 Mk. 3*17--9 ;Mt. 14*/-1-a= )eath ?f ,ohn 1he .a$tist 18.81.1- &k. 9*18aL Mk. 3*/8-/4L &k. 9*11 ;Mt. 14*1--14L ,n. 3*1-4= .ethsai"a* 1he )isci$les 0eturn 18.81.1/ Mk. 3*/2-/3L ,n. 3*2-7L &k. 3*1/L ,n. 3*@-9L Mk. 3*/9-4/L ,n. 3*14L Mk. 3*42L ,n. 3*12 ;&k. 9*1--17= 1he 5ea ?f Galilee :ear .ethsai"a. 2,888 +e" 18.81.14 ,n. 3*13-1@L Mk. 3*4@aL ,n. 3*19aL Mk. 3*4@ -2-L ,n. 3*-1 ;Mt. 14*-/ --7= 5ea ?f Galilee* ,esus Walks ?n Water 18.81.12 Mt. 14*-@-//* 5ea ?f GalileeL (eter Walks ?n Water
18.81.13 Mt. 14*/4-/3L Mk. 3*2/-23* (lain ?f Gennesaret ?r Galilee, Miracles 18.81.17 ,n. 3*---29 1he Mystery ?f ,esus< 'rossin# 18.81.1@ ,n. 3*38-33 ?ffen"e" )isci$les 1urn Away 18.81.19 ,n. 3*37-71 (eter Affirms His +aith 18.81.-8 Mk. 7*1-1/ ;5ee Also Mt. 12*1-9= 5$rin#, A.). -9
18.81.-1 Mk. 7*14-13L Mt. 12*1--13L Mk. 7*1@ --/ 18.81.-- ,n. 7*1 Ministry !n Galilee 18.81.-/ Mk. 7*-4--3aL Mt. 12*-- --@* 1yre An" 5i"on* 'anaanite Woman
48 18.81.-4 Mk. 7*/1-/7L Mt. 12*/1 Galilee An" 1he )eca$olis )eaf Man Heale" 18.81.-2 Mk. @*1-18 ;5ee Also Mt. 12*-9-/9= :ortheast Hills .y 1he 5eaL +ee"in# ?f 4,888
18.81.-3 Mt. 13*1-4L Mk. @*1/L Ma#a"a* (harisees 0eAuest A 5i#n 18.81.-7 Mk. @*14-12L Mt. 13*7L Mk. 17--1aL Mt 13*11-1(harisees An" Jeast !n .rea" 18.81.-@ Mk. @*----3 .ethsai"a .lin" Man With 5$it An" 1he &ayin# ?n ?f Han"s 18.81.-9 Mt. 13*1/--8 ;Mk. @*-7-/8L &k. 9*1@--8= 'aesarea (hili$$i 18.81./8 Mt. 13*-1--/ ;Mk. @*/1-//L &k. 9*-1---= 'aesarea (hili$$i* 5ufferin# +oretol" 18.81./1 Mk. @*/4-9*1L ;5ee Also Mt. 13*-4--@L &k. 9*-/--7= 'aesarea (hili$$i .ur"ens ?f )isci$leshi$
U$it && D The Tra$sfi%)ratio$+ Mira"les+ A$( 6is"i#le Trai$i$% &&. & The Tra$sfi%)ratio$ 11.81.81 !ntro"uction 11.81.8- Mt. 17*1-@L &k. 9*-@-/3a ;Mk. 9*--@= Mount Hermon* ,esus !s 1ransfi#ure" 11.81.8/ Mt. 17*9-1/L &k. 9*/3 ;9*9-1/= Mount Hermon* A$ostles Ask A out 4liEah
&&. * More Mira"les A$( 6is"i#leshi# Trai$i$%
49 11.8-.81 Mk. 9*14--@L Mt. 17*-8--1 ;&k. 9*/7-4/aL 17*2-3= :ear Mount Hermon* 1he B4$ile$ticC .oy Heale" 11.8-.8- Mk. 9*/8-/- ;Mt. 17*----/L &k. 9*4/ -42= Galilee* )eath (re"icte" A#ain 11.8-.8/ Mt. 17*-4--7 'a$ernaum* 'oin +rom A +ish 11.8-.84 Mk. 9*//-/2L &k. 47-4@L Mt. 1@*2 'a$ernaum* A$ostles )is$ute 0ank 11.8-.82 Mt. 1@*7-9L Mk. 9*4/-28 ;&k. 17*1= 5tern Warnin# A out 'ausin# ?thers 1o 5in 11.8-.83 Mk. 9*/@-41 ;&k. 9*49-28= Works )one !n 1he :ame ?f ,esus 11.8-.87 Mt. 1@*12-17 )isci$line ?f A .rother 11.8-.8@ Mt. 1@*1@--8 A$ostles Gi9en Authority ;B.in"in# An" &oosenin#C=. 11.8-.89 Mt. 1@*-1---L &k. 17*/-4 (eter Asks A out +or#i9eness
11.8-.18 Mt. 1@*-/--2 (ara le ?f 5er9ants !n )e t 11.8-.11 ,n. 7*--9 'a$ernaum 5e$tem er 18-17, A.). -9* +east ?f 1a ernacles, A out +i9e Months .efore His 'rucifi%ion. 11.8-.1- ,n. 7*18--4 ,esus 1eaches !n 1he 1em$le 11.8-.1/ ,n. 7*-2-/3 1he ,ews )iscuss Arrestin# ,esus 11.8-.14 ,n. 7*/7-/9 5$iritual )rink
11.8-.12 ,n. 7*48-2/L @*1 !n 1he 1em$le* :ico"emus 'ounsels 'aution 11.8-.13 ,n. @*--11 At 1he 1em$leL Woman 'au#ht !n A"ultery 11.8-.17 ,n. @*1---8 &i#ht ?f 1he Worl"
50 11.8-.1@ ,n. @*-1-/8 Warnin# A#ainst Un elief 11.8-.19 ,n. @*/1-47 ,esus 'onfronts 1he 0eli#ious &ea"ers With 5e9ere 5arcasm 11.8-.-8 ,n. 11.8-.-1 ,n. .lin" 11.8-.-- ,n. Man 11.8-.-/ ,n. (arents 11.8-.-4 ,n. @*4@-29 ,esus )eclares His 4ternal 4%istence 9*1-1- (ool of 5iloam. Healin# 1he Man .orn 9*1/-17 (ool ?f 5iloam* (harisees Nuestion 9*1@--/ (harisees Nuestion 1he Heale" Man<s 9*-4-/4 (harisees Nuestion Man A#ain
11.8-.-2 11.8-.-3 11.8-.-7 11.8-.-@ 11.8-.-9
,n. ,n. ,n. ,n. ,n.
9*/2-41 ,esus 'onfronts 1he Heale" Man 18*1-3 1he 5hee$ An" 1heir 5he$her" 18*7-18 1he Gate +or 1he 5hee$ 18*11-1@ 1he Goo" 5he$her" 18*19--1 ,ews 5till )i9i"e" A out ,esus
U$it &* D The Galilea$ Mi$istry E$(s &*. & The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ To F)$"tio$ As A#ostles 1-.81.81 Mt. 19*1--L &k. 9*21-23 ;Mk. 18*1= Galilee 1o 5amaria 1o ,u"ea 1-.81.8- &k. 18*1-13 ;Mt. 11*-8--4= 5e9enty )isci$les 5ent ?ut 1-.81.8/ &k. 18*17--4 5e9enty )isci$les 0eturn . 1-.81.84 Mt. 11*-@-/8 0est +or 1he Weary 1-.81.82 &k. 18*-2-/7 (ara le ?f 1he Goo" 5amaritan
1-.81.83 1-.81.87 1-.81.8@ 1-.81.89 1-.81.18
&k. 18*/@-4- ,esus With Martha An" Mary &k. 11*1-4 1eachin# How 1o (ray &k. 11*2-1/ (ara le ?f A Mi"ni#ht +rien" ,n. 18*---/8 ,esus Affirms His ?wn )eity ,n. 18*/1-/9 ,ews Attem$t 1o 5tone ,esus
51 &*. * The Perea$ Mi$istry 1-.8-.81 !ntro"uction &*. *. & Ma# 1-.8-.8- ,n. 18*48-4- 1o (erea ;)ecem er -9-A$ril /8= 1-.8-.8/ &k. 1/*---/2 (ereaL How Many Will .e 5a9e"F 1-.8-.84 &k. 14*1-3 Man Heale" ?n 1he 5a ath . 1-.8-.82 &k. 14*7-14 .anAuet (lace ?f Honor . 1-.8-.83 &k. 14*12--4L Mt. --*14 (ara le ?f 1he Great .anAuet.
&*. 3 Jes)s Goes To3ar(s Jer)sale1 1-.8/.81 !ntro"uction 1-.8/.8- &k. 14*-2-// 1he 'ost ?f )isci$leshi$ 1-.8/.8/ &k. 14*/4-/2 (ara le ?f 1he 5alt 1-.8/.84 &k. 12*1-7 (ara le ?f 1he &ost 5hee$ 1-.8/.82 &k. 12*@-18 (ara le ?f 1he &ost 'oin 1-.8/.83 &k. 12*11-/- (ara le ?f 1he 1wo 5ons ;?r 1he (ara le ?f 1he &o9in# +ather= 1-.8/.87 &k. 13*1-1/ (ara le ?f 1he )ishonest Mana#er 1-.8/.8@ &k. 13*19-/1 (ara le of the 0ich Man an" &a>arus. 1-.8/.89 Mt. -8*1-13 Hineyar" Workers 1-.8/.18 ,n. 11*1-/7 .ethany* 1he Miracle ?f &a>aru s. 1-.8/.11 ,n. 11*/@-44 .ethany* &a>arus 0aise" 1o &ife 1-.8/.1- ,n. 11*42-2/ ,erusalem* 5anhe"rin (lots 1o Dill ,esus 1-.8/.1/ ,n. 11*24 4$hraim ,esus Goes 1o 4$hraim 1-.8/.14 &k. 17*11-19 1en &e$ers Heale" 1-.8/.12 Mt. 19*1-- ;Mk. 18*1= +rom Galilee 1o (erea ;,u"ea 4ast ?f 1he ,or"an=
1-.8/.17 &k. 1@*1-@ 1he (ersistent Wi"ow An" Unri#hteous ,u"#e
52 1-.8/.1@ &k. 1@*9-14 1he (rayers ?f 1he 5elf-0i#hteous (harisee An" 1a% 'ollector.
&*. / Mira"les A$( Tea"hi$%s I$te$sify 1-.84.81 Mk. 18*1/-13 ;Mt. 19*1/-12L &k. 1@*12-17= ,esus .lesses 1he 'hil"ren 1-.84.8- &k. 1@*1@--7L Mk. 18*1@c ;Mt. 19*13--3L Mk. 18*17-1@ , 19--7= 1he 0ich 0ulerL 1he 'amel An" 1he 4ye ?f A :ee"le 1-.84.8/ Mk. 18*/--/4L &k. 1@*/4 ;Mt. 18*17-19= 0oa" 1o ,erusalem* )eath +oretol" 1hir" 1ime 1-.84.84 Mt. -8*-8--1L Mk. 18*/2-42 Men ?f 5elfish Honor - ,ames An" ,ohn 1-.84.82 Mk. 18*43-21L &k. 1@*4--4/ ;Mt. -8*-9-/4= ,ericho* .lin" .artimaeus Heale"
1-.84.83 &k. 19*1-18 1he P:ew 1estament 4raQ ,ericho* Kacchaeus 0ecei9es ,esus 1-.84.87 &k. 19*11--@ (ara le ?f Go"<s Accounta ility 1-.84.8@ ,n. 11*22-27 :issan @L March /1, A.). /8. Arrest (lanne" +or (asso9er. 1-.84.89 ,n. 1-*1--L Mt. -3*7 -1/L Mk. 14*9 .ethany* Mary Anoints ,esus 1-.84.18 ,n. 1-*9-11 (lot 1o Dill &a>arus
U$it &3 D The Passio$ 0ee9 Ae%i$s &3. & Pre8ie3 :f E8e$ts A$( The Tri)1#hal E$try
53 1/.81.81 !ntro"uction An" 5ummary ?f 1he (assion Week 49ents Sorry+ b)t "orre"tio$s $ee( to be 1a(e i$ these refere$"e $)1bers 1/.81.8/ &k. 19*-9-/1L Mt. -1*4-7L Mk. 11*4-7 ;,n. 1-*1413= .eth$a#e An" .ethany* ,esus 5en"s +or 'olt. 1/.81.84 &k. 19*/3-48L Mk. 11*@ ;Mt. -1*@-9= ,erusalem, 5un"ay 1/.81.8- ,n. 1-*1--1/aL Mk. 11*9-18L ,n. 1-*1/ ,erusalem* 1he 1rium$hal 4ntry 1/.81.82 &k. 19*41-44 ,esus 5ees 1he 'omin# )estruction .
1/.81.83 Mt. -1*18-11L ,n. 1-*17-19 1he (harisees 0eco#ni>e 1he (o$ularity ?f ,esus. 1/.81.87 Mk. 11*11 ;Mt. -1*17= ,esus 0eturne" 1o .ethany.
&3. * Pre(i"tio$ :f J)(aea A$( Plots :f Jes)s? 6eath 1/.8-.81 Mk. 11*1--14 ;Mt. -1*1@-19= A$ril /, A.). /8 Unfruitful +i# 1ree 'urse". 1/.8-.8- Mk. 11*12-17 ;Mt. -1*1--1/L &k. 19*42-43= !n 1he 1em$le 1/.8-.8/ Mk. 11*1@ ;&k. 19*47-4@= 1he 1em$le 'ourts !n ,erusalem* (lot 1o Dill ,esus )elaye". 1/.8-.84 Mt. -1*14-13 !n 1he 1em$le 'ourts* 1he 'hil"ren (raise ,esus. 1/.8-.82 Mk. 11*-8--1L Mt. -1*-8---L Mk. 11*-2--3 +rom .ethany 1o ,erusalem* 1ues"ay :issan 1-* &esson +rom 1he +i# 1ree
54 1/.8-.83 ,n. 1-*-8--3 ,esus 4%$lains 1he (ur$ose ?f His )eath. 1/.8-.87 ,n. 1-*-7-// +oretellin# His 'rucifi%ion. 1/.8-.8@ ,n. 1-*/4-/3L Mk. 11*19 .ethany* 'all +or Walkin# !n &i#ht. &3. 3 The First E@a1i$atio$ :f Jes)s 1/.8/.81 !ntro"uction 1/.8/.8- Mk. 11*-7-// ;Mt. -1*-/--7L &k. -8*1-@= !n 1he 1em$le* 1he Authority ?f ,esus Nuestione" 1/.8/.8/ Mt. -1*-@-/- (ara le ?f 1he 1wo 5ons. 1/.8/.84 Mk. 1-*1-9L &k. -8*9-13 ;Mt. -1*//-41= (ara le ?f 1he Househol"er An" 1he ?nly 5on. 1/.8/.82 Mt. -1*4--44 ;Mk. 1-*18-11L &k. -8*17-1@= !n 1he 1em$le* 1he 5tone 1he .uil"ers 0eEecte".
1/.8/.83 Mt. -1*42-43L &k. -8*19 ;Mk. 1-*1-= 0eli#ious &ea"ers An#ere". 1/.8/.87 Mt. --*1-14 (ara le ?f 1he We""in# .anAuet.
&3. / The Se"o$( E@a1i$atio$ :f Jes)s 1/.84.81 !ntro"uction 1/.84.8- Mt. --*12aL &k. -8*-8--3 ;Mk. 1-*1/-17= Hero"ians An" (harisees Ask ,esus A out 1a%es. 1/.84.8/ Mt. --*-/-// ;Mk. 1-*1@--7L &k. -8*-7-/@= 1he 1heolo#ical !ssue ?f 1he 0esurrection Nuestione" 1/.84.84 Mk. 1-*-@-/4 ;Mt. --*/4-48L &k. -8*/9-48= 1he Greatest 'omman"ment* 1he B5hema.C 1/.84.82 Mt. --*41-42L Mk. 1-*/7 L Mt. --*43 ; &k. -8*41-
55 44= ,esus Asks 1he (harisees A out His ?wn Ancestry. 1/.84.83 Mt. -/*1-1- ;Mk. 1-*/@-48L &k. -8*42-47= 5elf0i#hteousness ?f 1he 0eli#ious &ea"ers 'on"emne" .
&3. ' The Fo)rth Le8el :f Pharisees Co$(e1$e( 1/.82.81 !ntro"uction 1/.82.8- Mt. -/*1/-12 +alse 0eli#ious (iety 'on"emne" 1/.82.8/ Mt. -/*13--4 &e#alistic 0eli#ious Attitu"e 'on"emne". 1/.82.84 Mt. -/*-2--@ Hy$ocrisy 'on"emne" . 1/.82.82 Mt. -/*-9-/3 ,esus 'on"emne" (ersecution ?f Go"<s (ro$hets.
U$it &/ D The Passio$ Mi(-0ee9 &/. & Pro#he"ies :f His Cr)"ifi@io$ A$( ;et)r$ 14.81.81 Mt. -/*/7-/9 ,esus &ts ?9er ,erusalem . 14.81.8- Mk. 1-*41-44 ;&k. -1*1-4= 1he 0i#hteous Wi"ow 14.81.8/ Mk. 1/*1-- ;Mt. -4*1--L &k. -1*2-3= &ea9in# 1he 1em$le, 1ues"ayL ,esus (re"icts 1hat 1he 1em$le Will .e )estroye" 14.81.84 Mk. 1/*/-7aL &k. -1*11 L Mk. 1/*7 -1-L Mt. -4*1-L Mk. 1/*1/L Mt. -4*14-12L &k. -1*-8--4L Mt. -4*-8-/1L &k. -1*-2--@L Mt. -4*/--/2 1he ?li9et )iscourseL )isci$les Ask A out His 0eturn
14.81.82 Mt. -4*/3-44L &k. -1*/3 ;Mk. 1/*/--//=L 4%act 1imes ?f His 0eturn Unknown 14.81.83 &k. -1*/4-/3L Mk. 1/*/4L Mt. -4*42-21L Mk. 1/*/2/7 ,esus Ur#es Watchfulness. 14.81.87 Mt. -2*1-1/ 1he Wise An" +oolish Hir#ins .
56 14.81.8@ Mt. -2*14-/8 (ara le ?f 1he 1alents ;4m$hasi>in# &a orin#= . 14.81.89 Mt. -2*/1-43 A$$lication ?f (ara les* 1he 'omin# ,u"#ment ?f 1he Gentile :ations.
14.81.18 &k. -1*/7-/@ At 1he 1em$le ;After 1he ?li9et )iscourse= 14.81.11 Mt. -3*1-2 ;Mk. 14*1--L &k. --*1--= 1ues"ayL ,esus +oresees His 'rucifi%ion . 14.81.1- &k. --*/-4L Mt. -3*12L &k. --*3 ;Mk. 14*18-11=L ,u"as (lans 1he .etray ?f ,esus.
&/. * E$"o)ra%e1e$t A$( Fi$al Passo8er 14.8-.81 ,n. 1-*/7-4/ :on-.elie9ers +ulfill (ro$hecy. 14.8-.8- ,n. 1-*44-28 +inal A$$eal 1o His .elo9e" (eo$le . 14.8-.8/ &k. --*7-1/ ;Mt. -3*17-19L Mk. 14*1--13= U$$er 0oom* )isci$les Make (re$arations +or (asso9er 14.8-.84 &k. --*14-13 U$$er 0oom ;1he B&ast 5u$$erC= !m$ortance ?f ?ccasion. 14.8-.82 &k. --*17--8 ;Mt. -3*-3--9L Mk. 14*----2= 1he U$$er 0oom* A Memorial 1o ,esus.
14.8-.83 &k. --*-1-/- ,esus Hints ?f His .etrayer 'ausin# )isci$les 1o Ar#ue 14.8-.87 ,n. 1/*1-18 1he U$$er 0oom* ,esus Hum ly Washes 1he A$ostles< +eet 14.8-.8@ ,n. 1/*1--17 ,esus 4%$lains Washin# .
57 14.8-.89 ,n. 1/*1@--1 ;Mt. -3*-8--1L Mk. 14*17-1@= ,esus (re"icts His .etrayal 14.8-.18 Mt. -3*----4L ,n. 1/*----7aL Mt. -3*-2 ;Mk. 14*19--1L &k. --*--= 1he U$$er 0oomL 1he .etrayer !s !"entifie"
14.8-.11 ,n. 1/*-7 -/8 ,esus 5en"s ,u"as ?ut. 14.8-.1- ,n. 1/*/1-/2 ,esus 'omman"s &o9e +or 1he .rotherhoo" 14.8-.1/ ,n. 1/*/3-/@L &k. --*/1-/4 (eter Makes A 0eAuest 14.8-.14 ,n. 14*1-4 ,esus 1o (re$are A Hea9enly (lace 14.8-.12 ,n. 14*2-7 1homas Wants 1o Dnow 1he Way
14.8-.13 14.8-.17 14.8-.1@ 14.8-.19 14.8-.-8
,n. 14*@-14 (hili$ Wants 1o 5ee 1he +ather ,n. 14*13--1 ,esus (romises 1he Holy 5$irit ,n. 14*----4 A$ostle ,u"as Nuestions ,esus ,n. 14*-2-/1 ,esus (re"icts His 0eturn &k. --*/2-/@ +ulfillment ?f !saiah<s (ro$hecy .
14.8-.-1 Mt. -3*/8-/- ;Mk. 14*-3--@L &k. --*/9= 1he U$$er 0oom* 5in#in# 1he Hallel 14.8-.-- Mt -3*//-/2 ;Mk 14*-9-/1= (eter Announces His &oyalty
U$it &' D The Passio$ Es"alates &'. & The Fi$al 6is"o)rse 12.81.81 ,n. 12*1-@ !ma#ery ?f Hine An" .ranches 12.81.8- ,n. 12*9-17 'omman" 1o &o9e ?ne Another 12.81.8/ ,n. 12*1@-13*4 ,esus Warns ?f 1heir (ersecution 12.81.84 ,n. 13*2-12 1he :ecessity ?f ,esus &ea9in# 12.81.82 ,n. 13*13--4 (romise ?f ,oy ?ut ?f 5orrow
58 12.81.83 ,n. 13*-2-// 4%$lanations Will .rin# Un"erstan"in# 12.81.87 ,n. 17*1-2 ,esus (rays +or Himself 12.81.8@ ,n. 17*3-19 ,esus (rays +or )isci$les 12.81.89 ,n. 17*-8--3 ,esus (rays +or .elie9ers
&'. * The Aetrayal A$( Arrest 12.8-.81 !ntro"uction 12.8-.8- ,n. 1@*1L Mk. 14*/--/4 ;&k. --*48L Mt. -3*/3-/@= 1he A#ony ?f Gethsemane 12.8-.8/ Mk. 14*/2-/3L &k. --*4/-42L Mt. -3*48-41 Mount ?f ?li9esL ,esus (rays !n A#ony As 1he )isci$les 5lee$ 12.8-.84 Mt. -3*4- ,esus (rays A 5econ" 1ime 12.8-.82 Mt. -3*4/-43 ;Mk. 14*48-4-= ,esus (rays A 1hir" 1ime
12.8-.83 ,n. 1@*--/L Mk. 14*4/-44L &k. --*47-4@L Mk. 14*42 ;Mt. -3*4728a= ,u"as .etrays ,esus 12.8-.87 ,n. 1@*4-9 )isci$les 5afety !nsure" 12.8-.8@ Mk. 14*43L &k. --*49L ,n. 1@*18-11L Mt. -3*2--24L &k. --*21 (eter 'uts ?ff 1he 5ol"ier<s 4ar 12.8-.89 &k. --*2--2/L ,n. 1@*1-L Mt. -3*23 L Mk. 14*21-2,esus 'hi"es Arrest
&'. 3 The Three Je3ish Trials 12.8/.81 !ntro"uction 12.8/.8- ,n. 1@*1/-14 ,erusalem* +irst 1rial* ,esus &e" 1o Annas 12.8/.8/ ,n. 1@*12-17 (eter<s +irst )enial 12.8/.84 ,n. 1@*19--/ ,esus .efore Annas 12.8/.82 &k. --*24 ;Mt. -3*27-2@L Mk. 14*2/-24 ,n. 1@*1@-
59 -4= 5econ" 1rialL 1o 'aia$has 1he Hi#h (riest
12.8/.83 &k. --*22-27L Mt. -3*39-7- ;5ee Also Mk. 14*3378aL ,n. 1@*-2= (eter A#ain )enies ,esus 12.8/.87 Mk. 14*22-38L Mt. -3*3/L Mk. 3- -33L 5econ" ,ewish 1rial* .efore 'aia$has 12.8/.8@ &k. --*3/-32 ;Mt. -3*37-3@L Mk. 14*32= ,esus !s A use" 12.8/.89 Mt. -3*7/-74aL ,n. 1@*-3--7a (eter )enies ,esus A#ain 12.8/.18 ,n. 1@*-7 L &k. --*31-3- 1he 0ooster 'rows An" (eter Wee$s
12.8/.11 &k. --*33-71L Mt. -7*1 )ay reak, 1he 1hir" 1rial, +inal ,ewish 0atification. 1hir" 1rial* 5anhe"rin 'on"emns ,esus . 12.8/.1- Mt. -7*/-2L Acts 1*1@ -19L Mt. -7*3-18 ,u"as 'ommits 5uici"e.
&'. / The Three ;o1a$ Trials 12.84.81 !ntro"uction 12.84.8- Mt. -7*-L ,n. 1@*-@-/8L &k. -/*1--L ,n. 1@*-@-/-L +ourth Ministry (asso9er, A$ril /8. !n 1he (raetorium* +irst 0oman 1rial* ,esus 1aken .efore (ilate . 12.84.8/ ,n. 1@*//-/@L Mt. -7*11-14 ;Mk. 12*--2L &k. -/*/4= +irst 0oman 1rialL (ilate Nuestions ,esus 12.84.84 &k. -/*2-7 (ilate 5en"s ,esus 1o Hero" 12.84.82 &k. -/*@-1-, 1he (alace ?f Hero"* 5econ" 0oman 1rial ,esus .efore Hero" Anti$as
60 12.84.83 Mt. -7*19L &k. -/*1/-13 (raetorium, 1hurs"ay Mornin#L 1hir" 0oman 1rial* (ilate<s Warnin# An" Nuestions 0elease 12.84.87 Mk. 12*3-18L ;Mt. -7*12-1@L ,n. 1@*/9= ,esus ?r .ara as 12.84.8@ Mk. 12*11L ,n. 1@*48L &k. -/*1@-19L Mt. -7*-8--1 'row" )eman"s .ara as. 12.84.89 Mt. -7*----/L &k. -/*-8--/ ;Mk. 12*1--14= ,esus< 'rucifi%ion )eman"e". 12.84.18 &k. -/*-4--2 ;Mt. -7*-3L Mk. 12*12L ,n. 19*13= .ara as !s 0elease".
U$it &. D The Cr)"ifi@io$ A$( A)rial :f Jes)s &.. & The Cr)"ifi@io$ 13.81.81 !ntro"uction 13.81.8- ,n. 19*1L Mt. -7*-7-/8 ;Mk. 12*13-19= ,esus Humiliate" With 5arcastic Din#shi$ 13.81.8/ ,n. 19*4-3 (ilate (resents ,esus 13.81.84 ,n. 19*7-11 ,esus Nuestione" A#ain 13.81.82 ,n. 19*1--12 .efore (ilate in the Antonia +ortress, a"Eacent to the 1em$le
13.81.83 Mt. -7*-4--2 (ilate Washes His Han"s 13.81.87 Mk. 12*-8L ,n. 19*17 ;Mt. -7*/1= ,esus !s &e" ?ut 13.81.8@ Mk. 12*-1--- ;&k. -/*-3L Mt. -7*/-= 5imon ?f 'yrene 13.81.89 &k -/*-7-/1 Women Wee$ +or ,esus 13.81.18 &k. -/*/--/4aL Mk. 12*-/, -2, -7--@ ; Mt. -7*///4, /@L ,n. 19*1@= 9*88 A.M. 7 :oonL +irst )ay ?f (asso9er. ,esus !s 'rucifie"
61
13.81.11 ,n. 19*19--- ;Mt. -7*/7L Mk. 12*-3L &k. -/*/@ = !nscri$tion ?n 'ross 13.81.1- ,n. 19*-/--4 ;Mt. -7*/2-/3L Mk. 12*-4L &k. -/*/4 = 5ol"iers 'ast &ots 13.81.1/ Mt. -7*/9-44L &k. -/*/2-/7 ;Mk. 12*-9-/-= 'row" Mocks ,esus 13.81.14 &k. -/*/9-4/ 1hief Asks 0emem rance 13.81.12 ,n. 19*-2--7 ,esus (ro9i"es +or Mary , His Mother
13.81.13 Mt. -7*42-47 ;Mk. 12*//-/2L &k. -/*44-42a= 1he Wrath ?f Go"* 1-*88 :oon 1o /*88 (.M.L ,esus 'ries ?ut 13.81.17 ,n. 19*-@L Mt. -7*4@aL ,n. 19*-9 L Mt. -7*49 ; Mk. 12*/3= ?n 1he 'rossL ,esus !s Gi9en )rink 13.81.1@ ,n. 19*/8aL &k. -/*43aL ,n. 19*/8 ;Mt. -7*28L Mk. 12*/7= ?n 1he 'rossL ,esus )ies.
U$it &< D The Cr)"ifi@io$ A$( A)rial :f Jes)s &<. & Mira")lo)s E8e$ts That :"")rre( At His 6eath 17.81.81 !ntro"uction 17.81.8- Mt. -7*21 ;Mk. 12*/@L &k. -/*42 = Miraculous 49ents 17.81.8/ Mt. -7*2--24L Mk. 12*48-41L &k. -/*4@-49 (eo$le 5truck With Awe 17.81.84 ,n. 19*/1-/7 ,esus !s (ierce"
&<. * Jes)s Is Lai( To ;est 17.8-.81 Mk. 12*4--4/a &k. -/*21aL Mk. 12*4/ -42 ;Mt. -7*27-2@L ,n. 19*/@a= Gar"en :ear Gol#othaL ,ose$h Asks +or
62 .o"y 17.8-.8- ,n. 19*/@ -48L Mt. -7*29-38aL ,n. 19*4-L Mt. -7*38 &k. -/*22-23 'al9aryL ,esus !s .urie". 17.8-.8/ Mt. -7*3--33 1hurs"ay :i#ht ?r 4arly +ri"ay Mornin#L 5ol"iers Guar" 1om .
U$it &, ;es)rre"tio$ A$( A##eara$"es &,. & ;ise$ Fro1 The Gra8e 1@.81.81 !ntro"uction 1@.81.8- Mt. -@*--4 5un"ay Mornin# 5tone Was 0olle" Away 1@.81.8/ Mk. 13*1-4 ;Mt. -@*1L &k. -4*1-/L ,n. -8*1= At 1he 1om L Women 'ame 1o 1he 1om 1@.81.84 Mk. 13*2-7 ;Mt. -@*2-7= 0esurrection Announce" 1@.81.82 &k. -4*4-@ Women 0emin"e" ?f (ro$hecy
1@.81.83 Mk. 13*@L ,n. -8*--18 Women &ea9e !n +ear While (eter An" ,ohn Hisit 1he 1om 1@.81.87 Mk. 13*9L ,n. -8*11-17 ,esus With Mary Ma#"alene 1@.81.8@ Mt. -@*@-18 ,esus A$$ears 1o 1he Women 1@.81.89 Mt. -@*11-12 'hief (riests 1ry 1o 4%$lain 1he Missin# .o"y 1@.81.18 &k. -4*9-11 ;Mk. 13*18-11L ,n. -8*1@= Women 1ell ?f 5eein# ,esus
1@.81.11 &k. -4*1/--7 ;Mk. 13*1-= 1he 0oa" 1o 4mmausL ,esus A$$eare" 1o 'leo$as 1@.81.1- &k. -4*-@-/- 4mmaus, 5un"ay Mornin#L ,esus !s 0e9eale"
63 1@.81.1/ &k. -4*--aL ,n. -8*19aL &k. -4*// -/2 'leo$as 1ells ?f A$$earance ?f ,esus 1@.81.14 Mk. 13*14L &k. -4*/3-4/L ,n. -8*-8L &k. -4*44 ;'f. 1 'or. 12*7= 5un"ay :i#htL ,esus A$$ears 1o )isci$les 1@.81.12 ,n. -8*-1--/ A$ostles 0ecei9e Authority
1@.81.13 ,n. -8*-4--9 1he )ou tin# 1homas 1@.81.17 ,n. -1*1-14 &ater At 1he 5ea ?f GalileeL ,esus A$$ears 1o )isci$les. 1@.81.1@ ,n. -1*12-19 (eter 0einstate" An" His )eath +oretol" 1@.81.19 ,n. -1*-8--4 ,ohn<s )eath Nuestione"
&,. * Fi$al I$str)"tio$s A$( As"e$sio$ 1@.8-.81 Mt. -@*1@--8L Mk. 13*13-1@ ,esus 'ommissions A$ostles 1@.8-.8- &k. -4*42-49L Acts 1*/-4a (artin# !nstructions 1@.8-.8/ &k. -4*28L Acts 1*3-11 ,esus Ascen"s 1@.8-.84 Acts 1*1--14 ,erusalemL ,erusalem )isci$les 0eturn ,oyfully 1@.8-.82 Acts 1*12--3 Matthias 'hosen As ,u"as< 0e$lacement 1@.8-.83 Mk. 13*-8L ,n. -8*/8-/1L -1*-2 1he )isci$les (reache" An" (erforme" Miracles
U$it &! A##e$(i"es
This se%tion (i&& +e %o"#&eted +y Fe+ruary .-' ./,3)
64
/,)/0)/. Ta+&e of 1hotogra#hs and I&&ustrations U$it * D C)lt)ral Aa"9%ro)$( St)(ies *. & Peo#le Gro)#s 8-.81.82A. +ra#ment ?f (hilo"emus< 4$icurean Writin# . 8-.81.13A. 49i"ence ?f 5a""ucean 4%tra9a#ance. 8-.81.13.. 5a""ucean 1om !nscri$tion. 8-.81.17A. 0uins ?f 1he 5amaritan 1em$le.
*. * Aibli"al A$( E@tra-Aibli"al 0riti$%s 8-.8-.88A. .aruch Writin# ,eremiah<s (ro$hecies. 8-.8-.8/A. 1he Helio"orus 5tele. 8-.8-.82A. 1he 'o"e% 5inaiticus. 8-.8-.83A. Joun# 5cholars 4%amine An BAncient ,ar.C
*. 3 Si%$ifi"a$t C)lt)ral Ele1e$ts 8-.8/.88A. 'hil"ren !n A 5yna#o#ue 5chool.
*. / 6iffere$"es Aet3ee$ First Ce$t)ry ;o1a$-Gree9 A$( Je3ish 0orl(8ie3s 8-.84.88A. 5alome<s 4%otic )ance.
U$it
3 D Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( 3. & A$"ie$t J)(aea B/ A.C. D & / A.C.C 8/.81.88A. 1he 5acrifice ?f !saac 8/.81.82A (laster +ra#ments ?f 1he .alaam 1el )eir RAlla !nscri$tion.
65 3. * First Te1#le Perio( A$( E@ile B& / A.C. D '&' A.C.C
8/.8-.88A. 5amuel Anoints )a9i". 8/.8-.81A. 1he BDin# )a9i" +ra#ment.C 8/.8-.82A. 'a$ture" !sraelites Honor Din# 5ennacheri . 3. *. 'A. A ;e"or( :f Se$$a"herib?s Sie%e A%ai$st Jer)sale1. 8/.8-.8@A. !sraelites March !nto .a ylon. 8/.8-.89A. 1he .a ylonian 'hronicle +or 1he Jears 382292 ..'. 8/.8-.14A. 1he 'yrus 'ylin"er ;2/@ ..'.=. 3. *.&/A. The To1b :f Cyr)s The Great. 8/.8-.12A. A 1a let +rom .a ylon 0ea"s B!f ! +or#et 1hee, ? ,erusalem.C
3. 3 Se"o$( Te1#le Perio( B'&' A.C. D A.6. < C 8/.8/.88A. 1he 0e uil"in# ?f 1he 1em$le. 8/.8/.8/A. An 4%ca9ate" 5ection ?f :ehemiah<s Wall.
3. / I$ter-Testa1e$t Aa"9%ro)$( B". / A.C. D A.6. 3 C 8/.84.88A. A Greek-5eleuci" War 4le$hant !n .attle. 8/.84.82A. A Mosaic ?f Ale%an"er 1he Great 9s. 1he !n9inci le Din# )arius !!!. 8/.84.17A. 'oins ?f Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies. 8/.84.-1A. A .owl With A (ainte" Greek War 4le$hant.
3. ' Je3ish So8erei%$ty A$( ;o1a$ Co$=)est BC. &./ A.C. D A.6.< C 8/.82.88A. 5ea-Goin# 5hi$s ?f Hasmonean )ays. 8/.82.82A. A Mo"el ?f A Hasmonean Merchant 5hi$. 8/.82.8@A. Hellenistic Art-+resco !n A ,ewish 1om . 8/.82.8@.. An !llustration ?f Home ?f A 5a""ucee. 8/.82.89A. 'oin ?f ,ohn Hyrcanus !!.
66 8/.82.-1A. 1he Generational 1ree ?f 1he Macca ees. 8/.82.-1.. 1he 'a9es ?f Mount Ar el. 8/.82.-1'. 0uins ?f 1he Hero"ian (alace-+ortress. 8/.82.-1). An !llustration ?f 1he Hero"ian (alace-+ortress 8/.82.-14. An !llustration ?f 'aesarea Maritima.
8/.82.-1+. A Mo"el ?f Hero"<s Hi$$o"rome. 8/.82.-1G. 0uins ?f 1he Hi$$o"rome !n ,erash. 8/.82.-1H. A Mo"el ?f Hero"<s 1heater. 8/.82.-1!. 1he 1em$le 0uins ?f 4m$eror Au#ustus. 8/.82.-1,. 5tatuettes ?f Healin# Go"s.
8/.82.-3A. 1he Mach$elah 8/.82.-3.. A Mo"el ?f Hero"<s 1em$le. 3. . The A(8e$t :f Joh$ The Aa#tist A$( Jes)s B,-/ A.C.C 8/.83.88A. ,ohn 1he .a$tist (reachin# !n 1he Wil"erness. 8/.83.84A. :A5A Gra$hic ?f 1he &unar 4cli$se ?n March 1-, 4 ..'. 8/.83.14A. 'oin ?f 1i erius 'aesar. - :44)4) 8/.83.-3A. 'oins ?f (ontius (ilate.
U$it
/ D The Early Eears :f Jes)s /. & I$tro()"tio$ 84.81.88A. 1he 'reation ?f &i#ht.
/. * The Ge$ealo%ies :f Jes)s 84.8-.88A. An An#el Hisits 1he Hir#in Mary.
/. 3 The Airths :f Joh$ The Aa#tist A$( Jes)s 84.8/.88A. Mary Hisits 4li>a eth. /. 3. &A. The A)rial :ss)ary :f Miria1. 84.8/.8/A. A 5econ" 'entury Datu9ah.
67 84.8/.83A. A 'ommon Writin# 1a let. 84.8/.89A. A 0elief 5tone 'ar9in# A 0oman 'ensus.
84.8/.89.. 0oman 'ensus 4"ict !n 4#y$t ;(a$yrus 984=. 84.8/.18A. 1he 'hurch ?f 1he :ati9ity. 84.8/.18.. A Mo"ern 'a9e 5ta le. 84.8/.18'. 'lay Mo"el ?f Mother !n 'hil" irth. 84.8/.18). A 1y$ical 5tone Man#er.
/. / The Christ Chil( Is Ho$ore( A$( Co$se"rate( 84.84.88A. 1he .irth ?f ,esus !s Announce" .y An An#el. 84.84.81A. +iel" ?f 1he 5he$her"s, 4arly 5$rin#. 84.84.81.. +iel" ?f 1he 5he$her"s, 4arly 5ummer. 84.84.8/A. .owl +ra#ment With !nscri e" BDor anC An" 1wo .ir"s. 84.84.8/.. A Mik9ah.
84.84.8/'. Mo"el ?f 1em$le 5outhern 5te$s. 84.84.8/). 1he 5outhern 5te$s As 5een 1o"ay.
/. ' The Great Es"a#e A$( ;et)r$ 84.82.88A. ,ose$h, Mary, An" ,esus 0eturn +rom 4#y$t.
/. . The Aoyhoo( Eears :f Jes)s 84.83.88A. ,esus An" 1em$le &ea"ers. 84.83.8-A. Mo"ern .ar Mit>9ah 'ele ration !n ,erusalem. 84.83.8/A. 5he$her" .oys !n Authentic +irst 'entury 'ostume. /. < Filla%e Life I$ NaGareth 84.87.88A. ,esus Growin# u$ in :a>areth. 84.87.81A. A :atural +orest 1y$ical ?f +irst 'entury Woo"lan"s. 84.87.81.. A +irst 'entury B'ar$enterC At Work
68 84.87.81'. 1ools +or Woo" An" 5tone Work ?f A B'ar$enter.C 84.87.81). A (low An" Joke +or 1wo )onkeys.
84.87.814. 1wo Ara s (lowin# !n 1he 19-8s As !n .i lical 1imes. 84.87.81+. 1y$ical Woo"workin# 1ools. 84.87.81G. +irst 'entury 5tone Masons ;B'ar$entersC=. 84.87.81H. 1he 'ar"o Ma%imus !n 5e$$horis. 84.87.81!. 1he !nterior ?f A 1y$ical ,ewish Home. 84.87.81,. 1he Ancient :a>areth 1o 'a$ernaum 0oa".
U$it
' D The Early Mi$istry :f Jes)s & The Mi$istry :f Joh$ The Aa#tist 82.81.88A. ,ohn 1he .a$tist (reaches !n 1he )esert. 82.81.8/A. 1he B&ocustC ?r +ruit ?f 1he 'aro 1ree.
'. * The I$tro()"tio$ A$( Te1#tatio$s :f Jes)s 82.8-.88A. 1he .a$tism of ,esus y ,ohn the .a$tist. 82.8-.8-A. A 0econstructe" 1hreshin# +loor. 82.8-.8-.. 1wo .oys Winnowin# Wheat. 82.8-.8/A. 1he .a$tismal 5ite ?f ,esus. 82.8-.84A. 1he !nscri e" (innacle 5tone ?f 1he 1em$le.
82.8-.84.. An !llustration ?f A (riest With A 1rum$et U$on 1he (innacle. 82.8-.84'. 1he 1ra"itional 1em$tation 5ite ?f Mount Nuarantania. 82.8-.84). 1he 5yrian .rown .ear. 82.8-.844. 1he 'aracal &yn%.
'. 3 The 0it$ess :f Joh$ The Aa#tist 82.8/.88A. ,ohn 1he .a$tist (reachin# !n 1he Wil"erness.
69 '. / The First 6is"i#les 82.84.88A. ,esus an" His +irst )isci$les. 82.84.8-A. )ea" 5ea 5croll B5on ?f Go"C +ra#ment 4N-43.
'. ' Jes)s ;e8eals Hi1self 82.82.88A. ,esus )ri9es ?ut 1he 1em$le Merchants. 82.82.8-A. 1wo 0itual 5tone Water Hessels. 82.82.84A. +loor (lan ?f Hero"<s 1em$le. 82.82.84.. A Mo"el ?f 1he 1em$le An" 'ourt ?f 1he Women. 82.82.84'. A 0oman 0elief ?f A .anker At Work. 82.82.82A. )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N414 With .a$tismal &itur#y. 82.82.82.. 4arly !sraelite !ncense .urner A"orne" With 5nakes. 82.82.82'. +irst 'entury Mik9ah. 82.82.82). +ifth 'entury 'ross-5ha$e" .a$tistery. 82.82.87A. 0uins of 1he Machaerus (alace-+ortress.
U$it
. D The Mi$istry :f Jes)s A""elerates .. & The Mi$istry :f Jes)s Ae%i$s I$ Galilee 83.81.88A. ,esus 1eaches His )isci$les. 83.81.8-A. 1he 0oa" !nto 5a aste, 5amaria. 83.81.8/A. 5amaritan ManneAuins !n White 'ostumes. 83.81.87A. A Mosaic ?f A +irst 'entury +ishin# .oat. 83.81.87.. 1he 5o-'alle" B,esus .oat.C
83.81.87). 1ranslation ?f Milestone.
.. * ;eHe"tio$ I$ NaGareth 83.8-.88A. Ill)stratio$ $ee(e(. ;eHe"tio$ i$ NaGareth 83.8-.8-A. 1he 5eat ?f Moses An" 1he .erma 5tone. 83.8-.8-.. 1he 5eat ?f Moses.
70 83.8-.8-'. 1he 0econstructe" :a>areth 5yna#o#ue. 83.8-.8-). 1he B1ra"itional 'liffC ?f :a>areth.
.. 3 The Mi$istry :f Jes)s A""elerates I$ Galilee 83.8/.88A. ,esus An" His )isci$les !n A +ishin# .oat. 83.8/.81A. An !llustration ?f :i#ht +ishin# With A 1rammel :et. 83.8/.81.. An !llustration ?f How +ish Are 'au#ht !n A 1rammel :et. 83.8/.81'. 'astin# A 5tan"ar" :et. 83.8/.81). 'leanin# +ishin# :ets. .. 3. &E. A$ :l( Ill)stratio$ :f Fisher1e$ Fishi$%.
83.8/.8-A. 5yna#o#ue At 'a$ernaum. 83.8/.8-.. 0uins ?f 1he 0oman .athhouse At 'a$ernaum. 83.8/.8-'. .asalt Grin"in# 5tones. 83.8/.8-). 'ashe ?f Glass Hessels. 83.8/.8-4. )ecorate" (laster (ieces +rom (eter<s Home.
83.8/.84A. Home. 83.8/.8@A. 83.8/.89A. 83.8/.89.. 83.8/.89'.
?cta#onal .y>antine +oun"ations ?9er (eter<s 4#erton (a$yrus - +ra#ments. 1y$ical ?utsi"e 5te$s 1o 1he 0oof. 0oman 0oof 1ile. +ra#ment 0oof 1ile With 18 th &e#ion !nscri$tion .
U$it
< D :##ositio$ A%ai$st Jes)s Gro3s <. & Jes)s St)$s The Je3ish Lea(ershi# 87.81.88A. ,esus 1eachin# !n 1he 1em$le. 87.81.8/A. An ?l" Wineskin. 87.81.84A. 0uins ?f 1he (ool ?f .ethes"a. 87.81.84.. 1he !nterior ?f 1he 0uins ?f 1he (ool ?f .ethes"a. 87.81.84'. Ascle$ius Artifacts +rom 1he (ool of .ethes"a.
71 87.81.84). 'oins ?f ,ohn Hyrcanus !!. 87.81.844. 5tatuettes ?f Healin# Go"s. 87.81.82A. )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N-43 B5on ?f Go"C +ra#ment.
<. * The Sabbath Challe$%e 87.8-.88A. ,esus An" His )isci$les (luckin# Grain.
<. 3 Jes)s The Master Tea"her 87.8/.88A. ,esus 1eaches 1he 'row"s. 87.8/.81A. A 5i#n ?f Mo"ern ? ser9ance ?f Ancient (urity. 87.8/.8-A. 1he .ay ?f 1he (ara les 87.8/.82A. 'hart ?f 5am$le :atural 4%$ressions Without Nuotations 87.8/.82.. 1he (o$ular 5ite ?f 1he 5ermon ?n 1he Mount. 87.8/.82'. 1he Actual 5ite ?f 1he 5ermon ?n 1he Mount.
U$it
, D To#i"al Iss)es & 0ar$i$% The ;eli%io)s Lea(ers 8@.81.88A. ,esus Warns 1he ,ewish &ea"ers. 8@.81.8/A. 1he )ea" 5ea 5alt Mountain. 8@.81.8/.. A 'ity U$on A Hill.
* Marria%e+ 6i8or"e+ :aths A$( For%i8e$ess 8@.8-.88A. ,esus 1eaches 0i#hteousness. 8@.8-.8/A. A +irst 'entury .ill ?f )i9orce.
3 ;i%hteo)s$ess+ Prayer+ A$( Fasti$% 8@.8/.88A. ,esus 1eaches (rinci$les ?f &ife
/ Co$"er$s :f Life
72 8@.84.88A. 8@.84.8-A. 8@.84.8-.. 8@.84.82A. 8@.84.8@A. ,esus 'hallen#es A 0eli#ious &ea"er. Wil" +lowers ?f !srael. A 1y$ical 'lay ?9en. 1ra"itional .rea". .lack .asalt 5an" ?f 1he 5ea ?f Galilee.
' Asto$ishi$% Po3er A$( A)thority 8@.82.88A. ,esus With +rien"s !n 1he House ?f 5imon. 8@.82.8-A. 0uins ?f 1he 0oman .ath House !n 'a$ernaum. 8@.82.84A. )ea" 5ea 5croll +ra#ment :o. 4N2-1. 8@.82.87A. 1he 0uins ?f Ma#"ala ;199@=. 8@.82.87.. 1he 0uins ?f Ma#"ala ;-818=. 8@.82.87'. A +irst 'entury Ala aster .ottle.
. :f Nat)re+ 6e1o$s+ A$( Heali$%s 8@.83.88A. ,esus 'omman"s 1he Win"s An" 1he Wa9es. 8@.83.8-A. A Mo"el ?f A Hero"ian Grain 5hi$. 8@.83.8-.. 'rosswin" Warnin# 5i#n. 8@.83.8/A. Hill ?f 1he 5wine.
8@.83.8/'. Hilla#e 0uins ?f Ga"ara. 8@.83.8/). A Mosaic +loor !n 1he 0uins ?f A )eca$olis 'hurch. 8@.83.8/4. A 0elief ?f 5acrificial Animals, !nclu"in# A (i#. 8@.83.8/+. 0uins ?f 1he ?ri#inal Dursi Memorial. 8@.83.8/G. 1he 0uins ?f 1he 3th 'entury Dursi Memorial. 8@.83.82A. ,ewish Garment With 1assels. 8@.83.82.. ,ewish Man With (rayer 5hawl.
U$it
! D T)r$i$% Poi$t I$ The Mi$istry :f Jes)s !. & ;eHe"tio$ :f Jes)s A$( His Messa%e 89.81.88A. ,esus Warns 1he ,ewish &ea"ers. 89.81.8/A. 1he (eaceful 5ea ?f Galilee At 5unset. 89.81.82A. 1he Ancient 5eal ?f 5olomon 'ar9e" !n 5tone.
73 !. * Jes)s A$$o)$"es 0oes4 Lea(ers Atte1#t E$tra#1e$t 89.8-.88A. ,esus )iscusses 1he &aw With 1he (harisees. !. 3 Pro#heti" Parables A$( A"tio$s 89.8/.88A. ,esus 1eaches As A 5ower 5ows. 89.8/.8@A. Hero"<s AAue"uct (i$e. 89.8/.14A. An !llustration ?f 1errace" &an". 89.8/.14.. ?li9e 1rees ?n 1errace" Hillsi"e. 89.8/.12A. Wheat An" 1ares.
89.8/.19A. +irst 'entury Hero"ian ?il &am$. !. / The Cost 89.84.88A. 89.84.81A. 89.84.8-A. 89.84.8-.. :f Follo3i$% Jes)s ,esus 5ai", B'ome Unto Me.C A 0elief ?f A 0oman 4a#le. A Woo"en ?ssuary. &imestone ?ssuaries !n A 1om .
U$it & D Co$fli"ts I$"rease4 Mi$istries :f The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ & . & The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ To F)$"tio$ As A#ostles 18.81.88A. ,esus Walks ?n Water At :i#ht. 18.81.8-A. A 1y$ical +arm (low. 18.81.11A. 0uins ?f 1he Machaerus (alace-+ortress. 18.81.11.. 1he .urial 5ite ?f ,ohn 1he .a$tist !n 5amaria. 18.81.1/A. Mosaic ?f 1he Miracle ?f 1he Multi$lication.
18.81.1/.. 1he Archaeolo#ical 5ite At .ethsai"a. 18.81.14A. 1he )ea" 5ea 5croll +ra#ment 7N2, Dnown As 1he B,esus (a$yrus.C 18.81.-8A. 1he 0emains ?f (ilate<s AAue"uct. 18.81.-8.. !nscri$tion ?f 1he Dor an 5ol9e". 18.81.-3A. A Memorial 1o 1he +ee"in# ?f 1he 4,888.
74 18.81.-9A. 1he 'ity Gates ?f Me#i""o. 18.81.-9.. .anias An" 1he 'a9e ?f (an. 18.81.-9'. :iches +or 1he !"ols ?f (an An" ?ther Greek Go"s. 18.81.-9). A Mosaic ?f 1he Go" (an .efore 1he 1i#er)rawn 'hariot of )ionysius.
U$it && D The Tra$sfi%)ratio$+ Mira"les+ A$( 6is"i#le Trai$i$% & The Tra$sfi%)ratio$ 11.81.88A. 1he 1ransfi#uration ?f ,esus. 11.81.8-A. 0uins ?f 1he Hilla#e ?f Ata yrion ?n Mount 1a or. 11.81.8-.. 5now-'a$$e" Mount Hermon !n &ate 5$rin#.
* More Mira"les A$( 6is"i#leshi# Trai$i$% 11.8-.88A. ,esus An" 1he A"ulteress Woman. 11.8-.81A. 1he Mountain Mo9e" .y Hero" 1he Great. 11.8-.8/A. 1he 1yrian 5il9er 5hekel. 11.8-.82A. A Millstone. :ew ookmarks an" hy$erlinks for &&. *.&&A. Siloa1. &&. *.&&A. &&. *.&*A. &&. *.&<A. :f Tit)s. &&. *.* A. &&. *.*<A. ol"e" references nee"e" The Tra(itio$al Site :f The Pool :f The A)the$ti" Pool :f Siloa1. Mo(el :f The Te1#le. The Te1#le Me$orah :$ The Ar"h Coi$s :f A$tio"h)s IF E#i#ha$ies. A ;e"o$str)"te( Shee# Fol(.
U$it &* D The Galilea$ Mi$istry E$(s & The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ To F)$"tio$ As A#ostles 1-.81.88A. ,esus Hisits His +rien"s !n .ethany 1-.81.8-A. 1he Archaeolo#ical 5ite ?f .ethsai"a. 1-.81.82A. 1he )an#erous 'liffs ?f 1he Wa"i Delt Alon# 1he ,ericho-,erusalem 0oa".
75 1-.81.82.. 1he U$$er 5ection ?f 1he ,ericho-,erusalem 0oa" ;19-8s=. 1-.81.82'. 1he 0uins ?f A (rotecti9e 1urkish Military ?ut$ost. 1-.81.82). 1he Goo" 5amaritan !nn.
* The Perea$ Mi$istry &*. *. A NEE6 Ill)stratio$
3 Jes)s Goes To3ar(s Jer)sale1 &*. 3. A Nee( Ill)stratio$ &*. 3. 'A ;o)%h Sto$e Floor I$ A /th Ce$t)ry BA(C ;abbi?s Ho)se I$ IatGri1. &*. 3. !A. Mo(er$ 6ay Laborers I$ Jer)sale1. &*. 3. !A. A$ :ri%i$al Fi$eyar( 0at"hto3er. &*. 3.&&A. Ill)stratio$ :f A Ao(y I$ A)rial Gar1e$ts. &*. 3.&&A. The To1b :f LaGar)s. &*. 3.&/A. The ;)i$s :f Aeth Shea$. &*. 3.&.A. ;oof To# Li8i$% As I$ A$"ie$t Ti1es. &*. 3.&.A. A Pair :f Gri$(i$% Sto$es.
/ Mira"les A$( Tea"hi$%s I$te$sify 1-.84.88A. ,esus 1ells Kacchaeus 1o 'ome )own +rom 1he 1ree. 1-.84.83A. An 4#y$tian +i#, ?r B5ycamoreC 1ree. 1-.84.89A. 1he Ma#"alene (a$yrus +ra#ments.
U$it &3 D The Passio$ 0ee9 Ae%i$s & Pre8ie3 :f E8e$ts A$( The Tri)1#hal E$try 1/.81.88A. 1he 1rium$hal 4ntry. 1/.81.8/A. 1he 4astern ;Gol"en= Gate ?f ,erusalem.
76 &3. * Pre(i"tio$ :f J)(aea A$( Plots :f Jes)s? 6eath 1/.8-.88A. ,esus 'leanses 1he 1em$le 1he 5econ" 1ime. 1/.8-.81A. 1he 4arly +ruit ?f 1he +i# 1ree. 1/.8-.8-A. 1em$le Warnin# !nscri$tion. 1/.8-.82A. 1he 'reation ?f 1he Hero"ian +ortress-(alace.
3 The First E@a1i$atio$ :f Jes)s 1/.8/.88A. 1he (harisees 'onfront ,esus.
/ The Se"o$( E@a1i$atio$ :f Jes)s &3. /. A. Photo Ill)stratio$ Nee(e( 1/.84.8-A. 0oman )enarius. 1/.84.8/A. 5a""ucean 1om !nscri$tion. 1/.84.8/.. Graffiti ?f Ascen"in# 5ouls. 1/.84.83A. 1he 5eat ?f Moses.
1/.84.83.. A (hylactery 1efillin. 1/.84.83'. 1ranslation ?f 1he (hylactery 1efillin. 1/.84.83). Man Wearin# A (hylactery.
' The Fo)rth Le8el :f Pharisees Co$(e1$e( 1/.82.84A. Mo"ern BWhite-Washe"C 1om . 1/.82.82A. 1he 5o-calle" 1om ?f Kechariah.
U$it &/ D The Passio$ Mi(-0ee9 & Pro#he"ies :f His Cr)"ifi@io$ A$( ;et)r$ 14.81.88A. ,esus 1eaches His )isci$les. 14.81.81A. 1he 'a9e ?f 'hrist<s 1eachin#. 14.81.8/A. Hero"ian Ashlars ?f 1he Western Wall. 14.81.84A. A 0econstructe" 0oman 'ata$ult . 14.81.84.. 'hurch 0uins !n (ella.
77 14.81.84'. 5tones ?f 1he 0uine" 1em$le. 14.81.84). A Mo"ern ,ewish +alse Messiah. 14.81.844. 1he Gentile B4liEah.C 14.81.18A. 1he 1em$le<s 5outhern 5te$s. 14.81.11A. 1he 1em$le An" Antonia +ortress. 14.81.1-A. 1he Ma#"alen (a$yrus.
* E$"o)ra%e1e$t A$( Fi$al Passo8er 14.8-.88A. ,esus Gi9es 1he 'u$ 1o His )isci$les. 14.8-.8/A. Mosaic ?f A Male Water 'arrier. 14.8-.8/.. A 0elief ?f A Male Water 'arrier. 14.8-.84A. A 0ecreate" 1riclinium 1a le. 14.8-.8/). 1he 1ra"itional U$$er 0oom. 14.8-.82'. 5econ" 1em$le (erio" 5eal 'ertifie" 1em$le 5acrifice. 14.8-.84.. A 0elief ?f A Wealthy 0oman ?n His 'ouch. 14.8-.87A. +oot-Washin# .asin.
U$it &' D The Passio$ Es"alates & The Fi$al 6is"o)rse 12.81.88A. ,esus &ooks Mournfully ?9er 1he 'ity ?f ,erusalem. 12.81.81A. 0elief 'ar9in# ?f Hine An" .ranches.
* The Aetrayal a$( Arrest 12.8-.88A. 1he .etrayal ?f ,esus. &'. *. &A. The Ca8e :f Gethse1a$e. B"a8e of Christ?s tea"hi$%>> C &'. *. &A. Ill)stratio$ :f A Aea1 :li8e Press. 12.8-.8-A. 1he Gar"en ?f Gethsemane. 12.8-.89A. An ?l" !llustration ?f 1wo Men +ishin# B:ake".C
3 The Three Je3ish Trials 12.8/.88A. ,esus !s 4%amine" .y 'aia$has. 12.8/.83A. A Mo"el ?f 1he (alace ?f 'aia$has 1he Hi#h
78 (riest. 12.8/.83.. 1he 5te$s 1o 1he House ?f 'aia$has. 12.8/.83'. A Wall 5cul$ture )e$ictin# ,esus Arreste" An" 1aken 1o 'aia$has 12.8/.83). 1he (rison .asement ?f 'aia$has.
12.8/.87A. 12.8/.87.. 12.8/.1-A. 12.8/.1-..
1he .urial ?ssuary ?f 'aia$has. 1he .urial ?ssuary ?f Miriam. 0elief 'ar9in# ?f Assyrians !m$alin# !sraelites. 1he Halley ?f Hinnom.
/ The Three ;o1a$ Trials 12.84.88A. ,esus .efore (ilate. 12.84.8-A. 1he (raetorian Guar". 12.84.8/A. ,ohn 0ylan"<s +ra#ment. 12.84.84A. A Mo"el ?f 1he Antonia +ortress.
U$it &. D The Cr)"ifi@io$ A$( A)rial :f Jes)s & The Cr)"ifi@io$ 13.81.88A. 1he 'rucifi%ion ?f ,esus. 13.81.8-A. A 0econstructe" 0oman +lo##in# Whi$ With !ron .ar s. 13.81.8-.. !llustration ?f A 'riminal .ein# +lo##e". 13.81.8-'. A 'rown ?f 1horns.
13.81.83A. !nscri$tion ?f (ilate An" 1i erius . 13.81.83.. 1he !nscri e" &atin Wor"s 1hat Honor (ilate An" 1i erius. 13.81.87A. A Wall Mural ?f A +irst 'entury ,erusalem 5treet. 13.81.87.. A 5cul$ture ?f ,esus )ra##in# His 'ross
13.81.8@A. 1he .urial ?ssuary ?f Ale%an"er, 1he 5on ?f 5imon ?f 'yrene.
79 13.81.18A. 13.81.18.. 13.81.11A. 13.81.11.. .ones ?f A Han" 'rucifie" Ankle .one Attache" 1o ?li9e Woo". An !llustration ?f A 0oman 1itulus. !llustrations ?f +our Metho"s ?f 'rucifi%ion.
13.81.1-A. 0oman )ice. 13.81.1-.. A Game ?f )ice !ncise" !n 5tone 13.81.1-' ?ssuary of ,ames, the .rother of ,esus U$it &< D The Cr)"ifi@io$ A$( A)rial :f Jes)s & Mira")lo)s E8e$ts That :"")rre( At His 6eath 17.81.8-A. 1he Hill ?f 49il 'ounsel.
* Jes)s Is Lai( To ;est 17.8-.88A. ,esus ?9ercomes 5atan 17.8-.8-A. 1he 1om At Gor"on<s 'al9ary. 17.8-.8-.. An !llustration ?f A 0ich +amily<s 1om . 17.8-.8-'. 1om !llustrations. 17.8-.8-). Ha"rian<s Wall At 1he Holy 5e$ulcher.
17.8-.8-4. 1he 5hrou" ?f 1urin With !ts !ma#e ?f ,esus. 17.8-.8-+. 1he 5hrou" ?f 1urin !llustrate". 17.8-.8-G. 'hurch ?f 1he Holy 5e$ulcher. 17.8-.8/A. 1he :a>areth !nscri$tion, a/k/a 1he ?r"inance ?f 'aesar.
U$it &, D ;es)rre"tio$ A$( A##eara$"es & ;ise$ Fro1 The Gra8e 1@.81.88A. ,esus 0e9eals Himself 1o Mary Ma#"alene 1@.81.11A. ,ewish 'oin ?f 1he +irst 0e9olt ;A.). 33-78=. 1@.81.11.. 0oman .ath House 0uins !n 4mmaus.
80 * Fi$al I$str)"tio$s A$( As"e$sio$ 1@.8-.8-A. Me"allion 'ommemorates 1he )ay ?f (entecost. 1@.8-.8-.. 1he )ay ?f (entecost As )e$icte" !n 1he 0a ula 'o"e% ?f 2@3 1@.8-.8/A. 1he MosAue ?f 1he Ascension.
1@.8-.83A. A 1hir" 'entury Mosaic )e$icts 4"essean Din# A #ar U$on A +unerary 'ouch.
/,)/0)/0 Ta+&e of Ma#s
The Ta+&e of Ma#s (i&& +e %o"#&eted +y Fe+ruary .-' ./,3)
/,)/0)/? Ta+&e of Ans(ers to @uestions #osed +y !riti%s and Ana&yti%a& Thin:ers !f you are a ske$tic an" Auestion who ,esus was, then ho$efully this we site will rin# answers to your life. Jou mi#ht e o9erwhelme" at the $henomenal amount of e9i"ence there is a out Him. .ut this e9i"ence is often hi""en within the cultural conte%t. +or e%am$le, ! ha9e often een tol" that ,esus ne9er claime" to e Go", meanin# B"eityC as ein# se$arate
81 from Bmessiah.C 1hat is true in the sterile analytical 9acuum of a literary microsco$e, ut within the reli#ious an" cultural en9ironment, His wor"s an" actions freAuently re9eale" His "eity. 1his we site e%$lains those hi""en "etails. 1herefore, consi"er the seminary $rofessor who once aske", B)i" ,esus know that He was Go"FC Ha" he un"erstoo" first century ,ewish culture an" how ,esus communicate" His "eity, he woul" ha9e known the answer. 'ritics an" inAuirin# min"s ha9e always een confronte" with $assa#es they "i" not fully un"erstan" an", therefore, often ma"e inaccurate inter$retations. :ow for those who elie9e they ha9e rea" Eust a out e9erythin# there is on the most si#nificant $erson in history, ho$efully this we site will rein9i#orate your Auest to know Him more fully. Howe9er, re#ar"less of where you are in your s$iritual Eourney an"/or aca"emic career, if my work "oes not rin# you into a closer relationshi$ with our &or", then ! ha9e faile" misera ly. Jou may not a#ree with all my comments an" inter$retations, ut you "o ha9e to a#ree that ,esus is &or" of &or"s, Din# of Din#s, an" He "esires to e the $ersonal 5a9ior of e9ery $erson. Dee$ in min" that we, in the Western tra"ition, stu"y an" e%amine the 5cri$tures with lo#ic an" reasonin#. Howe9er, while this is im$ortant, ,esus create" meanin# with the use of meta$hor, simile, "ramatic stories, an" $ara les to teach the theolo#y of the Din#"om of Go", more than He "i" with lo#ic an" reasonin#. .ut the A$ostle (aul use" lo#ic, reasonin#, i"eas, an" meta$hors. 'learly there is a ri"#e to e crosse" for the rea"er to fully un"erstan" the wor"s of 5cri$ture that can e successful with the Holy 5$irit.
82
Theolo%i"al Iss)es ;elate( To The Gos#el Narrati8es

84.81.8/.N1 How can it e sai" that no one has e9er seen Go" ;,n. 1*1@= when other $assa#es ;i.e., 4%. //*11= clearly in"icate otherwiseF 84.8/.8@.N2 What is the si#nificance of the 9ir#in irthF 84.8/.18.N1 Why was ,esus ornF 84.84.87.N1 'oncernin# Matthew -*9-1-, "i" Go" a$$ro9e of the Ma#i<s use of astrolo#yF -% 84.82.84.N1 How coul" Matthew say that a $ro$het ;!saiah= i"entifie" ,esus as a B:a>areneC when there was no :a>areth when the $ro$het li9e"F
82.8-.8/.N1 Why was ,esus &k. /*-1--/a
a$ti>e"F Mt. /*1/-17L Mk. 1*9-11L
82.8-.84.N1 !n Matthew 4*3 an" &uke 4* 18, "i" 5atan s$eak the truthF Mt. 4*1-11L Mk. 1*1--1/L &k. 4*1-1/ 82.8-.84.N- Was ,esus ca$a le of committin# a sinF Mt. 4*1-11L Mk. 1*1--1/L &k. 4*1-1/ 83.8/.89.N1 How "i" the mere $hrase BJour sins are for#i9en,C $roclaim ,esus as "eityF 87.81.84.N1 What is the si#nificance of this in9ali" man ha9in# suffere" for thirty-ei#ht yearsF 87.81.84.N- Why "i" the in9ali" man at the (ool of .ethes"a not nee" faith to e heale"F & . &.*/.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s s#it> B*@C 14.8-.19.N1 Was ,esus eAual or less than the +ather in hea9enF 1@.81.8/.N1 1he essential Auestion is* !f the 5a ath was to e on the se9enth "ay, how coul" ,ews, who honore" Go" an" the &aw, mo9e it to the first "ayF
83
J)estio$s Co$"er$i$% The Airth A$( Chil(hoo( :f Jes)s

84.8-.8-.N1 What is the $ur$ose of a #enealo#ical listin# ;Mt. 1*1-17=F 84.8-.8-.N- !s there a mistake in Matthew1*11F 84.8-.8-.N/ 'oncernin# Matthew 1*9, was U>>iah really the father of ,othanF ;-%= 84.8-.8-.N4 Why "i" Matthew "i9i"e the list of names into three #rou$sF 84.8-.8-.N2 )o other i lical #enealo#ies su##est uniAue messa#es ;Mt. 1*1-17=F
84.8-.8-.N3 Why "i" Matthew inclu"e four women of less than fa9ora le characterF 84.8-.8/.N1 What are the three inter$retations of &uke /*-/ /@F 84.8-.8/.N- Why is ,ose$h<s father Heli in &uke /*-/ an" ,aco in Matthew 1*13F 84.8/.84.N1 Why was it im$ortant for Mary to 9isit 4li>a ethF 84.8/.83.N1 When was ,ohn the .a$tist orn an" why is this "ate si#nificant ;&k. 1*27-33=F 84.8/.87.N1 What was the $ossi le connection etween the family of ,ohn the .a$tist an" the 4ssenes ; &k. 1*37-@8=F
84.8/.8@.N1 What we""in# customs in Galilee sha$e" the etrothal of Mary an" ,ose$h ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N- Why coul" ,ose$h not ha9e stone" Mary to "eath ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N/ Why "o the #os$els fail to call ,esus the B(rince of (eaceC as $re"icte" in !saiah 9*3 ;see Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N4 'an the conce$t of the 9ir#in irth e su$$orte" historically ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N2 What is the si#nificance of the 9ir#in irth ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F
84
84.8/.8@.N3 What is the !mmaculate 'once$tion an" is there a i lical asis for it ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N7 How "oes one e%$lain so-calle" other 9ir#in irths in history ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N@ 'oul" the i"ea of a 9ir#in irth ha9e een orrowe" from $a#an sources as critics claim ; Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.8@.N9 !f ,esus was orn of a 9ir#in, why "i" the A$ostle (aul not refer to itF ;Mt. 1*1@--2a=F 84.8/.89.N1 )i" &uke make an error concernin# Nuirinius ;&k. -*1-7=F
84.8/.89.N- Why was Nuirinius a$$ointe" to the rulershi$ $osition of the 0oman "istrict of 5yriaF 84.8/.18.N- When was ,esus orn ;&k. -*1-7=F 84.8/.18.N/ Where was ,esus orn ;&k. -*1-7=F 84.84.83.N1 How "oes the $ro$hecy in Matthew -*3 a#ree with Micah 2*-F ;-%= 84.84.83.N- Who were the wise men/ma#iF
84.84.83.N/ Why were the wise men/ma#i intereste" in a ,ewish Messiah ;Mt. -*1-@=F 84.84.87.N1 'oncernin# Matthew -*9-1-, "i" Go" a$$ro9e of the Ma#i<s use of astrolo#yF -% 84.84.87.N- Was Hero" the Great #uilty of treasonF 84.82.8-.N1 Where in 4#y$t "i" Mary, ,ose$h, an" ,esus #o ;Mt. -*1/-12=F 84.83.8/.N1 How "i" ,esus attain the incre"i le knowle"#e that He "is$laye" at the tem$le when He was merely twel9e years ol"F
85
0he$ Aibli"al Passa%es See1 Not To A%ree 84.8-.8-.N/ 'oncernin# Matthew 1*9, was U>>iah really the father of ,othanF ;-%= 84.84.83.N1 How "oes the $ro$hecy in Matthew -*3 a#ree with Micah 2*-F ;-%= 82.8-.84.N/ Whose account of the tem$tations is accurate, &uke<s or Matthew<sF 82.8/.8-.N- How "oes ,ohn 1*-9 reconcile with &uke 7*19F 82.82.82.N/ !n li#ht of 0omans 18*9, was it $ossi le for :ico"emus to ecome orn a#ainF 82.82.82.N4 Why "oes ,ohn /*13 say that Go" lo9es the worl" an" ,ohn 9*/9 say that ,esus came to this worl" to Eu"#e itF 87.8-.8-.N- )i" Mark make a mistake in -*-3 when he ma"e a historic reference to Bthe "ays of A iathar the hi#h $riestFC
87.8/.8/.N1 Why "o the #os$els not a#ree on the names of the "isci$lesF 87.8/.82.N- How "oes one e%$lain the a$$arent 5ermon on the Mount "isa#reement etween Matthew 2*1 an" &uke 3*-8F 8@.8-.87.N- )i" Moses Auote Hammura i, an" if so, how "oes this affect the wor"s of ,esus in Matthew 2*1@F ,. 3. /.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s #ray+ 2(o $ot bri$% )s i$to te1#tatio$+5 BMt. .7&3C 3he$ Ja1es sai( that Go( (oes$?t te1#t )s BJa1es. &7&3-&/C>
8@.83.8/.N/ Why are there name 9ariations for this re#ion ;Ga"arenes=F 8@.83.8/.N4 Were there one or two "emoniacsF 8@.83.83.N1 Matthew 9*-4, Mark 2*/9, an" &uke @*2- seem to "isa#ree. Was the "au#hter of ,airus "ea" or aslee$F 89.8-.8-.H Why "i" ,esus refer to $assa#es in the .i le that "o not e%istF ;-%=
86 18.81.82.N1 Which is correct* B1o take a staff, or nothin# . . . e%ce$t a staffFC 18.81.-3.N1 )oes Mark @*1- conflict with Matthew 1-*/9 an" 13*4F 11.81.8-.N/ )i" the 1ransfi#uration occur in si% "ays or ei#htF &&. *.&*.J& Co$"er$i$% the 3or(i$% of Joh$ <7.+ , a$( & + (i( Jes)s lie> &&. *.&<.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s #rese$t t3o 3it$esses> Is Joh$ <7'3-,7&& a)the$ti"> &&. *.*&.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s )se s#it a$( 1)( to heal the bli$( 1a$> &&. *.*'.J& 6oes Joh$ !73! "o$fli"t 3ith '7** a$( ,7&'> 1-.81.8-.N1 )i" ,esus sen" out se9enty or se9enty-two "isci$les ;&k. 1*1-13 9s. Mt. 11*-8--4=F
1-.84.8-.N1 !n Matthew 19*13--3 an" $arallels, coul" the #os$el writers ha9e meant Bro$e,C instea" of BcamelCF 1-.84.84.N1 How can Matthew -8*-8 e reconcile" with Mark 18*/2F 1-.84.82.N1 How many lin" men were there, an" was one of them lin" or Eust a e##arF 1-.84.82.N- Was ,esus comin# from or #oin# to ,ericho when the healin# occurre"F 1-.84.89.N- !s there a conflict etween ,ohn 1-*1-/ an" Mark 14*1-/F
14.8-.--.N1 'oncernin# the num er of rooster crows, how "oes Matthew -3*/4 reconcile with Mark 14*/8F 14.8-.--.N- How "o the 5yno$tic #os$els reconcile with the #os$el of ,ohn on the (asso9er :arrati9eF 12.8/.1-.N1 How "oes one e%$lain the o 9ious "isa#reement
87 concernin# the suici"e of ,u"as as recor"e" in Matthew -7*2 an" Acts 1*1@F ;-%=
1@.81.82.N1 How many an#els were at the tom of ,esusF 1@.81.89.N1. !f the o"y of ,esus was stolen, who woul" ha9e taken itF 1@.81.14.N1 )oes &uke -4*41 o$$ose ,ohn -8*19F
J)estio$s :f History+ C)lt)re+ A$( ;eli%io$

82.81.84.N1 How "i" the reli#ious lea"ers a$$raise someone they sus$ecte" to e a new self-a$$ointe" ra i or Bwanna- eC messiahF 82.8/.8-.N1 Was the a$tism y ,ohn similar to the a$tism that the ,ews $erforme" when a $roselyte Eoine" themF 82.84.8-.N1 What were the ,ewish e%$ectations of the MessiahF 82.82.8-.N1 Why "i" Mary $ose the Auestion to ,esusF 82.82.8-.N- Where was ,ose$h, the le#al father of ,esusF
82.82.8-.N/ )i" the wine that ,esus create", contain alcoholF 82.82.8-.N4 What is the "ifference etween wine an" stron# "rinkF 82.82.84.N1 What is the e9i"ence a#ainst the e%istence of a tem$le ankin# systemF 82.82.82.N1 How coul" an Be9il sym olC of a snake of :um ers -1*4-9, e associate" with ,esus crucifie" u$on a 'rossF 82.82.82.N- 5houl" :ico"emus ha9e known or sus$ecte" anythin# a out a Bnew irthCF 82.82.83.N1 What ha$$ene" to the "isci$les of ,ohn the .a$tist who "i" not follow ,esusF 82.82.83.N- )i" ,esus a$ti>e anyoneF 8@.8-.8/.N1 )i" $oly#amy e%ist in the first centuryF 8@.8-.87.N/ Who challen#e" ,esus in 9arious $u lic "iscussionsF & . &.*/.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s s#it> B*@C
88 & . &.*/.J* 0hat 3ere so1e Je3ish #er"e#tio$s of the 1essiah> 12.8-.89.N1 'oncernin# Mark 14*2-, was a certain youn# man who ran away really nake"F &<. *. *.J.. 0hat 3ere the ty#i"al first "e$t)ry to1bs li9e> 1@.81.83.N1 Why "i" ,ohn hesitate when he came to the tom F J)estio$s Co$"er$i$% 6iffi")lt I(eas+ 0or(s+ Phrases+ A$( A"tio$s 83.81.87.N1 What was the $ur$ose of the miracles $erforme" y ,esusF 83.81.8@.N1 What is the BDin#"om of Hea9enCF 83.81.8@.N- !s there a "ifference within the $hrases BDin#"om of Go"/Hea9enFC 83.81.8@.N/ !s the Din#"om of Go"/Hea9en here now or is it in the futureF 83.8-.8-.N1 What was the unseen miracle in :a>arethF 83.8/.84.N1 Why is healin# (eter<s mother-in-law to e consi"ere" more than a healin# miracleF
83.8/.8@.N1 Why "i" ,esus heal the man, ut not "eclare for#i9eness of his sinsF 83.8/.8@.N- What were the three Bmessianic miraclesC that first century ,ews elie9e" the Messiah woul" $erformF 83.8/.8@.N/ Who else, esi"es the ,ewish $eo$le, antici$ate" the comin# MessiahF 8@.8-.83.N1 What was a "ifference etween the 9ow, the oath, an" a anF 8@.8-.87.N1 ?f what was ,esus referrin# to* the Mosaic &aw or the ?ral &awF
89.81.82.N- !s the $hrase Bthree "ays an" three ni#htsC to inter$rete" literally, or is it a fi#ure of s$eechF 1-.81.8-.N- What are the "ifferences amon# the terms BHell,
89 Ha"es,C an" BGehennaFC 14.8-.1-.N1 Was the new comman"ment of ,ohn 1/*/4 really newF
J)estio$s Eo) May Not Ha8e Co$si(ere( 82.8-.8-.N1 )i" the ,ews elie9e in winnin# the Gentiles to Go"F 87.81.84.N/ )i" ,esus "emonstrate His $ower o9er the Greek #o" Ascle$iusF 87.8-.8-.N1 Were there Bnon-5a athC 5a ath )aysF 87.8/.81.N1 )i" ,esus< teachin# metho", the "ialectic ar#ument, ori#inate with 5ocratesF 87.8/.8/.N- Was ,u"as !scariot a ,ew or an !"umeanF
87.8/.82.N1 What are the "ifferences etween ?l" an" :ew 1estament lessin#sF 8@.83.8/.N1 Was Gerasa really the home of the $i# farmersF 8@.83.8/.N- What is si#nificant a out the "emons enterin# the $i#sF 8@.83.8/.N2 !f ,esus curse" 'a$ernaum, 'hori>im, an" .ethsai"a, why "i"n<t He curse Ga"araF 8@.8/.81.N1 Are all ra inic writin#s reflecti9e of the time of ,esusF
8@.8/.8/.N1 Why isn<t there a stron# teachin# on tithin# in the :ew 1estamentF 8@.84.87.N1 What was the 9er al formula e%orcists use" in castin# out "emonsF 8@.84.87.N- Why "i" ,esus teach with $ara lesF 8@.82.84.N1 0hat is ,. '. *.J& Who met ,esus, the centurion or his ser9antF 0e$eate" information or misla ele" ;-%= the miracle or mystery of )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N2-1F 8@.82.82.N1 !n Matthew 11*11 an" &uke 7*-@, what is meant y the Auestion, B1here is none #reater than ,ohnFC
90
8@.83.8-.N1 )i" ,esus e%$erience an earthAuakeF 11.81.8-.N1 )i" the 1ransfi#uration occur on Mount 1a or or Mount HermonF 11.81.8-.N- What is the si#nificance of Moses an" 4liEah comin# to the mountain with ,esusF &&. *.&..J& 6i( Jes)s for%i8e the 3o1a$ "a)%ht i$ a()ltery> &&. *.&..J* 0hy is$?t Joh$ ,7*-&& i$ so1e a$"ie$t 1a$)s"ri#ts> 11.8-.-8.N1 Why "i" ,esus $resent two witnessesF 1-.8/.83.N1 How coul" an inheritance e #i9en $rior to a "eathF
1-.8/.87.N1 !n &uke 13*1-1/, what is the $oint ,esus ma"e concernin# the "ishonest mana#erF 1-.8/.8@.N1 How coul" $a#an cultural stories ecome $art of the ins$ire" te%tF 1-.8/.18.N1 Why "i" ,esus wait for four "ays to raise &a>arus u$ from the "ea"F 1-.8/.1-.N1 )i" the hi#h $riest ha9e a ro$e tie" aroun" his ankle when he entere" the Holy of HoliesF &*. 3.&..J& 0hy (i( Jes)s tell His follo3ers to re1e1ber Lot?s 3ife BL9. &<73*C> 1-.84.83.N1 ?n what i lical $rinci$le "i" Kacchaeus offer to $ay ack four times anythin# he may ha9e taken unEustlyF 1-.84.89.N1 How coul" Mary ha9e affor"e" e%$ensi9e $erfume such as !n"ian 5$ikenar"F 1@.8-.8@.N1 What is the eni#ma of Din# A #arusF J)estio$s A$( E@#la$atio$s ;elate( To Her1e$e)ti"s D The Art A$( S"ie$"e :f I$ter#retatio$. 8-.8-.83.N1 0hy is the (is"o8ery of the 6ea( Sea S"rolls so si%$ifi"a$t>
91 8-.8-.13.N1 0hy are so1e Je3ish 3riti$%s si1ilar to Ne3 Testa1e$t tea"hi$%s> 8@.8/.84.N4 What is the si%$ifi"a$"e of 8erbal state1e$ts+ 2i#sissi1a 8erbaC an" Bi$sissima 9o%FC 89.8-.8-.H Why "i" ,esus refer to $assa#es in the .i le that "o not e%istF ;-%=
The Tea"hi$% A$( Mi$istry :f Jes)s 8-.8-.8/.N1 6i( Jes)s =)ote fro1 the A#o"ry#ha> 8-.8/.84.N1 Ho3 (i( o$e be"o1e a rabbi or a (is"i#le of a rabbi> 89.81.82.N1 What is the meanin# of the num er three, as in Bthree "ays an" three ni#htsFC 11.8-.-1.N1 Why "i" ,esus use s$it an" mu" to heal the lin" manF 18.81.8/.N1 'oncernin# Matthew 9*/@ an" &uke 18*-, who is the B&or" of the har9estFC 18.81.11.N1 What is the mystery of ,ohn the .a$tistF 18.81.1-.N1 !s there a Bwil"ernessC near .ethsai"aF 18.81.1/.N1 +rom where "i" the B$eo$le without a she$her"C $eo$le comeF 18.81.-/.N1 Why "i" ,esus #o to the re#ions of 1yre an" 5i"on an" later to the )eca$olis citiesF 18.81.-2.N1 What were some ,ewish $erce$tions of the messiahF ;EPEAT> 1-.8/.81.J& 0hat 2Messia$i" #roble1s5 (i( the Je3ish lea(ers ha8e 3ith Jes)s> 1/.8/.87.N1 What were the literary sources ,esus use"F
92 1/.84.83.N1 !n Matthew -/*9-18, why "i" ,esus say, B)o not call anyone on earth Rfather,< or e calle" RteacherF<C N)1bers 3+ /+ a$( * "orre"te( belo3 J)estio$s :$ The Passio$ 0ee9 A$( ;es)rre"tio$ 1-.84.8@.N1 1/.81.8-.N1 1/.81.8-.Ne%$laine"F 1/.81.8-.N/ 1/.8-.8/.N1 their $lanF What were the reasons for the "eath of ,esusF Why "i" ,esus nee" to ri"e a "onkey that was untraine"F How is the a$$arent conflict of the num er of "onkeys What is the si#nificance of the )onkeyF !f the (harisees $lanne" His "eath, why "i" they not $ursue
1/.82.8-.N1 Was ,esus a (hariseeF 1/.82.8-.N- )i" the ,ews elie9e in winnin# the Gentiles to Go"F 14.81.84.N1 What is the ,erusalem 5yn"romeF 14.81.84.N- What was the "ifference etween ,ewish an" 0oman scour#esF 14.81.87.N1 Who or what "o the fi9e foolish 9ir#ins re$resentF &/. &.&*.J& 0hy (i( J)(as $ee( to betray Jes)s 3he$ e8eryo$e easily re"o%$iGe( Hi1>
14.8-.8/.N1 14.8-.8/.N14.8-.82.N1 14.8-.87.N1
?n what "ay "i" ,esus cele rate the (asso9erF How authentic is the site of the U$$er 0oomF How was the (asso9er 5e"er o ser9e"F Why "i" ,esus wash the "isci$le<s feetF htt$s*//mail.#oo#le.com/mail/F sh9aI1Sin o%/1/3/@3a7184/2-"3
14.8-.-8.N1 )i" ,esus a$$ro9e of His "isci$les carryin# wea$onsF &'. *. ..J& 0hy 3as J)(as 2$ee(e(5 to betray Jes)s> ;e#eate(> 12.8-.8@.N1 Was it (eter<s intention to cut off the ser9ant<s hea"F 12.8/.81.N1. What rules of Eustice were roken y the 5anhe"rin when they con"emne" ,esus to "eathF
93
12.8/.82.N1 What is the si#nificance of the ,ewish lea"ershi$ crucifyin# ,esusF 12.8/.11.N1 Why "i" the 5anhe"rin not acce$t ,esus as the MessiahF 12.8/.11.N- What "i" ,esus say that cause" the 5anhe"rin to con"emn HimF 12.8/.11.N/ Were all mem ers of the 5anhe"rin in fa9or of ,esus< "eathF
12.8/.1-.N1 How "oes one e%$lain the o 9ious "isa#reement concernin# the suici"e of ,u"as as recor"e" in Matthew -7*2 an" Acts 1*1@F ;-%= 12.8/.1-.N- 'oul" ,u"as ha9e aske" for for#i9enessF 12.8/.1-.N/ Why "i" ,esus choose ,u"as for a "isci$leF &'. 3.&*.J/. 0hy (i( J)(as betray Jes)s> 12.84.81.N1 What were the 0oman char#es a#ainst ,esusF 12.84.8-.N1 !f ca$ital $unishment was ille#al, how coul" the ,ews kill 5te$han an" ,amesF 12.84.89.N1 )oes the wor" BallC mean the entire ,ewish communityL e9ery ,ew in the lan"F 12.84.89.N- Woul" Go" $unish all $eo$le ecause of the "ecision of their lea"ersF
13.81.8-.N1. 13.81.8-.N-. 13.81.83.N1. 13.81.11.N1. 13.81.12.N1. 13.81.1@.N1. 13.81.1@.N-. 13.81.1@.N/. 13.81.1@.N4. 13.81.1@.N2. 13.81.1@.N3.
5houl" the false witnesses ha9e een scour#e"F What was the #ame *ing of a )ayF What ha$$ene" to all those who o$$ose" ,esusF What were the actual wor"s on the si#nF Why "i" ,esus reak from the cultural normF Why "i" ,esus "ieF What is the si#nificance of B5he" .loo"FC What is man<s real $ro lem an" the imago deiF How ol" was ,esus when He "ie"F What was the year of His "eathF Who kille" ,esusF
94 13.81.1@.N7. Are there other ancient writin#s of tortures an" crucifi%ionsF &<. & Mira")lo)s E8e$ts That :"")rre( At His 6eath Fi$( the AT "o11e$tary that Jes)s 3as "r)"ifie( o$ the 6ay of Pre# BFri(ay>C At the e$( of Fr)"hte$ba)1?s ta#e **+ si(e A. See E@o()s &*7&/ >>> 17.81.8-.N1. What ecame of the 5anhe"rinF &<. * Jes)s Is Lai( To ;est 17.8-.81.N1. )oes &uke -/*1 conflict with -/*21F 17.8-.8-.N1. How was the urial of ,esus similar to the 4%o"usF 17.8-.8-.N- Why was ,esus urie" in a new tom F 17.8-.8-.N/. Where was ,esus urie"F 17.8-.8/.N17.8-.8/.N/ 17.8-.8/.N4 17.8-.8/.N2 authenticF 17.8-.8/.N3 17.8-.84.N1 ,esusF 1@.81.84.N1 ,esusF 1@.81.84.NWhat is the ar#ument for Gor"on<s Gar"en 1om F What is the ar#ument a#ainst Gor"on<s Gar"en 1om F What were the ty$ical first century tom likeF !s the urial cloth of ,esus known as the 5hrou" of 1urin, J, >>> Was ,esus urie" for three "ays an" ni#htsF )i" any first century historians comment on the life of How "oes the name B4asterC relate to the resurrection of When "i" the 'hurch A#e e#inF
1@.81.82.N1 What really ha$$ene" at the tom F 1@.81.11.N- >> ,esus an" ,ose$hus 1@.81.11.N- !f the o"y of ,esus was stolenT 1@.81.1/.N1 Where is the i lical 4mmausF
95
&. 3. . Table of Fi(eo Mi$i-le"t)res by Ar"haeolo%ists+ Historia$s+ S"holars+ a$( :ther Co$trib)tors. ALUE D Fi(eos "o1#lete( or i$ e(iti$% ;E6 D Fi(eos to be 1a(e as f)$(i$% is re"ei8e(. N:TE D This is a$ i$"o1#lete listi$% &. &. &.F& Short #ro1otio$al B*733C 8i(eo D a MUST SEEK (Also in Preview &. &. &.F* 0el"o1e a$( i$tro()"tio$ "o11e$ts by the a)thor+ 6r. 0illia1 H. 2Aill5 Hei$ri"h B/73!C. (Also in Preview *. *. ..F 6r. Arya$t 0oo(+ 6ire"tor of ;esear"h for Asso"iates of Aibli"al ;esear"h+ (is")sses the
96 si%$ifi"a$"e of the 6ea( Sea S"rolls i$ ter1s of )$(ersta$(i$% the life+ AN6 that these are e8i(e$"e that the S"ri#t)res ha8e bee$ faithf)lly tra$slate( a$( tra$s1itte( for the #ast *+ years B& 7/'C. (Also in Preview *. 3. ,.F 6r. Joe 0ehrer of the Mo)$t Lio$ S"hool of Mi$istry+ (is")sses the basi" (iffere$"es bet3ee$ the a$"ie$t Gree9 a$( Hebre3 la$%)a%es B&'7''C. *. /. &.F 6r. Petra Hel(t+ #rofessor at Hebre3 U$i8ersity+ (is")sses the eth$i" (i8ersities of Jer)sale1 D a 1elti$% #ot "ity of 1a$y ")lt)res B,7'3C. 3. *. &.F A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses ho3 the first "e$t)ry Je3ish #eo#le 8ie3e( the i1#orta$"e of the Abraha1i" a$( 6a8i(i" Co8e$a$ts. 3. '.*..F BM &/. &. 3.FC A$ )$assi%$e( s"hlar (is")sses the Hero(ia$ ashlars of the 0ester$ 0all a$( ho3 these sto$es 1ay ha8e bee$ ")t a$( #)t i$ #la"e. Fi(eo 3ill i$"l)(e the Ma"h#elah i$ Hebro$ a$( 8i(eo of Pai8i i$ Aeit Shea$. /. &. 3.F ;e8. Joh$ MetG%er of Cor$ersto$e Aible Colle%e (is")sses the 6eity of Jes)s i$ the :l( Testa1e$t a$( eter$ity #ast B*<73!C. /. 3.& BM &/. *. 3.FC A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the ty#i"al %)est "ha1ber+ or 2)##er roo1+5 that 3as o$ the to# of a ho)se. /. 3.&&.F& A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the To3er of the Flo"9 a$( the fiel(s of the she#her(s $ear Aethlehe1. /. 3.&&.F* A Messia$i" rabbi (is")sses the 1ythi"al star that a##eare( to the she#her(s at the fiel(s a$( to3er+ as bei$% either the She9i$ah Glory of Go( o$ a$ a$%el of Go(.
97 /. /. 3.F BSee '. '. '.J3C 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht of Jer)sale1 U$i8ersity Colle%e (is")sses the so)ther$ ste#s of the te1#le a$( the 1i98ah. B37 &NC -I$"o1#lete D /. /. ..F 6r. Joe 0ehrer of Mo)$t Lio$ S"hool of Mi$istry+ (is")sses Je3ish her1e$e)ti"s to "larify so-"alle( bibli"al "o$fli"ts i$ the %os#els B& 73<C. /. <. &.F& MaH( Sh)fa$i e@#lai$s the 3or9 of re"o$str)"ti$% the histori"ally a"")rate first "e$t)ry NaGareth Filla%e B37 /C. /. <. &.F* MaH( Sh)fa$i+ a %)i(e at the re"o$str)"te( first "e$t)ry NaGareth Filla%e+ e@#lai$s the Gree9 ter1 te!ton" B2"ar#e$ter5C a$( ty#e of a"ti8ities the "ar#e$ter #erfor1e( B'7&&C. '. *. *.F A (e1o$stratio$ o$ 3i$$o3i$% the 3heat at NaGareth Filla%e '. *. /.F 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht of Jer)sale1 U$i8ersity Colle%e (is")sses the Te1#le Mo)$t a$( the Pla"e of Tr)1#eti$% B'7&/C. '. '. /.F 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht of Jer)sale1 U$i8ersity Colle%e (is")sses the te1#le a$( the %e$eral e"o$o1y of Jer)sale1 B&*7/3C. '. '. '.F A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar to (is")ss the Je3ish tra(itio$s of ba#tis1 .. &. 3.F Gor(o$ Fra$G of Asso"iates for Aibli"al ;esear"h (is")sses the Sa1arita$ Passo8er 9$o3$ as the Festi8al of Li11)th Pesah B*7'<C. .. 3. ,.F ;e8. Joh$ MetG%er of Cor$ersto$e Aible Colle%e (is")sses the three Messia$i" 1ira"les that the Je3s of the I$ter-Testa1e$tal Perio( belie8e( the Messiah 3o)l( be able to #erfor1 B*<73<C.
98 (Modified edition is in the Preview .. 3. !.F Possible 8i(eo of ;o1a$ roofi$% tile 1a$)fa"t)ri$% fa"ility (is"o8ere( i$ Jer)sale1 at the Co$8e$tio$ Ce$ter. <. &. /.F& 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht+ Presi(e$t of Jer)sale1 U$i8ersity Colle%e+ (is")sses the (eity of the 1a$ 3ho 3as a$ i$8ali( for 3, years at the Pool of Aethes(a B37',C. (In Preview <. &. /.F* Gor(o$ Fra$G+ 8isiti$% #rofessor of ar"haeolo%y a$( a)thor+ (is")sses the 1a$ 3ho 3as a$ i$8ali( for 3, years as a refle"tio$ of the $atio$ of Israel B&&7/!C. (In Preview <. 3. *.F Aill sho3s that the $at)ral lay of the la$( by the Aay of the Parables is a $at)ral a1#hitheater that #er1itte( tho)sa$(s to hear Jes)s #rea"h fro1 a boat $ear the shore. <. 3. '.F& A$ )$assi%$e( theolo%ia$ (is")sses the (iffere$"es bet3ee$ :l( a$( Ne3 Testa1e$t blessi$%s. <. 3. '.F* A$ )$assi%$e( historia$ (is")sses the si%$ifi"a$"e of the #ia Maris i$ ter1s of i$ter$atio$al tra(e as 3ell as those 3ho "a1e to see a$( hear Jes)s. ,. &. ,.F A$ )$assi%$e( historia$ (is")sses the la$(s of Leb)l)$ a$( Na#htali+ a$( the si%$ifi"a$"e the #ia Maris ha( at the ti1e of Jes)s. ,. 3. /.F 6r. Joe 0ehrer of Mo)$t Lio$ S"hool of Mi$istry+ (is")sses the si%$ifi"a$"e of 2I#sissi1a Ferba5 a$( 2I#sissi1a Fo@5 B&&73<C. ,. '. '.F A$ )$assi%$e( theolo%ia$ e@#lai$s Matthe3 &&7&*+ 2The 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ has bee$ s)fferi$% 8iole$"e+ a$( the 8iole$t ha8e bee$ seiGi$% it by for"e.5
99 ,. '. ..F A$ )$assi%$e( theolo%ia$ e@#lai$s L)9e <73* a$( the f)$eral a$( 1ar9et#la"e #ro"essio$s+ i$"l)(i$% the #hrase+ 2Eo) #laye( the fl)teO5 ,. .. *.F DMAEAE- A$ e@#la$atio$ of 3hy the 3i$(s s)((e$ly blo3 fro1 the Gola$ Hei%hts+ (o3$ thro)%h the 3a(is+ a$( a"ross the Sea of Galilee > ,. .. 3.F& Gor(o$ Fra$G of Asso"iates for Aibli"al ;esear"h (is")sses the i$teresti$% iss)es of Ga(ara+ i$"l)(i$% the "larifi"atio$ of $a1es+ the first e8a$%elist to the Ge$tiles of this re%io$+ a$( the Sea of Galilee?s lar%est harbor B.7'*C. ,. .. 3.F* Joel be$ Eosef of Iibb)tG Ei$ Ge8 (is")sses the )$i=)e 1ystery of the harbor of Ga(ara. I$tro()"tio$ by 6r. Aill Hei$ri"h B/7 *NC. ,. .. '.F Alle$ Philli#s+ a 1essia$i" tea"her+ e@#lai$s the tassels of the #rayer sha3l a$( its i$teresti$% "o$$e"tio$ to the A#ostle Pa)l as a 2te$t1a9er5 B C. I$ e(iti$% !. &. 3.F MaH( Sh)fa$i+ a to)r %)i(e at the re"reate( first "e$t)ry NaGareth Filla%e+ e@#lai$s the first "e$t)ry ho1e i$ li%ht of the ter1s 2stro$% 1a$5 B&*7*!C a$( 2)##er roo15 BL9. **7&*C B37 !C. !. 3. /.F U$assi%$e( (es"ri#tio$ of a ty#i"al first "e$t)ry 3e((i$%. BI$tro to i$"l)(e Aill?s e@#erie$"e of a 3e((i$% i$ Haifa i$ the s)11er of * .C & . &.*!.F A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the i1a%ery of the ty#i"al "ity %ate a$( its theolo%i"al 1ea$i$% i$ relatio$ to Pa$ias. &&. &. *.F A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the 8illa%e that 3as lo"ate( o$ the to# of Mo)$t Tabor i$ the first "e$t)ry a$( 3hy it "o)l( not ha8e bee$ the Mo)$t of Tra$sfi%)ratio$.
100 &&. *.*&.F& A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the te1#le #ro"essio$al that o"")rre( at the Pool of Siloa1 3he$ Jes)s heale( the bli$( 1a$. &&. *.*&.F* A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses 3hy Jes)s )se( s#it a$( 1)( for a heali$%. &3. 3. <.F BSee !. 3. /.F4 MaybeC A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the ty#i"al first "e$t)ry 3e((i$% feast a$( the i1#orta$"e of a##ro#riate %ar1e$ts. BSee abo8eC &3. /. ..F 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht (is")sses the i1#orta$"e of the so)ther$ ste#s at the e$tra$"e to the te1#le a$( its #o#)larity as a tea"hi$% site for rabbis i$ Matthe3 *3 B<7/3C. &/. &. 3.F BSee 3. '.*.C A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the Hero(ia$ ashlars of the 0ester$ 0all a$( ho3 those sto$es 1ay ha8e bee$ #)t i$ #la"e. &/. &. <.F BSee !. 3. /.F a$( &3. 3. <.FC A$ )$assi%$e( (is")ssio$ o$ a ty#i"al first "e$t)ry 3e((i$% a$( the i1#orta$"e of a##ro#riate %ar1e$ts. &/. *. 3.F BM /. 3.& .FC 6r. Petra Hel(t of Hebre3 U$i8ersity (is")sses the lo"atio$ of the )##er roo1 a$( its #ossible )se as a ho)se of 3orshi# B/7',C. &/. *. /.F Gor(o$ Fra$G of Asso"iates for Aibli"al ;esear"h (is")sses the Tri"li$i)1 table a$( the seati$% arra$%e1e$t of Jes)s a$( the (is"i#les at the Last Passo8er+ also 9$o3$ as the Last S)##er B.73!C. &/. *. '.F& 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht of Jer)sale1 U$i8ersity Colle%e (is")sses the 2bibli"al (iffi")lty5 of Jes)s "elebrati$% the Passo8er the (ay before 1ost other Je3s "elebrate( it. 6i( Jes)s obser8e Passo8er o$ the Esse$e Cale$(ar> B.7//C.
101 &/. *. '.F* ;e8. Joh$ MetG%er of Cor$ersto$e Aible Colle%e (is")sses the theolo%i"al as#e"ts of the 2Three Passo8ers5 B C. Pla"e li$9 H)st before 2This is 1y bo(y.5 &'. *. *.F BMaybeC A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the #ro"ess by 3hi"h oli8es 3ere "r)she( i$ a$ oli8e "r)sher after 3hi"h they 3ere #resse( i$ a$ oli8e #ress. &'. 3. ..F A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the #riso$ base1e$t of Caia#has 3here s"holars belie8e Jes)s 3as i$#riso$e( briefly ()ri$% the Je3ish trials. &'. /. & Photo or 8i(eo of Hero(?s Pala"e $ee(e( &'. /. *.F A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses the Aer1a sto$e of H)(%1e$t of the J)(%1e$t Hall 3here Jes)s stoo( before Pilate. &.. &.&,.F A$ )$assi%$e( theolo%ia$ (is")sses 1a$9i$(?s si$ #roble1 a$( the Imago $ei. &<. &. *.F A8i$oa1 Aoyer of the IatGri1 Tal1)(i" Filla%e (is")sses the Le%e$( of ;abbi ElieGer a$( his e$"o)$ter 3ith the Sa$he(ri$. I$tro()"tio$ by 6r. Aill Hei$ri"h B*7/'NC. &<. *. *.F& 6r. Arya$t 0oo( of Asso"iates for Aibli"al ;esear"h (is")sses the (ate of the Gar(e$ To1b as a$ Iro$ A%e II to1b+ 1ea$i$% it 3as )se( i$ the ,th to <th "e$t)ry A.C. B.7 .C. BIn PreviewC &<. *. *.F* Gor(o$ Fra$G of Asso"iates for Aibli"al ;esear"h (is")sses the (iffere$"es bet3ee$ the t3o ty#es of to1bs "o11o$ly )se( i$ first "e$t)ry J)(aea+ the (isti$"ti8e feat)res of the to1b of Jose#h of Ari1athea+ a$( 3hy this is i1#orta$t B<7/3C.
102 &<. *. *.F3 6r. Petra Hel(t of Hebre3 U$i8ersity (is")sses Ha(ria$?s shri$e of the ;o1a$ %o((ess Fe$)s that is belie8e( to be a$ i(e$tifiable 1ar9er of the #la"e 3here Jes)s 3as "r)"ifie( B,7/3C. &<. *. *.F/ 6r. Pa)l 0ri%ht of Jer)sale1 U$i8ersity Colle%e (is")sses the sto$es i$ the Ch)r"h of the Holy Se#)l"her that 1ay ha8e bee$ )se( #re8io)sly i$ Ha(ria$?s shri$e to Fe$)s B*73.C. &<. *. *.F' Mi"hael Ieati$%+ a$ ele"tro$i"s resear"h a$( (e8elo#1e$t e$%i$eer+ (is")sses the a1aGi$% (is"o8eries "o$"er$i$% the Shro)( of T)ri$ that so1e say 3as the b)rial "loth of Jes)s. I$tro()"tio$ by 6r. Aill Hei$ri"h B C. &,. *. ..F 6r. Petra Hel(t of Hebre3 U$i8ersity (is")sses the 1ysterio)s Le%e$( of Ii$% Ab%ar)s BIi$% Ab%ar FC of E(essa a$( his si%$ifi"a$"e to so1e early "h)r"hes. I$tro()"tio$ by 6r. Aill Hei$ri"h B&'7'&C. &,. &. &.F Closi$% "o11e$ts by 6r. Aill Hei$ri"h.
103
U$it * C)lt)ral Aa"9%ro)$( St)(ies Cha#ter & Peo#le Gro)#s

*. &. & I$tro()"tio$ - 1he Holy &an" in the first century consiste" of se9eral ,ewish su #rou$s, alon# with a few Gentile $eo$le #rou$s. 1ensions e%iste" not only etween ,ewish factions, ut also etween them an" their Greek an" 0oman nei#h ors, as well as with the 5amaritans. A""e" to this were the tensions cause" y 0oman occu$ation an" hi#h ta%ation. 'onseAuently, this lan" was a caul"ron of hatre" an" social unrest. 1he followin# "efinitions clarify $eo$le #rou$s "iscusse" in this ook. 1hey re$resent reli#ious, cultural, an" $olitical o"ies that influence" the first century ,ewish culture an" sha$e" the ministry en9ironment of ,esus. :ot all are mentione" in the #os$els, ut their influence was nonetheless $resent an" sometimes Auite $owerful. *. &. * Arabs Bsee I()1ea$sC *. &. 3 6ias#ora 7 1he term refers to ,ews who were "is$erse" from their Holy &an". .y the time of ,esus, there were two ,ewish )ias$oras. 1he western )ias$ora, locate" in the area etween 1arsus an" 4$hesus in mo"ern 1urkey to mo"ern +rance, was "ominate" y Hellenistic 'ulture. 1he ,ewish B4astern )ias$ora,C locate" in a re#ion encom$asse" y eastern 1urkey, 4#y$t, an" .a ylon, was "ominate" y ra inic law an" lore. .oth cultural #rou$s ha" a ten"ency to clash in 9arious areas, ut es$ecially in ,erusalem.
104 *. &. / El(ers - !n the first century, e9ery 9illa#e ha" a #rou$ of 4l"ers who functione" like a Eu"icial o"y, ha" #eneral a"ministrati9e "uties, an" re$resente" the 9illa#e to their 0oman o9erlor"s. !t was also their res$onsi ility to insure that all 9illa#ers remaine" faithful to the teachin#s of Moses. 1hey a$$ear to ha9e a#ree" more with the "octrines of the (harisees an" the ?ral &aw than with the 5a""ucees. 18 *. &. ' E#i")rea$s - 1he 4$icureans were a Greek $eo$le who followe" the $hiloso$hy of life "e9elo$e" an" tau#ht y the Athenian teacher 4$icurus ;/41--78 ..'.=. 1he $ur$ose of his $hiloso$hy was to rin# sta ility to an unsta le social en9ironment cause" y the "eath of Ale%an"er the Great an" the em$ire "i9ision that followe". 1he reli#ions of the Greeks an" 0omans ha" lost their 9itality an" ne9er succee"e" in chan#in# the heart. (hiloso$hy, a su Eect lo9e" y the Greeks, comforte" a few ut sel"om chan#e" the heart, if at all. 1hose who $ursue" it su$$ose"ly reache" s$iritual fulfillment when they resi#ne" to fate. !n res$onse, the $hiloso$hy of 4$icureanism 11 e%alte" self-in"ul#ences as the ultimate #oal in life. 5ome si% "eca"es efore the irth of ,esus, ,ulius 'aesar tol" the 0oman senate that there was no future life after "eathL no immorality of the soul. 1- ?ne nee"s to li9e for the $resent, ut life was har", e9en for the 9ast maEority of Greeks an" 0omans. 1herefore, y the time ,esus came on the scene, there was a "iscoura#e" Gentile au"ience waitin# to listen. 1hey acce$te" Him an" within a century the Gentile church e%$lo"e" in num ers, far out$acin# the num er of ,ewish elie9ers. !nto the 9olatile Mi""le 4ast came (hilo"emus, a maEor 4$icurean $hiloso$her to the 0oman worl" shortly efore the time of ,esus. He was orn in Ga"ara, the Greek city where ,esus heale" the "emoniac an" -,888 swine committe" suici"e in the 5ea of Galilee. He, as other 4$icurean $hiloso$hers, $romote" the common sayin# that B$leasure is the e#innin# an" en" of li9in# ha$$ily.C 4$icureanism is essentially a feelin#s- ase" $hiloso$hy of life. !t states that all e%$eriences relate" to $ain are "irectly associate" with e9il while $leasure is associate" with the hi#hest #oo". 1he 10. 5he$her", B4l"er in the :ew 1estament.C -*7/-72.
11. )e &acy, B4$icureanism an" the 4$icurean 5chool.C /*--/L .ruce, New Testament +istory. /9-41. 12. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*-@.
105 function of wis"om is to measure the cost of $ain an" to attain the full $leasure of life. Ha$$iness was totally a human res$onsi ility an" achie9ement ecause the #o"s were not intereste" in what $eo$le "i". 1/
Historians ha9e sai" that y the first century ;..'.=, Ga"ara was eAual to Athens in $hiloso$hy, art, an" other as$ects of Greek culture. 'ertainly this un"erscores the si#nificant influence Hellenism ;the Greek wor" hellen means -reek=14 ha" u$on the ,ewish $eo$le. 1his school of $hiloso$hy has ri9ale" ,u"eo-'hristian ethics throu#hout history an" to"ay it is $art of the $o$ular humanistic $hiloso$hies. 1he 5yrian Din# Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes ;rei#ne" 172-134 ..'.= attem$te" to re$lace ,u"aism with Hellenistic 4$icureanism.12 1here is no recor" that ,esus e9er encountere" $romoters of this $hiloso$hy, althou#h He $ro a ly "i" while tra9elin# throu#h the Greek cities of the )eca$olis. 1he .i le "oes in"icate, howe9er, that the A$ostle (aul ha" "ialo#ues with such $hiloso$hers in Athens ;Acts 17*1@=. Amon# the ,ewish $eo$le, the elite of the 5a""ucees li9e" their li9es like the 4$icureans.
13. htt$*//www. i leistrue.com/Ana/$Ana3/.htm 0etrie9e" March 1/, -81-. 14. .ietenhar", BGreek.C -*1-4.
15. )e&aney, )ictionary. --/L 'ressey, B4$icureans.C 1*432.
106
*. &. 'A. F;AGMENT :F PHIL:6EMUS? EPICU;EAN 0;ITING. 1he 4$icureans elie9e" that the sole $ur$ose of life was the $ursuit an" achie9ement of $leasure. !nternet (hoto* www. i leistrue.com
*. &. . Esse$es 7 1he 4ssenes were a #rou$ of ,ews who se$arate" from mainline ,u"aism in the secon" century ..'. some scholars elie9e that they are the "escen"ants of a #rou$ known as the hasidim ;see *. &.&/ (harisees=.13 &ike the (harisees, their $rimary concern was $urity an" strict o ser9ance of the Mosaic &aw, althou#h they "iffere" on some "octrines an" $ractice. 1he name B4ssene,C is thou#ht to ha9e ori#inate" from the reast$late that was worn y the hi#h $riest. 17 1hey were "escen"ants of the Ka"okite )ynasty. 5ome of them mo9e" to the "esert re#ions of )amascus after Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes kille" the Hi#h (riest ?nias !!! aroun" 171 ..'.1@ ?thers relocate" to the wil"erness near the )ea" 5ea to
16. .ruce, New Testament +istory. 32-33, 93.
17. 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal. 1-. 18. 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal. 18-1/L .ruce, New Testament +istory. 22.
107 esca$e $ersecution y the Hasmoneans ;rule" 13/-3/ ..'. in ,erusalem=. 19 1he 4ssenes esta lishe" their own ortho"o% theolo#y, which was consi"era ly more restricti9e than the ?ral &aw, an" was hel" as su$erior to the Mosaic &aw. +urthermore, they hel" Moses almost eAual to Go". -8 1he 4ssenes were hi#hly "isa$$ointe" y the s$iritual corru$tion of oth the (harisees an" 5a""ucees in ,erusalem as well as the lea"ers of #o9ernment. 1hey ha" such a #reat "is"ain for the reli#ious esta lishment that they chose not to e in9ol9e" in any sacrifices or reli#ious o ser9ances in the tem$le. !n res$onse, the rulin# 5a""ucees e%clu"e" them from worshi$ at the tem$le which intensifie" the hatre" etween them. -1 5ince the tem$le was the only $lace where sacrifices coul" e ma"e for the atonement of sins, the 4ssenes tau#ht that any ,ew coul" a olish his or her sins y re$entance an" strict o ser9ance of the laws of Moses. Howe9er, this a olishment of sin woul" occur only if the re$entant ,ew o ser9e" the 4ssene inter$retation of 5cri$ture an" $ractice" the 4ssene laws. 1hey coine" $hrases in o ser9ance of these laws, such as, Bsons of li#ht, sons of "arkness,C an" B.elial,C -- a name #i9en to 5atan ;cf. - 'or. 3*14-12=. !n a""ition, they calle" themsel9es B1he Way,C B1he 4lect,C B1he :ew 'o9enters,C an" the B.ahadC ;He . meanin# Bthose who ha9e ecome oneC=.-/ 1hey consi"ere" themsel9es to e the B9oice in the wil"erness,C callin# u$on $eo$le to re$ent from sin an" return to the one true Go". 1heolo#ically, they were a s$linter #rou$ of the (harisees. While some scholars elie9e they num ere" only a out four thousan" throu#hout ,u"aea, ,ose$hus says they were settle" in lar#e num ers in e9ery town. -4 19. 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal. 18-14.
20. !ronically, Moses is a $ro$hetic $icture or Bty$e an" sha"owC of ,esus. 5ee com$arisons in A##e$(i@ *.
21. 'rutchfiel", B1he 4ssenes.C 184-87L .ruce, B4ssenes.C 1*47@. 22. 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal 18-14L 1he name B.elialC in He rew is Bee/.a0al"
an" means utterly worthless.
23. 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal 1@.

24. ,ose$hus, Wars. -.@.4.
108 1hey are est remem ere" for the estimate" two hun"re" who li9e" in the )ea" 5ea community of Numran an" wrote the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. As to their "aily acti9ities at Numran, they arose at sunrise in the near y ca9es, where they sle$t e9ery e9enin#, an" then came to the community center. 1hey s$oke no wor"s, $raye" certain $rayers, an" $erforme" their assi#ne" tasks until a out 11*88 a.m. !n this communal 9illa#e, they hel" all $ro$erty in common, shunne" tra"e, wore white uniforms, an" maintaine" a strict lifestyle of work, stu"y, an" worshi$. -2 1hen they ha" a ritual ath an" a communal meal in strict or"er. 1he e9enin# meal was the same as the $re9ious one. 5trict "isci$line was their way to earn sal9ation an" encoura#e the comin# of the messiah, which was the maEor em$hasis of their theolo#y. A small #rou$ "i", howe9er, mi#rate to an encla9e in western ,erusalem. 1hey a"o$te" the /32-"ay calen"ar, as o$$ose" to the tra"itional /38-"ay ,ewish calen"ar. 1his cause" a maEor schism etween them an" the rest of the ,ewish worl". 1he $rimary $ur$ose of the calen"ar was the a$$ro$riate o ser9ance of holy "ays. ,ust as mo"ern calen"ars ha9e a +e ruary -9 on lea$ year, the /38-"ay calen"ar ha" an e%tra month e9ery si% years. 1he 4ssenes trie" to resol9e this $ro lem. 1he 4ssenes elie9e" that Go" "eman"e" $urity an" holiness, ut such 9irtues nee"e" to e "e9elo$e" y their own efforts an" not y the #race of Go". 1heir 9iew of the worl" was rather 'al9inistic in that they elie9e" they were $re"estine" to e the holy sons of li#ht, ein# the e%clusi9e ones to enEoy the lessin#s an" a$$ro9al of Go", while those outsi"e their #rou$ were "amne" unto "eath. As to the messiah, they ha" "ifficulty se$aratin# the ?l" 1estament $ro$hecies that referre" to Him as a sufferin# ser9ant from those that referre" to Him as a kin#. 1hey conclu"e" that there woul" e two messiahs* one who was a "escen"ant of )a9i" who woul" e the messianic kin# an" the other a "escen"ant of Aaron who woul" e a $riest an" sufferin# messiah.-3 25. .uchanan, B4ssenes.C -*12--22L 'onnick, The Message and Meaning of the Bible . 113L
.ruce, B4ssenesC 1*47@.
109 1hey were o ser9ers of the en"-times, as they elie9e" the messiah woul" come an" "estroy the 0omans. 1herefore, the 0omans consi"ere" these non-9iolent ,ews $otentially "an#erous an" kille" thousan"s of them after the "estruction of ,erusalem in A.). 78. 1he 4ssenes woul" ha9e fa"e" into history an" een lon# for#otten were it not for their writin# of the )ea" 5ea 5crolls ;5ee )ea" 5ea 5crolls=. :ote that BmessiahC is with a lower case BmC ecause they "i" not associate "eity with him. 'ritics ha9e lon# asserte" that $hrases such as Bsons of li#htC "i" not e%ist in the first century ,ewish worl", an" were inserte" into the #os$els y later e"itors. .ut when the )ea" 5ea 5crolls were "isco9ere" the truth was re9eale". *. &. < Ge$tiles - 1his term referre" to any $erson who was not a ,ew or a 5amaritan ;see *. &.&< elow=. ,ewish 9iews of the Gentiles "iffere" etween two ,ewish schools of i lical inter$retation. 1he 5chool of 5hammai tau#ht that there was no $ossi le sal9ation for the Gentiles, which was in total a#reement with the 4ssenes. 1he 5chool of Hillel, howe9er, tau#ht that the mercy of Go" was e%ten"e" to the Gentiles if they o eye" the :oahi"e 'omman"mentsL an" if so, they coul" worshi$ Go" in the 'ourt of the Gentiles.-7 *. &. , Gree9s - 1he Greek culture was s$rea" throu#hout the Me"iterranean worl" three centuries efore 'hrist, $rimarily ecause of the military 9ictories of Ale%an"er the Great. 1he Greeks elie9e" in a 9ariety of #o"s who were Auickly acce$te" y all conAuere" $eo$les with the e%ce$tion of the ,ews. 1he Greek cities alon# the ,or"an 0i9er were ori#inally 'anaanite cities ut ha" acce$te" the Greek culture an" reli#ions. .y the time ,esus was in His ministry, $a#an thou#ht an" reason ha" ma"e maEor inroa"s into ,ewish theolo#y. -@ 26. .uchanan, B4ssenes.C -*12--22L Harrison, B4ssenes.C -*/78-74L A few scholars "o not
a#ree with the two messiah conce$t, inclu"in# &. ). Hurst of the Uni9ersity of 'alifornia, )a9is, elie9es that the Numran te%ts "o not necessarily su$$ort the two messiah 9iew$oint. 5ee htt$*//www.i r- r.or#/files/ r/..0U1999U89UHurstUNumranMessiah.$"f . 0etrie9e" ?cto er 18, -81/.
27. 1he :oahi"e 'omman"ments were an" continue to e, in the o$inion of the ,ews,
"i9ine laws that Gentiles nee" to o ey to o tain fa9or with Go" if they "i" not want to con9ert to ,u"aism. 5ee A##e$(i@ &, for more information.
110 1he $ro9ince of Galilee is an area from the 5ea of Galilee to the east that e%ten"s to Mount 'armel in the west. After the Assyrian "e$ortation of ,ews from 5amaria an" Galilee ;7-1 ..'.=, the lan" was fille" with nei#h orin# (hoenicians ;mo"ern &e anon= an" Aramaeans ;mo"ern 5yria=. 1he ,ews "i" not reclaim Galilee until the en" of the Macca ean 0e9olt, at which time many ha" relocate" there from .a ylon. 1hey calle" the territory -alil/ha/ -oyim, meanin# the 'ircle of the -entiles" or sim$ly a re9iate" to -alilee. As more an" more ,ews mo9e" into the re#ion, the resi"ent Gentiles remaine" an", therefore, it was truly cosmo$olitan community at the time of ,esus. +or this reason, the sno ish ,erusalemite ,ews looke" "own u$on their Galilean rothers with #reat "is"ain an" consi"ere" them almost as low as the 5amaritans. -9 *. &. ! Hassi(i1 - Also known as Hassi"eans, was a conser9ati9e ,ewish #rou$ that ecame $o$ular in the thir" an" fourth centuries ..'. 1hey were a reaction to the #rown influential Greek culture ;Hellenism= an" their $rimary focus was to rin# a re9i9al to the ,ewish $eo$le so that they woul" return to their ortho"o% faith. 1he name means B$ious onesC an" it is elie9e" to ha9e forme" the reli#ious nucleus of the Macca ean 0e9olt, the 4ssene mo9ement, an" the Hassi"eans. 1he latter were $ro a ly also foun"ational to the esta lishment of the first century (harisees. .y the first century A.)., the Hassi"eans ha" ecome nearly e%tinct. /8 *. &.& Helle$ists D 1he Hellenists were ,ewish $eo$le who a an"one" the laws of ,u"aism an" acce$te" the Greek culture ;Hellenism comes from the Greek wor" hellen meanin# -reek=./1 1hey elie9e" the laws of Moses $re9ente" them from enEoyin# the full $leasures of life $romote" y the Greeks an", later y the 0omans. +or e%am$le, youn# men at times "esire" to $artici$ate in the $u lic aths or $lay in the Greek #ames to o tain the $erfect o"y. .ut since the athletic #ames were $laye" in the nu"e, they were em arrasse" an" coul" not assimilate into the Greek-0oman 28. (asachoff O &ittman, &ewish +istory in 122 Nutshells . 49-21L .laiklock, BGreeceC -*@-4-2L 5tran#e, BGreece.C -*233-37.
29. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. @. 30. House, 'hronological and Background 'harts of the New Testament . 7/.
31. .ietenhar", BGreek.C -*1-4.
111 community. +urthermore, the Gentiles elie9e" circumcision was "is#ustin#. 1herefore those ,ewish men who reEecte" their ortho"o% faith an" em race" Hellenism en"ure" a sur#ical $roce"ure known as epispasm, in which the marks of circumcision were remo9e". /- 1hey coul" then $artici$ate in the Greek #ames an" not e i"entifie" as ein# ,ewish. +or that reason ortho"o% ,ews accuse" them of a an"onin# the holy co9enant. Hellenists were almost in"istin#uisha le from their Greek nei#h ors. )urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt they fou#ht with them an" the Greeks of 5yria a#ainst the Hassi"im an" Hasmonean family. .y the time of ,esus, their reli#ious alle#iance was with the 5a""ucees an", in fact, many 5a""ucees were Hellenistic. *. &.&& Hero(ia$s - 1his was a small $olitical non-reli#ious #rou$, sometimes known as the .oethusians, after .oethus, whose "au#hter Mariamne was one of the ten wi9es of Hero" the Great. 1he Hero"ians were 0oman sym$athi>ers an" in"i9i"uals of $resti#ious status in the royal court, ut were neither a#ents nor ser9ants. // 1hey are mentione" three times in the #os$els as o$$onents to ,esus ;Mt. --*13L Mk. /*3, 1-*1/=. ,ose$hus mentione" them as Bthose of Hero"<s $arty.C /4 1heir "emise is unknown ut they are not hear" of a#ain after the "estruction of ,erusalem in A.). 78. *. &.&* I()1ea$s D 1he !"umeans, also known as the 4"omites, were "escen"ants of 4sau./2 49entually they mo9e" into the :e#e9 )esert an" were a sor e" into the lar#er Ara $eo$le #rou$. +or that reason, some scholars ha9e tra"itionally sai" that the Ara $eo$le per se "i" not e%ist in the i lical lan" of to"ay<s !srael/(alestine "urin# the first century. Howe9er, 4"omites, who e9entually ecame $art of the Ara s, occu$ie" southern !srael an" were at times in conflict with the ,ews. 1he lar#er #rou$ known as Ara s was a noma"ic $eo$le who li9e" in the area that is mo"ern "ay 5au"i Ara ia. Un"ou te"ly, the est known !"umean in ,ewish history was Hero" the Great.
32. htt$*//www. i arch.com/#lossary/M!/e$is$asm.htmL ,uly -8, -81-.
33. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. /43-47L .li>>ar", B,u"aism - (art 1C .a o )igest. 1*2, 7. 34. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.12.3L Hie ert, BHero"ians.C /*142.
35. 1hom$son, B!"umea.C -*3@-.
112 *. &.&3 Je3s - !n the ?l" 1estament (erio", $articularly in the ook of 4sther, the name was associate" with all !sraelites, ut it ori#inally was a$$lie" to only those who came from ,u"ea. A similar association is foun" in the ol"er ook of )aniel ;/*@, 1-=. !n the :ew 1estament era, the name is one of cultural an" reli#ious i"entity. A ,ew was one who was not a 5amaritan ;,n. 4*9=, nor a Gentile ;Gal. -*14L /*-@L Acts 14*1, 2=, nor a $roselyte ;Acts -*18=. He ha" to e of the linea#e of A raham an", hence, his race, nationality, an" reli#ion were all eAual com$onents of his i"entity. /3 ,ews consi"ere" themsel9es to e the Bchosen $eo$leC an", therefore, y the time of 'hrist they thou#ht of themsel9es as a $ri9ile#e" $eo$le. !t is im$ortant to note 9ariations of thou#ht amon# the ,ewish $eo$le. 1hose li9in# in ,erusalem were more le#alistic an" conser9ati9e, than their Galilean counter$art, ut were also more a$$easin# to the 0oman esta lishment. 1hose li9in# in Galilee an" (erea, on the other han", were more la% in their theolo#ical 9iew$oints, ut consi"era ly more nationalistic, es$ecially those in northern Galilee. 1he cra"le of 0oman anti-sentiment was in the mountainous areas of Galilee. ?utsi"e the country of ,u"aea, ,ewish $eo$le in the )ias$ora hel" a wi"e ran#e of 9iew$oints. !n .a ylon they were conser9ati9e as they were in ,erusalem, whereas elsewhere theolo#ical 9iew$oints ran#e" from li eral to ortho"o%. *. &.&/ Pharisees - 1he (harisees were the $re"ominant ,ewish $arty that consiste" of a num er of reli#ious sects, from the early secon" century ..'. until A.). 78. 1hey "e9elo$e" as a result of o$$osition an" $ersecution y the Greek "ictator Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes who was o9erthrown in the Macca ean 0e9olt in 132 ..'. ;see 3. /.&< in e- ook=./7 Un"erstan"a ly, the name 4harisee comes from the He rew perusin or perusim meanin# Bse$arate"C or B"etache".C 1he first century reli#ious #rou$ e9ol9e" from the $re9ious Hassi"ean mo9ement /@ an" was known for two maEor characteristics* 36. GasAue, B,ew.C -*1823. 37. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 11.4.@L 1/.18.2-3L .a ylonian 1almu" " *iddushin 33a. 38. House, 'hronological and Background. 7/.
113 1. 5e$aration. 1hey consi"ere" themsel9es the Bse$arate" ones,C who em$hasi>e" strict a"herence to the Mosaic laws $ertainin# to $urity, 5a ath o ser9ance, $rayer, tithin#, an" se$aration from anyone who was Hellenistic. -. &e#alism. )ue to the encroachment of Hellenistic ;Greek= cultural 9alues into ,ewish life, the (harisees $romote" strict o ser9ance of ,ewish laws on oth the national an" $ersonal le9el. /9 An e%am$le of their le#alism was recor"e" y the first century historian, ,ose$hus. He note" that once more than si% thousan" of them refuse" to take the oath of alle#iance to 'aesar or Hero". 48 1hey were willin# to lay "own their li9es for the reli#ious laws. !t is uncertain how many other (harisees, if any, "i" take the oath of loyalty. 1he (harisees were usually synonymous with the teachers of the &aw ;Mt. /*7L 12*1L Mk. -* 13, -4L &k. 11*/@=. While most lea"in# (harisees consi"ere" themsel9es scri es, not all scri es consi"ere" themsel9es (harisees. 41 1hey were scholars of the i lical te%t. 4- While they were Auite influential, ,ose$hus recor"e" that more than si% thousan" of them refuse" to take the oath of alle#iance to 'aesar or Hero". 4/ 1hey were willin# to lay "own their li9es for the reli#ious laws. !t is uncertain how many other (harisees, if any, "i" take the oath of loyalty. While some aristocratic (harisees, such as the Hero"ians, were comforta le with the 0omans, a maEority was fiercely $atriotic an" hate" the forei#n yoke with an im$assionate itterness. Unfortunately, some (harisee lea"ers ha" a "e#ra"e" 9iew of the common $easants ecause they freAuently "i" not o ey the entire ?ral &aw. 1herefore, they a9oi"e" contact with the common ,ewish $easants. 1his may e why ,esus referre" to the common $eo$le as Bshee$ without a 39. +inkelstein, The 4harisees. 142. 40. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.-.4. 41. Moseley, .eshua. 9/-94. 42. .ruce, B,ose$hus, +la9ius.C 39-71L MaEor, Manson, an" Wri#ht, The Mission and
Message of &esus. 381-8-L ,ose$hus, Wars. 1.2.-L Mishnah, Aboth. -*2.
43. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.-.4.
114 she$her"C ;Mt. 9*/3=. Jet, in s$ite of this, many (harisees si"e" with the masses.44 1he u$$er echelon of the (harisees was men who ha" ecome reli#iously an" $olitically corru$t an" were un"er constant re uke y 'hrist. 1hey hel" the ?ral &aw in hi#her esteem than the written Mosaic &aw. !t was to this latter #rou$ that ,esus most freAuently a$$lie" the wor" hypocrite meanin# actor. 42 All confrontations ,esus ha" with the (harisees were relate" to the +alakhah, the re#ulations that $ertaine" to the "aily life acti9ities. 43 !t shoul" e note" that amon# these reli#ious lea"ers were 5imon, who ma"e a anAuet for ,esus ;&k. 7*/7=, an" others who warne" ,esus of Hero"<s attem$t to kill Him ;&k. 1/*/1=. 1hey are often referre" to in this manuscri$t as the Blea"in# (harisees,C the B(harisee elitists,C or Bthe aristocrats of the (harisees,C as o$$ose" to the common (harisees, many of whom ecame followers of ,esus. 1he (harisees were y no means a homo#eneous #rou$.
1hey elie9e" in the su$ernatural, eternity, a resurrection of all souls, an" that man has control of his "ecisions an" actions, ut that Go" ultimately controls all thin#s. ?ne ra inic (harisee went so far as to say that he elie9e" a o"y woul" arise with the same clothin# in which it was urie", ut others ar#ue" a#ainst this $oint. 47 1hey acce$te" all the ooks of the ?l" 1estament, which are commonly known as the &aw, (ro$hets, an" Writin#s an" were the teachers in the syna#o#ues throu#hout the country. 44. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1/.18.3. 45. Her ert, BHy$ocrite.C 189-18. 46. .ruce, &esus 4ast. 39-71L &ee, The -alilean &ewishness. 183-87. 47. ,erusalem 1almu", *ethuboth /2aL 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah .
749.
115 .y the time ,esus was in His ministry, the 5a""ucees controlle" the tem$le, ut the (harisees, le" y 0a i Hillel, won the hearts of most of the $eo$le. Hence, most were ali#ne" theolo#ically with the "isci$les of Hillel, whose #ran"son Gamaliel was the tutor of the A$ostle (aul. 4@ 1he (harisees were "i9i"e" into two maEor theolo#ical schools of thou#ht. 1he .et Hillel ;5chool of Hillel= an" .et 5hammai ;5chool of 5hammai= freAuently "iffere" on how certain comman"ments were to e $ractice". 1heir 9arie" o$inions are $reser9e" in the Mishnah. 1he (harisees, whom ,esus a""resse", were the ?ral &aw tra"itionalists who ha" ecome aristocratic an" $owerfully similar to the 5a""ucees, whom they #reatly "islike". 1he reli#ious i"eolo#y of the (harisees ran#e" wi"ely as some were con"emne" y oth ,esus an" y some of their own lea"ers in the thir" century ;A)=. 49 1he A$ostle (aul $rou"ly maintaine" his status as a ri#hteous (harisee ;(hil. /*2L Acts --= an", as a (harisee, he was a messen#er of Go" to the Gentiles ;Gal. 1*13=. !t shoul" e note" that amon# the (harisees were those who were "e9ote" to ,esus ;,n. /*1, 19*/@/9, Acts 2*/4, -/*3-@= an" those who $lanne" e9il a#ainst Him. .oth #rou$s sur9i9e" the "estruction of ,erusalem in A.). 78, while the 5a""ucees an" 4ssenes were annihilate". 'onseAuently, all forms of ,u"aism to"ay ha9e their roots in the first century (harisees. 28
4ssentially sai", the (harisees elie9e" they ha" three o li#ations, which the lea"in# (harisees o ser9e" le#alistically. 1hese were, 1. 1ithin#, known as Neeman. 48. Wyatt, B(harisee.C /*@----9.
49. Mishnah, Sotah. /*4L .a ylonian 1almu", Sotah. -- .
50. +inkelstein, The 4harisees. 14--42.
116 -. ? ser9ance of all &e9itical laws, known as 'habber. /. 1he $ractice of $urity, which inclu"e" se$aration from $eo$le consi"ere" to e Bim$ure.C 1he confrontation the leading 4harisees ha" with ,esus $ertaine" more to the fact that they ha" hearts of stone an" care" little for the common $eo$le. :ote that most (harisees were kin" to the $eo$le of the syna#o#ues o9er which they $resi"e". !n summary, the (harisees ;com$are to 1. !n stron# o$$osition to Hellenism -. Generally mi""le class althou#h the lea"ershi$ was aristocratic /. 1heolo#ically $ro#ressi9e ut ha" "i9ersity of o$inions an" sects 4. .elie9e" in the entire ?l" 1estament ;He rew .i le= 2. Affirme" the resurrection of the soul 3. .elie9e" in a final Eu"#ment, an#els, etc. 7. Affiliate" with the common $eo$le an" sou#ht con9erts ;e%ce$t for the lea"ershi$= @. 4stimate" to e o9er 3,888 in num er 21 9. Ha" a #reat "is"ain for the 0omans *. &.&' ;o1a$s - !n 3/ ..'., the 0oman General (om$ey easily took control of ,erusalem on the )ay of Atonement ; .om *ippur= in a attle that cost the li9es of twel9e thousan" men, women, an" chil"ren. 1he 0oman 4m$ire elte" the Me"iterranean 5ea an" e%ten"e" into 4uro$e. !t e9entually inclu"e" twel9e lan#ua#e #rou$s an" was a si>e that 0ome coul" har"ly a"minister. 1he $owerful military mi#ht of the 0omans rou#ht forth a fearful $eace known as 4a( Romana. 1heir continuous challen#e,
51. ,ose$hus. Anti3uities. 17.-.4.
*. &.&. B5a""uceesC= were,
117 howe9er, was to maintain $eace o9er the three re ellious ,ewish $ro9inces of Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ea. .etween the years 3/ ..'. an" the so-calle" B+irst 0e9oltC in A.). 33, there ha" een 1/ re9olts. 2As to $hiloso$hical an" reli#ious 9alues, the 0omans a"o$te" eliefs from the Greeks an" 4truscans. 2/ Howe9er, for the most $art, they ha" acce$te" an" s$rea" the Greek culture with all its #o"s an" #o""esses. While many su$erstitiously still elie9e" in these myths, a#nosticism 24 ecame increasin#ly common$lace. 4m$erors consi"ere" themsel9es to e #o"s an" y the en" of the first century ;A.).=, 4m$eror )omitian reAuire" his su Eects to offer sacrifices to him an" to call him B&or" an" Go".C 22 1he 0oman worl" was one wherein a small aristocratic #rou$ controlle" the wealth an" $ower while a massi9e $easantry $ro"uce" a lar#e a#ricultural sur$lus an", to a smaller e%tent, the other necessary $ro"ucts. 1he common $eo$le in occu$ie" lan"s, such as the ,ews of ,u"aea, were essentially economic s. 1hey were ta%e" so hea9ily that they li9e" in constant $o9erty without any ho$e of esca$e. Hence, they ha" a "ire ho$e that a Messiah woul" come to "eli9er them. 23 Any action or "iscussion that coul" ha9e een inter$rete" as a re9olt resulte" in "eath. 1he 0omans in this lan" were es$ecially sensiti9e to a re9olt, not only for national $ri"e, ut also ecause the lan" was the frontier to the risin# (arthian 4m$ire to the east. *. &.&. Sa(()"ees -1he 5a""ucees a$$eare" on the scene after the elimination of the Greek Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes from $ower in !srael ;ten northern tri es= an" ,u"ea ;two southern tri es=. 1hey were the "escen"ants of the Hasmonean rulers who rule" ,u"ea ;13/ 7 3/ ..'.= after the Macca ean re9olt. 1he mem ers of this reli#ious sect were in fact the rulin# aristocratic $olitical-reli#ious $arty in ,erusalem an" close frien"s of the 52. 5ee Aarabbas for a listin# of false $ro$hets who ha" messianic e%$ectations an"
A##e$(i@ *' for a $artial listin# of re9olts an" social "istur ances. 53. 1he 4truscans li9e" centuries earlier northwest of 0ome. 1heir influence continue" ut was minimal.
54. A#nosticism is the elief that the e%istence of Go" is unknown an" $ro a ly
unknowa le.
55. Met>#er, New Testament. 31. 56. 'rossan, Who *illed &esus. /9.
118 Hero"ian family an" the 0omans. 1hey hel" $rominent $ositions in the city. More im$ortantly, they controlle" the 5anhe"rin an" the tem$le. 27 !t was throu#h this $olitical relationshi$ that they were a le to attain control of the 5anhe"rin an" hi#h $riesthoo" in ,erusalem, an" maintain oth throu#hout the life of 'hrist until the 0omans "estroye" them in A.). 78. 2@ 1hey were scholars of 5cri$ture, althou#h their inter$retations were seriously clou"e" with their $resu$$ositions. 1hey were also #ree"y for $ower an" wealth. 'ontrol of the tem$le affor"e" them an incre"i ly la9ish lifestyle, unima#ina le e9en for ancient times as shown y the #lass artifact shown elow. 1he ori#in of the name B5a""uceeC has een lost an", a$$arently, its meanin# is eAually uncertain. 1he once-hel" elief that the name was "eri9e" from Ka"ok, a hi#h $riest in 5olomon<s court has some serious etymolo#ical "ifficulties.29 0ecent scholarshi$ has conclu"e" that the name coul" refer to the Bri#hteous onesC ecause they em$hasi>e" reli#ious $urity an" are "irect "escen"ants of the Hasmoneans. 1he 4ssenes referre" to them as the Bwicke" $riestsC in their )ea" 5ea 5crolls. 38 1o com$licate historical #enealo#y e9en further, the 5a""ucees claime" to e of the clan of Ka"ok an" the ri#htful heirs of the $riesthoo". 'onseAuently, they "i" whate9er was necessary to $rotect their $osition an" status. 31 1here can e little "ou t this claim was ma"e to le#itimi>e their $osition in the $riestly office.
57. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.1.4. 58. Moul"er, B5a""ucees.C 4*-7@-@1. 59. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 13-. 60. 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal. --. 61. Moul"er, B5a""ucees.C 4*-7@-@1.
119
*. &.&.A. AN EPAMPLE :F SA66UCEAN EPT;AFAGANCE. &4+1* A $artially melte" #lass $itcher of e%Auisite "esi#n an" craftsmanshi$ was foun" in the urne" ruins of the home of a 5a""ucean $riest. Mol"e" #lass Eu# si#ne" y 4nnion, $ro a ly of 5i"on. 0!GH1* 1he recreate" "rawin# of the $itcher as in its ori#inal "esi#n* "ark lines reflect actual remains an" the li#ht lines are of the u$$er $ortion. 1his was o 9iously owne" y one of ,erusalem<s wealthiest families. (hoto#ra$h an" illustration courtesy of the !srael Museum. 1heolo#ically, the 5a""ucees elie9e" only in the 1orah an" #a9e no cre"i ility to any other ooks of the He rew .i le, nor "i" they #i9e cre"i ility to the ?ral &aw. 3- 1heir theolo#y reflecte" stron# influences of 4$icurean $hiloso$hy an" other $o$ular Greek i"eas. 3/ 1hey "enie" the resurrection of the o"y an" life after a $hysical "eath. 1hey elie9e" that whate9er wealth, $ower, status, an" influence they coul" acAuire in life were lessin#s of Go"L howe9er, they woul" ha9e to stri9e for them y whate9er means $ossi le. .y the early first century A.)., the 5a""ucees 62. Moul"er, B5a""ucees.C 4*-7@-@1, 5chmalt> an" +ischer, Messianic Seal. --. 63. +arrar, The ,ife of 'hrist. 41, /49.
120 ha" ecome an elite social-reli#ious #rou$ who controlle" the tem$le an" were intereste" only in their own welfare. 1hey ha" no concern for the common $easants nor "i" they feel o li#ate" to interce"e to Go" for them. 34 ,ose$hus summari>e" the (harisees an" 5a""ucees as follows* :f the first $a1e( s"hools+ the Pharisees+ 3ho are "o$si(ere( to be 1ost a"")rate i$ter#reters of the la3s+ a$( hol( the #ositio$ of the lea(i$% se"t+ attrib)te e8erythi$% to fate a$( Go(4 they hol( that to a"t ri%htly or other3ise rest+ i$(ee(+ for the 1ost #art 3ith 1e$+ b)t that i$ ea"h a"tio$ fate "oo#erates. E8ery so)l+ they 1ai$tai$+ is #erishable+ b)t the so)l of the %oo( alo$e #asses i$to a$other bo(y+ 3hile the so)l of the 3i"9e( s)ffer eter$al #)$ish1e$t. The Sa(()"ees+ the se"o$( of the or(ers+ (o a3ay 3ith fate to%ether+ a$( re1o8e Go( beyo$(+ $ot 1erely the "o11issio$+ b)t the 8ery si%ht of e8il. They 1ai$tai$ that 1a$ has the free "hoi"e of %oo( a$( e8il+ a$( that it rests 3ith ea"h 1a$?s 3ill 3hether he follo3s the o$e or the other. As for the #ersiste$"e of the so)l after (eath+ #e$alties i$ the )$(er3orl(+ a$( re3ar(s+ they 3ill ha8e $o$e of the1. The Pharisees are affe"tio$ate to ea"h other a$( ")lti8ate har1o$io)s relatio$s 3ith the "o11)$ity. The Sa(()"ees+ o$ the "o$trary+ are+ e8e$ a1o$% the1sel8es+ rather boorish i$ their beha8ior+ a$( i$ their i$ter"o)rse 3ith their #eers are as r)(e as to alie$s. S)"h is 3hat I ha8e to say o$ the Je3ish #hiloso#hi"al s"hools. Jose#h)s+ %ars *.,.&/ .' 5a""ucees were the maEor o$$ressors of the early church an" sou#ht to "estroy the work of ,esus y whate9er means $ossi le. 33 1hey were arro#ant an" ru"e to ,ews of other sects an", as ,ose$hus sai", to forei#ners who 64. Moul"er, B5a""ucees.C 4*-7@-@1. 65. :eusner, B,ose$hus< (harisees.C -79.
66. Mt. --*-/L Mk. 1-*1@L Acts 4*2L -/*@
121 came to ,erusalem. 37 When ,esus was efore (ilate they crie", B&et His loo" e u$on us an" our chil"ren.C 1heir wish came true ecause the 0omans kille" e9ery one of them with the "estruction of the tem$le in A.). 78.
*. &.&.A. SA66UCEAN T:MA INSC;IPTI:N. A tom inscri$tion of a first century A.). 5a""ucee that rea"s, 5n6oy your life. !llustration courtesy of the !srael Museum. 1he family of Annas, inclu"in# his son-in-law 'aia$has was e%tremely #ree"y an" wealthy. 1hey were the en9y of those who achie9e" the Blifestyles of the rich an" famous,C as e%$resse" in mo"ern terms. As $riests of the tem$le, they ha" affor"e" themsel9es a lifestyle eyon" the ima#inations of oth the common $eo$le an" mo"ern scholarshi$. Annas, who was a 5a""ucee, con9erte" the Gentile 'ourt of the tem$le into a commercial market of animal sales, moneychan#ers, an" $e"estrian traffic.
.y cleansin# the tem$le, ,esus "emonstrate" His Messianic authority, to which neither the 0omans nor the reli#ious lea"ers offere" a stron# challen#e. While He tau#ht one shoul" not use force, in the tem$le, He "i". 1he reason was that the cleansin# was not an act of reformation or
67. ,ose$hus, Wars. -.@,14.
122 $urification, ut a sym olic #esture of $en"in# Eu"#ment. !n "oin# this, He not only "is$laye" His "i9ine intention, ut also confirme" the wor"s s$oken y the ?l" 1estament $ro$hets. 3@ 1he $ro$hetic act that sym oli>e" "estruction was also reflecti9e in ,eremiah 4*2-2*/1L 7*14L -2*1-/@L -3*1--4L 4>ekiel 4*1-7*-7L an" Micah /*9-1-. :o "ou t, the ,ews who witnesse" this e9ent thou#ht of their ancient $ro$hets whose wor"s were now acte" out y ,esus. 1he attitu"e hel" y some ,ews, inclu"in# the 5a""ucees, was that they were Go"<s chosen elite an" all other $eo$le were as s$ittle. 1his is reflecte" in the (seu"e$i#ra$ha ook of 4 4noch. !t rea"s as follows* All this I ha8e s#o9e$ before yo)+ : Lor(+ be"a)se yo) ha8e sai( that it 3as for )s that yo) "reate( this 3orl(. As for the other $atio$s+ 3hi"h ha8e (es"e$(e( fro1 A(a1+ yo) ha8e sai( they are $othi$%+ a$( that they are li9e s#ittle+ a$( yo) ha8e "o1#are( their ab)$(a$"e to a (ro# fro1 a b)"9et. A$( $o3+ : Lor(+ behol(+ these $atio$s+ 3hi"h are re#)te( as $othi$%+ (o1i$eer o8er )s a$( (e8o)r )s. A)t 3e yo)r #eo#le+ 3ho1 yo) ha8e "alle( yo)r firstbor$+ o$ly be%otte$+ Gealo)s for yo)+ a$( 1ost (ear+ ha8e bee$ %i8e$ i$to their ha$(s. / EGra .7''+ ', 1he ne%t 9erse in this $assa#e is most interestin#. !t asks the Auestion BWhyFC !n li#ht of a messianic e%$ectation at this time, was this ancient writer allu"in# to such a re"eemerF If the 3orl( has i$(ee( bee$ "reate( for )s+ 3hy (o 3e $ot #ossess o)r 3orl( as a$ i$herita$"e> Ho3 lo$% 3ill this be so> / EGra .7'! 5ome scholars elie9e ,ohn<s account of the cleansin# is the same e9ent recor"e" y the other #os$el writers in the (assion Week. 1hey ha9e conclu"e" that it is out of seAuence for theolo#ical reasons. 39 !t is the 68. 5ee ,er. @*18L 14*1@L -/*11, //-/4L /-*/1-/-L /4*1@-19L &am. 4*1/L 4>ek. --*-3L Ke$h.
/*4L Kech. 14*-1L Testament of ,e i 14*1-@L ,ose$hus, &eremiah 7*1-11. Anti3uities. -8.@.@L Targum of
123 literary style of ,ohn to tie 9arious narrati9es to reli#ious feasts. 78 ?n the other han", the te%ts are more naturally un"erstoo" if inter$rete" as two "istinct cleansin#s. +or e%am$le, accor"in# to Mark ;11*17= ,esus was e%tremely con"emnin# of the corru$t tem$le authorities, which len"s cre"ence to the cons$iracy y them to ha9e Him arreste" an" kille". 71 !n summary, the 5a""ucees ;com$are to 1. Acce$tin# of Hellenism -. Wealthy aristocrats /. 1heolo#ically conser9ati9e 4. .elie9e" only in the 1orah ; ooks of Moses= 2. )enie" the resurrection of the soul 3. )enie" elief in final Eu"#ment, an#els, etc. 7. Were se$arate" from the common $eo$le @. +ew in num er 9. Were 9ery frien"ly to, an" in co-o$eration with, the 0omans *. &.&< Sa1arita$s - 1he 5amaritans were the "escen"ants of the ten !sraelite tri es which ha" settle" in the northern sections of ,u"aea. 7- !n 7--/-1 ..'. the Assyrians conAuere" the ten northern !sraelite tri es, known 69. .loom er#, The +istorical Reliability. 192L 1he inter$retation commonly $romote" is
that the historicity of the i lical recor" was mo"ifie" to ser9e a theolo#ical $ur$ose.
*. &.&/ B(hariseesC= were,
70. (asso9er in ,n. -*1/, 3*4, 11*22L 1a ernacles in ,n. 7*-L )e"ication in ,n. 18*--L
Uni"entifie" feast in ,n. 2*1. !f the feast in ,n. 2*1 is a (asso9er, then the inistry of ,esus woul" "eman" a minimum of three an" a half years an" $ossi ly as lon# as four an" a half years. An e%cellent resource for un"erstan"in# how the ,ewish festi9als reflect the life of ,esus an" His messa#e, see Hictor .uks a>en, The -ospel in the #easts of %srael. .ellmawr, :,* +rien"s of !srael Gos$el Ministry, -884. Another ook is .ruce 5cott<s The #easts of %srael also $u lishe" y +rien"s of !srael Gos$el Ministry. +inally, another recommen"e" source is 4"war" 'humney<s fine ook title", The Se en #esti als of the Messiah. 5hi$$ens ur#, (A* )estiny !ma#e, 199@.
71. .loom er#, The +istorical Reliability. 171-7/L 5an"ers, &esus and &udaism. 31-73.
124 collecti9ely as !srael. 7/ 1he area encom$asse" y all twel9e tri es was known as ,u"aea. !n an attem$t to "estroy the culture an" $re9ent $ossi le future u$risin#s, the Assyrians "e$orte" a 9ast maEority of them far to the east. +or similar reasons, they im$orte" fi9e forei#n tri es from other conAuere" lan"s.74 1he !sraelites who were not "e$orte" intermarrie" with their new nei#h ors an" their "escen"ants ecame known as the 5amaritans, name" after the lan" of 5amaria in which they li9e" ;cf. - D#. 17L see also 3. *. /=.72 'oncernin# the 5amaritan reli#ion, they followe" the ,ewish 1orah, se9eral si#nificant chan#es. ut with
1. 1he 5amaritans remo9e" all references $ertainin# to ,erusalem from their 1orah. -. 1he 5amaritans elie9e" that Mount Geri>im instea" of ,erusalem was the "i9ine location to offer sacrifice an" worshi$ Go". /. 1hey create" elie9e" Mount Geri>im was where A"am an" 49e were
4. 1he 5amaritans also offere" !saac.
elie9e" Mount Geri>im was where A raham
2. While the 5amaritan 1orah was mo"ifie" from the ,ewish e"ition, there is a#reement etween the two holy ooks on more than two thousan" other $assa#es.73 !ronically, this reflects accuracy of
72. As of this writin#, the total $o$ulation of the 5amaritans is un"er one thousan". 1hey
still $ractice their reli#ious rituals such as (asso9er sacrificial offerin#s, as "urin# the time of 'hrist. 1hey claim to e "escen"ants of the tri es of &e9i, 4$hriam, an" Manasseh. 1hey further claim to ha9e maintaine" a continuous $riesthoo" from Aaron ; rother of Moses= throu#h 4lea>ar an" (hinehas until the 17 th century A). 73. New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. ;notes= 17/7.
74. Gaster, B5amaritans.C 4*198-9/. 75. An"erson, 0. 1. B5amaritans.C /8/L &a 5or, B5amaria.C 4*-9@-/8/. 76. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 19 n. -7.
125 transmission an" translation o9er many centuries to the mo"ern .i le 9ersions. 3. When the .a ylonians took the ca$ture" ,ews to .a ylon, the ,ews chan#e" their He rew al$ha et. 5ince the 5cri$tures were written in the ol"er He rew scri$t, the 5amaritans felt the ,ews $ollute" the 5cri$tures y makin# this chan#e. Hence, the 5amaritan form of writin# is a much ol"er 9ersion of He rew, ut it, too, has un"er#one some chan#es throu#hout history. 77 7. 1he 5amaritans, like so many others in the ancient Mi""le 4ast, elie9e" that Go" woul" sen" someone soon to restore their lan" an" $eo$le. 1hat BsomeoneC was calle" the Taheb or Restorer 8 a #reat $ro$het of the en"-time whom Moses referre" to in )euteronomy 1@*12.7@ !f the reli#ious "ifferences were not enou#h to cause social se#re#ation etween these two #rou$s, the $olitical ali#nments certainly a##ra9ate" the situation. When the ,ews returne" from .a ylon to !srael to re uil" the tem$le, a Horonite ;5amaritan= y the name of 5an allat harasse" them with the hel$ of a B#arrison in 5amariaC ;:eh. 4*-=. When the Greek General Ale%an"er the Great conAuere" this $art of the worl", he "estroye" the 5amaritan cities ut left ,erusalem untouche". 79 .ut a little more than a century later "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt, when the ,ews ha" to fi#ht a#ainst the 5yrian Greeks they ha" to fi#ht the 5amaritans as well. 1his cause" "ee$ itterness. 5o in 1-@ ..'. when ,ohn Hyrcanus ecame a ,ewish #o9ernor an" hi#h $riest, he "estroye" the 5amaritan tem$le an" in 187 ..'., he "estroye" the 5amaritan city of 5hechem. @8 1his hatre" surface" a#ain in 3/ ..'. when the 0omans conAuere" the ,ewish lan"s an" the 5amaritans a#ain fou#ht a#ainst the ,ews. @1 !ncre"i ly, they "i" so a#ain 77. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 1@--8.
78. .ruce, New Testament +istory. /4-/2.
79 80
. Delso, B5amaria, 'ity of.C 2*-/@. . Delso, B5amaria, 1erritory of.C 2*-4-.
81. Gaster, B5amaritans.C 4*191-93.
126 when Hero" the Great was crowne" kin# of the ,ews. ,ose$hus recor"e" a num er of accounts where the 5amaritans attacke" the ,ews. !n one such case, when the tem$le #ates were o$ene" at mi"ni#ht to accommo"ate the worshi$ers with their (asso9er lam s, a num er of 5amaritans entere" the tem$le an" "esecrate" it y throwin# human ones throu#hout the @tem$le. &ittle won"er y the time ,esus came on the scene the social tension was e%tremely 9olatile. Jet accor"in# to ,ohn 4 an" the ook of Acts, missionary efforts in 5amaria were successful in the early years of the church.@/
*. &.&<A. ;UINS :F THE SAMA;ITAN TEMPLE. 1he ruins of the 5amaritan tem$le lay eneath the .y>antine ruins in the fore#roun". 1he .y>antine church was uilt to honor the 5amaritan tem$le. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
*. &.&, S"hool of Hillel 7 1his school of i lical inter$retation hel" to the ortho"o% form of ,u"aism. A out three "eca"es efore the irth of ,esus,
82. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.-.-.
83. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 19--1.
127 Hillel rose from the lowest ranks amon# the ra is an" ecame (resi"ent of the 5anhe"rin. He was known for his kin"ness, #entleness, an" influences "urin# the rei#n of Hero" the Great ;/7 ..'. 7 4 ..'.= an" the chil"hoo" "ays of ,esus. He esta lishe" an aca"emy, which was known for its com$assion towar" fellow ,ews an" moral Gentiles. 1he #ran"son of Hillel, Gamaliel, traine" the A$ostle (aul, who was also a (harisee. @4 !t a$$ears that ,esus a#ree" much more with the teachin#s of the 5chool of Hillel than with the o$$osin# 5chool of 5hammai.@2 5ince Hillel<s teachin#s are often similar to those of ,esus, some scholars ha9e su##este" that ,esus recei9e" His i"eas of ethics an" morality from him. ?thers elie9e Hillel was a si#nificant element of Bthe fullness of timeC $hrase of Galatians 4*4 in that he rou#ht many $eo$le in line with what ,esus woul" e teachin#. After the "estruction of the tem$le, his followers ecame the "ominant influence in ,ewish li9es. &ea"ers of oth the 5chools of Hillel an" 5hammai claime" to ha9e ha" the B9oice from hea9en,C e9en thou#h on occasion they ha" stron# contrastin# inter$retations of 5cri$ture. !t is "ifficult to classify either one as li eral or conser9ati9e. Howe9er, Hillel ha" a re$utation for ein# kin" an" #entle while 5hammai was im$atient an" a rasi9e. @3 *. &.&! S"hool of Sha11ai - 1his school of i lical inter$retation ecame $o$ular a out /8 ..'. an" took control of the 5anhe"rin ten years later. 5hammai, an a##ressi9e man with a rou#h $ersonality, esta lishe" an aca"emy to $romote his theolo#y. 4ssentially, the school intro"uce" some chan#es in the way the Mosaic &aw was a$$lie" to the common $eo$le. 1he ,erusalem 1almu" re$orts that one mem er of this #rou$ $ractice" $oly#amy, a se9ere chan#e from the norm in first century ,u"aism. @7 1he ra is of this school $lace" restricti9e rules u$on the $eo$le, which were release" y the ra is of Hillel. When ,esus ma"e harsh statements towar" 84. +alk, &esus the 4harisee. 4@. 85. (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee . /-. 86. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 91L .a ylonian 1almu", Shabbath
/1a.
87. +alk, &esus the 4harisee. 24. Har9ey +alk re$orts that a 0a
i 4lie>er was marrie", an" in his later years he also marrie" his nieceL ut his first wife, whom he ne9er "i9orce", outli9e" him. 1here is a well "ocumente" case of first century $oly#amy in the reli#ious esta lishment of the (harisees, ut it was not a common $ractice. 5ee the ,erusalem 1almu", .e amot 1/.- an" Sanhedrin 3@a.
128 the (harisees, it was #enerally to the (harisees of this #rou$. Hence, there was not only conflict etween the (harisees an" 5a""ucees, ut also etween these two theolo#ical centers. @@ !n A.). 78 when the tem$le was "estroye", the 5chool of 5hammai was also "estroye" alon# with the 5a""ucees.@9 *. &.* S"ribes 7 5cri es are #enerally consi"ere" to e scholars of the Mosaic &aw ;4>ra 7*3L :eh. @*1=, who ha" e%cellent writin# skills an" y the first century they also functione" as lawyers ;Greek nomodidaskalos = an" teachers of the &aw.98 1hey were literary $rofessionals who were a9aila le for the $ur$ose of writin# le#al contracts. 1here were 9arious "i9isions of scri es. +or e%am$le, some scri es functione" as royal secretaries ;- 5am. @*17= an" others were military scri es ;,er. /7*12=. !t a$$ears that the art of writin# was a craft controlle" y selecte" families. 1he Denites ha" families of scri es li9in# at ,a e> ;1 'hron. -*22= who a$$ear to ha9e ke$t a mono$oly on their craft. Howe9er, in ,erusalem, scri al schools traine" $riests an" &e9ites who in turne", traine" the $eo$le of the &aw. 4>ra coul" not ha9e tau#ht the $eo$le the &ow of Moses if there were no scri al schools in .a ylon. 1hankfulness shoul" e #rante" to the &e9itical scri es who co$ie" the ooks of the ?l" 1estament ;)eut. 17*1@L ,er. @*@=. 1hey wrote 9arious "ocuments that $ertaine" to the maintenance of the tem$le facility ;- D#. 1-*18L - 'hron. /4*1/=. 5cri es also functione" as accountants, secretaries, Eournalists, historians, li rarians, an" teachers. !t is elie9e" that most were clerks in a small mi""le-class society, some rose to wealthy an" $owerful $rominence. 91 1he control of writin# of the i lical $erio" a$$ears to ha9e een the custom until the en" of the Mi""le A#es. 1his mono$oly insure" future wealth for future #enerations. 9-
88. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. /87.

89. htt$*//www.tyn"ale.cam.ac.uk/1yn"ale/staff/!nstone-.rewer/$re$u /5anhe"rinV-84/a V-8censore".$"f. 0etrie9e" May -3, -81/.
90
. Hillyer, B5cri e, Writin#.C /*477-7@.
91 Walton, Matthews, 'ha9alas. The %74 Bible Background 'ommentary9 :ld Testament . 417-1@.
92
. Hillyer, B5cri e, Writin#.C /*477-79.
129 1he famous lea"er, 4>ra, for whom an ?l" 1estament ook is name", create" this se$arate o"y known as scri es or the sopherim . 1hey co$ie" 5cri$tures for all occasions, carefully countin# e9ery letter to insure accurate transmission of the 5acre" Wor". 9/ .y the first century they ecame known as lawyers ;Mt. --*/2L &k. 7*/8L 11*42L 14*/= an" "octors of the &aw ;&k. -*43L 2*17L Acts 2*/4=. 94 5ince nearly e9ery as$ect of ,ewish life was controlle" y reli#ious law, scri es were theolo#ical lawyers who were traine" in the a$$lication of the 1orah an" the ?ral &aw. Hence, they were also the authoritati9e e%$ositors. 1hey were often #i9en the honore" $osition of rea"in# 5cri$tures in the syna#o#ues an" were authoritati9e consultants who settle" "is$utes. 92 5cri es e%iste" in all maEor reli#ious $arties, ut most elon#e" to the (harisees.93 1wice they are referre" to as the Bscri es of the (hariseesC ;Mk. -*13L Acts -/*9=, in"icatin# that there were also scri es of other reli#ious #rou$s. Althou#h the :ew 1estament seems to im$ly there were many who were of the same ,ewish $arty as the (harisees, they were technically a tra"e #uil" an" not a se$arate reli#ious $arty. 97 1hey are est remem ere" for ein# e%tremely "etail-oriente" concernin# reli#ious law, masters of Bhair-s$littin# "etailsC an" theolo#ical "e ates. 1his e%$lains why they were in constant "iscussions with ,esus, which ultimately le" to their humiliation efore their fa9orite au"iences.9@ *. &.*& Si"arii 7 ;5ee also Kealots *. &.**=. 1his #rou$ of free"om fi#hters was known as the B5icariiC to the 0omans an" as the BKealotsC to the ,ewish $eo$le. 5ome scholars say that the names are interchan#ea le, ut are liste" as two se$arate #rou$s ecause while other scholars say that the Kealots were a su #rou$ within the 5icarii or#ani>ation. :onetheless, 93. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 4-8. 94. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 4-8--1L Gui#ne ert, The &ewish
World in the Time of &esus. 71.
95. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms.; 4-8. 96. Met>#er, .. New Testament. 4@-49. 97. Ha#ner, B5cri es.C 4*/38-31L Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 71.
98. Wilson, #alse Trials of &esus. 1@.
130 they were "e"icate" to eliminatin# Helleni>e" ,ews, o9erthrowin# the 0oman 4m$ire to #ain in"e$en"ence for !srael, as well as reesta lishin# the 1orah an" the ortho"o% faith in ,u"aism. ,ose$hus i"entifie" them as a nationalistic #rou$ that was also known for 9arious terroristic mur"erous acti9ities. 99 +or e%am$le, they woul" walk in a crow"e" market, surroun" their 9ictim who was unaware of his situation an", on a #i9en secret si#nal, $ull out short thin "a##ers an" assassinate the 9ictim. !n fact, the name Sicarii is the &atin wor" meanin# dagger or short sword. 188 1he #rou$ woul" then walk away as if nothin# ha" ha$$ene" lea9in# the 9ictim "ea" on the street. 1hey utterly terrori>e" ,erusalem in the first century. 181 &uke mentione" a false messiah who le" four thousan" 5icarii terrorists in a re9olt that faile" ;Acts -1*/@=. 1he last of these hy$erKealots was "estroye" in A.). 7/ with the fall of Masa"a. 18*. &.** Lealots 7 ;5ee also *. &.*& 5icarii.= 1he Kealots were not only free"om fi#hters, ut they were e%tremely hostile to oth the 0omans, Hero"ians, an" the wealthy aristocratic ,ews of ,erusalem 7 namely the 5a""ucees.18/ 1heir name was taken from 1 Din#s 19*18, B! ha9e een 9ery >ealous for the &or" Go" Almi#hty.C 184 1hey calle" themsel9es y the He rew term -anna0im or Aramaic <an anayya" which in Greek is !elotai. 182 ? 9iously the 4n#lish wor" is "eri9e" from the latter. 1heir rallyin# cry was B:o kin# for !srael ut Go".C 1hey elie9e" it was a sin to $ay ta%es to a $a#an o9erlor" an" were "etermine" to fi#ht for their free"om. 1hey ori#inate" in the Galilee re#ion while Hero" the Great was #o9ernor there 7 efore he ecame kin# of the entire ,ewish re#ion. 1he Kealots were the most acti9e free"om-fi#htin# $arty at the time, con9ince" that Go" woul" 99. ,ose$hus, Wars. 4.9L Anti3uities. -8.@.3.
100. .ruce, New Testament +istory. 9/.
101. ,ose$hus, Wars. -.1/./. 102. House, 'hronological and Background 'harts of the New Testament . 72.
103. .ruce, New Testament +istory. 94-92.
104. (i%ner, With &esus in &erusalem. 1-3. 105. .ruce, New Testament +istory. @@.
131 hel$ them only if they hel$e" themsel9es. 183 1heir conce$t of a messiah was one who lea"s them to military 9ictory o9er 0oman o$$ression. 1he center of the resistance mo9ement was in Gamala, a city east of Galilee, where in A.). 33 more than fi9e thousan" Kealot ,ews chose to commit suici"e rather than "ie y the 0oman swor". 187 +rom this #rou$ came a "isci$le of ,esus y the name of 5imon who was referre" to later as B5imon the KealotC to "ifferentiate him from 5imon (eter. 18@ While these first century terrorists first ecame or#ani>e" an" fou#ht a#ainst Hero" the Great in the years 48-/7 ..'., they "i" not ecome a $olitical mo9ement until ,esus was a out ei#ht or ten years ol". .y then the Kealot name ecame i"entifie" with those who $artici$ate" in the u$risin# of A.). 3 le" y ,u"as of Galilee. 1his ,u"as of Gamala ;also known as ,u"as the Galilean in Acts 2*/7= sai" that ,ews were a chosen $eo$le of Go" an", therefore, ha" no o li#ation to $ay ta%es to the 0oman #o9ernment. 1his is the ack#roun" of Matthew --*17 when ,esus was aske", B!s it ri#ht to $ay ta%es to 'aesar or notFC While the re9olt faile", a (harisee y the name of Ka"ok Eoine" ,u"as an" to#ether they forme" a loosely knit reli#ious $olitical $arty which ,ose$hus calle" the Bfourth $hiloso$hy.C 189 1hey were traine" to fi#ht to their "eath an" to reco#ni>e no messiah e%ce$t a messiah of the swor".118 +rom the time the 0omans entere" the lan" in 3/ ..'. until the "estruction of the tem$le in A.). 78, there were thirteen re9olts. 111 Howe9er, the #reatest of these ecame known as the B+irst 0e9oltC ;A.). 33=, which le" to the "estruction of ,erusalem an" the tem$le.
106. Golu , %n the )ays. -74.
107. (i%ner, With &esus in &erusalem. 1-3. 108. (i%ner" With &esus in &erusalem. 1-3. 109. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.1.3 an" -8.@.18. 110. +arrar, The ,ife of 'hrist. 44-. 111. 5ee Aarabbas for a listin# of false $ro$hets who ha" messianic e%$ectations an"
A##e$(i@ *' for a $artial listin# of re9olts an" social "istur ances.
132 1he 9iolent acti9ities of the 5icarii / Kealots initiate" the +irst 0e9olt. 11- 1he last of these free"om fi#hters "ie" at Masa"a in A.). 7/, ut their i"eals an" "reams of a restoration of a $olitical "ynasty eAual to that of Din# )a9i" continue". 5i% "eca"es later the ,ews were at war a#ain, in what has ecome known as the B5econ" 0e9oltC ;A.). 1/--1/2=. 1his re9olt is also known as the 5imon .ar Dokh a 0e9olt an" resulte" in the "is$ersion of all ,ews an" 'hristians from ,erusalem y the comman" of the 0oman General Ha"rian.11/
U$it * C)lt)ral Aa"9%ro)$( St)(ies Cha#ter * Aibli"al a$( E@tra-bibli"al 0riti$%s
112. +or more information on the Kealot mo9ement, see ,ose$hus, Wars. -.4.1 an" 4.4.1.
113. )onal"son, 4*1172-79L 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. 198-9-.
133
*. *. A. AA;UCH 0;ITING JE;EMIAH?S P;:PHECIES Ill)strate( by G)sto8e 6ore?+ &,... 1he $ro$het ,eremiah wrote $ro$hecies, some of which were fulfille" in the first comin# of ,esus while others will e fulfille" in His secon" comin#. *. *. & I$tro()"tio$ - 1his stu"y contains hun"re"s of Auotations from ancient e%tra- i lical ;non- i lical= sources. 1he im$ortance of these writin#s lies in the fact that they ai" in the un"erstan"in# of the $ro lems of "aily first century life, inclu"in# theolo#ical "iscussions, maEor cultural, historical e9ents, an" the reaction of rulers an" $eo$le to 9arious $ro lems. 1hese writin#s are "escri e" so the rea"er will un"erstan" why some of
134 them are more relia le an" si#nificant than others. +or e%am$le, ooks such as the )idache an" Mishnah are im$ortant while others, such as the Gnostic writin#s, o 9iously hol" consi"era ly less wei#ht. As state" $re9iously, for the $ur$ose of this stu"y, the i"eal writer of yesteryear Auote" herein was one who li9e" in the lan" of ,esus an" at the time of ,esus. 1he further in time an" #eo#ra$hical "istance an ancient writer was from the life of 'hrist, the more sus$ect his manuscri$t ecomes. Howe9er, that "oes not ne#ate it 7 ut it raises the ar for "iscernin# critiAue. +or the $ur$ose of this stu"y, nearly all writin#s after the si%th or se9enth centuries were "iscounte". 1here are hun"re"s of ol" manuscri$ts in the $ossession of uni9ersities an" museums $reten"in# to $ro9i"e a""itional "etail to the life an" ministry of ,esus. :early all of them are fanciful stories that shoul" ne9er ha9e een written. *. *. * A$te-Ni"e$e Fathers - 1he Ante-:icene +athers are those church lea"ers who were influential &rior to the 'hurch 'ouncil of :icea in the year /-2. 1hey "iscusse" a wi"e 9ariety of theolo#ical an" church issues. 5ince they li9e" within three centuries of ,esus, they $resent 9alua le insi#ht into the cultural an" ack#roun" settin#, as well as early inter$retation of 5cri$ture. 5ome writin#s of the Ante-:icene fathers are Auote" in this ook. *. *. 3 A#o"ry#ha 7 1he A$ocry$ha 114 is a collection of fourteen ooks 112 written, for the most $art, "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio" an" written in the Holy &an". 113 !t was the intent of the authors to write a messa#e to an inner circle of the faithful, which coul" not e un"erstoo" y outsi"ers.
114. 5ee +ritsch, BA$ocry$ha.C 1*131-33L )a9ies, BA$ocry$ha.C 1*131-32L Harrison, 0.

BA$ocry$ha.C 1*-82-18L 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigrapha . Hol. 1 an" -L Met>#er, .. e"., The Apocrypha of the :ld Testament * 0e9ise" 5tan"ar" Hersion.
115. 1he A$ocry$ha consists of the followin# ooks* ;1= % 5sdras, ;-= %% 5sdrasL ;/= TobitL ;4=
&udith L ;2= Additions to the Book of 5stherL ;3= The Wisdom of Solomon L ;7= 5cclesiasticus , also known as The Wisdom of &esus the Son of Sirach , or sim$ly as Sirach L ;@= Baruch, inclu"in# the ,etter of &eremiah L ;9= The 4rayer of A=araih and the Song of the Three .oung MenL ;18= Susanna L ;11= Bel and the )ragon L ;1-= The 4rayer of Manasseh L ;1/= % Maccabees an" ;14= %% Maccabees . 116. Golu , %n the )ays. -48-41.
135 Hence the Greek name apokryphos" meanin# Bhi""enC or Bconceale".C 117 1he 0oman 'atholic an" 4astern ?rtho"o% 'hurches acce$te" them as ins$ire" 5cri$tures.11@ (rotestants, howe9er, reco#ni>e" these ooks only for the historical 9alues, as they elie9e these a"" nothin# of theolo#ical 9alue to the canonical 5cri$ture. 1hey enhance the un"erstan"in# of the Greco-0oman-,ewish atmos$here an" are a witness to the faith of the ,ewish $eo$le li9in# in the secon" century ..'. Hence, these $ro9i"e essential historical ack#roun" for un"erstan"in# the ,u"aism of ,esus< "ay an" the ,ewish matri% of early 'hristianity. 119 4ach ook must e e9aluate" for its worth an" inten"e" use in a $articular stu"y. +or e%am$le, the ook of &udith is essentially a ook of fa les common in the "ays of ,esus, whereas 1 an" - Maccabees are oth well-written, contem$oraneous historical accounts of the secon" century ..'. !t shoul" e note", the A$ocry$ha was a $art of the (rotestant .i le solely for its historical 9alue until 1@-7. 1-8 ,ewish $eo$le "o not consi"er it ins$ire". A$ocaly$tic literature a$$ears in oth the A$ocry$ha an" (seu"e$i#ra$ha. 1he 9ery nature of the wor" Ba$ocaly$ticC has the meanin# of $en"in# "i9ine Eu"#ment an" an en" of the worl". 1-1 1hese authors were con9ince" of the followin#* 1. 1hey were li9in# in the $ro9er ial en" times, -. 1he Messiah woul" soon come, /. 1he a#e of humanity was Auickly comin# to a close, 4. 1he e9ents they witnesse" in their "ay were si#ns of the stru##les etween Go" an" the 49il ?ne, an" 117. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . -/. 118. )a9ies, BA$ocry$ha.C 1*131-32L .ri#ht, +istory of %srael. 422. 119. +oster an" Din#, Binding and ,oosening . -3.
120. )a9ies, BA$ocry$ha.C 1*13/.
121. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 13, -/, 779.
136 2. !n a final arme" conflict Go" woul" win an" ri#hteous $eo$le woul" likewise e rou#ht into 9ictory with Go". 3. 1hen 5atan an" all Gentiles woul" o ser9ant ,ews.1-e "estroye" alon# with non-
1wo i lical ooks that are outstan"in# e%am$les of a$ocaly$tic literature are )aniel an" the 0e9elation. 1-/ &ike the (seu"e$i#ra$ha ;"escri e" elow=, some A$ocry$ha ooks were written in $art to Eustify $ortions of 5cri$ture that were em arrassin# to the ,ews. 5ince the ,ews ha" ele9ate" their $atriarchs to near "eity le9el, they coul" not acce$t the fact that they were men who ha" sinne" an" were e%ten"e" for#i9eness y the #race of Go". 1his is reflecte" in the (seu"e$i#ra$ha ooks an" is e9i"ence to su##est that theolo#ical chaos e%iste" in the first centuries ..'. an" A.). ,erome ma"e this comment a out these ooks in his ,etter to ,aeta. They are $ot 3ritte$ by those to 3ho1 they 3ere as"ribe( ... 1a$y fa)lty ele1e$ts ha8e bee$ i$tro()"e( i$to the1+ a$( ... it re=)ires i$fi$ite (is"retio$ to loo9 for %ol( i$ the 1i(st of (irt. Jero1e+ 'etter to 'aeta
122. .ri#ht, A +istory of %srael. 424-23. 123. 1he ook of )aniel was written y the $ro$het of the same name , after he an" many
others were taken ca$ti9e into .a ylon in 382 ..'. Howe9er, critics maintain that since it is a$ocaly$tic an" $ro$hetic in nature, it must ha9e een written after 178 ..' as a historical "escri$tion of the horrors unleashe" y Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes. 1he 0e9elation was written in A.). 92 y ,ohn.
137
*. *. 3A. THE HELI:6:;US STELE. 1he stele, "ate" to 17@ ..'., is shown with the missin# $ortions in $lace ;&4+1=, an" with the $ortions "isco9ere" in -882 an" -883 ;0!GH1=. !t illustrates the ack#roun" of the 5econ" .ook of Macca ees an" "emonstrates that the ook is an authentic an" in"e$en"ent
138 information source on this historical $erio". 1he inscri$tion marks the e#innin# of the Greek-5eleuci" inter9ention of ,ewish life that e9entually le" to the Macca ean 0e9olt in 137 .'. Helio"orus was or"ere" y Din# 5eleucus !H ;rei#ne" 1@9-172 .'= to remo9e the treasures from the ,ewish tem$le. 1he kin# calle" for the a$$ointment of o9erseers in 9arious $ro9inces, inclu"in# ,u"ea. +inally, two of the ooks within the A$ocry$ha cate#ory are 1 an" Macca ees. 5ome scholars ha9e Auestione" the relia ility of these works, until the Helio"orus 5tele was "isco9ere". 1he inscri e" stone $reser9es $art of a letter of Din# 5eleucus !H (hilo$ator ;-1@-172 ..'.= that was written to a 5eleuci" official, Helio"orus, who is elie9e" to ha9e een the assassin of the kin#. 1he account $ro9i"es the historical conte%t for the royal official Helio"orus name" in the miraculous story in - Macca ees /. 1he communication was en#ra9e" in the stone stele for $u lic "is$lay. !n it the kin# "iscusses the $ro$er care of tem$les in his "omain, s$ecifically 'oele-5yria an" (hoenicia, which inclu"e" ,u"aea. 1-4 1he kin#<s $roclamation re$resents the e#innin# of royal $olicy of reli#ious e%$loitation an" interference that woul" lea" to the Macca ean 0e9olt a "eca"e later. ?f course the historical accuracy of 1 an" - Macca ees "oes not im$ly that other ooks within this cate#ory ha9e the same historical accuracy. :onetheless, when researchin# cultural norms, it is e%citin# to unco9er historical accuracy as well. *. *. 3.J& 6i( Jes)s J)ote the A#o"ry#ha> 5ome critics ha9e state" that ,esus Auote" or referre" to the A$ocry$ha or (seu"e$i#ra$ha. 1heir attem$t is to im$ly He orrowe" i"eas an", therefore, His teachin# was not of "i9ine ins$iration. 1he Auestion is how to e%$lain that these ooks, written years efore the irth of ,esus, ha9e references to conce$ts in the #os$elsF 1he answer lies in the fact that these ooks were written y ri#hteous ,ews who ha" knowle"#e of the ?l" 1estament ;?1= an", therefore, incor$orate" some ?1 teachin#s in their writin#s. What ,esus tau#ht was ase" u$on the ?l" 1estament instruction an", in fact, some themes were tau#ht y ra is $rior to His comin#.
124. 0esi#, )orothy ). BHolunteers an" Missin# (ieces to &oote" !nscri$tion.C 34-37.
139 +urthermore, it must e reali>e" that e9en in $a#an communities there were some social $rinci$les that were #o"ly. +or e%am$le, the 'hinese sa#e 'onfucius $resente" the Gol"en 0ule 1-2 in the ne#ati9e form, as "i" the ,ewish sa#e 1o it lon# efore ,esus arri9e" in .ethlehem. 1his most certainly "oes not mean that ,esus "eri9e" His o$inions from either source, as some critics woul" conten". !t "oes mean that these men were aware, to some "e#ree, of "i9ine $rinci$les. 1he fact that there is a similarity "oes not mean ,esus en"orse" them or relie" on them. He was, an" is, Go". His Wor"s ha9e e%iste" for all eternity. 5ome scholars claim the two e%am$les u$on the A$ocry$ha in His teachin#* 1-3 elow $ro9e that ,esus "e$en"e"
Mt. '73/-3' A)t I tell yo)+ (o$?t ta9e a$ oath at all7 either by hea8e$+ be"a)se it is Go(?s thro$e4 3' or by the earth+ be"a)se it is His footstool4 or by Jer)sale1+ be"a)se it is the "ity of the %reat Ii$%. 1his is $arallel to* E""lesiasti")s *37! 6o $ot a"")sto1 yo)r 1o)th to oaths+ $or habit)ally )tter the $a1e of the Holy :$e. 1he ook of 4cclesiasticus is also known as the ook of 1he Wis"om of ,esus the 5on of 5irach an" was written a$$ro%imately 188-28 .'. !t resem les the ook of (ro9er s. Mt. <7&* Therefore+ 3hate8er yo) 3a$t others to (o for yo)+ (o also the sa1e for the1Qthis is the La3 a$( the Pro#hets. 1his is $arallel to, ut in re9erse of* Tobit /7&' A$( 3hat yo) hate+ (o $ot (o to a$yo$e. 125. Horne, &esus9 The Master Teacher. 18-. 126. Nuotations from the A$ocry$ha foun" in the .i le* 1he :ew 0e9ise" 5tan"ar" Hersion
with A$ocry$ha.
140 1hese e%am$les in 4cclesiasticus an" 1o it are similar to the wor"s of ,esus ecause He an" other ra is ha" a similar sense of ri#hteousness ase" u$on the He rew .i le ;?l" 1estament=. !t shoul" not sur$rise the mo"ern stu"ent that ri#hteous ,ews thou#ht 9ery much like ,esus. +inally, it shoul" e note" that many myths an" le#en"s throu#hout the centuries are attri ute" to the A$ocry$ha. 'reati9e writers an" $ainters ha9e attem$te" to enhance the holiness an" miracles of ,esus. 5e9eral e%am$les are as follows* !talian artists show that "ra#ons owe" "own to ,esusL that lions an" leo$ar"s a"ore" HimL that the roses of ,ericho lossome" where9er He walke". Writers say that when the Holy +amily entere" 4#y$t, all the i"ols fell off their $e"estals an" that many le$ers were heale" when the family went y. .i lical myths were create" throu#hout history, ut a$$ear to ha9e increase" si#nificantly in 4uro$e "urin# the Mi""le A#es. 1here is har"ly a museum or li rary in 4uro$e that "oes not ha9e some so-calle" Btrue storyC of the .i le hi""en somewhere in its archi9es. :early all $oint to the fulfillment of the $ro$hetic wor"s of ,esus in His ?li9et )iscourse ;Mt. -4=, when He warne" that false teachers woul" arise. 1he re"eemin# Auality of these writin#s is that, in contrast, they are astonishin# $roof that the i lical #os$els were $ro"uce" y authors who were #ui"e" y the Holy 5$irit. !t ecomes o 9ious that no creati9e min" can enhance the sacre" scri$t without "e#ra"in# an" "istortin# it. While creati9e writers an" $ainters attem$te" to honor ,esus, their stories ten" to "ishonor an" misinter$ret Him. *. *. / Aible - 1he name was "eri9e" from the Greek wor" biblia meanin# book. 1he earliest use of ta biblia ;Bthe ooksC=, is foun" in the mi"-secon" century A.). writin#s of the early church father, 'lement. !n 'lement 14*-, he sai", B1he ooks an" the a$ostles "eclare that the church ... has e%iste" from the e#innin#.C 1-7 1o the 'hristian, the .i le is a collection of si%ty-si% in"i9i"ual ooks collate" into the ?l" an" :ew 1estaments. 1he 'hristian .i le<s ?l" 1estament is the He rew .i le for the ,ewish $eo$le.
1-791. .ruce, B.i le,C 1*19/.
141 *. *. ' Co(e@ D A co"e% is the name of an early ook when $a#es of $a$er or 9ellum were cut into sheets an" sown to#ether. 49entually har" co9ers were a""e". Mo"ern ooks ha9e "e9elo$e" out of the co"e%. (rior to the co"e%, most writin#s were on $a$yrus scrolls.
*. *. 'A. THE C:6EP SINAITICUS. 1his 'o"e% "atin# of the 4 century contains the earliest com$lete co$y of the :ew 1estament an" the ?l" 1estament is the 5e$tua#int translation from the /r" century ..'. 1he 5cri$tures were written in columns, ut cha$ter an" 9erse "i9ision woul" not occur until centuries later.
th
*. *. . 6ea( Sea S"rolls - 1his is a collection of scrolls an" scroll fra#ments written etween the secon" century ..'. an" A.). 78 y the 4ssenes who li9e" in the 9illa#e of Numran alon# the northwestern si"e of the )ea" 5ea. 5ome scholars ha9e Auestione" whether the 4ssenes wrote the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. Howe9er, technolo#ical e9i"ence re9eals that the 4ssenes were the authors of the 5crolls.1-@ 1he 5crolls were hi""en when 128. +or e%am$le, in -818 a team of !talian $hysicists use" a new scientific "e9ice known
as a BW(!W4,C which is an acronym for BW-ray an" (article !n"uce" W-ray 4missionC !t teste" the chlorine an" romi"e resi"ue foun" on the leather $archment on which the Temple Scroll was written. 1he $hysicists foun" that the ratio of the two elements to e the same as in )ea" 5ea water which is many times hi#her than in fresh water or sea water. 1he conclusion is that leather was tanne" y the 4ssenes, an" was not elsewhere y others, who some say, may ha9e written this "ocument. 5ee B1em$le 5croll (ro"uce" at Numran.C Artifa(. -2*4 ;Autmun, -818=. 18L )isco ery News. ,uly -8, -818.
142 the 0oman army was "escen"in# u$on Numran after the "estruction of ,erusalem in A.). 78. +rom the time ,u"aea cease" ein# a semiautonomous $olitical state these scrolls remaine" hi""en until 1947, a year $rior to the creation of the state of !srael. After much ne#otiation, on the "ay of !srael<s in"e$en"ence the fle"#lin# state $urchase" the first scroll "isco9ere" which, inci"entally, was the ook of !saiah. 1his may ha9e een y "i9ine a$$ointment since this ook has two si#nificant themes* +irst, the return of ,ews to !srael an" secon", the comin# of the Messiah.
*. *. ..J& 0hy is the (is"o8ery of the 6ea( Sea S"rolls so si%$ifi"a$t> 1hese scrolls contain fra#ments of e9ery ook of the He rew .i le, e%ce$t for the ook of 4sther. !n some cases, entire ooks ha9e een "isco9ere" on a sin#le scroll ;i.e., two co$ies of !saiah=. 1he scrolls of !saiah are critical in the fiel" of a$olo#etics, ecause these writin#s ne#ate the ar#ument y critics that co$yists ha" chan#e" the .i le o9er the centuries since the life of 'hrist. Until these scrolls were "isco9ere", the ol"est i lical te%ts were from the ninth century A.)., ut these are a thousan" years ol"er, o9erwhelmin# e9i"ence that the ?l" 1estament was co$ie" an" transmitte" throu#hout the centuries with a hi#h "e#ree of accuracy. 1-9 Another 9alue of the 5crolls is that they hel$ scholars un"erstan" He rew an" Aramaic of the first century. ?ne of e9ery si% e%tra- i lical scrolls was written in Aramaic, the common lan#ua#e in the time of ,esus. 5ince He s$oke Aramaic an" His wor"s were later translate" into Greek, scholars now ha9e etter un"erstan"in# of the translation of wor"s or $hrases which $re9iously were Auestiona le. 1he 4ssene commentaries re9eal how this #rou$ of ultra-ortho"o% ,ews inter$rete" their He rew .i le. While certainly not all ,ewish $eo$le inter$rete" 5cri$ture in the same manner, it "oes $resent 9iews that were un"er serious consi"eration an" "e ate at the time of ,esus.1/8 1he 5crolls also $reser9e" a $icture of "aily life in the "ays of ,esus, without the influence of 'hristian thou#ht or eliefs. Howe9er, there is also is 129. 5ee also htt$*//www."ea"seascrolls.or#.il/feature"-scrolls . 0etrie9e" )ecem er 19,
-81-. 130. .ruce, B)ea" 5ea 5crolls.C 1*/7-.
143 e9i"ence that, $rior to the 0oman "estruction, accounts of the #os$el of ,esus ha" arri9e" at the 4ssene community. 1wo or three 9ery small fra#ments were foun" which some scholars elie9e are from the #os$els, ut the maEority o$inion of archaeolo#ists elie9e this to e hi#hly Auestiona le. A num er of $hrases in the :ew 1estament are also in the 5crolls. (hrases such as Bsons of li#ht,C Bsons of "arkness,C Bthe elect,C Blake ;ri9er= of fire,C an" Bli#ht an" "arkness,C were o 9iously well known efore the a"9ent of ,esus an" the :ew 1estament. 5ome critics ha9e state" that these $hrases were inserte" in the :ew 1estament y church fathers in the secon" an" thir" centuries. Howe9er, the 5crolls $ut that ar#ument to rest, es$ecially the one commonly known as The Manual of )iscipline in which many of these a$$ear. +urthermore, the 5crolls an" :ew 1estament in"icate that the rite of in"uction into the church or 4ssene community y immersion ; a$tism= ha" no sa9in# enefits. 1he communal fellowshi$ that was encoura#e" for elie9ers y &uke ;Acts 4*/--/7= was reAuire" y the 4ssenes. Howe9er, as state" $re9iously, the most im$ortant si#nificance is that they are the ol"est manuscri$ts of the .i le an" clearly in"icate an accurate transmission of 5cri$ture throu#hout the centuries.
144 *. *. .A. E:UNG SCH:LA;S EPAMINE AN 2ANCIENT JA;.5 1he author<s #ran"-"au#hters Ma##ie ;left= an" 'arlie ,o e%amine a certifie" re$ro"uction of a clay Ear i"entical to the ones in which some of the )ea" 5ea 5crolls were hi""en for -,888 years. (hoto#ra$h y a $rou" #ran"$a. 1he 5crolls also $ro9i"e scholars 9alua le information relatin# to the te%t of the He rew .i le as it was un"erstoo" in the time of ,esus an" the two or three centuries $re9ious. +urthermore, they $ro9i"e information an" "etails that the He rew .i le "oes not ha9e ;e.#., (s. 142*1/ an" 1 5am. 18-11=. !n a""ition, the 5crolls confirm the criticism written in the 1almu" an" Mishnah of the corru$tion of the tem$le $riesthoo". 1his is im$ortant to un"erstan"in# the criticisms ,esus "irecte" towar" the reli#ious lea"ers. 1here is no Auestion that the "isco9ery of the 5crolls is the most im$ortant archaeolo#ical "isco9ery since the ministry ,esus.
4ideo Insert
/.)/.)/A)4 ;r) Bryant Wood' ;ire%tor of Resear%h for Asso%iates of Bi+&i%a& Resear%h' dis%usses the signifi%an%e of the ;ead Sea S%ro&&s in ter"s of understanding the &ife and ti"es of Jesus' A*; that these are e$iden%e that the S%ri#tures ha$e +een faithfu&&y trans&ated and trans"itted for the #ast .'/// years 7,/23?8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) *. *. < 6e)tero"a$o$i"al Aoo9s - 1hose writin#s are ooks acce$te" y the 0oman 'atholic 'hurch in a""ition to the thirty-nine ?l" 1estament ooks. 1he )euterocanonical ooks inclu"e some writin#s classifie" as A$ocry$hal ooks, ut not :ew 1estament ooks. 1/1 *. *. , 6i(a"he - 1he )idache, meanin# The Teaching or The %nstruction , is a small ook "escri in# the community or church rule of or"er. !t was written a out the time ,ohn wrote the ook of 0e9elation, or $ossi ly a "eca"e or two later ;A.). 92-1-8=, ut it o 9iously "escri es the asic instruction of the early church that were alrea"y well esta lishe". !ts focus is 131. House, 'hronological and Background 'harts of the New Testament . @4.
145 on how Gentile con9erts nee" to chan#e their li9es in or"er to ,ewish-'hristian fellowshi$. elon# to a
!ts 9alue lies in how the early church inter$rete" the teachin#s of ,esus. 1/1he ook e#ins with the statement B1here are two ways, one of life an" one of "eath.C 1// 1. 'ha$ters 1 throu#h 3 e%$lain the two ways an" that there is a hu#e "ifference etween them. -. 'ha$ter 7 is on a$tism /. 'ha$ter @ "iscusses $rayer an" fastin#, an" inclu"es the "irect Auotation of the &or"<s (rayer. 1he ,ewish $eo$le alrea"y ha" a ritual of $rayin# three times a "ay, 1/4 now they re$lace" their tra"itional $rayers with the &or"<s (rayer. 5ince the (harisees faste" on Mon"ays an" 1ues"ays, early 'hristians faste" on We"nes"ays an" +ri"ays 7 the fastin# tra"ition continue" ut they "i" not want to e i"entifie" with the (harisees. 4. 'ha$ters 9 an" 18 "iscusses the 'ommunion ser9ice, an" 2. 'ha$ters 11 throu#h 12 are on church or#ani>ation an" "isci$line. 1he si#nificance of the )idache has, unfortunately, een for#otten in the church to"ay. !t was written to inform new con9erts the res$onsi ilities of a new lifestyle that was e%$ecte" of them. 1he fact that communion follows a$tism, un"erscores the $oint that it is inten"e" only for the full mem ershi$ of the con#re#ation. 1he rest of the ook "eals with a"ministrati9e issues as well as those who 9iolate" the i lical comman"s of a 'hrist-like life as riefly "escri e" in cha$ters 1 throu#h 3. *. *. ! Ge1arah - 1his is the section of the .a ylonian 1almu" that e%$lains the Mishnah ;?ral &aw or 1ra"ition of the 4l"ers, i.e. Mt 12*1--= an" e%ists in two 9ersions authore" y two ra inic schools* one in ,erusalem 132. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. 9.
133. )idache 1*1a. 134. 5ee ,. 3. /L Acts /*1L 18*/, /8L )i"ache @*/.
146 an" the other in .a ylon. 4ach wrote in"e$en"ently of the other. 1he result is that the Mishnah an" .a ylonian Gemarah to#ether form the .a ylonian 1almu", an" the Mishnah an" ,erusalem Gemarah to#ether form the ,erusalem 1almu". Howe9er, the Gemarah reflects ,ewish thou#ht after the time of ,esus an" is not si#nificant in this stu"y. ?n the other han", the Mishnah "oes reflect ,ewish thou#ht an" le#islati9e actions at the time of ,esus, an" is therefore, si#nificant in this stu"y. 5e#ments of either 1almu" that are ase" on the Mishnah are also Auote" in this stu"y ;5ee *. *.&.=. *. *.& G$osti" - 1his term refers to a $hiloso$hy from the Greek thinker, (lato ;4-@-/4@ ..'.=, who su##este" the contrast etween the in9isi le worl" of i"eas an" the 9isi le worl" of matter. .y the first century his i"eas were formulate" into two o$$osin# mo"es of lifestyles* 1. Asceticism, which attem$te" to su$$ress all emotions ecause they were thou#ht to e relate" to matter an" classifie" as e9il, an" -. 5ensualist, which was the in"ul#ence of $assions without re#ar" to control or conseAuences. 1he latter was an affront to ,u"aism. While these $hiloso$hies were a $art of the $a#an Greek lifestyle at the time of 'hrist, they "i" not take on a Gnostic mytholo#y until later in the first century when the e$istles were written. 1/2 1he asic errors of Gnosticism are* 1. All matter, inclu"in# man<s o"y is e9il when in fact 5cri$ture states the human o"y is the tem$le of Go" an", therefore, #oo". -. Gnosticism teaches that sal9ation is an esca$e from the the use of Bs$ecial knowle"#e.C o"y with
1he .i le states that sal9ation is y faith in the resurrecte" 'hrist. !n the Gnostic heresy known as 'erinthianism, it was elie9e" that the "i9inity of ,esus came u$on Him at His a$tism ut left shortly efore His "eath. 1/3 ?ther Gnostics sai" that since the o"y is e9il ,esus "i" not e%ist, ut only 135. Gun"ry, Sur ey of the New Testament. 38-3-L )rane, BGnosticismC 1*233-37. 136. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le, 1983.
147 a$$eare" to e%ist. +inally, since the o"y was e9il an" the s$iritual was #oo", there were no a$$lica le laws of human eha9iorL therefore, Gnosticism le" many into sinful lifestyles. Gnosticism ne9er ecame an institutionali>e" mo9ement or reli#ion, nor was it $o$ular in (alestine. 1/7 1his e%$lains why the A$ostle (aul a""resse" Gnostic $hiloso$hers in Athens, whereas there is no mention of them in the Gos$els. Amon# 'hristians, there were those who attem$te" to len" this $hiloso$hy with 'hristianity, ut they were always la ele" heretics. 1/@ *. *.&& Gos#el - 1he wor" gospel means good news or 6oyful news, 1/9 an" has the im$lication of a town crier shoutin# the #oo" news to his nei#h ors.148 !t is "eri9e" from the Greek wor" euaggelion" which is a com$osite wor" with the term eu meanin# good an" aggelion meanin# message.141 !n the early "ays of the 'hristian era, the elie9ers hear" the #os$el news from the a$ostles an" other eyewitnesses. 1he 'hurch, howe9er, e%$erience" an e%$losi9e #rowth, es$ecially amon# the #entiles. As hostility increase" an" the "eman" y new con#re#ations for written information a out ,esus, the :ew 1estament ooks were written, co$ie", an" circulate". 5ome accounts were recor"e" y only one writer, while other accounts were a""resse" y all four writers. 1he story of the multi$lication of fish an" loa9es that resulte" in fee"in# the 2888 is an e%am$le ;see & . &.&3=. !n a few short years, all the a$ostles were ein# $ersecute" an" all ut one was martyre". !t soon ecame e9i"ent that the essential "etails of the ministry of ,esus nee"e" to e recor"e" for new elie9ers in forei#n 137. Martin, &. +ellenistic Religions. /7. 138. 0u"olf, -nosis. -18, -9/. 139. 1he good news is a theme throu#hout the :ew 1estament, such as the #oo" news of
truth ;'ol. 1*2L Gal. -*2=, of ho$e ;'ol. 1*-/=, of $eace ;4$h. 3*12=, of $romise ;4$h. /*3=, an" of sal9ation ;4$h. 1*1/=. 5ee also 0ichar"son, BGos$el.C 188.
140. +or a $oint of clarification, most rea"ers may e accustome" with $hrases such as
Bthe #os$el of &uke,C or Bthe #os$el of Matthew.C 1hese statements are technically incorrect. 1he four #os$els are the #os$el of ,esus 'hrist accor"in# to &uke, or Matthew, or whoe9er. ?ne messa#e y four authors.
141. WiEn#aar"s, +andbook to the -ospels. 9.
148 areas an" future #enerations. 4ach author $resente" his account from his uniAue $ers$ecti9e. ?nly &uke ha" any intention of writin# a chronolo#ical account. Howe9er, the chronolo#y of e9ents was consi"ere" to e a relati9ely minor $oint com$are" to the wor"s an" works of ,esus. 49entually, the #os$els were written for the followin# reasons* 1. 1he ,ewish ?ral 1ra"ition accurately con9eye" the ?ral &aw from #eneration to #eneration. 1he Gentiles, howe9er, "i" not ha9e that tra"ition an" therefore nee"e" written materials. -. Althou#h written se$arately, clarifies an" su$$lements the other ooks. Mark wrote his ook with an em$hasis on historical e9ents, e9en if these $lace" a a" li#ht on the "isci$les. 5ince he was writin# to Gentiles, he e%$lains many of the ,ewish customs. &uke wrote to a Greek au"ience to $roclaim that ,esus was the 5a9ior of all humanity whereas ,ohn is a theolo#ical te%t that $roclaims ,esus is the "i9ine 5on of Go" an", hence, he use" numerous B! amC statements. /. 1he ,ewishness of ,esus is $ortraye" "ifferently in each te%t so that, when all are consi"ere", a roa" 9iew of Him is $resente". 14Matthew Mark &uke ,ohn ,esus is the comin# Messiah. ,esus is the sufferin# 5er9ant. ,esus is the 5a9ior of all humanity. ,esus is the "i9ine 5on of Go".
1wo other si#nificant $oints of stu"y are that, 1. 1he #os$els re$eate"ly attest to the historical relia ility of the life of the ,ews an" -. 4ach #os$el was written to a""ress a s$ecific nee" for some s$ecific $eo$le 7 also known as conte%tuali>ation. !n rief, Matthew wrote the ,ewish $eo$le for whom the )a9i"ic line was im$ortant. Mark wrote to the 0omans who were more intereste" in what ,esus "i" rather than
142. )aniel, A +armony. -2--7.
149 what He tau#ht. 1herefore, wor"s such as Bimme"iatelyC a$$ear more than forty times. &uke wrote to the Greeks who i"eali>e" the $erfect man an" were also intereste" in historical accuracy. 1herefore, he e#ins his #os$el recor" with the comment concernin# his in9esti#ation an" chronolo#ical accuracy. He also mentione" the humanity of ,esus, such as ein# tire" or thirsty which is reflecti9e on his $rofessional life as a $hysician, which a""e" res$ect to his work. ,ohn wrote to a #eneral au"ience ut em$hasi>e" the life of ,esus theolo#ically 7 with a #reater focus on what He tau#ht than what He "i" 7 o$$osite of Mark. ,ohn ma"e use of the B$erfect num erC se9en, mentionin# se9en B! amC statements, se9en "iscourses, an" se9en miracles.14/ !t is #enerally a#ree" that all the #os$els were written efore A.). 78, as there is a constant reference to the tem$le an" its functions. ? 9iously, these woul" e a sent if written after the tem$le "estruction. Matthew an" Mark, two stron# ,ews with some i"ealistic ten"encies, woul" certainly ha9e recor"e" this "estruction an" its $rofoun" influence u$on the 'hurch an" ,ewish $eo$le. ,esus< teachin#s, miracles, an" resurrection were 9ery im$ortant to Mark who wrote his #os$el "urin# :ero<s $ersecution of 'hristians in 0ome. 1he 0oman Gentiles ha" a theolo#ical "ifficulty with a "eity who ha" een crucifie", ut Mark a""resse" this issue. &uke was not a "isci$le of ,esus ut came to the faith throu#h the teachin#s of the A$ostle (aul. As a $hysician, he was a hi#hly e"ucate" an" o ser9ant man who carefully researche" 9arious accounts efore writin# his #os$el an" the ook of Acts. His literary style is of the finest Greek, which is a reflection of his cultural an" e"ucational ack#roun". 5ome scholars ha9e "ifficulties with the #os$els concernin# what is known as the B5yno$tic (ro lem.C 1he B$ro lemC is that the ooks Matthew, Mark, an" &uke ;known as the B5yno$ticsC= are in e%act 9er al a#reement with each other in some $assa#es, while in others they are somewhat "ifferent. Hence, some elie9e that some narrati9es were co$ie" from either another #os$el ;$ro a ly Mark or &uke= or a source that has een lost in history. 1he B,ohannine (ro lemC is similar in that critics maintain that there are a num er of $oints that "o not a#ree with the 5yno$tic ooks. While the ook of ,ohn is often referre" to a Bs$iritual #os$elC ,ohn o 9iously ha" a
143. .ruce, BGos$els.C -*2@--@/ an" B1he Gos$els.C /*13-1@.
150 somewhat "ifferent reason for writin# it in the form as is foun" in .i les to"ay.144 1hese B$ro lemsC of 9arious $assa#es are a""resse" throu#hout this ook. 4ach #os$el writer #a9e his narrati9e from his uniAue $ers$ecti9e concernin# the maEor e9ents in the life of ,esus to con9ince his au"ience that ,esus was the focus of the He rew .i le an" that all $ro$hecies concernin# the Messiah were fulfille" in Him. 4use ius (am$hili ;A.). -3/-//9= was a renounce" 0oman historian an" "efen"er of the 'hristian faith. +or his many literary works, inclu"in# 5cclesiastical +istory" he has ecome known as the B+ather of 'hurch History.C He recor"e" the wor"s of (a$ias, .isho$ of Hiera$olis ;A.). 78-122= concernin# the com$osition of the ook of Mark. &/' (a$ias was a "isci$le of ,ohn, the author of the fourth #os$el an" four other :ew 1estament ooks an", therefore, was well acAuainte" with the accuracy of the newly written 5cri$tures. Many "eca"es later, 4use ius inclu"e" that information in his historical writin#s an" sai", for the enefit of mo"ern scholars, that the ook of Mark was not written in chronolo#ical or"er, ut for the enefit of his au"ience. :ote a $ortion of his comment* This also the El(er sai(7 2Mar9+ 3ho be"a1e Peter?s i$ter#reter+ 3rote a"")rately+ tho)%h $ot i$ or(er+ all that he re1e1bere( of the thi$%s sai( a$( (o$e by the Lor(. For he ha( $either see$ the Lor( $or bee$ o$e of his follo3ers+ b)t after3ar(+ as I sai(+ he ha( follo3e( Peter+ 3ho )se( to "o1#ose his (is"o)rses 3ith a 8ie3 to the $ee(s Bof his hearersC+ b)t $ot as if he 3ere "o1#osi$% a syste1ati" a""o)$t of the Lor(?s sayi$%s. So Mar9 (i( $othi$% bla1e3orthy i$ 3riti$% so1e thi$%s H)st as he re1e1bere( the14 for he 3as "aref)l of this o$e thi$%+ to o1it $o$e of the thi$%s he ha( hear( a$( to state $o )$tr)th therei$.5 E)sebi)s+ (cclesiastical )istory 3.3!.&/-&'
144. 0ens er#er. B1he (olitics of ,ohn.C /94. 142 . 'ranefiel", BMark.C -37L Halley, +alley0s Bible. 414.
151 +inally, .i le scholars to"ay freAuently refer to the meanin# of 9arious Greek wor"s in the :ew 1estament. !t is common knowle"#e that wor" stu"ies #reatly im$ro9e our un"erstan"in# of the 5cri$tures. Howe9er, there a$$ears to e a fly in the $ro9er ial ointment, an" that is that accor"in# to a num er of early church fathers, 143 inclu"in# 4use ius, say the ook of Matthew was written in Matthew<s first lan#ua#e 7 He rew. :ote his wor"s, A)t "o$"er$i$% Matthe3+ he 3rites as follo3s7 2So the$ Matthe3 3rote the ora"les i$ the Hebre3 la$%)a%e+ a$( e8eryo$e i$ter#rete( the1 as he 3as able. E)sebi)s+ (cclesiastical )istory 3.3!.&. 4use ius confirme" this a#ain later when he sai", Matthe3 #)blishe( his %os#el a1o$% the Hebre3s i$ their o3$ la$%)a%e+ 3hile Peter a$( Pa)l 3ere #rea"hi$% a$( fo)$(i$% the "h)r"h i$ ;o1e. E)sebi)s+ (cclesiastical )istory '.,.* 1he ultimate challen#e is for "ie-har" scholars to translate the Greek into He rew to #ain the fine nuances that are often lost in translations. elie9e" to ha9e een ori#inally com$ose" in A.). 28, $ossi ly earlier, translate" into Greek thirty or forty years later. 147 Matthew<s #os$el cite" in the )idache an" y a num er of early church fathers. 14@ ack !t is an" was
*. *.&* Hebre3 Aible - 1his is more commonly known as the ?l" 1estament to 'hristians an" as the Tanakh to ,ewish $eo$le. 1he ooks are the same as in the 'hristian ?l" 1estament, althou#h it has three "i9isions, a "ifferent ook or"er, an" some minor 9ariations in cha$ter an" 9erse "i9isions. 1he "i9isions are as follows*
146. !renaeus ;a out 1@8=L (a$ias ;a out 1/8=L (antaenus ;a out -88=L 'lement of Ale%an"ria ;a out 128--12=L ?ri#en ;a out 1@3--24=L an" 1ertullian ;a out 138--48=.

148. 'lement of 0ome ;c. 92=L !#natius ;c. 182-118=L (olycar$ ;c. 1-8=L ,ustin ;c. 128=L an" in the 5pistles of Barnabas ;c.1-8=.
152 1. 1he *orah ;B1eachin#C=* Dnown as the +i9e .ooks of Moses or the (entateuch ;Genesis, 4%o"us, &e9iticus, :um ers, an" )euteronomy=. -. 1he +,vi,im ;B(ro$hetsC=* !nclu"es the historical ooks of ,oshua, ,u"#es, 5amuel an" Din#sL the three maEor $ro$hets of !saiah, ,eremiah, an" 4>ekielL an" the twel9e minor $ro$hets of Hosea, ,oel, Amos, ? a"iah, ,onah, Micah, :ahum, Ha akkuk, Ke$haniah, Ha##ai, Kechariah, an" Malachi. /. 1he -,tuvim ;BWritin#sC=* !nclu"es the ooks not liste" a o9e 7 (salms, (ro9er s, ,o , the Bfi9e scrollsC ;of 5on# of 5on#s, 0uth, &amentations, 4cclesiastes, 4sther= )aniel, 4>ra-:ehemiah, an" 'hronicles.149 *. *.&3 Je3ish 0riti$%s - A collection of reli#ious ooks that inclu"es the .a ylonian an" ,erusalem 1almu"s, the Mishnah, the Mi"rash, an" the 1osefta. .ut this collection "oes not inclu"e the A$ocry$ha an" the (seu"e$i#ra$ha. Most of these were written within four centuries of the life of ,esus. Unfortunately, some scholars will look ack into the fifteen-century $erio" of the ?l" 1estament ;He rew .i le= to fin" 9arious 9erses to su$$ort their inter$retation of :ew 1estament $assa#es, yet refuse to seriously consi"er ra inic writin#s ecause, they claim, B1here were too many chan#es in the culture.C 1he irony is that some ,ewish ooks ;i.e. Mishnah= $resent incre"i le insi#hts into i lical un"erstan"in# ecause they ha9e $reser9e" social-reli#ious tra"itions that were common "urin# the "ays of ,esus an" $rior to the "estruction of the tem$le. *. *.&/ Jose#h)s 7 He was orn as ,ose$hus en Mattathias, ut y a series of unusual e9ents he retire" in 0ome as +la9ius ,ose$hus. He was of a $riestly family which trace" its "escent from the Hasmoneans, a $owerful family of the secon" an" first centuries ..'. He was a rilliant scholar well 9erse" in the writin#s of the Greeks an" the 0omans. While he was not a theolo#ian, he remaine" faithful to the $riestly i"eals of the ,ewish theocracy. He was, howe9er, a military #eneral in Galilee in the early "ays
149. 5$an#ler an" 19er er#, Sitting at the #eet of Rabbi &esus. 48-4-.
153 of the B+irst 0e9oltC ;A.). 33-78=. When he reali>e" the ,ewish cause was ho$eless, he encoura#e" his fellow ,ews to make a truce with the 0omans. He also $re"icte" that Hes$asian woul" e9entually ecome em$eror of 0ome. While they refuse" to consi"er his wis"om, the 0omans e9entually rewar"e" him. After the fall of ,erusalem, he retire" in 0ome un"er the im$erial $atrona#e an" wrote his maEor works $ertainin# to the ,ewish $eo$le for a 0oman au"ience. 1hese inclu"e" The &ewish Wars written from A.). 72-79, The Anti3uities of the &ews written from A.). 9/-92, an" a story of his life, title" The ,ife of #la ius &osephus .128 1he ook, Anti3uities" was written to hel$ the 0omans un"erstan" the ,ewish reli#ion an" way of life an" is an a$olo#etic work "efen"in# the He rew .i le. !n it he recor"e" many interestin# historical accounts that are relate" to, ut not mentione" in the ?l" 1estament narrati9es. Without his literary works, this 9alua le information woul" ha9e een lost. 'ritics of his "ay, namely the Kealots an" many ,ewish $eo$le, consi"ere" him to e a traitor. (ossi ly his most outs$oken critic was ,ohn of Giscala who $ersonally finance" a com$any of Kealot sol"iers to fi#ht the 0omans. ,ohn stirre" u$ the $eo$le a#ainst ,ose$hus an" some historians claim he e9en attem$te" to kill him. 1hat may e the reason why ,ose$hus was #i9en a retirement in 0ome rather than in the Holy &an". 121 ,ose$hus is freAuently Auote" y scholars ecause he $resents "etaile" "escri$tions of $laces, $eo$les, e9ents, festi9als, an" other cultural e9ents, as well as the socio-$olitical en9ironment in the two centuries $rece"in# 'hrist. !n a""ition to ha9in# a successful military career, he was also a hi#hly e"ucate" (harisee, a reli#ious affiliation he maintaine" all his life. He "ie" shortly into the secon" century lea9in# a wealth of written information. :o stu"y can e com$lete without his comments. 12- 1he si#nificance of ,ose$hus lies in two areas* 1. ,ust as the )ea" 5ea 5crolls reflect first-century ,u"aism unchan#e" y 'hristian elief, 150. Martin, &. +ellenistic Religions. 48-4-.
151. Golu , %n the )ays. /-@--9.
152. 5chrecken er#, B,ose$hus, +la9ius.C -*11/--//L 5tone, B,ose$hus, +la9ius.C /*393-97L
.ruce, B,ose$hus, +la9ius.C -*@13.
154 ,ose$hus likewise has insi#hts into the cultural, social, an" $olitical forces in which ,esus li9e". -. His writin#s, namely the Anti3uities, clearly reflect his theolo#y that he elie9e" in the historical accuracy of the ?l" 1estament, as it relates to secular historical accounts. His work also a#rees with other ancient writers concernin# the !nter-1estamental (erio". 1herefore, it can e assume" that his "escri$tions of the first century are eAually accurate. Howe9er, there is a note of caution for the serious research stu"ent* 0ecent scholars ha9e o ser9e", an" this writer a#rees, that ,ose$hus is not without his iases. 1. !t has een $ointe" out that his accounts of the $o$ulation of 9arious communities, "istances etween communities, an" the a#ricultural $ro"uction of the lan" are, on occasion, e%a##erate". -. Also, he was careful not to lame the 0omans for the u$risin# that le" to the "estruction of ,erusalem an" the tem$le. Why woul" he, since he was #i9en a comforta le retirement an" 9illa. Any rea"er must filter these iase" o$inions. 'ritics of ,ose$hus, howe9er, ten" to o9erlook other ancient writers who a#ree" with him. +or e%am$le, Marcus 1erentius Harro ;113 ..'. 7 -7 ..'.= was a wealthy 0oman scholar who $ro"uce" se9enty-four literary works on numerous to$ics, inclu"in# a#riculture. !n his work, Agriculture" he i"entifie" three areas in the 0oman 4m$ire where cro$ yiel"s were one hun"re" fol". 1hey are, 1. 5y aris in !taly, -. Ga"ara in 5yria, an" /. .y>acium in Africa. Harro mentione" Ga"ara as ein# in 5yria ecause that re#ion was un"er the #o9ernmental "istrict of 5yria, as was Galilee at that time. More
155 s$ecifically, he wrote that in this re#ion the cro$ yiel" was Ba hun"re" to one.C12/ 1his o ser9ation woul" certainly ha9e ma"e ,ose$hus $rou". ,ose$hus, nonetheless, remains one of the most im$ortant sources of information concernin# first century life in ,u"aea. 124 His "escri$tion of the 0oman conAuest of the ancient Kealot city of Gamla is an e%cellent e%am$le of his historical accuracy. 1he city fell in A.). 33 an" remaine" un"istur e" until archaeolo#ists e#an to e%ca9ate the site in the late 1978s. 1hey foun" his "escri$tions, such as $atche" walls an" fille"-in uil"in#s, $recisely as he ha" "escri e".122 &ikewise, when he "escri e" the 0oman conAuest of Masa"a, his "etails of the fortress $alace, inclu"in# 9arious rooms an" "estructi9e e9ents that ha" occurre", ha9e een foun" to e $recise, e9en thou#h he was not there. He o taine" his information from a num er of in"i9i"uals who were there an" $ersonally witnesse" the conAuest. 1herefore, while some of his o$inions are iase", most of his o ser9ations are incre"i ly accurate. !n his youthful years, he $lace" himself un"er the instruction of the maEor reli#ious sects of ,u"aea. !n his work 7ita - ;18-1-= he claims to ha9e stu"ie" with the 4ssenes, the 5a""ucees, the (harisees, an" an in"i9i"ual y the name of .annus, of whom little is known. ,ose$hus ha" e%cellent rea"in# an" writin# skills for his "ay, consi"erin# the ma#nitu"e of writin#s he $ro"uce". 123 While historians ha9e seen him as a ,ewish (harisee, 127 a few others s$eculate that he may ha9e Auietly con9erte" to 'hristianity. !n fact, some elie9e that at the time of these writin#s, he ha" een an 4 ionite 'hristian for many years. 12@ 1his, howe9er, remains a minority 9iew.
153. htt$*//$enelo$e.uchica#o.e"u/1hayer/4/0oman/1e%ts/Harro/"eU0eU0ustica/1X.html 0etrie9e" ,uly 9, -811.
154. &ee, .. The -alilean &ewishness. 9@L .ruce, B,ose$hus, +la9iusC -*@13L 5chmal> an"
+ischer, The Messianic Seal. -4L Grant, M. Ancient +istorians , -2@.
155. 5yon, BGamla*C /8. 156. 5chrecken er#, B,ose$hus, +la9ius.C -*11/--//. 157. ,ose$hus, The ,ife of #la ius &osephus. /, 1/, 12, 19, -1, -2. 158. Whiston, 9 - 5ee footnote Bk.C
156 *. *.&' Mi(rash - 1he Mi"rash is an ?l" 1estament commentary an" the name means Bto in9esti#ate, search,C or Bto stu"y,C ase" on the reference y the $ro$het !""o ;- 'h. 1/*--=. 5yna#o#ues ha" a room "e"icate" to the stu"y of 5cri$ture known as the bet Midrash ;Bhouse of inter$retationC=. 129 1herefore, the tra"ition of the Mi"rash no "ou t is as ol" as the written 5cri$ture. 138 .y the first century it was the commentary on the He rew .i le.131 1he Midrashim ;$lural form= are thou#ht to e commentaries on historical narrati9es that e9i"ently were use" e%tensi9ely y 4>ra ;7*18= u$on his return from .a ylonian ca$ti9ity. At the time, the 1orah was acce$te" as the sole authority of the wor" of Go" in the late fifth century ..'. 5ome scholars elie9e the Mi"rashim were $art of the ?ral &aw an" not recor"e" until the thir" century. 13!n later centuries, this "ocument ecame a $oint of contro9ersy etween the 5a""ucees, who were literal inter$reters of the 1orah, an" the (harisees, who sou#ht Eustification of the ?ral &aw. 1he focus of attention was on the a$$lication of the Mosaic ooks to "aily life in a culture that ha" ra"ically chan#e" in fourteen centuries since Moses wrote them. While the Mi"rash is not mentione" in the :ew 1estament, it an" the ?ral &aw were certainly at the root of some heate" "iscussions etween ,esus an" his o$$onents. 13/ *. *.&. Mish$ah - !t is a com$ilation of the ?ral &aws ;see :ral ,aw 7 *. *.&, an" :ral Tradition 8 *. *.* = as tau#ht in many first century ra inical schools. 1hese laws were the inter$retation of the written laws of Moses an" their a$$lication to "aily life. 1he name Mishnah was "eri9e" from a He rew wor" meanin# Bto re$eat.C ut un"er the influence of the
159. 5$an#ler an" 19er er#, Sitting at the #eet. -2.
160. Harrison, BMi"rash.C /21. 161. Goul"er, Midrash and ,ection in Matthew. -@. 162. &ee, .. The -alilean &ewishness. 38-31. 163. 'oker, BMi"rash.* 4*-----/.
157 Aramaic wor" Btanna,C the meanin# was chan#e" Bto learn.C 134 5ee also *. *. !. 1he "e9elo$ment of the Mishnah is rather interestin#. 5o many scri es, ra is, an" sa#es were kille" in the two re9olts ;A.). 37-7/ an" 1/--1/2=, that there was "ee$ concern amon# the sur9i9ors that the ?ral &aws woul" e lost if not written. !n A.). --8 J<hu"ah Ha:asi ;B,u"ah the (rinceC= ser9e" as e"itor an" recor"e" the ?ral &aw known as the Mishnah. 132 5ince writin# was a lon# an" te"ious work, it was finally com$lete" in A.). -79 y ,ohanan ar :a$$acha. 1he writers were e%tremely "e9ote" to accuracy when co$yin# 5cri$ture an" commentaries. 1hey "etermine" that their commentaries woul" accurately reflect "aily reli#ious life in ,u"ea, Galilee, an" (erea without any trace of Greek $hiloso$hy or 'hristianity. 133 While $ortions of the Mishnah were recor"e" in the secon" century, it was ,u"ah the (rince who successfully #athere" all the writin#s, ha" scri es write those $ortions of the ?ral &aw that ha" not een recor"e", an" there y create the Mishnah. 1his work has $reser9e" elements of the Mi"rash, which is an earlier metho" of teachin# the tra"itional laws y means of a runnin# commentary on the i lical te%t. 1here is some lack of uniformity ecause some teachers esta lishe" certain $ortions of the Mishnah in A.). --8, while other ra is at the close of the same century com$lete" it. 137 !t was Auickly acce$te" as the authoritati9e co"e-law of ,u"aism of the ,ews in the (romise" &an". 13@ !t focuse" on the outwar" $urity an" rules of reli#ion to encoura#e Go" to rin# His kin#"om to earth an" "efeat the 0omans. A 3or( of "a)tio$7 As has alrea"y een note" in this te%t, a num er of ,ewish writin#s ha9e een $resente" to hel$ illustrate the thinkin# of some ra is at the time of ,esus. 1his stran#e Bintro"uctory warnin#C is $resente" 164. BMishnahC 5ncyclopedia &udaica ') 0?M 1997L 5ee also Mishnah, A ot /*@-9. 165. 0unes, The Talmud of &erusalem. 3. 166. &ee, U. The ,ife of 'hrist. 7@. 167. )an y, The Mishnah. 14, -2. 168. :eusner, A Midrash Reader. 9.
158 concernin# those writin#s, such as the Mishnah an" Talmud" which also a$$ear in the #os$els. 1here is a ten"ency amon# 'hristians to conclu"e that the ra is co$ie" the teachin#s of ,esus without #i9in# Him cre"it. 1hose who hol" this 9iew fail to reco#ni>e that some ,ewish lea"ers $ersecute" 'hristians in the first an" secon" centuries. 1his $erio" was followe" y a horrific history of $ersecution the church then le9ele" a#ainst the ,ewish $eo$le. !n fact, throu#hout history there has een a constant effort on the $art of each #rou$ to "istant itself from the other. 1o conclu"e that either one co$ie" anythin# from the other reflects lack of historical knowle"#e.
*. *.&..J& 0hy are so1e Je3ish 3riti$%s i$"re(ibly si1ilar to Ne3 Testa1e$t tea"hi$%s> 1he answer is sim$le 7 oth are roote" in the ?l" 1estament, that is, the He rew .i le. Are all ra inic writin#s reflecti9e of the time of ,esusF 'learly the answer is no, an" that makes "iscernment of those writin#s all the more challen#in#. 5ome scholars ha9e often state" that the Mishnah an" Talmud were written centuries after ,esus an", therefore, are not trustworthy sources for two reasons* 1. 1hese writin#s ideali=e what first century ,u"aism shoul" ha9e een like. -. 5ome eliefs of the ,ews chan#e" o9er time towar" a 'hristian $ers$ecti9e. What the scholars fail to acknowle"#e is that many of the ,ewish teachin#s in the Mishnah an" Talmud were tau#ht centuries efore they were recor"e". !n fact, some ori#inate" lon# efore the time of ,esus. Mary an" ,ose$h were ri#hteous not only when ,esus was orn, ut throu#hout their entire li9es an" they were faithful to ?l" 1estament teachin#s. 5o were many others, inclu"in# ra is. 1herefore, it shoul" not e sur$risin# that oth :ew 1estament an" a num er of ,ewish writin#s are similar. *. *.&< Ne3 Testa1e$t BNTC 7 1he co9enants of the .i le are, in fact, su=erainty co enants, which are "efine" y co9enant of uneAual $arties, where the stron#er an" more $owerful $arty functions for the enefit of the
159 weaker one.139 1he :ew 1estament ;He . Brit 'hadash= inclu"es the #os$els which, accor"in# the seAuence of co9enants was still within the ?l" 1estament (erio". 1he :ew 1estament (erio" "i" not e#in until ,esus walke" out of the tom ;many elie9e it e#an on the "ay of (entecost=. 1he :ew 1estament is the fulfillment of the ?l" 1estament an" its $ro$hecies an" $romises. 1his new co9enant, which is the fulfillment of the ol", must therefore e use" to inter$ret the ?l" 'o9enant. 1he Gos$els are in the :ew 1estament ook, ut historically an" theolo#ically are in the ?l" 1estament (erio". ,esus li9e" an" functione" as an ortho"o% ,ew un"er ?l" 1estament rules an" re#ulations. *. *.&, :ral La3 - ;see Mishnah 7 *. *.&. an" :ral Tradition / *. *.* =. 1o"ay, an" in the "ays of ,esus, ,ewish $eo$le elie9e that the 1orah is "i9i"e" into two $arts* the written an" the unwritten ;known as the ?ral &aw=.178 1his was a o"y of laws which cause" the #reatest amount of confrontation etween ,esus an" the (harisees. !t was consi"ere" y the (harisees to e su$erior to the Mosaic laws, ut was not honore" y the 5a""ucees. When the ,ews returne" from .a ylonian ca$ti9ity, they institute" this new set of re#ulations to $rotect themsel9es from the influences of the Greco-0oman culture. 1hey felt that failure to $rotect themsel9es woul" most certainly cause them to e e%ile" a#ain y Go". 171 1he irony is that the ?ral &aw was the maEor reason the ,ewish lea"ershi$ reEecte" 'hrist, which le" to their "is$ersal from the lan" in A.).1/2. 1here is a "e ate as to when the ?ral &aws ori#inate". ,ews elie9e it ori#inate" with Moses while 'hristians elie9e it "ates to the time of 4>ra when the ,ews who ha" returne" to ,erusalem from .a ylon were #athere" at the tem$le, 4>ra rea" the 1orah to them ;:eh. @=. After the rea"in#, he e%$laine" the i lical te%t Bso that the $eo$le coul" un"erstan" what was ein# rea"C ;:eh. @*@=. 1he 1orah y this time was nearly a thousan" years ol" an" the lan#ua#e an" customs ha" chan#e", makin# the rea"in# somewhat archaic. Hence, 4>ra<s inter$retation of the &aw ecame a foun"ational element in first-century ra inic ,u"aism 7 the ?ral &aw.
169. (ayne, ,... B'o9enant ;!n the ?l" 1estament=.C 1*118--8/. 170. 'haEes,The Student0s -uide Through the Talmud. 1.
171. )an y, The Mishnah. 38-31L :eusner, A Midrash Reader. 4.
160 Many years later, in the first half of the secon" century ..'., Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes e#an to force the Greek culture u$on the ,ews. 1he nee" for a B$rotecti9e fenceC aroun" the 1orah now ecame critical, as the ,ews stren#thene" their set of laws to insulate themsel9es from the $a#an influences. 1hese ecame known as the B?ral &aw,C or B?ral 1ra"ition,C an" ser9e" as a "efensi9e $erimeter of the 1orah. 1he $ur$ose of the new laws was to ser9e as a $rotectorate so that the reli#ious authorities coul" $unish anyone efore he ha" the o$$ortunity to reak one of the more serious laws of Go", an" there y $ossi ly cause the entire nation to suffer "i9ine $unishment. While the intent of the ?ral &aws was #oo", in time, they ecome o$$ressi9e an" restricti9e for the $eo$le whom they were inten"e" to $rotect.171o the (harisees at the time of 'hrist, the ?ral &aw su$erse"e" the written Mosaic &aw an" the (ro$hetsL hence, there was conflict.17/ While the ?ral &aw was ori#inally a commentary to e%$lain the Written 5cri$ture, y the first century it ha" ecome a $rotecti9e set of laws that Bsurroun"e"C the i lical laws. !n A oth 1*1 there is an interestin# statement that clearly "efines the ?ral &aw. !t rea"s* Moses re"ei8e( the Torah at Si$ai a$( ha$(e( it o$ to Josh)a+ Josh)a to el(ers+ a$( el(ers to #ro#hets. A$( the #ro#hets ha$(e( it o$ to the 1e$ of the Great Sy$a%o%)e. They sai( three thi$%s7 Ae #r)(e$t i$ H)(%1e$t. ;aise )# 1a$y (is"i#les. Ma9e a fe$"e aro)$( the Torah. Mish$ah+ Aboth &7&
&</
'learly, the last statement "emonstrates that the ?ral &aw was a set of $rotecti9e laws that woul" e roken first efore the $rimary statutes of Go" woul" e roken. 1he BfenceC was the ?ral &aw that later ecame known as the Mishnah. Accor"in# to the cha$ter title" B5anhe"rin,C in the Mishnah, B!t is more worthy of $unishment to teach a#ainst the or"inances of the scri es than a#ainst the 1orah itselfC ;11*/=. &ittle won"er then, that ,esus ha" no res$ect for the laws of the reli#ious elite. 172. &ee, U., The ,ife of 'hrist. 38-31. 173. &ee, U., The ,ife of 'hrist. 188. 174. )an y, The Mishnah. 443L :eusner, Rabbinic &udaism. -87.
161 !n the three centuries followin# the tem$le "estruction in A.). 78, si% ooks of commentary law were written an" ecame known as the Mishnah, Tosefta, Mekilta, Sifra , Sifre, an" the Baraita. 1hese oral tra"itions were well $reser9e" y $rofessional scri es, 172 e9en thou#h there were other writers who attem$te" to remol" an" resha$e ,ewish history with writin#s known as the 4seudepigrapha . Hence, the scri es $reser9e" an e%cellent ack#roun" on how the 1orah was inter$rete" an" a$$lie" to "aily life "urin# the time of 'hrist. *. *.&! :l( Testa1e$t B:TC - 1he He rew .i le is a collection of reli#ious an" historical ooks that were written o9er a fifteen hun"re" year $erio" an" com$ile" at the 'ouncil of ,amnia in A.). 98 y $rominent ,ewish lea"ers, le" y 0a i Johanan en Kakkai. !t is elie9e" that after the "estruction of ,erusalem in A.). 1/2, when Gentiles took control of the ,erusalem 'hurch, the He rew .i le ecame known as the B?l" 1estament.C 1he #os$els an" other 5cri$tures written since the life of 'hrist ecame known as the B:ew 1estament.C :owhere in the :ew 1estament is there a reference to the He rew .i le as ein# re$lace" or calle" the B?l" 1estament,C ut rather, it sim$ly referre" to as B5cri$tures.C 173 *. *.* :ral Tra(itio$ - ;see :ral ,aw 7 *. *.&, an" Mishnah 7 *. *.&.= 1he ?ral 1ra"ition was in $lace "urin# the entire 5econ" 1em$le (erio" ;212 ..'. 7 A.). 78=. 1he Mishnah, howe9er, has lar#ely $reser9e" the 1ra"ition that was in effect $rior to the "estruction of the tem$le in A.). 78. 'ritics ha9e maintaine" that in the $rocess of orally con9eyin# history an" reli#ion from one #eneration to another, chan#es an" errors ha9e slowly infiltrate" an" chan#e" meanin# of the i lical te%t. Howe9er, this is har"ly the case. 1he ancient ,ews ha" an oral culture, ut we who li9e in a mo"ern non-oral culture ha9e #reat "ifficulty reali>in# the #reat care that was e%ercise" y the ancients to transmit information to the ne%t #eneration. Whene9er a teachin# or tra"ition was $resente", there was also an au"ience 175. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms. 4-8--1. 176. +or e%am$le* Mt. -1*4-L --*-9L -3*24, 23L Mk. 1-*18L 12*-@L &k. 4*-1L ,n. -*--L
7*/@,4-L 18*/2L 1/*1@L 17*1-L 19*-4, -@, etc.
162 $resent to make the necessary correction. 1his 1ra"ition is a uniAue feature of the He raic culture an" ,esus referre" to it in Matthew 12*- an" Mark 7*/, 2. 1he stron#est $oint for an accurate oral transmission of the #os$els is that the oral custom was in $lace an" ha" functione" for many centuries $re9iously. 5ince the $rimiti9e 'hurch was essentially ,ewish, it is only reasona le to e%$ect that a new ?ral 1ra"ition carrie" the accounts of ,esus an" the a$ostles until the Gos$els were written. &uke recor"e" a classic oral con9eyance of information this statement, B,ust as they were han"e" "own to usT.C Ma$y ha8e )$(erta9e$ to "o1#ile a $arrati8e abo)t the e8e$ts that ha8e bee$ f)lfille( a1o$% )s+ * H)st as the ori%i$al eye3it$esses a$( ser8a$ts of the 3or( ha$(e( the1 (o3$ to )s. 3 It also see1e( %oo( to 1e+ si$"e I ha8e "aref)lly i$8esti%ate( e8erythi$% fro1 the 8ery first+ to 3rite to yo) i$ a$ or(erly se=)e$"e+ 1ost ho$orable Theo#hil)s+ / so that yo) 1ay 9$o3 the "ertai$ty of the thi$%s abo)t 3hi"h yo) ha8e bee$ i$str)"te(. L)9e &7&-/ 1he e9an#elist &uke ca$ture" his information from the eyewitnesses of the e9ents, after which he recor"e" them. 1herefore, he recor"e" what woul" normally ha9e een first #eneration information of the new ?ral 1ra"ition. Howe9er, his use of wor"s in 9erse -, B... Eust as they ;the historical accounts= were han"e" "own to us y those ...C clearly echoes the ?ral 1ra"ition. !t reflects the accuracy of the eyewitnesses in the tellin# of the e9ents to him, as Bhan"e" "own,C a technical term use" for this oral con9eyance.177 He also wrote of e9ents that he $ersonally witnesse". 17@ *. *.*& Pe$tate)"h - 1his is the Greek name for He rew Torah, the first fi9e ooks of the .i le written y Moses. 1hese fi9e ooks are also referre" to as the Mosaic ,aw or the Written ,aw.179
177. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le +ootnote on &uke 1*-.

178. Acts 13*18-17L -8*2 7 -1*1@L -7*1 7 -@*13.
179. 'ar$enter, B'ar$enter.C /*748-41.
163 *. *.** Philo 7 Also known as (hilo of Ale%an"ria as well as (hilo ,u"aeus ;-8 ..'. 7 A.). 28=, was a ,ewish $hiloso$her who attem$te" to len" the Greek an" ,ewish $hiloso$hies to#ether. While he was a resi"ent of 4#y$t, he was of a wealthy family that, historically, ha" ties with the Hasmoneans of ,erusalem as well as the 5eleuci" an" (tolemaic "ynasties, oth of which were Greek. As a ,ew, his writin#s are 9alua le ecause he #a9e us insi#ht as to how the 4#y$tian ,ews reacte" to an encroachin# Greek culture. He "escri e" the culture in which the #os$els an" e$istles of the :ew 1estament were written. (hilo was not ortho"o% in his reli#ious herita#e, ut a mystic with a stron# Gnostic $hiloso$hy. 1his $a#an elief system entere" ,u"aism as well as the early church an" conseAuently was a""resse" y the A$ostle (aul in his letter to the 'olossians. (hilo<s inter$retation of the 5cri$ture was alle#orical rather than literal, which is why neither ortho"o% ,ews nor 'hristians en"orse" his 9iews. When rea"in# his writin#s one must un"erstan" that his work was hea9ily filtere" throu#h the $hiloso$hy he was $romotin#. 1@8 1he ,ews in ,erusalem an" Galilee reEecte" Gnosticism in the early first century, which may e why ,esus "i" not a""ress the $hiloso$hy. Jet like many other ,ewish $hiloso$hers, (hilo attem$te" to $ro9e that all wis"om of the Greeks was alrea"y written in the ,ewish 5cri$tures. 1@1 *. *.*3 Pli$y the Eo)$%er 7 (liny is known $rimarily for his eye witness account of the eru$tion of Mount Hesu9ius in A.). 79. His full name was Gaius (linius 'aecilius 5ecu"us, ut ecame known to historians as (liny the Joun#er. 1his was to set him a$art from his uncle an" a"o$te" father, (liny the 4l"er. 1he Joun#er was a lawyer, author an" ma#istrate to the court of 4m$eror Ha"rian. He left numerous letters an" "ocuments that sur9i9e" the centuries which $resent insi#ht into the 0oman culture of his time. His contri ution to this stu"y of first century 'hristianity is minimal, althou#h he is elie9e" to ha9e een a fair an" Eust ma#istrate concernin# early elie9ers. *. *.*/ Pse)(e#i%ra#ha - 1he name 4seudepigrapha" meanin# false writings, is a classification of ooks, which were sai" to ha9e een written y 180. 'lark, B(hilo ,u"eus.C 4*77/-77L Wilson, B(hilo ,u"eus.C /*@47-28.
181. Golu , %n the )ays. -4-.
164 i lical fi#ures such as A raham or :oah, ut in fact were create" y other writers centuries later. 5ince these writin#s continue" into the first century A.)., this $ractice may ha9e contri ute" to why ,ames sai" that one shoul" not falsify the truth ;,ames /*14 =. 1here were se9eral reasons as to why these were written. 1. 1hey attem$te" to "eal with the social an" reli#ious issues of the "ay, inclu"in# the comin# of the e%$ecte" messiah. +or e%am$le, the author of ook / of the Sibylline :racles elie9e" that the Greek (tolemaic kin# coul" e the lon#-awaite" sa9ior or messiah for the ,ews. ;:ote* a small BmC is use" since the messiah was not reco#ni>e" as a "eity, ut su$er-human or an#elic fi#ure=. 1@- &ittle won"er then, that the (harisees an" 5a""ucees ha" e%treme "ifficulties acce$tin# ,esus as the Messiah. -. 1he ,ews ha" "ifficulty "ealin# with the issue of how Go", who is holy, Eust, ri#hteous an" all-$owerful, can at the same time $ermit the e9il $a#ans of the Greeks an" 0omans to o$$ress the ri#hteous, His 'hosen (eo$le. 1@/ Many ooks of this #enre were sha$e" y this $ro lem an" the author<s stru##le to "e9elo$ an answer is e9i"ent. 5ome attem$t to lame the $ro lems of humanity u$on 49e, as foun" in the ,ife of Adam and 5 e ;1@*1= an" in Sirach ;-2*-4= of the A$ocry$ha. ?thers lame" the "e9il or e9il an#els, ut none fully a""resse" the issue e%ce$t for ,esus.1@4 /. 5ome new theolo#ical i"eas were also create" in these ooks, such as the conce$t of $ur#atory e9en thou#h there is no mention of it in the .i le or ?ral &aw. 1herefore, it is un"erstan"a le why, y the time of ,esus, ,u"aism was in theolo#ical chaos. &ittle won"er then that these BfalseC ooks, that were attri ute" to the $atriarchs an" tau#ht 9irtues such as truth, are known as false writin#s. 5e9eral ooks, such as > 5noch, were written in the 'hristian era an" reflect 'hristian teachin#. 1he theolo#y of these ooks is at times in serious 182. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. 1*/23, 1*/@1. 183. )a9ies, BA$ocry$ha.C 1*131-32L &a"", B(seu"e$i#ra$ha.C /*1848-4/. 184. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. %%%.
165 error with the .i le. 1he $rimary challen#e with these writin#s is to "etermine at what $oint historical facts en" an" "e9otional le#en"s e#in. 1heir 9alue lies in the fact that they $ermit scholars to un"erstan" the min"set of some ,ews "urin# the theolo#ically chaotic time of 'hrist. 4. (ossi ly one of the most influential ooks of this cate#ory is the 4salms of Solomon" which was written after the 0oman in9asion of ,u"aea in 3/ ..'., an" some scholars elie9e it can e "ate" to 48 to /8 ..'. 'ha$ters - an" 17 make reference to the Gentile forei#ners ;0omans= who in9a"e" the lan" killin# men, women, an" chil"ren. 1he author also calls u$on the &or" to rin# forth the 5on of )a9i", an unmistaka le $hrase callin# for the messiah to come an" hel$ the ,ewish nation ;see .. ,. 3.J3=. 2. 1hese ooks, such as the -ospel of 4eter" ha9e oth affirmations an" "iscre$ancies with the #os$el narrati9es. As $re9iously state", these are im$ortant for their historical an" literary 9alue. 1@2 5ince &uke #athere" his information from 9arious sources, his work reflects the esta lishe" 9iew of the early 'hurch. Ha" his writin#s conflicte" with 'hurch lea"ershi$, his ook woul" ha9e een imme"iately attacke" an" "iscar"e". He woul" also ha9e een the su Eect of "iscussion y early "efen"ers of the faith such as ,ustin Martyr an" !renaeus. :onetheless, he was ne9er attacke" an" there is no e9i"ence that he an" his works recei9e" ne#ati9e reactions from other a$ostles or 'hurch lea"ers. 1he si%ty $lus (seu"e$i#ra$ha ooks a$$ear to satisfy the Bitchin# earsC of those of those who are Be9er learnin# an" ne9er comin# to the knowle"#e of the truthC ;1im. 4*/L /*7=, as they lack the #ift of "iscernment. ?nly a few ooks ha9e any merit whatsoe9er. *. *.*' Se#t)a%i$t - At the close of the ?l" 1estament (erio", the lan#ua#e of the common ,ew was Aramaic an" its sister lan#ua#e, He rew. Howe9er, y the e#innin# of the thir" century ..'., the Greek lan#ua#e ha" ecome so $rominent in 4#y$t an" elsewhere, that the He rew lan#ua#e was threatene" with e%tinction. !n Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t, a #rou$ of scholars in the royal li rary ma"e the first translation of He rew 5cri$tures 185. We
, B1he 0oman 4%amination an" 'rucifi%ion of ,esus.C 731
166 into another lan#ua#eYGreek. 1his Greek translation ecame known as the 5e$tua#int. 1@3 (olitically, the ,ewish $eo$le ha" #one from (ersian "omination to Greek to 0oman. 49ery chan#e in the $olitical s$here rou#ht social $ressures for the ,ews to a"o$t the culture of their conAuerors. 1his ha" a $rofoun" effect on the ra is who were constantly challen#e" to kee$ the faith of their $eo$le intact. 1he 5e$tua#int was their attem$t to kee$ the Wor" of Go" rele9ant an" 9i rant. 1@7 ,ews li9in# in the Holy &an" "i" not acce$t the Greek lan#ua#e as rea"ily as "i" their counter$arts in 4#y$t. Holy &an" ,ews a$$eare" to ha9e een far more concerne" with kee$in# their tra"itions an" faith. ?ne reason may e ecause they were close to the tem$le an" were constantly influence" with Greek $a#anism. !ronically, those li9in# in .a ylon were more faithful to i lical ,u"aism than their counter$arts in ,erusalem who ha" "e9elo$e" the ?ral &aws. 1his will e e%$laine" in more "etail later. 1here is an interestin# le#en" concernin# the translation work. !n the (seu"e$i#ra$hical ook, ,etter of Aristeas" there is an account that states that 7- men, si% from each tri e, translate" the entire He rew .i le in 7"ays. 1he num er was roun"e" off to 78, an" hence, the name B5e$tua#int,C an" its a re9iation of B&WW.C !n reality, ,ewish recor"s ha9e $reser9e" the names of the 7- scholars, ut the work took se9eral "eca"es, not se9enty-two "ays. Howe9er, the name ;5e$tua#int= an" a re9iation ;&WW= are now in common use.1@@ *. *.*. Tal1)( - 1he 1almu" is two sets of writin#s that reflect ,ewish $hiloso$hy an" theolo#y. 1he ,erusalem 1almu" ;,1=, also known as the (alestinian 1almu", was com$lete" aroun" A.). 488 an" another lar#er work known as the .a ylonian 1almu" ;.1= was com$lete" aroun" A.). 288 in .a ylon. 4ach work is a commentary on the Mishnah an" was carefully com$ose" without any Greek influences. .oth are an antholo#y of to$ical ooks.
186. 5o"erlun", B5e$tua#int.C 4*481-8/. 5ee also a rief "iscussion y )r. (etra Hel"t at
*. /. &.F.
187. 5o"erlun", B5e$tua#int.C 4*48--84. 188. Gray ill, B5e$tua#int.C 12*1914L .laiklock, B5e$tua#int.C 2*/4/.
167 1he .a ylonian 1almu" is essentially the inter$retation an" ela oration of the Mishnah as it was tau#ht in the ,ewish aca"emies in .a ylon. .ecause the ,ews ha" een remo9e" from ,erusalem an" the lan" of ,u"ea in 2@3 ..'., they stro9e to insure that the laws were carefully followe" an" $reser9e". 1his was es$ecially si#nificant since the $riesthoo" in ,erusalem ha" a renowne" re$utation of corru$tion. 1here is no "istincti9e e#innin# or en"in# "ates for this massi9e work, ut it is #enerally elie9e" to ha9e een e#un in the early thir" century an" com$lete" two centuries later. !t incor$orates the teachin#s from ,ewish sa#es who li9e" from -8 ..'. to A.). 428. ?f the two 1almu"s, the .1 is consi"ere" to e the authoritati9e one as it offers a roa"er sco$e in "iscussions an" its themes are richer an" co9er lon#er $erio"s of time. ?9er the centuries, it ecame the more $o$ular ecause it was more challen#in# an" interestin# for ra inic stu"y. 1he .a ylonian 1almu" was com$lete" aroun" the year A.). 288 an" contains 2,@94 lar#e $a#es ;-7 % /3 cm.= while the ,erusalem 1almu", com$lete" a century earlier, has only 274 $a#es. 1@9 Hence, the .a ylonian 1almu" is use" almost e%clusi9ely in i lical research an" whene9er a reference is #i9en to the B1almu",C the reference is to the .a ylonian e"ition. 198 An e%am$le of 1almu"<s historical 9alue is foun" in the story ,esus tol" a out the $ersistent wi"ow an" unri#hteous Eu"#e ;&k. 1@*1-@=. 1he ,ewish writin# illustrates two interestin# features* 1. !t $resents insi#hts of the ,ewish le#al system $rior to the "estruction of the tem$le that enhances our un"erstan"in# of the life of ,esus. -. !t "iscre"its the ar#ument that since it was written at a late "ate it shoul" e "iscre"ite" as a source for i lical stu"y on ,ewish life an" culture. Another e%am$le of the 9alue of the 1almu" was re9eale" in the early 1938s. Archaeolo#ist Ji#ael Ja"in was e%ca9atin# Masa"a when he 189. .i9in, B,esus an" the ?ral &awC -*-, @. 190. :eusner, B1almu".C 4*717--4.
168 "isco9ere" what he thou#ht was a ritual ath known as a mik ah ;see Glossary=. When the "imensions an" "escri$tion were com$are" with reAuirements of the 1almu"ic law, there was no Auestion of its i"entity. He ha" "isco9ere" the first mik ah in mo"ern !srael.191 5ince then, hun"re"s ha9e een e%ca9ate". 1his is a#ain clear e9i"ence that the reAuirements of the ra inic ooks written u$ to fi9e centuries after the life of 'hrist accurately reflect the reli#ious life of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" an", hence, also the reli#ious en9ironment of the life of 'hrist. As $re9iously state", there is an im$ortant $oint to consi"er in the $rioriti>in# of resources. !t is unfortunate that many 'hristian scholars elie9e that the ,erusalem 1almu" an" the .a ylonian 1almu" do not reflect ,ewish life at the time of ,esus. Ama>in#ly, some ,ewish scholars "isa#ree. :ote the followin# comments foun" on a ,ewish we site* 1. B1he 1almu" is, then, the written form of that which in the time of ,esus was calle" the 1ra"itions of the 4l"ersC y 0a i Michael &. 0o"kinson. 19-. B1he ,ewish reli#ion as it is to"ay traces its "escent, without a reak, throu#h all the centuries, from the (hariseesC y the Uni9ersal ,ewish 4ncyclo$e"ia. 19/ *. *.*< Ta$a9h 7 5ee BHe rew .i le.C *. *.*, Tar%)1 7 5ince, at the time of 'hrist, Aramaic was the lan#ua#e of the common $eo$le, there was a nee" for an Aramaic re$hrasin# of He rew writin#s. 1he 1ar#um was not so much of a translation, ut a $ara$hrase an" commentary of the ?l" 1estament for those who were more fluent in the Aramaic lan#ua#e 7 the lan#ua#e of .a ylon. 1he translator was #i9en the honora le assi#nment of e%$lainin# or writin# a commentary 191. &a 5or, William 5anfor". B)isco9erin# What ,ewish MiA9a<ot 'an 1ell Us A out
'hristian .a$tism.C 2-. 192. Nuote" from a ,ewish we site, htt$*//www.come-an"-hear.com/na9i#ate.html A$ril 11, -81-. 193. Nuote" from a ,ewish we site, htt$*//www.come-an"-hear.com/na9i#ate.html A$ril 11, -81-.
169 of 5cri$ture. 5o im$ortant was his assi#nment that he was consi"ere" a BtraitorC if he translate" the wor"s ut not the full meanin#. 194 *. *.*! Torah - 1he name means doctrine" instruction" or teaching" an" is #enerally referre" to as The ,awC or The Mosaic ,aw. 192 !t is more accurate to say that the 1orah is BGo"<s !nstructionsC than the mo"ern conce$t of Ble#alistic law.C 1orah is the He rew name for the first fi9e ooks of the He rew .i le ;?l" 1estament=, also known as Written ,aw, consi"ere" sacre" y the 4ssenes, (harisees, 5a""ucees, an" 5amaritans. *. *.3 Tosefta - A su$$lement an" the earliest commentary to the Mishnah was written in the secon" to thir" centuries A.). 193 .oth contain the B1ra"itionsC ,esus freAuently "enounce".
U$it * C)lt)ral Aa"9%ro)$( St)(ies

194. &ee, U., The ,ife of 'hrist. 1-1--/. 195. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 3-. 196. :eusner, A Midrash Reader. 18.
170
Cha#ter 3 Si%$ifi"a$t C)lt)ral Ele1e$ts
*. 3. A. CHIL6;EN IN A SENAG:GUE SCH::L. Ill)stratio$ by Go(frey 6)ra$(.&,!. . 5tu"ents normally sat on the floor Bat the feetC of their teacher, not only in !srael, ut in all cultures in the ancient Mi""le 4ast. All rea"in# was "one Bout-lou"C ecause the skill of rea"in# silently was unknown at this time. *. 3. & I$tro()"tio$ - 49ery culture has certain elements that are uniAue an" si#nificant to its $eo$le. An o9er9iew of the si#nificant ,ewish cultural elements in first century ,u"aea is $resente" elow. A asic knowle"#e of these elements will enhance the rea"er<s un"erstan"in# of the #os$els consi"era ly.
171 *. 3. * A%ri")lt)re - A#riculture is liste" as a se$arate "isci$line ecause it was a s$ecific lifestyle of a maEority of ,ewish $easants. !t was the $rimary reason many of the comments y ,esus allu"e to an a#ricultural en"ea9or. A#riculture herein refers to the soil $re$aration, sowin#, an" har9estin# of all foo"s. !t also inclu"es hus an"ry, ut not fishin# as the latter reflects a "ifferent occu$ation. 1he Holy &an" is one of #reat "i9ersity that inclu"es fi9e "istinct climate >ones. +urthermore, there are si% "i9isions in the a#ricultural year with each "i9ision lastin# a out two months an" the each two-month $erio" is somewhat "ifferent in each climate >one. 1he "i9isions are as follows* 1. 5ee"time. !n !srael cro$s were sown late fall, "e$en"in# u$on the climate >one, as this is the e#innin# of the rainy season ;:o9em er to A$ril=.197 -. Winter ;rainy season= /. 5$rin# 4. Har9est. 1he har9est season is the e#innin# of the si% to se9en month $erio" when there is no rain ;"ry season=. 2. 5ummer ;"ry season= 3. 5eason of incre"i le heat ;Au#ust=. Winter cro$s an" cattle can flourish in the Galilee area whereas the southern "esert section ;,u"ea= is i"eal for shee$, #oats, an" tro$ical fruits. Harious #ra$es19@ an" oli9es are in a un"ance almost e9erywhere with the
197. 1o"ay, with the in9ention of the "ri$ irri#ation system, cro$s are #rowin# year-roun" in fulfillment of the $ro$hecy of Amos 9*1/ that says that the $lou#hman will o9ertake the rea$er.
198. ?ri#inally !srael ha" fi9e kin"s of #ra$es. ?ne kin" $ro"uces the earliest fruit only
#rows well on the #roun", not on a #ra$e ar er. !ts fruit ri$ens early an" the other kin"s ri$en later an" there y, $eo$le enEoye" fresh #ra$es from ,une throu#h ?cto er. Many #ra$es to"ay were rou#ht into the country from +rance y the 0othschil" family in 1@@ecause Muslims "estroye" the 9ineyar"s.
172 e%ce$tion of the semiari" southern re#ion. 1he lan" was famous for oli9es, "ates, fi#s, incense, $ome#ranates, citrons, an" almon"s. ?ils inclu"e" oli9e oil, $o$$y see" oil, nut oil, an" $alm oil. 1here were a 9ariety of wines, lack wines, white wines, re""ish wines, 5haron wines, 'armel wines an" s$ice" wines, all of which were in hi#h "eman" o9erseas. 199 1he "iet of the ancients was asically a cereal "iet. !t was e%tremely low in fat an" calories, ut oli9es ma"e u$ for this "eficiency. ,ose$hus $resente" an interestin# account of a#riculture* Their soil is )$i8ersally ri"h a$( #le$tif)l a$( f)ll of #la$tatio$s of trees of all sorts+ i$so1)"h that it i$8ites the 1ost slothf)l to ta9e #ai$s i$ its ")lti8atio$ by its fr)itf)l$ess. A""or(i$%ly+ it is all ")lti8ate( by its i$habita$ts+ a$( $o #art lies i(le. Jose#h)s+ %ars 3.3.* 1here is no Auestion that the soil in the Galilee area is 9ery $ro"ucti9e. ,ose$hus state" this, ut critics claim his e%a##eration re9eal the $ri"e of his ,ewish herita#e. +or e%am$le, he sai" that the lan" is fully culti9ate", when in fact, the mountain areas of Galilee are e%tremely rocky with asalt stone from near y e%tinct 9olcanoes on the Golan Hei#hts. 1hose areas were always use" for raisin# Blar#e cattleC ;cows= an" Bsmall cattleC ;shee$ an" #oats=. Howe9er, for the most $art, his work is incre"i ly accurate. His a""itional comments on the a#ricultural won"erlan" are re9ealin#. He states* The "o)$try also that lies o8er a%ai$st this la9e has the sa1e $a1e of Ge$$esaret BGalileeC4 its $at)re is 3o$(erf)l as 3ell as its bea)ty. Its soil is so fr)itf)l that all sorts of trees "a$ %ro3 )#o$ it+ a$( the i$habita$ts a""or(i$%ly #la$t all sorts of trees there4 for the te1#er of the air is so 3ell 1i@e( that it a%rees 8ery 3ell 3ith those se8eral sorts+ #arti")larly 3al$)ts+ 3hi"h re=)ire the "oolest air+ flo)rish there i$ 8ast #le$ty. There are #al1 trees also 3hi"h %ro3 best i$ hot air4 fi% trees also a$( oli8es %ro3$ $ear the1 3hi"h yet re=)ire a$ air that is 1ore te1#erate.
199. Golu , %n the )ays. 1/7.
173 Jose#h)s+ %ars 3.& ., Another witness to the $ro"ucti9eness of the soil was Marcus 1erentius Harro ;113 ..'. 7 -7 ..'.=. He was a 0oman scholar thou#ht to ha9e een of the eAuestrian rank, an" as such, ha" the finances for e%tensi9e tra9el an" the esta lishment of his own li rary. He $ro"uce" 74 literary works on numerous to$ics, inclu"in# a#riculture. !n his work, Agriculture" he i"entifie" three areas in the 0oman 4m$ire where cro$ yiel"s were one hun"re" fol" 7 in 5y aris in !taly, near Ga"ara in 5yria, an" in .y>acium in Africa. ?f interest in this stu"y is Ga"ara. Harro mentione" it as ein# in 5yria ecause that re#ion was un"er the 0oman #o9ernmental "istrict hea"Auarters in )amascus, 5yria, Eust as Galilee was at time. More s$ecifically, he wrote, Aro)$( Sybaris i$ Italy the $or1al yiel( is sai( to be e8e$ a h)$(re( to o$e+ a$( a li9e yiel( is re#orte( $ear Ga(ara i$ Syria+ a$( for the (istri"t of AyGa"i)1 i$ Afri"a. It also 1a9es a %reat (iffere$"e 3hether the #la$ti$% is o$ 8ir%i$ soil or o$ 3hat is "alle( restibilisQ la$( ")lti8ate( e8ery year Q or o$ 8er8a"t)1+ 3hi"h is allo3e( so1eti1es to lie fallo3 bet3ee$ "ro#s. Farro+ Agriculture &7//7* * 1he area Harro "escri e" near Ga"ara is in the re#ion surroun"in# the 5ea of Galilee. 1he reason the lan" was e%tremely fertile is ecause of the e%tinct 9olcanoes in the Golan Hei#hts area. ?9er the centuries, the rains "isinte#rate" the 9olcanic rock, calle" asalt, into e%tremely fertile soil. 1herefore, when ,esus s$oke of a hun"re" fol" increase ;Mt. 1/*1-9L Mk. 4*19L &k. @*4-@=, it was not an e%a##erationL it was a multi$lication factor with which the Galileans were well acAuainte" ecause of the rich soil. 1he oli9e tree has een a 9ital element in all Me"iterranean cultures. !ts fruit is crushe" an" $resse" in se9eral sta#es for its oil, the first $art of which is use" for reli#ious $ur$oses. 1he ne%t oil e%tracte" is use" for me"ical $ur$oses, followe" y oil for foo" su$$lements, lam$s, an" other uses.
174 Hineyar"s ha9e een $lante" throu#hout the lan" since the earliest times. Accor"in# to tra"ition, the wine was mi%e" 1*/ with water. !t ha" a $urifyin# effect on the water which was collecte" in the rainy months of :o9em er throu#h A$ril for use in the ari" "ry summer months. Water store" in cisterns for lon# $erio"s of time ten"e" to ecome a ha9en for microor#anisms an" the alcohol in wine ;which was "ilute" 1*/= $urifie" the water. Most cro$s were $lante" in ?cto er an" :o9em er at the time of the early rains. After the later rains in March an" A$ril, the cro$s were har9este". 1he farmin# metho"s inclu"e" the han" sowin# of see" ;Mk. 4*1--8=, work in the 9ineyar" ;Mt. -8*1-3=, care of fruit trees ;Mt. 7*12--8=, #uar"in# foo" from thie9es ;Mk. 1-*1=, an" stora#e of foo" ;&k. 1-*1/--1=. 1hese 9i#nettes were some of the illustrations use" y ,esus to communicate his messa#e. -81 Wheat was the #rain of choice an" the $rimary foo" sta$le whereas arley was the foo" for the $oorer classes an" animals ;0uth -*17L 4>ek. 4*9L ,n. 3*9=. .arley has a shorter #rowin# season than wheat an" #rows well in $oor farmlan" east of the central mountains an" areas a"Eacent to the ,u"ean "esert south an" east of ,erusalem. 1his was the only lan" the $oor coul" affor" to $urchase. -8- Most other soils were e%tremely fertile. 1he i lical $hrase that "escri e" the lan" flowin# with Bmilk an" honeyC ha" reference to two areas. 1he southern "esert area was i"eal for milk$ro"ucin# her"s, such as #oats an" camels, while the northern area $ro"uce" 9ineyar"s an" orchar"s as well as Bhoney.C 5ome 9illa#es enEoye" "i9ersity of tra"es an" income. 'a$ernaum an" other 9illa#es alon# the e"#e of the fresh water lake known as the 5ea of Galilee, $ros$ere" from oth fishin# an" farmin#. -8/ 1he lake, calle" y locals .om *inneret" literally B5ea Har$C in He rew, is thirteen miles lon# an" se9en miles wi"e. !t is the only known lake with fresh water sar"ines. !n s$ite of that, a 9ast maEority of the $o$ulation were in9ol9e" in a#riculture. 201. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners. -3/-78L 5ee also (acker, ,. !., an" M. '.
1enney an" William White ,r. e". Nelson0s %llustrated 5ncyclopedia of Bible #acts. :ash9ille* 1homas :elson. 1992.
202. He$$er, BGrain.C -*291. 203. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners. -3/-78.
175 Hence, the entire social an" reli#ious life centere" aroun" the a#ricultural cycles, as can e note" y the ,ewish festi9als. +inally, there is a misconce$tion that the 9e#etation of mo"ern !srael has not chan#e" since the earliest i lical times. 1he lan", e%ce$t some "esert areas, was hea9ily foreste" throu#hout most of $re- i lical history. When ,oshua "i9i"e" the lan" he tol" some !sraelites to clear the foreste" hill country ;,os. 17*12-1@=. )estruction of the forests came centuries later as the result of human #ree". +or e%am$le, when Ha"rian "estroye" ,erusalem in 1/2 A.). he comman"e" that e9ery tree within ten 0oman miles of the city e cut "own to remo9e the main source of fuel for cookin# an" heatin#. When the 1urkish ?ttoman 4m$ire was in $ower ;1487-1917= they ta%e" e9ery tree, an" in the nineteenth century most sur9i9in# forests were use" for railroa" ties an" fuel for railroa" en#ines. 1he reforestation of to"ay is nothin# short of a miracle. *. 3. 3 E"o$o1y - 1he economy of the a9era#e first century ,ewish $easant centere" $rimarily on $ro"ucin# or o tainin# foo". !t was a commo"ity most often ou#ht an" sol". While currency was a9aila le, it was #enerally use" only to $ay 0oman an" tem$le ta%es. 1he $rice $ai" for nee"e" ser9ices or $ro"ucts was "etermine" y arterin#. +oo" markets were only in the lar#er cities. 1o "ate, archaeolo#ists ha9e not foun" any e9i"ence of sho$s or markets in small rural 9illa#es. :o ancient writin#s ha9e een foun" with reference to an agoranomos" the #o9ernment ins$ector of sho$s an" markets who was a$$ointe" to a 9illa#e. :early anythin# that was nee"e" y a family coul" e secure" within the 9illa#e, or most certainly in a nei#h orin# one. 1he 9illa#e economy was self-84 containe". Howe9er, not all scholars a#ree with this. 5ome feel that the ta%es an" rents were so hi#h that many families ha" to work in a secon" craft for a""itional income. +reAuently, such en"ea9ors $ro"uce" a 9illa#e that ha" a s$ecialty such as $ottery. -82 1he hi#h 0oman ta%ation create" economic sla9ery an" was the lea"in# cause of freAuent re9olts y the im$o9erishe" $easants. !m$orte" $ro"ucts were e%clusi9ely for the rich an" famous. 1he city of 5e$$horis, a mere three miles from :a>areth, was a community of wealthy 204. 5afrai, The 5conomy of Roman. 23-2@, -/1. 205. Horsley, Archaeology" +istory" and Society in -alilee . 74-73.
176 Greeks an" 0omans who enEoye" a wi"e 9ariety of im$orte" #oo"s. 1his was in shar$ contrast to the a9era#e 9illa#e community where the im$o9erishe" li9in# continue" #eneration after #eneration. 5el"om "i" a 9illa#e reak out of this cycle. 1a #ha, locate" on the northwestern shore of the 5ea of Galilee, is elie9e" to ha9e een a rare e%ce$tion to the 9illa#e tra"e. 1his community $ro"uce" salte" fish that was shi$$e" y camel cara9an throu#hout the eastern 0oman 4m$ire. A #rowin# num er of scholars elie9e 'a$ernaum was also an e%ce$tion in that it may ha9e ha" an in"ustry of manufacturin# asalt #rin"in# stones. 5el"om was there any ho$e for a chan#e to a etter life. 1he teachin#s of ,esus are fille" with economic lessons of life. He tau#ht that one must consi"er the economic nee"s of others ;Mt. -2*/1-43L ,n. /*17-1@=, $lace one<s economic nee"s secon" to the "e9otion to Go" ;Mt. 3*19--1, -4=, to seek the holiness an" ri#hteousness of Go", an" Ball these thin#s will e a""e" unto youC ;Mt. 3*//=. He "emonstrate" that e9ery s$iritual con"ition of mankin" has a material manifestation. -83 .ankin# "i" not e%ist as we know it to"ay. Howe9er, the wealthy "i" $lace their currency fun"s in the tem$le, which ser9e" as a ank. -87 1his was ty$ical of all ancient :ear 4astern cultures ;now calle" ancient Mi""le 4ast cultures=. Most nota ly was the tem$le of )iana in 4$hesus, which was the central ank for a thir" of the 0oman 4m$ire. !n ,erusalem, the tem$le ha" "i9i"e" fun"s for sacre" an" secular uses. When (ilate took fun"s from the tem$le to com$lete the aAue"uct, the $eo$le re elle". Howe9er, ,ose$hus sai" that the $eo$le re elle" ecause (ilate stole the more 9alua le sacre" monies, rather than $ri9ate fun"s. -8@ *. 3. / E()"atio$ - ?nly one kin" of e"ucation was consi"ere" im$ortant in first century ,u"aea ;sometimes calle" B,u"aeaC=, an" that was the stu"y of theolo#y, -89 althou#h e9ery oy also learne" a tra"e. 0e$etition was the 206. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. //8-/9L 5ee also (acker,
1enney, an" White. Nelson0s %llustrated 5ncyclopedia of Bible #acts.
207. 'rossan, Who *illed &esus? 34-32.

208. ,ose$hus, Wars. -.9.4.
209. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 27@.
177 asic form of e"ucation. !n fact, the He rew wor" Bto re$eatC ; shanah= means also Bto teach.C -18 4"ucation ecame si#nificant "urin# the .a ylonian e%ile when 4>ra esta lishe" a new reli#ious class known as Bscri es,C whose $rinci$le res$onsi ility was to stu"y 5cri$ture an" teach. .y the first century ..'. there were many itinerant ra i-teachers wan"erin# throu#hout the ,ewish communities with their "isci$les, teachin# as they went. 1his was the $ractice re$licate" y ,esus. 5ome scholars to"ay elie9e that the formal e"ucation of chil"ren in the first century was limite" to oys until they reache" the a#e of thirteen. While it has een #enerally a#ree" that the e"ucational $rocess was $rimarily #eare" to oys, there is #rowin# e9i"ence that #irls were inclu"e" in the e"ucational $rocess as well. 1his was es$ecially true in the Galilee re#ion. !n $articular, the section that $ertains to "i9orce in the Mishnah refers to a woman writin# her own "i9orce "ocument* All are re=)ire( to 3rite a bill of (i8or"e+ e8e$ a (eaf-1)te+ a$ i1be"ile+ or a 1i$or. A 3o1a$ 1ay 3rite her o3$ bill of (i8or"e a$( a 1a$ 1ay 3rite his o3$ a =)itta$"e+ si$"e the 8ali(ity of the 3rit (e#e$(s o$ the1 that si%$ it. All are =)alifie( to bri$% a bill of (i8or"e e@"e#ti$% a (eaf-1)te+ a$ i1be"ile+ a 1i$or+ a bli$( 1a$+ or a %e$tile. Mish$ah+ .ittin *.'
*&&
!t is Auestiona le if she wrote it $ersonally or if she authori>e" it. :onetheless, it "emonstrates the ri#hts of women, as she must ha9e ha" some "e#ree of literacy to know what she was si#nin#. &iterary scholars to"ay ha9e i"entifie" a num er of writin#s that e9i"ently were written an"/or si#ne" y non-$rofessional scri es. -1- 49i"ently, this was consi"ere" im$ortant, as it was re$eate" in a later section as follows*
210. Met>#er, New Testament. 28. 211. 5ee also 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 138-3-.
212. Millar" B&iteracy in the 1ime of ,esus.C 48-4-.
178 He$"e+ yo) 1ay "o$"l)(e that a 3o1a$ 1ay 3rite o)t her o3$ bill of (i8or"e a$( a 1a$ his o3$ a =)itta$"e+ for the 8ali(ity of a (o")1e$t (e#e$(s o$ly o$ its si%$atories. Mish$ah+ (duyoth *.3
*&3
,ose$hus $resente" a first century case where a woman, 5alome, "i9orce" her Auarrelsome hus an" 'osto arus. -14 1his is a""itional e9i"ence that some women of the first century were e"ucate" an" literate. !n a""ition, he referre" to a >ealot name" ,ose$h from the ,ewish free"om-fi#htin# 9illa#e of Gamala who was the Bson of a female $hysician.C -12 ? 9iously, the woman ha" a"9ance" e"ucation to ecome a $hysician an" ,ose$hus ma"e no other comments a out her, such as in"icatin# that this was an unusual occu$ation for a woman. 5yna#o#ues were community centers where all community e9ents occurre", such as chil"hoo" e"ucation. Howe9er, it was the custom that "urin# "ays of fair weather, ra is tau#ht their chil"ren un"er a fi# tree. 1he tree $ro"uces some fruit "urin# most of the year when stu"ents were in school. !t was sai" that un"er the tree one BeatsC the Wor" of Go" as one eats fi#s from the tree. 1he tree ha" ecome sym olic of the nation, the 1orah, an" e9entually of the ,ewish or"inances an" tra"itions. -13 Gra$e 9ines an" fi# trees were freAuently $lante" near "oors of homes or in the home courtyar"s of families so they coul" e seate" eneath them an" enEoy the fruit in season ;Mic. 4*4=. +i# trees were also $lante" alon# roa"ways so tra9elers coul" o tain some nourishment as they walke" on their Eourney. -17 !n fact, the 1orah was com$are" to the fi# tree ecause most trees, such as oli9es, "ates, an" $ome#ranates, ha9e fruit that ri$ens at the same time. 1he fi# tree, howe9er, is har9este" continuously ecause there are fi#s that ri$en throu#hout most of the year. An" so it is with the
213. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 4-2. 214. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.7.18. 215. ,ose$hus, The ,ife of #la ius &osephus. /7. 216. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 7-, //@-/9.
217. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*2@1.
179 1orah, one learns a little to"ay an" a little more tomorrow an" a little more the ne%t "ay.-1@ 1he ,erusalem 1almu" recor"s that y the en" of the secon" century ..'., the $resi"ent of the 5anhe"rin, 5imeon en 5hetah, reAuire" com$ulsory e"ucation for all oys.-19 :early e9ery town an" 9illa#e of si#nificance ha" a B.eth Mi"rashC or B.eth 0a an,C althou#h :a>areth was too small to Aualify at that time. !n communities with schools, the 9illa#e ra i hel" classes in the syna#o#ue where the stu"y of the 1orah was central. 1he entire e"ucational $rocess in the 9illa#es can est e un"erstoo" as a form of elementary school, at that time known as a bet sefer or Bhouse of rea"in#,C or the Bhouse of stu"y.C --8 !t was there where they learne" to rea", write, an" "o asic arithmetic. &earnin# was rote oral memori>ation an" re$etiti9e. ,esus use" this same metho"L as he "i" not write his teachin#s ut constantly re$eate" them. !n school the ra i woul" rea" from the 1orah an" the oys woul" re$eat his wor"s while lookin# at the written te%t. Accor"in# to a ra inic tra"ition, y the a#e of ten a oy was rea"y to stu"y the Mishnah or ?ral &aw of the (harisaic tra"ition in the bet Talmud or Bhouse of learnin#.C --1 1he tra"ition reflects the im$ortance of i lical stu"y in the ancient culture. He )se( to say7 fi8e years Ris the a%eS for Rthe st)(y ofS S"ri#t)re+ te$ for Rthe st)(y ofS Mish$ah+ thirtee$ for Rbe"o1i$% s)bHe"t toS "o11a$(1e$ts+ fiftee$ for Rthe st)(y ofS Tal1)(+ ei%htee$ for the Rbri(alS "a$o#y+ t3e$ty for #)rs)i$%+ thirty for Rf)llS stre$%th+ forty for )$(ersta$(i$%+ fifty Rfor ability to %i8eS "o)$sel+ si@ty for 1at)re a%e+ se8e$ty for a hoary hea(+ ei%hty Ris a si%$ of s)#era((e(S stre$%th+ $i$ety Ris the a%eS for RaS be$(i$% Rfi%)reS+ at a h)$(re(+ o$e is as o$e that is (ea(+ ha8i$% #asse( a$( "ease( fro1 the 3orl(.
218. .reshit 0a a 43,1 as $ara$hrase" from .eth U9al, e". Self/-uided Tour Trail @'.; :eot De"umim &t". &o", !srael 19@7. 12.
219. 5afrai, The 5conomy of Roman. 947. 220. Mishnah, Berakoth 4.-. 221. Mishnah, Abot 2.-1L Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. -3.
180 Mish$ah+ Aboth '.** 1he ?ral &aw #i9es a $rescri$tion of life that is strictly o ser9e". At the a#e of thirteen, a youn# teena#er cele rates a ar or at mit>9ah an" ecomes a son or "au#hter of the 'omman"ment. +urther stu"y is at the "iscretion of the family, ut whene9er a son com$letes this formal e"ucation, he is rea"y to learn a tra"e with his father. --Most oys learne" a tra"e from their fathers, ut there were e%ce$tions. !n lar#er cities, la or #uil"s, similar to mo"ern la or unions were esta lishe". 1he #uil"s traine" youn# men for careers, such as $ottery makin# an" metallur#y. --/ !n ,erusalem the #uil"s were so well esta lishe" that they ha" their own syna#o#ues for the sole use of their mem ers. --4 1he ori#in of the school as well as the syna#o#ue is rather o scure. !t is stron#ly elie9e" to ha9e e#un in the e%ilic $erio" or shortly thereafter y the $ro$het 4>ra. .y the time 'hrist came on the scene, the e"ucational $rocess took on a si#nificant im$ortance to com at the #rowin# $a#an Greek influence that ha" taken a firm #ri$ on the ,ewish community. --2 Where9er the ,ewish $eo$le li9e", they esta lishe" community centers within their syna#o#ues. !t was in the syna#o#ue that chil"ren an" a"ults were tau#ht the 5cri$tures an" festi9als were hel" there as well, unless, of course, $eo$le tra9ele" to ,erusalem to o ser9e the festi9al cele rations. --3 1he title rabbi at the time of 'hrist was a com$limentary title, not an official office within ,u"aism, which is why some mo"ern scholars refer to ,esus as a Bsa#e,C rather than a ra i. 1he use of the wor" rabbi chan#e" after the "estruction of the tem$le when the ra inical schools were relocate" to the 222. &ee, U., The ,ife of 'hrist. 1----3. 223. Sirach -4*/8-/4, //*13-1@, an" /4* 9-1-. 224. :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 3-8. 225. 'ul$e$$er, B4"ucation.C -*-/--7.
226. Golu , %n the )ays. -48.
181 Galilee area an" the wor" ecame a reco#ni>e" title. --7 !t is an en"earin# term meanin# Bmy masterC or Bmy teacher.C --@ 1he $ur$oses of a rabbi were twofol"* 1. 1o e a role mo"el of how to a$$ly Go"<s written wor" to his life. :amely, to B.e holy ecause ! the &or" your Go", am holyC ;&e9. 19*- =. -. 1o teach others to e ecome ra is.
1here is another $oint to consi"er* the influence of Hellenism on the ,ewish community. 1he stu"y of $hiloso$hy was to the Greeks as the 5cri$tures were to the He rews. 1he ?l" 1estament is actually theolo#y an" relate" systems an" eliefs a out Go". 1he ,ews looke" u$on their stu"ies as a matter of how man an" nature relate" to Go" who was central to all of life. 1o the $hiloso$hic Greek, man was central to all of life. --9 !t was a conflict in which the ,ews "rew u$ a stron# "efense in the form of their e"ucational system. 1o"ay there is the same conflict 7 a conflict etween 'hristian 9alues an" Go" of ,u"eo-'hristianity 9ersus the humanistic culture to which the ancient Greek $hiloso$hy is foun"ational. A #oo" stu"ent was a #oo" listener. !nformation was constantly re$eate" to e $ermanently recor"e" in his min". Writin# "e9ices were e%$ensi9e an" rare, althou#h many stu"ents ha" a wa% oar" an" stylus that ser9e" as B$a$er an" $encil.C 1he Mishnah "escri e" a #oo" stu"ent as Ba whitewashe" well, which "i" not leak a "ro$.C -/8 1his is what is meant y a whitewashe" well. !n ,u"aea ;mo"ern !srael= there is no rain for at least si% months of e9ery year. 1herefore, e9ery family ha" a cistern ;calle" here a well= into which rainwater was collecte" in the rainy season for stora#e "urin# the lon#, hot an" "ry summer. A lar#e $ortion of the central mountain area of !srael has $orous cretaceous limestone e"rock, which "oes not hol" water. Hence, un"er#roun" stora#e tanks car9e" in the soft 227. Horsley, Archaeology" +istory" and Society in -alilee . 48.
228. 5$an#ler an" 19er er#, Sitting at the #eet of Rabbi &esus. -/, -7.
229. .rown, 4hilosophy. 7. 230. Mishnah, Aboth -.1.
182 limestone ha" to e $lastere". -/1 A #oo" whitewashe" cistern was critical to the sur9i9al of the family an" it "i" not leak a "ro$, Eust as a #oo" stu"ent "i" not for#et anythin#. .y the first century all oys were reAuire" to s$en" the early years of chil"hoo" in school e#innin# at the a#e of fi9e, an" in Galilee the #irls were also in school with the oys. Most certainly, ,esus atten"e" such a school in his syna#o#ue in :a>arethL He #rew u$ as an a9era#e oy of His time. 1he Auestion refers to hi#her ra inic e"ucation that came after the oy ha" ecome a son of the 'omman"ment at a#e thirteen. ,esus atten"e" the local syna#o#ue school that was reAuire" of all oys until the a#e of twel9e. 1o these ancient ,ews the only kin" of a"9ance" learnin# was theolo#y, #enerally at a school of one of the famous ra is. ,esus, howe9er, "i" not atten" any ra inical school, yet He clearly s$oke wor"s that challen#e" the teachers of His "ay as if He ha" atten"e" the $remier schools of Hillel or 5hammai. +urthermore, the fact that He was ne9er a "isci$le of such reco#ni>e" scholars ma"e His critics won"er in ama>ement at His knowle"#e an" un"erstan"in#. 1he (harisees reali>e" that ,esus knew the 5cri$tures etter than they "i", e9en to the 9er tenses. :ote the followin#* 1. ,esus elie9e" e9ery wor" of the ?l" 1estament, inclu"in# the $ro$hecies a out Himself. -. ,esus elie9e" the ?l" 1estament characters were historical $ersons who li9e" an" functione" as $ortraye" in 5cri$ture. 4%am$les are* a. :oah an" the floo" ;Mt. -4*/7-/9L &k. 17*-3--7= . A raham ;,n. @*23-2@= c. !saac an" ,aco ;Mt. @*11L &k. 1/*-@= ". 5o"om an" Gomorrah ;Mt. 18*12L 11*-/--4L &k. 18*1-=
231. 1o make $laster, the ancients urne" limestone for 7- hours until it ecame a hea9y "ust. 1hen they a""e" water an" $lace" it on the walls with a trowel. .ecause limestone is a out thirty $ercent water, the urnin# $rocess reAuire" consi"era le fuel. 1he result was that "urin# the 0oman $erio" many areas were "eforeste". 5?U0'4* !nter9iew with Arie ar )a9i", tour #ui"e an" lecturer. Au#ust 1999.
183 +or more than a century there has een consi"era le "e ate concernin# the characters an" e9ents written in the ?l" 1estament, as well as those re$orte" in the #os$els. !t is incum ent u$on the elie9er that, if one claims to e a follower of ,esus, then one must hol" a same 9iew of 5cri$ture as ,esus "i". 1he (harisees chose to follow their own laws rather than their written ones. 1he follower of ,esus must not "o the same. !t has een su##este" that the ,ewish $eo$le ha" a much #reater a ility to rea" an" write, es$ecially to rea", than has een assume" y mo"ern scholarshi$. While full literacy is "efine" y ha9in# $roficient skills in oth rea"in# an" writin#, 9arious le9els o 9iously e%ist, an" "i" likewise in the first century. Many who ha9e rea"in# skills ha9e a lower le9el of writin#s skills, which inclu"e s$ellin# an" #rammar. +or e%am$le, you, the rea"er may e a le to rea" this ook ut may ha9e "ifficulties s$ellin# some wor"s if you were aske" to write what you rea". 1his theory on literacy has se9eral #oo" ar#uments. 1. Archaeolo#ists ha9e unco9ere" numerous le#al "ocuments that were written y $rofessional scri es. 1heir han"writin# an" si#natures are neat an" accurate. 1he other si#ners ha9e si#natures that look like #raffiti, which is in"icati9e that they were no9ices ut ha" asic a ilities to write. -. A num er of ossuaries were "isco9ere" with eautiful car9in#s, such as the one of 'aia$has ;see &'. 3. <A=L reflectin# a hi#h le9el of craftsmanshi$ of those who create" them. Howe9er, the #raffiti-like names of the "ecease" inscri e" in the si"es of the stone o%es a$$ear to ha9e een written y family mem ers rather than -/$rofessional scri es. /. 5ome women ha" sufficient writin# skills to $re$are their own "i9orce "ecrees, which is o 9iously reflecti9e of a culture where women ha" asic literacy skills an" knowle"#e of family law. -// 232. ?ssuaries were one o%es, in which the ones of the "ecease" were $lace" a out a
year after the urial. ?ssuaries were $o$ular only for a rief time 7 from a out 28 ..'. until the "estruction of the tem$le in A.). 78.
233. Mishnah, Nashim -ittin -.2L Mishnah, Nashim -ittin /.1L 5ee the "i9orce "ecree
written in Aramaic on $a$yrus at ,. *. 3A.
184 !n li#ht of these consi"erations, is it $ossi le that some of the wor"s of ,esus coul" ha9e een written "own "urin# His lifetimeF -/4 Most certainly the scri es an" lea"in# (harisees took notes that were a ty$e of shorthan" that the 0omans "e9elo$e". While a ne#ati9e answer has een assumed in the $ast, it may e time to reconsi"er this hy$othesis. Writin# materials such as $a$yrus were e%$ensi9e, ut roken $ieces of $ottery were common$lace. !s it $ossi le that key wor"s of $hrases or $ara les were written on $ottery $ieces ;calle" ostraca= y His listenersF 1his $ractice was so common that the $ottery shar"s ha9e their own name. 5chools were locate" in syna#o#ues that were fille" with noise as stu"ents rea" alou". Ancient te%ts were usually inten"e" for $u lic rea"in# as $ri9ate rea"in# was almost unknown. 5ilent rea"in# was not a skill known to man until the secon" or thir" century A.). 1hat is why ,esus sai" B&et those who ha9e ears, listen.C He ne9er sai", B&et those who ha9e eyes, rea".C +or the most $art, letters an" other "ocuments were an e%tension of oral communication. 5t. Au#ustine, in his fourth-century 'onfessions" wrote that 5t. Am rose was the most incre"i le man he ha" e9er met ecause he coul" rea" without mo9in# his li$s or makin# a soun". 1o make the matter of rea"in# more challen#in#, $a$yrus an" ink were e%$ensi9e an" scri es were amon# the hi#hest $ai" $rofessionals in the lan". +urthermore, Greek an" He rew "ocuments freAuently ha" no se$aration of wor"s, sentences, $ara#ra$hs, $unctuation, etc. 1o rea" ancient te%ts reAuire" e%cellent rea"in# skills, e9en y to"ay<s stan"ar"s. -/2 +inally, one of the "istinct teachin# styles that was common amon# ra is was to answer a Auestion with another Auestion. 1he $ur$ose was not to elu"e a res$onse, ut to ha9e all in9ol9e" in the "iscussion think throu#h the "etails of the su Eect of "iscussion. (eo$le #enerally ask Auestions with a set of assum$tions. 1here are two reasons for res$on"in# with another Auestion* 1. Jou force someone to o$en u$ assum$tions -. Jou can "etermine how to answer
234. 1his interestin# Auestion is $resente" y Alan Millar" in B&iteracy in the 1ime of ,esus* 'oul" His Wor"s ha9e een 0ecor"e" in His &ifetimeFC ;Biblical Archaeology Re iew. ,ulyAu#ust -88/. 19*4. /7-42=. Millar" ar#ues that some wor"s of ,esus were $ro a ly written "own y His listeners. 5ee Alan Millar", BWor"s of ,esus Written )own as He 5$okeFC Artifa(. 5ummer, -88/, 1@*/, 3. 235. Witherin#ton, ,i ing Word. 17/.
185 ,esus followe" the teachin# $ractice of a ty$ical ra e%am$les elow. i as shown y the three
J)estio$7 Goo" Master, what must ! "o to o tain eternal lifeF ;es#o$se7 Why "o you call me #oo"F J)estio$7 Are we to $ay ta%es to 0omeF ;es#o$se7 Whose $icture "o you seeF J)estio$7 Un"er whose authority are you "oin# thisF ;es#o$se7 Un"er whose authority "i" ,ohn the .a$tist ministerF
*. 3. /.J& Ho3 (i( o$e be"o1e a rabbi or a (is"i#le of a rabbi> !t woul" seem to the mo"ern stu"ent that this Auestion shoul" e answere" in the Breli#ious !nstitutionsC section. Howe9er, it is a""resse" here ecause throu#hout most of ,ewish history, reli#ion an" e"uction were one an" the same. 1he wor" Bra iC i"entifie" a man as ein# a teacher, ut also carrie" the res$onsi ilities of ein# a s$iritual lea"er, as a $astor. 1he ,ews use" the title as an eAui9alent to the mo"ern wor" B"octor.C 1he He rew wor" comes from a root wor" meanin# Bto increase.C 5ometimes ,esus was a""resse" as B0a anC or Bra oniC which are hi#her titles than Bra i.C -/3 When a oy "eci"e" he wante" to $ursue i lical stu"ies an" ecome a ra i, he "i" so y ecomin# a "isci$le of a ra i. 1he oy an" his family "eci"e" u$on a ra i an" then aske" the ra i-teacher to acce$t the oy un"er his "isci$leshi$. +or e%am$le, a well-known first century ra i, Aki9a, tra9ele" from .a ylon to ,erusalem to sit un"er the instruction of the ra is of the 5chool of Hillel. ?ther sa#es with "isci$les were 0a i 4>ra ;not
236. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*249.
186 relate" to the i lical fi#ure= who ha" fi9e "isci$lesL -/7 0a an ,ohanan en Kakki ha" either fi9e "isci$les -/@ or $ossi ly se9en.-/9 ,esus ha" twel9e.-48 1o ecome a "isci$le ;or stu"ent= of a $o$ular ra i was "ifficult. 1herefore, it was not uncommon for a Bwanna- eC stu"ent-"isci$le to "e$en" u$on a thir" in"i9i"ual to $ro9i"e an outstan"in# recommen"ation for the $ros$ecti9e stu"ent. .ein# acce$te" was a si#n of $resti#e for the stu"ent, as well as his family. 1herefore, when ,esus calle" u$on selecte" in"i9i"uals to follow him, he was "efinitely reakin# from the cultural norm. +urthermore, ,esus selecte" in"i9i"uals such as ta% collectors an" common fishermen, $eo$le who were not consi"ere" likely can"i"ates. As His "isci$les e9entually ecame $roficient, ,esus sent them out on their own to test their knowle"#e an" skills, ut also to e%$erience the $ower of Go" workin# throu#h them. As a "isci$le ;Greek* mathetes=,-41 he imitate" his masterL as an a$ostle ;Greek* apostello= he was sent out" like an am assa"or in that he re$resente" his master. -45tu"ent-"isci$les stu"ie" un"er an" imitate" the life of their masterteacher. When their ra i went on a Eourney, they went with him an" carrie" his $ersonal elon#in#s, $re$are" his foo", an" #a9e him a comforta le $lace to slee$ in the e9enin#s. 0a inic writin#s in"icate that whate9er comforts any ra i ha" were $ro9i"e" for him y his ser9ant"isci$les, as they o ser9e" his lifestyle an" $atterne" their li9es after his. -4/ +urthermore, amon# some sa#es an" ra is, all $ro$erty was hel" in a common fun" from which foo" an" other necessities were $urchase". -44
237. - 4s"ras 14*4-. 238. Mishnah, Berakoth 2*2. 239. Mi"rash, Tanhuma +ayyei Sarah 3. 240. An e%am$le of a Bwanna- eC "isci$le who came to ,esus is foun" in ,ohn 1*-2-21. 5ee '. /. *. 241. .au"er, B)isci$le, +ollow, !mitate, After.C 1*4@8-@1. 242. Muller, BA$ostle.C 1*1-3--7, 1/2-/3.
243. Deller, B,esus the teacher.C -1 with reference to Mishnah, Negaim @*-L .a ylon
1almu", 4asahim /3a.
244. Deller, B,esus the teacher.C -- with reference to .a ylonian 1almu", 5rubin 7/a.
187 1he classroom was not in a formal settin#, ut in an o$en market$lace within the $u lic tem$le area. !t coul" e alon# a $ath, or un"er an oli9e or fi# tree, where tra9elers coul" sto$ an" $artici$ate in the "iscussions etween the ra i an" his "isci$les. -42 When men "eci"e" to sit an" listen, the women woul" then ha9e to take the chil"ren asi"e an" coul" not e $art of the con9ersation. When ,esus calle" chil"ren to himself, he was also in9itin# their mothers, im$lyin# that they were eli#i le to hear His wor". *. 3. ' Eth$i" 6i8ersity - 1he small country of ,u"aea ha" si#nificant $ro lems of ethnic "i9ersity in the first century. 1he ,ews li9e" in three $ro9inces known as ,u"ea ;inclu"in# ,erusalem=, (erea which was east of the ,or"an 0i9er, an" Galilee which inclu"e" the $lain west of the lake or sea of the same name.-43 .etween ,u"ea an" the "istrict of Galilee was a lar#e area inha ite" for centuries y the 5amaritans. 1he ,ews an" 5amaritans looke" u$on each other with such #reat "is"ain that ,ews woul" rather walk throu#h (erea when tra9elin# etween Galilee an" ,u"ea. 1his "etour increase" a three-"ay walk to fi9e or si%. Alon# the eautiful Me"iterranean coast was a lar#e Gentile $o$ulation, which li9e" in the ancient (hilistine cities. 1he east an" southeast areas of the 5ea of Galilee were the northern frin#es of the )eca$olis, ten "istricts of Greek cities ;see B)eca$olisC in A##e$(i@ *.=L howe9er, e9en within the ,ewish $ro9inces there was a lar#e contin#ency of Gentiles. -47 1he ethnic #rou$s in 9arious #eo#ra$hical locations ha" their own manners, customs, an" e9en lan#ua#e "ialect. +or e%am$le, a "ee" of marria#e in ,erusalem was i"entical to the Galilean ty$e, ut "ifferent from one in near y ,u"ea. -4@ *. 3. . Fa1ily - As it is to"ay, the family in the first century was the asic element of society. !n fact, it is a critical unit throu#hout the .i le an" ,ewish history. A uniAue "ifference etween i lical times an" to"ay is that 245. Deller, B,esus the teacher.C -- with reference to .a ylonian 1almu", Berakoth 4*13L
,erusalem 1almu", Berakoth !!.2c.
246. Mishnah, Shebuoth 9.-L Mishnah, *etuboth. 1/*18L 5churer, The +istory of the &ewish
4eople. -*1/.
247. (ellett, B)eca$olis.C 1*@18-1-. 248. Mishnah, *etuboth 4*1-.
188 in ancient times the family was $art of a lar#er unit known as a clan, which in turn was $art of a tri e. While the Western worl" "oes not think in terms of clans or tri es, there are still areas in the mo"ern Mi""le 4ast where $eo$le continue to i"entify themsel9es as they "i" in the time of 'hrist. 1he hus an"/father of the home functione" as the "ominant fi#ure in the affairs of the family. He was res$onsi le for the welfare of e9eryone re#ar"in# foo", shelter, an" clothin#. !n the ,ewish home he was s$ecifically res$onsi le for the s$iritual lea"ershi$ ;Gen. 1-*@L ,o 1*2= on a "aily asis as well as the 9arious reli#ious rites such as (asso9er. !t was his res$onsi ility to teach his son the Mosaic &aw, althou#h y the first century much of that was transferre" to the ra i in the local syna#o#ue. !n a""ition, he ha" four other res$onsi ilities* 1. 1he father ha" to insure that his son was circumcise" ;Gen. 17*1-1/=. -. 1he son was to 1@*12-13=. e "e"icate" to Go" if he was the first orn ;:um.
/. 1he father was to fin" a wife for his son ;cf. Gen. -4*4= althou#h y the first century oth the son an" "au#hter ha" the o$$ortunity to 9oice their o$inions in this selection. 4. +inally, the father was to teach the son a tra"e or ha9e him traine" y someone else.-49 1he Mishnah Auote" a ra i whose wor"s ha9e transcen"e" the centuries*
;abba$ Ga1aliel the so$ of ;abbi J)(ah the Patriar"h sai(7 2E@"elle$t is st)(y of the La3 to%ether 3ith 3orl(ly o"")#atio$+ for toil i$ the1 both #)ts si$ o)t of 1i$(. A)t all st)(y of the La3 3itho)t B3orl(lyC labor "o1es to $a)%ht at the last a$( bri$%s si$ i$ its trai$.5 249. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. 41-L 5ee also (acker, 1enney,
an" White. Nelson0s %llustrated 5ncyclopedia of Bible #acts.
189 Mish$ah+ Aboth *.* 1he res$onsi ilities of the wife/mother were essentially to e a mate to her hus an", ear his chil"ren, an" maintain the home. !n an a#rarian society, it was common for her to e in the fiel"s with him "urin# sowin# or har9estin# times. .y the first century, she also ha" the mo ility to function in the market$lace an" other areas that woul" enefit the family unit. -28 1he chil"ren ha" their res$onsi ilities to the family as well. 1he ol"est son woul" e9entually e the ne%t hea" of the family. !t was his res$onsi ility to care for the $arents in their ol" a#e as well as assume res$onsi ilities for their urial at time of "eath. 1his was "emonstrate" when ,esus was "yin# on the cross an" he transferre" his "uty towar" his mother to his "isci$le ,ohn ;,n. 19*-7=. 1he el"est son recei9e" a "ou le $ortion of the inheritance ;)eut. -1*17L - 'h. -1*--/=. !n the ancient non-,ewish worl" sons were always $ri>e" hi#her than "au#hters. Howe9er, #irls in the ,ewish worl" were more "early $ri>e" than their counter$arts amon# the 0omans where an unwante" new orn #irl was often tosse" outsi"e into the elements to "ie. 1he ,ewish #irl remaine" un"er the "omain an" care of her father until she was marrie". -21 1hese family relationshi$s an" attitu"es woul" har"ly e acce$ta le to"ay, ut in the ancient worl", ,ewish families functione" rather well within such a structure. *. 3. < Go8er$1e$t - !n 3/ ..'., the 0oman General (om$ey took control of ,u"aea, an" the ,ewish $eo$le came un"er 0oman control. 1he 0omans continue" a tra"ition of limite" autonomy that was e#un y the (ersians centuries earlier ;4>ra 7*-2--3L 18*14= an" it continue" until A.). 78. 1hey ha" three "esires* 1. 1hat the $eo$le $ay tri ute ;ta%es=. -. 1here e $eace in the lan".
250. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. 41/-14. 251. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. 414-13L 5ee also (acker,
1enney, an" White. Nelson0s %llustrated 5ncyclopedia of Bible #acts.
190 /. 1he statue of the 0oman em$eror is to e erecte" in the tem$le. Howe9er, after much ar#ument, the 0omans rescin"e" this reAuest, ut the ta%ation was $aramount to that of sla9ery. 1he 0omans #rante" to the ,ews #o9ernmental $owers that functione" throu#h the hi#h court known as the 5anhe"rin. 1he $ro9incial kin#, Hero" the Great, was a $u$$et kin# of 0ome. While (om$ey at one time $ermitte" the hi#h court to rule all three ,ewish $ro9inces of Galilee, ,u"ea, an" (erea, Hero" restricte" 5anhe"rin control to ,u"ea that inclu"e" ,erusalem. -21hereafter, he $ersonally rule" these "istricts an" 5amaria while the 5a""ucees controlle" the tem$le an" 5anhe"rin. 1he tem$le $olice were #i9en authority to inflict ca$ital $unishment u$on any Gentile who entere" the sacre" "omain of the sanctuary. 1he chief $riest, howe9er, was an a$$ointee of the 0oman #o9ernment. 1here y the $eo$le ha" limite" control of their own affairs as the 0omans were not othere" y the $etty $ro lems of the common $eo$le. 0ome was the central seat of #o9ernment. 1he $ro9inces throu#hout the em$ire ha" 9arious classifications an", hence, the rulers ha" "ifferent titles. A procurator ;see #lossary= rule" a $ro9ince that was secon"-class to that controlle" y an ethnarch. !n the case of Archelaus, when his $ro9ince was re-classifie", he came un"er the "irect rule of nei#h orin# 5yria. 1his insure" that 0ome woul" recei9e its ta%es an" $eace woul" e maintaine". -2/ 1he 0omans were har"ly the i"eal masters, ut while consi"era le ne#ati9e $ress has een #i9en to them, it shoul" e consi"ere" that they "i" make some fee le attem$ts to e fair to their su Eects. ?ne such attem$t was the census that was taken e9ery fourteen years. 1his was not only to count the num er of $ersons in any #i9en "istrict, ut the information was also use" to uil" a form of eAuity or eAuality in ta%ation. -24 1a%es were collecte" y ,ewish men who contracte" for the $osition of ta% collector. Any sense of fairness faile" at this $oint ecause the ta% collector coul" collect as much as he "esire" so lon# as he #a9e the 0omans what they ha" initially reAueste". 0emainin# moneys were his $ersonal $ro$erty.
252. 1hom$son, B5anhe"rin.C /*1/98.
253. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. /7L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. -8.3.-. 254. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.1-/.
191 'onseAuently, he use" the authority of the 0oman #o9ernment an" $ower to increase his own wealth. 5ince ta% collectors were a#ents re$resentin# 0ome, the ,ews ha" a $assionate hatre" for one of their own, such as Matthew, who ecame a ta% collector.
*. 3. , D La$%)a%e 1he i"entity of the lan#ua#e s$oken in the Holy &an" ha" een the su Eect of some "e ate. !n recent "eca"es, howe9er, scholars ha9e conclu"e" that Aramaic was the common lan#ua#e of the community an" He rew was use" in the syna#o#ues. ,ewish scholars, howe9er, often s$oke only He rew as not to e associate" with the common $eo$le. -22 +or more than a century critics were stron#ly con9ince" that first century ,ews in ,u"aea "i" not s$eak He rew, ut Greek an" that this erroneous elief has affecte" a few translations of the .i le. +or e%am$le, in the :ew !nternational Hersion of the .i le ;19@4=, the $hrase Bin AramaicC really shoul" rea", Bin He rewC in Acts -1*48, --*-, an" -3*14. 1o com$licate matters for $astors, $rofessors, an" teachers, the stan"ar" :ew 1estament Greek le%icon also en"orse the same error. -23 Jet Aramaic was the lan#ua#e s$oken y ,esus in "aily life an" His Aramaic wor"s are recor"e" in Mark 2*41 an" 12*/4. 1o"ay it remains the lan#ua#e tau#ht an" s$oken in reli#ious schools in Armenia.-27 While all lan#ua#es chan#e slowly o9er the centuries, some chan#e ra$i"ly as the culture chan#es while other har"ly chan#e at all. !n the lan"s of the ancient Assyrians an" .a ylonians, there ha9e een few chan#es until the twentieth century. After stu"yin# the lan#ua#es in the re#ion, some .i le translators ha9e conclu"e" that a "ialect known as BAramaic M-5outhC to e the closest form of Aramaic commonly s$oken in the "ays of ,esus. -2@
255. .ailey, &esus Through Middle 5astern 5yes. -9-.
256. .auer, Arn"t, an" Gen#rich, -1/.

257. An e%cellent resource for further i lical stu"y is 4thel ert W. .ullin#er<s ook title" #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible. ;Gran" 0a$i"s* .aker. 1@9@, 1992=. +or more than a century it has een the classic resource tool for the serious .i le stu"ent. 258. Moore, B:ew &ife for Ancient Aramaic.C 12. 1his $u lication is $ro"uce" y 1he 5ee" 'om$any, a .i le 1ranslation ministry locate" in 5anta Ana, 'alifornia. +or more information, see www.thesee"com$any.or#.
192 !t was a maEor challen#e when ,esus intro"uce" the term Abba in the &or"<s (rayer, as this re9eale" that $rayers were welcome" in any lan#ua#e. -29 He re9eale" to the ,ewish $eo$le that He rew was no lon#er the e%clusi9e Blan#ua#e of Go".C -38 !t is well known that &atin was use" only in official 0oman "ocuments which were accom$anie" y Greek an" Aramaic translations. !t shoul" e note" that classical Greek ha" "ie" out a out three centuries earlier. .y the time the 0omans in9a"e" ,u"aea in 3/ ..'., it was re$lace" with koine Greek in many areas of the em$ire 7 an em$ire that was so massi9e it ha" twel9e lan#ua#es an" hun"re"s of $eo$le #rou$s. .ut in the small country of ,u"aea, He rew was the sacre" ton#ue. !t was use" in the syna#o#ue an" tem$le ser9ices. .ut what was s$oken in "aily lifeF !n .a ylon the ,ewish $eo$le s$oke Aramaic which is a sister lan#ua#e of He rew.-31 !t ha" een the lingua franca, or lan#ua#e of commerce, throu#hout the (ersian 4m$ire since the si%th century ;..'.= -3- when they returne" home to ,u"aea, they naturally s$oke it alon# with He rew. .ut with the a"9ancement of the Greek culture, ortho"o% ,ews reEecte" the Greek lan#ua#e ecause they "i" not want their chil"ren to e a sor e" into Hellenism. 1his was in stark contrast to the ,ews li9in# in Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t, where Greek ecame so common that their 5cri$tures ha" to e translate" into Greek ;see B5e$tua#intC in *. *.*'= for the youth to rea" it. When Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies came to $ower in the thir" century ..'., Greek ecame the lan#ua#e of all le#al an" $olitical matters, althou#h Aramaic remaine" in common use. 1his remaine" unchan#e" in the "ays of ,esus, althou#h &atin was #ainin# a foothol". When the Macca ean 0e9olt rou#ht 9ictory in the early secon" century ..'., there was a re9i9al of He rew as e9i"ence" on coins, ostraca, an" $a$yrus fra#ments, all of which ha9e He rew writin#. 1he )ea" 5ea 5crolls, 9arious inscri$tions, an" other 259. ,eremias, The 4rayers of &esus. 14-13.
260. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 92. 1he term Abba a$$ears in Mk. 14*/3L 0om. @*12L Gal. 4*3.
261. Mishnah, Megillah 4*4,3,18L Mishnah, Sotah 7*-. 262. 5churer, The +istory of the &ewish 4eople. -*----/.
193 fra#ments written y the ortho"o% ,ews are sel"om foun" to e in Aramaic, Greek, or &atin, ut were written in He rew. At Masa"a, He rew writin#s were foun" on fourteen scrolls, 4,888 coins, an" 788 ostraca ;ink writin#s on roken $ottery $ieces=.-3/ Archaeolo#ical "isco9eries show that He rew writin#s were more common than Aramaic y a ratio of nine to one. -34 1he lan" of the ,ews was literally a little encla9e of a su culture surroun"e" y Hellenistic $eo$les. 49en within its or"ers, 5amaria an" the )eca$olis city of .eit 5hean ;also known as 5cytho$olis=, were two Hellenistic stron#hol"s. 1he ,ewish cultural islan" was constantly inun"ate" with $a#an $hiloso$hies, reli#ion, an" tem$tations. 1here is no Auestion then that the ,ewish $eo$le were 9ery familiar with the Greek ways of life an" thinkin#. -32 !t is #enerally acce$te" that ,esus rea" from a He rew scroll, s$oke to the crow"s in Aramaic, an" con9erse" with the 0oman authorities in Aramaic or Greek. Jet within this cultural warfare, it is clear that whate9er :ew 1estament ooks were written in He rew 7 namely Matthew an" $ossi ly He rews 7 these were almost imme"iately translate" into Greek. While some early 'hurch fathers ha9e state" that two ooks were written in He rew, nearly all $a$yrus fra#ments an" scrolls "isco9ere" are in Greek. 1he :ew 1estament was $rimarily written in Greek for the enefit of the Gentiles an" ,ews li9in# in forei#n countries. 1he stron# isolationists, who "esire" to kee$ the He rew lan#ua#e an" culture se$arate, "i" not $re9ent the #os$el from Auickly s$rea"in# throu#hout the 0oman 4m$ire. Howe9er, ecause of the 5econ" 0e9olt ;A.). 1/--/2=, the ,ewish lan#ua#e alrea"y "isa$$eare" with the e%ce$tion of use in the syna#o#ues an" yeshi as ;seminaries=. !t woul" lie "ormant for nearly se9enteen centuries efore ein# re9i9e". -33 +inally, He rew is not a lan#ua#e that is rich with a"Eecti9es. 1herefore, a $hrase mi#ht rea", Ba son of Auarrels,C rather than Ba Auarrelsome man.C 263. An ostraca is a $ottery fra#ment that was use" as a writin# surface or material, since
$a$yri an" $archment were e%tremely e%$ensi9e. 5ee A##e$(i@ *..
264. .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult Words. /7. 265. 5churer, The +istory of the &ewish 4eople. -*72-79. 266. Grint>, BHe rew as the 5$oken an" Written.C 47.
194 Another e%am$le is to say that he was a Bson of Go"C rather than sayin# he was a B#o"ly man.C .ut when the e%$ressions of B5on of ManC an" B5on of Go",C are use" in reference to 'hrist, these are to e%$ress His "eity. -37 1he eauty of the Greek lan#ua#e is that it intro"uce" a"Eecti9es that enriche" the meanin# an" un"erstan"in# of the :ew 'o9enant.
4ideo Insert
/.)/0)/B)4 ;r) Joe Wehrer of the Mount Cion S%hoo& of Ministry' dis%usses the +asi% differen%es +et(een the an%ient Dree: and He+re( &anguages 7,?2??8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) *. 3. ! Messia$i" E@#e"tatio$s - 1here was an intense e%$ectation throu#hout the ancient worl" that a messiah woul" come at any moment an" rin# $olitical free"om. (eo$le ha" a wi"e 9ariety of o$inions of the messiah, like who he woul" e, an" what he woul" "o. Howe9er, since he was e%$ecte" to come as a $olitical lea"er, who woul" o9erthrow the 0omans to usher in an era of $eace an" $ros$erity, he was not seen as any kin" of a "i9ine fi#ure. Hence, in this conte%t, messiah is s$elle" with a lower case BmC whereas the "i9ine ,esus is referre" to as the BMessiah.C 1he ,ews ha" #reat "ifficulties un"erstan"in# the $ro$hecies of some of their $ro$hets since they a$$eare" to e in conflict. Most nota ly were those $ro$hecies that "escri e" the messiah, oth as a sufferin# ser9ant an" as a 9ictorious kin#. !n their thinkin#, a 9ictorious kin# woul" not e one who suffere". :ote, for e%am$le, the "ifferences etween )aniel 7*1/14 an" Kechariah 9*9-18.
&3
I "o$ti$)e( 3at"hi$% i$ the $i%ht 8isio$s+ a$( I sa3 :$e li9e a so$ of 1a$ "o1i$% 3ith the "lo)(s of hea8e$. He a##roa"he( the A$"ie$t of 6ays a$( 3as es"orte( before Hi1.
267. ,n. /*1/L 2*-7L 3*-7L cf. Mt.-3*3/-34L 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 182.
195 He 3as %i8e$ a)thority to r)le+ a$( %lory+ a$( a 9i$%(o14 so that those of e8ery #eo#le+ $atio$+ a$( the La3 sho)l( ser8e Hi1. His (o1i$io$ is a$ e8erlasti$% (o1i$io$ that 3ill $ot #ass a3ay+ a$( His 9i$%(o1 is o$e that 3ill $ot be (estroye(.
&/
6a$iel <7&3-&/ ;eHoi"e %reatly+ 6a)%hter Lio$K Sho)t i$ tri)1#h+ 6a)%hter Jer)sale1K Loo9+ yo)r Ii$% is "o1i$% to yo)4 He is ri%hteo)s a$( 8i"torio)s+ h)1ble a$( ri(i$% o$ a (o$9ey+ o$ a "olt+ the foal of a (o$9ey. & I 3ill ")t off the "hariot fro1 E#hrai1 a$( the horse fro1 Jer)sale1. The bo3 of 3ar 3ill be re1o8e(+ a$( He 3ill #ro"lai1 #ea"e to the $atio$s. His (o1i$io$ 3ill e@te$( fro1 sea to sea+ fro1 the E)#hrates ;i8er to the e$(s of the earth.
!
Le"hariah !7!-& 1he first $art of each $assa#e is es$ecially challen#in#. !n )aniel 7*1/, the messianic fi#ure comes with clou"s of hea9en while the counter$art in Kechariah 9*9 $ortrays him ri"in# into ,erusalem on a "onkey. 4ach of these sections is clearly a out a lea"er who woul" ha9e a "ynamic effect u$on the $eo$le. While 'hristians to"ay ha9e the a"9anta#e of reco#ni>in# the "ifferences etween the first an" secon" comin#s of 'hrist, the first century ,ews were unaware of Go"<s "i9ine $lan an", therefore, coul" not e%$lain the a$$arent i lical "ifficulties.
196 A""in# to the mystery, Kechariah 1-*18, "escri es the messiah as one who woul" suffer. !n their thinkin#, one who woul" e 9ictorious o9er all of ,u"aea<s enemies coul" not e ma"e to en"ure a#ony. 1herefore, they a$$arently i#nore" $assa#es such as* A$( I 3ill #o)r o)t o$ the ho)se of 6a8i( a$( the i$habita$ts of Jer)sale1 a s#irit of %ra"e a$( s)##li"atio$. They 3ill loo9 o$ 1e+ the o$e they ha8e #ier"e(+ a$( they 3ill 1o)r$ for hi1 as o$e 1o)r$s for a$ o$ly "hil(+ a$( %rie8e bitterly for hi1 as o$e %rie8es for a firstbor$. Le"hariah &*7& NIF B&!,/C
?ther challen#in# $assa#es in the He rew .i le are foun" in the ook of (salms an" $ertain to the Gentiles comin# to Go" ;(s. --*-7ffL /3*7ff et. al=. 1he common first century elief was that ecause the Gentiles ha" sinne" for so many centuries, they woul" ne9er come to Go" nor woul" Go" want them. 1his elief was enhance" y the re$eate" statement that Go" sai" that the ,ews were BHis 'hosen (eo$le.C Hence, there was no nee" for their sal9ation ;they alrea"y were sa9e"=, an" the Gentiles, not ein# amon# the 'hosen (eo$le were therefore fore9er "amne". &ittle won"er then, that the tem$le area known as the 'ourt of the Gentiles was turne" into a market $lace. Jet, as will e shown later, some Gentiles "i" con9ert to the ,ewish faith. 1hese $assa#es illustrate the messianic $ro lems with which the ,ews were #ra$$lin#. !n essence, they shut their eyes to those writin#s that $re"icte" the sufferin#s of the Messiah. 1he "isci$les ha" "ifficulty elie9in# ,esus woul" suffer on the cross an" "ie. 1he 4ssenes, on the other han", thou#ht they resol9e" the $ro lem y teachin# there woul" e two messiahs rulin# to#ether ;see 5ssenes *. &. .=. 1he rise of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes an" his Hitler-like tortures in the early secon" century ..'., le" to a new form of literature known as a$ocaly$tic
197 writin#s. 1here was consi"era le "e ate in the ,ewish communities as to whether these ooks were #enuinely "i9inely ins$ire" or sim$ly creati9e $enmanshi$. 1herefore, it is not sur$risin# to see that there were 9arious o$inions amon# the common $eo$le. While scholars still "e ate what 9arious $eo$le #rou$s elie9e", what is known is that no o"y e%$ecte" a messiah like ,esus. A$ocaly$tic writers create" 9arious themes an" stories of the future e9ents of the 9ictorious messiah ut nearly all of them reEecte" the conce$t of a sufferin# messiah. 1he 9ictorious messiah conce$t was $o$ular "urin# times of o$$ressionL first y the Greeks, then their own lea"ers, followe" y the 0omans. Most of the e%$ectations follow these lines of thou#ht e9en thou#h there were a out as many 9ariations as there were ,ews* 1. Accor"in# to the Apocalypse of Baruch 4@*41, the $eo$le woul" reali>e the comin# of the Messiah y the calamities that woul" fall u$on humanity such as wars an" famines. 49en nature woul" e%$erience cataclysmic u$hea9als. -. 1he Messiah coul" not come to the worl" unannounce"L therefore, he woul" sen" 4liEah who woul" announce his arri9al. Accor"in# to a secon" century ..'. ,ewish writer y the name of ,esus .en-5irach, -3@ Eo) 3ho 3ere ta9e$ )# i$ a 3hirl3i$( of fire+ i$ a "hariot 3ith fi$e horses of fire4 yo) 3ho are rea(y at the a##oi$te( ti1e+ it is 3ritte$ to "al1 the 3rath of Go( before it brea9s o)t i$ f)ry+ to t)r$ the heart of the father to the so$+ a$( restore the tribes of Ja"ob. Sira"h /,7!-& /. 1he ,ews attem$te" to connect 4liEah with the comin# Eu"#ments, resurrection, an" the en" of the worl". When he woul" come, he woul" settle the maEor contro9ersies of the first century, inclu"in# a. 5ettle family issues an" rin# estran#e" families to#ether. 268. 5ee Met>#er, The Apocrypha of the :ld Testament. 19/.
198 . 5ettle issues of what is clean an" unclean 7 a maEor issue of contention etween 9arious reli#ious sects. c. 5ettle $ro$erty "is$utes. ". Announce the comin# of the messiah ;small Bm< ecause they "i" not know that the Messiah woul" e )eity= 269 4. 1he messiah woul" $ro9oke a coalition of e9il men whose i"entities remain unclear. A$ocaly$tic writers mentione" them in 4noch 98L an" the A$ocaly$se of .aruch 48. While they sim$ly "escri e" these as e9il, 'hristians i"entifie" them as those who woul" e a $art of the Anti-'hrist. 2. !n the final attle etween #oo" an" e9il, those who are e9il will e "estroye". Howe9er, the i"entity of the "estroyer is somewhat unclear. 5ome ,ews felt it woul" e Go" Himself ;Assum$tion of Moses 18*7= while a maEority felt it woul" e the Messiah ;A$ocaly$se of .aruch /9*7ff=. 3. ?nce the wicke" woul" e "estroye", the messiah woul" esta lish his messianic kin#"om an" rule from ,erusalem. 1his woul" necessitate that all forms of e9il, i"ols, an" wicke"ness e $ur#e" from the city, while institutin# $ure worshi$ accor"in# to the 1orah. 1his new era woul" e consi"ere" the Din#"om of Go". 1he nation woul" enEoy $eace, Eoy, $ros$erity, an" a close relationshi$ with Go". 7. 1he messianic a#e woul" not e eternal, years after which there woul" e another transformation. ut en"ure for a thousan"
@. At the en" of the millennium, those who ha" "ie" woul" from the #ra9e an" woul" in fact e restore" to their $hysical o"ies.
e raise"
269. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*7@.
199 9. 1he o$inions of the final Eu"#ment ha9e a wi"er s$ectrum. 5ome elie9e" that the wicke" woul" e "estroye" at this $oint an" Jahweh Himself woul" e the Eu"#e, while others elie9e" it woul" e the 5on of Man who in reality was seen as an an#el of the &or" ;4noch 39*-7=. 5cholars "isa#ree as to when the .ook of 4noch was written. Most elie9e that the earliest $art was written a out /88 ..'. ut the cha$ters /7-71 were written in the first century ..'., or $ossi ly in the 'hristian era. 'ritics elie9e that any resem lance to 'hristian theolo#y mi#ht e the result of 'hristian inter$olation. 'oncernin# the final Eu"#ment, the wicke" will e thrown into Gehenna ;hell= while the ri#hteous will s$en" eternity with the &or" in hea9en. 18. 1he 4ssenes har"ly a#ree" with anyone else. 1hey #reat "ifficulty reconcilin# the $ro$hetic $assa#e of the sufferin# ser9ant with those of the 9ictorious kin#. 1hey Auestione" how a sufferin# ser9ant coul" e a 9ictorious kin#. 1herefore, they conclu"e" there woul" ha9e to e two messiahs. 1he ,ews remem ere" 9ery well the o9erwhelmin# 9ictories Go" ha" #i9en them "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt. 1he 4ssenes an" the Kealots elie9e", as "i" many common $eo$le that the Messiah woul" e like a #lorifie" ,u"as Macca ees an" rin# a #reater 9ictory o9er 0oman "omination an" o$$ression. 1o the (harisees, the messiah woul" e one who woul" institute the holiness, $urity, an" truthfulness of the 1orah to all the ,ewish $eo$le, an" $ur#e the effects of Hellenism from the culture. 1he 5a""ucees were the only ones who faile" to elie9e in the comin# of a messiah, an" if there was one comin#, they feare" he woul" take control of the tem$le, which was the source of their $ower an" wealth. 1he 0omans ha" "istrust for anyone who calle" himself a messiah. 1he ,ews seeme" to $ro"uce a messiah e9ery ten or fifteen years, much to the "ismay of the 5a""ucees an" 0omans. !nto this cal"ron of se9ere social tensions an" messianic e%$ectations, ,esus came to rin# life an" ho$e to all humanity. &ittle won"er then, that ,esus was careful to articulate His i"entity. All three #rou$s ha" thou#hts a out a messiah, ut not elie9e" that their messiah woul" e Go" in human form, which is why a lower case BmC is use" for this term.
200 Most ,ewish $easants were "own tro""en, "e$resse", en", an" "iscoura#e" with the corru$t reli#ious lea"ershi$ an" merciless 0omans. 1herefore, ho$e an" interest skyrockete" when ,esus e#an "oin# miracles. He was surroun"e" y com$etin# reli#ious #rou$s such as the (harisees, the 4ssenes, the 5chools of Hillel an" 5hammai, the 5a""ucees, an" the unknown community/ies that $ro"uce" the (seu"e$i#ra$ha ooks such as > 5sdras" Baruch, an" the 4salms of Solomon . !n kee$in# with ,ewish tra"itions, each #rou$ ha" a keen interest in soli"arity an" "istincti9eness. 4ach $romote" its own a#en"a of ri#hteousness as su$erior to other #rou$s an" shunne" any challen#es for chan#e. -78 .ut none coul" s$eak or $erform miracles as ,esus "i". +inally, the messianic e%$ectations amon# ,ews an" Gentiles were at a fe9er $itch in the early first century. Men woul" s$en" their e9enin#s in the syna#o#ue "e atin# 9arious su Eects such as this messianic $ro lem. 1he A$ostle (aul sai" that in the fullness of time ,esus came to this earth ;Gal. 4*4=. !f anythin#, his wor"s were an un"erstatement. *. 3.& :"")#atio$s a$( Tra(es D While most of the ,ewish $eo$le were in9ol9e" in a#riculture, others were acti9e in other en"ea9ors. 0esi"ents alon# the 5ea of Galilee were in9ol9e" in fishin# or in saltin# fish for the cara9ans that freAuently $asse" throu#h the re#ion. .y the first century, there were so many 9arious occu$ations that in maEor cities like ,erusalem, la or #uil"s were forme". 1hese #uil"s often forme" their own syna#o#ues. 'raftsmen ha" their sho$s alon# the main street of the city, that the 0omans calle" the 'ardo Ma(imus. 0esi"ents woul" come to these ancient sho$$in# centers, or stri$ malls, an" uy their #oo"s. 5ome scholars elie9e that ,ose$h an" ,esus, who were car$enters, sol" their woo"en #oo"s alon# the 'ar"o Ma%imus in 5e$$horis, a Greek city that was only an hour<s walk from :a>areth. 1he ancient ,ews were so hi#hly $ro"ucti9e, that many of their $ro"ucts were shi$$e" o9erseas, es$ecially wine, oli9e oil an" wheat. 1he ancient (hoenicians may ha9e ori#inate" merchant tra"e on the Me"iterranean 5ea, ut Din# )a9i" an" his son 5olomon e%$an"e" it. :ot only "i" they ha9e merchant tra"in# shi$s, ut also cara9ans that tra9ele" to "istant lan"s to 270. 'harry, By the Renewing. 31.
201 uy an" sell 9arious #oo"s. !n the !nter-1estamental (erio", the Greeks "ominate" the international tra"e of the Mi""le 4ast. Howe9er, after the Macca ean 0e9olt, Greek shi$$in# #a9e way to Hasmonean rulers who $rou"ly erecte" a shi$<s mast on their monuments. !n later years, when the 0omans conAuere" the ,ewish state, they oaste" in their trium$h that they 9anAuishe" B,u"ea :a9alisC 7 &uda" the sea/power .-71 ?ne of the reasons Hero" the Great uilt an artificial sea$ort at 'aesarea Maritima, was to increase international tra"e. *. 3.&& ;eli%io)s I$stit)tio$s 7 1he reli#ious faith of the ,ewish $eo$le has always een anchore" to a num er of co9enants, such as the A rahamic 'o9enant, )a9i"ic 'o9enant, an" others. !n essence, the co9enants state" that if they o eye" Go" He woul" less them an" if they "iso eye" Him, they woul" e $unishe". -7- After se9eral #enerations of "iso e"ience, Eu"#ment fell 7 an" the "efeat an" "e$ortation to .a ylon ha" een a crisis for the ,ews. 1o the He raic min", the "estruction of the tem$le was $aramount to the "estruction of Go". !n fact, the "estruction of a tem$le was associate" with the "efeat of a "eity in all ancient Mi""le 4ast cultures. :ow the ,ews ha" no $lace to worshi$ or to offer sacrifices. ;!t was "urin# this ca$ti9ity, known as the B4%ilic (erio",C that scholars elie9e the syna#o#ue "e9elo$e" as a $lace for worshi$, communal su$$ort, an" acti9ities.= When the ,ews #athere" in syna#o#ues to worshi$, they face" ,erusalem in a similar manner that Muslims face Mecca to"ay. -7/ At this time, the ,ewish $eo$le were $ro a ly the most ortho"o% in their faith since their return from .a ylon. 1hey were constantly attem$tin# to shun the $re9ailin# Greek culture with its $a#anism. 1he .a ylonian ca$ti9ity cure" them from worshi$in# forei#n i"ols. 1hey "i" not want to e e%ile" a#ain. !n the "ays of ,esus, the syna#o#ue, not the tem$le, was the center of life in the local 9illa#e an" in the cities. 1he syna#o#ue was more of a teachin# institution than a worshi$ institution. !nstruction was #i9en y anyone who was willin# an" a le to "o so, inclu"in# 9isitors. !t was not restricte" to a local ra i, althou#h he ser9e" as an o9erseer. 5yna#o#ues house" a school
271. Golu , %n the )ays. 14-.
272. +or a stu"y of ,ewish co9enants from a messianic ,ewish $ers$ecti9e, see Arnol"
+ruchten aum, %sraelology9 The Missing ,ink in Systematic Theology.
273. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms. 483L Met>#er, New Testament. 23-38.
202 an" at times li9in# Auarters for 9isitors. !t was here that men woul" #ather to "iscuss 9arious $oints of the 1orah in en"less intellectual "e ates, ar#uin# how a $articular law shoul" e a$$lie" in e9ery $ossi le situation. !t was truly a community center an", for this reason, the ,ews were est "escri e" as the $eo$le of the 1orah, or $eo$le of the syna#o#ue. 0eli#ion was their essence.-74 1he chief Bo$eratin# officer,C to use a mo"ern term, of the syna#o#ue was the ruler ;'ha==an=. His res$onsi ilities inclu"e" the followin#* 1. He was res$onsi le for the safe kee$in# of the sacre" scrolls of 5cri$ture. He rou#ht it out in the e#innin# of the ser9ice an" returne" it in the stora#e BarkC at the en" of the ser9ice. -. He was the custo"ian in char#e of kee$in# the syna#o#ue clean. /. He lew the sil9er trum$et three times to announce the moment the 5a ath ha" e#un. 4. He was res$onsi le for the e"ucation of the chil"ren in the community. 2. He was the "istri utor of alms 3. Howe9er, he was not an or"aine" ra i or the local $reacher. 275
5ince the syna#o#ues "i" not ha9e $rofessional ministers, ,esus coul" walk into any syna#o#ue, an" as an honore" 9isitor, e#in $reachin#. 1his was es$ecially true after He $erforme" some miracles an" $eo$le wante" to hear His messa#e. 0eferences to a syna#o#ue are foun" in the secon" century ;..'.= ook of / Macca ees ;7*-8=, the :ew 1estament, an" in the works of ,ose$hus. -73 As to the ?l" 1estament, a $assa#e in (salm 74*@, which was written late in the $ost-e%ilic $erio", a$$ears to refer to $laces of worshi$ other than the tem$le, an" may ha9e een a reference to syna#o#ues. 274. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 72-77.
275. .arclay, BMark.C /8-/1.
276. &a 5or an" 4skena>i, B5yna#o#ue.C 4*3@8L +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms.
482-83.
203 1he si#nificance of the tem$le lies in the fact that it was the only $lace where a $riest, on ehalf of a ,ewish $eo$le, coul" offer sacrifices to Go". 5acrifices were most often offere" for the for#i9eness of sin an" for fellowshi$ with Go". ,ewish $eo$le li9in# in the lan" were e%$ecte" to tra9el to ,erusalem three times a year for the o ser9ance of the i lical festi9als. .ut those who li9e" in forei#n lan"s were e%$ecte" to Eourney to the Holy 'ity only once in their lifetime. Hisitin# ,erusalem ha" ecome a reli#ious rite an" was accom$anie" with e%$ectations an" e%citement. Howe9er, at the time of ,esus, the tem$le $riesthoo" ha" ecome stee$e" in corru$tion, in shar$ contrast to the i"eal tem$le worshi$ "escri e" in 4>ekiel 48-4@. 1he 5a""ucean Hi#h (riest was a 0oman a$$ointee who controlle" all the worshi$ acti9ities. He use" his reli#ious authority to attain $ersonal wealth. +or this reason, some ra is an" the 4ssenes "issociate" themsel9es from the esta lishe" reli#ious or"er. 1hey were lookin# for a Messiah who woul" "eli9er them from the 0oman tyranny an" tem$le corru$tion so as to esta lish another tem$le. 1he !nter-1estamental writin#s #i9e am$le e9i"ence of tem$le corru$tion. -77 +urthermore, it was elie9e" that the earthly tem$le was a co$y of the "wellin# $lace of Go" in hea9en. -7@ ,esus arri9e" at a time when the tem$le was in a moral an" s$iritual free-fall an" the $eo$le were $rayin# for a "i9ine inter9ention. -79 1he tem$le was a uil"in# of such $aramount eauty an" si#nificance that there are at least nine ancient sources that #i9e $hysical "escri$tions of the uil"in#. -@8 Jet its e%terior eauty was a faca"e 277. 5ee Tobit 14*2L 1 5noch 98*-@ffL &ubilee 1*12-17, -3--9, as well as in the )ea" 5ea
5croll* 11N1em$le -9*@-18.
278.
1his elief was written in 4%o"us -2*9L 0e9elation 11*19L 14*17L 12*2L an" the 1estament of &e9i 2*1.
279. Westerholm, B1em$le.C 4*73@. 280. 1he nine ancient sources that recor" information concernin# the tem$le
uil"in# an"/or its reli#ious functions are ;1= ,ose$hus, Wars. 2.2.1 - 2.7L ;-= ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11.1 - 11.7L ;/= Mishnah, Middoth 1 - 4L ;4= +rom the )ea" 5ea 5crolls a "escri$tion is foun" in 1he 1em$le. 5ee Ja"in, J. e". Megillath +ammi3dash ,erusalem* ! 4 5, He rew Uni9ersity, 1977. 1*142--14L an" $a#es 12/, 129, 19-, 192L ;2= 5tra o, -eographyy 9ii. -@1L 13.-@-48L cf 13.-./4L ;3= 1acitus, +istory. 4.4L ;7= )io 'asius, +istory of Rome /7.1217L 49.--L 33.4-1-L ;@= (liny the 4l"er, Natural +istory. 2.14L an" ;9= (oly ius, The +istories of 4olybius. 13.4.
204 co9erin# internal corru$tion. 1wice ,esus cleanse" the e"ifice an" cause" mayhem for the controllin# 5a""ucees. 1he 5anhe"rin was the ,ewish 5u$reme 'ourt consistin# of 78 mem ers $lus its $resi"ent, who at the time of ,esus was 'aia$has. 1he court was com$rise" of -4 5a""ucees, -4 (harisees, an" -- 5cri es, $lus the $resi"ent, who also functione" as the tem$le Hi#h (riest. -@1 (rior to Hero" the Great, the 'ourt<s authority was o9er the three $ro9inces of Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ea, ut the tyrannical kin# limite" its $ower to ,erusalem an" ,u"ea. Hence, ,esus was a le to minister in Galilee an" (erea without concern of an arrest y the 5anhe"rin, althou#h they "i" sen" s$ies. ?ther mem ers of the court were the el"ers, the tri al an" family re$resentati9es of lay aristocracy, as well as the scri es who were the lawyers of reli#ious law.-@Howe9er, the ,ews were not the only $eo$le li9in# in their (romise" &an". 1hey ha" $lenty of com$any, inclu"in# the 1. Greeks who ha" li9e" there for centuries, mostly from the )ea" 5ea northwar" an" towar" the Me"iterranean 5ea. -. 5ome !"umeans, also known as Ara s, who li9e" in the :e#e9 "esert re#ion, south of the )ea" 5ea. Amon# the 0omans, Greeks an" !"umeans there were a wi"e 9ariety of reli#ions, an" all were $olytheistic. 1he 0omans were $a#an i"ol worshi$$ers who took the #o"s of the Greeks an" #a9e them 0oman names. Accom$anyin# the assortment of false #o"s was lasci9ious reli#ious rituals an" customs, tem$le $rostitution, "runkenness an" other 9ices that a$$eale" to many were common across the em$ire. 5imilar to the Greeks, the 0omans worshi$$e" mytholo#ical fi#ures who freely #a9e in to carnal "esiresY"ecei9in#, stealin#, #ettin# "runk an" committin# fornication, a"ultery, e9en ra$eZ
282. Met#>er, New Testament. 2-.
205 1he 0oman/Greeks in the re#ion of 'aesarea (hili$$i, now known as .anias, worshi$e" the half man-half #oat "eity of (an. 1here were reli#ious $hiloso$hies roote" in (latonism such as, 4$icureanism, 5toicism, 'ynicism, an" 5ke$ticism. 1he (ersian reli#ion known as Koroastrianism was #rowin# in $o$ularity an" ha" some $arallels with ,u"aism, since $art of it was foun"e" u$on ,u"aism. Astrolo#y an" a wi"e 9ariety of mystery reli#ions were common$lace throu#hout the Holy &an". Many of these elief systems were intro"uce" "urin# the rei#n of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes, an" were ne9er com$letely era"icate" after the Macca ean 0e9olt. 1herefore, their influence" continue" in the li9es of ,ewish $eo$le in the "ays of ,esus. 1he !"umeans elie9e" in a 9ariety of #o"s, althou#h each tri e ha" its own su$reme "eity.-@/ 1he most common one was .a ylon<s ancient moon #o" of war, later known as Allah. ,u"aea was known for its hot s$rin#s that many elie9e" ha" healin# Aualities. -@4 1his in turn was attracti9e to many $a#ans who were sufferin# from 9arious ailments. 1herefore, y the time ,esus e#an His ministry, He ha" an au"ience waitin# for Him.
283. 1hom$son, B!"umea.C -*3@-. 284. Hot s$rin#s were locate" $rimarily alon# the eastern an" western si"es of the ,or"an 0i9er Halley. Hammat-1i erias ;1 st to 4th century=, alon# the western si"e of the 5ea of Galilee was a well-known hot s$rin#. ?thers were on the eastern si"e of the ri9er.
206
U$it * C)lt)ral Aa"9%ro)$( St)(ies Cha#ter / 6iffere$"es bet3ee$ First Ce$t)ry ;o1a$-Gree9 a$( Je3ish 0orl(8ie3s
207 ---
*. /. A. SAL:ME?S EP:TIC 6ANCE by Ar1a$( Poi$t B&,. -&!3*C. 5alome "ances e%otically efore her ste$-father, Hero" Anti$as. )is$lays of entertainment as this were common amon# Greeks, 0omans, an" Helleni>e" ,ews, ut were re9oltin# to ortho"o% ,ews. *. /. & I$tro()"tio$ As with any ca$ital city in ancient times an" to"ay, ,erusalem was a meltin# $ot of many cultures. 1his cause" a "e#ree of constant tension for those who "esire" to e faithful to their .i le an" the Hellenistic ,ews who acce$te" the Greek culture. 'onseAuently, as state" $re9iously, there were
208 si#nificant "ifferences in worl"9iews etween the 4uro$ean 0oman-Greeks an" ancient :ear 4astern ;now calle" Mi""le 4ast= Asiatic ,ewish $eo$le. 1he 0omans acce$te" the Greek lifestyle an" are often referre" to as 0omanGreeks or Greco-0omans. Mo"ern stu"ents #enerally "o not reali>e the 9ast "e#ree of cultural an" reli#ious "ifferences etween these #rou$s. Un"erstan"in# these "ifferences will not only rin# insi#ht to the 5cri$tures ut will also rin# interestin# insi#hts into mo"ern Western culture. 1he rief "escri$tion of ten o$$osin# $hiloso$hical an" theolo#ical "ifferences $resents a foun"ation of the o$$osin# worl"9iews. An e%am$le of a asic cultural "ifference is this* !f an American or 4uro$ean asks you what you elie9e, you will tell him. Howe9er, if a first century ,ew wante" to know what you elie9e, he woul" ha9e followe" you for a month an" then tol" you what you elie9e. Who woul" ha9e the #reater "e#ree of accuracyF 1he answer is o 9ious. 1he first century ,ew woul" ha9e $lace" you in your cultural conte%t. 5o likewise, our $ers$ecti9e in un"erstan"in# the #os$els nee"s to e focuse" on the conte%t to $ercei9e the full messa#e.
4ideo Insert
/.)/3)/,)4 ;r) 1etra He&dt' #rofessor at He+re( Uni$ersity' dis%usses the ethni% di$ersities of Jerusa&e"Ea "e&ting #ot %ity of "any %u&tures 7B2?08) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) *. /. * Fie3 of Go( 1he 0omans sim$ly acce$te" the Greek #o"s ut chan#e" the names. When a $eo$le #rou$ were "efeate" an" rou#ht into the em$ire, their #o"s were acce$te" y the 0omans as a metho" of controllin# the $eo$le. (a#an #o"s ha" all the sinful 9ices of humanity. While 0omans #o"s were looke" u$on for #ui"ance an" wis"om, the $re9ailin# culture really looke" u$on the reasonin# a ilities of wise men to resol9e $ro lems. 1he ,ews were $ersua"e" y miracles, which were si#ns of the continuation of Go" in their mi"st, whereas the Greeks were $ersua"e" y lo#ic an" reason ;1 'or. 1*--=.
209 Hence, man is his own #o". 4m$erors were freAuently "eeme" as #o"s, not only amon# the 0omans, ut many other ancient cultures as well. &ikewise, em$erors were often worshi$e", which is why, for e%am$le, Hero" the Great uilt a tem$le in 5amaria for the sole $ur$ose that the 5amaritans coul" worshi$ the 0oman 4m$eror ;see 3. '.*&I, the tem$le ruins of 4m$eror Au#ustus=.-@2 1he ,ews acce$te" only one Go" as the Go" of the uni9erse. !t has een su##este" that for this reason they may ha9e suffere" many centuries of $ersecution. 0eco#ni>in# only one Go", they therefore claime" that all other #o"s were in fact im$ersonators of the true Go". 1his most certainly woul" u$set their nei#h ors. 1he Go" of the ,ews "oes not ha9e the sinful 9ices of humanity, ut rather, instructs humanity to e $ure an" holy as is He. !n ancient history they were the only $eo$le who elie9e" in a sin#le "eity, with the e%ce$tion of an 4#y$tian $haraoh who also elie9e" in a sin#le su$reme "eity. 1he ,ews looke" u$on Go" for their wis"om an" #ui"ance. 1hey elie9e" that the heart of man is e9il an" shoul" not e truste". !t has een su##este" that the reason for anti-5emitism in antiAuity is that since the ,ews elie9e" in only one su$reme Go", they o 9iously felt their Go" was su$erior to all other #o"s. 1his woul" "efinitely e a cause of friction etween them an" their nei#h ors. *. /. 3 Si%$ifi"a$t 0riti$%s M Tr)th 1he 0omans foun" si#nificance in the writin#s of Greek an" 0oman $hiloso$hers an" $oets. 1o them truth was relati9e. 1his $hiloso$hy of thinkin# was re9i9e" in the 1938s y An#lican $riest ,ose$h +letcher with what is known as Situational 5thics. His theory was that moral 'hristian $rinci$les can e set asi"e occasionally est ser9e". -@3 1o the ,ews the 5cri$tures were of ultimate si#nificance ecause these were the ins$ire" Wor" of Go" #i9en to man to teach him how to li9e. 1o the ,ews, truth was not relati9e, ut was esta lishe" y the "ecrees of Go". All their "ecisions were ase" on 5cri$ture an" its inter$retation ;the ?ral &aw= an" they elie9e" they ha" to li9e in o e"ience to their 5cri$ture. Greeks an" 285
. Delso, B5amaria, 1erritory of.C 2*-48.
286. htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/5ituationalUethics 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er 13, -81-.
210 0omans coul" not un"erstan" how Go" coul" "irect men to li9e. 1o them, the #o"s ha" the same $assions, 9ices, an" $ro lems e%$erience" y humanity. 'onseAuently, the worl"9iew an" relate" writin#s etween the ,ewish $eo$le an" their Greek an" 0oman nei#h ors were 9astly "ifferent. *. /. / Positio$ of Ma$9i$(+ Fie3 of Life !n all ancient cultures one was orn into a class system or social or"er in which one was e%$ecte" to li9e out his life. 1o the 0omans, a ortion an" infantici"e was acce$ta le an" el"erly $eo$le were e%$ecte" to en" their li9es $eacefully so as not to ur"en families. ?n occasion a $rominent fi#ure woul" o Eect to the lack of 9alue of human life, ut such in"i9i"uals were rare. 1he 9iew of life was that human life was e%$en"a le, not sacre", an" "e"icate" to the state. 1he human o"y was a"mire" an" worshi$e". +or this reason, athletic e9ents were $erforme" in the nu"e an" statues of #o"s an" #o""esses were likewise nu"e. 5e% was not restricte" to marria#e, ut was thou#ht est to e unlimite". (leasure an" sensuality were consi"ere" #oals to e achie9e". Which is why, for e%am$le, the Hero"ian "ynasty was known for la9ish an" outra#eous $arties an" cele rations. ?n the other han", to insure ultimate $unishment, when the 0omans crucifie" anyone, the con"emne" $erson was com$letely nu"e. 1o the ,ews, all men were create" eAual an" in the ima#e of Go". 1herefore, human life was sacre". 1hose ,ews who li9e" in sla9ery "i" so for economic reasons, with a limit of se9en years. A ortions an" infantici"e were strictly for i""en an" el"erly $eo$le were hi#hly res$ecte" an" a"mire" for their wis"om. !n the early "ays of the 4nli#htenment, 4uro$ean artists $ainte" i lical scenes of 9arious $ersonalities. 1he fact that these artistic ren"erin#s were often either nu"e or scantily clothe" is reflecti9e of the Greco-0oman influence in the church, an" not reflecti9e of the ,ewish roots of 'hristianity. -@7 1he human o"y was consi"ere" sacre" as it was create" y Go" Himself. 1herefore, mo"esty in "ress was stresse" an" nu"ity strictly for i""en. +or e%am$le, ,ewish fishermen fishin# at ni#ht on the 5ea of Galilee woul" wear
287. 1he "i9ine $lan of sal9ation of the :ew 1estament was tau#ht y the He rew $ro$hets, as outline" in A##e$(i@ <.
211 only a small loin cloth to $ermit free"om while workin# the nets e9en thou#h there were no women in the area. 5e% was consi"ere" sacre" an" or"aine" to e only within marria#e. *. /. ' I$(i8i()alis1 8s. Co11)$ity At the time of Moses the cultural system of families, clans an" tri es was stron#. 5ome fifteen centuries later at the time of 'hrist this cultural characteristic was still stron# amon# the ,ews, ut much weaker in some Gentile #rou$s. Amon# the Gentile family an" clans, loyalty was ecomin# secon"ary to a national i"entity. Gentile $rayers were almost always in"i9i"ualistic. 1he ,ews, howe9er, "i" not see themsel9es as in"i9i"ualistic, ut rather as $art of a community of elie9ers. ,ewish $rayers are nearly all $raye" in the first $erson $lural such as the well-known &or"<s (rayer. 1his was un"erscore" when ,esus $raye" His $rayer of unity in the church ;cf. ,n. 17*-1=. *. /. . Sabbath 6ay :bser8a$"es !n is almost im$ossi le for anyone who has a Western min"set to"ay to fully com$rehen" the im$ortance of the 5a ath re#ulations in first century ,ewish life. !t was $ossi ly the most im$ortant way they stoo" a#ainst the encroachment of Hellenism. 1he 0omans an" Greeks la ore" e9ery "ay of the week. 1o them the conce$t of not workin# on one "ay in the week was consi"ere" as la>iness. 1hey coul" not com$rehen" why anyone woul" not work on a $articular "ay of the week in or"er to worshi$ a #o" they coul" not see. 1herefore, o ser9in# the 5a ath )ay was often a $oint of confrontation. -@@ 1his was es$ecially true for ,ews who were s of 0omans. 4arly 'hristians foun" themsel9es in the same $re"icament when they refuse" to work on the first "ay of the week. 1he lea"ers of the (harisees were $assionate a out o ser9in# the 5a ath re#ulations ecause they elie9e" that it was ecause their forefathers faile" to o ser9e the &aw that their tem$le was "estroye" y the 288. )urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt, since the ,ews refuse" to fi#ht on the 5a
ath, the Greeks slau#htere" more than a thousan" men, women, an" chil"ren. 1hereafter they "eci"e" to "efen" themsel9es as not to e remo9e" from the face of the earth ;1 Macc. -*/1-/@=.
212 .a ylonians, an" they were sent to .a ylon. 1hey ase" their o$inion on the followin# $ro$hetic wor"s y ,eremiah an" :ehemiah* This is 3hat the L:;6 sai( to 1e+ 2Go a$( sta$( at the Peo#le?s Gate+ thro)%h 3hi"h the 9i$%s of J)(ah e$ter a$( lea8e+ as 3ell as at all the %ates of Jer)sale1. * A$$o)$"e to the17 Hear the 3or( of the L:;6+ 9i$%s of J)(ah+ all J)(ah+ a$( all the resi(e$ts of Jer)sale1 3ho e$ter thro)%h these %ates. *& This is 3hat the L:;6 says7 0at"h yo)rsel8es4 (o $ot #i"9 )# a loa( a$( bri$% it i$ thro)%h the %ates of Jer)sale1 o$ the Sabbath (ay. ** Eo) 1)st $ot "arry a loa( o)t of yo)r ho)ses o$ the Sabbath (ay or (o a$y 3or9+ b)t yo) 1)st "o$se"rate the Sabbath (ay+ H)st as I "o11a$(e( yo)r a$"estors. *3 They 3o)l($?t liste$ or #ay atte$tio$ b)t be"a1e obsti$ate+ $ot liste$i$% or a""e#ti$% (is"i#li$e.
&!
2Ho3e8er+ if yo) liste$ to Me+ says the L:;6+ a$( (o $ot bri$% loa(s thro)%h the %ates of this "ity o$ the Sabbath (ay a$( "o$se"rate the Sabbath (ay a$( (o $o 3or9 o$ it+ *' 9i$%s a$( #ri$"es 3ill e$ter thro)%h the %ates of this "ity. They 3ill sit o$ the thro$e of 6a8i(+ ri(i$% i$ "hariots a$( o$ horses 3ith their offi"ials+ the 1e$ of J)(ah+ a$( the resi(e$ts of Jer)sale1. This "ity 3ill be i$habite( fore8er. *. The$ #eo#le 3ill "o1e fro1 the "ities of J)(ah a$( fro1 the area aro)$( Jer)sale1+ fro1 the la$( of Ae$Ha1i$ a$( fro1 the J)(ea$ foothills+ fro1 the hill "o)$try a$( fro1 the Ne%e8 bri$%i$% b)r$t offeri$%s a$( sa"rifi"e+ %rai$ offeri$%s a$( fra$9i$"e$se+ a$( tha$9 offeri$%s to the ho)se of the L:;6. *< If yo) (o $ot liste$ to Me to "o$se"rate the Sabbath (ay by $ot "arryi$% a loa( 3hile e$teri$% the %ates of Jer)sale1 o$ the Sabbath (ay+ I 3ill set fire to its %ates+ a$( it 3ill "o$s)1e the "ita(els of Jer)sale1 a$( $ot be e@ti$%)ishe(.5
*/
Jere1iah &<7&!-*< At that ti1e I sa3 #eo#le i$ J)(ah trea(i$% 3i$e #resses o$ the Sabbath. They 3ere also bri$%i$% i$ stores of %rai$ a$( loa(i$% the1 o$ (o$9eys+ alo$% 3ith 3i$e+ %ra#es+ a$( fi%s. All 9i$(s of %oo(s 3ere bei$% bro)%ht to Jer)sale1 o$ the Sabbath (ay. So I 3ar$e( the1 a%ai$st selli$% foo( o$ that (ay. &. The Tyria$s li8i$% there 3ere i1#orti$% fish a$( all 9i$(s of 1er"ha$(ise a$( selli$% the1 o$ the Sabbath to the #eo#le of J)(ah i$ Jer)sale1.
&'
213 I reb)9e( the $obles of J)(ah a$( sai( to the17 20hat is this e8il yo) are (oi$%Q#rofa$i$% the Sabbath (ay> &, 6i($?t yo)r a$"estors (o the sa1e+ so that o)r Go( bro)%ht all this (isaster o$ )s a$( o$ this "ity> A$( $o3 yo) are re9i$(li$% His a$%er a%ai$st Israel by #rofa$i$% the SabbathK5
&<
0he$ sha(o3s be%a$ to fall o$ the %ates of Jer)sale1 H)st before the Sabbath+ I %a8e or(ers that the %ates be "lose( a$( $ot o#e$e( )$til after the Sabbath. I #oste( so1e of 1y 1e$ at the %ates+ so that $o %oo(s "o)l( e$ter ()ri$% the Sabbath (ay. * :$"e or t3i"e the 1er"ha$ts a$( those 3ho sell all 9i$(s of %oo(s "a1#e( o)tsi(e Jer)sale1+ *& b)t I 3ar$e( the1+ 20hy are yo) "a1#i$% i$ fro$t of the 3all> If yo) (o it a%ai$+ I?ll )se for"eR"S a%ai$st yo).5 After that they (i( $ot "o1e a%ai$ o$ the Sabbath. ** The$ I i$str)"te( the Le8ites to #)rify the1sel8es a$( %)ar( the %ates i$ or(er to 9ee# the Sabbath (ay holy.
&!
Nehe1iah &37&'-**a .ecause the ,ewish $eo$le "i" not o ser9e the 5a aths as state" a o9e, they elie9e" with the writer of - 'hronicles that they were sent out of the Holy &an" so the lan" coul" enEoy its 5a ath rest. This f)lfille( the 3or( of the L:;6 thro)%h Jere1iah a$( the la$( e$Hoye( its Sabbath rest all the (ays of the (esolatio$ )$til < years 3ere f)lfille(.
*&
* Chro$i"les 3.7*& :ehemiah 1/*12 clearly states that 9iolation was con"uctin# usiness on the 5a ath "ay in the same way as it was "one on any other "ay. 5ome four centuries later in the "ays of ,esus, the lea"ers of the (harisees took this $assa#e to the e%treme le#alism an" ar#ue" that one coul" not carry a nee"le or walk with an artificial ;woo"en= le# on the 5a ath )ay. 1o this, ,esus totally "isa#ree".-@9 While a num er of ,ewish writin#s are Auote" within this e- ook that reflect the ri#i" (harisaic 5a ath rules, this may e a #oo" $lace to intro"uce cha$ter 28 of the ook of ,u ilee. !t shows the o$inions in the !nter1estamental (erio", namely 128 7 188 ..'. 1he ook reflects the stron# attem$t to return to ?rtho"o% ,u"aism in li#ht of the encroachment of 289. 5ee also *. *.&, ?ral &aw an" *. *.* ?ral 1ra"ition.
214 Hellenism. 1he more the 9alues of the Greek culture $ermeate" ,ewish society, the more le#alistic the ,ewish lea"ers ecame. At no time in ,ewish history were 5a ath re#ulations as se9ere as they were "urin# the time of ,esus. A$( behol( the "o11a$(1e$t re%ar(i$% the Sabbaths+ I ha8e 3ritte$ Bthe1C (o3$ for thee a$( all the H)(%1e$ts of its la3s.
..
Si@ (ays shalt tho) labor+ b)t o$ the se8e$th (ay is the Sabbath of the Lor( yo)r Go(. I$ it ye shall (o $o 1a$$er of 3or9+ ye a$( yo)r so$s+ a$( yo)r 1e$- ser8a$ts a$( yo)r 1ai(-ser8a$ts+ a$( all yo)r "attle a$( the soHo)r$er also 3ho is 3ith yo).
<.
A$( the 1a$ that (oes a$y 3or9 o$ it shall (ie7 3hoe8er (ese"rates that (ay+ 3hoe8er lies 3ith BhisC 3ife+ or 3hoe8er says he 3ill (o so1ethi$% o$ it+ that he 3ill set o)t o$ a Ho)r$ey thereo$ i$ re%ar( to a$y b)yi$% or selli$%7 a$( 3hoe8er (ra3s 3ater thereo$ 3hi"h he ha( $ot #re#are( for hi1self o$ the si@th (ay+ a$( 3hoe8er ta9es )# a$y b)r(e$ to "arry it o)t of his te$t or o)t of his ho)se shall (ie.
,.
Eo) shall (o $o 3or9 3hate8er o$ the Sabbath (ay sa8e 3hat yo) ha8e #re#are( for yo)rsel8es o$ the si@th (ay+ so as to eat+ a$( (ri$9+ a$( rest+ a$( 9ee# Sabbath fro1 all 3or9 o$ that (ay+ a$( to bless the Lor( yo)r Go(+ 3ho has %i8e$ yo) a (ay of festi8al a$( a holy (ay7 a$( a (ay of the holy 9i$%(o1 for all Israel is this (ay a1o$% their (ays for e8er.
!.
For %reat is the ho$or 3hi"h the Lor( has %i8e$ to Israel that they sho)l( eat a$( (ri$9 a$( be satisfie( o$ this festi8al (ay+ a$( rest thereo$ fro1 all labor 3hi"h belo$%s to the labor of the "hil(re$ of 1e$ sa8e b)r$i$% fra$9i$"e$se a$( bri$%i$% oblatio$s a$( sa"rifi"es before the Lor( for (ays a$( for Sabbaths.
& .
This 3or9 alo$e shall be (o$e o$ the Sabbath-(ays i$ the sa$"t)ary of the Lor( yo)r Go(4 that they 1ay ato$e for Israel 3ith sa"rifi"e "o$ti$)ally fro1 (ay to (ay for a 1e1orial 3ell#leasi$% before the Lor(+ a$( that He 1ay re"ei8e the1 al3ays fro1 (ay to (ay a""or(i$% as tho) hast bee$ "o11a$(e(.
&&.
A$( e8ery 1a$ 3ho (oes a$y 3or9 thereo$+ or %oes a Ho)r$ey+ or tills BhisC far1+ 3hether i$ his ho)se or a$y other
&*.
215 #la"e+ a$( 3hoe8er li%hts a fire+ or ri(es o$ a$y beast+ or tra8els by shi# o$ the sea+ a$( 3hoe8er stri9es or 9ills a$ythi$%+ or sla)%hters a beast or a bir(+ or 3hoe8er "at"hes a$ a$i1al or a bir( or a fish+ or 3hoe8er fasts or 1a9es 3ar o$ the Sabbaths7 The 1a$ 3ho (oes a$y of these thi$%s o$ the Sabbath shall (ie+ so that the "hil(re$ of Israel shall obser8e the Sabbaths a""or(i$% to the "o11a$(1e$ts re%ar(i$% the Sabbaths of the la$(+ as it is 3ritte$ i$ the tablets+ 3hi"h He %a8e i$to 1y ha$(s that I sho)l( 3rite o)t for thee the la3s of the seaso$s+ a$( the seaso$s a""or(i$% to the (i8isio$ of their (ays.
&3.
J)bilee ' 7.-&3 Another e%am$le of the ,ews not Bworkin#C on a holy "ay was when the 0omans esie#e" ,erusalem in 3/ ..'. After the 0oman General (om$ey ca$ture" )amascus, he tra9ele" south to ca$ture all of ,u"aea in only three months 7 the time it took to walk from one en" of the country to the other an" ack. With mechanical en#ines, namely stone-throwin# cata$ults, an" atterin# rams shi$$e" in from 1yre, the 0omans attere" the ,erusalem until 9ictory was secure".-98 !ronically, the ,ews felt that since the attacke" occurre" on the )ay of Atonement, that was a holy "ay an" they shoul" not fi#ht as fi#htin# was consi"ere" Bworkin#.C 'onseAuently, (om$ey<s army entere" ,erusalem in a attle that cost the ,ews 1-,888 li9es of men, women, an" chil"ren. !t was the one "ay of the year ,ews thou#ht Go" woul" for#i9e them of their sins, an" instea" they ecame ser9ants to a $a#an master. A""itional "etails on the com$le% 5a ath )ay issues are #i9en in the a$$ro$riate $laces within this ook.
*. /. < 0or9 a$( the P)r#ose of E()"atio$ 1o the Greeks an" 0omans the $ursuit of stu"y was to enter a Bs$iritual realm,C an" therefore esca$e the ri#ors of work. 1he $a#ans elie9e" the worl" was in two "imensions* s$iritual an" tem$oral. 1he #oal was to esca$e from the tem$oral worl" an" li9e in the s$iritual worl". 49erythin# $hysical in the worl" was e9il an" to li9e in the s$iritual worl" was the ultimate #oal. 1his is the essence of Gnosticism. !n recent church history
290. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.4.-.
216 this $hiloso$hy was seen in Bsweet an" other son#s of esca$e. ye an" yeC hymns, :e#ro s$irituals,
1he 0omans elie9e" work was e9il an" was for those in the lower classes of society, namely s an" the $oor. 1hose in the lower classes saw the $ur$ose of an e"ucation was to acAuire material thin#s an" ecome socially ele9ate". ?n the other han", a scholar was one who $ursue" the s$iritual life. Hence, BscholarC y "efinition meant Bleisure.C (hiloso$hers, $riests ;incl. theolo#ians=, etc. were the i"eal s$iritual class. 1he Greeks stu"ie" to com$rehen" while the ,ews stu"ie" to re9ere Go". -91 1he Greco-0oman $hiloso$hy teaches that man is asically #oo" ut has the $otential for "oin# e9il. ,ewish thou#ht is that man is y nature e9il ut has the $otential for makin# #oo" "ecisions. 1o the ,ews there was only one su Eect of stu"y* theolo#y. Mothers tau#ht chil"ren .i le stories $rior to enterin# the syna#o#ue school at the a#e of fi9e. 1he 5cri$tures were stu"ie" "aily y all as it was the only way y which one coul" learn what Go" reAuire" of humanity. !f one "i" not stu"y he ha" no o$$ortunity to e o e"ient to Go". !t was the metho" of un"erstan"in# an" attainin# the character of Go". Work was not seen as an e9il en"ea9or, ut a "i9ine lessin#. 1o the ,ew, all men were eAual efore Go", an i"ea that was com$letely forei#n to other reli#ions. Another uniAue feature of ,u"aism was that all men, inclu"in# $riests, were traine" in an occu$ation in the e9ent they woul" e calle" u$on to su$$ort themsel9es. Work was a"mire" an" consi"ere" to e Go"-#i9en. 1he work ethic ha" no hierarchy ut was consi"ere" to e a lessin# for all. *. /. , Fie3s of Ao(y+ So)l+ a$( S#irit 1his issue will no "ou t e a challen#e for some rea"ers. 1he conce$t in the culture of a three-$art $erson as o"y, soul, an" s$irit is of Greek ori#in. 1his, howe9er, is ra"ically "ifferent from the :ew 1estament teachin#. 1he Greeks elie9e" that the ultimate life was to li9e s$iritually an" that the o"y was e9il. 1his $hiloso$hy is reflecte" in Watchman :ee<s ook Body" Soul" and Spirit wherein he states that we shoul" essentially throw away the o"y an" rain to lo9e in the 5$irit. 1he Greco-0oman conce$t of o"y, soul, an" s$irit is ra"ically "ifferent from the :ew 1estament conce$t. 291. Joun#, 4aul the &ewish Theologian. 32.
217 1he ,ewish tra"ition of the .i le is that man is a sin#le unity. !n the :ew 1estament the o"y is the tem$le of Go", ut more im$ortantly, o"y, soul, an" s$irit function to#ether. ,esus "ie" for the sal9ation of the entire o"y, soul, an" s$irit. 1hey are not "i9orce" from the other, ut rather, three $arts to a whole. *. /. ! U$(ersta$(i$% History a$( the F)t)re 1he Greco-0omans saw history as ein# circular. 1herefore they coul" look to astrolo#y an" rea" their future y lookin# at the $ast. 1here was no chan#e in humanity, no e#innin# or en", an" accor"in# to the $ro9er ial sayin#, BWhat #oes aroun" comes aroun".C 1here was no meanin# to life other than Bwine, women, an" son#.C 1he ,ews on the other han", elie9e" in linear time with a "efinite e#innin# of time an" an en" of the a#e. 1here was no re$etition as mi#ht e seen in the cyclical $atterns of the stars. 1herefore, whate9er "ecisions one woul" make to"ay woul" "etermine his "estiny tomorrow or in the future. *. /.& 6i8i$e Heali$% .oth Greeks an" ,ews elie9e" that illnesses came into one<s life ecause of affliction or an#er from the #o"s / Go". 1he Greeks, howe9er, attri ute" sickness to a" luck, "estiny, or "is$leasure of the #o"s. 1he Greeks elie9e" that healin# was a9aila le to them throu#h the worshi$ of 5eras$his, Am$hiaraus, 1ro$honios, an" es$ecially Aescula$ius who a$$arently ha" at one $oint entere" ,erusalem. -9!t shoul" e note" that in He rew an" Aramaic there is no "istinction etween B o"yC an" Bsoul.C 1herefore, ,esus always heale" the whole $erson. +or that reason, when He heale" $eo$le of $hysical "iseases, He ma"e comments such as BJour faith has sa9e" you,C or BGo in $eace,C ;i.e. Mk. 2*/4L 18*2-L &k. 7*28=. !n Matthew is the $hrase B&or" ha9e mercyC ;9*-7--9, 12*--, -8*/1= wherein the #os$el writer makes it clear that the entire $erson was heal, not the o"y only.
292. Delsey, +ealing and 'hristianity. /7.
218 4arly in the ministry of ,esus, $eo$le were heale" an" they ha" no faith ecause ,esus was unknown to them an" they ha" no un"erstan"in# that He was the Healer sent y Go". !n the course of time, after listenin# to His sermons an" watchin# Him $erform miracles, many $eo$le came to Him ecause they ha" "e9elo$e" faith. 5ome were heale" ecause of the faith of others ;i.e. Mk. -*2= while in some $laces He coul" $erform few miracles ecause of their lack of faith ;i.e. :a>areth, Mt. 1/*2@L Mk. 3*3=. Miracles are #rante" y the #racious lo9e of Go" for the $ur$ose of rin#in# $eo$le to Himself.
*. /.&& H)1a$ a$( 6i8i$e ;elatio$shi#s 1he Greeks an" 0omans saw no nee" to ha9e a co9enant with their #o"s. Go"s were consi"ere" a necessity althou#h the Greeks worshi$e" eauty an" the 0oman $ower. Whate9er ha$$ene" in life was the result of fate, which was sai" to e cyclical, which le" to a stron# elief in fatalism an" astrolo#y. 1he ,ews, on the other han", ha" not only a co9enant with Go", ut elie9e" they were His s$ecial $eo$le li9in# on lan" that was #i9en to them y His "i9ine comman" throu#h A raham. 1he ?l" 1estament co9enant, is in fact, a su=erainty co enant, which is "efine" as a co9enant with uneAual $arties, where the stron#er an" more $owerful $arty functions for the enefit of the weaker one.-9/ While the :ew 'o9enant or :ew 1estament also a su=erainty co enant" there are some notea le "ifferences. +or e%am$le, in the ?l" 1estament, miracles were #enerally $uniti9e, whereas those of ,esus were re"em$ti9e. Jet ,esus "i" not come $rimarily as a miracle-worker, ut He came to re9eal
293. (ayne, B'o9enant in the ?l" 1estament.C 1*118--8/.
219 the +ather an" to $reach that the Din#"om of Go" was a out to come to those who $lace" their faith in Him. (rofoun" miracles of healin# an" raisin# the "ea" ca$ture" e9eyone<s attention to His Din#"om messa#e.
220
U$it 3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( Cha#ter A$"ie$t J)(aea B/ & D& /
A.C.C
3. &. A. THE SAC;IFICE :F ISAAC by Go(frey 6)ra$(. &,!.. A raham, "e$icte" as hol"in# the knife to sacrifice his
221 one an" only son, is the reco#ni>e" father of the ,u"aism an" 'hristianity. While human sacrifice is strictly for i""en in the .i le, in the $re- i lical $erio" of A raham it was a common $ractice. 1his e9ent challen#e" A raham<s faith to see if he was $re$are" to "o anythin# for Go" 7 a $rofoun" test of "e9otion. Howe9er, unknown to him, Go" ne9er inten"e" to ha9e !saac sacrifice". 3. &. & I$tro()"tio$ !t is im$ossi le to com$rehen" Messianic thou#hts an" o$inions of the ,ews without first hi#hli#htin# im$ortant e9ents an" $ersons of the ?l" 1estament an" !nter-1estament era. 5ome to$ics of con9ersations an" actions y ,esus an" His a"9ersaries were "ee$ly roote" in history. 1he chronolo#ical history o9er9iew elow $ro9i"es insi#ht to this critical ack#roun" that sha$e" the first century ,ewish min"set an", therefore, the actions of ,esus. 3. &. * ". / A.C. NT- A(a1 a$( E8e Go" create" A"am an" 49e in the Gar"en of 4"en. 1hey li9e" in close relationshi$ with Go", ut soon acce$te" the tem$tation of 5atan, fell into sin, an" lost their close relationshi$. 5ince that time the entire history of the .i le has een focuse" on Go" an" His work of reconciliation of mankin" unto Himself. 1his work of Go" was com$lete" y the ministry of ,esus the Messiah. 1herefore, from the e#innin# there was a $ro$hecy $re"ictin# a comin# 0e"eemer ;Gen. /*12 cf. 0om.13*17--8=. 1hat 0e"eemer woul" e ,esus. When &uke wrote his #os$el to a Greek name" 1heo$hilus ;&k. 1*/=, he recor"e" a #enealo#y that trace" ,esus to A"am since the Greeks elie9e" in a creation account, althou#h not necessarily the narrati9e foun" in Genesis. 3. &. 3 *& - &,' A.C. Abraha1 A raham is the $atriarch of the !sraelite $eo$le who many centuries later ecame known as the ,ews. With his father 1erah, A raham left his home in Ur, a$$ro%imately 388 miles east of mo"ern !srael, tra9ele" aroun" the northern e"#e of the Ara ian )esert ;as it was known in ancient times= to the small city of 5alem ;mo"ern ,erusalem=. 1hey left their flourishin# community at the confluence of the 1i#ris an" 4u$hrates ri9ers to fin" a lan" where a nation coul" e esta lishe" free of i"olatry. !t was in 5alem when A raham ;then known as A ram= was welcome" y its kin#,
222 Melchi>e"ek ;Gen. 14=. Go" chose to make a co9enant with A raham an" the ,u"eo-'hristian faith e#an to take sha$e an" $romise. 1here is no $lace in the He rew .i le ;?l" 1estament= where ,esus was sym oli>e" more than u$on Mount Moriah an" in the story of A raham an" !saac. When Go" teste" the faith of A raham y askin# him to sacrifice his only son !saac ;He . 11*17-19=, when the youn# man was -2 years ol". -94 1his was an e9ent that was a look into the future when ,esus, the only 5on of Go", woul" "ie for the sins of the worl". -92 A raham took his only son hi#h u$on Mount Moriah, which in the first century was the sacrificial tem$le site now known as Mount Kion. -93 !saac was a $recious an" only chil" to A raham, who at this time was in his ol" a#e. !n o e"ience, ut "ee$ sorrow, he ma"e the "ecision to o ey Go" an" make the sacrifice. !saac was "early elo9e" of A raham Eust as ,esus was "early elo9e" y Go" the +ather. !saac willin#ly honore" His father an" allowe" himself to e oun" an" lai" u$on the altar. &ikewise, ,esus willin#ly honore" His +ather an" allowe" Himself to e oun" an" crucifie". !saac carrie" the woo" to "ie on the altar Eust as ,esus carrie" His cross to "ie for the sins of humanity. A raham ha" ma"e the "ecision to sacrifice his most $recious #ift. ,ust when he slowly raise" his knife for the im$en"in# "eath, a sacrificial ram a$$eare" in a near y ush an" Go" tol" him to release his son. !saac<s life was s$are"L his life was restore". 1he ram was sacrifice" in !saac<s $lace. 'enturies later ,esus woul" "ie a horrific "eath, ut He woul" e restore" to life. !saac was the means y which Go" "emonstrate" his lo9e an" means of $ro9ision to A raham. !n ancient times, chil"ren were the security of $arents in their ol" a#e. A raham<s willin#ness to sacrifice his only son was sym olic of Go" the +ather "emonstratin# His lo9e an" means of $ro9isions to the ,ewish $eo$le an" all humanity throu#h ,esus.
294. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1.1/.-. 295. 5ee A##e$(i@ &. concernin# ?l" 1estament sacrifices an" ,esus. 296. !n .i lical times, BMount KionC was one of three hills u$on which was ,erusalem was locate". 1he name ecame associate" with the 1em$le site, ut o9er time was a$$lie" to the hill to$ locate" in the western $art of the ?l" 'ity of mo"ern ,erusalem.
223 Go" an" A raham entere" into an e9erlastin# co9enant woul" #i9e him three im$ortant $romises. 1. &an" -. )escen"ants /. .lessin#s 1he lan" $romise was "e9elo$e" in the (alestinian 'o9enantL the $romise of "escen"ants was $romise" in the )a9i"ic 'o9enant an" inclu"es ,esus ;a 5on of )a9i"=L an" the .lessin#s 'o9enant is the :ew 'o9enant, also known as the :ew 1estament. -9@ 1he latter was the result of the com$lete" work of ,esus at 'al9ary. 1he ori#inal (romise" &an" far e%cee"s the or"ers of mo"ern !srael to"ay. +urthermore, Go" $romise" A raham that amon# his "escen"ants there woul" e a line of kin#s ;Gen. 17*3, 13= who woul" come from the tri e of ,u"ah an" woul" rule o9er alien $eo$le, inclu"in# the tri es of Moa an" 4"om. -99 A raham<s #ran"son, ,aco , ha" twel9e sons who e9entually le" the twel9e tri es of the ,ewish $eo$le. 1hey were 0eu en, 5imeon, &e9i, ,u"ah, Ke ulun, !ssachar, )an, Ga", Asher, :a$htali, ,ose$h an" .enEamin. +or reasons unknown, when each of the "escen"ants was allotte" a re#ion of lan" of the former 'anaanites, ,ose$h was omitte". His two sons, howe9er, 4$hraim an" Manasseh "i" enefit from the lan" "istri ution. !n the stu"y of the life of 'hrist, tri al names occasionally a$$ear. +or e%am$le, Anna saw the infant ,esus in the tem$le, an" she was from the tri e of Asher. 1he &e9ites ha" certain functions in the tem$le. 5ome of the customs of the "escen"ants of !srael ;#ran"son of A raham= were still in effect "urin# the times of ,esus. 1he first century ,ews reco#ni>e" a $ro lem in that the rei#nin# Hero" the Great was not a "escen"ant of Din# )a9i", ut a "escen"ant of the hate" 4"omites. :either he nor any of his sons coul" fulfill the i lical reAuirement as the true kin# of the ,ews. Hence, the tension was 297. Gen. 1-*--/L 12*17--1L 17*9L 1 D#. -*4L /*@L Micah 7*-8L Kech. -*11L 0om. 9*4L 12*@L 1
'or. 7*14L Gal. /*19L He . 3*1/, 1@.
-97
in which Go"
298. +ruchten aum, %sraelology9 The Missing ,ink in Systematic Theology. 272-73.
299. Gen. 49*18L - 5am. --*44-21L :um. -4*17-19L (s. -.
224 hei#htene" "urin# the "ays of ,esus for a messiah to come an" fulfill the $romises of the co9enant. 1he e%$ectation of a messiah was that of a $olitical fi#ure who woul" "eli9er the $eo$le from 0oman on"a#e. +inally, when Matthew wrote his #os$el to ,ews "is$erse" in other lan"s, he recor"e" a #enealo#y that trace" ,esus to A raham since he was the $atriarch of the ,ews. 3. &. / &,<.-&//. A.C. SoHo)r$ i$ E%y#t !n 1@28 ..'., a se9ere famine came u$on the lan" of 'anaan. 1he "escen"ants of A raham tra9ele" to 4#y$t, where they remaine" for the ne%t 4/8 years. 1he reason they remaine" in 4#y$t for this e%ten"e" $erio" of time, after Go" $romise" oth lan" an" "escen"ants, was for two reasons* 1. 1o sa9e them from the famine an" $li#ht of 'anaan. -. +or them to #row in $o$ulation. !n essence, 4#y$t was an Bincu atorC for the chil"ren of !srael. At some $oint "urin# their stay, they ecame en" as the result of a chan#e of monarchs. &ater, Go", throu#h the lea"ershi$ of Moses, "eli9ere" them out of 4#y$t y means of the ten $la#ues an" the miraculous 0e" 5ea walk known as the 5(odus. 1he cele ration an" remem rance of that historical e9ent ecame known as 4asso er. 3. &. ' &//. A.C. The E@o()s4 the Torah4 Moses a$( a Pa%a$ Seer Pre(i"t the ;e(ee1er As the a"o$te" son of (haraoh, Moses was $ri9ile#e" to recei9e the hi#hest le9el of e"ucation ;Acts 7*--= as well as lea"ershi$ an" military trainin#. He was familiar with the 4#y$tian holy ooks, known as the 4apyrus 5bers,/88 an" the $olitical an" reli#ious systems of his "ay. ,ose$hus recor"e" some 300. 1he (a$yrus 4 ers, written a out 122- ..'., contain o9er ei#ht hun"re" $rescri$tions
an" reme"ies for 9arious human aliments. 4#y$tian $hysicians were hi#hly skille" in "ia#nosin# illnesses, ut their $rescri$tions of $rimiti9e su$erstitions were "ea"lier than the illnesses they trie" to cure. 1he "irecti9es for cleanliness $rescri e" y Moses were ra"ically "ifferent than that of the 4#y$tians or .a ylonians. ? 9ously this is in"icati9e of a "ifferent source of information. +urthermore, he "i" not inclu"e any "irections to $erform e%orcisms an" incantations as were $o$ular amon# the 4#y$tians. 5ee .en Ho rink, Modern Science in the Bible. --/, 2.
225 of his military a"9entures. /81 1he 4%o"us story of the !sraelite chil"ren in 4#y$t an" how Moses "eli9ere" them from sla9ery has een re$eate" for centuries. 1he cele ration of "eli9erance from "eath that occurre" at this time ecame known as the 4asso er. He was chosen y Go" to lea" His $eo$le throu#h the 0e" 5ea, out of 4#y$t, an" to the (romise" &an" of 'anaan. 1his e9ent ecame sym olic of how ,esus woul" lea" humanity out of the sla9ery of sin into a new free"om in Himself ;see A##e$(i@ *C. Amon# his works are two 9erses that were consi"ere" $ro$hetic of the comin# Messiah y the first century ,ews. The S"e#ter 3ill $ot (e#art fro1 J)(ah :r the staff fro1 bet3ee$ his feet U$til He 3hose ri%ht it is "o1es A$( the obe(ie$"e of the #eo#les belo$%s to Hi1
&
Ge$esis /!7& He was #i9en the 1en 'omman"ments $ersonally from Go" on Mount 5inai. &ater he wrote the first fi9e ooks of the He rew .i le that inclu"e history as well as the Mosaic &aw ;He . Torah=. 1hese laws are foun"ational to the faith of ,ews, 5amaritans, an" 'hristians. 1he fi9e ooks within the 1orah are consi"ere" to e the most sacre" of all ,ewish writin#s 7 within an" without the He rew .i le. 1he fact that ,esus often ma"e reference to the 1orah ;Gk. (entateuch= is in"icati9e of its continue" im$ortance. )ue to the many similarities of his life an" accom$lishments, Moses is seen to"ay y 'hristians as a Bty$e an" sha"owC of ,esus. /8- Howe9er, to first century ,ews, their conce$t of a Messiah accor"in# to )euteronomy 1@*12 was someone who woul" e like Moses. 1he key wor" is BlikeC which "oes not mean Bi"entical to.C 5o when ,esus arri9e" on the scene, the ,ewish $eo$le ha" "ifficulties acce$tin# Him. The L:;6 yo)r Go( 3ill raise )# for yo) a #ro#het li9e 1e fro1 a1o$% yo)r o3$ brothers. Eo) 1)st liste$ to hi1.
&'
6e)tero$o1y &,7&'
301. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. -.18.1. 302. 5ee A##e$(i@ *.L GlossaryL An e%am$le of Bty$e an" sha"owC is foun" in He rews 18*1a, B5ince the &aw has only a sha"ow of the #oo" thin#sT.C
226 !n his history of the !sraelites, later known as B,ews,C Moses mentione" a $a#an $ro$het y the name of .alaam. Moses recor"e" a $ro$hecy #i9en y .alaam in the ook of :um ers that woul" ecome si#nificant to the (arthian ma#i centuries later. 1his interestin# e9ent ha$$ene" when .alaam, a "e9out $a#an, elie9e" he ha" sufficient "emonic $owers to curse the !sraelites an" mani$ulate their Go". 5o when he was aske" y an enemy to curse them, Go" inter9ene" an" tol" him to less the !sraelites instea", curse the enemy, an" #i9e a $ro$hecy of :um ers -4*17 concernin# a future 0e"eemer. I see hi1+ b)t $ot $o34 I #er"ei8e hi1+ b)t $ot $ear. A star 3ill "o1e fro1 Ja"ob+ A$( a s"e#ter 3ill arise fro1 Israel. He 3ill "r)sh the forehea( of Moab+ A$( stri9e (o3$ all the Shethites.
&<
N)1bers */7&< 1o first century ,ews, no i lical fi#ure was of #reater si#nificance in the affairs of "aily life than was Moses. All reli#ious rites an" eliefs e#an with his writin#s. He not only recor"e" the 1en 'omman"ments, ut also the 31/ laws affectin# all areas of life. .y the first century, howe9er, these laws ha" taken a secon"ary $osition to the ?ral &aw ;1ra"itions of the 4l"ers in Mt. 12*-=. 1he maEor conflict etween ,esus an" the (harisees was ecause ,esus hel" the Mosaic 'o"e ;first fi9e ooks of the ?l" 1estament an" its 31/ laws= in the su$erior $osition, while the (harisees hel" their ?ral &aws in su$erior $osition. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, the 'hurch has a"o$te" a 0oman 9iew of ,aw" in that it means restriction an" therefore, bad" while the He rew .i le 9iews ,aw as %nstruction an" freedom" an" therefore good. Howe9er, ecause Moses ha" written these three $assa#es ;Gen. 49*18L )eut. 1@*12L :um. -4*17=, not only were first century ,ewish $eo$le waitin# for a Messiah, ut for the $re9ious fifteen centuries, where9er they wan"ere", they tol" others of the comin# Messiah. As will e seen, ut the secon" an" first century ..'., $eo$le e9erywhere in the ancient Mi""le 4ast were e%$ectin# Him.
227 :ow concernin# the non-!sraelite $ro$het, some critics ha9e "iscounte" the .alaam account as mytholo#ical folklore, sayin# that he ne9er e%iste". Howe9er, in 1937 archaeolo#ists "i##in# in )eir< Alla in Western ,or"an, ma"e an interestin# "isco9ery of a tem$le. 1hese ancient ruins are situate" a out fi9e miles east of the ,or"an 0i9er an" less than one mile north of the ,a ok 0i9er. 49i"ently the ancient serer ha" incre"i le fame, as ,ose$hus sai" he li9e" y the 4u$hrates 0i9er, /8/ yet he was remem ere" an" honore" centuries later an" hun"re"s of miles away. !n these ruins a $ainte" inscri$tion was foun" of a $ro$hecy #i9en y the same .alaam mentione" in :um ers ----4 y Moses. 1his $ro$hecy is consi"era ly "ifferent from the i lical narrati9e, ut it "oes make reference to the B5ha""ai #o"s,C which is close to the He rew 5l Shaddai" meanin# BGo" Almi#hty.C 1his inscri$tion was "ate" to @48 7 738 ..'., an" $ortions of it are, un"erstan"a ly, missin# while others are "ifficult to rea". Howe9er, 9arious sections are of sufficient Auality that $ermitte" translation. RFACATS The saSyi$%Rs of AalaSa1+ Rso$ of AeSor+ the 1a$ 3ho 3as a seer of the %o(s. LoK Go(s "a1e to hi1 i$ the $i%ht Ra$( s#o9e toS hi1 *a""or(i$% to these 3Ror(Ss. The$ they sai( to RAalaSa1+ so$ of Aeor+ th)s7 Let so1eo$e 1a9e a R S hearafter+ so that R3hatS yo) ha8e heaRr( 1ay be seSe$KU 3 A$( Aalaa1 rose i$ the 1or$i$% R S ri%ht ha$( R S a$( "o)l( $ot ReatS a$( 3e#t /alo)(. The$ his #eo#le "a1e i$ to hi1 Ra$( sai(S to Aalaa1+ so$ of Aeor+ U6o yo) fast> R S 6o yo) 3ee#>U A$( he ' sai( to the1+ USiRtS (oS3$K I shall i$for1 yo) 3hat the Sha(R(ayi$% ha8e (o$eS. No3 "o1e+ see the (ee(s of the %RoS(sK. The %RoS(s ha8e %athere( .a$( the Sha((ayi$ ha8e ta9e$ their #la"es i$ the asse1bly a$( sai( to ShR + th)s7S VSe3 the s9ies sh)t 3ith yo)r thi"9 "lo)(K There let there be (ar9$ess a$( $o <#er#et)al shi$i$% a$( $RoS ra(ia$"eK For yo) 3ill #)t a seaRl )#o$ the thi"9S "lo)( of (ar9$ess a$( yo) 3ill $ot re1o8e it fore8erK For the s3ift has ,re#roa"he( the ea%le+ the 8oi"e of 8)lt)res reso)$(s. The stRor9 has S the yo)$% of the NHS-bir( a$( ri##e( )# the "hi"9s of the hero$. The s3allo3 has belittle( !the (o8e+ a$( the s#arro3 R S a$( R S the staff. I$stea( of e3es the sti"9 is (ri8e$ alo$%. Hares ha8e
&
303. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 4.3.1.
228 eate$ & R S. Free1e$ RS ha8e (r)$9 3i$e+ a$( hye$as ha8e liste$e( to i$str)"tio$. The 3hel#s of the && fRo@S la)%hs at 3ise 1e$+ a$( the #oor 3o1a$ has 1i@e( 1yrhh+ a$( the #riestess &* R S to the o$e 3ho 3ears a %ir(le of threa(s. The estee1e( estee1s a$( the estee1er is esRtee1e(. S a$( e8eryo$e has see$ those thi$%s that (e"ree offs#ri$% a$( yo)$%. &' R S to the leo#ar(. The #i%let has "hase( the yo)$% &. RofS those 3ho are %ir(e( a$( the eye ....VU Te@t of the Aalaa1 6eir Alla I$s"ri#tio$.3
/
.alaam must ha9e een a $ro$het of e%cellent re$utation, in that kin#s consulte" him an" aske" him to curse enemies $rior to war. 1he ruins of 1el )eir RAlla re9eale" archaeolo#ical e9i"ence of .alaam<s e%istence. .ut most im$ortant, his $ro$hecy of i lical recor" ;:um. -4*17= was res$onsi le for the e9entual 9isit y the (arthian ma#i to ,esus an" in $art, the antici$ation of a Messiah y ,ewish $eo$le.
304. 1ranslation $u lishe" y (. Dyle Mc'arter ,r. B1he .alaam 1e%ts from )eir RAlla* 1he +irst 'om ination.C Bulletin of the Schools of :riental Research. -/9 ;19@8=. 49-38L htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/)eirUAllaU!nscri$tion. 0etrie9e" :o9em er 18, -81-.
229 3. &. 'A. PLASTE; F;AGMENTS :F THE AALAAM TEL 6EI; WALLA INSC;IPTI:N. 5ufficient $laster fra#ments with inscri$tions were "isco9ere" in )eir RAlla, Western ,or"an, to authenticate the e%istence of a non-!sraelite $ro$het y the name of .alaam. (hoto y Goo#le !ma#es. /82 +inally, one of ,u"aism<s fame" ra is was Moses Maimoni"es ;11/2 7 1-84=, affectionately known as B0aM.aM.C He is cre"ite" with writin# the 1hirteen (rinci$les of ,ewish +aith, althou#h these $rinci$les ha" e%iste" for centuries in one form or another. ?f si#nificance is the 1- th $rinci$le which rea"s, I belie8e 3ith "o1#lete faith i$ the "o1i$% of the Messiah+ a$( tho)%h He 1ay (elay+ $e8ertheless+ I 3ait for His "o1i$% e8ery (ay. &*th Pri$"i#le of Je3ish Faith
3 .
While the format of the $rinci$les is "ate" to the late twelfth century, there is no Auestion that ,ewish $eo$le throu#hout history elie9e" that their Messiah woul" come 7 some"ay. 3. &. . &//. - & ' A.C. NT- J)(%es ;)le( Go(?s Peo#le )urin# four centuries after the !sraelites entere" the (romise" &an", Go" rule" His $eo$le with a series of Eu"#es. 1hey were twel9e in"e$en"ent tri es who forme" a loosely knit confe"eracy, fi#htin# to#ether a#ainst common enemies whene9er the nee" arose. 1he si#nificance of this $erio" in history is that this was when Go" rule" His $eo$le 7 or trie" to rule His $eo$le. 1hey were an unruly unch who #rum le" an" wante" a kin#. !n fact, "urin# these four centuries they committe" some horri le acts of 9iolence a#ainst each other an" Go". 1his was written with kin" wor"s in the last ook of ,u"#es that says that in those "ays !srael ha" no kin# an" e9eryone "i" as he or she wante" to "o ;,u"#. -1*-2=. 1herefore, since they
305. htt$s*//www.#oo#le.com/ShlIenOsu#e%$IlesV/.O#sUnfI/O#sUmssI"eirV-8alla V-8iOtokIMU9W-yM#hu>JD-9U5oEWkNO$AI"eirV-8allaV-8inscri$tion V-8wikiOc$I12O#sUi"I-2O%hrItOAI"eirMallaMima#eO$fI$Ot oI"OsclientI$sya OoAI"eirMallaMima#eO#sUlIO$ %I1O a9Ion.-,or.rU#c.rU$w.rUAf.Of$I74f3@4 9-1f38f - O $clI/@89/348O iwI-8-2O ihI999. 0etrie9e" :o9em er 18, -81-. 306. htt$*//www.he rew4christians.com/5cri$ture/5hloshahAsarU!kkarim/Mashiach/mashiach.html. 0etrie9e" :o9em er 18, -81-.
230 wante" a kin# like other nations, Go" #a9e them what they wante" 7 an" soon the first kin# was anointe" for the $osition.
U$it 3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( Cha#ter * First Te1#le Perio( a$( E@ile B& / D '&' A.C.C
A.C.
231
3. *. A. SAMUEL AN:INTS 6AFI6 by Go(frey 6)ra$(. &!,.. Din# )a9i" was, without Auestion, the most im$ortant $erson in ,ewish history, secon" only to Moses. +irst century ,ews in !srael elie9e" that the messiah ;small BmC ecause they "i" not consi"er him as "eity= woul" e like Din# )a9i" an" restore the lost )a9i"ic 4m$ire. 1hat $erce$tion ma"e acce$tin# ,esus as their BAnointe" ?neC e%tremely "ifficult. 3. *. & The U$ite( Mo$ar"hy 1he term BUnite" MonarchyC refers to the rei#ns of Din#s 5aul ;rei#ne" 1849-1889 ..'.=, )a9i" ;rei#ne" 1889-939 ..'.=, an" 5olomon ;rei#ne" 9399-9 ..'.=. A few short years after 5olomon<s rei#n, the em$ire was "i9i"e"./87
307. Historians "isa#ree sli#htly on the rei#nin# "ates, ut each kin# rei#ne" 48 years.
232 Ii$% Sa)l 1he first kin# was 5aul ;rei#ne" 1849-1889=, who e#an to unite the twel9e unfaithful, ickerin#, in"i9i"ualistic !sraelite tri es into a sin#le nation ;1 5am. 11*1--12=. At the time the lan" was still fille" with i"ol-worshi$in# 'anaanites who $ractice" chil" sacrifice an" other horri le acts. He an" his armies were, in effect, instruments of Go" to rin# Eustice u$on those who "estroye" youn# innocent li9es an" $ractice" i"olatry. 1hese inclu"e" the Amorites, Amalekites, the noma"ic Mi"ianites, an" se9eral others, ut the most $owerful conten"ers were the (hilistines who li9e" in the mo"ern-"ay Ga>a 5tri$. 5aul stren#thene" the confe"eracy an" "efeate" nearly all of them, ut "i" not "ri9e them out of the lan". Howe9er, sometimes too much success ree"s failure, an" he soon foun" himself with some moral issues. As a result, Go" e#an to raise )a9i" as his re$lacement. When 5aul ecame aware of this, a ci9il war roke out. At this time kin#s normally aske" their $ro$hets to inAuire of Go" any "irecti9es they shoul" follow. !ronically, while his name Sa Auli means ask insistently , as if asking .ahweh B-odC" he soon was askin# counsel from the witch at 4n"or. 5aul was a man whose life e#an with #reat $romise an" o$$ortunity, ut at the en" was marke" y a "ecline of his own s$iritual an" moral 9alues, an" finally, suici"e. !t is that )a9i" 9ery freAuently consulte" Go", ut 5aul rarely "i". 1heir li9es an" the results of their lea"ershi$ clearly reflect this. Ii$% 6a8i( Din# 5aul was followe" y )a9i". :either one was a $illar of moral stren#th, ut )a9i" "i" ha9e a re$entant heart for which Go" honore" him. His name in He rew is )awid which means doubtful. /8@ +or whate9er reason he was #i9en that name, he certainly rose a o9e it to ecome the cham$ion of military comman"ers in !srael<s history. At a time when there was little or no chan#e within a culture, he intro"uce" ra"ical chan#es. He instille" a sense of nationalism an" e#an the esta lishment of an international su$er-$ower which was com$lete" y his son 5olomon. 5o $owerful was ,u"aea in ancient history that future #enerations, e9en in the time of 'hrist, woul" reflect u$on its history. !n four military $hases, )a9i" transforme" his $eo$le from a "o>en sAua lin# tri es to an international su$er$ower an" em$ire.
308. 'ullman, B)a9i".C 1*/34.
233 1. 1he !sraelites #a9e him loyalty an" men for military stren#th an" he com ine" all the tri es into a national kin#"om. He also conAuere" the ,e usite cita"el of ,erusalem, ma"e it his $ersonal ca$ital ;1884 ..'.= an" $urchase" the Bthreshin# floorC where he constructe" a sacrificial altar to honor Go" ;1 'h. -1*-/=. 1his was the same site where A raham ha" offere" his son to Go" centuries earlier. -. He consoli"ate" nei#h orin# territories. 5ince his hostile nei#h ors were the (hilistines an" 'anaanites, he ma"e a treaty with the (hoenicians of 1yre who were the worl" sea $ower. /. He "efeate" the tri es of Ammon, Moa , an" 4"om in the 1rans,or"an ;western areas of mo"ern ,or"an=. 4. He esta lishe" a multi-national em$ire. As a result of his incre"i le 9ictories, Din# )a9i" controlle" all of the international tra"e that crosse" his kin#"omL a lan" ri"#e etween the continents of Asia, Africa, an" 4uro$e. 1o the east was the #reat "esert an" to the west was the Me"iterranean 5ea. 'ara9ans nee"e" military escorts to $rotect them from roamin# an"its. 1he maEor routes were the northsouth route of the Din#<s Hi#hway locate" east of the ,or"an 0i9erL the 5$ice 0oute that went from 5outhern Ara ia north alon# the eastern si"e of the 0e" 5ea to the Me"iterranean 5ea to )a9i"<s shi$$in# fleetL an" the 7ia Maris" also known as B1he way of the lan" of the (hilistinesC ;4%. 1/*17L :um. -8*17=, that went from )amascus to 'a$ernaum an" on to 4#y$t. 1hose cara9ans $ai" hu#e ta%es for the $rotection of their #oo"s, camels, an" men.
4ideo Insert
/0)/.)/,)4 A$ )$assi%$e( s"holar (is")sses ho3 the first "e$t)ry Je3ish #eo#le 8ie3e( the i1#orta$"e of the Abraha1i" a$( 6a8i(i" Co8e$a$ts B C. So1e(ay Cli"9 here.
234 Military success translate" into economic success, not only for himself, ut also for his $eo$le. )a9i" trans$orte" co$$er from 4#y$tian mines, sil9er from the 1aurus Mountains in Asia Minor, sil9er an" #ol" from 4ast Africa, s$ices from Ara ia, an" $ur$le "yes from near y (hoenicia. He utili>e" e%istin# tra"e routes that ha" een esta lishe" centuries efore. 1he kin# sim$ly conAuere" an" took control of this e%istin# wealthy enter$rise. /89 1he kin#shi$ of )a9i" also resulte" in e%ce$tional cultural chan#es, free"om, an" wealth for the !sraelites. :o lon#er "i" they ha9e to $ay ta%es, or tri ute, to any forei#n $a#an kin#. :e9er in ancient history ha" a #rou$ e%$erience" such a "ramatic chan#e within the short time frame of a sin#le #eneration, as "i" the !sraelites. Generally, su""en an" "ramatic social chan#es were e%tremely ne#ati9e, usually resultin# from a military conAuest in which the "efeate" $eo$le were either kille" or ensla9e". Hictors of any nation ne9er accom$lishe" what )a9i" create" in a mere forty years. /18 More im$ortantly, in the ancient Mi""le 4ast "i#nity was a sacre" honor. Din# )a9i" esta lishe" "i#nity an" honor for Go"<s 'hosen (eo$leL no lon#er were they reci$ients of "e#ra"in# Eokes. 1he ,ewish $eo$le of the first century, who were re"uce" to economic sla9ery, were e%$ectin# a Messiah who woul" to re-esta lish the )a9i" 4m$ire as a wealthy international su$er$ower an" restore their "i#nity. !n s$ite of the lon# acce$te" 9iew of i lical history, in the $ast century or two a num er of critics ha9e ar#ue" that Din# )a9i" ne9er e%iste"L that he is a mythical fi#ure of creati9e i lical writers. Howe9er, they were silence" in 199/ an" 1994 when a ninth century ..'. stele was "isco9ere" with the kin#<s name inscri e" on it./11
309. Deller, W. The Bible as +istory. 4.

310. 'ullman, B)a9i".C 1*/34-39.
311. htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/+ile*1elU"anUinscri$tion.,(G, 0etrie9e" ?cto er -7, -81-.

5ee also Gary A. .yers. B1he 1ell )an 5tela.C 1-1.
235
3. *. &A. THE 2IING 6AFI6 F;AGMENT.5 1his inscri$tion, also known as the B1el )an 5tele,C mentions the House of )a9i" on line 9. !t consists of three fra#ments ;"isco9ere" in 199/ an" 1994= that refer to an unname" kin# who oasts of his 9ictories o9er the kin# of ,u"aea an" his ally, the kin# of the BHouse of )a9i".C !t is the first artifact to e foun" in !srael that mentions the name )a9i". (hoto y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons.
1ranslation of the BDin# )a9i" +ra#mentC inscri$tion is as follows* &. R S...R S a$( ")t R S *. R S 1y father 3e$t )# R S he fo)%ht at R...S 3. A$( 1y father lay (o3$4 he 3e$t to his RfathersS. No3 the 9i$% of IRsSTrael ha( #e$etrate( /. i$to 1y fatherVs la$( before. RA)t the$S Ha(a( 1a(e 1e 9i$%+ '. A$( Ha(a( 1ar"he( before 1e. So I 3e$t forth fro1 RtheS se8e$R...STs
236 .. of 1y r)le+ a$( I 9ille( Rse8eS$ty 9i$R%sS 3ho ha( har$esse( tho)Rsa$(s of "haSTriots <. a$( tho)sa$(s of "a8alry. RA$( I 9ille( ...Sra1 so$ of R...S ,. the 9i$% of Israel+ a$( I 9ille( R...Syah) so$ of R... the 9iST$% of !. the Ho)se of 6a8i(. A$( I 1a(e Rtheir to3$s i$to r)i$s a$( t)r$e(S & . their la$( i$to Ra (esolatio$ ...S &&. others a$( R...The$...be"a1e 9iST$% &*. o8er IsRrael...A$( I lai(S &3. sie%e a%ai$st R...S 1he line- y-line translation y &awrence ,. Mykytiuk ;$u lishe" 1994=. 1he name BHa"a"C is a $a#an "eity. /1- !t shoul" e note" that not all oastin#s y kin#s reflecte" truthful e9ents. Howe9er, this inscri$tion "iscre"its critics who ha9e state" that Din# )a9i" was a mythical fi#ure who ne9er e%iste". 1he kin# is known not only for his a"ministrati9e skills in for#in# twel9e semi-"isassociate" tri es into an em$ire, ut also for his many Messianic (salms. +or e%am$le, in (salm - an" @9 he wrote of a BMessiahC who woul" e the su Eect of much "iscussion. 1his occurre" as $re"icte". He also "escri e" the "eath of ,esus in (salm --*14-1@. :ote the re$eatin# themes or i"eas of $oetic He rew $arallelisms. I a1 #o)re( o)t li9e 3ater+ a$( all 1y bo$es are (isHoi$te(4 My heart is li9e 3a@+ 1elti$% 3ithi$ 1e. &' My stre$%th is (rie( )# li9e ba9e( "lay4 a$( 1y to$%)e sti"9s to the roof of 1y 1o)th4 Eo) #)t 1e i$to the ()st of (eath.
&/ &.
For (o%s3&3 ha8e s)rro)$(e( 1e4
312. htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/1elU)anU5tele. 0etrie9e" ?cto er -7, -81-L 5ee also .ryant G. Woo", B:ew !nscri$tions Mentions House of )a9i".C Bible and Spade. 119--1L an" A9raham .iran an" ,ose$h :a9eh, BAn Aramaic-5tele +ra#ment from 1el )an.C %srael 5(ploration &ournal. 4/ ;199/=* @1-9@.
237 a %a$% of e8il(oers has "lose( i$ o$ 1e43&/ They #ier"e( 1y ha$(s a$( 1y feet. &< I "a$ "o)$t all 1y bo$es43&' #eo#le stare a$( %loat o8er 1e. &, They (i8i(e( 1y %ar1e$ts a1o$% the1sel8es+ a$( they "ast lots for 1y "lothi$%. 3&. Psal1 **7&/-&, Amon# the many achie9ements of )a9i" are his $salms an" o"es. His literary works $ortray a man who rose from ein# a she$her" to a $owerful monarch, yet one who e%$erience" some horrific failures which were followe" y the "isco9ery of Go"<s lo9e. He may not ha9e reali>e" that some of his wor"s were Bmessianic.C !n fact, not all of the messianic $salms were reco#ni>e" in the first century as Bmessianic.C 5ome, such as the first line of (salm 13*18 #reatly $er$le%e" the ra is. ?nly after His resurrection "i" this $assa#e fin" fulfillment an" un"erstan"in#. For Eo) 3ill $ot aba$(o$ 1e to Sheol4 Eo) 3ill $ot allo3 Eo)r Faithf)l :$e see (e"ay. Psal1 &.7& 1he si#nificance of Din# )a9i" to first century ,ews an" the i"entity of ,esus cannot e o9erstate". 1hey were e%$ectin# the messianic 5on of )a9i" to "o all the #reat thin#s Din# )a9i" ha" "one to esta lish his em$ire. 1his was es$ecially influential in first century ,ewish thinkin# in li#ht of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant./17 1hat co9enant was similar to the A rahamic 'o9enant, with the 313. B)on#sC or B)o#sC was a He rew nickname for non-,ewish $eo$le. 1his theme is
re$eate" on the ne%t line.
314. 1he $salm writer recor"e" the emotions of his life, no "ou t totally unaware of the
fact that he was recor"in# $ro$hetic wor"s that woul" later e ascri e" to ,esus.
315. 1he a#ony of "yin# on a cross stretche" the human o"y to the $oint that it felt as if
the Eoints were comin# a$art.
316. 4%act "escri$tion of what ha$$ene" to ,esus. 5ee Mt. -7*/2.

317. 'ullman, B)a9i".C 1*/3@-39.
238 e%ce$tion that it containe" the a""itional clause of - 5amuel 7*1/-12, which $romise" "ominion o9er alien $eo$le ;- 5am. --*44-21L (s. -=. /1@ )a9i" was Go"<s anointe" one ;(s. -*-= an", as such, he was oth $riest an" kin# ;cf. (s. 118=L a foresha"owin# of the function ,esus woul" hol" in the future. /19 !n essence, first century ,ewish $eo$le e%$ecte" a messiah, who woul", 1. ?9erthrow the o$$ressi9e 0oman 4m$ire -. 0estore the )a9i"ic Din#"om an" make the ,ewish nation an international su$er-$ower as Din# )a9i" ha" "one. /. Althou#h Din# )a9i" ne9er $erforme" miracles, in the course of time ,ewish $eo$le came to elie9e that the messiah woul" $erform three ty$es of miracles known as B 1essia$i" 1ira"lesC ;to e "iscusse" later=./-8 4. +ulfill the )a9i"ic 'o9enant, althou#h there was consi"era le "e ate amon# 9arious ,ewish factions as to how that woul" materiali>e. His co9enant feature" four si#nificant elements* /-1 a. House . 1hrone c. Din#"om ". )escen"ants With four "i9ine $romises like these, no won"er that the ,ews were an%ious for a Bson of )a9i"C to e like Din# )a9i". 1he history of !srael was ne9er as 318. +ruchten aum, %sraelology9 The Missing ,ink in Systematic Theology. 3-9-//L
Wiseman, BA raham.C 1*3.
319. Merrill, *ingdom of 4riests. -73L 1errien, The 5lusi e 4resence. -92-93. 320. Messiah is s$elle" with a lower case BmC ecause the ,ewish $eo$le ha" not a$$lie"
"eity to the name. Messiah with an u$$er case BMC is a reference to ,esus as Go". +or a "escri$tion of the three messianic miracles, see the 9i"eo link .. 3. ,F.
321. +ruchten aum, %sraelology9 The Missing ,ink in Systematic Theology. 3/-.
239 #lorious as it was "urin# the rei#n of its three maEor monarchs* 5aul, )a9i", an" 5olomon. Din# 5aul for#e" the irth of a #reat nation, ut )a9i" com$lete" the task. )a9i" instille" a sense of nationalism an" e#an the esta lishment of an em$ire which was com$lete" y 5olomon. 5o $owerful was !srael in ancient history that future #enerations, e9en in the time of 'hrist, woul" reflect u$on its history. Jet while the em$ire co9ere" an enormous lan" mass, neither )a9i" nor 5olomon encom$asse" all the lan" Go" $romise" to A raham, !saac, an" ,aco . A few years efore ,esus was orn, Hero"<s Din#"om ecame nearly woul" come close in si>e, increasin# the s$eculation that the son of )a9i" woul" soon come an" take control of the kin#"om, ut it was not to e. !n the first century, the ,ews carefully o ser9e" ,esus an" attem$te" to reconcile Him with their $reconcei9e" i"eas of the Messiah. 1hey won"ere" if He was the lon# awaite" son of )a9i". ,esus o 9iously "i" not fit their $reconcei9e" i"eas of a military-messiah an" they certainly "i" not e%$ect a Messiah woul" come to re"eem them from their sins.
5o $owerful was Din# )a9i" that centuries later, es$ecially in the time of 'hrist, $eo$le mar9ele" at his #reat achie9ements. Jet while the )a9i"ic 4m$ire co9ere" an enormous lan" mass, neither )a9i" nor his son 5olomon encom$asse" all the lan" Go" $romise" to A raham, !saac, an" ,aco . A few years efore ,esus was orn, the si>e of Hero" the Great<s kin#"om came close to the )i9i"ic kin#"om. As a result s$eculation of a Messiah increase" si#nificantly y the time ,esus was orn. ?nce the military actions cease" an" the )a9i"ic 4m$ire was esta lishe", Go" ma"e a co9enant with )a9i" that esta lishe" his "ynasty as Go"<s choice to rule His $eo$le fore9er ;- 5am. 7*4-17=. 1his co9enant, known as
240 the )a9i"ic 'o9enant, has three features. 1. 1he "ynasty of )a9i" woul" rule o9er the (romise" &an" fore9er ;5am. 7*18= -. )a9i"<s "ynasty woul" e $ermanent ;- 5am. 7*11, 13=. /. 1he kin#"om esta lishe" y the co9enant woul" also e $ermanent ;- 5am. 7*1/, 13=.
!n summary, there were two incre"i ly e9ents that occurre" at this time that were im$ortant to the ,ewish $eo$le of the first century. 1. 1he esta lishment of the )a9i"ic 4m$ire that was one of the most $owerful em$ires of the ancient worl" an", more im$ortantly, -. 1he esta lishment of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant. 1his co9enant contains the $romise of an eternal kin# from the )a9i"ic )ynasty. 1hat kin# is ,esus. Ii$% Solo1o$ 1he thir" kin# of the unite" monarchy was )a9i"<s son, Din# 5olomon, who rule" "urin# the #ol"en a#e of !srael. His was a time of #reat $ros$erity an" $eace. He is est remem ere" for uil"in# the tem$le in ,erusalem that carrie" his name ;- 'hron. /*1=. He enEoye" a la9ish lifestyle, a hu#e army an" many uil"in# $roEects, all of which cost more than he earne" from international tra"e an" ta%es from tra9elin# cara9ans. He, therefore, im$ose" hi#h ta%es on his $eo$le an" "ro9e the nation into "e t. 1hat national "e t woul" ecome the $rimary reason his nation woul" s$lit into two in"e$en"ent so9erei#n states after his "eath. While the &or" ha" ma"e him to e the man with the #reatest wis"om, his "ecisions of hi#h "e t an"
241 multi$le wi9es an" concu ines clearly in"icate that he faile" to use his wis"om. He e%$an"e" international tra"e that inclu"e" a $artnershi$ with Hiram, the (hoenician kin# of 1yre. 1o#ether they o$erate" a fleet of merchant shi$s in the 0e" 5ea an" alon# east Africa. Archaeolo#ical "isco9eries in"icate that 5olomon o$erate" co$$er mines, which woul" e%$lain his close ties with Hiram. 1he (hoenicians were the worl"<s est craftsmen at co$$er smeltin# an" refinin# as well as seamanshi$. &ittle won"er then, that the writer of +irst Din#s sai" that chief metalworker of ron>e o Eects in the tem$le was a 1yrian y the name of Hiram ;not relate" to the kin# of 1yreL 1 D#s. 7*1/42=. Din# )a9i" transforme" from a "o>en in"e$en"ent tri es to a unifie" an" wealthy em$ire 7 wealth that was e%$an"e" y Din# 5olomon. :e9er in ancient worl" history "i" a $eo$le #rou$ enEoy such a ra"ical an" successful transformation in such a short time. Howe9er, it came with a hea9y $rice ta#. 1he massi9e uil"in# $roEect reAuire" not only ta%ation, ut s as well. 5olomon, to $rotect his new foun" wealth, enlar#e" his military which reAuire" more ta%es an" increase" his national "e t. Any nation that follows this economic cycle soon fails, as "i" 5olomon<s 4m$ire. &ike 5aul, he too fell into a moral an" s$iritual free-fallL his life en"e" in a$ostacy an" i"olatry ;1 D#. 1-*1--8=. He was lesse" with Go"-#i9en wis"om, ut near the en" of his rei#n he faile" to use it. His life en"e" in tra#e"y an" soon his em$ire woul" colla$se. 5olomon<s influence in the "ays of ,esus was limite", unlike his $o$ular father. :onetheless, there are two $oints in the #os$els that are worthy of consi"eration. 1. 1he first century ra is tau#ht their stu"ents un"er tem$le $orches calle" B5olomon<s colonna"e.C &e#en" sai" that these columns stoo" in the first tem$le, an" the ra is sai" that may e some of 5olomon<s wis"om mi#ht fall u$on their stu"ents.
242 -. 1he ra is also elie9e" that 5olomon<s $ower an" wis"om coul" hel$ them "iscern an" e%$el "emonic s$irits. /-- 1his is why ,esus once sai" that Bsomeone #reater than 5olomon is hereC ;Mt. 1-*-7=.
3. *. * !3&-',. A.C. The 6i8i(e( Mo$ar"hy 5hortly after 5olomon<s "eath, ci9il war roke out that resulte" in "i9ision of the nation. 1he ten northern tri es ecame an in"e$en"ent kin#"om an" maintaine" the name of !srael an", as $re9iously mentione", the tri es of .enEamin an" ,u"ah ecame the southern kin#"om, known as ,u"ea. Animosity #rew etween the two nations ecause, while the southern kin#"om remaine" faithful to the laws of Moses, the northern !sraelites were acce$tin# forei#n "eities. Go" then sent $ro$hets to soun" the warnin# of $en"in# Eu"#ment an" to announce the comin# Messiah. +or nearly two centuries, the northern kin#"om ha" enEoye" its in"e$en"ence an" $ros$erity in s$ite of its $a#anism. (ro$hets such as !saiah soun"e" the warnin# of $en"in# "i9ine Eu"#ment if the $eo$le "i" not chan#e their ways. 1hey faile" to listen an" in 7-- ..'., the Assyrian military threat arose from the lan"s to the northeast an" conAuere" !srael. 1hey relocate" the !sraelites hun"re"s of miles to the east, an" e9entually they ecame known as the Bten lost tri es.C .ut were they really BlostFC Accor"in# to the - 4s"ras 1/*48-42, they went to a re#ion eyon" the 4u$hrates 0i9er known as Arsareth, or Ar>areth, an" ,ose$hus sai" there were countless ,ews who woul" return from there to their homelan" in the last "ays./-/ Those are the te$ tribes+ 3hi"h 3ere "arrie( a3ay #riso$ers o)t of their o3$ la$( i$ the ti1e of :sea the 9i$%+ 3ho1 Sal1a$asar the 9i$% of Assyria le( a3ay "a#ti8e+ a$( he "arrie( the1 o8er the 3aters+ a$( so "a1e they i$to a$other la$(. /& A)t they too9 this "o)$sel a1o$% the1sel8es+ that they 3o)l( lea8e the 1)ltit)(e of the heathe$+ a$( %o forth i$to a f)rther "o)$try+ 3here $e8er 1a$9i$( (3elt+ /* That they 1i%ht there 9ee# their stat)tes+ 3hi"h they $e8er 9e#t i$ their o3$ la$(. /3 A$( they e$tere( i$to E)#hrates by the
/
322. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. @.-.2. 323. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 11.2.-.
243 $arro3 #la"es of the ri8er. // For the 1ost Hi%h the$ sho3e( si%$s for the1+ a$( hel( still the floo(+ till they 3ere #asse( o8er. /' For thro)%h that "o)$try there 3as a %reat 3ay to %o+ $a1ely+ of a year a$( a half7 a$( the sa1e re%io$ is "alle( Arsareth. /. The$ (3elt they there )$til the latter ti1e. * Es(ras &37/ -/. 1he $ro lem is that no one today knows where Arseareth, or Ar>areth, is locate". What is known is that Anna, who saw the infant ,esus, was from the tri e of Asher 7 one of the so-calle" lost tri es. When ,ames wrote his letter, he a""resse" it to the twel9e tri es in the "is$ersion ;,ames 1*1-/=. 3. *. 3 ,th Ce$t)ry A.C. Isaiah 1he ministry of the $ro$het !saiah e#an in the year 748 ..'., when Din# U>>iah "ie" ;!sa. 3*1=. He wrote his ook "urin# the Assyrian in9asions an" the "ecline of the northern kin#"om. At this time the Assyrian 4m$ire was e%$an"in# into 5yria an" 'anaan ;742-7-7 ..'.= un"er the rei#n of Din# 1i#lath (ileser !!!. !saiah<s $ro$hecies were not only for the imme"iate future, ut also for the "istant future, concernin# the comin# of the Messiah an" centuries eyon". 1hose $ro$hecies of the imme"iate future were Auickly an" literally fulfille", which esta lishe" his cre"i ility as a true $ro$het. 1herefore, it was un"erstoo" that futuristic $ro$hecies woul" also e literally fulfille" one "ay. +or e%am$le, amon# the $ro$hecies of interest to the 7th century ..'. $eo$le of ,u"ea, was the $re"iction that state" the wealth of ,erusalem woul" e carrie" off to .a ylon ;!sa. /9*3=. At the time of his writin# .a ylon was an insi#nificant military $ower, yet his $re"iction was fulfille" a century later. !saiah also #a9e $re"icti9e wor"s concernin# the $re"ecessor of the Messiah ;48*/=, which were later fulfille", in the $erson of ,ohn the .a$tist, who is more a$$ro$riately known as ,ohn the .a$ti>er ;see Mt. /*/L &k. /*4=. A 8oi"e of o$e "alli$% o)t7 Pre#are the 3ay of the L:;6 I$ the 3il(er$ess4 Ma9e a strai%ht hi%h3ay for o)r Go( I$ the (esert. Isaiah / 73
244
When Matthew "escri e" ,esus as the chosen ser9ant of Go" ;1-*1@--1=, he Auote" the $ro$het !saiah* 2This is My Ser8a$t4 I stre$%the$ Hi1+ this is My Chose$ :$e4 I (eli%ht i$ Hi1. I ha8e #)t My S#irit o$ Hi14 He 3ill bri$% H)sti"e to the $atio$s. * He 3ill $ot "ry o)t or sho)t or 1a9e His 8oi"e hear( i$ the streets. 3 He 3ill $ot brea9 a br)ise( ree(+ a$( He 3ill $ot #)t o)t a s1ol(eri$% 3i"94 He 3ill faithf)lly bri$% H)sti"e. / He 3ill $ot %ro3 3ea9 or be (is"o)ra%e( )$til He has establishe( H)sti"e o$ earth. The isla$(s 3ill 3ait for His i$str)"tio$.5
&
Isaiah /*7&-/ 'oncernin# the future Messianic +i#ure, !saiah "escri e" Him as ha9in# a su$ernatural nature ;9*2-3=, an" restorin# the relationshi$ etween man an" Go" ;49*3L 2/*1-=. 'ha$ter 2/ is consi"ere" a classic "escri$tion of ,esus. !saiah "escri e" ,esus when He was eaten an" ruise" ;2/*--/= efore (ilate, when He carrie" our infirmities, sins, an" $unishment ;2/*4-@=, when he was urie" ;2/*9=, an" when he arose from the #ra9e ;2/*18=. His $re"ictions concernin# ,esus the Messiah ha9e earne" him the title of ein# the #os$el writer of the ?l" 1estament. /-4 (ro$hets like !saiah an" Micah "eclare" that the Messiah woul" e a "escen"ant of Din# )a9i" an" woul" $ersonally fulfill the eternal reAuirements of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant ;!sa. 11*113L Mic. 2*-=.
324. +or the historical trail of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant from )a9i" to ,esus, see 3. *. &MU+
3. *. 3MU+ 3. *. .MU+ 3. 3. &MU, /. *. *MU+ an" &3. /. 'MU.
245
3. *. / <33 A.C. Israel Falls to the Assyria$s4 Israelites 6e#orte( to the East4 <*3 A.C. Israel E$(s /-2 .ecause of !srael<s i"olatry, Go" $ermitte" His $eo$le to suffer un"er $a#an rulers an" reli#ions. 1he Assyrians ;from mo"ern !raA=, le" y Din# 1i#lath(ileser !!!, ecame the international su$er$ower an" conAuere" !srael. !n 7// ..'. !srael was reAuire" not only to $ay hu#e ta%es, ut in the "eca"e of 7/--7-- the Assyrians "e$orte" many !sraelites to the east in an attem$t to "estroy their culture. .y 7-1 ..'. the ten northern tri es known as the Din#"om of !srael en"e". 0eli#ious an" ci9ic lea"ers as well as craftsmen an" merchants were "e$orte" to insure that the remainin# $oor "i" not ha9e the wealth or skill to re9olt. /-3 Ancients elie9e" that cultures coul" e "estroye" y forci ly inte#ratin# $eo$le #rou$s, which in turn woul" "iminish the $ossi ilities of a re9olt. /-7 5o many $eo$le were "e$orte" that Galilee ecame a Gentile $ro9ince for the ne%t si% centuries ;- D#s. 12*-9L !sa. @*-/=, which is why !saiah calle" the area the BGalilee of the GentilesC ;!sa. 9*1=. 1i#lath-(ileser<s son 5halmaneser H conAuere" 5amaria in 7-/ ..'. ;- D#. 17*1-3=. His successor, 5ar#on !!, reconAuere" the city in 7-8 ..'. !n 5ar#on<s $alace in Dhorsa a", stone inscri$tions commemorate his 9ictory o9er !srael. ?ne inscri$tion was foun" near the #ate of his $alace that rea"s* 325. +or centuries scholars ha9e
een una le to reconcile the so-calle" i lical errors concernin# the "ates of rei#n of 9arious kin#s. Many saw this as clear e9i"ence for the unrelia ility of the .i le an" conclu"e" that it was written for a theolo#ical $oint an" is historically inaccurate. 1hen, in the early 1928s, 4. 0. 1hiele "isco9ere" that ,u"ah use" the ,ewish calen"ar while northern !srael, un"er the affluence of the Assyrians, naturally use" the Assyrian calen"ar. +or further stu"y, see 4. 0. 1hiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the +ebrew *ings. Gran" 0a$i"s* Kon"er9an, 19@/. 326. Malamat, B'au#ht .etween the Great (owers.C /4. 327. Golu , %n the )ays. 18-1-.
246 BPro#erty of Sar%o$+ et". Ii$% of Assyria+ et".C Co$=)eror of Sa1aria BSa-1ir-i-$aC a$( of the e$tire "o)$try ofC Israel BAit H)-)1-ri-aC. Pavement Inscri&tion
3*,
A secon" inscri$tion was foun" in his $alace, which may ha9e the royal li rary of 5ar#on !!. !t rea"s*
een $art of
I "o$=)ere( a$( sa"9e( the to3$s Shi$)ht) Ba$(C Sa1aria+ a$( all Israel BAit H)-)1-ri-iaC. /oom 0I# Inscri&tion
3*!
1he Assyrians also im$orte" other ca$ture" $eo$le from the east into 5yria an" northern !srael. //8 1hese $eo$le e9entually intermarrie" with the few remainin# !sraelites an" their "escen"ants ecame known as the 5amaritans. 1he account is recor"e" in 5econ" Din#s. The$ the 9i$% of Assyria bro)%ht #eo#le fro1 Aabylo$+ C)thah+ A88a+ Ha1ath+ a$( Se#har8ai1 a$( settle( the1 i$ #la"e of the Israelites i$ the "ities of Sa1aria. The settlers too9 #ossessio$ of Sa1aria a$( li8e( i$ its "ities. *' 0he$ they first li8e( there+ they (i( $ot fear Eah3eh. So the Lor( se$t lio$s a1o$% the1+ 3hi"h 9ille( so1e of the1. *. The settlers s#o9e to the 9i$% of Assyria+ sayi$%+ 2The $atio$s that yo) ha8e (e#orte( a$( #la"e( i$ the "ities of Sa1aria (o $ot 9$o3 the re=)ire1e$ts of the Go( of the la$(. Therefore He has se$t lio$s a1o$% the1 that are 9illi$% the1 be"a)se the #eo#le (o$?t 9$o3 the re=)ire1e$ts of the Go( of the la$(.5
*/
328. (ritchar", Ancient Near 5ast Te(ts" -@4L &ewis, +istorical Backgrounds of Bible
+istory. 48.
329. (ritchar", Ancient Near 5ast Te(ts" -@2L 1he transliterate" name of Bit +u/um/ri/ia
literally means BHouse of ?mri,C a kin# of !srael after the monarchy "i9i"e". Un"er his #ui"ance the country ecame an economic $ower, an" as a result, the other nations referre" to !srael as B1he &an" or 1he House of ?mri,C for more than a century after his "eathL 5ee also ,ack &ewis, +istorical Backgrounds of Bible +istory. 48.
330
. Delso, B5amaria, 1erritory of.C 2*-4-.
247 The$ the 9i$% of Assyria iss)e( a "o11a$(7 2Se$( ba"9 o$e of the #riests yo) (e#orte(. Ha8e hi1 %o a$( li8e there so he "a$ tea"h the1 the re=)ire1e$ts of the Go( of the la$(.5 *, So o$e of the #riests they ha( (e#orte( "a1e a$( li8e( i$ Aethel+ a$( he be%a$ to tea"h the1 ho3 they sho)l( fear Eah3eh.
*<
A)t the #eo#le of ea"h $atio$ 3ere still 1a9i$% their o3$ %o(s i$ the "ities 3here they li8e( a$( #)tti$% the1 i$ the shri$es of the hi%h #la"es that the #eo#le of Sa1aria ha( 1a(e. 3 The 1e$ of Aabylo$ 1a(e S)""oth-be$oth+ the 1e$ of C)th 1a(e Ner%al+ the 1e$ of Ha1ath 1a(e Ashi1a+ 3& the A88ites 1a(e NibhaG a$( Tarta9+ a$( the Se#har8ites b)r$e( their "hil(re$ i$ the fire to A(ra11ele"h a$( A$a11ele"h+ the %o(s of the Se#har8ai1. 3* They feare( the Lor(+ b)t they also a##oi$te( fro1 their $)1ber #riests to ser8e the1 i$ the shri$es of the hi%h #la"es. 33 They feare( the Lor(+ b)t they also 3orshi#e( their o3$ %o(s a""or(i$% to the ")sto1 of the $atio$s 3here they ha( bee$ (e#orte( fro1.
*!
* Ii$%s &<7*/-33 1he ancients elie9e" that each area of lan" was controlle" y a territorial s$irit or #o". !n this case, since the $eo$le of 5amaria were "yin#, the Assyrians sai" that an !sraelite $riest of that lan" ou#ht to return home an" tell the new immi#rants, who ha" fi9e #o"s in their homelan"s, how to worshi$ the e%istin# Go" of the lan". !t is ironic the $a#an Assyrians woul" sen" an !sraelite $riest to tell the new resi"ents an" remainin# $oor !sraelites how the Go" of A raham, !saac, an" ,aco shoul" e worshi$e". Howe9er, the new resi"ents refuse" to listen to the $riest an" continue" to worshi$ their own $a#an "eities ;9. -9=. //1 1his historical ack#roun" of the 5amaritans is critical to un"erstan"in# the cultural en9ironment in which ,esus ministere", es$ecially when in or near 5amaria. As was $re9iously mentione", the 5amaritans were an ethnically mi%e" #rou$L offs$rin# of intermarria#e etween the ten northern !sraelite tri es an" the fi9e $a#an tri es ;each tri e with its own #o"s= that were 331. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote for - Din#s 17*-9.
248 relocate" into northern !srael y the Assyrians. When ,esus met the at the well ;,n. 4= she sym oli>e" her $eo$leL she ha" a marria#e co9enant with fi9e hus an"s Eust as her $eo$le ;from fi9e tri es= ha" at one time een in a s$iritual co9enant with their #o"s ;- D#. 17*/8-/1=. ,esus "i" not "iscriminate a#ainst her or other 5amaritans as "i" other ,ews. 1he reasons for the cultural "i9i"e are many. .y the first century there was intense hatre" an" ri9alry etween the 5amaritans an" ,ews. 1he 5amaritan faith was, an" still is, a form of asic ,u"aism with se9eral nota le similarities an" "ifferences. 1he 5amaritans followe" the &aws of Moses, inclu"in# the laws $ertainin# to the 5a ath, the rite of circumcision, an" unclean ;kosher= foo"s. 1hey were in a#reement with the 5a""ucees that there is no resurrection an" that only the first fi9e ooks of the .i le were ins$ire" y Go". 1hey elie9e" that Mount Geri>im, not ,erusalem, was a holy site for worshi$. !t was here, accor"in# to their theolo#y, that A"am an" 49e were create", A raham offere" !saac, an" this holy site was literally the center of the worl". )ifferences an" an#er #rew o9er the centuries, an" y the first century each #rou$ consi"ere" the other sacrile#ious, im$ure, unholy, an" "etesta le. !nto this hateful, e%$losi9e, an" hostile en9ironment ,esus came to rin# the Din#"om of Go" 3. *. ' < & A.C. Assyria$s Atta"9 5ennacheri ;rei#ne" 782-3@1 ..'.=, the secon" son of 5ar#on !!, in 781 ..'., le" the Assyrian army a#ainst forty-two towns an" 9illa#es of .enEamin an" ,u"ah, "estroyin# all of them ut not relocatin# the $eo$le. When they were $re$arin# their attack a#ainst ,erusalem in 781 ..'., He>ekiah, Din# of ,u"ah an" ,erusalem, ha" a tunnel "u# to rin# water into the city "urin# the sie#e. 1his water flows into the (ool of 5iloam, a site of a healin# miracle y ,esus. He then attacke" ,erusalem ;!sa. /3*1-/7*/@=. Miraculously, the city of ,erusalem was not ca$ture", althou#h it suffere" #reatly.//- 1he Assyrians were an e%tremely 9icious an" "estructi9e $eo$le 332. )eli9erance for Din# He>ekiah an" ,erualem came when an an#le of the &or" kille"
1@2,888 Assyrians in a sin#le ni#ht. 5uch a near instant mass e%ecution woul" not take $lace a#ain until Au#ust 3, 1942, when 188,888 "ie" in Hiroshima, ,a$an as the result of an atomic e%$losion. 'ritics often "iscre"it the hu#e num er of 1@2,888 kille" in ancient warfare, yet they "o not Auestion that in 4@8 ..'. 118,888 Greeks attacke" the (ersians an" kille" -38,888 of them. 5ee (acker, 1enney, an" White. The Bible Almanac. 132.
249 who were est known for their torture of ca$ture" $eo$le an" the "e9elo$ment of military machines such as the atterin# ram. 1hey ha" multi$le #o"s, inclu"in# ,akhm , their #o" of war. 1hey were a fearsome enemy of any non-Assyrians in antiAuity.
3. *. 'A. CAPTU;E6 IS;AELITES H:N:; IING SENNACHE;IA. 'ar9e" in a stone relief in his $alace in :ine9eh, the Assyrian Din# 5ennacheri is shown seate" as he re9iews the $lun"er surren"ere" y the ,ewish $eo$le of &achish. 'ourtesy of the 1rustees of the .ritish Museum. 1here are three maEor $oints of the Assyrian acti9ities that influence" the cultural e9ents at the time of ,esus* 1. 1hey "e$orte" the ten northern !sraelite tri es, who in turn tol" their o9erlor"s an" nei#h ors that one "ay a $owerful messiah woul" come. -. 1he rou#ht in fi9e eastern tri es, who intermarrie" with the few remainin# !sraelites "escen"ants ecame known as the 5amaritans. e9entually an" their
/. 1he horror of ein# anishe" from their (romise" &an" meant 7 as they un"erstoo" it at the time 7 was their co9enant with Go" was rokenL their fellowshi$ with their 'reator was roken, the ?ne who
250 #a9e them a reason for their e%istence. /// Howe9er, the wor"s of the $ro$hets that followe", an" then the arri9al of ,esus, confirme" that their o$inions were wron# an" that Go" still ha" a $lan for them ;,er. -9*11=. Go"<s Eu"#ment u$on 5ennacheri finally came when he returne" home to :ine9eh. He was kille" y his own sons as he worshi$e" in the house of his #o", :isroch.
3. *. 'A. A ;EC:;6 :F SENNACHE;IA?S SIEGE AGAINST JE;USALEM. 1he Assyrian kin# ha" his sie#e a#ainst Din# He>ekiah recor"e" on three clay $risms, known to"ay as the 1aylor (rism ;shown a o9e= an" two 5ennacheri (risms. ?ther recor"s inclu"e writin#s y Hero"otus an" !saiah /3-/7L - Din#s 1@ an" - 'hronicles /-. (hoto y )a9i" 'astor/Wiki$e"ia 'ommons.
3. *. . .*. A.C. Jere1iah Ae%i$s His Mi$istry 333. &ink an" 1uente. B5la9e, 5er9ant, 'a$ti9e, (risoner, +reeman.C /*298.
251 .y this time the $eo$le of ,u"ea an" ,erusalem ha" also fallen into i"olatry as ha" their northern rothers a century earlier. ,eremiah was a youn# man when he recei9e" his commission to e a $ro$het. He reco#ni>e" the comin# of Go"<s Eu"#ment an", hence, most of his $ro$hecies were written with a sorrowful heart. //4 He scorne" the $eo$le of ,u"ea for their sins ;,er. 44*-/= an" i"olatry //2 ecause their sin inclu"e" the horrific sacrifice of li9e infants as urnt offerin# to $a#an #o"s ;,er. 7*/8-/4=. He #a9e a $ro$hecy $re"ictin# se9enty-year ca$ti9ity as follows* , 2Therefore+ this is 3hat the Lor( of Hosts says7 WAe"a)se yo) ha8e $ot obeye( My 3or(s+ ! I a1 %oi$% to se$( for all the fa1ilies of the $orth? Qthis is the Lor(?s (e"laratio$QWa$( se$( for My ser8a$t Neb)"ha($eGGar 9i$% of Aabylo$+ a$( I 3ill bri$% the1 a%ai$st this la$(+ a%ai$st its resi(e$ts+ a$( a%ai$st all these s)rro)$(i$% $atio$s+ a$( I 3ill "o1#letely (estroy the1 a$( 1a9e the1 a (esolatio$+ a (erisio$+ a$( r)i$s fore8er. & I 3ill eli1i$ate the so)$( of Hoy a$( %la($ess fro1 the1Qthe 8oi"e of the %roo1 a$( the bri(e+ the so)$( of the 1illsto$es a$( the li%ht of the la1#. && This 3hole la$( 3ill be"o1e a (esolate r)i$+ a$( these $atio$s 3ill ser8e the 9i$% of Aabylo$ for < years. Jere1iah *'7,-&& At the time ,eremiah sai" these wor"s, .a ylon was all ut unknown. 'ertainly it was not a worl" $ower, ut that was a out to chan#e. He also ma"e $romises of a #reat kin# like )a9i". 2The (ays are "o1i$%5 Qthis is the Lor(?s (e"laratio$Q 23he$ I 3ill raise )# a ;i%hteo)s Ara$"h of 6a8i(. He 3ill rei%$ 3isely as 9i$% a$( a(1i$ister H)sti"e a$( ri%hteo)s$ess i$ the la$(. . I$ His (ays J)(ah 3ill be sa8e(+ a$( Israel 3ill (3ell se")rely. This is 3hat He 3ill be $a1e(7 Eah3eh :)r ;i%hteo)s$ess.
'
334. !ntro"uction to ook of ,eremiah, New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le, 1112-13.
335. ,er. 13*18-1/, -8L --*9L /-*-9L 44*--/, @, 17-19, -2.
252 Jere1iah *37'-. 1he fulfillment of some $ro$hecies, such as the se9enty years of ca$ti9ity, was critical ecause ,eremiah also #a9e $ro$hecies concernin# the comin# Messiah. 5ince he ha" $ro9en himself to e a true $ro$het whose wor"s were literally fulfille", there woul" e no misun"erstan"in# that his wor"s concernin# a Messiah woul" also e literally fulfille". //3 3. *. < .&* A.C. Assyria$ Ni$e8eh Falls to Aabylo$ a$( Me(ia 1he Assyrian army, which was elie9e" to e in9inci le, was "efeate" y Din# :a o$olassar, foun"er of the 'hal"ean 4m$ire, also known as .a ylon. 1hus, the international sta#e was $re$are" for ,eremiah<s wor"s to e fulfille". .y the first century, the other $ro$hetic wor"s s$oken y him were remem ere" as the ,ews encountere" ,esus an" His "isci$les. 3. *. , . ' A.C. J)(ah Falls to the Aabylo$ia$s4 First 6e#ortatio$ of Je3s to Aabylo$ Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar !! ;rei#ne" 382-23- ..'.=, the ol"est son an" successor of Din# :a o$olassar, "estroye" the 4#y$tian army at the .attle of 'archemish an" in9a"e" 5yria an" ,u"ah. As news s$rea" that he was comin# towar" ,erusalem, some of the wealthy aristocratic $eo$le fle" to 4#y$t an" 5$ain. Jears later the $ro$het ? a"iah $re"icte" ;9erse -8= that at a time in the future, 5$anish s$eakin# ,ews ;known as 5e$har"i ,ews= woul" return an" li9e in the :e#e9 )esert. 1he history of these ,ewish $eo$le e#an with Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar, an" there has een a slow ut stea"y influ% of 5e$har"i ,ews to the :e#e9 )esert since the early 1998s. :e ucha"ne>>ar<s ca$ture of ,erusalem was without "ifficulty. As the Assyrians ha" "one $re9iously, he "irecte" influential ,ewish families of the $riesthoo" an" #o9ernment, inclu"in# the $ro$het )aniel, as well as artisans, craftsmen, an" skille" farmers, to e "e$orte" to the east ;.a ylon=. 1his was "one ecause he elie9e" that without their lea"ers, the
3. *. 3MU+ 3. *. .MU+ 3. 3. &MU, /. *. *MU+ an" &3. /. 'MU.
253 ca$ti9e $eo$le nation woul" not ha9e the a ility to re9olt an", therefore, remain faithful. 1he ca$ti9e ,ews took with them the 1orah an" other $ro$hetic scrolls of the comin# messiah whom they e%$ecte" woul" "eli9er them from $olitical on"a#e an" sla9ery. 1hey took with them the messa#e that one "ay there woul" e a "eli9erer who woul" rin# free"om to all men. .y the time of ,esus all $eo$le #rou$s in the Mi""le 4ast were antici$atin# a messiah who woul" "eli9er them from o$$ressi9e rulers. 5o antici$atory were the eastern ancients, that ma#i searche" the hea9ens for any $ossi le clue of a comin# kin#. 1ra"ition says that the three eastern ma#i an" their cara9an came as the result of the ,ews ha9in# een "is$erse" to that re#ion centuries earlier. 3. *. ! '!< A.C. Se"o$( 6e#ortatio$ of Je3s to Aabylo$ 3ith 6a$iel a$( EGe9iel .oth )aniel an" 4>ekiel li9e" "urin# times of international u$hea9al an" strife. +ortunately, 4>ekiel in"e%e" his $ro$hecies to a calen"ar, which archaeolo#ists reckone" to the mo"ern calen"ar. 1he "isco9ery of .a ylonian annals on cuneiform ta lets ecame the tools allowin# archaeolo#ists to $lace these e9ents into a mo"ern time $ers$ecti9e. 1he !sraelites in ,u"ah ha" no "esire to remain un"er the "omination of the .a ylonians, an" in 297 ..'., they re elle". Howe9er, their >eal for $olitical free"om was Auickly crushe". U$on his return to Meso$otamia, :e ucha"ne>>ar a#ain took the remainin# $riests, #o9ernment officials, an" a$$ro%imately 18,888 lea"in# men, inclu"in# the $ro$het 4>ekiel. He an" his countrymen were settle" alon# the anks of the 'he ar 0i9er, a tri utary that flows into the 4u$hrates a out three hun"re" miles a o9e .a ylon ;1 D#. -4*18-13L 4>ek. 1*1--L 48*1=.
254
3. *. ,A. IS;AELITES MA;CH INT: AAAEL:N by Ma)ri"e Aar(i$. An artist<s ren"erin# of a royal $rocession marchin# throu#h the !shtar Gate after they were taken from ,erusalem. 5hown in the ack#roun" are the famous han#in# #ar"ens of .a ylon. 'enturies later at the time of ,esus, the ,ews "rea"e" another "e$ortation.
255
3. *. !A. THE AAAEL:NIAN CH;:NICLE F:; THE EEA;S . '-'!' A.C. 1his clay ta let from the royal .a ylonian archi9es re$orts the accom$lishments of Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar, inclu"in# the ca$ture of ,u"ah ;,erusalem= on March 13, 297 ..'. !t matches $erfectly with the "etails of the .i le. 'ourtesy of the 1rustees of the .ritish Museum. When the !sraelites of ,erusalem re elle" a#ain in 2@7-2@3 ..'., the .a ylonians conclu"e" that they ha" en"ure" enou#h with this re ellious unch. 1hey were not a out to risk another re9olt. 1herefore, since the ancients elie9e that #o"s literally li9e" in tem$les, the .a ylonians attem$te" to "estroy the Go" of the ,ews y urnin# 5olomon<s tem$le. 1he remainin# $easants were $o9erty stricken an" ha" no lea"ershi$ or wealth with which to re uil" their nation or e#in an insurrection. //7 337. )an. 1*1-4L - D#. -4*1-7L - 'h. /3*2-@L 5ee also &ewis, +istorical Backgrounds of Bible
+istory. -@-/8.
256 !t was a common o$inion that when armies fou#ht each other, the attle was really a contest etween their #o"s an" the winnin# army was sai" to ha9e the stron#er "eity. 1o the .a ylonians, their 9ictory an" "estruction of the tem$le sym oli>e" that they ha" the stron#er #o". 5ince the !sraelites also elie9e" this, they were #reatly "iscoura#e" an" "e$resse" as they elie9e" their Go" was "efeate" an" $ossi ly "estroye". Hence, the wor"s of $romise y their $ro$hets were $rofoun"ly si#nificant an" reassurin#. 1hey s$oke of restoration, a return to the lan", an" a Messiah, all of which #a9e the ca$ture" $eo$le #reat ho$e in the mi"st of "es$air. )aniel<s $ro$hecies ha" a $rofoun" im$act as his wor"s were also literally fulfille". Amon# his $re"ictions was the rise of an e9il man who woul" attem$t to "estroy the ,ewish $eo$le. He was not mentione" y name. Howe9er, his actions i"entifie" him to e none other than Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes ;early -n" century .'=, who rose to $ower in )amascus an" rule" /38 years after )aniel s$oke these wor"s ;'h. 11=. 1he fulfillment of )aniel<s wor"s #a9e him cre"i ility as a true $ro$het in"icatin# that his wor"s concernin# the Messiah woul" also e fulfille" in the same literal manner. :ote* the !sraelites were not calle" ,ews until after they left .a ylon to return to ,erusalem an" ,u"ah. (ossi ly the most interestin# $ro$hecy y )aniel concernin# the Messiah is that He woul" "ie efore the "estruction of the tem$le. :otice that )aniel sai" this after the "estruction of 5olomon<s tem$le. 1hat $ro$hecy coul" only ha9e meant that 1. 1here woul" e a secon" tem$le. -. )urin# the time of that secon" tem$le the Messiah woul" come. 1he $re"iction rea"s as follows, After those .* 3ee9s the Messiah 3ill be ")t off a$( 3ill ha8e $othi$%. The #eo#le of the "o1i$% #ri$"e 3ill (estroy the "ity a$( the sa$"t)ary. The e$( 3ill "o1e 3ith a floo(+ a$( )$til the e$( there 3ill be 3ar4 (esolatio$s are (e"ree(.
*.
6a$iel !7*.
257 )aniel<s $ro$hecy of the tem$le<s "estruction was $ro lematic for 1 st century ,ews. At the time of ,esus, a num er of ,ews associate" with the 5chool of Hillel reali>e" that one "ay their tem$le woul" e "estroye" alon# with the Holy 'ity. 1herefore, when ,esus sai" that He woul" re uil" the "estroye" tem$le in three "ays, His wor"s fulfille" )aniel<s $ro$hecy. Another si#nificant $ro$het was 4>ekiel. He #a9e a series of interestin# $ro$hecies that $ertain to the first an" secon" comin#s of the Messiah. 1he first a"9ent of the Messiah "escri es Him as a ser9ant an" in the secon" comin# He is "escri e" as a military lea"er. 1hese two "escri$tions were the cause for many heate" "e ates, an" ha9e at times een known as the BMessianic (ro lem.C 1he first century 4ssenes, for e%am$le, conclu"e" that there woul" e two "ifferent Messiahs ecause they "i" not consi"er the $ossi ility that one Messiah coul" come twice, or that the Messiah coul" e "eity in human form. Hence, their conce$t of a Messiah was of an e%traor"inary $erson ;somewhat an#elic=, ut not someone who was oth Go" an" man ;i.e. ,esus=. 1he ook of 4>ekiel was amon# the most hi#hly res$ecte" $ro$hetic ooks in the "ays of ,esus. Many of his wor"s ha" een fulfille" with $recision, thus lea9in# no "ou t that his remainin# $ro$hecies woul" e9entually e fulfille" in a similar manner. 1herein lay the $ro lem for first century ,u"aism. A lar#e section of his works ;cha$ters 48-4@= "escri es a new tem$le that clearly was not the eautiful monument Hero" the Great ha" recreate" out of the secon" tem$le. Hence, the 5a""ucees an" (harisees reali>e" that their sacre" shrine that they so "early lo9e", woul" e9entually ha9e to e "estroye" to make way for 4>ekiel<s tem$le. 1he 0omans "estroye" it in A.). 78, ut the thir" tem$le has yet to e uilt. )aniel, in the meantime, was the only $ro$het who ma"e no mention of ,esus e%ce$t in His 5econ" 'omin#. Hence, his messianic $ro$hecies were the su Eect of #reat "e ate "urin# the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" an" es$ecially "urin# the time of 0oman occu$ation when ,esus ministere". His wor"s that the messiah woul" e Bone who looke" like a manC ;)an 18*1@= le" ,ewish scholars to conclu"e that the messiah woul" e someone/somethin# to the or"er of an an#elic su$erman. 1herefore, ecause of the wor" Blike,C the i"ea of a messiah comin# in the form of a hum le car$enter from :a>areth was thorou#hly reEecte".
258 3. *.& ',< D '&. A.C. E@ili" Perio( 1he 4%ilic (erio" is the se9enty year $erio" of ca$ti9ity when the maEority of ,ewish $eo$le li9e" in .a ylon. Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar treate" them well. He "i" not reaku$ families or force them into sla9ery. He settle" them alon# the 'he ar 0i9er where the soil was more fertile than ack home in their (romise" &an". 'onseAuently, their farmin# skills $ro"uce" more foo" with less la or. When they were #rante" free"om, many chose to remain in .a ylon ecause they ha" esta lishe" usinesses an" ecome $ros$erous. Within twenty years, many ecame wealthy an" hel" $ositions in //@ #o9ernment. .a ylon was the #reatest city in Asia, a cultural crossroa" where men an" merchan"ise from all known nations coul" e foun". !t was known for the famous Bhan#in# #ar"ensC an" other won"ers of the ancient worl". 1he .a ylonians "e9elo$e" systems of ookkee$in#, commercial law, wei#hts an" measures which "e9elo$e" into the foun"ations of mo"ern western ci9ili>ation. Howe9er, the "escen"ants of A raham, !saac, an" ,aco were "iscoura#e" y the $a#an reli#ious $ractices of .a ylon. 1he #o"s were worshi$$e" with se%ual or#ies in tem$les, "rinkin# festi9als, chil"ren were sacrifice" to the #o"s, an" the claime" "eity as the .a ylonians worshi$$e" him. Amon# the many #o"s was .el, the #o" of war, that later was rename" Allah. While some ,ews were assimilate" into the .a ylonian culture, many others o$$ose" their reli#ions. 5ince they ha" reli#ious free"om, it is elie9e" that the syna#o#ue was "e9elo$e" a theolo#y was esta lishe" that sins coul" e for#i9en without tem$le sacrifices ;since it ha" een "estroye"=. 1he $a#anism force" the ,ewish $eo$le to reflect u$on their faith, an" as they "i", they "e9elo$e" a new $ers$ecti9e of Go". !t was commonly elie9e" that #o"s were territorial, meanin# that each "eity was the su$reme #o" of a $articular #eo#ra$hical location. !f a man left his country to settle in another lan", he also left his #o" an" acce$te" the #o" of his new home in the same manner that he acce$te" the #o9ernmental authority of the new lan". When the tem$le in ,erusalem was urne", many elie9e" that Go" was "efeate". When they were taken to .a ylon, many
338. Golu , %n the )ays. 2-7.
259 elie9e" their "efeate" Go" coul" an" woul" not hel$ them in that "istant lan". !n essence, their stru##le was to learn the answer to, BWho is my Go"FC +or that reason Go" sent his $ro$hets, 4>ekiel, )aniel, !saiah, an" ,eremiah to lea" an" teach them that Go" ha" not a an"one" them, ut ha" a $lan for them to $ros$er an" ha9e a ri#ht future ;,er. -9*11=. +urthermore, they soon un"erstoo" that Go" was ?ne who was with them no matter where they wereL He controls the uni9erse an" is in9ol9e" in the affairs of men. 3. *.&& ',< A.C. Thir( 6e#ortatio$4 Jer)sale1 a$( the Te1#le 6estroye( 1he remainin# $eo$le of ,erusalem re9olte" un"er the lea"ershi$ of Ke"ekiah an" the .a ylonians returne" to su "ue them. Howe9er, this was not Auickly "one. 1he sie#e took two an" a half years. .y this time Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar ha" ecome so "is#uste" with these !sraelites that he sent his army to "estroy the tem$le an" city ;- D#. -2=. !t was "estroye" on what woul" ecome known as Tish B0a , the )ay of Mournin#. ,ust when the ,ews felt a an"one", they hear" the $ro$hecies of )aniel an" foun" ho$e. He $ro$hesie" that after 78 years of ca$ti9ity, they woul" e release", which is $recisely what ha$$ene". His $ro$hetic wor"s ;)an. -, 7= of future "ominatin# $owers o9er !srael came true an" set the $olitical an" cultural settin# of the first century 0oman era in which 'hrist ministere". Howe9er, the hi#hly $ri>e" Ark of the 'o9enant ;4%. -2*18-13= which for centuries was in the tem$le Holy of Holies, ha" "isa$$eare". 49en to"ay, its location is unknown an" that in turn has #i9en rise to many le#en"s an" fanciful stories. !t was not in the tem$le "urin# the time of ,esus. //9 3. *.&* .th Ce$t)ry A.C. ;eli%io$ of the Loroaster )urin# the rei#n of the (ersian Din# )arius, there was a re9i9al of the ancient (ersian reli#ions. A youn# reformer y the name of Koroaster claime" to ha9e een taken u$ into the 4l- ur> Mountains, where he s$oke with Go" an" was #i9en laws y which to li9e.
339. As of this writin#, the location of the Ark of the 'o9enant remains a mystery. Accor"in# to - Din#s -4*1/, Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar cut into $ieces all of the #ol"en tem$le articles. 1he $ossi ility "oes e%ist that the Ark esca$e" his ca$ture. Howe9er, it is not mentione" in the future thir" tem$le ;4>ek. 48-4/= an", therefore, it is $ossi le that Go"<s $ur$ose of it has terminate".
260 Accor"in# to the 0oman historian &ucius Mestrius (lutarch ;A.). 43 7 1-8=, Koroaster returne" to his $eo$le an" tau#ht that there was one #oo" eternal Go" y the name ?rmu>"/?roma>es an" one e9il #o" of "arkness name" Ahriman/Areimanius. Mithras was the me"iator etween the two "i9ine $owers./48 ?n the futuristic )ay of ,u"#ment, the followers of #oo" an" e9il woul" e Eu"#e" an" se$arate" fore9er. Goo" $eo$le woul" e rewar"e" an" e9il ones $unishe". /41 !n essence, he imitate" the actions of Moses. Accor"in# to the reli#ion create" y Koroaster, ?rmu>" was to e worshi$e" in the $resence of fire ecause he was the li#ht of the uni9erse. 1he e9il one was so #reatly "es$ise" that his name was written ackwar"s an" u$si"e "own. 1he "octrines of Koroaster were recor"e" in se9eral sacre" ooks of the (ersians, inclu"in# the Ken"-A9esta. )arius, the #ran"son of 'yrus !!, e9entually ecame a follower of the reli#ion, which increase" its $o$ularity. 1o"ay it is most $rominent in .om ay, !n"ia, where it is known as (arsees. 1he "is$lacement of the ,ews #i9es $rominence to an o9erwhelmin# $ossi ility that the esta lishment of Koroastrianism was "ue to the stron# influences from "is$erse" ,ews. While scholars will "e ate a num er of $oints of the two reli#ions, others are clearly relate". +or e%am$le, in Koroastrian theolo#y An#ra Mainyu/Ahriman is an e9il s$irit that is hostile, rin#s "eath into the worl" ; .asna /8.4=, an" has e9il s$irits un"er his control ;/8.3=. 1his is clearly a reflection of 5atan in the ,u"eo-'hristian tra"ition. 1he #o" of truth an" ri#hteousness is Ahura Ma>"a ;/8.@= who has a hel$er y the name of )ru6. 1o#ether they fi#ht a#ainst An#ra Mainyu Ahriman. Accor"in# to this "octrine, there will e an en" of time when e9il s$irits will e "eli9ere" into the han"s of Ahura Ma>"a /4- for a final "estruction. /4/ ?ther "octrines are the unity of Go", the "octrine of an e9il an" #oo" s$irit, the "octrine of resurrection for the Eust an" Eu"#ment for the wicke", the conce$t of the en" of the earth, an" the use of fire or li#ht as in the 5hekinah, the em lem of "eity. /44
340. (lutarch, 'oncerning %sis and :siris. 43.
341. +ine#an, Myth and Mystery. 39-71.

342. 5ee .asna /8.@ an" .asht 19.92-93, the holy ooks of Koroasterism.
343. +ine#an, Myth and Mystery. 112-17.
261 1he (ersian 4m$ire ecame e%tremely $ros$erous "urin# ,ewish ca$ti9ity. With its massi9e wealth an" lu%ury there was also a "ecline of moral 9irtues an" corru$tion of the le#al system. 1he (ersians, who at one time were known for their $urity an" sim$licity of manners, ha" ecome as morally "e$ra9e" as any $a#an culture in the ancient :ear 4ast. &ater, ma#i from the kin# woul" tra9el west to ,erusalem lookin# for the ?ne who was orn to e the kin# of the ,ews. 1hey too were lookin# for a messiah who woul" restore their lan". 5ome scholars elie9e that the ma#i, or wise men, may ha9e een influence" y the newly create" reli#ion an" y their ,ewish nei#h ors.
3. *.&3 ', s a$( '< s A.C. E(o1ite I$8asio$s i$to Jer)sale1 Meanwhile, ack in ,erusalem, those who remaine" in the Holy 'ity an" surroun"in# 9illa#es were $oor, "efenseless, an" lost ho$e of e9er re#ainin# their Go" an" nation. 1hey "i" not ha9e access to the wor"s of restoration #i9en y the $ro$hets, so they were #reatly "iscoura#e". Many intermarrie" with the 4"omites an" Moa ites. 1o a"" insult to inEury, they also ecame the 9ictims of 4"omite in9asions. 1he smoke from the urnin# tem$le ha" har"ly cleare" when the 4"omites took a"9anta#e of the .a ylonian "estruction. 1hey not only rai"e" an" stole what few $ossessions the $oor ,ews ha" left, ut they also mo9e" into southern ,u"ah elow the city of He ron. !t was ecause of these mur"erous in9asions that the $ro$het ? a"iah ha" #i9en his $ro$hetic warnin# of "estruction to his "istant cousins. !n the course of time, their name was chan#e" to B!"umeans.C 1hey were hate" y the first century ,ews as much as the 5amaritans for se9eral reasons.
344. .laikie, A Manuel of Bible +istory. /3/-33.
262 1. 1he ,ews hate" the !"umeans ecause for centuries the !"umeans ha" $lun"ere" their farms an" ra$e" their women. -. 1he ,ews ha" no #reat lo9e for Hero" the Great was an !"umean, their hate" "istant cousins. 1o a"" insult to inEury Hero" was #i9en the 0oman title of BDin# of the ,ews,C e9en thou#h he was o 9iously not in the $romise" linea#e to e calle" a Bson of )a9i".C With most of the $eo$le #one, the lan" returne" to wil" semi-ari" "esert Eun#le. Wee"s an" thistles #rew e9erywhere, terrace" hills were "estroye" y winter rains, an" wan"erin# .e"ouins enEoye" the "eserte" countrysi"e. :ei#h orin# $owers soon "ominate" the former ,ewish communities an" the local ,ewish resi"ents ecame assimilate" into the $a#an cultures of the Moa ites an" 4"omites.
3. *.&/ '3!T'3, A.C. Aabylo$ Falls to the Persia$s BPersia$ E1#ire '3!-33& A.C.C 1he (ersian Din# 'yrus !! ;rei#ne" 228-2/8= /42 unite" the (ersians an" Me"es to "efeat the .a ylonians in 2/9. His $rocessional march on a horse into .a ylon was Auite ty$ical for a 9ictorious monarch, an" as such has a strikin# similarity to the ri"e on a "onkey y ,esus when He entere" ,erusalem in the e#innin# of His (assion Week. As 'yrus entere" the city, the $eo$le s$rea" ranches on the roa" efore him to announce their loyalty to him. 1his momentous e9ent was recor"e" on se9eral clay ta lets, which were e9entually "isco9ere" y archaeolo#ists. ?ne of those ta lets rea"s as follows, I$ the 1o$th of Arahsha1$)+ the thir( (ay+ Cyr)s e$tere( Aabylo$+ %ree$ t3i%s 3ere s#rea( before hi1 Ba$(C the state of Pea"e Bs)l1)C 3as i1#ose( )#o$ the "ity. Cyr)s se$t %reeti$%s to all Aabylo$.3/. 1he rise of 'yrus to $ower was the fulfillment of a $ro$hecy s$oken y )aniel ;)an. 3*-@=. 'yrus "ecree" that all $eo$le who were ca$ture" y the 345. 1he #ran"son of 'yrus !. 346. (richar", The Ancient Near 5ast. 1*-84.
263 .a ylonians were to e #i9en free"om an" tol" to li9e in $eace ;mentione" four times=. He was Go"<s instrument in the fulfillment of )aniel<s $ro$hecy. Howe9er, only a few thousan" ,ews chose to return to their (romise" &an" ;4>ra 3*/-2= an" re uil" ,erusalem an" the tem$le ;- 'h. /3*----/L 4>ra 1.14L 3*/-2=. !t was this tem$le that some fi9e centuries later woul" e enlar#e", eautifie", an" woul" ecome known as BHero"<s tem$leC in the "ays of ,esus. As to the "ecree of 'yrus, it state"* I ret)r$e( to the sa"re( "ities+ o$ the other si(e of the Ti%ris R;i8erS+ the sa$"t)aries 3hi"h ha8e bee$ i$ r)i$s for a lo$% ti1e Ra$( re-establishe(S+ the i1a%es 3hi"h B)se(C to li8e therei$+ a$( establishe( for the1 #er1a$e$t sa$"t)aries. I RalsoS %athere( all their Rfor1erS i$habita$ts a$( ret)r$e( Rthe1S to their habitatio$s Rho1ela$(sS.3/< 5ome scholars elie9e that 'yrus was a follower of the Koroaster, the new (ersian reli#ion with some ,ewish influences. He s$oke res$ectfully of the ,ews an" their Go", ecause in the course of time, ,ews ha" risen to #o9ernmental $ositions. 1his was re9eale" y the "isco9ery of clay ta lets in the royal li rary that ha9e inscri e" He rew names.
3. *.&/A. THE CE;US CELIN6E; B'3, A.C.C. Din# 'yrus !! "ecree" on this clay cylin"er that all ca$ture" $eo$le were to e 347. (richar", The Ancient Near 5ast. 1*-8@.
264 release". Dnown as the 'yrus 'ylin"er, u$on this is recor"e" the "ecree #i9in# free"om to the ,ewish $eo$les ;as well as others= as $ro$hesie" y the $ro$hets. (hoto#ra$h courtesy of the 1rustees of the .ritish Museum.
3. *.&/A. THE T:MA :F CE;US THE G;EAT. 1he $ro$het !saiah wrote his ook aroun" 788 ..'. an" $ro$hesie" that one "ay a kin# name" 'yrus woul" "eli9er the ,ews from e%ile ;!sa. 44*-@L 42*1=. A century an" a half later this $ro$hecy an" others were fulfille". Gi9en the le#acy of accurate $ro$hecies, the ,ewish $eo$le of the first century o ser9e" ,esus carefully in li#ht of !saiah<s messianic $ro$hecies. (hoto y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. 3. *.&' <*3 - '3! AC7 S)11ary of Si%$ifi"a$t 6e8elo#1e$ts of Assyria$ a$( Aabylo$ia$ Ca#ti8ity 1here were se9eral si#nificant "e9elo$ments that $ertaine" to the i"entity of the first century ,ewish $eo$le. Un"erstan"in# these "e9elo$ments an" the $olitical an" social $ressures that create" them ai"s the mo"ern stu"ent un"erstan" the cultural en9ironment in which ,esus ministere". Howe9er, many more "e9elo$ments woul" arise "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio".
265 Howe9er, at this time in history the focus is on the Assyrian an" .a ylonian ca$ti9ities an" influences Assyria$ Ca#ti8ity7 1. When the maEority of the ten northern !sraelite tri es were relocate" y the Assyrians in 7--/-1 ..'., they seeme" to ha9e "isa$$eare" into the Assyrian culture after se9eral #enerations. Hence, since their location ecame unknown, they are often referre" to as the Bten lost tri es.C :ote, howe9er, that the "isci$le, ,ames, "i" not consi"er them lost when he wrote his letter to them ;cf. 1*1=. 49i"ently, in the first century the ,ews in ,erusalem knew where they were. 1hese !sraelites ;later calle" ,ews= "i" not make any si#nificant im$act u$on ,u"aism in !srael, which was consi"era ly "ifferent from the later "e$ortation of the !sraelites from ,u"ea. /4@ When the latter #rou$ was relocate", their reli#ious eliefs intensifie" while in .a ylon. ?ne of the many nations they esca$e" to was 4#y$t. While 4#y$t was a country of sla9ery in the si%teenth century ..'., since then at times it was a country of refu#e for many, inclu"in# the $ro$het ,eremiah. 1hat is why a 9i rant ,ewish community was esta lishe" there lon# efore the "estruction of the first tem$le in 2/7 ..'./49 -. 1he !sraelites who remaine" in the (romise" &an" intermarrie" with their new forei#n nei#h ors who were rou#ht in y the Assyrians. 1heir chil"ren an" "escen"ants ecame known as the B5amaritans.C 'enturies later, the first century ,ews "i" not reco#ni>e the 5amaritans as true rothers of the faith, ut rather, they were consi"ere" to e Bhalf- ree"sC or of Bmi%e" loo".C /28 4ach #rou$ consi"ere" the other to ha9e a"o$te" certain $a#an $ractices into their reli#ious rituals,
348. 1here has often een name confusion etween the southern re#ion known as ,u"ah or ,u"ea, an" the name of the entire country 7 ,u"aea. 1he name B,u"aeaC is often use" interchan#ea ly with B!srael,C althou#h the latter term seems to ha9e een use" less often in the first century. +urthermore, the name B,u"ahC is #enerally that of a $erson, ut the "escen"ants of ,u"ah are also known as Bthe $eo$le of ,u"ahC or Bthe $eo$le of ,u"ea.C 349. Golu , %n the )ays. --9. 350. (eo$le of Bmi%e" loo"C or Bhalf- re"sC are $ersons of 9arious tri al or ethnic ack#roun"s. .oth terms are offensi9e.
266 thus "efile" ;see A##e$(i@ *.= an" im$ure, e9en thou#h the 5amaritans o ser9e" the &e9itical +esti9als with #reater $urity on Mount Geri>im than "i" the ,ews in ,erusalem. /. An im$ortant "e9elo$ment is that oth the Assyrians an" .a ylonians were e%$ose" to ,ewish thou#ht, reli#ion, an" the ho$e of a comin# messiah. 1he .a ylonians were masters of "i9ination, astrolo#y, an" other cultic rituals in an en"less search for un"erstan"in# truth an" the mysterious knowle"#e of the #o"s. !t was the i"eal settin# for the laws of Go" to s$rea", since they too reco#ni>e" the literal fulfillment of the He rew $ro$hecies. 5ome scholars to"ay elie9e that the (ersian #o9ernment a"ministrators, who also ecame intereste" in the Messiah, knew the He rew $re"ictions. 5ince the .a ylonians s$eciali>e" in astrolo#y, they were intereste" in the risin# star mentione" in :um ers -4*17. !t is un"erstan"a le that y the first century all the $eo$les throu#hout the Ancient Mi""le 4ast were waitin# for the comin# messiah. Aabylo$ia$ Ca#ti8ity7 4. As the .a ylonians were comin# to attack ,erusalem, a num er of wealthy ,ews left ,erusalem. 1hey went to 4#y$t, 5$ain, an" other countries that elte" the Me"iterranean 5ea. /21 Amon# those who went to 4#y$t was the $ro$het ,eremiah. !n 4#y$t, many tra9ele" some @88 miles south alon# the :ile 0i9er an" uilt a community on 4le$hantine !slan" alon# 4#y$t<s southern frontier. 1here they also uilt a tem$le. &e#en" says that in later years, the Ark of the 'o9enant was hi""en in this tem$le when Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar "estroye" the tem$le in ,erusalem. 2. !t is elie9e" that the syna#o#ue as a local institution of worshi$ was esta lishe" in .a ylon.
351. Golu , %n the )ays. --@-/8. Mo"ern .i le stu"ents who e%amine the tra9els of the A$ostle (aul sometimes Auestion why the ,ewish $eo$le were in the 9arious countries where (aul $reache". 1he answer is that often either $ersecution or economic o$$ortunities "ro9e them there.
267 3. )urin# the ,ewish e%ile the Aramaic lan#ua#e, a sister lan#ua#e to He rew, was acce$te" y the ,ews as well as Aramaic sAuare scri$t al$ha et. !t was the official lan#ua#e of the .a ylonian 4m$ire. 7. 1he ,ews calle" u$on Go" to rin# them a messiah who woul" "eli9er them from on"a#e. 1he 5amaritans, who ha9e retaine" their ori#inal al$ha et ;similar to what ha" een use" y the !sraelites= to this "ay, elie9e" that the ,ews $ollute" their lan#ua#e an" reli#ion with that chan#e./2@. When free"om was offere", not all ,ews chose to return to their (romise" &an". !n fact, only a small contin#ent returne". Many remaine" in .a ylon while others mi#rate" to !n"ia an" 'hina. Many who remaine" in .a ylon maintaine" strict o e"ience to the ,ewish faith as a means of sur9i9al in a $a#an culture. 'enturies later, their "escen"ants $ro"uce" the 9alua le commentary known to us as the .a ylonian 1almu", which is consi"ere" y scholars to e more relia le than the ,erusalem 1almu", which was written in 1i erias. 9. Un"er 4>ra a new class of reli#ious lea"ers known as scribes was esta lishe" in ,erusalem. 1hese writers stu"ie" the Mosaic &aw an" ecame known in the first century more as lawyers than writers of contracts. 1he $riests who ha" een the tra"itional inter$reters of the &aw now ha" that $ortion of their res$onsi ility transferre" to the scri es. .y the time of ,esus, these scri es o taine" a $owerful aristocratic $osition in ,u"aism an" freAuently conflicte" with ,esus on the inter$retation of 9arious reli#ious issues./2/ 18. 1he ?ral &aw, as it was known in the "ays of ,esus, was esta lishe" y 4>ra. Howe9er, some ,ewish scholars claim it ori#inate" with Moses, an" many ortho"o% ,ews still affirm this. 1he ,ews elie9e" that the "estruction of their tem$le in 2@7 ..'. an" su seAuent "e$ortation to .a ylon was the "irect result of their 352. Mackowski, &erusalem" 'ity of &esus. 174.
353. !"elsohn, &ewish ,iturgy and %ts )e elopment. 13-17. 1his ook is an e%cellent stu"y on worshi$ "urin# the secon" tem$le $erio" . ;:ew Jork* )o9er, 1992. ?r#inally $u lishe" y Henry Holt an" 'o. 19/-=. While !"elsohn ;1@@--19/-= co9ers the entire history of ,ewish worshi$, cha$ter 1 is s$ecifically "e"icate" to the secon" tem$le $erio".
268 "iso e"ience to oth the Written &aw ;i.e. namely reakin# 5a ath rules= as well as the ?ral &aw. U$on their return to ,erusalem, the ?ral &aw was e%$an"e" immensely to $re9ent any $ossi ility of future "e$ortation. Howe9er, those who mo9e" to !n"ia, 'hina, 4#y$t, 5$ain, an" elsewhere did not "e9elo$ the restricti9e ?ral &aws. 1herefore, they "i" not ha9e the theolo#ical $ro lems the reli#ious lea"ers in ,erusalem ha" concernin# ,esus as the Messiah. 11. 1he !sraelites, while li9in# in .a ylon an" elsewhere, chan#e" their un"erstan"in# of Go". 1hey knew the answer to, BWho is Go"FC 1hey reali>e" He was national as well as $ersonal, He was e9erywhere, an" with them in e%ile. 1his may e the only reason why they sur9i9e" culturally an" reli#iously when other $eo$le #rou$s in similar situations lost their i"entity. /24 1-. 1he ,ews in .a ylon reflecte" u$on the laws of cleanliness institute" y MosesL laws such as maintainin# toilets outsi"e the cam$ an" not eatin# $ork. 5ome scholars elie9e that they also o ser9e" the cleansin# rituals of their $ious $a#an nei#h ors, an" conclu"e" that if $a#ans can maintain a hi#h le9el of cleanliness, shoul"n<t they "o likewiseF 4%am$les of a"o$te" rules of cleanliness are, a. :ot to walk o9er a #ra9e or one will A##e$(i@ *.=. . ?ne must touche". c. ?ne must as the tem$le. ecome "efile" ;see
ecome $urifie" if anythin# unclean has
een
ecome $urifie"
efore enterin# a holy $lace such
". !n $articular was the matter of washin# han"s efore an"/or after meals. 1his issue was often "e ate" etween the first century schools of Hillel an" 5hammai. A $erson also ha" wash han"s efore enterin# a house if he or she was at a funeral. /22 !t 354. &emaire, B1he Uni9ersal Go"* How the Go" of !srael .ecame a Go" for All.C 2@.
355. Golu , %n the )ays. 2/-22.
269 is elie9e" that the immersion in the mik9ah "e9elo$e" at this time as well. Archaeolo#ists to"ay are Auick to i"entify the ancient ruins of a home or community as ,ewish if they unco9er a mik9ah. :ee"less to say, some (harisaic rules that ,esus confronte" ha" nothin# to "o with the laws of Moses.
3. *.&'A. A TAALET F;:M AAAEL:N ;EA6S 2IF I F:;GET THEE+ : JE;USALEM.5 A cuneiform ta let "atin# to 49@ ..'., foun" in .a ylon contains a reference ;in the thir" line after the lank line in $hoto an" "rawin# a o9e=, to Bal Jahu"uC the town of ,u"ah, meanin# ,erusalem. (hoto#ra$h an" "rawin# courtesy of An"re &emaire. 1/. +inally, the i lical faith in the one true Go" ecame known as B,u"aism,C an" the a"herents of all twel9e tri es who were known $re9iously as B!sraelitesC were now calle" B,ewsC ;4sther -*2=. /23 1he i"entification of the "escen"ants of A raham is referre" to in this work as B,ewsC throu#hout their entire history for $ur$oses of clarification. !n a similar manner, the lan" in which they li9e is often referre" to to"ay as B(alestineC or Bancient (alestineC e9en thou#h that name was unknown "urin# the "ays of ,esus. When Ha"rian "estroye" ,erusalem in A.). 1/2, he rename" the lan" in honor of the ancient 356. .li>>ar", B,u"aism - (art 1C .a o )igest 1*2, /.
270 !sraelite enemy 7 the (hilistines. 1o"ay, howe9er, the name is often use" for i"entification $ur$oses when referrin# to 9arious historical e9ents, e9en those that occurre" $rior to 1/2 A.). .
U$it 3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( Cha#ter 3 Se"o$( Te1#le Perio( B'&' A.C. D A.6. < C
271
3. 3. A. THE ;EAUIL6ING :F THE TEMPLE by G)sta8e 6ore?+ &,... 1he secon" tem$le was constructe" with limite" resources an" was, in fact, a 9ery sim$ly structure in com$arison to the famous $re"ecessor, 5olomon<s tem$le. Howe9er, while 5olomon<s tem$le was uilt with la or an" hi#h ta%es, the secon" tem$le was uilt with offerin#s an" sacrifices of the $eo$le. Hence, the ra is sai" it was more eautiful than the first. 3. 3. & '3, - /// A.C. E@iles ;et)r$ to J)(ah4 Te1#le ;e"o$str)"tio$ Ae%i$s 1he fulfillment of )aniel<s se9enty year $ro$hecy can ha9e two $ossi le inter$retations. +irst, from the first in9asion of :e ucha"ne>>ar in 382 to the issuin# of the e"ict of 'yrus ;5ee 3. *.&/A= was a $erio" of se9enty years. 5econ", from the "estruction of 5olomon<s tem$le an" ,erusalem to the re uil"in# of the secon" tem$le was also se9enty years. !n essence, the
272 inter9al from the e#innin# of the ca$ti9ity to the e#innin# of the restoration was the same time as that from the com$letion of the ca$ti9ity to the com$letion of the restoration 7 se9enty years. 1he si#nificance is that since )aniel<s short term $ro$hecies were literally fulfille", then it can e assume" that his lon# term $ro$hecies concernin# the Messiah woul" also e literally fulfille". /27 1he ten northern tri es a$$ear to ha9e remaine" lost in unknown areas far to the east. Howe9er, the two tri es of .enEamin an" ,u"ah in .a ylon were #rante" $ermission to return in three mi#rations. !n the history of their restoration to their homelan", three "istin#uishe" lea"ers as well as three (ersian kin#s a$$ear. Most si#nificant was Keru a el, a "escen"ent of Din# )a9i" who returne" to ,u"ah with a out fifty thousan" followers. 1hey were only a small $ortion of the e%iles that chose to return while others either staye" in .a ylon or relocate" elsewhere throu#hout Asia. .y relocatin# in forei#n nations, they hel$e" "istri ute the knowle"#e of the one true Go", the $romise of a comin# Messiah, an" thus $re$are the way for the #os$el that woul" follow centuries later. 1he Bmissionary eraC was actually e#un y the ,ews, ut it woul" e cata$ulte" y 'hristians who woul" later tra9el into "istant lan"s to s$rea" the #os$el as they fle" from $ersecution./2@ Keru a el, who was a "escen"ant of Din# )a9i", was instrumental in the construction of a new tem$le an" ser9e" riefly as #o9ernor, ut not as kin#. He an" the $ro$hets continue" to antici$ate a Messiah who woul" $ersonally fulfill the eternal reAuirements of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant. /29 3. 3. * '&' A.C. Se"o$( Te1#le Co1#lete( As the result of the #racious Din# 'yrus !!, Keru a el was the $rinci$al uil"er of the secon" tem$le u$on the same location of the $re9ious 5olomon<s tem$le ;4>ra /*1-1/L 2*1-17L 3*14-1@=. 1he first se#ment of the tem$le that was re uilt was the altar for sacrificial worshi$. !t was 357. +or the historical trail of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant from )a9i" to ,esus, see 3. *. &MU+
3. *. 3MU+ 3. *. .MU+ 3. 3. &MU, /. *. *MU+ an" &3. /. 'MU.
358. 5ome scholars elie9e :ehemiah returne" to ,erusalem in 448 ..'.L 5ee 0ousseau
an" Ara9, &esus and +is World. /42. 359. )an. 9*-4--7L Kech. 9*9L 14*/-9L Mal. -*1L /*1-/.
273 com$lete" on ?cto er 2, 2/7 ..'. 1his was followe" y the construction of the new tem$le which e#an on A$ril -/, 2/3 ..'. an" was finishe" twenty years later ;4>ra 3*19---=. ?n March 1-, 212 ..'., the lon# awaite" tem$le was com$lete" an" "e"icate", althou#h it was a 9ery hum le structure in com$arison to the maEestic structure uilt y Din# 5olomon. 1he new tem$le was "e"icate" with #reat cele ration on the +east of (asso9er an" Unlea9ene" .rea". !t remaine" unchan#e" until -8/19 ..'. when Hero" the Great un"ertook a massi9e remo"elin# work that took nearly ei#ht "eca"es to com$lete. 1he reconstructe" tem$le $ro9i"e" an i"entity for the $eo$le of Go". !t was the reli#ious center, the $lace where Go" li9e" ;(s. 3@*1@=, the $lace for sacrifice an" for#i9eness, an" the focal $oint for ,ewish festi9als ;which ha" reli#ious si#nificance=. :ot only for ,ews, ut for Gentiles who con9erte" to the ,ewish faith. !t was sim$le an" fame" more for its sacre"ness than for its architecture. :early fi9e centuries later Hero" the Great woul" enlar#e it. /38 )escri$tions of Hero"<s tem$le can e foun" in the first century writin#s of ,ose$hus an" in the secon" century ,ewish ook of the Mishnah. /31
3. 3. 3 /'! - //' A.C. EGra a$( Nehe1iah 4i#hty years after Keru a el, "urin# the rei#n of the (ersian Din# Arta%er%es &on#imanus, who was the son of Wer%es, 4>ra left .a ylon ;c. 42@= with a small "ele#ation of si% thousan". 4>ra<s chief ministry was to restore the institutions of Moses to a $eo$le who ha" een "ramatically affecte" y their stay in .a ylon. +or this the ,ews of ,u"ah ecame "ee$ly in"e te" to him. Accor"in# to tra"ition, 4>ra woul" ha9e een consi"ere" their most "istin#uishe" $ro$het if Moses ha" not come a thousan" years earlier. /3- His #enealo#ical recor" was 9ery im$ressi9e* His #reat #ran"father, Hilkiah, ha" "isco9ere" the .ook of the &aw "urin# the "ays of Din# ,osiah. Hilkiah rea" 360. !t shoul" e note" that some scholars elie9e that there ha9e een three tem$les in
,ewish history* 1= 5olomon<s tem$leL -.= Keru a el<s tem$le com$lete" in 212 ..'., an" /= Hero"<s tem$le. Howe9er, most scholars "o not count these as three tem$les, ecause Hero"<s tem$le was an enlar#ement of Keru a el<s tem$le.
361. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11 an" Wars. 2.2L Mishnah, Middoth . 362. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 7.
274 it to ,osiah an" the $eo$le an" rou#ht a out a reli#ious awakenin#. As ca$ti9es, 4>ra<s ancestors carrie" the &aw to .a ylon. /3/ 1herefore, when he s$oke, the $eo$le listene". He was #i9en cre"it for chan#in# the ancient He rew al$ha et to the so-calle" He rew ;Aramaic= sAuare scri$t. He is also elie9e" to ha9e institute" the scri al class an" syna#o#ues, an" e%$an"e" the ?ral 1ra"ition ;some scholars elie9e he ori#inate" the ?ral 1ra"ition=. While the ?ral 1ra"ition was esta lishe" ori#inally for a #oo" $ur$ose, unfortunately, y the time of 'hrist, its authority ha" su$erse"e" that of the .i le, which in turn, was foun"ational for the conflicts etween ,esus an" the reli#ious lea"ers. +inally, :ehemiah returne" as #o9ernor of ,u"ah in 442 ..'. to re uil" the walls ;see 3. 3. 3A elow=, #ates, an" city of ,erusalem ;:eh. 3*12= an" to institute a""itional reforms ;:eh. 7-@=. ?ne of these reforms was to lea" the !sraelite $eo$le ;now calle" B,ewishC= in a $rayer of confession of their sins an" iniAuities as well as the sins of their ancestors ;:eh. 9*-=. Another was to re-esta lish tem$le worshi$ accor"in# to the laws of Moses. He insure" that all $riests an" &e9ites ha" the #enealo#ical recor"s, /34 an" that no im$ersonators infiltrate" tem$le ranks. When three families, Ho aiah, Hakko> an" .ar>illai, claime" to e of $riestly stock, he "enie" them the $ri9ile#e as no recor" was foun" of them ;4>ra -*31-3-=. Another #rou$ of 32- $eo$le, $ro a ly $ure .a ylonians, wante" to #o to ,erusalem ut coul" not $ro9e they were "escen"ants of !srael ;4>ra -*29=. 1hey too were "enie" the $ri9ile#e./32
363. Golu , %n the )ays. /1-//. 364. )alman, &esus 'hrist in the Talmud. /1L ,erusalem 1almu", &0bamoth. 49 . 365. Golu , %n the )ays. 41.
275
3. 3. 3A. AN EPCAFATE6 SECTI:N :F NEHEMIAH5S 0ALL. :ehemiah re uilt the walls of ,erusalem after the return from .a ylonian e%ile. (art of his wall was unco9ere" y archaeolo#ists an" can e seen to"ay. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 3. 3. / /// A.C. Pro#he"y "o$"er$i$% Jes)s a$( His 1i$istry (re9iously the $ro$het )aniel #a9e a messianic $ro$hecy relate" to Bsi%tynine weeksC of years or 173,-92 "ays until the comin# of the Messiah. Many scholars elie9e the e#innin# time of the $ro$hecy was with a "ecree #i9en in 444 ..'. y Din# Art%erses ;5ee A##e$(i@ '=. 3. 3. ' //3 A.C. NT- Mala"hi Malachi is #enerally consi"ere" to ha9e een the last $ro$het who s$oke in the ?l" 1estament era. He critici>e" ,u"ah for her many sins an" foresaw that a "ay of Eu"#ment woul" come. He sai" that a forerunner woul" announce the comin# of the messiah who woul" usher in a new co9enant for the ,ewish $eo$le an" the entire worl". 1hat forerunner woul" e ,ohn the .a$tist an" the Messiah woul" e ,esus, the 'hrist ;meanin# the BAnointe" ?neC=.
276 3. 3. . / A.C. NT- Hebre3 Aible is 2Ca$o$iGe(5 A #rowin# num er of scholars elie9e that un"er 4>ra an" his contem$oraries, the ooks of the ?l" 1estament were #athere" an" ma"e into the Bofficial canoni>e"C He rew .i le of the ,ews. 1hey selecte" those ooks they felt were ins$ire" y Go". /33 ?ther scholars elie9e that the 'ouncil of ,amnia in A.). 98 was the closin# "ate of the He rew 5cri$tures. :onetheless, y the first century the (harisees an" other reli#ious lea"ers ha" a soli" conce$t of what com$rise" their .i le. 1he ?l" 1estament close" with the (ersian 4m$ire<s rule of ,u"ah an" the :ew 1estament o$ens with the 0oman 4m$ire in "omination. .etween these two $erio"s were the Greeks an" their Hellenistic way of life. 1his cal"ron of cultural tension was intensifie" with ,ewish an" 5amaritan conflicts. 1he worl" was #ettin# rea"y to recei9e the lon# awaite" messiah, ut not in the manner of anyone<s $reconcei9e" i"eas. :o one elie9e" He woul" e the Messiah, the manifestation of Go" an" man.
366. .li>>ar", B,u"aism* (art 1C .a o )igest 1*2, 3.
277
U$it 3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( Cha#ter / I$ter-Testa1e$t Aa"9%ro)$( B". / D A.6. 3 C
A.C.
3. /. A. A G;EEI-SELEUCI6 0A; ELEPHANT IN AATTLE. Artist unknown. At the e#innin# of the Macca ean 0e9olt, the
278 Greeks attacke" the ,ewish farmers with a $rofessional army of 28,888 sol"iers an" /- war ele$hants. )urin# the attle the ,ewish lea"er B4lea>ar T $ercei9in# that one of the easts ;ele$hants= T was hi#her T an" su$$osin# that the kin# was u$on him T cre$t un"er the ele$hant T an" slew him* whereu$on the ele$hant fell "own u$on him, an" he "ie"C ;1 Macc. 3*4/, 43=. 1his was the last time there was a military conflict usin# ele$hants in !srael. 3. /. & I$tro()"tio$ 1he ?l" 1estament (erio" en"s with the (ersians rulin# the ,ewish lan" an" the :ew 1estament (erio" o$ens with the 0omans controllin# it. 5an"wiche" etween the two was the Greek 4m$ire. 1he !nter-1estamental (erio" was fille" with wars, rumors of wars, social an" reli#ious conflicts, an" tensions. 1imes of $eace an" $ros$erity were rare an" rief. !n fact, "escri$tions of what mo"ern e9an#elicals call the Bsi#ns of the last "ays,C also "escri e this era 7 an era that culminate" with the irth of ,esus. 1his 488-year $erio" is also calle" the silent !nter-1estamental (erio". 1he term BsilentC is use" ecause there were no $ro$hetic 9oices. Howe9er, this is not to say that Go" "i" not inter9ene in the affairs of His $eo$le. !n this unit, two si#nificant "emonstrations of "i9ine inter9ention were when* 1. Ale%an"er the Great ca$ture" ,erusalem, ut "i" not "estroy it. -. 1he ,ewish farmers ha" an incre"i le military 9ictory o9er the $rofessional army of the 5yrian-Greek "ictator Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes, known as the Macca ean 0e9olt. As will e shown, the Hellenistic ;Greek= influence "urin# this time u$on the ,ewish $eo$le was $rofoun". When the ,ews finally won their in"e$en"ence from the Greeks, their new lea"ers were almost as wicke" as those they ha" "efeate". 1hen came the 0omans who installe" an !"umean, Hero" the Great ;71 ..'. - 4 ..'.L rei#ne" /7 ..'. - 4 ..'.=, to e the BDin# of the ,ews.C Ale%an"er the Great woul" ha9e een $rou" of how well Hero" $romote" the Greek culture. Hero"<s $ersonal life was a continuous "isaster an" woul" ha9e ma"e any Hollywoo" soa$ o$era look like a chil"ren<s ook. He was a "escen"ant of 4sau who ha" many of his ten wi9es kille" an" only three of
279 his sons sur9i9e" to ecome rulers. !nto this social, $olitical, an" chaotic en9ironment, came ,esus. 3. /. * 3' A.C. Persia$s Ca#t)re Jer)sale1 +ree"om for the ,ewish $eo$le was short li9e". 1he (ersians ca$ture" them, ut within two "eca"es, oth woul" come un"er the rulershi$ of the Greek Ale%an"er the Great. 3. /. 3 3/&-*< A.C. E#i")r)s /37 4$icurus was the father of a $hiloso$hy known as 4$icureanism. /3@ His i"eas were inten"e" to rin# sta ility an" security to an uncertain worl" after the "eath of Ale%an"er the Great. 1he Greek 4m$ire was "i9i"e" amon# Ale%an"er<s four #enerals, causin# social an" $olitical insta ility an" re#ional military confrontations. 4$icurus sai" the $rimary $ur$ose of man is to "isco9er self-ha$$iness an" the $ursuit of $leasure ou#ht to e his $rimary mission in life. Howe9er, $leasure was also "efine" as the a9oi"ance of $ain. His i"eas ecame the cornerstone of first century Hellenistic $hiloso$hy an" were confronte" y the A$ostle (aul in Acts 17*13-//. 1o"ay this same $hiloso$hy is known as humanism. /39 A century an" a half later the Hellenistic influences woul" e so intense u$on the ,ews, that a small reli#ious s$linter #rou$, known as the 4ssenes, woul" ha9e a ra"ical $hiloso$hy "irectly relate" to 4$icureanism . 1he 4ssenes woul" teach that all $leasure is e9ilL each "ay was to e fille" with work an" $rayer, the "irect o$$osite $osition of the Greek $hiloso$her. /78 3. /. / 33/ A.C. S)11ary of 6e8elo#1e$ts of Persia$ 6o1i$atio$ that sha#e( Je3ish life i$ the first "e$t)ry. !n com$arison to the "ays of Moses an" ,oshua, the culture of the ,ewish $eo$le was slowly chan#in#. While their asic faith an" reli#ious o ser9ances "i" not chan#e, how they $ractice" their faith "i". +urthermore, the ,ewish $eo$le were not a homo#enous #rou$L ,ewish
367. +or more information, see 4$icureans *. &. '.
368. )e &acy, B4$icureanism an" the 4$icurean 5chool.C /*--/.
369. Harrin#ton, B4$icureans.C 2*31@. 370. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 1@1.
280 $eo$le in 9arious areas ha" somewhat "ifferent $ractices an" metho"olo#ies. +or e%am$le, ,ews in !n"ia an" 4thio$ia "i" not ha9e some of the ?l" 1estament ooks, as these were written after they left the (romise" &an" an", conseAuently, some communities were unaware of their e%istence. !n re9iew, there were a num er of si#nificant "e9elo$ments in the early "ays of (ersian rule. 1. 1he tem$le reconstruction an" "e"ication. -. 1he Aramaic lan#ua#e ecame the lan#ua#e of the ,ews as well as the international lan#ua#e of commerce. .y the first century A.)., it was commonly use" in or"inary $u lic "iscourse in ,u"ah althou#h He rew was s$oken in the syna#o#ue. Howe9er, while ,ews in Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t an" other forei#n cities acce$te" the Greek lan#ua#e, their rothers in ,u"aea ;Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ea= "i" not./71 /. Most ,ews chose not to return to ,u"aea, ut staye" in .a ylon an" maintaine" a 9ery strict reli#ious system. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, those who remaine" ehin" in the ori#inal return of 2/7 ..'. an" the secon" return in 429-42@ ..'. were amon# the wealthiest an" most influential lea"ers an" merchants./7- 1he ,ewish $o$ulation e9i"ently e%$lo"e" as in one u$risin# alone he re$orte" 28,888 "ea". /7/ 1he $o$ulation throu#hout the eastern worl" coul" 9ery well ha9e #rown to more than a million. /74 As the $o$ulation #rew an" $eo$le slowly took on "istinctions of the culture in which they li9e", ancient tri al "istinctions ecame lost. ,ews remaine" in .a ylon an" Meso$otamia from the "ays of the ca$ti9ity until the rise of the new state of !srael some twenty-fi9e centuries later. 1he final e%o"us of remainin# ,ews to the re9i9e" state of !srael "i" not take $lace until B?$eration 4>ra an" :ehemiahC etween the years 1943 an" 192-.
371. 1here has often een name confusion etween the southern re#ion known as ,u"ah an" the name of the entirety 7 ,u"aea. 1he name B,u"aeaC is often use" interchan#ea ly with B!srael,C althou#h that term seems to ha9e een use" less often in the first century.
372. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 11.2.-L 12.-.-L 1@.9.1ff. 373. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.9.9. 374. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 3.
281 4. A num er of ,ewish $eo$le "eci"e" to lea9e the lan" $romise" to them y Go". 1his was es$ecially true "urin# the rei#n of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes in the secon" century ..'. Mo"ern stu"ents stu"y the a"9entures an" teachin#s of the A$ostle (aul as he tra9ele" on his missionary Eourneys, ut they ne9er Auestion how those forei#n ,ewish $eo$le #ot to those $laces. Many settle" there "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio". 2. +inally, a o"y of se9enty Eu"#es an" one $resi"ent, known as the B5anhe"rin,C came into full $ower as the su$reme hi#h court an" #o9ernmental-reli#ious authority in the lan" of ,u"ah. /72 1he cultural an" reli#ious way of life known as B,u"aismC "ates from this $ost-e%ilic era. !t was the e#innin# of ,u"ah as a tem$le-state that was rule" y a council of #o9ernors who were $olitical $u$$ets of the (ersian monarch. Howe9er, y the first century, it was the hi#h $riest 'aia$has, mani$ulate" y the 0omans who controlle" the 5anhe"rin. 3. /. ' 33/ D .3 A.C. Ale@a$(er the Great a$( the Helle$isti" Perio( 1he Greek culture, known as Hellenism, attaine" a hi#h "e#ree of maturity in Greece. !t was well known for its arts, sciences, me"icines, $hiloso$hy, an" other cultural elements an" is eAuate" with Ale%an"er the Great ;/23 ..'. 7 /-/ ..'.= who esta lishe" one of the lar#est em$ires of the ancient worl". U$on his father<s assassination, youn# Ale%an"er took control of Greece an" two years later e#an a massi9e military cam$ai#n. He "e9elo$e" a welltraine" army with 148 to 138 war ele$hants that he use" in fi9e attles. 'onseAuently, in only ten years, he ha" control of a 9ast em$ire an" ecame the fulfillment of one of )aniel<s $ro$hecies ;11*/=. He #a9e the ,ews first class citi>enshi$ an" encoura#e" them to mo9e to his new city of Ale%an"ria in 4#y$t. Many "i" an" e9entually the city ecame the lar#est ,ewish metro$olitan area of the ancient worl". !n fact, he encoura#e" the ,ews to mo9e to all of his Greek cities where they enEoye" reli#ious free"om.
282 Ale%an"er was a stu"ent of Aristotle, a scholar of scholars, an" ha" his own am itious i"eas for the worl". His #oal was to ci9ili>e the nations of the worl" with Greek. He woul" accom$lish this y the intro"uction of Greek $hiloso$hy an" select the est Aualities of the ca$ture" nations to #i9e to all the $eo$les of his em$ire. An im$ortant contri ution was his effort to make the Greek the lingua franca or the official lan#ua#e of usiness an" #o9ernment throu#hout the em$ire. !t was acce$te" e9erywhere e%ce$t in the ,ewish encla9e of ,u"aea. With this new $hiloso$hy known as Hellenism, came the conce$t that woul" challen#e the ,ews 7 that man an" not Go", was central to life./73
3. /. 'A. A M:SAIC :F ALEPAN6E; THE G;EAT 8s. THE INFINCIALE IING 6A;IUS III . !n one of the most si#nificant attles in the ancient worl", the youn# Ale%an"er ;shown on left si"e= "efeate" the seemin#ly in9inci le Din# )arius !!! in /// ..'. 1he attle is "e$icte" in a first century ;..'.= mosaic foun" in (om$eii. A "etermine" Ale%an"er is shown on the left with a lance while a terrifie" )arius looks on from his chariot.
376. Grun"y, A Sur ey of the New Testament. --.
283 3. /. . 33* A.C. First Sa1arita$ Te1#le A)ilt With the lessin#s of Ale%an"er the Great, the first 5amaritan tem$le was uilt on Mt. Geri>im o9erlookin# the ancient 9illa#e of 5hechem. /77 1here were many $oints of cultural an" theolo#ical "ifferences an" ar#uments etween the ,ews an" 5amaritans. 1ensions were constant. .ut when the tem$le was com$lete", the se$aration of the ,ews an" 5amaritans was fi%e" in stone. 5ince that time the tem$le site continue" to e central to 5amaritan worshi$./7@ 1here are two im$ortant $oints to consi"er concernin# the construction of the 5amaritan tem$le. 1. 5ome scholars elie9e the tem$le was uilt at the time of :ehemiah an" that the son of the hi#h $riest ,ehoia"a, who marrie" 5an allat<s "au#hter :icaso ;:eh. 1/*-@=, was influential in the construction. Howe9er, the term son coul" also mean #ran"son. 1herefore, the "ate of the marria#e is uncertain which com$licates the "atin# of the tem$le construction. 'oins an" $ottery "isco9ere" at the site "ate the tem$le to the mi"-fifth century ..'., $ossi ly $rior to :ehemiah<s return to ,erusalem./79 -. 1he e9ents recor"e" y ,ose$hus are #enerally Auite accurate, ut his account of the 5amaritan tem$le construction /@8 is consi"ere" y most historians to e in error an", therefore, is not Auote" here. 3. /. < 33/ A.C. Persia Falls to Ale@a$(er the Great .e#innin# in //4 ..'., Ale%an"er the Great ;rei#ne" /27-/-/ ..'.= an" his Greek sol"iers e#an to conAuer the known worl". After takin# control of 377. While the historical e9ents y ,ose$hus are #enerally Auite accurate, his account of
the 5amaritan tem$le construction is consi"ere" therefore, is not Auote" here. y most historians to e in error an", @L
378.
.li>>ar", B,u"aism (art 1[ .a o )igest. 1*2, htt$*//www. i licalarchaeolo#y.or#/"aily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/"atin#-ofsamaritan-tem$le-on-mt-#eri>im/. Au#ust 19, -81/.
379. htt$*//www. i licalarchaeolo#y.or#/uncate#ori>e"/merrills-letter/ Au#ust -8, -81/.

380. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 11.7-@.
284 5yria, 1yre, an" the Holy &an", he set forth to (ersian. 1he mi#ht (ersian 4m$ire an" the eastern Me"iterranean worl" was his in only ten years. /@1 His #oal was to s$rea" Hellenism, which y "efinition is the forceful im$osition of Greek culture, reli#ion, an" ways of life u$on another $eo$le. Howe9er, (ersia woul" not remain silent. 1hree centuries later "urin# the rei#n of Hero" the Great, the (arthian 4m$ire woul" conAuer the (ersians, an" to#ether they woul" riefly in9a"e the Holy &an".
3. /. , 33& A.C. Ale@a$(er Co$=)ers Tyre a$( J)(ah Ale%an"er, the worl" conAueror, rou#ht #reat "estruction to nearly e9ery city he conAuere". He "e9astate" the in"estructi le (hoenician islan" city of 1yre y uil"in# a half mile lon# lan"- ri"#e to reach it. 1he "estruction was a solute an" in accor"ance with the $ro$het 4>ekiel ;'h. -7=. He then marche" south a#ainst the ancient (hilistine city of Ga>a an" onwar" to ,erusalem. At this $oint ,ose$hus recor"e" the e9ents in most interestin# "etail* No3 Ale@a$(er+ 3he$ he ha( ta9e$ GaGa+ 1a(e haste to %o )# to Jer)sale14 a$( J)(ah the hi%h #riest+ 3he$ he hear( that+ 3as i$ a%o$y a$( )$(er terror as $ot 9$o3i$% ho3 he sho)l( 1eet the Ma"e(o$ia$s+ si$"e the 9i$% 3as (is#lease( at his fore%oi$% (isobe(ie$"e. He therefore or(ai$e( that the #eo#le sho)l( 1a9e s)##li"atio$s+ a$( sho)l( Hoi$ hi1 i$ offeri$% sa"rifi"es to Go(+ 3ho1 he beso)%ht to #rote"t the $atio$ a$( (eli8er the1 fro1 the #erils that 3ere "o1i$% )#o$ the1. 0here)#o$ Go( 3ar$e( hi1 i$ a (rea1+ 3hi"h "a1e )#o$ hi1 after he ha( offere( sa"rifi"e+ that he sho)l( ta9e "o)ra%e a$( a(or$ the "ity+ a$( o#e$ the %ates. The rest a##ear i$ 3hite %ar1e$ts+ b)t that he a$( the #riests sho)l( 1eet the 9i$% i$ the habits #ro#er to their or(er+ 3itho)t (rea( of a$y ill "o$se=)e$"es+ 3hi"h the #ro8i(e$"e of Go( 3o)l( #re8e$t. U#o$ 3hi"h+ 3he$ he arose fro1 his slee#+ he %reatly reHoi"e(4 a$( (e"lare( to all the 3ar$i$% he ha( re"ei8e( fro1 Go( a""or(i$% to 3hi"h (rea1 he a"te( e$tirely+ a$( so 3aite( for the "o1i$% of the 9i$%.
381. Mantey, B:ew 1estament .ack#roun"s.C /.
285 A$( 3he$ he )$(erstoo( that he 3as $ot far fro1 the "ity+ he 3e$t o)t i$ #ro"essio$ 3ith the #riests a$( the 1)ltit)(e of the "itiGe$s. The #ro"essio$ 3as 8e$erable+ a$( the 1a$$er of it (iffere$t fro1 that of other $atio$s. It rea"he( to a #la"e "alle( Sa#ha4 3hi"h $a1e+ tra$slate( i$to Gree9 si%$ifies a &ros&ect+ for yo) ha8e the$"e a #ros#e"t both of Jer)sale1 a$( the te1#le. A$( 3he$ the Phoe$i"ia$s a$( the Chal(ea$s that follo3e( hi1+ tho)%ht they sho)l( ha8e the liberty to #l)$(er the "ity a$( tor1e$t the hi%h #riest to (eath 3hi"h the 9i$%?s (is#leas)re fairly #ro1ise(+ the$+ the 8ery re8erse ha##e$e(. For Ale@a$(er+ 3he$ he sa3 the 1)ltit)(e at a (ista$"e i$ 3hite %ar1e$ts+ 3hile the #riests stoo( "lothe( 3ith fi$e li$e$ a$( the hi%h #riests i$ #)r#le a$( s"arlet "lothi$% 3ith his 1iter o$ his hea( ha8i$% the %ol(e$ #late o$ 3hi"h the $a1e of Go( 3as e$%ra8e(+ he a##roa"he( by hi1self+ a$( a(ore( that $a1e a$( first sal)te( the #riest. The Je3s also (i( all to%ether+ 3ith o$e 8oi"e+ sal)te Ale@a$(er+ a$( e$"o1#ass hi1 abo)t7 3here)#o$ the 9i$%s of Syria a$( the rest 3ere s)r#rise( at 3hat Ale@a$(er ha( (o$e+ a$( s)##ose( hi1 (isor(ere( i$ his 1i$(. Ho3e8er+ Par1e$io alo$e 3e$t )# to hi1+ a$( as9e( hi1 ho3 it "a1e to #ass+ that 3he$ all others a(ore( hi1+ he sho)l( a(ore the hi%h #riest of the Je3s> To 3ho1 he RAle@a$(erS re#lie(+ 2I (i( $ot a(ore hi1+ b)t that Go( 3ho hath ho$ore( hi1 3ith that hi%h #riesthoo(4 for I sa3 this 8ery #erso$ i$ a (rea1+ i$ this 8ery habit+ 3he$ I 3as at 6ios+ i$ Ma"e(o$ia ...5 Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &&.,./-' ,ose$hus recor"e" that after this con9ersation, Ale%an"er offere" sacrifices to Go" in the tem$le, at which time the scroll of )aniel was $resente" to him. 1he $riests rea" the $ro$hecies to him that state" that one of the Greeks woul" "estroy the (ersians ;see )an. 7*3L @*/-@, -8---L 11*/=. 1his was an a solute "eli#ht for the Greek conAueror. 1his may e why he was so kin" to the ,ewish $eo$le. He e%cuse" them from $ayin# ta%es "urin# the 5a atical year when there was no $lantin# of
286 cro$s, an" e9en #a9e offerin#s in the tem$le. /@- When the 4#y$tian city of Ale%an"ria was uilt ;in honor of Ale%an"er=, ,ews were reco#ni>e" as citi>ens eAual with the Greeks. ,ews who enliste" in the army were $ermitte" to $ractice their faith with com$lete free"om. He left ,erusalem in $eace, the only city he "i" so, an" "estroye" the (ersians. 1he "i9ine $rotection an" inter9ention of Go" in the tiny ,ewish state was as "ramatic as any in the He rew .i le.
3. /. ! 3*3 A.C. 6eath of Ale@a$(er the Great Ale%an"er "ie" su""enly on ,une 1/, /-/ in .a ylon, lea9in# no heirs. His massi9e em$ire e%ten"e" from the Me"iterranean 5ea to (unEa in !n"ia. 1he author of the ook of Macca ees $reser9e" the account of his "eath. A $ortion of it rea"s as follows* After Ale@a$(er so$ of Phili#+ the Ma"e(o$ia$+ 3ho "a1e fro1 the la$( of Iitti1+ ha( (efeate( 6ari)s+ 9i$% of the Persia$s a$( the Me(es+ he s)""ee(e( hi1 as 9i$%. BHe ha( #re8io)sly be"o1e 9i$% of Gree"e.C He fo)%ht 1a$y battles+ "o$=)ere( stro$%hol(s a$( #)t to (eath the 9i$%s of the earth. He a(8a$"e( to the e$(s of the earth a$( #l)$(ere( 1a$y $atio$s. 0he$ the earth be"a1e =)iet before hi1+ he be"a1e e@alte( a$( his heart 3as lifte( )#. He %athere( a 8ery stro$% ar1y a$( r)le( o8er "o)$tries+ $atio$s+ a$( #ri$"es a$( they be"a1e trib)tary to hi1. After this he fell si"9 a$( #er"ei8e( that he 3as (yi$%+ so he bro)%ht his 1ost ho$ore( offi"ers+ 3ho ha( bee$ bro)%ht )# 3ith hi1 fro1 yo)th+ a$( (i8i(e( his 9i$%(o1 a1o$% the1 3hile he 3as still ali8e. A$( after Ale@a$(er rei%$e( t3el8e years+ he (ie(. & Ma""abees &7&-< 1he four #enerals, Anti#onus !, 'yclo$s, (tolemy, an" 5eleucus ! :icator, who inherite" $ower, esta lishe" "ynasties that for a while li9e" in $eace. 49entually they fou#ht each other lea9in# the ,ewish lan" a attle #roun" for twenty years./@/ 4ach #eneral ho$e" to esta lish a kin#"om similar to
382. Golu , %n the )ays. 34-32. 383. Golu , %n the )ays. 32-33.
287 that of Ale%an"er. 49entually 5yria, Galilee, 5amaria, an" ,u"ah came un"er a $owerful family known as the 5eleuci" )ynasty. 1he $ro$hecy of )aniel 11 is a "escri$tion of these conflicts. /@4 +rom this time, the lan" of the ,ews was always consi"ere" a $art of 5yria, e9en when 0ome was the "ominant worl" $ower in the first century. 1he author of Macca ees ma"e these comments concernin# the #enerals* The$ his offi"ers be%a$ to r)le+ ea"h i$ his o3$ #la"e. They all #)t o$ "ro3$s after his (eath+ a$( so (i( their so$s after the1 for 1a$y years a$( they "a)se( 1a$y e8ils o$ the earth. Fro1 the1 "a1e forth a si$f)l root+ A$tio"h)s E#i#ha$es+ so$ of A$tio"h)s the 9i$%4 he ha( bee$ a hosta%e i$ ;o1e. He be%a$ to rei%$ i$ the o$e h)$(re( a$( thirty-se8e$th year of the 9i$%(o1 of the Gree9s. & Ma""abees &7,-& !t shoul" e note" that while the Hellenistic (erio" is reco#ni>e" to e in the years etween //4 an" 3/ ..'., the ,ews were not in constant "omination "urin# this era. As is "escri e" in "etail elow, from 132 - 3/ the ,ews were an in"e$en"ent $eo$le ut the Hellenistic culture continue" its influence u$on them. 3. /.& 3&! A.C. Je3ish Fa1ilies Ta9e$ to E%y#t4 Ptole1y 6y$asty of E%y#t ;)les J)(ah4 The Parthia$ a$( ;o1a$ E1#ires be%i$ to ;ise A time of $olitical u$hea9al was a out to e#in. +or the ne%t 1-- years the ,ews of ,erusalem an" surroun"in# $romise" lan" were #o9erne" y their hi#h $riests, who were essentially $u$$et #o9ernors controlle" y the Greek o9erlor"s in 4#y$t. +or the most $art, these rulers were mil" in li#ht of other so9erei#ns./@2 1he Greek (tolemy 5oter ca$ture" ,erusalem without a fi#ht on the 5a ath "ay ecause the ,ews refuse" to BworkC on that "ay. He took 1-8,888 ,ews to surroun"in# 9illa#es of Ale%an"ria as s. /@3 1hey ecame the $rinci$le settlers in a city where the ,ewish $o$ulation woul" 384. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnotes for )an. 11. 385. Met>#er, New Testament. 1@.
288 #row to o9er one million an" where the He rew .i le woul" e translate" into Greek ;see Septuagint in *. *.*'=. 1his was the first translation of the He rew te%t an" was nee"e" ecause the ,ews of 4#y$t ha" lost their He rew ton#ue. At the same time, the 5eleuci"s e%$an"e" their kin#"om an" foun"e" the cities of 5eleucia an" Antioch. 5eleucia was locate" in the eastern section of the kin#"om alon# the anks of the 4u$hrates ;mo"ern !raA an" !ran=, while Antioch was in 5yria alon# the ?rontes 0i9er. 0i9alry etween the 5eleuci"s an" the (tolemies soon le" to military s$arrin#. +inally, a #reat attle took $lace at 0a$hia, near Ga>a where (tolemy conAuere" the 5eleuci"s. Howe9er, within a few years, (tolemy "ie" an" left a fi9e-yearol" son to rei#n. Hearin# this, the 5eleuci"s attacke" a#ain an" conAuere" ,u"ah. 1he "ark "ays of the ,ewish $eo$le were a out to e#in. !n the meantime, the 0omans were #rowin# into a $owerful military force in the $eninsula of !taly, an" were on one conAuest after another. .y the secon" century, the 0omans fou#ht the Greeks an" won, after which they saile" to northern Africa where they lai" conAuest to 'artha#e. 1his was a out the same time the 5eleuci"s took control of ,u"ah, meanin# that there was war e9erywhere. Also at this same time, far to the east in the ?l" (ersian 4m$ire, a $ro9ince known as (arthia #rew stron# an" sei>e" control of the 4m$ire y "efeatin# their 5eleuci" o9erlor"s. 1he (arthians ha" "e9elo$e" hi#hly skille" ca9alry owmen for which the 5eleuci"s ha" no "efense. 1hese owmen, who thun"ere" across the "eserts on horse ack, were the $rimary reason the (arthian Din# Arsaces le" his $eo$le to 9ictory. 49entually his em$ire co9ere" a massi9e territory from the 4u$hrates to the !n"us 0i9er. +earin# the (arthians wante" access to the Me"iterranean 5ea, the 0omans reco#ni>e" them as a formi"a le threat, an" hence, si% "eca"es efore the irth of ,esus they mo9e" into the lan" of the ,ews to esta lish a frontier $rotecti9e uffer. 1he (arthians ha" o taine" consi"era le knowle"#e of the ,ewish faith from the e%iles that ha" een relocate" into their lan" centuries earlier y Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar. !t woul" e the (arthians who woul" sen" the Bma#iC to 386. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1-.1.1 an" 1-.-.1.
289 honor the infant ,esus. ,ewish elie9ers from (arthia were also $resent in ,erusalem on the )ay of (entecost ;Acts -*9=. 'learly, the ,ewish e%iles were res$onsi le for infiltratin# the entire Mi""le 4ast an" $arts of 'entral Asia with the antici$ation of a comin# messiah. /@7 3. /.&& 3&& A.C. Gree9 Sele)"i( Era Ae%i$s 5eleucus !, a ca9alry officer of Ale%an"er, took control of .a ylon markin# the e#innin# of the 5eleuci" 4ra. ;A "eca"e later 5yria is ca$ture".= 5eleucus ! ;/1---@8= foun"e" the 5eleuci" "ynasty of 5yria which rule" 5yria, Asia Minor, .a ylon, 5amaria, an" ,u"ah ; ut 5amaria an" ,u"ah "is$ute" with the (tolemies=. 1he 5eleuci"s rule" from /-/ to c. 1-2, ut in the final years, their em$ire was ein# lost to com$etin# em$ires a section at a time./@@
3. /.&* 3 & A.C. Gree9 Sele)"i( Co$trol of the Holy La$( is se")re( Howe9er, the lan" of the ,ews ecame the "is$ute" territory etween the 5eleuci" an" (tolemy "ynasties. 1he ,ewish $eo$le li9e" in constant tension, ne9er knowin# when an in9a"in# army woul" steal their foo" an" other su$$lies. +inally, in /81 one of the #reatest attles of antiAuity took $lace at the !$sus in (hry#ia, west-central Anatolia. 1here an estimate" one hun"re" thirty thousan" troo$s from oth the 5eleuci" an" (tolemaic armies fou#ht each other. Anti#onus ! was kille" in attle an" his son )emetrius ecame the 5eleuci" kin#. 3. /.&3 *,3 A.C. Ptole1y Phila(el#h)s+ Ii$% of E%y#t4 Gree9 Tra$slatio$ of S"ri#t)re (tolemy (hila"el$hus ecame the kin# of 4#y$t as the result of the "emise of the Greek 4m$ire. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, his ,ewish su Eects su##este" that he free ,ewish s since their Go" $lace" him in $ower. He not only a$$ro9e" their reAuest ut he also sent #ifts to the tem$le in ,erusalem an" #athere" ,ewish scholars to translate the He rew 5cri$tures into Greek. /@9 1hat translation ecame known as the 5e$tua#int, an" is commonly referre" 387. )res"en, B(arthians.C /*331. 388. .laiklock, B5eleuci"s.C 13*1911-1-. 389. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1-.-.4-12.
290 to as B&WW.C /98 1his was a maEor ste$ in $re$arin# the worl" to recei9e the #os$el of ,esus 'hrist nearly three centuries later. 49i"ently, the ,ews enEoye" the comforts of 4#y$t an" fa9or of the kin# as a half-century later they uilt a syna#o#ue for the royal family. .etween the years -43 an" --1 ..'. in 5che"ia, 4#y$t, the syna#o#ue was constructe", an" while it has since een "estroye", its "e"ication inscri$tion has een "isco9ere". !t is the ol"est reference to a syna#o#ue an" rea"s* For Ii$% Ptole1y a$( J)ee$ Aere$i9e+ his sister a$( 3ife+ a$( for their "hil(re$ the Je3s b)ilt the sy$a%o%)e. Sy$a%o%)e I$s"ri#tio$
3!&
'learly, the ,ews of 4#y$t ha" ecome rather wealthy an" were on frien"ly terms with their monarch. 1his may e reason the kin# encoura#e" the translation of the He rew 5cri$tures. 1ra"ition says that 7- scholars were #athere" on the islan" of (haros near Ale%an"ria an" there they $ro"uce" the Greek translation in 7- "ays, hence the &atin name B5e$tua#intC meanin# Bse9enty.C +or this reason, it is sym oli>e" y &WW. While no one #i9es the time element of the le#en" any cre"i ility, the fact that the first translation came from 4#y$t at this time has een firmly esta lishe". 1he ,etter or 5pistle of Aristeas ;-@2--47 ..'.= claims to e a relia le account of how the translation was ma"e. 1he royal li rarian, )emetrius of (halerum, su##este" to the rei#nin# 4#y$tian kin#, (tolemy (hila"el$hus that a co$y of the ,ewish 1orah shoul" e $lace" in the royal li rary. 1he kin# then sent him to ,erusalem with a cara9an of #ifts to $resent to the Hi#h (riest 4lea>ar. 1he (riest sent se9enty-two el"ers, si% from each tri e, to a remote islan" where they coul" work in $eace. 5u$$ose"ly, it took only se9enty-two sessions an", hence, the name B5e$tua#intC came a out. 1his 5pistle mi#ht e somewhat fanciful, ut it reflects the "ili#ence with which the ,ews translate" their 1orah. 3. /.&/ Thir( Ce$t)ry A.C. Gree9 I$fl)e$"es Challe$%e Je3ish Fal)es a$( Tra(itio$s
390. 5ee *. *.*' an" a rief "iscussion y )r. (etra Hel"t at *. /. &.F.
391. Horsley, New )ocuments %llustrating 5arly 'hristianity. /*1-1---.
291 As the time of the Messiah<s comin# was "rawin# nearer, the influence of "ominatin# $a#an cultures intensifie". While the $innacle of this influence was in the era of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes ;early - n" century ..'.=, it was, nonetheless, increasin#ly attracti9e to ,ewish youth. ;5ee also *. /. &-&&L 3. '. ,.J&L 1 'or. 1= Whereas in most conAuests, the "ominant $ower merely "esire" $eace an" ta%es from the su Eu#ate" $eo$le, the Greeks "esire" much more 7 they "esire" to chan#e the conAuere" culture into the Greek culture. 5ince they were now the worl"<s manufacturin# an" seafarin# nation, as well as renowne" merchants, they settle" in 9arious countries to esta lish usinesses. Many mo9e" into 5yria an" to the cities east of the ,or"an 0i9er that woul" later e known as the )eca$olis cities. As such, there were a num er of influences that ra"ically chan#e" the social, $olitical, an" reli#ious lan"sca$e of the (romise" &an". 1. 1he #o"s of the 'anaanites an" nei#h orin# tri es were #i9en Greek names. Howe9er, since the ,ewish $eo$le "i" not ha9e an i"ol, the Greeks were ewil"ere" at their reli#ion. 1he ,ews, in turn, looke" u$on their o9erlor"s as i"ol worshi$$ers. 1here was always a hi#h le9el of cultural tension etween the two #rou$s, unlike the ,ews an" Greeks in 4#y$t who #ot alon# 9ery well with each other ecause each #rou$ reco#ni>e" the 9alue of the other. -. 1he Greek reli#ion honore" stren#th an" wealth while ,u"aism honore" kin"ness an" charity. /. 1he Greeks intro"uce" $oets, $hiloso$hers, artists, me"ical "octors an" scientists while ,u"aism honore" ra is. 4. :ew ty$es of $u lic intro"uce". uil"in#s 7 theaters, aths, an" inns were
2. 1he Greeks intro"uce" s$orts an" a #ymnasium was uilt near the tem$le. Joun# men who com$ete" in any s$orts e9ent "i" so com$letely nu"e. 5ome men from $riestly families chose to ha9e the si#n of circumcision sur#ically remo9e" so they coul" $artici$ate in
292 the #ames with a sur#ical $roce"ure known as epispasm. 5ee also *. &.& . !t shoul" e note" that while the Greeks create" the #ymnasium for the creation of a stron# min" an" $hysical o"y, /9- the 0omans sel"om acce$te" it an" ortho"o% ,ews hate" it. 1he 0omans elie9e" #ymnastics ha" little military 9alue an" encoura#e" i"leness an" immorality. !nstea", in the early "ays of the 0oman 0e$u lic, youn# men were traine" in the 'ampus Martius" that is, military trainin# of com at, force" marches, cam$ life, etc. 'learly Hellenistic culture of the Greeks was makin# inroa"s u$on the ,ewish $eo$le. 1his offen"e" the $ious ,ews ;calle" the Hasi"im, meanin# $ious ones=, ut wealthier ,ews enEoye" the new cultural offerin#s an" soon BHelleni>e"C ,ews ecame the "es$ise" $ersons of their Hasi"im rothers. +or the Helleni>e" ,ews, their ortho"o% reli#ion was seen as interferin# with attainin# their $leasures of life. /9/ !n later years, the 0omans woul" re$lace the Greeks. Howe9er, the culture war "i" not chan#e. 1he 0omans "i" not ha9e their own culture per se, ut acce$te" an" $romote" Greek Hellenism. 3. /.&' * A.C. No$-;abbi$i" 0riti$%s Ae%i$7 Pse)(e#i%ra#ha+ A#o"ry#ha+ a$( the 6ea( Sea S"rolls !n res$onse to the Hellenistic inroa"s of ,ewish life, a 9ariety of writin#s "e9elo$e". 1hese writin#s, while consi"ere" to e non-ra inic, were in fact, ,ewish writin#s. Hellenism was influencin# the ,ewish way of life, much to the "ismay of some ,ews. Hence, a reli#ious sect se$arate" from mainline ,u"aism to remain more ortho"o% in their elief system. 49entually known as the B4ssenes,C they co$ie" many ancient ooks for more than two centuries. Many of these were "e$osite" in clay Ears which were $lace" in ca9es at the time of the "estruction of the secon" tem$le ;A.). 78= an" later "isco9ere" etween 194@ an" 1923. 1heir writin#s ecame known as the )ea" 5ea 5crolls an" $ro9i"e mo"ern scholars insi#ht into life in the time of ,esus.
392. 1he #ymnasium was not only for $hysical trainin# an" s$ortin# acti9ities, e"ucational en9ironment with a school of learnin#. 393. Golu , %n the )ays. 3@-7-.
ut also an
293 !n a""ition to the 4ssene writin#s, another #enre a$$eare" that woul" e9entually ecome known as the A$ocry$ha an" (seu"e$i#ra$ha. 5ome of these ooks ten" to e of an a$ocaly$tic nature* some future Eu"#mental e9ent is "escri e" to "eli9er !srael from her enemies. 1hese enemies are "estroye" an" the ,ews li9e fore9er with Go". ?ther writin#s reflect the encroachment of Hellenistic thinkin# into ,u"aism, an" the first Bli eralC writers restructure asic elements of the 1orah an" other He rew writin#s. 1hese were not acce$te" y all ,ews ut they knew of them. +inally, ancient writers #a9e 9arious o$inions of what the messiah woul" e like 7 from "efeatin# forei#n "ominatin# $owers to e%orcisms. Within The Testaments of the Twel e 4atriarchs" are three ooks that ha9e uniAue 9erses to a future kin# who woul" "efeat 5atan an" his "emons. 1herefore, when ,esus came an" free" $eo$le from "emonic control, His $erformance was what some e%$ecte". 5ee &&. *. ! for more information. ?n the other han", cha$ter 17 of the 4salms of Solomon" written etween 48 an" /8 ..'., clearly e%$resses the i"ea of o9erthrowin# a forei#n "ominatin# $ower ;i.e. 0ome=. 1herefore, when ,esus ma"e no mention of any $olitical as$irations, His $erformance was not what some e%$ecte". Jet 4salms of Solomon 17 also $resents a com$rehensi9e $icture of the i"ea Messiah who is from the line of )a9i" 7 an ima#e that was well esta lishe" in the min"s of the ,ewish $eo$le in the time of ,esus only a few "eca"es later. 3. /.&. &!, A.C. Syria a$( Jer)sale1 Co1e Fir1ly U$(er the Co$trol of the Gree9 Sele)"i(s Antiochus !!! of the 5yrian 5eleuci" "ynasty ca$ture" control of the ,ewish state from the 4#y$tian (tolemies who ha" controlle" it since the "eath of Ale%an"er the Great. 1his attle was fou#ht at (anias, a 9illa#e later known as 'aesarea (hili$$i, where ,esus aske" (eter his famous Auestion, BWho "o $eo$le say that ! amFC 1he Greek 5eleuci"s maintaine" their "istrict ca$ital in )amascus, 5yria, an" from there they controlle" 5amaria, ,u"ah, an" ,erusalem. 1he ,ewish $eo$le welcome" Antiochus !!! ecause he #rante" them the ri#ht to $ractice their faith accor"in# to the tra"itions an" laws of their fathers. 1hey were also e%em$te" from ta%es for three years. After the "eath of Antiochus !!!, Antiochus !H rei#ne". 1he free"om of reli#ion the ,ews once enEoye" chan#e" ra"ically to "ea"ly $ersecution. 1he chan#e not only intensifie" the culture war etween $ious ,ews an" the Greeks, ut also etween Hellenistic ,ews an" the Hasi"im. 1he Hellenists
294 ha" o taine" consi"era le influence amon# the $riests an" &e9ites in the tem$le. 3. /.&< &<.-&./ A.C. A$tio"h)s IF E#i#ha$es+ Ii$% of Syria Co$trols Jer)sale1 5ince the time of Ale%an"er the Great, the Greek kin#s ha" an unofficial $olicy of tolerance towar" the ,ews an" their reli#ion. All 9illa#es an" communities throu#hout the Greek 4m$ire ha" a"o$te" the Hellenistic lifestyle with the e%ce$tion of the ,ews. When Antiochus !H ;-12 7 134 ..'.=, who chan#e" his name to Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes ;B4$i$hanesC meanin#, Bthe illustrious oneC as well as Bthe manifest #o"C=, ecame kin# of the 5yrian "istrict, he chan#e" the $olicy an" was "etermine" to make the little ,ewish encla9e conform to the rest of Greek society. 1he 5yrian 5eleuci" Din# Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes took control of ,u"ah with his ca$ital in )amascus, 5yria. He was un"ou te"ly the most si#nificant character of the !nter-1estamental (erio", as he left a lastin# an" horrific le#acy. While he was a rutal an" 9icious "ictator, he was worse than Hero" the Great in that he attem$te" to con9ert the ,ews to the $a#an Greek culture. 1hose who refuse" were kille". His lastin# influence u$on the ,ews cannot e o9erstate", ut unfortunately, is sel"om stu"ie". 1wo a$ostate $riests who com$ete" a#ainst each other in 9arious en"ea9ors in the tem$le ai"e" his e9il schemes. /94 1he irony of i lical $ro$hecy is that to fully un"erstan" the $ro$hecy it must e fulfille" ;cf. 1 'or. 1/*1-=. 1here is not so much "isa#reement on what the .i le says, ut rather, on what it "oes not say. Antiochus was "etermine" to con9ert the ,ews to $a#anism an" remo9e any e9i"ence of ,ewish culture from the face of the earth. His comman"er, :icanor, a"9ertise" the sale of ,ewish s throu#hout the Greek cities at the chea$ rate of ninety B o"iesC for only one talent. /92 ,ews in later #enerations were con9ince" that the Messiah woul" come after Antiochus, an inter$retation they ase" on the $ro$hecies of )aniel. 1heir "ifficulty with that inter$retation is how to sol9e the Bse9ensC the $ro$het 394. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 4. 395. .arrois, B1ra"e an" 'ommerce.C 4*3@-.
295 )aniel mentione". 1he solution was that the ,ews a$$lie" a fi#urati9e inter$retation rather than a literal un"erstan"in#. As time $ro#resse" followin# this wicke" kin#, there was an increasin# e%$ectation that the Messiah woul" come. 1herefore, the actions of the kin# an" the "i9ine inter9ention "urin# the re9olt that followe" are si#nificant in un"erstan"in# the e%$ectations of the ,ews in the time of 'hrist.
3. /.&<A. C:INS :F ANTI:CHUS IF EPIPHANES . &4+1* A coin of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes as a military 9ictor an" kin# of 5yria. 0!GH1* A "ifferent coin of him shown as B#o" manifest.C Antiochus was a man who "esire" a solute $ower an" wealth. He controlle" ,u"ah as it was the lan" ri"#e with critical international hi#hways that connecte" the continents of Africa, 4uro$e, an" Asia. 1his $ro9i"e" him with an im$ortant source of re9enue* ta%ation of tra9elin# cara9ans. His #ree" ins$ire" him to $ass o9er the ri#htful successor to the throne, 5eleucus (hilo$ator, an" ushere" in an era of immense $ain an" sufferin# for the ,ewish $eo$le in his attem$t to "estroy the ,ewish faith an" re$lace it with Hellenistic $hiloso$hy. He rou#ht forth the Ba omination of "esolationC with nine maEor $oints that were recor"e" in the ook of Macca ees* /93 1. 1he tem$le in ,erusalem was "e"icate" to his #o", Keus ?lym$us ;Macc. 3*-=.
396. Gra
e, &udaism from 'yrus to +arian. -2@.
296 -. He erecte" an altar o9er the e%istin# altar an" offere" a $i# sacrifice to Keus ?lym$us ;1 Macc. 1*24, 29L 4*4/-47=. /. He institute" a month-lon# cele ration of his irth"ay ;- Macc. 3*7=. 4. He institute" the worshi$ of the #o" )ionysus with a $rocessional march ;- Macc. 3*7=. 2. He for a"e the o ser9ance of the 5a ath an" all ,ewish festi9als.
3. He for a"e sacrifices an" rea"in# of any 5cri$tures. 7. Any ,ews who 9iolate" his laws were sentence" to "eath an" they were not $ermitte" to enter the tem$le. @. 1he 5anhe"rin was terminate". /97 9. He sol" the $osition of tem$le $riesthoo". 18. He im$orte" tem$le $rostitutes, use" the tem$le facility as a rothel as $art of $a#an worshi$. 11. He stole all of the treasures in the tem$le, inclu"in# the 9eils of fine linen so that the uil"in# was left are. 1he 0oman senator an" author (u lius 'ornelius 1acitus ;A.). 23 7 117= recor"e" an account of Antiochus an" the chaotic $olitical en9ironment in his ook title", +istories./9@ 1acitus sai" that after Antiochus, the ,ewish lea"ers, later known as 5a""ucees, esta lishe" their own B$rincesC who were nearly as rutal as some of their $a#an monarchs. 1hey certainly lacke" the i lical Aualities an" 9alues of lea"ershi$.
397. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 37. 398. 1his ook The +istories" is not to e confuse" with another historical work y 1acitus
title" The Annals of %mperial Rome.
297 0he$ the Ma"e(o$ia$s be"a1e s)#re1e+ Ii$% A$tio"h)s stro8e to (estroy the $atio$al s)#erstitio$+ a$( to i$tro()"e Gree9 "i8iliGatio$+ b)t 3as #re8e$te( by his 3ar 3ith the Parthia$s fro1 at all i1#ro8i$% this 8ilest of $atio$s4 for at this ti1e the re8olt of Arsa"es ha( ta9e$ #la"e. The Ma"e(o$ia$ #o3er 3as $o3 3ea9+ 3hile the Parthia$ ha( $ot yet rea"he( its f)ll stre$%th+ a$(+ as the ;o1a$s 3ere still far off+ the Je3s "hose 9i$%s for the1sel8es. E@#elle( by the fi"9le #o#)la"e+ a$( re%ai$i$% their thro$e by for"e of ar1s+ these #ri$"es+ 3hile they 8e$t)re( o$ the 3holesale ba$ish1e$t of their s)bHe"ts+ o$ the (estr)"tio$ of "ities+ o$ the 1)r(er of brothers+ 3i8es+ a$( #are$ts+ a$( the other )s)al atro"ities of (es#ots+ fostere( the $atio$al s)#erstitio$ by a##ro#riati$% the (i%$ity of the #riesthoo( as the s)##ort of their #oliti"al #o3er. Ta"it)s+ )istories '.,
3!!
When 1acitus referre" to the Bnational su$erstitionC of the ,ews, he meant the ,ewish reli#ion. 0omans, Greeks an" all other $a#ans coul" not un"erstan" how anyone coul" worshi$ an in9isi le #o". +urthermore, the non-,ews ha" "ifficulty with the ,ewish $eo$le not workin# one "ay of the week as well as their "ietary restrictions. 1o them, this reli#ious lifestyle was clearly su$erstitious. Another writer of history, (oly ius ;-88 ..'. 7 117 ..'.=, use" a $lay on wor"s in his "escri$tion of him. 5ince Antiochus #a9e himself the last name, B4$i$hanes,C meanin# he was the o"ily Bmanifestation of a #o",C (oly ius referre" to him as B4$imanesC meanin# Bma",C or BAntiochus the insane.C
488
A$tio"h)s E#i#ha$es+ $i"9$a1e( fro1 his a"tio$s E#i#ha$es+ 2The Ma(1a$+5 3o)l( so1eti1es steal fro1 the "o)rt+
399. htt$*//www.sacre"-te%ts.com/cla/tac/h82888.htm 0etrie9e" +e ruary 17, -81-. While ,ose$hus wrote of the $riestly i"eals of the ,ewish theocracy, 1acitus wrote of the senatorial i"eals of the 0oman re$u lic. 1acitus wrote of $olitics an" im$erial wars, an" was not concerne" a out the social-economic con"itions of the lower classes.
400. Gra
e, &udaism from 'yrus to +arian. -4@L Met>#er, New Testament. 19.
298 a8oi(i$% his atte$(a$ts a$( a##ear roa1i$% 3il(ly abo)t i$ a$y "ha$"e #art of the "ity 3ith o$e or t3o "o1#a$io$s. Polybi)s+ *he )istories of Polybius *.7& Amon# the other e9ils this "ictator in9ente" was the creation of a myth known as B.loo" &i elC that woul" haunt the ,ews into the twentieth century. Accor"in# to +la9ius ,ose$hus, Antiochus essentially sai" in or"er for the ,ews to fulfill their reAuire" ritual laws, That they )se( to "at"h a Gree9 forei%$er a$( fatte$ hi1 th)s )# e8ery year a$( the$ lea( hi1 to a "ertai$ 3oo( #ile+ a$( 9ill hi1+ a$( taste of his e$trails+ a$( 1a9e a$ oath )#o$ this sa"rifi"i$% a Gree9+ that they 3o)l( e8er be at e$1ity 3ith the Gree9s4 a$( that they thre3 the re1ai$i$% #arts of the 1iserable 3ret"h i$to a #it. Jose#h)s+ Against A&ion *.!' Hariations of this myth cause" $ersecutions an" martyr"om for the ,ews at the han"s of so-calle" 'hristians throu#hout the 'hurch A#e. !t was $o$ular slan"er in :a>i Germany an" is tau#ht as historic fact in !slamic countries to"ay. Antiochus is cre"ite" for #rou$in# 9arious Greek cities into ten "istricts for a"ministrati9e an" ta%in# $ur$oses. 1hese ecame known as the B)eca$olis citiesC y the time of ,esus as the Greek name poleis meanin# cities. 1hey were 5eleucia, Gala"itis ;1ransEor"an= an" .eit 5he<an ;5cytho$olis= in northern !srael. 1he towns or cities east of the ,or"an 0i9er are )amascus, (hila"el$hia ;Amman=, 0afna, Gara"a, 5ussita ;Hi$$os=, )ion, (elia ;(ella=, ,erash ;Gerash=, an" 'anatha. 1he historian Gaius (linius 5ecun"us ;A.). -/ 7 79=, etter known as (liny the 4l"er, in his work title" Natural +istory" liste" the ten as* )amascus, (hila"el$hia, 0a$hana, 5cytho$olis, Ga"ara, Hi$$os, )ium, (ella, 'anatha, an" Gerasa. 481 Howe9er, another historian 'lau"ius (tolemy ;A.). 38-13@=, wrote in his ook title"
401. Gaius (linius 5ecun"us, Gerasa. Natural +istory 2, 74.
299 -eography" a "ifferent list of names. 48- 'learly, the ancients ha" "ifferent o$inions of what they consi"ere" to e a "istrict, city or 9illa#e. While the num er of cities is uncertain, it is known that there were ten a"ministrati9e "istricts for military an" ta% $ur$oses, which were institute" y (om$ey in 3/ ..'.48/ 3. /.&, &<& A.C. La(o9ite Priesthoo( E$(s4 Te1#le Priesthoo( Sol(4 The Esse$es. Until this time, the office of hi#h $riest was an inherite" $osition, han"e" "own from father to son. +rom the time of 5olomon the ,ewish $riesthoo" was always selecte" from one family, that of Ka"ok. 1he Ka"okite Hi#h (riest ?nias !!! ha" a rother who was the lea"er of the Hellenist $arty. His ,ewish name was ,oshua, ut her $referre" to e calle" y his Greek name, ,ason. As was so often the case in human history, one rother cause" the "eath of another for the sake of $ower an" wealth. A tra#e"y as this occurre" here as well. At one time, ,ason offere" Antiochus !H a hu#e sum of money to e $ositione" as hi#h $riest. 1he kin# acce$te" the ri e, sent ?nias on a state tri$ to Antioch to answer trum$e"-u$ char#es of treachery. !n route he was assassinate" an" ,ason ecame the new hi#h $riest. 1his le9el of reli#ious corru$tion e%iste" almost continuously until the tem$le was "estroye" in A.). 78.484 As e9il as this act was, later, "urin# the "ays of ,esus, the reli#ious an" $olitical corru$tion was much worse. 482 As a result, many sur9i9ors of the Ka"ok family e9entually isolate" themsel9es an" ecame known as the 4ssenes who are cre"ite" to"ay with ha9in# written the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. 1he former hi#h $riest reali>e" that his future in the Holy &an" was rather leak, so he relocate" to 4#y$t. 1here (tolemy (hilometor #a9e him $ermission to uil" a tem$le at &eonto$olis, a out -88 miles south of Ale%an"ria. 483 !t is the only tem$le other than the one in ,erusalem where sacrifices were offere" to Go".
402. 'lau"ius (tolemy. -eography 2, 14, 1@.
403. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B4C=.
404. .ruce, New Testament +istory. 23-2@.
405. Gra
e, &udaism from 'yrus to +arian. -49L .laikie, A Manual of Bible +istory. /9/L Golu , %n the )ays. @--@3.
300
!n the "ays of ,esus, the ,ewish tem$le in &eonto$olis a""e" to the social an" reli#ious tensions in ,u"aea. 49en thou#h 4#y$tian ,ews felt an alle#iance to ,erusalem, the lea"ers in the Holy 'ity were Auite "is$lease" with a com$etin# tem$le. 1he ra is in ,erusalem were alrea"y "istur e" y the translation of the .i le into Greek, a feat that was accom$lishe" in 4#y$t in the $re9ious century. 1he result was ,ewish anti-5emitism 7 anta#onism an" itterness etween these two ,ewish #rou$s. !n the meantime, Antiochus was not uniAue in his "ecision to sell the office of hi#h $riest. !t was common in ancient times that a kin# woul" "e9elo$ an e%tremely loyal su$$orter who controlle" the tem$le an" the reli#ious affairs of the $eo$le. !n a similar manner, years later the Hero"ian family $lace" Annas, an" later his son-in-law 'aia$has, in the same office. 1his enhance" the controllin# $owers of the monarch. Another e%am$le of a $riesthoo" ein# sol" was unco9ere" y archaeolo#ists in 4#y$t. !n this $a$yrus "ocument, (eke kis, the son of Marsisouchus, ma"e a #enerous offer to $urchase the $osition of $ro$het ;hi#h $riest=. 1his "ocument, "ate" A.). 143, rea"s in $art as follows* To Tiberi)s Cla)(i)s J)st)s+ a(1i$istrator of the #ri8ate a""o)$t+/ < fro1 Pa9eb9is+ so$ of Marsiso)"h)s+ e@e1#te( #riest/ , of the fa1o)s te1#le of So9$ebt)$is also "alle( Cro$)s.... I 3ish to #)r"hase the offi"e of #ro#het / ! i$ the aforesai( te1#le+ 3hi"h has bee$ for sale for a lo$% ti1e+ o$ the )$(ersta$(i$% that I shall ... "arry the #al1-bra$"hes a$( #erfor1 the other f)$"tio$s of the offi"e of #ro#het a$(
406. Golu , %n the )ays. --9-/-, -/@-/9.
407. All real estate in 4#y$t was consi"ere" to e the $ri9ate $ro$erty of the monarchs
;with certain reli#ious lea"ers e%em$te"=, an" therefore, any income "eri9e" from these lan"s elon#e" to the royal treasury.
408. 1he hol"er of a reli#ious office "i" not ha9e to $ay ta%es to the 4#y$tian #o9ernment,
which was a $u$$et a#ent of the 0omans.
409. B1he $ro$hetC was most likely the hi#h $riest who was also res$onsi le for all
financial matters of the tem$le, as he woul" e if he owne" any other usiness.
301 re"ei8e i$ a""or(a$"e 3ith the or(ers a fifth #art /& of all the re8e$)e 3hi"h falls to the te1#le+ at a total #ri"e of *+* (ra"h1ae i$stea( of the ./ (ra"h1ae offere( lo$% a%o by Marsiso)"h)s+ so$ of Pa9eb9is+ 3hi"h s)1 I 3ill #ay+ if 1y a##oi$t1e$t is ratifie(+ i$to the lo"al #)bli" ba$9 at the ")sto1ary (ates4 a$( I a$( 1y (es"e$(a$ts a$( s)""essors shall ha8e the #er1a$e$t o3$ershi# a$( #ossessio$ of this offi"e fore8er 3ith all the sa1e #ri8ile%es a$( ri%hts+ o$ #ay1e$t Rby ea"h o$eS of * (ra"h1ae for a(1issio$. If+ therefore+ it see1s %oo( to yo)+ 1y Lor(+ yo) 3ill ratify 1y a##oi$t1e$t here i$ the "ity )#o$ these ter1s a$( to 3rite to the strate%)s abo)t this 1atter+ i$ or(er that the ()e ser8i"es to the %o(s 3ho yo) lo8e 1ay be #erfor1e(.... Fare3ell+ the & th year of the E1#eror Caesarea Tit)s Aeli)s Ha(ria$)s A$to$i)s A)%)st)s Pi)s+ *ubi & . 3. /.&! &< A.C. Messiah Pre(i"te( by ;o1a$ Poet Fir%il
/&&
.y the mi""le of the !nter-1estamental (erio", nearly the entire Mi""le 4ast was waitin# for a messiah. !n !taly, the 0oman $oet Hir#il wrote in his -olden Age" that he $re"icte" the comin# of a messiah. 41- 1he momentum of e%$ectation y the first century was intense, as $eo$le were e%$ectin# him to "eli9er them from $olitical an" economic o$$ression. 3. /.* &.< A.C.+ 6e"e1ber. A$tio"h)s IF 6ese"rates Te1#le
As $re9iously state", whene9er a $eo$le #rou$ was ca$ture", it was the cultural tra"ition that they woul" worshi$ the #o" or #o"s of their new o9erlor"s. Ancient reasonin# was sim$ly* 1he $eo$le with the stron#er army ha" the stron#er #o". Howe9er, the Greeks coul" not com$rehen" that not only "i" the ,ews ha9e an in9isi le #o", ut they were willin# to "ie for that "eity. Antiochus was committe" to $uttin# an en" to ,u"aism y whate9er means $ossi le. 410. @#ifth part; woul" e fun"s "onate" to the $a#an tem$le as well as fun"s "eri9e"
from the cro$s raise" on sacre" lan"s an" controlle" y the tem$le.
411. .arrett, The New Testament Background. /--//. 412. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 1-1.
302
!n 137 ..'., Antiochus sent his masons into the tem$le where they constructe" an enlar#e" altar o9er the e%istin# ,ewish altar. ?n the -2th "ay of 'hisle9 ;)ecem er 13=, he sacrifice" a $i# to Keus ?lym$us u$on the #reat altar of urnt offerin#s in the tem$le. !t was the su$reme insult to oth Go" an" the ,ews. !mme"iately all tem$le sacrifices were terminate". 41/ !t was the $innacle of "esecration. His anti-5emitic acti9ities are si#nificant in li#ht of the wor"s of ,esus foun" in Matthew -2*12, as the 5eleuci" "ictator a$$ears to ha9e fulfille" )aniel<s $ro$hecies ;9*-7L 11*/1L 1-*11=. Howe9er, ,esus state" that these $ro$hecies were yet to e fulfille". 1herefore, it is e9i"ent that those $re"icte" terri le "ays still await humanity, an" accor"in# to some scholars, will occur "urin# the 1ri ulation (erio" when the true Anti-'hrist rules the earth. )aniel<s wor"s were $artially fulfille" ut remain to e com$letely fulfille" in the future. 1hree historical witnesses $reser9e" the "etails of this e9ent sur9i9e" the centuries. 1he first was written y ,ose$hus, who sai", No3 it "a1e to #ass after t3o years i$ the h)$(re( a$( fortyfifth year B&.< A.C.C o$ the t3e$ty-fifth (ay of that 1o$th 3hi"h is by )s "alle( Chasle)+ a$( by the Ma"e(o$ia$s A#elle)s+ i$ the h)$(re( a$( fifty-thir( :ly1#ia(+ that the 9i$% BA$tio"h)sC "a1e )# to Jer)sale1 a$(+ #rete$(i$% #ea"e+ he %ot #ossessio$ of the "ity by trea"hery+ at 3hi"h ti1e he (i( $ot s#are e8e$ those 3ho a(1itte( hi1 i$to it o$ a""o)$t of the ri"hes that lay i$ the te1#le. Le( by his "o8eto)s i$"li$atio$ Bfor he sa3 there 3as a %reat (eal of %ol( a$( 1a$y or$a1e$ts that ha( bee$ (e(i"ate( to it of 8ery %reat 8al)eC+ a$( i$ or(er to #l)$(er its 3ealth+ he 8e$t)re( to brea9 the a%ree1e$t he 1a(e. So he left the te1#le bare a$( too9 a3ay the %ol(e$ "a$(lesti"9s+ a$( the %ol(e$ altar Bof i$"e$seC+ a$( table Bof she3brea(C+ a$( the altar Bof b)r$t offeri$%C+ a$( (i( $ot abstai$ fro1 e8e$ the 8eils 3hi"h 3ere 1a(e fro1 fi$e li$e$ a$( s"arlet. He also e1#tie( it of its se"ret treas)res a$( left $othi$% at all re1ai$i$%+ a$( by this 1ea$s "ast the Je3s i$to %reat $atio$+ for he forba(e the1 to offer those (aily sa"rifi"es+ 3hi"h they )se( to offer to Go(+ a""or(i$% to the la3. A$( 3he$ he #illa%e( the 3hole "ity+ so1e of the 413. Met>#er, New Testament. -8--1.
303 i$habita$ts he 9ille( a$( so1e he "arrie( "a#ti8e so that the 1)ltit)(e of those "a#ti8es that 3ere ta9e$ ali8e a1o)$te( to abo)t te$ tho)sa$(. He also b)r$t (o3$ the fi$est b)il(i$%s+ a$( 3he$ he ha( o8erthro3$ the "ity 3alls+ he b)ilt a "ita(el i$ the lo3er #art of the "ity+ for the #la"e 3as hi%h a$( o8erloo9e( the te1#le o$ 3hi"h a""o)$t he fortifie( it 3ith hi%h 3alls a$( to3ers+ a$( #)t i$to it a %arriso$ of Ma"e(o$ia$s. Ho3e8er+ i$ that "ita(el (3elt the i1#io)s a$( 3i"9e( #art of the BJe3ishC 1)ltit)(e+ fro1 3ho1 it #ro8e( that the "itiGe$s s)ffere( 1a$y hea8y "ala1ities. A$( 3he$ the 9i$% ha( b)ilt a$ i(ol altar )#o$ Go(?s altar+ he sle3 s3i$e )#o$ it a$( so offere( a sa"rifi"e $either a""or(i$% to the la3+ $or the Je3ish reli%io)s 3orshi# i$ that "o)$try. He also "o1#elle( the1 to forsa9e the 3orshi#+ 3hi"h they #ai( their o3$ Go(+ a$( to a(ore those 3ho1 he too9 to the %o(s a$( 1a(e the1 b)il( te1#les a$( raise i(ol altars i$ e8ery "ity a$( 8illa%e+ a$( offer s3i$e )#o$ the1 e8ery (ay. He also "o11a$(e( the1 $ot to "ir")1"ise their so$s a$( threate$e( to #)$ish a$y that sho)l( be fo)$( to ha8e tra$s%resse( his i$H)$"tio$. He also a##oi$te( o8erseers 3ho sho)l( "o1#el the1 to (o 3hat he "o11a$(e(. A$( i$(ee( there 3ere 1a$y Je3s 3ho "o1#lie( 3ith the 9i$%Vs "o11a$(s either 8ol)$tarily or o)t of fear of the #e$alty that 3as a$$o)$"e(7 b)t the best 1e$ a$( those of the $oblest so)ls (i( $ot re%ar( hi1+ b)t #ai( a %reater res#e"t to the ")sto1s of their "o)$try tha$ "o$"er$ as to the #)$ish1e$t 3hi"h he threate$e( to the (isobe(ie$t+ o$ 3hi"h a""o)$t they e8ery (ay )$(er3e$t %reat 1iseries a$( bitter tor1e$ts for they were whi&&ed with rods and their bodies were torn to &ieces and were crucified while they were still alive and breathed. *hey also strangled those women and their sons whom they had circumcised" as the !ing had a&&ointed" hanging their sons about their nec!s as they were u&on the crosses. And if there were any sacred boo! of the 'aw found" it was destroyed and those with whom they were found" miserably &erished also.
304 Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &*.'./

/&/
Antiochus "eci"e" to era"icate all traces of the ,ewish faith y whate9er means $ossi le inclu"in# torture an" "eath. He "eli erately institute" laws that "irectly 9iolate" Mosaic laws. ,ose$hus recor"e" the followin#* He s#oile( the te1#le a$( #)t a sto# to the "o$sta$t #ra"ti"e of offeri$% a (aily sa"rifi"e of e@#iatio$ for three years a$( si@ 1o$ths.... No3 A$tio"h)s 3as $ot satisfie( either 3ith his )$e@#e"te( ta9i$% of the "ity+ or 3ith its #illa%e+ or 3ith the %reat sla)%hter he ha( 1a(e there+ b)t bei$% o8er"o1e 3ith his 8iole$t #assio$s. He "o1#elle( the Je3s to (issol8e the la3s of their "o)$try+ a$( 9ee# their i$fa$ts )$"ir")1"ise(+ a$( to sa"rifi"e s3i$e?s flesh )#o$ the altar4 a%ai$st 3hi"h they all o##ose( the1sel8es+ a$( the 1ost a##ro8e( a1o$% the1 3ere #)t to (eath. Jose#h)s+ %ars &.&.&-* 1he secon" witness is y the unknown author of the first Macca ees, who recor"e" the e9ent as follows, ook of
I$ those (ays la3less 1e$ "a1e forth fro1 Israel+ a$( 1isle( 1a$y sayi$%+ 2Let )s %o a$( 1a9e a "o8e$a$t 3ith Ge$tiles ro)$( abo)t )s+ for si$"e 3e se#arate( fro1 the1 1a$y e8ils ha8e "o1e )#o$ )s.5
414. !talics mine for em$hasis.
305
The #ro#osal #lease( the1+ a$( so1e of the #eo#le ea%erly 3e$t to the 9i$%. He a)thoriGe( the1 to obser8e the or(i$a$"es of the Ge$tiles+ so they b)ilt a %y1$asi)1 i$ Jer)sale1+ a$( a""or(i$% to the Ge$tile ")sto1+ a$( re1o8e( the 1ar9s of "ir")1"isio$ a$( aba$(o$e( the holy "o8e$a$t. They Hoi$e( 3ith the Ge$tiles a$( sol( the1sel8es to (o e8il. 0he$ A$tio"h)s sa3 that his 9i$%(o1 3as establishe(+ he (eter1i$e( to be"o1e the 9i$% of the la$( of E%y#t that he 1i%ht rei%$ o8er both 9i$%(o1s. So he i$8a(e( E%y#t 3ith a stro$% for"e+ 3ith "hariots a$( ele#ha$ts a$( "a8alry a$( 3ith a lar%e fleet. He e$%a%e( Ptole1y 9i$% of E%y#t i$ battle a$( Ptole1y t)r$e( a$( fle( before hi1 a$( 1a$y 3ere 3o)$(e( a$( fell. A$( they "a#t)re( the fortifie( "ities i$ the la$( of E%y#t a$( he #l)$(ere( the la$( of E%y#t. After s)b()i$% E%y#t+ A$tio"h)s ret)r$e( i$ the o$e h)$(re( a$( forty-thir( year. He 3e$t )# a%ai$st Israel a$( "a1e to Jer)sale1 3ith a stro$% for"e. He arro%a$tly e$tere( the sa$"t)ary a$( too9 the %ol(e$ altar+ the la1#sta$( for the li%ht a$( all its )te$sils. He too9 also the table for the brea( of the Prese$"e+ the ")#s for (ri$9 offeri$%s+ the bo3ls+ the %ol(e$ "e$sers+ the ")rtai$+ the "ro3$s+ a$( the %ol( (e"oratio$ o$ the fro$t of the te1#le4 he stri##e( it all off. He too9 the sil8er a$( the %ol( a$( the "ostly 8essels4 he too9 also the hi((e$ treas)res 3hi"h he fo)$( ta9i$% the1 all+ he (e#arte( to his o3$ la$(. He "o11itte( (ee(s of 1)r(er+ a$( s#o9e 3ith %reat arro%a$"e. Israel 1o)r$e( (ee#ly i$ e8ery "o11)$ity+ r)lers a$( el(ers %roa$e(+ Mai(e$s a$( yo)$% 1e$ be"a1e fai$t+ the bea)ty of 3o1e$ fa(e(+ E8ery bri(e%roo1 too9 )# the la1e$t4
306 she 3ho sat i$ the bri(al "ha1ber 3as 1o)r$i$%. E8e$ the la$( shoo9 for its i$habita$ts+ a$( all the ho)se of Ja"ob 3as "lothe( 3ith sha1e. T3o years later the 9i$% se$t to the "ities of J)(ah a "hief ta@ "olle"tor of trib)te+ a$( he "a1e to Jer)sale1 3ith a lar%e for"e. 6e"eitf)lly he s#o9e #ea"eable 3or(s to the1+ a$( they belie8e( hi14 b)t he s)((e$ly fell )#o$ the "ity+ (ealt it a se8ere blo3 a$( (estroye( 1a$y #eo#le of Israel. He #l)$(ere( the "ity Ba$(C b)r$e( it 3ith fire a$( tore (o3$ its ho)ses a$( its s)rro)$(i$% 3alls. A$( the$ he too9 "a#ti8e the 3o1e$ a$( "hil(re$ a$( seiGe( the "attle. The$ he fortifie( the "ity of 6a8i( 3ith a %reat stro$% 3all a$( stro$% to3ers a$( it be"a1e their "ita(el. A$( they statio$e( there a si$f)l #eo#le+ la3less 1e$. These stre$%the$e( their #ositio$s4 they store( )# ar1s a$( foo( a$( "olle"ti$% the s#oils of Jer)sale1 they store( the1 there a$( be"a1e a %reat s$are. It be"a1e a$ a1b)sh a%ai$st the sa$"t)ary+ a$ e8il a(8ersary of Israel "o$ti$)ally. :$ e8ery si(e of the sa$"t)ary they she( i$$o"e$t bloo(4 they e8e$ (efile( the sa$"t)ary. Ae"a)se of the1 the resi(e$ts of Jer)sale1 fle(4 she be"a1e a (3elli$% of stra$%ers She be"a1e stra$%e to her offs#ri$%+ a$( her "hil(re$ forsoo9 her. Her sa$"t)ary be"a1e (esolate as a (esert4 her feasts 3ere t)r$e( i$to 1o)r$i$%+ Her Sabbaths i$to a re#roa"h+ her ho$or i$to "o$te1#t. Her (isho$or $o3 %re3 as %reat as her %lory4 her e@altatio$ 3as t)r$e( i$to 1o)r$i$%.
307 The$ the 9i$% 3rote to his 3hole 9i$%(o1 that all sho)l( be o$e #eo#le+ a$( that ea"h sho)l( %i8e )# his ")sto1. All the Ge$tiles a""e#te( the "o11a$( of the 9i$%. Ma$y e8e$ fro1 Israel %la(ly a(o#te( his reli%io$4 they sa"rifi"e( to i(ols a$( #rofa$e( the Sabbath. A$( the 9i$% se$t letters by 1esse$%ers to Jer)sale1 a$( the "ities of J)(ah4 he (ire"te( the1 to follo3 ")sto1s stra$%e to the la$(+ to forbi( b)r$t offeri$%s a$( sa"rifi"es a$( (ri$9 offeri$%s i$ the sa$"t)ary+ to #rofa$e Sabbaths a$( feasts+ to (efile the sa$"t)ary a$( the #riests+ to b)il( altars a$( sa"re( #re"i$"ts a$( shri$es for i(ols+ to sa"rifi"e s3i$e a$( )$"lea$ a$i1als+ a$( to lea8e their so$s )$"ir")1"ise(. They 3ere to 1a9e the1sel8es abo1i$able by e8erythi$% )$"lea$ a$( #rofa$e+ so that they sho)l( for%et the La3 a$( "ha$%e all or(i$a$"es. 2A$( 3hoe8er (oes $ot obey the "o11a$( of the 9i$% shall (ie.5 I$ s)"h 3or(s he 3rote to his 3hole 9i$%(o1. A$( he a##oi$te( i$s#e"tors o8er all the #eo#le a$( "o11a$(e( the "ities of J)(ah to offer sa"rifi"e+ "ity by "ity. Ma$y of the #eo#le+ e8eryo$e 3ho forsoo9 the La3+ Hoi$e( the1+ a$( they (i( e8il i$ the la$(4 they (ro8e Israel i$to hi(i$% i$ e8ery #la"e of ref)%e they ha( ere"te( a (esolati$% sa"rile%e )#o$ the altar of b)r$t offeri$%s. They also b)ilt altars i$ the s)rro)$(i$% "ities of J)(ah+ a$( b)r$e( i$"e$se at the (oors of the ho)ses a$( i$ the streets. The boo9s of the La3 3hi"h they fo)$( they tore i$to #ie"es a$( b)r$e( 3ith fire. 0here the boo9 of the "o8e$a$t 3as fo)$( i$ the #ossessio$ of a$y o$e+ or if a$y o$e a(here( to the la3+ the (e"ree of the 9i$% "o$(e1$e( hi1 to (eath. They 9e#t )si$% 8iole$"e a%ai$st Israel+ a%ai$st those fo)$( 1o$th after 1o$th i$ the "ities+ a$( o$ the t3e$ty-fifth (ay of the 1o$th they offere( sa"rifi"e o$ the altar 3hi"h 3as )#o$ the altar of b)r$t offeri$%. A""or(i$% to the (e"ree+ they #)t to (eath the 3o1e$ 3ho ha( their "hil(re$ "ir")1"ise( a$( their fa1ilies a$( those 3ho "ir")1"ise( the14 a$( they h)$% the i$fa$ts fro1 their 1others? $e"9s.
308 A)t 1a$y i$ Israel stoo( fir1 a$( 3ere resol8e( i$ their hearts $ot to eat )$"lea$ foo( or to #rofa$e the holy "o8e$a$t4 a$( they (i( (ie. A$( 8ery %reat 3rath "a1e )#o$ Israel. & Ma""abees &7&&-./ 1he thir" witness was written Macca ees. He sai" that, y the unknown author of the secon" ook of
Abo)t this ti1e+ A$tio"h)s 1a(e his se"o$( i$8asio$ of E%y#t. A$( it ha##e$e( that o8er all the "ity+ for al1ost forty (ays there a##eare( %ol(e$-"la( horse1e$ "har%i$% thro)%h the air+ i$ "o1#a$ies f)lly ar1e( 3ith la$"es a$( (ra3$ s3or(s troo#s of horse1e$ (ra3$ )#+ atta"9s a$( "o)$teratta"9s 1a(e o$ this si(e a$( o$ that+ bra$(ishi$% of shiel(s+ 1assi$% of s#ears+ h)rli$% of 1issiles+ the flash of %ol(e$ tra##i$%s+ a$( ar1or of all sorts. Therefore+ all 1e$ #raye( that the a##aritio$ 1i%ht #ro8e to ha8e bee$ a %oo( o1e$. 0he$ a false r)1or arose that A$tio"h)s 3as (ea(+ Jaso$ too9 $o less tha$ a tho)sa$( 1e$ a$( s)((e$ly 1a(e a$ assa)lt )#o$ the "ity. 0he$ the troo#s )#o$ the 3all ha( bee$ for"e( ba"9 a$( at last the "ity ha( bee$ ta9e$+ Me$ela)s too9 ref)%e i$ the "ita(el. A)t Jaso$ 9e#t rele$tlessly sla)%hteri$% his fello3 "itiGe$s+ $ot realiGi$% that s)""ess at the "ost of o$eVs 9i$(re( is the %reatest 1isfort)$e+ b)t i1a%i$i$% that he 3as setti$% )# tro#hies of 8i"tory of e$e1ies a$( $ot of fello3 "o)$try1e$. He (i( $ot %ai$ "o$trol of the %o8er$1e$t+ ho3e8er4 a$( i$ the e$( %ot o$ly (is%ra"e fro1 his "o$s#ira"y+ a$( fle( a%ai$ i$to the "o)$try of the A11o$ites. Fi$ally he 1et a 1iserable e$(. A"")se( before Aretas the r)ler of the Arabs+ fleei$% fro1 "ity to "ity+ #)rs)e( by all 1e$+ hate( as a rebel a%ai$st the la3s+ a$( abhorre( as the e@e")tio$er of his "o)$try a$( his fello3 "itiGe$s+ he 3as "ast ashore i$ E%y#t4 a$( he 3ho ha( (ri8e$ 1a$y fro1 his o3$ "o)$try i$to e@ile (ie( i$ e@ile+ ha8i$% e1bar9e( to %o to the La"e(ae1o$ia$s i$ ho#e of fi$(i$% #rote"tio$ be"a)se of their 9i$shi#. He 3ho
309 ha( "ast o)t 1a$y to lie )$b)rie( ha( $o o$e to 1o)r$ for hi14 he ha( $o f)$eral of a$y sort a$( $o #la"e i$ the to1b of his fathers. 0he$ $e3s of 3hat ha( ha##e$e( rea"he( the 9i$%+ he too9 it to 1ea$ that J)(ea 3as i$ re8olt. So+ ra%i$% i$3ar(ly+ he left E%y#t a$( too9 it by stor1. A$( he "o11a$(e( his sol(iers to ")t (o3$ rele$tlessly e8ery o$e they 1et a$( to slay those 3ho 3e$t i$to the ho)ses. The$ there 3as 9illi$% of yo)$% a$( ol(+ (estr)"tio$ of boys+ 3o1e$+ a$( "hil(re$+ a$( sla)%hter of 8ir%i$s a$( i$fa$ts. 0ithi$ the total of three (ays ei%hty tho)sa$( 3ere (estroye(+ forty tho)sa$( i$ ha$(-to-ha$( fi%hti$%4 a$( as 1a$y 3ere sol( i$to sla8ery as 3ere slai$. Not "o$te$t 3ith this+ A$tio"h)s (are( to e$ter the 1ost holy te1#le i$ all the 3orl(+ %)i(e( by Me$ela)s+ 3ho be"a1e a traitor both to the la3s a$( to his "o)$try. He too9 the holy 8essels 3ith his #oll)te( ha$(s+ a$( s3e#t a3ay 3ith #rofa$e the 8oti8e offeri$%s+ 3hi"h other 9i$%s ha( 1a(e to e$ha$"e the %lory a$( ho$or of the #la"e. A$tio"h)s 3as elate( i$ s#irit+ a$( (i( $ot #er"ei8e that the Lor( 3as a$%ere( for a little 3hile be"a)se of the si$s of those 3ho (3elt i$ the "ity+ a$( that therefore he 3as (isre%ar(i$% the holy #la"e. A)t if it ha( $ot ha##e$e( that they 3ere i$8ol8e( i$ 1a$y si$s+ this 1a$ 3o)l( ha8e bee$ s"o)r%e( a$( t)r$e( ba"9 fro1 his rash a"t as soo$ as he "a1e for3ar(+ H)st as Helio(or)s 3as+ 3ho1 Sele)")s the 9i$% se$t to i$s#e"t the treas)ry. A)t the Lor( (i( $ot "hoose the $atio$ for the sa9e of the holy #la"e+ b)t the #la"e for the sa9e of the $atio$. Therefore+ the #la"e itself share( i$ the 1isfort)$es that befell the $atio$ a$( after3ar( #arti"i#ate( i$ its be$efits4 a$( 3hat 3as forsa9e$ i$ the 3rath of the Al1i%hty 3as restore( a%ai$ i$ all its %lory 3he$ the Great Lor( be"a1e re"o$"ile(. So A$tio"h)s "arrie( off ei%htee$ h)$(re( tale$ts fro1 the te1#le+ a$( h)rrie( a3ay to A$tio"h+ thi$9i$% i$ his arro%a$"e that he "o)l( sail o$ the la$( a$( 3al9 o$ the sea+ be"a)se his
310 1i$( 3as elate(. A$( he left %o8er$ors to affli"t the #eo#le at Jer)sale17 Phili# by birth a Phry%ia$ a$( i$ "hara"ter 1ore barbaro)s tha$ the 1a$ 3ho a##oi$te( hi14 a$( at GeriGi1 A$(ro$i")s+ a$( besi(es these D Me$ela)s+ 3ho lor(e( it o8er his fello3 "itiGe$s+ 3as 3orse tha$ the others. I$ his 1ali"e to3ar( the Je3ish "itiGe$s+ A$tio"h)s se$t A#ollo$i)s+ the "a#tai$ of the Mysia$s 3ith a$ ar1y of t3e$ty-t3o tho)sa$( a$( "o11a$(e( hi1 to slay all the %ro3$ 1e$ a$( to sell the 3o1e$ a$( boys as s. 0he$ this 1a$ arri8e( i$ Jer)sale1+ he #rete$(e( to be #ea"eably (is#ose( a$( 3aite( )$til the holy Sabbath (ay4 the$ fi$(i$% the Je3s $ot at 3or9+ he or(ere( his 1e$ to #ara(e )$(er ar1s. He #)t to s3or( all those 3ho "a1e o)t to see hi1 3ith his ar1e( 1e$ a$( 9ille( %reat $)1bers of #eo#le. A)t J)(as Ma""abe)s 3ith abo)t $i$e others %ot a3ay to the 3il(er$ess+ a$( 9e#t hi1self a$( his "o1#a$io$s ali8e i$ the 1o)$tai$s as 3il( a$i1als (o4 they "o$ti$)e( to li8e o$ 3hat %re3 3il(+ so that they 1i%ht $ot share i$ the (efile1e$t. * Ma""abees '7&-*< 1he $ersecution a#ainst the ,ewish $eo$le was one of the worst in their lon# history of $ersecution, e%ile, an" $o#roms. +rom this era two witnesses recor"e" the traumatic e9ents Antiochus inflicte" u$on the ,ewish $eo$le. 1housan"s "ie" heroic "eaths to e loyal to their faith in his three an" a half year rei#n of terror. 1he secon" ook of Macca ees says this* Not lo$% after this+ the 9i$% se$t a$ Athe$ia$ se$ator to "o1#el the Je3s to forsa9e the la3s of their fathers a$( "ease to li8e by the la3s of Go(+ a$( also to #oll)te the te1#le i$ Jer)sale1 a$( "all it the te1#le of :ly1#ia$ Le)s+ a$( to "all the o$e i$ GeriGi1 the te1#le of Le)s the Frie$( of Stra$%ers+ as (i( the #eo#le 3ho (3elt i$ that #la"e.
311 Harsh a$( )tterly %rie8o)s 3as the o$sla)%ht of e8il. For the te1#le 3as fille( 3ith (eba)"hery a$( re8eli$% by the Ge$tiles+ 3ho (allie( 3ith harlots a$( ha( i$ter"o)rse 3ith 3o1e$ 3ithi$ the sa"re( #re"i$"ts+ a$( besi(es bro)%ht i$ thi$%s for sa"rifi"e that 3ere )$fit. The altar 3as "o8ere( 3ith abo1i$able offeri$%s+ 3hi"h 3ere forbi((e$ by the la3s. A 1a$ "o)l( $either 9ee# the Sabbath+ $or obser8e the feasts of his fathers+ $or as 1)"h as "o$fess hi1self to be a Je3. :$ the 1o$thly "elebratio$ of the 9i$%Vs birth(ay the Je3s 3ere ta9e$+ )$(er bitter "o$strai$t+ to #arta9e of the sa"rifi"es4 a$( 3he$ the feast of 6io$ys)s "a1e+ they 3ere "o1#elle( to 3al9 i$ the #ro"essio$ i$ ho$or of 6io$ys)s+ 3eari$% 3reaths of i8y. At the s)%%estio$ of Ptole1y+ a (e"ree 3as iss)e( to $ei%hbori$% Gree9 "ities+ that they sho)l( a(o#t the sa1e #oli"y to3ar( the Je3s a$( 1a9e the1 #arta9e of the sa"rifi"es+ a$( sho)l( slay those 3ho (i( $ot "hoose to "ha$%e o8er to Gree9 ")sto1s. :$e "o)l( see+ therefore+ the 1isery that ha( "o1e )#o$ the1. For e@a1#le7 t3o 3o1e$ 3ere bro)%ht i$ for ha8i$% "ir")1"ise( their "hil(re$. These 3o1e$ they #)bli"ly #ara(e( abo)t the "ity+ 3ith their babies h)$% at their breasts+ the$ h)rle( the1 (o3$ hea(lo$% fro1 the 3all. :thers ha( asse1ble( i$ the "a8es $earby to obser8e the se8e$th (ay se"retly 3ere betraye( to Phili# a$( 3ere all b)r$e( to%ether+ be"a)se their #iety 9e#t the1 fro1 (efe$(i$% the1sel8es+ i$ 8ie3 of their re%ar( for that 1ost holy (ay. No3 I )r%e those 3ho rea( this boo9 $ot to be (e#resse( by s)"h "ala1ities+ b)t to re"o%$iGe that these #)$ish1e$ts 3ere (esi%$e( $ot to (estroy b)t to (is"i#li$e o)r #eo#le. I$ fa"t+ $ot to let the i1#io)s alo$e for lo$%+ b)t to #)$ish the1 i11e(iately is a si%$ of %reat 9i$($ess. For i$ the "ase of the other $atio$s the Lor( 3aits #atie$tly to #)$ish the1 )$til they ha8e rea"he( the f)ll 1eas)re of their si$s4 b)t he (oes $ot (eal i$ this 3ay 3ith )s+ i$ or(er that he 1ay $ot ta9e 8e$%ea$"e o$ )s after3ar( 3he$ o)r si$s ha8e rea"he( their hei%ht. Therefore+ he $e8er 3ith(ra3s his 1er"y fro1 )s.
312 Tho)%h he (is"i#li$es )s 3ith "ala1ities4 he (oes $ot forsa9e his o3$ #eo#le. Let 3hat 3e ha8e sai( ser8e as a re1i$(er4 3e 1)st %o o$ briefly 3ith the story. EleaGar+ o$e of the s"ribes i$ hi%h #ositio$+ a 1a$ $o3 a(8a$"e( i$ a%e a$( of $oble #rese$"e+ 3as bei$% for"e( to o#e$ his 1o)th to eat s3i$eVs flesh. A)t he+ 3el"o1i$% (eath 3ith ho$or rather tha$ life 3ith #oll)tio$+ 3e$t )# to the ra"9 of his o3$ a""or(+ s#itti$% o)t the flesh+ as 1e$ o)%ht to %o 3ho ha8e the "o)ra%e to ref)se thi$%s that it is $ot ri%ht to taste+ e8e$ for the $at)ral lo8e of life. Those 3ho 3ere i$ "har%e of that )$la3f)l sa"rifi"e too9 the 1a$ asi(e+ be"a)se of their lo$% a"=)ai$ta$"e 3ith hi1+ #ri8ately )r%e( hi1 to bri$% 1eat of his o3$ #ro8i(i$%+ #ro#er for hi1 to )se+ a$( #rete$( that he 3as eati$% the flesh of the sa"rifi"ial 1eal 3hi"h ha( bee$ "o11a$(e( by the 9i$%+ so that by (oi$% this he 1i%ht be sa8e( fro1 (eath a$( be treate( 9i$(ly o$ a""o)$t of his ol( frie$(shi# 3ith the1. A)t 1a9i$% a hi%h resol8e+ 3orthy of his years a$( (i%$ity of his ol( a%e a$( the %ray hairs 3hi"h he ha( rea"he( 3ith (isti$"tio$ a$( his e@"elle$t life e8e$ fro1 "hil(hoo(+ a$( 1oreo8er a""or(i$% to the holy Go(-%i8e$ la3+ he (e"lare( hi1self =)i"9ly telli$% the1 to se$( hi1 to Ha(es. 2S)"h #rete$se is $ot 3orthy of o)r ti1e of life+5 he sai(+ 2lest 1a$y of the yo)$% sho)l( s)##ose that EleaGar i$ his $i$etieth year has %o$e o8er to a$ alie$ reli%io$+ a$( thro)%h 1y #rete$se for the sa9e of li8i$% a brief 1o1e$t lo$%er+ they sho)l( be le( astray be"a)se of 1e+ 3hile I (efile a$( (is%ra"e 1y ol( a%e. For e8e$ if for the #rese$t I sho)l( a8oi( the #)$ish1e$t of 1e$+ yet 3hether I li8e or (ie I shall $ot es"a#e the ha$(s of the Al1i%hty. Therefore+ by 1a$f)lly %i8i$% )# 1y life $o3+ I 3ill sho3 1yself 3orthy of 1y ol( a%e a$( lea8e to the yo)$% a $oble e@a1#le of ho3 to (ie a %oo( (eath 3illi$%ly a$( $obly for the re8ere( a$( holy la3s+5 3he$ he ha( sai( this+ he 3e$t at o$"e to that ra"9. A$( those 3ho a
313 little before ha( a"te( to3ar( hi1 3ith %oo(+ $o3 "ha$%e( to ill 3ill be"a)se the 3or(s he ha( )ttere( 3ere i$ their o#i$io$ sheer 1a($ess. 0he$ he 3as abo)t to (ie )$(er the blo3s+ he %roa$e( alo)( a$( sai(+ 2It is "lear to the Lor( i$ his holy 9$o3le(%e that I ha8e bee$ sa8e( fro1 (eath+ I a1 e$()ri$% terrible s)fferi$%s i$ 1y bo(y )$(er this beati$%+ b)t i$ 1y so)l I a1 %la( to s)ffer these thi$%s be"a)se I fear hi1.5 So i$ this 3ay he (ie( lea8i$% i$ his (eath a$ e@a1#le of $obility a$( a 1e1orial to "o)ra%e+ $ot o$ly to the yo)$% b)t to the %reat bo(y of his $atio$. * Ma""abees .7&-3& 1he secon" witness was recor"e" y ,ose$hus. 0he$ the Sa1arita$s sa3 the Je3s )$(er these s)fferi$%s+ they $o lo$%er "o$fesse( that they 3ere of their 9i$(re(+ or that the te1#le o$ Mo)$t GeriGi1 belo$%e( to Al1i%hty Go(. This 3as a""or(i$% to their $at)re ... a$( $o3 they sai( they 3ere a "olo$y of Me(es a$( Persia$s7 a$( i$(ee(+ they 3ere a "olo$y of theirs. So they se$t a1bassa(ors to A$tio"h)s+ a$( a$ e#istle 3hose "o$te$ts are these7 2To Ii$% A$tio"h)s the %o(+ E#i#ha$es+ a 1e1orial fro1 the Si(o$ia$s 3ho li8e at She"he1. :)r forefathers+ )#o$ "ertai$ fre=)e$t #la%)es a$( as follo3i$% a "ertai$ a$"ie$t s)#erstitio$+ ha( a ")sto1 of obser8i$% that (ay 3hi"h the Je3s "alle( the Sabbath. A$( 3he$ they ha( ere"te( a te1#le at the 1o)$tai$ "alle( GeriGi1 tho)%h 3itho)t $a1e+ they ha( offere( )#o$ it the #ro#er sa"rifi"es. No3+ )#o$ the H)st treat1e$t of these 3i"9e( Je3s those that 1a$a%e their affairs s)##osi$% that 3e 3ere of 9i$ to the1+ a$( #ra"ti"e( as they (o+ 1a9e )s liable to the sa1e a"")satio$ altho)%h 3e are ori%i$ally Si(o$ia$s as is e8i(e$t fro1 the #)bli" re"or(s. 0e therefore besee"h yo)+ o)r be$efa"tor a$( sa8ior+ to %i8e or(er to A#ollo$i)s+ the %o8er$or of this #art of the "o)$try+ a$( to Ni"a$or+ the #ro")rator of thy affairs+ to %i8e )s $o (ist)rba$"e $or to lay
314 to o)r "har%e 3hat the Je3s are a"")se( for+ si$"e 3e are alie$s fro1 their $atio$ a$( fro1 their ")sto1s4 b)t let o)r te1#le 3hi"h at #rese$t hath $o $a1e at all+ be $a1e( the te1#le of J)#iter Helle$i)s. If this 3ere o$"e (o$e 3e sho)l( be $o lo$%er (ist)rbe(+ b)t sho)l( be 1ore i$te$t o$ o)r o3$ o"")#atio$ 3ith =)iet$ess a$( so bri$% i$ a %reater re8e$)e to thee.5 0he$ the Sa1arita$s ha( #artitio$e( for this+ the 9i$% se$t the1 ba"9 the follo3i$% a$s3er i$ a$ e#istle7 2Ii$% A$tio"h)s to Ni"a$or. The Si(o$ia$s+ 3ho li8e at She"he1+ ha8e se$t 1e the 1e1orial e$"lose(. 0he$+ therefore+ 3e 3ere a(8isi$% 3ith o)r frie$(s abo)t it+ the 1esse$%ers se$t by the1 re#rese$te( to )s that they 3ere $o 3ay "o$"er$e( 3ith ")sto1s+ 3hi"h belo$% to the Je3s+ b)t "hoose to li8e after the ")sto1s of the Gree9s. A""or(i$%ly+ 3e (e"lare the1 free fro1 s)"h a"")satio$s+ a$( or(er that+ a%reeable to their #etitio$+ their te1#le be $a1e( the te1#le of J)#iter Helle$i)s.5 He also se$t the li9e e#istle to A#ollo$i)s+ the %o8er$or of that #art of the "o)$try i$ the forty-si@th year+ a$( the ei%htee$th (ay of the 1o$th of He"ato1beo$. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &*.'.' 5ince the 5amaritans si"e" with the 5yrian-Greeks, 412 the ,ews hate" them.413 !n fact, the ,ews ha" enou#h $ro lems with their own rethren who etraye" the faith to esca$e $ersecution. 1he $ro lems within the ,ewish community le" to ,ewish anti-5emitism. 'learly, the secon" century ..'. was one of immense social strife an" itterness. 1his sim$ly un"erscore" the nee" for the Messiah to come Auickly an" "efeat the $a#an enemies, esta lish $eace an" national free"om, an" restore their $ri"e.
415. &ocal 5yrians who a"o$te" the Greek culture.
416. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1-.2.--4.
315
3. /.*& &.< A.C. The Ma""abea$ ;e8olt D *' Eears of Military Aattles a$( G)errilla 0ar Ae%i$s At this $oint it is im$ortant to clarify the name BMacca ean.C 1here are two tra"itions concernin# its ori#in. ?ne states that the lea"er of the re9olt was #i9en the nickname, BMacca eusC or BMacca ee,C in He rew meanin# B1he Hammer.C417 Hence, the re9olt is freAuently known as the Macca ean 0e9olt. 1he terms +asmonean an" Maccabean can e use" interchan#ea ly. Howe9er, the more $o$ular ori#in of the name is that the $riestly family raise" a military stan"ar" with the initials of their motto that was "eri9e" from Genesis 12*11. 1he 9erse rea"s, BWho is like unto you amon# the #o"s, ? &or"FC 1he He rew wor"s are, Mi 'amoka Baelim &eho ahL from which the letters M ' . ! were "eri9e", creatin# the name BMaca iC or BMacca ee.C Whene9er the name BMacca eeC was mentione", the ,ews were in essence recitin# the $assa#e of Moses. !t e9entually ecame the surname of the family. 41@ 1he $eo$le of ,erusalem fle" to families an" frien"s throu#hout the lan" to esca$e $ersecution. 1here is little Auestion that one of the most si#nificant e9ents of the !nter1estamental (erio" was the Macca ean 0e9olt 7 an incre"i le 9ictory of ,ewish farmers o9er a $rofessionally traine" Greek army with /- war ele$hants. )iscussions of war e#an when a few ,ews "eci"e" they woul" rather "ie fi#htin# for their reli#ious free"om than continue to suffer the horrors of Antiochus, a tyrannical ma"man who thou#ht he was a #o". 1he re9olt was starte" y a Hasmonean family y the name Mattathias, an" was, in fact, a holy war in which the ,ews miraculously mana#e" to re#ain $olitical in"e$en"ence. Antiochus ha" taken his cruel metho" of Bcon9ersionC to "istant 9illa#es. When his #enerals arri9e" at the 9illa#e of Mo"i<in, they "isco9ere" the $eo$le were rea"y to re9olt. :onetheless, the sol"iers "eman"e" the ,ews sacrifice a $i# to Keus. When a ,ewish $riest name" Mattathias refuse" to carry out the or"er, another ,ew offere" to $erform the $a#an act. Mattathias ecame so outra#e" he kille" him, as well as the comman"in# officer. 1hereu$on he shoute" to his fellow men, B49ery one of you who is >ealous for the &aw an" stri9es to maintain the 417. Met>#er, New Testament. -8--1. 418. .laikie, A Manuel of Bible +istory. /92.
316 'o9enant, follow meC ;1 Macc. -*-7=. 1hose famous wor"s Macca ean 0e9olt an" the e9entual "efeat of Greek "omination. e#an the
A century an" a half later when ,esus was in ministry, the "escen"ants of the Hasmonean family were known as the 5a""ucees, who controlle" the tem$le an" were $u$$ets of the 0oman $olitical system. 1heir corru$tion ecame le#en"ary, worse than the 5yrian-Greeks whom they re$lace". A 9ery interestin# $assa#e that rea"s is if it was from a news$a$er of that time, is foun" in the first ook of Macca ees* I$ those (ays Mattathias the so$ of Joh$+ so$ of Si1eo$+ a #riest of the so$s of Joarib+ 1o8e( fro1 Jer)sale1 a$( settle( i$ Mo(i?i$. He ha( fi8e so$s+ Joh$ s)r$a1e( Ga((i+ Si1o$ "alle( Thassi+ J)(as "alle( Ma""abe)s+ EleaGar "alle( A8ara$+ a$( Jo$atha$ "alle( A##h)s. He sa3 the blas#he1ies bei$% "o11itte( i$ J)(ah a$( Jer)sale1+ a$( sai(+ 2Alas+ 3hy 3as I bor$ to see this> The r)i$ of 1y #eo#le+ the r)i$ of the holy "ity+ A$( to (3ell there 3he$ it 3as %i8e$ o8er to the e$e1y+ The sa$"t)ary %i8e$ o8er to alie$s> Her te1#le ha( be"o1e li9e a 1a$ 3itho)t ho$or4 Her %lorio)s 8essels ha8e bee$ "arrie( i$to "a#ti8ity. Her babes ha8e bee$ 9ille( i$ the streets+ her yo)ths by the s3or( of the foe+ 0hat $atio$ has $ot i$herite( her #ala"es a$( has $ot seiGe( her s#oils> All her a(or$1e$t has bee$ ta9e$ a3ay4 $o lo$%er free+ she has be"o1e a . A$( behol(+ o)r holy #la"e+ o)r bea)ty+ a$( o)r %lory ha8e bee$ lai( 3aste4 The Ge$tiles ha8e #rofa$e( it. 0hy sho)l( 3e li8e a$y lo$%er>
317
A$( Mattathias a$( his so$s re$t their "lothes+ #)t o$ sa"9"loth a$( 1o)r$e( %reatly. The$ the 9i$%?s offi"ers 3ho 3ere e$for"i$% the a#ostasy "a1e to the "ity of Mo(i?i$ to 1a9e the1 offer sa"rifi"e. Ma$y fro1 Israel "a1e to the14 a$( Mattathias a$( his so$s 3ere asse1ble(. The$ the 9i$%?s offi"ers s#o9e to Mattathias as follo3s7 2Eo) are a lea(er+ ho$ore(+ a$( %reat i$ this "ity+ a$( s)##orte( by so$s a$( brothers. No3 be the first to "o1e a$( (o 3hat the 9i$% "o11a$(s+ as all the Ge$tiles a$( the 1e$ of J)(ah a$( those left i$ Jer)sale1 ha8e (o$e. The$ yo) a$( yo)r so$s 3ill be $)1bere( a1o$% the frie$(s of the 9i$%+ a$( yo) a$( yo)r so$s 3ill be ho$ore( 3ith sil8er a$( %ol( a$( 1a$y %ifts.5 A)t Mattathias a$s3ere( a$( sai( i$ a lo)( 8oi"e7 2E8e$ if all the $atio$s that li8e )$(er the r)le of the 9i$% obey hi1+ a$( ha8e "hose$ to obey his "o11a$(1e$ts+ (e#arti$% ea"h o$e fro1 the reli%io$ of his fathers+ yet I a$( 1y so$s a$( 1y brothers 3ill li8e by the "o8e$a$t of o)r fathers. Far be it fro1 )s to (esert the La3 a$( the or(i$a$"es. 0e 3ill $ot obey the 9i$%?s 3or(s by t)r$i$% asi(e fro1 o)r reli%io$ to the ri%ht ha$( or to the left.5 0he$ he ha( fi$ishe( s#ea9i$% these 3or(s+ a Je3 "a1e for3ar( i$ the si%ht of all to offer sa"rifi"e )#o$ the altar i$ Mo(i?i$+ a""or(i$% to the 9i$%?s "o11a$(. 0he$ Mattathias sa3 it he b)r$e( 3ith Geal a$( his heart 3as stirre(. He %a8e 8e$t to ri%hteo)s a$%er4 he ra$ a$( 9ille( hi1 )#o$ the altar. At the sa1e ti1e he 9ille( the 9i$%?s offi"er 3ho 3as for"i$% the1 to sa"rifi"e a$( he tore (o3$ the altar. Th)s+ he b)r$e( 3ith Geal for the la3+ as Phi$ehas (i( a%ai$st Li1ri the so$ of Sal). The$ Mattathias "rie( o)t i$ the "ity 3ith a lo)( 8oi"e+ sayi$%7 2Let e8eryo$e 3ho is Gealo)s for the La3 a$( s)##orts the "o8e$a$t "o1e o)t 3ith 1eK5 A$( he a$( his so$s fle( to the hills a$( left all they ha( i$ the "ity.
318
& Ma""abees *7&-*, When the ,ews fle" to the hills, the 5yrian-Greeks $ursue" them an" attem$te" to make them surren"er, ut they refuse". Howe9er, the 5yrianGreeks knew that the ,ews honore" the 5a ath an" woul" not work or fi#ht on that "ay. 1herefore, they attacke" them on the 5a ath, an" when the massacre was o9er, thousan"s lay "ea".419 When Mattathias an" his frien"s hear" of this, they mourne" #reatly an" con9ince" all of the others that it was etter to fi#ht on the 5a ath. 5hortly thereafter, Mattathias $lace" his son ,u"as Macca eus ;the secon" name meanin# Bthe HammerC=, in char#e of the army which fou#ht #uerilla warfare a#ainst their 5yrian Greek o9erlor"s. 1he Greeks countere" with a $rofessionally traine" army. Accom$anie" y the 5amaritans, they were on the march to "estroy e9ery ,ew they coul" fin". 1he narrati9e reflects uneAual si"es similar to the confrontation etween the $ro9er ial B)a9i" an" GoliathC an" the astoun"in# 9ictory Go" #a9e to the ,ews. A)t A#ollo$i)s %athere( to%ether Ge$tiles a$( a lar%e for"e fro1 Sa1aria to fi%ht a%ai$st Israel. 0he$ J)(as lear$e( of it+ he 3e$t o)t to 1eet hi1 a$( he (efeate( a$( 9ille( hi1. Ma$y 3ere 3o)$(e( a$( fell+ a$( the rest fle(. The$ they seiGe( their s#oils4 a$( J)(as too9 the s3or( of A#ollo$i)s a$( )se( it i$ battle the rest of his life. & Ma""abees *7& -&* 1his small, ut im$ortant, 9ictory #a9e #reat encoura#ement to the small an" of ra#-ta# free"om fi#hters, some of whom only ha" $lowshares for swor"s. When 5eron, the comman"er of the 5yrian army, hear" this, he "eci"e" to challen#e them with a com$any of thousan"s. U$on hearin# this, ,u"as was Auestione" a out acce$tin# the challen#e, since his men ha" no foo". 419. 1 Macc. -*-9-/@.
319
J)(as re#lie(+ 2It is easy for 1a$y to be he11e( i$ by fe3+ for i$ the si%ht of hea8e$ there is $o (iffere$"e bet3ee$ sa8i$% by 1a$y or by fe3. It is $ot o$ the siGe of the ar1y that 8i"tory i$ battle (e#e$(s+ b)t stre$%th "o1es fro1 hea8e$. They "o1e a%ai$st )s i$ %reat #ri(e a$( la3less$ess to (estroy )s a$( o)r 3i8es a$( o)r "hil(re$+ a$( to (es#oil )s. A)t 3e fi%ht for o)r li8es a$( o)r la3s. He hi1self 3ill "r)sh the1 before )s4 as for yo)+ (o $ot be afrai( of the1.5 & Ma""abees 37&,-** 1he attle a#ainst 5eron, the 5yrian, was the first maEor 9ictory for ,u"as. His name struck a chor" of fear in the hearts of Antiochus an" other Greeks. 1he enemy ha" a loss of ei#ht hun"re" men an" many more ran to hi"e in the hills. U$on hearin# of the ,ewish 9ictories, Antiochus was #reatly "istur e". He "eci"e" to $ay his men a onus of a year\s salary, ut "isco9ere" that, ecause of his mismana#ement of the #o9ernment, he ha" almost no fun"s.4-8 A#ain, the Greeks $re$are" for an attack. Antiochus esta lishe" a hu#e army of forty thousan" men an" se9en thousan" ca9alry. When ,u"as hear" of the comin# attack, he #athere" the men of !srael to#ether to call u$on Go" for "eli9erance. 1he author of +irst Macca ees $reser9e" for us the "etails* So they asse1ble( a$( 3e$t to MiG#ah+ o##osite of Jer)sale1+ be"a)se Israel for1erly ha( a #la"e of #rayer i$ MiG#ah. They faste( all that (ay+ #)t o$ sa"9"loth a$( s#ri$9le( ashes o$ their hea(s+ a$( re$t their "lothes. A$( they o#e$e( the boo9 of the La3 to i$=)ire i$to those 1atters abo)t 3hi"h Ge$tiles 3ere "o$s)lti$% the i1a%es of their i(ols. They also bro)%ht the %ar1e$ts of the #riesthoo( a$( the first fr)its a$( the tithes+ a$( they stirre( )# the NaGirites 3ho ha( "o1#lete( their (ays4 a$( they "rie( alo)( to hea8e$+ sayi$%7 420. 1 Macc. /*---/7.
320
20hat shall 3e (o 3ith these> 0here shall 3e ta9e the1> Thy sa$"t)ary is tra1#le( (o3$ a$( #rofa$e(+ a$( thy #riests 1o)r$ i$ h)1iliatio$. A$( behol(+ the Ge$tiles are asse1ble( a%ai$st )s to (estroy )s4 tho) 9$o3est that they #lot a%ai$st )s. Ho3 3ill 3e be able to 3ithsta$( the1+ if tho) (ost $ot hel# )s>5 The$ they so)$(e( the tr)1#ets a$( %a8e a lo)( sho)t. After this J)(as a##oi$te( lea(ers of the #eo#le+ i$ "har%e of tho)sa$(s a$( h)$(re(s a$( fifties a$( te$s. A$( he sai( to those 3ho 3ere b)il(i$% ho)ses+ or 3ere betrothe(+ or 3ere #la$ti$% 8i$eyar(s+ or 3ere fai$thearte(+ that ea"h sho)l( ret)r$ to his ho1e+ a""or(i$% to the la3. The$ the ar1y 1ar"he( o)t a$( e$"a1#e( to the so)th of E11a)s. A$( J)(as sai(+ 2Gir( yo)rsel8es a$( be 8alia$t. Ae rea(y early i$ the 1or$i$% to fi%ht 3ith these Ge$tiles 3ho ha8e asse1ble( a%ai$st )s to (estroy )s a$( o)r sa$"t)ary. It is better for )s to (ie i$ battle tha$ to see the 1isfort)$es of o)r $atio$ a$( of the sa$"t)ary. A)t as his 3ill i$ hea8e$ be+ so he 3ill (o.5 & Ma""abees 37/.-. As ,u"as an" his homes$un sol"iers $re$are" for attle, he s$oke wor"s of a future echo of the &or"<s (rayer. He $raye", B.ut as His will in hea9en e, so He will "o ...C ,esus freAuently use" terms an" $hrases that were alrea"y in common use y the $eo$le, that is, first an" always to honor Go". As history unfol"e", Go" answere" the $rayers of ,u"as.
321 At "ay reak, the Greeks a$$eare" with fi9e thousan" infantry, a thousan" ca9alry, an" thirty-two ele$hants accustome" to war, all with the finest armor, while ,u"as only ha" three thousan" foot farmer-sol"iers without sufficient armor an" swor"s. 1hey were so $athetically ill eAui$$e" that only a $rofoun" miracle coul" #i9e them 9ictory. When the enemy came into 9iew, ,u"as sai" to his men* 6o $ot fear their $)1bers or be afrai( 3he$ they "har%e. ;e1e1ber ho3 o)r fathers 3ere sa8e( at the ;e( Sea 3he$ Pharaoh 3ith his for"es #)rs)e( the1. A$( $o3 let )s "ry to hea8e$+ to see 3hether He BGo(C 3ill fa8or )s a$( re1e1ber His "o8e$a$t 3ith o)r fathers a$( "r)sh this ar1y before )s to(ay. The$ all the Ge$tiles 3ill 9$o3 that there is o$e 3ho re(ee1s a$( sa8es Israel. 0he$ the forei%$ers loo9e( )# a$( sa3 the1 "o1i$% a%ai$st the1+ they 3e$t forth fro1 their "a1# to battle. The$ the 1e$ of J)(ah ble3 their tr)1#ets a$( e$%a%e( i$ battle. The Ge$tiles 3ere "r)she( a$( fle( i$to the #lai$+ a$( all those i$ the rear fell by the s3or(. & Ma""abees /7.-&'
322
3. /.*&A. A A:0L 0ITH A PAINTE6 G;EEI 0A; ELEPHANT. Artist )$9$o3$. 5outh-!talian owl "ecorate" on the insi"e with the $icture of a war-ele$hant, com$lete with turret, followe" y a a y ele$hant. -n" century .'. 1he 5yrian Greek 5eleuci"s use" /- war ele$hants an" a $rofessional army a#ainst the ill-eAui$$e" army of ,ewish farmers at .eth-Kur. !n 134 ..'., Go" #a9e the ,ews an incre"i le 9ictory reminiscent of ?l" 1estament attles. !n the "ays of ,esus, the ,ews e%$ecte" the Messiah to #i9e them a similar 9ictory o9er the 0omans. ,u"as ha" ecome a key fi#ure in the sal9ation of ,u"ah, eAual to many of the i lical fi#ures. He ha" unifie" the nation as there was a "ee$ $assion for free"om an" national in"e$en"ence. Men an" women were willin# to lay "own their li9es at his comman" ecause they knew Go" was with him. !n the followin# year, howe9er, the enemy was on the march a#ain. A)t the $e@t year he Bthe Syria$ Gree9 "o11a$(er LysiasC 1)stere( si@ty tho)sa$( #i"9e( i$fa$try1e$ a$( fi8e tho)sa$( "a8alry to s)b()e the1. They "a1e i$to I()1ea a$( e$"a1#e( at Aeth-L)r+ a$( J)(as 1et the1 3ith te$ tho)sa$( 1e$.
323 0he$ he sa3 that the ar1y 3as stro$%+ he #raye(+ sayi$%+ 2Alesse( art tho)+ : Sa8ior of Israel+ 3ho (i( "r)sh the atta"9 of the 1i%hty 3arrior by the ha$( of thy ser8a$t 6a8i(+ a$( (i( %i8e the "a1# of the Philisti$es i$to the ha$(s of Jo$atha$+ the so$ of Sa)l+ a$( the 1a$ 3ho "arrie( his ar1or. So (o tho) the$ i$ this ar1y by the ha$( of yo)r #eo#le Israel+ a$( let the1 be asha1e( of their troo#s a$( "a8alry. Fill the1 3ith "o3ar(i"e4 1elt the bol($ess of their stre$%th+ let the1 tre1ble i$ their (estr)"tio$. Stri9e the1 (o3$ 3ith the s3or( of those 3ho lo8e thee+ a$( let all 3ho 9$o3 yo)r $a1e #raise yo) 3ith hy1$s.5 & Ma""abees .7*,-33 .y now the Hellenistic ,ews an" 5amaritans were fi#htin# with the 5eleuci"s a#ainst the Hasi"im. 5i%ty thousan" foot sol"iers an" fi9e thousan" ca9alry "efinitely "i" not look #oo" to the free"om fi#htin# Hasi"im. Jet miraculously, &ysias was "efeate". He returne" to Antioch in 5yria, where he attem$te" to enlist forei#n mercenaries an" uil" a lar#er army. !n the meantime, ,u"as took his little 9ictorious army to the tem$le u$on Mount Kion where they saw the "estruction an" lamente". After three years of loo"she", the Macca ees reca$ture" the tem$le. 1hey re uilt the altar, cleanse" the tem$le an" institute" a lameless $riest who was "e9ote" to the Mosaic &aw. 4arly on the mornin# of the twenty-fifth "ay of the month of 'hisle9, ;)ecem er 14, 132 ..'.= they a#ain offere" sacrifices an" cele rate" the "e"ication of the tem$le for ei#ht "ays. After three an" a half years of se9ere $ersecution, this was a time of Eoyous free"om. 1hey $raise" Go" for their incre"i le 9ictory.4-1 1his cele ration has een commemorate" as the +east of )e"ication 4-- an" was cele rate" y ,esus ;,n. 18*----/=.4-/ 1o"ay it is known as Hanukkah. 1he tem$le ha" een cleanse" an" was o$erational a#ain, ut the war was still not o9er. 421. 1 Macc. 4*/4-31.
422. .ara as, B+easts.C 3*398-9-. 1his was not one of the se9en ,ewish feasts
423. +ran>, B,esus 'ele rates Hanukkah.C 113-19.
324
U$on hearin# that the ,ews ha" re uilt their altar an" "e"icate" their tem$le, the Greeks ecame an#ry an" "eci"e" to kill ,ews who li9e" in near y communities. 1hey stren#thene" their forces when the 5amaritans an" !"umeans Eoine" them. 1he !"umeans were the "escen"ants of 4sau, ut later known as Ara s. 1hey li9e" $re9iously in 4"om ;known to"ay at (etra=. .y the !nter-1estamental (erio" the !"umeans ha" relocate" south of ,erusalem an" He ron in the :e#e9 )esert area known as !"umea. 1hey were "etermine" to kill their ,ewish cousins. .ut when ,u"as Macca eus hear" of this, he ma"e war on them an" "ealt them hea9y casualties. +rom this $oint on, ,u"as an" his rothers s$ent a$$ro%imately twenty years rootin# out the Greek sym$athi>ers throu#hout the lan". !n the meantime, Antiochus went to .a ylon to #ather fun"s to a#ain try to kill the ,ews. Howe9er, when he ha" hear" that &ysias was "efeate", he ecame 9ery "iscoura#e" an" "e$resse". 5hortly thereafter, he "ie", an" his son Antiochus !! ecame the new kin#. 4-4 .y the first century, the e9ents of the 138s ..'. ha" esta lishe", to a lar#e measure, the social an" $olitical tensions of ,ewish life. 1he 0omans with their military mi#ht ha" esta lishe" $eace throu#hout the entire em$ire ut it was only little ,u"ah where there was a constant $oint of contention with freAuent re9olts. !t shoul" e note" howe9er, that Hero" the Great was a "escen"ant of 4sau. As an !"umean, the ,ews consi"ere" him at est a Bhalf,ewC an" they ha" no more lo9e for him than they ha" for the 5amaritans. &ittle won"er then that there was so much "isres$ect an" friction etween the cultural #rou$s at the time of 'hrist. 0he$ J)(as atte1#te( to root o)t the last of the e$e1y o)t of the "ita(el i$ Jer)sale1+ a $)1ber of Gree9s a$( )$%o(ly Israelites 3e$t to the yo)$% 9i$% a$( "o1#lai$e(. They sai( that they ha( bee$ faithf)l to his father a$( $o3 3ere 1)r(ere( a$( 1istreate( by their o3$ brothers. 0he$ the 9i$% hear( this+ he be"a1e e$ra%e( a$( =)i"9ly or%a$iGe( his ar1y. He ha( o$e h)$(re( tho)sa$( foot sol(iers i$"l)(i$% forei%$ 1er"e$aries+ t3e$ty tho)sa$( "a8alry+ a$( thirty-t3o ele#ha$ts a"")sto1e( to 3ar. 424. 1 Macc. 2 O 3.
325
& Ma""abees .7*,-3 3. /.** &./ A.C. Gree9 Perse")tio$ E$(s+ Li1ite( Je3ish I$(e#e$(e$"e Ae%i$s +ollowin# their incre"i le 9ictory o9er the 5yrian Greeks locali>e" fi#htin# continue" for another twenty years to remo9e the remainin# loyalists. While a new era of the lon#-awaite" ,ewish free"om e#an early in 134 .'., military skirmishes laste" another twenty years. 4ssentially, the ,ews were free. As wor" of the new free"om s$rea" throu#hout the worl", some chose to return from .a ylon an" elsewhere to the lan" Go" ha" $romise" to A raham. While this #a9e cre"ence to the $ro$hecies of 4>ekiel an" !saiah, many others ha" ecome wealthy in forei#n lan"s an" chose not to return. 3. /.*3 &./ ;es)1es A.C. 6e"e1ber4 Te1#le Co$se"rate(4 Sa$he(ri$
?n the -2th "ay of Disle9, 134 ..'. the tem$le was consecrate" an" Go" honore" for His "i9ine inter9ention. !srael was ne9er more 9i9i"ly conscious of the li9in# Go" in its $resence than at any other time in the !nter1estamental (erio". Althou#h they ha" not hear" from a $ro$het in more than two centuries, the $resence of Go" was unmistaka le as another miracle took $lace.4-2 1he "e"ication of the tem$le was a time of #reat Eoy an" cele ration. !n the $rocess of $re$arin# for the sacre" ser9ice, the $riests "isco9ere" they only ha" enou#h oli9e oil for the tem$le lam$s to urn for two "ays. As the ei#ht-"ay festi9al continue", they reali>e" that Go" multi$lie" the oil to last until a""itional oil coul" e $resse" an" the tem$le "e"icate". 1his miraculous e9ent ecame known as the +east of )e"ication an" was cele rate" y ,esus in ,ohn 18*--. With the "e"ication, the 5anhe"rin continue" to function with #reater free"om. !t ser9e" in oth a le#islati9e an" Eu"icial roles. 1herefore, kin#s "i" not ha9e com$lete authority unless they also controlle" the hi#h $riest who functione" as the 5anhe"rin $resi"ent. !n He rew, the or#ani>ation is 425. Gil rant, B,ohn.C -92.
326 known as +e er +ayelhudin" an" the wor" Sanhedrin , is in reality, the Greek translation.4-3 As the re9olt came to an en", the Hasmonean family that starte" the u$risin# esta lishe" itself in oth the $riesthoo" an" kin#shi$ $osition. 1hese $ositions were essentially ca$ture" without re#ar" to the fact that the family was not of Din# )a9i"<s royal "iscor"ancy was it from the Ka"okite family. 4-7
3. /.*/ &.* A.C. Helle$iGe( Je3s Cr)"ify .
Hasi(i1 Je3s
Alcimus, the Hi#h (riest of the tem$le ha" 38 Hasi"im ,ews crucifie" for ein# o e"ient to the 1orah. Amon# them was ,ose en ,oe>er, a $riestly scri e ;1 Macc. 7*13=. 1hese e%ecutions reflect the ci9il unrest an" hatre" etween ,ewish sects throu#hout the country. 1he century of ,ewish in"e$en"ence ;132 ..'. 7 3/ ..'.= was like the ook of ,u"#es or like the wil", wil" American west in the 19 th century. 1he influence of Hellenism create" ,ewish anti-5emitism as ha" ne9er een e%$erience" $re9iously. 3. /.*' &'3 A.C. Jo$atha$ the Hi%h Priest a$( Go8er$or+ Je3ish A$ti-Se1itis1 Gro3s ,onathan, of the free"om-fi#htin# Macca ean family, took the $osition of Hi#h (riest with 5yrian a$$ro9al. 1his was with full "isre#ar" of the fact that the Macca ean family elon#e" to the ,ehoiari "i9ision of $riests an",
426. Golu , %n the )ays. 138. 427. New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. ;notes= 1784.
327 therefore, was not eli#i le for the office. !n this $osition, he also hel" the office of #o9ernor as well as military "ictator. While the ,ewish $eo$le reEoice" in the 9ictory affor"e" them, they were sa""ene" that their lea"ershi$ was alrea"y corru$te". 1his set the sta#e for the "escen"ants of the Macca ean "ynasty, ;also known as the Hasmoneans since ,onathan was a son of Mattathias, a son of the $riest Hasmon= to ecome wealthy as rule in a "ictatorial manner. 5oon the Hasmonean rulers e#an $ersecution a#ainst other ,ews, namely mem ers of the Ka"ok "ynasty who were the only le#itimate ,ews who coul" offer sacrifices in the tem$le an" ser9e as Hi#h (riest. As a result, the remain"er of the Ka"ok clan mo9e" into the "esert wil"erness near )amascus to Eoin others who ha" relocate" there some three "eca"es earlier. .y the 1-8s ..'., the "escen"ants of the $owerful Hasmoneans ecame known as the 5a""ucees while the "escen"ants of the Ka"ok )ynasty ecame known as the 4ssenes. 1hese two #rou$s hate" each other as much as they e9entually hate" the new elie9ers of the 'hristian mo9ement. 5ince many 4ssenes li9e" near )amascus in the first century ;A.).=, it is 9ery $ossi le that 5aul ;later known as the A$ostle (aul= chose to #o to the 5yrian ca$ital to kill oth 4ssenes an" 'hristians. 5cholars stron#ly elie9e that the term Bwicke" $riestC foun" in the )ea" 5ea 5crolls refers to this ,onathan. A out this time, the 5a""ucees an" (harisees emer#e" as ri9al reli#ious $arties in the tem$le.4-@ 3. /.*. &/3-&3' A.C. Ma""abea$ ;e8olt 2E$(e(+5 Si1o$ ;ei%$e( All si"es ecame tire" an" e%hauste" of the fi#htin#. 5yria still controlle" the ,ewish $eo$le, ut with Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes #one an" life ha" im$ro9e" "rastically. 1he last years of 5imon<s rei#n were the most $ros$erous an" $eaceful after many years of war an" har"shi$s. !n reco#nition of the achie9ements an" 5imon an" his rothers, the nation "eclare" 5imon to e the here"itary hi#h $riest an" ruler of ,u"aea. 1he $eo$le #a9e him the honore" title of B5imon the ,ustC ;1 Macc. 14*41=. 5imon was ma"e B$rinceC as well as hi#h $riest until a time that a faithful $riest woul" arise. !n essence, he fille" the $osition of hi#h $riest merely that it woul" not e 9acant. 4-9 428. Wilkinson, &erusalem as &esus *new %t. 3@.
328
5imon Macca ee was the first of a series of Hasmonean rulers who controlle" the lea"ershi$ an" rei#ne" for ei#ht years ;14/-1/2 ..'.=. 1he re9olt officially en"e" in May 14- ..'., ut true in"e$en"ence was yet to e attaine". He cleane" u$ $ockets of resistance an", while the ,ews were no lon#er fi#htin# maEor military attles an" ha" com$lete reli#ious free"om, they were reAuire" to $ay ta%es to the 5eleuci"s in )amascus, 5yria. 1he latter $art of his monarchy was a time of welcome" $eace an" $ros$erity. 1he future looke" ri#ht an" $romisin#, ut that was a out to chan#e. ?nce, he an" his family were in9ite" to a anAuet in ,ericho that was offere" y his son-in-law (tolemy. (tolemy use" the occasion to assassinate the entire family. ,ohn Hyrcanus, the thir" son of 5imon, hear" of the $lot, an" arely esca$e" with his life. !t was ecome e9i"ent that life un"er ,ewish monarchy woul" e little "ifferent than un"er the $a#ans. 1he maEor accom$lishment of the Macca ean 0e9olt was that, 1. !t "estroye" the yoke of on"a#e an" terror $re9iously institutionali>e" y Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes. -. Gentile anti-5emitism an" force" worshi$ of $a#an #o"s en"e". !t must e note" that the re9oltT 1. Was not a#ainst Hellenism in #eneral. Many ,ews "i" not reEect Hellenism, ut rather, they "esire" to ha9e their reli#ious free"om as well as the $leasures of the Greeks. 1his is e9i"ence" y the fact that Hasmonean lea"ers struck Greek coins, assume" Greek names, an" were not intereste" in $ur#in# the Greek #o"s an" culture from ,ewish society. -. )i" not eliminate $a#an shrines throu#hout the lan". (ockets of $a#an worshi$ continue" to thri9e, an" in fact, increase" later "urin# the rei#n of Hero" the Great. /. !n terms of history, :a>areth is a rather BnewC 9illa#e. Archaeolo#ists ha9e unco9ere" e9i"ence of an acti9e ut small
329 community "ate" to the 'anaanites in the Mi""le .ron>e a#e. A$$arently the 9illa#e was a an"one" for unknown reasons an" remaine" "esolate for more than a thousan" years. 4/8 1hen, in the secon" century .. '., came the Macca ean 0e9olt, at which time Aristo ulus the Macca ean conAuere" Galilee to ,u"ai>e" it. - With newly won 9ictory in han", the ,ewish $eo$le elie9e" their home lan" as a $lace of reli#ious free"om without forei#n "omination. 1his was the moti9ation for a mi#ration of .a ylonian ,ews, some of whom resettle" the 9illa#e of :a>areth. 4/1 While the num ers of this immi#ration was rather small, some scholars elie9e that amon# them were the ancestors of ,ose$h an" Mary. !t is elie9e" that the "escen"ants of the )a9i"ic clan li9e" first in Docha a ;.atanea= an" then relocate" to :a>areth.4/- After the "estruction of the tem$le an" ,erusalem, one of the twenty-four courses settle" in :a>areth. +or these ,ewish refu#ees to ha9e consi"ere" relocatin# there, the 9illa#e must ha9e ha" a re$utation for ein# an all-,ewish conser9ati9e community. !t e9entually "ie" out in the fourth century. 4// 1he in9asion of Hellenism into the ,ewish culture ma"e $rofoun" chan#es in the reli#ious lan"sca$e. !f the Greeks ha" not come, most likely there woul" ne9er ha9e een reli#ious #rou$s such as the 5a""ucees, (harisees, an" the 4ssenes. 1he intense itter hostilities etween these reli#ious #rou$s continue" throu#h the "ays of ,esus. 5u Eects of "iscussions ,esus ha" most likely woul" ha9e een "ifferent. 1he :ew 1estament woul" #i9e the same messa#e, ut in a com$letely "ifferent conte%t. To be obtai$e(
430. Meyers an" 5tran#e. Archaeology" the Rabbis and 5arly 'hristianity. 27.
431. Do$$, The +oly 4laces of the -ospels. 2-.
432. 4use uis, 5cclesiastical +istory. 1.7.14L (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee. 1-2. 5ome
scholars elie9e that :a>areth "i" not ecome a si#nificant community until after the Macca ean 0e9olt, e9en thou#h some archaeolo#ical e9i"ence ;$ottery $ieces= unco9ere" there has een "ate" to the iron a#e.
433. Meyers an" 5tran#e. Archaeology" the Rabbis and 5arly 'hristianity. 27.
330 3. /.*'A. MAP :F THE H:LE LAN6 * N6 CENTU;E AC. 1his ma$ i"entifies Mo"in, locate" etween ,erusalem an" ,o$$a ;,affa= that was the home of the Macca ean family that initiate" the Macca ean 0e9olt. 1he ,ews su seAuently ca$ture" most of what is to"ay<s !srael an" lan"s east to the ,or"an 0i9er ;to"ay<s !srael=.
U$it 3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$( Cha#ter ' Je3ish So8erei%$ty a$( ;o1a$ Co$=)est B". &./ A.C. D A.6. < C
331
3. '. A. SEA-G:ING SHIPS :F HASM:NEAN 6AES by Ja"ob S. Gol)b. &!*!. 1he ,ewish kin#s of the !nter1estamental (erio" ha" sea-#oin# 9essels that were use" for oth military an" frei#ht trans$ort. 1hese shi$s "ominate" the eastern Me"iterranean 5ea until the rise of the 0oman 4m$ire. 3. '. & I$tro()"tio$ 1he $recise "ate was to when ,ewish so9erei#nty e#an is "ifficult to "etermine. While there was a "ramatic im$ro9ement that e#an in 134 ..'., the ,ewish $eo$le were not com$letely free from forei#n control for another three "eca"es. :ational so9erei#nty in ancient history was "efine" as follows* 1. 1hey "i" not ha9e to $ay tri ute ;ta%es= to any forei#n o9erlor".
332 -. 1hey were a self-"eterminin# $eo$le. With free"om from o$$ression, the $eo$le Auickly e#an to $ros$er. 'amel cara9ans that tra9ele" internationally were ta%e" as "i" shi$$in#. !n fact, the ,ewish merchant marine saile" to nearly e9ery $ort that elte" the Me"iterranean 5ea. &ittle won"er then, that years later Hero" the Great who was known worl"-wi"e for his architectural won"ers, uilt a three-story shi$ so he an" his frien"s coul" sail to 0ome. 4/4 Howe9er, as the common $eo$le woul" soon "isco9er, their lea"ers were nearly as corru$t as those who ha" $re9iously een their o9erlor"s. ,ews crucifyin# ,ews, mur"er, theft, an" the a use of the reli#ious authority are only some of the 9ices that $ermeate" the lea"ershi$. 0i#hteous men an" women were horrifie" to see wi"es$rea" Bun,ewishC eha9ior y their own. 1hey earnestly $raye" for their lon#-awaite" Messiah to come.
!n a""ition to these $ro lems, they were san"wiche" etween two #rowin# an" o$$osin# em$ires. 1he 0oman 4m$ire was e%$an"in# Auickly y eltin# the Me"iterranean 5ea an" s$rea"in# into 4uro$e. 1o the 4ast the (arthian 4m$ire was #rowin# to inclu"e lar#e $ortions of !n"ia an" surroun"in# areas. 1he little ,ewish encla9e is where the two woul" meet. As if the influences of the Greek culture ha" not challen#e" the ,ews enou#h, now they ha" not only their own $ro lems, ut woul" a#ain e un"er a forei#n $ower 7 0ome.
434. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.14./.
333 3. '. * &3'-.3 A.C. Tr)e I$(e#e$(e$"e4 ;)le of the Has1o$ea$s With the Greeks "efeate", the ,ewish $eo$le ha" com$lete free"om. 1he Macca ean family, also known as the Hasmoneans, #aine" control of the tem$le in 134 ..'. an" com$lete control of the lan" in 1/2 ..'. 4%ce$t for a few short $erio"s with the (harisees rule", the Hasmoneans ;e9entually known as the 5a""ucees= continue" control until the 0oman conAuest in 3/ ..'. Un"er 0oman rule, the 5a""ucees controlle" the tem$le until its "estruction in A.). 78. While the Macca ees / Hasmoneans were "escen"ants from the tri e of &e9i, they $lace" 9arious in"i9i"uals in $ositions of $ower re#ar"less of their ancestryYa 9iolation of the Mosaic co"e. !n ancient times, so9erei#nty was "efine" y whether ta%es ha" to e $ai" to a forei#n $ower. .ut as they woul" "isco9er, most of the ,ewish lea"ers were Eust as corru$t as were their forei#n o9erlor"s. !t "i" not take lon# for the common $eo$le, who ha" een o$$resse" y forei#ners, to e o$$resse" y their own lea"ers. !n such a misera le state, the ,ewish $eo$le crie" out to Go" for a messiah who woul" "eli9er them from the o$$ression of their own "ictators. .elow is a list of those rulers. 5imon ,ohn Hyrcanus Aristo ulus ! Ale%an"er ,annaeus Ale%an"ra 5alome Aristo ulus O Hyrcanus 14/-1/2 ..'. 1/2-184 ..'. 184-18/ ..'. 18/-73 ..'. 73-37 ..'. 73-37 ..'.
!t is noteworthy to reco#ni>e that while the ,ews elie9e" they coul" now resurrect the former #lory of Din# )a9i", that "ream ne9er materiali>e". 1he lea"ers of the re9olt create" their multi-$ur$ose monarch who ser9e" as kin#, $riest ;or a$$ointe" a $riest= an" military #eneral. 1heir "ynasty woul" e fille" with corru$tion, mur"er, an" "eceit. With the e%ce$tion of the rei#n of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes, the common $eo$le were in no etter $osition than with an or"inary $a#an ruler.
334 After a lon# har"-fou#ht stru##le to #ain free"om from the Greeks, the Hasmoneans were not a out to su Eect themsel9es to a forei#n $ower a#ain. 5o they constructe" a series of se9en fortresses at strate#ic locations for $rotection an" si#nal communication. 4/2 +or e%am$le, "ay time smoke si#nals an" ni#ht time fire si#nals at the Machaerus fortress, east of the )ea" 5ea, were 9isi le from all other fortresses inclu"in# the fortress esi"e the tem$le in ,erusalem. 4/3 !n fact, smoke from the tem$le altar was 9isi le at Machaerus, 4/7 an" $riests woul" re#ularly #o to the $innacle of the tem$le at sun"own on +ri"ays, an" y a fire flare, "eclare the e#innin# of 5ha at. 1hat fire si#nal was relaye" until e9ery community in the lan" knew that the "ay of rest ha" e#un. Jears later, "urin# the rei#n of Hero" the Great, these fortresses woul" $lay a si#nificant role in maintainin# $eace in a tension-fille" country. 1he Hasmoneans uilt a massi9e "efense system which Hero" e%$an"e", an" he also constructe" the Hero"ian ;Hero"ion= $alace-fortress a short "istance south of .ethlehem. 1he foun"ations of the military hostile en9ironment in which ,esus ministere" were esta lishe" at this time. +inally, while the true $olitical-free status of the Hasmoneans was from 1/23/ ..'., after the 0omans controlle" !srael in 3/ ..'., the Hasmoneans were $u$$et kin#s of 0ome. Howe9er, the last 9esti#e of Hasmonean rule en"e" in /7 ..'. when Hero" the Great won rulershi$. +or most of those 1-3 years ;1/2-/7 ..'.= the ,ewish $eo$le suffere" un"er hea9y ta%es Eust as they ha" un"er other forei#n kin#s.
435. 1he se9en maEor fortresses are* ;1= the Ale%an"rium ;also known as Ale%an"reion or
5arta a= in the ,or"an Halley to "efen" the northern re#ion, ;-= Masa"a or"er $alace fortress in the southern re#ion, ;/, 4= the )oA an" the 'y$ros ;Dy$ros= or"er fortresses a o9e ,ericho, ;2= the Hyrcania (rison fortress, ;3= the Machaerus, on the eastern e"#e of the )ea" 5ea, an" ;7= in ,erusalem, a $alace-fortress esi"e the tem$le, that was later rename" y Hero" the Great as the Antonia +ortress. 436. Horos, BMachaerus* Where 5alome )ance".C //-/4. 437. Mishnah, Tamid. /.@.
335
3. '. 3 &3'-& / A.C. ;)le of Joh$ Hyr"a$)s4 Sa1arita$ Te1#le 6estroye( ,ohn Hyrcanus rule" !srael/,u"aea ;the $ro9inces of Galilee, ,u"ea, 5amaria, (erea, an" !"umea= an" "esire" to B$urifyC the ,ewish state of forei#n influences. He no sooner took control when he was threatene" y an in9asion of a new 5yrian ruler who esie#e" ,erusalem an" almost re"uce" it y famine. A treaty was finally a#ree" to that inclu"e" a sum of money $ai" to )amascus. 5hortly thereafter, the kin# was kille" an" Hyrcanus ha" no $ro lems with the 5yrian Greeks a#ain. He now coul" concentrate on makin# the Holy &an" a holy lan". His #oal was to either e%terminate or "ri9e out non-,ewish reli#ions an" their influences. He $ursue" an" kille" remnants of the 5eleuci" "ynasty that li9e" in !srael, unless they con9erte" to ,u"aism what inclu"e" circumcision. !n 1-@ ..'. he took his army an" ca$ture" the two $rinci$al cities of 5amaria an" 5hechem, an" "estroye" the 5amaritan tem$le. 4/@ Archaeolo#ists ha9e unco9ere" the B urn-layerC of the tem$le alon# with arrow hea"s, swor"s, "a##ers an" lea" slin# missiles in the ruins. 4/9 +rom there he $rocee"e" to Mount Geri>im, where he "estroye" the 5amaritan tem$le. 5ince the 5amaritans were weak at this time, they coul" offer no effecti9e o$$osition. 'onseAuently, y the first century the itterness etween these two $eo$le #rou$s was e%$losi9e, which is si#nificant in un"erstan"in# the cultural ack#roun" in the account of ,esus an" the at the well an" also the (ara le of the Goo" 5amaritan. 438. Met>#er, New Testament. --.
439. htt$*//archaeolo#ynewsre$ort. lo#s$ot.com/-81-/84/samaritans-tem$le-history-an"new.html. Au#ust -8, -81/.
336
Hyrcanus e%ten"e" ,ewish rule east of the ,or"an 0i9er an" as far south as 4"om, which is known to"ay as (etra, an" force" con9ersions an" circumcisions of the !"umeans. 1hese "escen"ants of 4sau also li9e" in the :e#e9 )esert. 1hey chose Bcon9ersionC as an alternati9e to "eath or mo9in# out of the area. Hyrcanus e%$an"e" the ,ewish "omination ut not to the )eca$olis cities. While he was $rimarily a military ruler, he constructe" a cita"el fortress esi"e the tem$le,448 which was later remo"ele" y Hero" the Great who rename" it the B1ower of Antonia.C 441 He functione" as kin# ;a title he ne9er claime"=, $riest, an" $ro$het, an" near the en" of his rei#n, he left the $arty of (harisees an" Eoine" the 5a""ucees.44)urin# rei#ns of Hyrcanus, an" later his son Ale%an"er ,annaeus, there was a stron# mi#ration of ,ews from .a ylon an" (ersia to their homelan". :ews of the 9ictorious Macca ees an" the B$urificationC tra9ele" Auickly to the .a ylonian an" (arthian $ro9inces. 5ince many were antici$atin# a Messiah, they returne" to the lan" Go" ha" $romise" them.44/ 5ince many of the returnees relocate" to the Galilee area, they ha" a "ialect accent "istincti9ely "ifferent from those who ha" a lon#er herita#e in ,erusalem. +or that reason, "urin# the trials of ,esus, those stan"in# near (eter sai" to him, B5urely you are one of them, for you are a GalileanC ;Mk. 14*78=, ecause Byour accent #i9es you awayC ;Mt. -3*7/=.
440. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.4./. 441. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11.2. 442. +lusser, &esus. -29. 443. (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee. 17.
337
Hyrcanus an" his militants a#ain attacke" the 5amaritans, this time "e9astatin# the city of 5hechem. When Hyrcanus "ie" in 184 ..'., he wille" that his wife take the throne ut his son Aristo ulus kille" his mother an" rother an" took control of the ,ewish throne. 444 His rei#n "i" not #i9e the ,ewish $eo$le any $eace or comfort, an" they stru##le" un"er ,ewish lea"ershi$ almost as a"ly as they "i" un"er some $a#an rulers. Hyrcanus maintaine" a solute control o9er all as$ects of ,ewish life, inclu"in# the tem$le. 1o re"uce the $ossi ilities of any challen#ers arisin# in the tem$le, he took the ro es of the hi#h $riest when not in use, an" ke$t them in stora#e. 1hey were #i9en to the hi#h $riest the week $rior to the )ay of Atonement an" returne" the "ay after. 1his tra"ition continue" throu#hout the rei#n of Hero" the Great an" the 0omans. 1he sym olism concernin# the control of the hi#h $riestly ro es cannot e o9erstate". !n fact, years later, Hitellius, who was the last #o9ernor of 5yria un"er 4m$eror 1i erius, recei9e" s$ecial $ermission from the em$eror that the hi#h $riest to coul" kee$ his ro es $ermanently. 442 3. '. / & / D & * A.C. ;)le of Aristob)l)s I 5i% centuries ha" $asse" since the ,ews were e%ile" y the Assyrians, an" now the Hasmonean Din# Aristo ulus ! incor$orate" Galilee un"er ,ewish rule. 1he Hasmoneans were the ,ews who won 9ictory o9er the Greeks in the Macca ean 0e9olt, an" e9entually ecame known as the 5a""ucees. ,ose$hus recor"e" that Aristo ulus also reAuire" Gentiles to con9ert to ,u"aism as e9i"ence" y or"erin# circumcision an" o ser9ation of all ,ewish laws.443 When the news of this e9ent reache" .a ylon an" (ersia thousan"s of ,ews res$on"e" y returnin# to Galilee. 444. Met>#er, New Testament. ----/.
445. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*228. .ruce, New Testament +istory. /8-/1.
338
1he lon#-awaite" free"om the ,ews "esire" was Auickly ecomin# a ni#htmare, as their lea"ers $ro9e" to e as corru$t as forei#n "ictators were. Aristo ulus ! "eclare" himself BDin# of the ,ewsC of ,erusalem after he mur"ere" his mother y star9ation. 447 +ortunately his rei#n was short li9e". He left no lastin# im$ression u$on !srael other than mur"er an" family Eealousies that woul" haunt future #enerations. His corru$tion of #o9ernment $lante" the see" of a future ci9il war an" intensifie" the e%$ectations of a messiah who woul" e of the character of Din# )a9i". !n later years, "urin# the ministry of ,esus, the ,ews were re$ulse" y the i"ea of the title, BDin# of the ,ews,C not only ecause of Aristo ulus !, ut Din# Hero" as well. 3. '. ' & * D <. A.C. ;)le of Ale@a$(er Ja$$ae)s Ale%an"er ,annaeus continue" his father<s $olicies, ut with #reater intensity. With his army, that inclu"e" forei#n mercenaries, he successfully took control of northern cities an" 9illa#es, inclu"in# Mount 1a or. 44@ He then tra9ele" east an" conAuere" the )eca$olis cities of which his father "reame".449 &ike his father, he ha" no mercy on the Gentiles li9in# in Galilee as he tol" them either to acce$t ,u"aism or lea9e. He minte" coins with his inscri$tion as kin# an" $lace" himself in the $osition of a hi#h $riest e9en thou#h he was not of the )a9i"ic line.428 1his an#ere" ortho"o% ,ews such as the 4ssenes, who ha" $re9iously se$arate" themsel9es from the tem$le. 1hey wrote of the corru$te" $riesthoo" in what is now known as the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. ,annaeus coul" ha9e rou#ht unity etween the (harisees an" 5a""ucees. .ut it is e9i"ent that he an" other lea"ers were continually s$iteful towar" those who hel" a "ifferent reli#ious 9iew$oint. ?n one occasion "urin# the 446. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1/.11./. 447. Gra
e, &udaism from 'yrus to +adrian. /8/L :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 2@.
448. Golu , %n the )ays. 147L ,un#, BMount 1a orC 4*714L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1/.13.-.
449. Golu , %n the )ays. 147L .arclay, BMark.C 1-4--2.
450. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. -8.18.1.
339 +east of 1a ernacles, when water was rou#ht u$ from the (ool of 5iloam to the tem$le, he $oure" the water on the floor esi"e the altar instea" u$on it. !nstantly the atten"in# $riests, (harisees, an" others aroun" him e#an to thrown citrons ;a fruit use" in the feast cele rations= at him. !n res$onse, ,annaeus calle" in his sol"iers an" se9eral thousan" worshi$$ers were massacre" that "ay. While this e9ent took $lace more than a century earlier, the (harisees "i" not for#et this or any other e9ents of $ersecution y the 5a""ucees at the time of ,esus.421 1he intense hatre" an" animosity etween (harisees an" 5a""ucees #rew stron#er e9ery "ay. 1he fact that Ale%an"er ,annaeus rule" o9er most of the territory that was once $art of )a9i"<s 4m$ire, #reatly increase" the s$eculation that the anointe" Bson of )a9i"C woul" soon come to re-esta lish the #reat )a9i"ic 4m$ire. 49eryone elie9e" that when the Banointe" oneC woul" come, he woul" restore or"er an" Eustice in the lan". ;BAnointe" oneC an" BheC are not ca$itali>e" ecause the $eo$le were not e%$ectin# Go" Himself to come.= .y the time ,esus arri9e" more than a century later, many ha" ecome tire" of waitin#.
451. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3/7-/@.
340
3. '. 'A. A M:6EL :F A HASM:NEAN ME;CHANT SHIP . 1his mo"el of a Hasmonean merchant shi$ was constructe" from a tom "rawin# in ,erusalem. !t "emonstrates the economic an" military $ower of the ,ewish Hasmonean "ynasty in the first an" secon" centuries ..'. (hoto#ra$he" y the author in -888 at the )a#on Grain Museum, Haifa.
With 9arious areas un"er his "omain, his international tra"e e%$an"e" an" the nation<s economy #rew. !t was truly a time of $ros$erity sel"om seen since the "ays of Din# )a9i" an" 5olomon. :ow the Greeks of the )eca$olis cities were $ayin# ta%es ;tri ute= to the ,ews. While there was sta ility on the international scene, on the home-front there was conflict etween the (harisees an" 5a""ucees. !n fact, as a faithful 5a""ucee, his rei#n has een marke" y the itterest $ersecution of the (harisees. 3. '. . ! D ,, A.C. Je3ish Ci8il 0ar4 , Pharisees Cr)"ifie(
'i9il war roke out when the conser9ati9e reli#ious (harisees Eoine" forces with )emetrius !!!, a "escen"ant of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes. 1o#ether they fou#ht a#ainst Ale%an"er ,annaeus, a 5a""ucee. As ,annaeus was a out to crush the re ellion, some 3,888 men of )emetrius "efecte" an" a out @,888 (harisees "i" likewise, lea9in# many others to e either ca$ture" or kille" in attle. ?f those whom ,annaeus consi"ere" to e traitors or $otential enemies, @88 were crucifie". 42- As these (harisees suffere" in a#ony, ,annaeus ha" their wi9es an" chil"ren slau#htere" in front of them 7 hus an"s an" fathers watche" in horror, hel$less, an" "yin# on a cross. ?f this ar aric account, ,ose$hus wrote that while, He RJa$$ae)sS 3as feasti$% 3ith his "o$")bi$es+ i$ the si%ht of all the "ity+ he or(ere( abo)t ei%ht h)$(re( of the1 BPhariseesC to be "r)"ifie(4 a$( 3hile they 3ere li8i$%+ he or(ere( the throats of their "hil(re$ a$( 3i8es to be ")t before their eyes. This 3as i$(ee( by 3ay of re8e$%e for the
452. A9i-Jonah an" Draelin#, :ur ,i ing Bible. -48-41.
341 i$H)ries they ha( (o$e hi14 3hi"h #)$ish1e$t yet 3as of a$ i$h)1a$ $at)re. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &3.&/.* Bsee also %ars" &./.&+ .C
/'3
!n Ashkelon, he crucifie" ei#hty women whom he sus$ecte" of ein# witches. He stri$$e" them nake" an", for the sake of mo"esty, naile" them facin# the cross where they "ie". 1he 4ssenes wrote of this horrific e9ent in their )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N$:ah 13-@.424 As the #os$els re9eal, at the time of ,esus, there was no #reat lo9e etween the 5a""ucees an" (harisees. !n fact, they hate" each other, sometimes with a 9en#eance. 1he common elief was that since e9ery $erson who "ie" on a tree was curse" y Go", whoe9er they crucifie" woul" therefore, likewise e curse" y Go". 1heir reasonin# was ase" on the followin# wor"s of Moses, For a$yo$e h)$% o$ a tree is )$(er Go(?s ")rse. 6e)tero$o1y *&7*3b 1o a"" insult to inEury, in @/ ..'., 1i#ranes of Armenia ;mo"ern 1urkey= in9a"e" 5yria an" northern !srael, ca$ture" many ,ews an" took them as s to Armenia to "e9elo$ his country<s economy.422 ,annaeus, howe9er, was too
453. A $arallel account was foun" in )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ment 4N$:ahum, com$lete as the account recor"e" y ,ose$hus.
ut it is not as
454. 4l#9in, B1he Messiah.C /3. 455. :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 38.
342 weak to $rotect his $eo$le.423 1he ,ews, who $roteste" a#ainst the cruelty of their kin#, took a"9anta#e of the situation an" a si%-year ci9il war eru$te". ,annaeus was kille" an" his wi"ow, Ale%an"ra 5alome, rule" until her "eath in 37 ..'. 5he was without Auestion the kin"est an" most ri#hteous monarch the ,ewish $eo$le ha" "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio". 1heir #reat-#ran""au#hter, Mariamne, ecame the fa9orite wife of Hero" the Great. 49en un"er ,ewish rule, the ,ews ha" no $eace an" they continue" to ask Go" for a "eli9erer who woul" #i9e them $eace an" security. 1here was no stron# lea"ershi$ an" moral an" $olitical corru$tion remaine" a si#nature of !srael with only a rief e%ce$tion, that ein#, the rulershi$ of ,annaeus<s wi"ow Ale%an"ra 5alome. 3. '. < <. D .< A.C. J)ee$ Ale@a$(ra Salo1e ;ei%$s4 Pharisees Co$trol the Te1#le After the "eath of ,annaeus, his wi"ow, Ale%an"ra 5alome, ecame the only Aueen to solely rule ,u"ah. !n li#ht of the fact that she ha" een marrie" to two corru$t lea"ers, it is ama>in# that she #o9erne" in a #o"ly manner. Her worl" was one of confusion, #o9ernment corru$tion, an" mountin# Greek cultural influences u$on the ,ewish $eo$le. Jet ecause of her, ,u"ah enEoye" a #ol"en a#e of $eace an" $ros$erity. Ama>in#ly, "urin# a time of chaotic influences, men chose to ha9e her lea" their nation an" fi#ht their attles.427 ,ose$hus state" that, as a (harisee, the el"erly Aueen focuse" on the o ser9ance of the Mosaic &aw an" maintaine" $eace throu#hout the lan", althou#h at times the 5a""ucees ecame the $ersecute" ones. 49entually she $lace" her son Hyrcanus !! in the $osition of hi#h $riest an" allowe" the (harisees to control the tem$le an" reins of #o9ernment. 5ince her other son, Aristo ulus !!, was ol", ener#etic, an" ha" a Auick tem$er, she resi#ne" him to $ri9ate life. !t is un"erstoo" that there was a #reat "e#ree of itterness an" tension etween them as well as etween the two reli#ious sects. ,ose$hus writes, 456. :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 3/2. 457. Atkinson, B1he 5alome :o ?ne Dnows.C 31-3-.
343 No3 Ale@a$(er let the 9i$%(o1 to Ale@a$(ra+ his 3ife+ a$( (e#e$(e( )#o$ it that the Je3s 3o)l( $o3 8ery rea(ily s)b1it to her4 be"a)se she ha( bee$ 8ery a8erse to s)"h "r)elty as he ha( treate( the1 3ith+ a$( ha( o##ose( his 8iolatio$ of their la3s+ a$( ha( thereby %ot the %oo( 3ill of the #eo#le ... for she "hiefly st)(ie( the a$"ie$t ")sto1s of her "o)$try a$( "ast o)t those 1e$ of the %o8er$1e$t that offe$(e( a%ai$st their holy la3s. A$( $o3 the Pharisees Hoi$e( the1sel8es to her+ to assist her i$ the %o8er$1e$t. These are a "ertai$ se"t of Je3s that a##ear 1ore reli%io)s tha$ others+ a$( see1e( to i$ter#ret the la3s 1ore a"")rately. No3+ Ale@a$(ra hear9e$e( to the1 to a$ e@traor(i$ary (e%ree+ as bei$% herself a 3o1a$ of %reat #iety to3ar(s Go(. A)t these Pharisees artf)lly i$si$)ate( the1sel8es i$to her fa8or little by little+ a$( be"a1e the1sel8es the real a(1i$istrators of the #)bli" affairs. They ba$ishe( a$( re()"e( 3ho1 B$a1ely the Sa(()"eesC they #lease(4 they bo)$( a$( loose( B1e$C at their #leas)re4 a$(+ to say all at o$"e+ they ha( the e$Hoy1e$t of the royal a)thority+ 3hile the e@#e$ses a$( the (iffi")lties of it belo$%e( to Ale@a$(ra. She 3as a sa%a"io)s 3o1a$ i$ the 1a$a%e1e$t of %reat affairs. Jose#h)s+ %ars &.'.&-* The =)ee$ also too9 "are of the affairs of the 9i$%(o1 a$( %ot to%ether a %reat bo(y of 1er"e$ary sol(iers+ a$( i$"rease( her o3$ ar1y to s)"h a (e%ree+ that she be"a1e terrible to the $ei%hbori$% tyra$ts a$( too9 hosta%es fro1 the1 a$( the "o)$try 3as e$tirely at #ea"e. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &3.&..* +or arely a century the ,ewish $eo$le enEoye" free"om from forei#n "ictators "eman"in# hi#h ta%es, worshi$ of forei#n #o"s, an" cultural conformity. What shoul" ha9e een true #lory of ,ewish in"e$en"ence was
344 short-li9e" an" fille" with corru$tion. 1he only si#nificant kin" an" #entle monarch "urin# this time was Nueen 5alome. 5he is remem ere" as a carin# el"erly lea"er who le" the country ack to ri#hteousness. 5he was only the secon" Aueen of ,u"ah, the first ein# Athaliah, "au#hter of the infamous Aha an" ,e>e el, who rule" for si% years ;- 'hron. --*1-=. 3. '. , S)11ary I$fl)e$"e of 2Helle$isti" ;efor15 B33& D .3 A.C.C that sha#e( Je3ish life i$ the First Ce$t)ry BHellenistic reformC was com$liance y e9eryone to the Greek culture, inclu"in# the acce$tance of Greek reli#ious 9alues. 1he ,ewish $o$ulation throu#hout the eastern Me"iterranean area was so #reat that they $ermeate" nearly e9ery le9el of society. 5ome chan#es towar" Hellenism came slowly, an" as lon# as these "i" not affect the ,ewish faith, few seeme" to care. 1he claim that the Macca ean 0e9olt was a re9olt a#ainst Greek Helleni>ation is mislea"in# an" without historical e9i"ence.42@ !t was a#ainst the "ictatorial monarch, Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes, who calle" himself B#o"C ;hence the name B4$i$hanesC=. 1he Hellenistic influence #reatly affecte" the ,ewish community an" were it not for the 0e9olt, there is little Auestion that Hellenism woul" ha9e ha" an e9en #reater influence. !t "i", howe9er, cause $eo$le to re-e9aluate their faith which in turn resulte" in a s$iritual re9i9al. .ut the re9i9al also cause" "i9isions an" after the 0e9olt en"e" three maEor reli#ious $arties came into e%istence* the (harisees, the 5a""ucees, an" the 4ssenes. .y the time of 'hrist, Hellenism cause" an e9en wi"er theolo#ical "i9ision amon# the ,ews. !ts influence can e seen, for e%am$le, in a (seu"e$i#ra$ha ook ;written a out 3/ ..'.= title" 5cclesiasticus" also known as The Wisdom of &esus the Son of Sirach , that rea"s, Bwis"om was create" efore all thin#s, an" $ru"ent un"erstan"in# from eternityC ;1*4=.429 1he central core of Greek $hiloso$hy was that o tainin# wis"om was the i"eal #oal of life. An e%am$le is foun" in the a$ocry$hal ook title" Son of Sirach an" o 9iously "oes not a#ree with Genesis.
458. Gra
e, &udaism #rom 'yrus to +adrian. /8@.
459. Met>#er, e",. The Apocrypha of the :ld Testament. 1-9.
345 0is(o1 hath bee$ "reate( before all thi$%s+ )$(ersta$(i$% of #r)(e$"e fro1 e8erlasti$%. So$ of Sira"h &7/
/.
a$(
the
1he Greek #ymnasium, theater, an" tem$les were cultural sym ols of Hellenistic reform that was s$rea" throu#hout the em$ire. 4%ce$t for the #ymnasium that was constructe" y Antiochus !H in ,erusalem, these were not intro"uce" in the ,ewish cities until Hero" the Great ;rei#ne" /7 7 4 ..'.= came to $ower. Many as$ects of ,ewish life took on the a$$earance of the Greek culture an" were later $romote" y the 0omans. +or e%am$le, the ,ews wore #arments almost i"entical to the Greeks in Athens, Ale%an"ria, an" the 0omans in 0ome. 1heir clothin# normally consiste" of a tunic an" cloak, shoes or san"als, an" a hea" co9erin# for oth men an" women. 5ome ,ewish men "i", howe9er, maintain the tra"ition of wearin# frin#es to kee$ their i"entity ;:um. 12=. 1he Greek custom of reclinin# at a "inin# ta le was $recisely what ,esus an" the "isci$les "i" "urin# the &ast 5u$$er. 'ultural norms that "i" not ha9e moral or reli#ious im$lications were a"o$te" almost uni9ersally. 431 Hellenism ha" a num er of $ositi9e an" ne#ati9e influences u$on first century ,u"aism that are reflecte" in the structure of the :ew 1estament. ;5ee also *. /. &-&&L 1 'or. 1= 1. !n Greek $hiloso$hy man is central to life whereas in ,u"aism Go" is the central fi#ure. +urthermore, the Go" of the ,ews was an in9isi le "eity, who ha" no Bsinful human 9ices,C an" whom they calle" their +ather. 1his was eyon" the com$rehension of the Greeks. 1heir #o"s an" half-#o"s were forme" into i"ols an" ha" all the human 9ices an" $leasures of humanity. 1he ina ility of each #rou$ to acce$t an" tolerate the "ifferences of the other resulte" in tensions an" conflicts in !srael. !nterestin#ly, in 4#y$t the "ifferences were tolerate" an" $eace $re9aile".
460. htt$*//www.e i le.or#/kE9/5irach.htm 0etrie9e" March 19, -81-
461. Deller, The Bible as +istory. /23.
346 -. 1he intro"uction an" use of koine Greek was an im$ortant "e9elo$ment in $re$arin# the worl" for the #os$el. ?f all the ancient lan#ua#es, this was the est me"ium for the accurate e%$ression of i"eas. 1he 9oca ulary is clearly e%tensi9e in $hiloso$hical, ethical, an" reli#ious conce$ts. He rew is a $ictorial lan#ua#e usin# $hrases such as BHe is my rock,C whereas Greek is more "escri$ti9e of human emotions an" 9irtues. ,esus use" 9er al $ictures of o Eects, $lants, animals, ut most of all, $eo$le in in teacha le moments to con9ey His messa#e of the Din#"om of Go". +urthermore an" so im$ortant, He re$eate"ly connecte" these to 9arious ?l" 1estament $assa#es. 43Were it not for the a"9ent of Hellenism, the :ew 1estament woul" not ha9e een written in the Greek which rou#ht a new realm of wor"s to e%$ress emotions an" thou#ht. 43/ .y the first century, the Greek lan#ua#e elte" the Me"iterranean 5ea, which $ermitte" the #os$el to e $reache" effecti9ely to many $eo$le #rou$s, nearly all of whom s$oke the same lan#ua#e. /. 1here was a $rofoun" economic unification in the Me"iterranean worl", es$ecially in international tra"e. !nternational tra"e routes were well esta lishe" in the "ays of Din# 5olomon, an" e9en more so y the time Ale%an"er the Great in9a"e" the area. 1herefore, y the time ,esus was orn, 9arious $eo$le #rou$s ha" not only the same lan#ua#e, ut also many of the same 9alues. 4. 1he formation of "istinct thinkin# $rocesses an" thou#ht. 1he Greeks were $hiloso$hical while the ,ews were theolo#ical. 1he Greeks 9er ali>e" emotions an" human characteristics, an" some s$eech $atterns were trans$lante" into the ,ewish culture y the first century.
462. Horne, &esus the Teacher. 77, @/, 9/. 463. Mantey, B:ew 1estamentt .ack#roun"s.C /*/-14.
347
3. '. ,A. HELLENISTIC A;T-F;ESC: IN A JE0ISH T:MA. 49i"ence of Hellenistic cultural influence in ,erusalem is e9i"ent y this ,ewish tom -fresco showin# a hunter, heral" an" lion. !n tra"itional ,u"aism, the ima#e of a $erson was anne", ut such ima#es ecame $o$ular with Hellenism. 2. Greek thinkin#, which is reflecte" in mo"ern Western thou#ht $rocesses, was si#nificantly "ifferent from how the ,ewish $eo$le thou#ht. 1he ,ews thou#ht $ictorially. +or e%am$le, two $hrases to "escri e Go" in the ?l" 1estament are Btower of stren#th,C or a Bcleft of a rock.C 5uch "escri$tions are re$lace" in the :ew 1estament with wor"s such as Blo9e,C or e9en Ba aC ;meanin# daddy=, that ha9e a #reater feelin# of $ersonal an" intimate relationshi$. 3. 1he Greeks with their $hiloso$hical lo#ic an" reasonin# are #enerally cre"ite" with intro"ucin# to the worl" the Auestion BwhyFC alon# with critical thinkin#. 1his was more im$ortant in the Gentile worl" ecause ,ewish $arents ha" tau#ht their chil"ren to ask BWhyFC since the first (asso9er.
348 7. Amon# the Greeks, the i"ea that a #o" mi#ht a$$ear in human form was acce$te" in mytholo#y. &ittle won"er then, that when they hear" that ,esus was Go", they coul" acce$t this fact. 1his elief, cou$le" with the e%$ectation of a messianic fi#ure, e%$lains, in $art, as to why they lai" their mytholo#ies asi"e an" acce$te" ,esus. 'onseAuently, 'hristianity e%$lo"e" in Gentile nations while it was slow to e acce$te", an" often o$$ose", in ,ewish communities. 1he :ew 1estament had to be written in Greek for these new elie9ers. +inally, Hellenism also ha" its ne#ati9e affects u$on the ,ewish $eo$le. 1he cultural an" reli#ious threats that challen#e" youn# ,ews were, 1. 1he loss of un"erstan"in# of the He raic "etails of the ?l" 1estament, the ook of Matthew ;an" $ossi ly the ook of 434 He rews=, an" -. Assimilation into the $a#an culture. 1he youth were always confronte" y the $leasures of the Greeks. 1o them, ,u"aism was an o stacle what $re9ente" them from fin"in# fulfillment in the BtrueC $leasures of life. Mo"ern scholarshi$ has often o9erlooke" the ne#ati9e influences of Hellenism ha" u$on ,u"aism an" the cultural en9ironment of ,esus. 1his encroachin# influence of Hellenism u$on the ,ewish culture was $rofoun" an" the ,ews were challen#e" with how to confront the $a#anism. +or e%am$le, some of those in lea"ershi$ who were a sor e" in the new cultural tren"s un"erwent a sur#ical $roce"ure known as epispasm, in which the marks of circumcision were remo9e". 1his affor"e" the o$$ortunity to $artici$ate in 9arious Greek athletic e9ents, in which athletes were nu"e, without ein# i"entifie" as ,ews. 1he author of Macca ees calle" this the Ba an"onment of the holy co9enant,C ecause Go" sai" ;Gen. 17*14= that an uncircumcise" in"i9i"ual was to e cut off from the ,ewish $eo$le ecause he "eclare" to ha9e roken the co9enant. !n the meantime, as the reli#ious esta lishment ecame Helleni>e", the 4ssene mo9ement "istance"
464. As is e%$laine" elsewhere, the een ori#inally written in He rew. ooks of Matthew an" He rews are elie9e" to ha9e
349 itself from the (harisees. !n fact, all of the ,ewish factions ecame $olari>e" in their "octrines an" $ractices at this time.
3. '. ,A. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F H:ME :F A SA66UCEE. An artist<s ren"erin# of the home of a wealthy $riest in ,erusalem. 1he 5a""ucees, who are "escen"ants of the Hasmoneans ;Macca ees=, inclu"in# 'aia$has an" his family, enEoye" a lu%urious life eAual to kin#s an" em$erors. 1heir lifestyle was eyon" the ima#ination of the common $easants they were to ser9e. 0ather, they were hea9ily influence" y the Greek culture as e9i"ence" y Greek floor mosaic an" numerous other in"icators.
350 1he first translation of 5cri$ture ecame known as the 5e$tua#int, the secon" century ..'. work ein# accom$lishe" in Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t. :onetheless, there was a constant s$iritual "ecline. 1o com at the constant "elu#e of $a#an influences, the ,ews $ro"uce" a num er of writin#s that were lar#ely a$ocaly$tic. 1hese works ma"e freAuent references to the #reat "isasters that woul" fall u$on humanity, ut the ,ews woul" e sa9e" y a messiah. Most a$ocaly$tic ooks were $ro"uce" from the time Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies an" continue" into the secon" century A.).432 3. '. ! .< D .3 A.C. Ci8il 0ar Aet3ee$ Aristob)l)s II a$( Joh$ Hyr"a$)s II4 ;o1a$ I$8asio$ While the rei#n of Ale%an"ra 5alome was one of #reat $olitical wis"om an" reli#ious o e"ience, she faile" to train her sons in her ways. U$on her "eath, she confirme" the $osition of hi#h $riest to ,ohn Hyrcanus !! an" $lace" Aristo ulus !! in the $osition of kin#. 1he two rothers woul" $ro a ly ha9e functione" well to#ether an" the ,ewish kin#"om woul" ha9e enEoye" $eace an" $ros$erity if a "escen"ant of 4sau y the name of Anti$ater ha" ne9er come. .ut he "i". Anti$ater, the father of Hero" the Great, saw a #ol"en o$$ortunity to cause chaos an" there y, attain $ower an" wealth. Anti$ater was the son of a $owerful #o9ernor of !"umea ;of what is southern !srael to"ay= who ha" amasse" #reat $ower an" wealth un"er the Greek authorities esta lishe" y Ale%an"er the Great. As #o9ernor, he ta%e" cara9ans that $asse" throu#h his territory, es$ecially alon# the fame" s$ice route that was etween the )ea" 5ea an" the mo"ern !sraeli city of 4ilat. He instructe" his son how to mani$ulate the $olitical affairs of oth the 0omans an" (arthians.433 'oncernin# the Hasmonean rothers of Aristo ulus an" Hyrcanus, Anti$ater circulate" rumors a out them an" cause" strife within the royal family. 5oon Aristo ulus !! re9olte" a#ainst his ol"er rother an" announce" that he was oth hi#h $riest an" kin# of ,u"ah. 'i9il war roke out etween them ut neither felt stron# enou#h to win a 9ictory. 5ince the ,ewish lan" was a 465. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 1//-/2.
466. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*24@.
351 $ro9incial "istrict un"er the rule of 0omans in 5yria, the rothers went there to ha9e the 0omans resol9e their "ifferences. Howe9er, the results "i" not $lease Aristo ulus, so with the su$$ort of the 5anhe"rin, he went east an" attem$te" to secure military stren#th from the e%$an"in# (arthian 4m$ire, while Hyrcanus went an" secure" the same from the 0omans in )amascus.437 5oon !srael woul" ecome the frontier lan" etween two com$etin# worl" em$ires* the 0omans an" (arthians. ,ose$hus recor"e" the e9ents* A$( 3he$ Ale@a$(er ha( bee$ both 9i$% a$( hi%h #riest t3e$ty-se8e$ years+ he (e#arte( this life a$( #er1itte( his 3ife Ale@a$(ra to a##oi$t hi1 that sho)l( be hi%h #riest4 so she %a8e the hi%h #riesthoo( to Hyr"a$)s+ b)t retai$e( the 9i$%(o1 herself $i$e years a$( the$ (e#arte( this life. The life ()ratio$ Ra$( $o lo$%erS (i( her so$ Hyr"a$)s e$Hoy the hi%h #riesthoo(4 for after her (eath his brother Aristob)l)s fo)%ht a%ai$st hi1+ a$( beat hi1+ a$( (e#ri8e( hi1 of this #ri$"i#ality a$( he (i( hi1self both rei%$ a$( #erfor1 the offi"e of hi%h #riest to Go(. A)t 3he$ he ha( rei%$e( three years a$( as 1a$y 1o$ths+ Po1#ey "a1e )#o$ hi1+ a$( $ot o$ly too9 the "ity of Jer)sale1 by for"e+ b)t #)t hi1 a$( his "hil(re$ i$ bo$(s a$( se$t the1 to ;o1e. He also restore( the hi%h #riesthoo( to Hyr"a$)s a$( 1a(e hi1 %o8er$or of the $atio$+ b)t forba(e hi1 to 3ear a (ia(e1. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities * .& .& 1he si#nificance of !srael ein# at the frontier etween two ri9al em$ires cannot e o9erstate". While the ,ewish $eo$le were su Eects of 0ome, they were also on the eastern frontier facin# the (arthian 4m$ire. 1his strate#ic location was cause for much tension an" an%iety. !n the meantime, the ,ews were inun"ate" with Hellenism not only y the Greeks li9in# in their communities, ut also y their lea"ers. +or e%am$le, their hi#h $riest ,ohn Hycranus !! minte" coins with a "ou le cornuco$ia ;horn of $lenty=, a sym ol taken from Greek mytholo#y. !n Greek mytholo#y, the cornuco$ia was sai" 467. Golu , %n the )ays. 191-9-L Gra
e, &udaism #rom 'yrus to +adrian. /83-11L :eusner an" Green, )ictonary of &udaism. 2@-29L Mantey, B:ew 1estament .ack#roun"s.C 2-3.
352 to in9ol9e the irth an" nurturance of the infant #o" Keus. Accor"in# to the myth, Keus was $rotecte" y a #oat that functione" as a nurturin# #o""ess, ut acci"ently roke off one of her horns while fee"in# the infant milk. Hence, the horn has ecome known to"ay as the Bhorn of $lenty.C
3. '. !A. C:IN :F J:HN HEC;ANUS II. 1his coin of ,ohn Hyrcanus !!, the hi#h $riest ;3/-48 .'= has the name ,ehohanan on one si"e ;left= an" a "ou le cornuco$ia ;ri#ht= taken from Greek mytholo#y on the re9erse si"e. 3. '.& .3 A.C. Ho$i+ the Je3ish Mira"le 0or9er 9ille(
)urin# the time of the ci9il war etween Aristo ulus !! an" Hyrcanus !!, the $o$ular miracle worker Honi was kille". He was elie9e" to ha9e the "i9ine $ower to cause the clou"s to rain. )urin# times of "rou#ht, he woul" "raw a circle in the "ust, sit in the circle, an" stay there an" $ray until it raine". +or this, he ecame a le#en"ary folk hero to the $oint that reli#ious lea"ers in the tem$le coul" not a#ree as to what to "o with him. 1he writers of the Mishnah wrote these reflecti9e thou#hts a out him* :$"e they sai( to :$ias Balso s#elle( Ho$iC the Cir"le-1a9er+ 2Pray that rai$ 1ay fall.5 He a$s3ere(+ 2Go o)t a$( bri$% i$ the Passo8er o8e$s that they 1ay $ot be softe$e(.5/., 468. ?9ens were ma"e of clay an", if outsi"e, woul" soften an" colla$se y the rain.
353
He #raye( b)t the rai$ (i( $ot fall. 0hat (i( he (o> He (re3 a "ir"le a$( stoo( 3ith it a$( sai( before Go(+ 2: Lor( of the 3orl(+ yo)r "hil(re$ ha8e t)r$e( their fa"es to 1e+ for I a1 li9e a so$ of the ho)se before yo). I s3ear by yo)r %reat $a1e that I 3ill $ot stir he$"e )$til yo) ha8e #ity o$ yo)r "hil(re$.5 ;ai$ be%a$ to fall (ro# by (ro#. He sai(+ 2Not for s)"h rai$ ha8e I #raye(+ b)t for rai$ that 3ill fill "ister$s+ #its+ a$( "a8er$s. 2It be%a$ to rai$ 3ith 8iole$"e. He sai(+ Not for s)"h rai$ ha8e I #raye(+ b)t for rai$ of %oo(3ill+ blessi$%s+ a$( %ra"io)s$ess.5 The$ it rai$e( i$ 1o(eratio$ Ra$( "o$ti$)e(S )$til the Israelites 3e$t )# fro1 Jer)sale1 to the Te1#le Mo)$t be"a)se of the rai$. Mish$ah+ *aanit 37, 1he aristocratic 5a""ucees were outra#e" at Honi, ecause in their thinkin#, it was unima#ina le that Go" woul" work throu#h a common in"i9i"ual rather than throu#h them, since they were the e%$erts on the law. While they critici>e" him, they were at a loss as to what to "o. Si1eo$ A. Shetah se$t to hi1 R:$ias+ sayi$%S+ WHa( yo) $ot bee$ :$ias+ I 3o)l( ha8e #ro$o)$"e( a ba$ a%ai$st yo)K A)t 3hat shall I (o to yo)> Eo) i1#ort)$est Go( a$( he #erfor1s yo)r 3ill4 a$( of yo) the S"ri#t)re says+ WLet yo)r father a$( yo)r 1other be %la(+ a$( let her that bare yo) reHoi"e.? Mish$ah+ *aanit 37,
/.!
1he reli#ious lea"ers coul" not e%communicate him as he ha" ecome a folk hero. 1he $ro lems they ha" with Honi woul" $ale in li#ht of the comin# ,esus of :a>areth, who woul" minister only a century later. Jet there is no mention of a $ossi le e%communication of ,esusL it is not mentione" once in the .i le. Jet if the syna#o#ue lea"ers felt it was necessary to "isci$line, e%communication woul" ha9e een the metho" of choice. Howe9er, this act 469. (ro9er s -/*-2.
354 woul" ha9e een "isastrous for the lea"ershi$ since oth Honi an" ,esus ha" ecome e%tremely $o$ular with the $eo$le. 1he Auestion is of course, how "oes one remo9e an in"i9i"ual from the syna#o#ue who is lo9e" y hoar"s of $eo$le an" has thousan"s of them listenin# to his teachin#sF Hence, they e9entually entertaine" the unthinka le* to kill him Auickly an" as secretly as $ossi le.478 ,ose$hus also recor"e" the account of Honi, lea9in# mo"ern scholarshi$ with e9i"ence that ri#hteous men "i" in fact $erform miracles in the !nter1estamental (erio". Honi was ne9er consi"ere" to e a $ro$het, only a #o"ly man who $erforme" miracles, an", as many other #o"ly men, $ai" the ultimate $rice. :ote the wor"s of ,ose$hus* No3 there 3as o$e+ 3hose $a1e 3as :$ias Bor Ho$iC+ a ri%hteo)s 1a$ he 3as+ a$( belo8e( of Go( to #)t a$ e$( to the i$te$se heat+ a$( 3hose #rayers Go( ha( hear( a$( ha( se$t the1 rai$. This 1a$ hi( hi1self be"a)se he sa3 that this se(itio$ 3o)l( last a3hile. Ho3e8er+ they bro)%ht hi1 to the Je3ish "a1# a$( (esire(+ that as by his #rayers he ha( o$"e #)t a$ e$( to the (ro)%ht so he i$ li9e 1a$$er 1a9e i1#re"atio$s o$ Astrob)l)s a$( those of his fa"tio$. A$( 3he$+ )#o$ his ref)sal+ a$( the e@")se that he 1a(e+ he 3as still by the 1)ltit)(e "o1#elle( to s#ea9+ he stoo( )# i$ the 1i(st of the1 a$( sai(+ 2: Go(+ the 9i$% of the 3hole 3orl(K Si$"e those that sta$( $o3 3ith 1e are yo)r #eo#le+ a$( those that are besie%e( are also yo)r #riests+ I e$treat yo) that tho) 3ilt $either har9e$ to the #rayers of those a%ai$st these $or to bri$% to effe"t 3hat these #ray a%ai$st.5 0here )#o$ s)"h 3i"9e( Je3s as stoo( before hi1+ as soo$ as he 1a(e this #rayer+ sto$e( hi1 to (eath. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &/.* & 'learly, Honi left a "ynamic im$ression that was later remem ere" y ,ose$hus an" recor"e" in the Mishnah. 'ritics ten" to lay asi"e any si#nificance of Honi ecause of le#en"ary stories that arose, such as his 78470. :eusner an" Green, )ictonary of &udaism. /88.
355 year slee$. 1hese two historical accounts "o state, howe9er, that the 5a""ucees, who were in control of the tem$le, were 9ery willin# to kill a #o"ly man who threatene" their aristocratic $osition. 1his is $recisely what they woul" "o later to ,esus.
3. '.&& .3 A.C. ;o1a$s :r(er Atte1#ts To Iill I$fa$t Aoys Ae"a)se :f Pro#he"y :f A Ne3-Aor$ Ii$% 1he e%$ectation of a Bsu$erC kin# or messiah was not limite" to the ,ewish $eo$le.471 :early all the $eo$le #rou$s in the ancient Mi""le 4ast were e%$ectin# an incre"i le $ersonality who woul" rin# $eace an" $ros$erity to e9eryone. 1he (arthians were e%$ectin# the irth of a worl" ruler, an" a century earlier the 0oman $oet Hir#il $re"icte" a messianic fi#ure ;see 3. /.&!=. 5o stron# was the common elief in the first century ;..'.=, that the 0oman historian 5uetonius, in his ,ife of Augustus" Auotes ,ulius Marathus from his ,ife of the 5mperor. !t shoul" e note" that Marathus was a $ersonal confi"ant of Au#ustus 'aesar. 1herefore, the account has a hi#h "e#ree of merit. A$$arently, shortly efore Marathus<s irth there was a $ro$hecy in 0ome that a kin# o9er the 0oman $eo$le woul" soon e orn. 1o o 9iate this "an#er to the 0e$u lic, the 0oman 5enate in the year 3/ ..'. or"ere" all oy a ies to e kille" who were orn in that year ecause $ro$hetic "reams an" astrolo#ical si#ns su##este" that a Bkin# of the 0omansC was to e orn.47- !n 0oman society, unwante" infants were normally a an"one" or e%$ose" to the weather to "ie. Howe9er, se9eral senators, whose wi9es were $re#nant, took $olitical action to $re9ent the ratification of the statute
471. A lower case BmC us use" for the wor" BmessiahC ecause u$$er case BMC "enotes "eity, an" no one e%$ecte" Go" to come to earth in the form of a $erson. 472. &in"say, The :rigins of Astrology. 3.
356 ecause each of them ho$e" that the $ro$hecy mi#ht e in reference to their own chil".47/ !t is interestin# that in the same year, a chil" was orn on 5e$tem er -/, who later ecame the first em$eror of the 0omans 7 4m$eror Au#ustus.474
3. '.&* .3 A.C. ;o1e Co$=)ers J)(ah4 Hyr"a$)s II I$stalle( as ;)ler of Israel 1he ci9il war etween Aristo ulus !! an" ,ohn Hyrcanus !! "i" not #o unnotice" y the 0omans, who were also watchin# the #rowin# (arthian 4m$ire far to the east. 1hey "i" now want the (arthians to take a"9anta#e of the $olitical chaos amon# the ,ews an" esta lish access to the Me"iterranean 5ea. 5o when ,ohn Hycranus went to the 0omans to #ather troo$s to fi#ht his rother, he "i" not antici$ate that the ci9il conflict woul" cost the ,ewish state its so9erei#nty. 1he reAuest was a "ream come true for the 0omans an" soon !srael ecame the $u$$et state on the frontier lan" facin# the (arthian 4m$ire. 1he 0oman General Gnaeus (om$eius Man#us ;183-4@ ..'.=, more commonly known as (om$ey or (om$ey the Great, was a successful statesman an" military #eneral. He was sent in to conAuer 5yria, an" the ,ewish state of !srael which was a $ro9ince of 5yria. When he marche" into ,erusalem, he insiste" on enterin# the Holy of Holies with his officers, for which some ha9e su##este" that "i9ine Eu"#ment fell u$on him. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, (om$ey took a lar#e num er of ,ews as s an" sol" them throu#hout the em$ire. He ha" the su$$ort of the Hasmonean family an" ,ewish so9erei#nty was finally etraye".472
473. +arrar, The ,ife of 'hrist. -1. 474. htt$*//www.askelm.com/star/star881.htm 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -9, -81-.
357 &ater, in 4@ ..'. when he lan"e" in 4#y$t, he was sta e" in the ack y an 4#y$tian centurion as he "isem arke" from a shi$. He was stri$$e" of his clothin#, ehea"e", an" his nake" o"y was left on the san"y shore. !n this conte%t, the wor" Bnake"C means that his o"y lai" on the #roun" fully e%$ose" 7 tra"itional un"er#arments remo9e". 0ather than ha9in# his o"y urie", it was urne" on the each. :o #reater "ishonor coul" $ossi ly ha9e een #i9en to anyone than what (om$ey recei9e" in 4#y$t. 1he Hasmoneans ha" e%$an"e" ,ewish "omain to nearly the si>e of Din# )a9i"<s 4m$ire. 1he ,ews elie9e" that once their lan" area woul" ecome as lar#e as the former )a9i"ic 4m$ire, then the $ro9er ial Bson of )a9i",C their messiah, woul" come an" rein his B+ather<sC kin#"om. 1herefore, antici$ation of the comin# of this $olitical messiah was at fe9er $itch. Howe9er, (om$ey "ouse" water on that "ream when he "i9i"e" the Hasmonean 4m$ire, an" !srael was once a#ain a tiny state that consiste" of Galilee, ,u"ea, an" (erea ;,ewish area east of the ,or"an 0i9er=. 473 1his was to re"uce the $ossi ility of a future u$risin#. Whereas the Assyrians an" .a ylonians relocate" lar#e $o$ulations to $re9ent su ser9ient $eo$le from #ainin# their in"e$en"ence, the 0omans "i9i"e" their re#ions to achie9e the same $ur$ose. .ut as they woul" "isco9er, the ,ewish $eo$le were "ifficult to control. 3. '.&3 .3 A.C. D A.6. 3&* ;o1a$ Perio( !f Hollywoo" wante" to $ro"uce a mo9ie with action, "rama, scan"alous se%, loyalty, treason, assassinations, an" war, they woul" ha9e no further to look than at the !nter-1estamental (erio" etween the rei#n of Antiochus 4$i$hanes an" the "eath of Hero" the Great. (lots an" e9ents chan#e so freAuently that at times the historical timeline is "ifficult to follow. Were it not for a few historians like ,ose$hus, this $art of history woul" ha9e een lost. +or ,esus to come an" $reach His 5ermon on the Mount an" 9arious messa#es on $eace an" a kin#"om of Go" was a feat that astonishe" oth the listeners an" the 0omans. .ut His irth was still si% "eca"es into the future. .e#innin# in 3/ ..'., the 0omans controlle" !srael for more than four centuries with the e%ce$tion of a rief (arthian conAuest of ,erusalem.
476. Golu , %n the )ays. 193-9@.
358 )urin# most of this time, the 0oman $refects who rule" the $ro9inces of Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ah were loosely su$er9ise" y #o9ernors in )amascus, 5yria. !t was 0oman $olicy to #i9e ca$ture" $eo$le reli#ious free"om an" limite" self-re#ulation so as to $re9ent u$risin#s an" war. 1his $olicy was effecti9e throu#hout the em$ire, with the ,ewish hamlet ein# the only constant e%ce$tion 7 thus creatin# a constant un"erlyin# tension. 1he ,ews inter$rete" the fourth em$ire "escri e" in )aniel - an" 7 as the 0oman occu$ation of their lan". !t was their un"erstan"in# that the Messiah woul" come in the "ays of the last em$ire. 1hey looke" u$on the $ro$hetic wor"s of )aniel an" 4>ekiel an" reali>e" that ,erusalem was re uilt, many ,ews ha" returne" from ca$ti9ity an" Antiochus ha" "esecrate" the tem$le with the sacrifice of a $i#. 1herefore, it was o 9ious to them that the Messiah was a out to come. +urthermore, they looke" u$on the Bse9ensC of )aniel<s $ro$hecies as meanin# B$erfectionC rather than a literal inter$retation, so the i"eal time for the Messiah to come ha" arri9e". :e9er were they so wron# an" ne9er were they so ri#ht. 1hey were correct in reference to his first comin#, ut the $ro$hecies that su$$orte" their inter$retation are in reference to His second comin#. 1hey faile" to "istin#uish etween the $ro$hecies of the two comin#s. 1he 0oman General (om$ey ca$ture" )amascus from Din# (ontus in 3/ ..'. an" tra9ele" south to ca$ture all of ,u"ah in only three months 7 the time it took to walk from one en" of the country to the other an" ack. With mechanical en#ines, namely stone-throwin# cata$ults, an" atterin# rams shi$$e" in from 1yre, the 0omans attere" the ,erusalem until 9ictory was secure".477 !ronically, the ,ews felt that since the attacke" occurre" on the )ay of Atonement, that was a holy "ay an" they shoul" not fi#ht as fi#htin# was consi"ere" Bworkin#.C 'onseAuently, (om$ey<s army entere" ,erusalem in a attle that cost the ,ews 1-,888 li9es of men, women, an" chil"ren. !t was the one "ay of the year ,ews thou#ht Go" woul" for#i9e them of their sins, an" instea" they ecame ser9ants to a $a#an master. Howe9er, the 0omans were #enerally kin"er to them than was their own Ale%an"er ,annaeus. (om$ey installe" the Hasmonean kin# Hyrcanus !! as a $u$$et kin# who was un"er the control an" "omination of the re#ional 477. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.4.-.
359 #o9ernor in )amascus. 1his is a si#nificant $oint, as the lea"ershi$ of ,u"ah was in Auestion "urin# the time of the census $rior to the irth of ,esus. (om$ey ha" only two "eman"s of the ,ewish $eo$le. 1. (ay ta%es to 'aesar, an" -. (lace a statue of 'aesar as #o" in the tem$le. &ittle "i" the 0oman un"erstan" what kin" of $eo$le their ,ewish su Eects were. 1hey ma"e a hu#e outcry at the "eman" of a statue in the tem$le, an" (om$ey rescin"e" it, ut it cost the $eo$le an a""itional ta%ation rate. 1o insure a sta ili>e" #o9ernment, he installe" Hyrcanus, the secon" ruler y that name, as hi#h $riest-ruler of 5amaria an" the three ,ewish $ro9inces* Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ea, collecti9ely known as ,u"aea. He also a$$ointe" Anti$ater to e the 9i>ier or senior officer for Hyrcanus. Anti$ater ha" a son, Hero" the Great, who woul" e9entually ecome a central fi#ure in the irth of ,esus. 1he 0omans who en"orse" the Greek culture e%$an"e" it further than Ale%an"er the Great e9er "reame" $ossi le.47@ (om$ey secure" a military frontier >one that woul" $rotect the 0oman 4m$ire from any a##ression from the (arthians to the east. (om$ey ma"e Hyrcanus !! hi#h $riest in the tem$le. 4Aually as si#nificant was that (om$ey li erate" the 5amaritans from the ,ewish - Hasmonean rulershi$ an" then marche" east to the Greek cities where he li erate" the Greek Hi$$os, 5cytho$olis, an" (ella. With the e%ce$tion of 5amaria, he rou#ht these an" other Greek cities into a lea#ue known as the )eca$olis.479 1his im$ro9e" tra"e an" commerce.4@8 A stron# military contin#ency was then $lace" etween the Me"iterranean 5ea an" the Ara ian )esert as a uffer a#ainst the #rowin# (arthian 4m$ire to the east. 5ince the (arthians ha" conAuere" a massi9e territory from the 4u$hrates to the !n"us 0i9ers, the 0omans feare" that if they acAuire" access to the Me"iterranean 5ea, 0ome an" the 0oman 4m$ire woul" e se9erely threatene". 1herefore, the 478. .laiklock, BHero".C 7*@12. 479. :eusner an" Green, )ictonary of &udaism. 343L .arclay, BMark.C 1-2--3. 480. (ellett, B)eca$olis.C 1*@18-1-.
360 0omans uilt more roa"s throu#hout !srael than in any other $art of the em$ire for the sole $ur$ose of mo9in# troo$s Auickly in the e9ent of a maEor military conflict on the eastern front. 4@1 1hrou#hout the life of 'hrist, there was a constant threat etween these two su$er$owers. 1he 0oman 4m$ire elte" the Me"iterranean 5ea an" e%ten"e" into 4uro$e. !srael was a lan" ri"#e etween the three continents of Africa, Asia, an" 4uro$e. 1o the east was the Ara ian )esert an" to the west was the Me"iterranean 5ea. +or the 0omans, the near y strate#ic cities were Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t, for #rain, Antioch, 5yria, for international commerce, an" Athens for cultural 9alues. 1he em$ire e9entually inclu"e" twel9e lan#ua#e #rou$s an" ecame so hu#e that 0ome coul" har"ly a"minister it. +inally, historians #enerally ha9e #i9en the title of 4a( Romana" meanin# the peace of Rome to the $erio" of /8 ..'. to a out A.). 1@8. 1he 0oman $eace was $ossi le only ecause of the mi#hty 0oman swor", an" yet, in the three ,ewish $ro9inces that ma"e u$ ,u"aea ;,u"ea, (erea, an" Galilee= there were some 1/ re9olts etween 3/ ..'. an" A.). 78. 4@- 4a( Romana was not $resent an" it constantly infuriate" the 0omans. Asi"e from that, the im$erial #o9ernment intro"uce" im$ro9e" metho"s of ankin# an" cre"it for economic e%$ansion, esta lishe" a sta le coina#e, an" remo9e" tra"e arriers. 5oon manufacturin# an" international tra"e lossome" as ne9er efore. 4@/ !n s$ite of the $ersecutions suffere" y early 'hristians, they li9e" in $ros$erous economic times in the ancient worl". !n the meantime, a ,ewish #uerrilla mo9ement known as the BKealotsC was esta lishe" in the northern Galilee area to fi#ht the 0omans. 1hese youn# free"om fi#hters e%$ecte" the same results as their forefathers enEoye" after fi#htin# the 5yrian Greeks. &ittle won"er then that the 0omans were constantly worrie" a out a BmessiahC who woul" attem$t an u$risin#. 1he youn# Kealots, howe9er, were not successful in their Auest for free"om.
481. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. @7-@@. 482. 5ee Aarabbas for a listin# of false $ro$hets who ha" messianic e%$ectations an"
483. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. 1@1.
361 3. '.&/ '3 A.C. Parthia$s Atta"9 a$( Iill the ;o1a$ Ge$eral Crass)s 49en thou#h ,erusalem was un"er 0oman "omination, 0oman General 'rassus in9a"e" the Holy 'ity an" sacke" it 7 his men stealin# whate9er they wante". +rom there he tra9ele" north-eastwar" to (arthia with the intent to e%$an" the 0oman 4m$ire. Howe9er, at 'arrhae ;mo"ern Harran, 1urkey= the (arthians kille" him alon# with /8,888 troo$s. 4@4 What was left of his army went home "efeate" an" "ee$ly humiliate". 1his was the e#innin# of three centuries of conflicts etween the two em$ires, an" !srael was on the frontier of oth of them. !n retaliation, the (arthians later in9a"e" ,erusalem, a city they hel" until Anti$ater, the father of Hero" the Great, "ro9e them out. 4@2 1he 0oman armies were killin# machines that relie" on hea9y infantry an" were skille" in sie#e warfare. 1he (arthians, howe9er, ha" two ty$es of ca9alry* the hea9y-arme" an" armore" cata$hracts an" the li#ht ri#a"es of archers who were skille" horsemen. .ut the (arthians ha" not yet "e9elo$e" techniAues of sie#e warfare. Hence, the two em$ires were closely matche" in military stren#th, ut each always feare" the other woul" attack. Ultimately, the (arthian 4m$ire co9ere" the 9ast e%$anse of thousan"s of miles from the 1i#ris 0i9er to !n"ia an" the secret of their military success was the ca9alry. :early all (arthian sol"iers, who ro"e on horse ack, were also hi#hly skille" in archery, a military skill that ha" not een "e9elo$e" y the 0omans . 1he frontier etween the two #rowin# enemies was the little ,ewish lan" of !srael/,u"aea. 4@3 1he (arthian 4m$ire ne9er ha" a lastin# "irect influence u$on the ,ews or the i lical lan"s, which may e why it was not mentione" in )aniel<s $ro$hecies. As note" elow, the (arthians controlle" ,erusalem for a rief $erio" an" were intereste" in o tainin# access to the Me"iterranean 5ea, ut it was ne9er attaine". While the ca$itals of the em$ires were thousan"s of miles a$art from each other, the em$ire, ha" not #rown to the $oint of meetin# each other Eust east of the lan" of A raham, !saac an" ,aco .
484 485
. ,ayne, BMa#i.C 4*/1-/4L 5ome historical sources $lace the attle at 22 ..'.. . ,ayne, BMa#i.C 4*/4.
486. McDay, B(arthians.C /*1123.
362 1he ,ewish $ro9inces of ,u"ea, (erea, an" Galilee, as well as 5yria, com$rise" the eastern 0oman frontier that face" the (arthians to the east. Any si#n of ,ewish unrest was a si#nal to the (arthians for an o$$ortunity for another in9asion that coul" $ossi ly secure access to the Me"iterranean 5ea. Howe9er, since the heart of the (arthian 4m$ire was hun"re"s of miles to the east, across a massi9e "esert, such access woul" ha9e accom$lishe" little for them. 3. '.&' ' A.C. Messiah?s Co1i$% ;abbi Neh)1ias A"")rately Pre(i"te( the
0a i :ehumias stu"ie" the ook of )aniel an", ama>in#ly, conclu"e" that the Messiah woul" come within fifty years. While his wor"s were not honore" y the ,ews they were, howe9er, recor"e" y the historian Grotius.4@7 1he $re"icti9e "ate of 0a i :ehumias may ha9e een a coinci"ence, ut his e%$ectations were certainly in a#reement with many other ortho"o% ra is for reasons well esta lishe" y former $ro$hets. 1he ,ewish ra is stu"ie" the $ro$hecies intently, lookin# for a si#n for a comin# Messiah. 1he (ro$het Micah ;728-3@3 ..'.= #a9e the $ro$hecy ;2*/= that !srael woul" e a an"one" y Go" until the Blatter "ays,C a $hrase which he "escri e" as the la or relate" to chil" irth. !saiah ha" sai" that the ,ewish nation woul" e orn in a sin#le "ay ;33*@= an" another $ro$het, 4>ekiel ;/@*@=, at the e#innin# of the fifth century ;..'.=, s$oke of a ,ewish return to their $romise" lan". 1here was a messianic e%$ectation throu#hout all the cultures on the ancient :ear 4ast where9er the ,ews ha" li9e". Why were the ra is at this time carefully stu"yin# these $ro$hecies an" e%$ectin# the MessiahF 1he ra is elie9e" in a literal inter$retation of the $ro$hetic wor"s, they looke" at history, an" they e%amine" the social-$olitical con"itions of their time. 1he northern ten tri es were relocate" with the Assyrians in 7--/-1 ..'., followe" y ,u"ah an" .enEamin an" the .a ylonians a out 1/2 years later. !n the si%th century ..'., when the ,ews were $ermitte" to return, only a small $ortion chose to "o so. 1here was howe9er, after the Macca ean re9olt ;138s ..'.= a free an" $olitically in"e$en"ent nation, which le" to a #reater return of ,ews. !n fact, Galilee ha" een un$o$ulate" 487. Anker er# an" Wal"an, /9L &aHaye, 193.
363 y the Assyrians ;!sa. 9*1L @th 'ent. ..'.=, ut re#aine" a lar#e ,ewish $o$ulation in the secon" century ..'. Hence, when ,esus ministere" in Galilee it was to the "escen"ants of the .a ylonian ,ews. 1o the ra is it looke" like all the $ro$hecies ha" een fulfille", althou#h the $ro$hecy of a nation ein# orn in a sin#le "ay ;!sa. 33*@= was $ro lematic ecause it o 9iously was not fulfille". 0a is then assume" it to e a fi#ure of s$eech. !n A.). 1/2, the ,ews were "is$erse" a#ain an" remaine" scattere" throu#hout the worl" until the late 19 th century when they e#an to return to their $romise" lan". 1he return has not cease" to this "ay an" the nation of !srael was orn on May 14, 194@ -- in a sin#le "ay. +rom the time of the Assyrians until this "ate, the ,ews ha" in"e$en"ence for merely a century ;c. 134 - 3/ ..'.=. +urthermore, "urin# twenty-se9en centuries the lan" was occu$ie" y some fourteen "ifferent $eo$le/#o9ernments. 1he $ro$hecies le" the ,ews to look for the Messiah at His first comin#, while, in fact, these $oint to His secon" comin# ;return=. 3. '.&. /< A.C. A$ti#ater Pro")rator of J)(aea Anti$ater re$lace" Hyrcanus !! as ruler, ut recei9e" the title of B$rocurator.C Anti$ater then $lace" his son Hero" ;later calle" Bthe GreatC= in military comman" of ,u"aea. B!nsta ilityC coul" har"ly e#in to "escri e the $olitical tensions as the re#ion was in $olitical chaos with constant fears of a (arthian in9asion from the east.
3. '.&< /< A.C. Hero( Ae"o1es Military Co11a$(er4 E@e")tes HeGe9ias+ ;e#ri1a$(s Sa$he(ri$ ,ose$hus says that Hero" was only -2 years ol" when he was $lace" in comman" of a military re#iment in the $ro9ince of 5yria, which inclu"e" the re#ion near the 5ea of Galilee. 4@@ +or "eca"es, there were hi#hwaymen who attacke" tra9elers an" cara9ans, ro in# an" at times killin# innocent 9ictims. 1he lea"er of these notorious men was He>ekias of Gamala. Hero" $ursue" an" after a fierce attle ca$ture" them. ,ose$hus recor"e" that with the "eath of He>ekias there was a #reat num er of other ro ers who 488. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.9.-.
364 were kille" with him.4@9 1he "escen"ants of He>ekias woul" later esta lish the Kealot mo9ement ;A.). 3= an" cause numerous re9olts that woul" e9entually lea" to the "estruction of the tem$le an" ,erusalem. Hero" esta lishe" $eace an" safety in the ,ewish $ro9inces an" 5yria for tra9el, commerce, an" later for the s$rea" of the #os$el. !n essence, Hero" intro"uce" 4a( Romana" or 0oman $eace, an achie9ement for which he was #reatly a$$reciate" y the 5yrians an" 0omans. 498 1o the ,ews in ,erusalem, howe9er, he "is$laye" cruelty an" was or"ere" to a$$ear efore the 5anhe"rin in ,erusalem an" #i9e an account of his actions. He was not one to for#et or for#i9e, an" ten years later after he was a$$ointe" to the $osition of kin#, he massacre" the entire hi#h court e%ce$t for two.491 3. '.&, // A.C. J)li)s Caesar Assassi$ate(4 A)%)st)s ;ei%$s +or more than two centuries, on the $eninsula of !taly, a small 0oman 0e$u lic was #rowin# into a formi"a le force that woul" one "ay "ominate the ,ewish worl". !ts lea"er, ,ulius 'aesar, was assassinate" on the i"es of March ;March 12= which resulte" in the followin#* 1. A $erio" of $olitical insta ility within the #o9ernment. With his "eath the 0oman 0e$u lic en"e" an" the 0oman 4m$ire was a out to e#in. -. 1he (arthian 4m$ire, far to the east, took a"9anta#e of the insta ility to in9a"e ,erusalem. /. 1he assassination was a low to the ,ewish community throu#hout the em$ire, as ,ews li9e" in $eace an" $ros$erity until the assassination. 'aesar<s #ran"ne$hew, ?cta9ianus, who was his a"o$te" heir, later known as ?cta9ian as well as Au#ustus, succee"e" him as a solute ruler/em$eror of the newly forme" 0oman 4m$ire. Au#ustus ha" an imme"iate $ower 489. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.9.-. 490. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.9.-. 491. Wilkinson, &erusalem as &esus *new %t. @7.
365 stru##le with Mark Anthony, who challen#e" him for the throne.49- After conflicts an" assassinations attem$ts, Au#ustus was the winner. 5lowly, ut effecti9e, he increase" his #o9ernmental authority until he achie9e" "ictatorial $owers as well as pontife( ma(imus" or reli#ious hea" of the state.49/ Un"er his lea"ershi$, the 0oman 4m$ire ecame a su$erior force an" ke$t the eastern em$ire of the (arthians from #ainin# access to the Me"iterranean 5ea. 1he tension etween these two com$etin# em$ires woul" e constant in the lan" of the ,ews throu#hout the ministry of ,esus 'hrist. 5ince 'aesar ha" #i9en the ,ews throu#hout the em$ire reli#ious free"om an" $ros$erity, they #athere" for many "ays to mourn his $assin#. 1his $erio" of ,ewish history was e%ce$tionally #oo" for those li9in# throu#hout the em$ire an" rutal for those li9in# in the homelan" Go" ha" #i9en them. 1he 0oman historian 5uetonius $reser9e" interestin# insi#hts concernin# the a$$reciation of the ,ews towar" ,ulius 'aesar at the time of his une%$ecte" "eath. I$ e@"ee(i$% sorro3 a$( #)bli" 1o)r$i$%+ a $)1ber there 3ere besi(es fro1 forei%$ "o)$tries+ 3ho e8ery o$e after their "o)$try?s 1a$$er+ la1e$te( ro)$( o$e after a$other+ by "o1#a$ies i$ their t)r$s4 b)t abo8e all the Je3s+ 3ho also for 1a$y $i%hts to%ether fre=)e$te( the #la"e of his se#)lt)re a$( 3here his bo(y 3as b)r$t. S)eto$i)s+ *he 'ives of the *welve 2aesars . @4
/!/
Au#ustus reor#ani>e" the 0oman #o9ernment, laws, an" ta% structures, an" e9en "ownsi>e" the military, while transformin# it into a hi#hly efficient killin# machine. He uilt towns an" cities without the usual fortification walls. His $olicies not only sha$e" the manner in which !srael woul" e #o9erne" ut also ke$t 0ome stron# for centuries to come.492
492. +ine#an, +andbook of Biblical 'hronology. -79.

493. 1enney, New Testament Times. 1/-.
494. 5uetonius, The ,i es of the Twel e 'aesars. B,ulius 'aesarC 3-. 495. 1enney, New Testament Times. 1-9-/-.
366 3. '.&! /3 A.C. A$ti#ater M)r(ere(4 A$other Parthia$ Threat 1he 0omans also $lace" ,ohn Hyrcanus !! in the 9assal lea"ershi$ $osition as ethnarch ;similar to a #o9ernorshi$= of ,u"aea an" Hero" Anti$ater as #o9ernor of ,erusalem. Hyrcanus was of ,ewish herita#e while Hero"<s ancestry was from !"umea ;"escen"ants of 4sau an" later $art of the Ara community=. ,ewish hatre" ran "ee$ for the !"umeans an" in 4/ ..'. Hero" Anti$ater was $oisone", lea9in# his two sons Hero" ;later calle" Hero" the Great= an" (hasael to #o9ern ,u"ea. 0e#ional military conflicts, $olitical chaos, an" rumors of wars were wi"es$rea" which encoura#e" the (arthians to make another attack. 3. '.* / - 3! A.C. Arief Parthia$ I$8asio$ of Jer)sale14 Hero( Bthe GreatC %i8e$ ;o1a$ Military to Fi%ht Parthia$s a$( Je3ish Free(o1 Fi%hters 1he (arthians Auickly ca$ture" ,erusalem an" a$$ointe" Anti#onus to e the rulin# Hasmonean kin# an" $riest in ,erusalem after the 0omans were "efeate". He was su$$orte" y the (arthian Din# .ar>a$hranes who "esire" access to the Me"iterranean 5ea an", like the 0omans, consi"ere" !srael as strate#ic ecause it was the o 9ious lan" ri"#e to 4#y$t an" 4uro$e. His constant attle with Hyrcanus an" (hasael an" their forces $lace" the entire lan" in ci9il war with "aily skirmishes.493 !n the meantime, ,ohn Hyrcanus !! was "e$ose" y his ne$hew Anti#onus, the son of Aristo ulus !!, with the hel$ of the (arthian army who came un"er the $retense to "iscuss $eace with Hyrcanus an" (hasael. 497 When the (arthians arri9e", the two men were ca$ture". Hyrcanus was carrie" off to (arthia an" (hasael was $lace" in ca$ti9ity where he committe" suici"e. (hasael< s rother Hero", in the meantime, elu"e" the (arthians, esca$e" to 4#y$t, an" went on to 0ome where he $romise" the em$eror re9en#e on the (arthians, 5amaritans, an" ,ews. 5ince 0ome was ha9in# its own "ifficulties in 4uro$e an" 'artha#e ;in :orth Africa=, they were more than "eli#hte" to ha9e him rin# the area un"er 0oman "omination. 1he 0oman 496. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.1/./ an" Wars. 1.1/.-L 5an"mel BHero".C -*2@@. 497. +lusser, &esus. -29.
367 5enate #a9e him whate9er military su$$ort he reAueste" to remo9e the (arthians an" crush the ,ewish free"om fi#hters. Hero" ;71-4 ..'.L later calle" Bthe GreatC=, who was only -2 at the time, was the $erfect can"i"ate for the $osition. His rutality a#ainst 9arious ,ewish factions, as well as his family, woul" e remem ere" for #enerations. 5ince he was from the tri e of 4sau ; rother to ,aco = he "i" not Aualify i lically to e kin# of the ,ews, which is only one reason why they hate" him. 1he 0omans knew this an" elie9e" the ,ews woul" not follow him into a re9olt a#ainst them.49@ 1hey were ri#ht. Un"er Hero"<s comman", 0oman sol"iers "efeate" the (arthians in ,erusalem an" slau#htere" whate9er ,ewish free"om fi#hters they coul" fin". Much to his sur$rise, Hero" was also a le to o tain sol"iers an" financial assistance from the 5amaritans an" Helleni>e" ,ews. 'onseAuently, the hostility etween ,ews an" 5amaritans at the time of 'hrist was e%$losi9e. ,esus coul" not ha9e come at a time with more tension. 0oman $eace at this time was ein# esta lishe" throu#hout the em$ire althou#h the ,ewish encla9e was a continuous challen#e. 1he 0omans were Eust as intereste" in securin# their eastern frontier as they were in e%$an"in# their em$ire. 1hey ha" no "esire to ha9e their stren#th com$romise" y a (arthian threat, 499 an" ,ose$hus a#ain carefully recor"e" the e9ents. Hyr"a$)s r)le(+ besi(es his first $i$e years B3ith his 1other as =)ee$C+ t3e$ty-fo)r years 1ore+ 3he$ AarGa#hra$es a$( Pa"or)s+ the %e$erals of the Parthia$s #asse( o8er the E)#hrates a$( fo)%ht 3ith Hyr"a$)s+ a$( too9 hi1 ali8e a$( 1a(e Bhis brotherC A$ti%o$)s the so$ of Aristob)l)s 9i$%. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities * .& .&
498. Most sources recor" that the a$$ointment an" title were #i9en to Hero" y the 'aesar
Au#ustus an" confirme" y the senate ;i.e. Mackowski, &erusalem9 'ity of &esus. 172=L howe9er, other scholars in"icate that it was y Anthony an" confirme" y the senate ;i.e. +lusser, &esus. -29=.
499. 0ousseau an" Ara9, &esus and +is World. 48.
368 +inally, it took three years for $ersistent military actions to "efeat the (arthians, 5amaritans, an" ,ews. 1herefore, one of the #reat lin#erin# mysteries is why, in li#ht of (arthian in9asion an" constant threats, was Hero" so incre"i ly com$lacent when the ma#i arri9e" to see ,esus. 3. '.*& 3< D / A.C. Co$=)est a$( ;)le by Hero( the Great 1he 0oman 5enate #a9e him the official title of re( socius et amicus populi Romani" meanin# Allied *ing and #riend of the Roman 4eople. His rule ori#inate" with a "ecision y the 0oman 5enate in 48 ..'., who sent him ack to the Holy &an" with /8,888 infantry an" 3,888 ca9alry. !t took him three an" a half years of military stru##les to acAuire control of his kin#"om. )urin# this time ;48-/7 ..'.=, he fou#ht the (arthians as well as the free"om fi#hters who "esire" to o9erthrow their 0oman occu$iers. He use" some of the most #ruesome tactics known to the ancient worl" as he $ersonally le" his army into attle on ten "ifferent occasions. ' He acAuire" the assistance of the 5amaritans an" that #reatly increase" ,ewish5amaritan tensions. He then rule" ,u"aea for // years with loyalty to 0ome. Hero" ne9er enEoye" $eace an" tranAuility ecause he was in constant fear thinkin# that a ,ew woul" kill him an" steal his throne. He e9en or"ere" his two fa9orite sons kille" while they were in ser9ice for him, locate" in a fortress in 5amaria. ' & His o"y#uar"s were forei#n mercenaries ecause he feare" his own sol"iers. !n the closin# months of his stru##le, Hero" "efeate" an" kille" Mattathias Anti#onus who was the last of the Macca ean monarchs ;rei#ne" 48-/7=. After the fi#htin# en"e" the 5enate re-title" him as *ing of all of the &ews. 1he title #reatly offen"e" the ,ews since he was not a ,ew, ut an !"umean 7 a "escen"ant of 4sau. He was the most loyal of all $u$$et monarchs in the Mare Nostrum, or Me"iterranean $ro9incial "istricts. 5i#nificant in this $olitical mess is that He marrie" Mariamne, the #reat-#ran""au#hter of Ale%an"er ,annaeus of the Hasmonean "ynasty. 49en thou#h she was his fa9orite wife, as he was marrie" ten times, that woul" not sto$ him from e9entually killin# her an" se9eral other family mem ers.
500. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 27L .ruce, BHero".C 1*34-.
501. An e%cellent resource on the life of Hero" the Great,
esi"es +la9ius ,ose$hus ;Anti1uitiesC is Ste3ar( Pero3$e+ *he 'ife and *imes of )erod the .reat. Lo$(o$7 Ho((er a$( Sto)%hto$+ &!'<. .
369
3. '.*&A. THE GENE;ATI:NAL T;EE :F THE MACCAAEES. 1he #enerational tree from Mattathias ;137 .'= to Hero" the Great ;". 4 .'=, illustrates that Hero" the Great was not a Macca ee, ut he marrie" into the Macca ean family. He was, in fact, an !"umean 7 a "escen"ant of 4sau, whose "escen"ants to"ay are $art of the Ara $eo$le #rou$. 1he ,ews were a#ain at war. 1hey ha" no "esire to e "ominate" y someone who was a "escen"ant of 4sau an" an a#ent of 0ome. After many conflicts, his final attle was the sie#e of ,erusalem. ,ose$hus recor"e" the account. No3 the Je3s that 3ere e$"lose( 3ithi$ the 3alls of the "ity fo)%ht a%ai$st Hero( 3ith %reat ala"rity a$( Geal Bfor the 3hole $atio$ 3as %athere( to%etherC4 they also %a8e o)t 1a$y #ro#he"ies abo)t the te1#le+ a$( 1a$y thi$%s a%reeable to the #eo#le+ as if Go( 3o)l( (eli8er the1 o)t of the (a$%ers they 3ere i$.... The first that s"ale( the 3alls 3ere t3e$ty "hose$ 1e$ Bof Hero(?s ar1yC4 $e@t 3ere Sossi)s?s BHero(?s %e$eralC "e$t)rio$s4 for the first 3all 3as ta9e$ i$ forty (ays+ the se"o$( i$ fiftee$ 1ore+ 3he$ so1e of the "loisters that 3ere abo)t the te1#le 3ere b)r$t+ 3hi"h Hero( %a8e o)t to ha8e bee$ b)r$t by A$ti%o$)s+ i$ or(er to e@#ose hi1 to the hatre( of the Je3s. A$( 3he$ the o)ter "o)rt of the te1#le+ a$( the
370 lo3er "ity+ 3ere ta9e$+ the Je3s fle( i$to the i$$er "o)rt of the te1#le a$( i$to the )##er "ity4 b)t $o3 feari$% lest the ;o1a$s sho)l( hi$(er the1 fro1 offeri$% their (aily sa"rifi"es to Go(+ they se$t a$ a1bassa(or+ a$( (esire( that they 3o)l( #er1it the1 to bri$% i$ beasts for sa"rifi"es+ 3hi"h Hero( %ra$te(+ ho#i$% they 3ere %oi$% to yiel(4 b)t 3he$ he sa3 that they (i( $othi$% of 3hat he s)##ose(+ b)t bitterly o##ose( hi1+ i$ or(er to #reser8e the Ii$%(o1 of A$ti%o$)s+ he 1a(e a$ assa)lt )#o$ the "ity+ a$( too9 it by4 a$( $o3 all the #arts 3ere f)ll of those that 3ere slai$+ by the ra%e of the ;o1a$s at the lo$% ()ratio$ of the sie%e+ a$( by the Geal of the Je3s that 3ere o$ Hero(?s si(e+ 3ho 3ere $ot 3illi$% to lea8e o$e of their a(8ersaries ali8e. So they 1)r(ere( "o$ti$)ally i$ the $arro3 streets a$( i$ the ho)ses by "ro3(s+ a$( as they 3ere flyi$% to the te1#le for shelter+ a$( there 3as $o #ity ta9e$ of either i$fa$ts or the a%e(+ $or (i( they s#are so 1)"h as the 3ea9er se@ ... b)t as if i$ the "o1#a$y of 1a(1e$+ they fell )#o$ #erso$s of all a%es+ 3itho)t (isti$"tio$. This (estr)"tio$ befell )#o$ the "ity of Jer)sale1 3he$ Mar")s A%ri##a a$( Ca$i$i)s Call)s 3ere "o$s)ls at ;o1e+ o$ the h)$(re( a$( ei%hty-fifth :ly1#ia(+ o$ the thir( 1o$th+ o$ the sole1$ity of the fast+ as if a #erio(i"al re8ol)tio$ of "ala1ities ha( ret)r$e( si$"e that 3hi"h befell the Je3s )$(er Po1#ey4 for the Je3s 3ere ta9e$ by hi1 o$ the sa1e (ay+ a$( this 3as after t3e$ty-se8e$ years? ti1e. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &/.&..*+ / Hero"<s rutality was "emonstrate" when he fou#ht oth an"its an" free"om fi#hters in the ca9es of Mount Ar el. +or years an"its attacke" cara9ans alon# the fame" 7ia Maris" the international hi#hway that went from 4#y$t, throu#h 'a$ernaum, an" on to )amascus. 28- 1hey hi" in mountain ca9es, es$ecially in the ca9es of Mount Ar el from where they coul" see "istant cara9ans comin# towar" them.
502. Also known as Bthe way of the lan" of the (hilistinesC ;4%. 1/*17L :um. -8*17=.
371 1o attack the an"its, he uilt fires at the entrances of the ca9es, "e$ri9in# the occu$ants of o%y#en an", conseAuently, they "ie". Howe9er, when it was im$ossi le to use that techniAue on the si"e of a cliff, he lowere" sol"iers in iron askets from the to$ of the mountain. As the askets "escen"e" $ast the ca9es, the sol"iers use" lon# s$ears with hooks to im$ale their 9ictims, $ull them out of the shallow ca9e, an" let them fall to the 9alley elow. 1o a9oi" this a#oni>in# "eath, many sim$ly "eci"e" to Eum$ to their "eaths rather than let the 0omans enEoy a sense of 9ictory. 1he rutal nature of Hero" was Eust what the 0omans "esire" in their frontier with the (arthians. He finally e#an to rei#n in /7 ..'.
3. '.*&A. THE CAFES :F M:UNT A;AEL. Mount Ar el is alon# the western si"e of the 5ea of Galilee an" has cliffs that are more than a thousan" feet in hei#ht. 1he cliff ca9es ha" een homes of free"om fi#hters an" an"its for centuries, as armies coul" ne9er ca$ture the occu$ants until Hero" the Great came to $ower. Ar el is also alon# the roa" where ,esus walke" whene9er He tra9ele" from :a>areth to 'a$ernaum. !n this area, He $erforme" many miracles an" tau#ht the $rinci$les of the Din#"om of Go". (hoto#ra$h y the author.
372 ?ne of his first "ecisions was to eliminate all $ossi le challen#ers to his throne. 5ince the 5anhe"rin ha" $re9iously re$riman"e" him an" su$$orte" Anti#onus an" the (arthians, he massacre" e9ery mem er of the hi#h court e%ce$t two as a cele ration of his accession to the throne.28/ 1he new 5anhe"rin was o 9iously much more res$onsi9e to his "esires an" control. :onetheless, he ma"e two si#nificant chan#es. 1. 1he 5anhe"rin, which $re9iously was o"y, was stri$$e" of its le#islati9e role. oth a le#islati9e an" Eu"icial
-. 1he 5anhe"rin<s Eu"icial authority was limite" to ,erusalem an" ,u"ea an", therefore, ha" no Euris"iction in Galilee or other ,ewish encla9es.284 +or this reason, ,esus coul" minister in the Galilee area without worries of 'aia$has or the 5anhe"rin challen#in# Him, althou#h they "i" sen" out s$ies to o ser9e Him. Whereas $re9ious $olitical lea"ers often functione" also as the hi#h $riest, Hero" refuse" this $osition. 0ather, he sol" the $osition to those he "eeme" trustworthy 7 namely the House of .oethus. ?ne of Hero"<s #oo" frien"s was Mark Anthony, after whom the Antonio +ortress ;locate" esi"e the ,ewish tem$le= was rename". 282 Anthony may est e remem ere" in secular history as the #reat !talian lo9er of Nueen 'leo$atra H!! who rule" 4#y$t. 1he Aueen was 9ery co9etous an" wante" to insure her $osition, so she ha" her rother $oisone". 5he mani$ulate" Anthony to #i9e her ,ericho, which Hero" ha" to lease ack from her at hi#h annual rent. Dnowin# of her $assion for $ower an" wealth, Hero" li9e" in constant fear of an 4#y$tian military attack an", therefore, constructe" se9eral fortresses alon# his southern frontier. 1here was Hes on, a fortress near mo"ern-"ay Amman, ,or"anL the Machaerus fortress Eust east of the 503. Wilkinson, &erusalem as &esus *new %t. @7L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.9.4L Mantey, B:ew
1estament .ack#roun"s.C 3. 504. Golu , %n the )ays. 192. 505. 1he Antonia +ortress an" si% other fortresses were uilt y the Hasmoneans, ut were reinforce" y Hero" the Great. 5ee footnotes in 3. '. *.
373 )ea" 5eaL Masa"a on the western si"e of the 5eaL an" the Hero"ian three miles south of .ethlehem. !n a""ition, there was a fortress in 5a aste ;5amaria=L one in 'aesarea MaritimaL an" another in Ga a. (ossi ly the most im$ortant one was the Antonia esi"e the tem$le. !n a""ition to all his fears of an 4#y$tian attack alon# his southern frontier, it was humiliatin# to lease his summer fortress $alace in ,ericho from the $ower hun#ry Aueen. 1he "esert city of ,ericho was the only area where alsam trees #rew which were hi#hly esteeme" for me"icinal 9alue. 1o a"" insult to inEury, she foun" #reat cause to 9isit him freAuently to insure that she was recei9in# all her lease royalties. At such meetin#s, each carefully consi"ere" how one coul" kill the other. 283
506. .ooks 12 an" 13 of ,ose$hus< Anti3uities "escri e the "etails of the life of Hero" the
GreatL .laiklock, BHero".C 7*@13-17.
374
3. '.*&C. ;UINS :F THE HE;:6IAN PALACE-F:;T;ESS. An aerial $hoto#ra$h of the $alace - fortress uilt y Hero" the Great is locate" two an" a half miles south of .ethlehem. He took the to$ of one mountain ; ack#roun"= an" $lace" it u$on another to increase its hei#ht, then uilt a circular $alace fortress on the to$. At the ottom he ha" a swimmin# $ool with #uest houses. 5ince this is locate" near the e"#e of a "esert, water was $i$e" in from a s$rin# near .ethlehem.
375
3. '.*&6. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F THE HE;:6IAN PALACEF:;T;ESS. An artist<s 0econstruction of the $alace fortress uilt y Hero" the Great. 1he fortress is on the to$ of the artificial mountain an" his swimmin# $ool an" #uest house are at the ottom. !n the se9enth year of Hero"<s rei#n there was a $ower stru##le etween 'aesar ?cta9ian an" Mark Anthony as to who woul" rei#n in the seat of the mi#hty 0oman 4m$ire. 1he sol"iers who were loyal to each of the two comman"ers finally met an" when the .attle of Actium was o9er Hero"<s #oo" frien" Mark Anthony was "efeate". Hero", in the meantime, was fi#htin# the Ara s east of the ,or"an 0i9er. )urin# this conflict, he also kille" Hyrcanus of the Hasmonean family. As soon as he was a le to restore some measure of 0oman $eace in the lan", he ha" to "eal with the $otential loss of his throne an" $ossi ly his life y the comman" of ?cta9ian in 0ome. Hero" ha" an incessant fear of ein# o9erthrown. After years of worry an"
376 tension, 'leo$atra committe" suici"e after Mark Anthony lost a na9al to ?cta9ian in /8 ..'.287 attle
Hero" un"erstoo" 0oman $olitics 9ery well an" reali>e" that since he was loyal to Anthony, the new 'aesar woul" Auite naturally e "etermine" to kill him. 1herefore, Hero" ma"e a s$len"i" $olitical mo9e. He went to 0ome with the finest $olitical s$eech of his life. He confronte" his woul"- e Eu"#e an" e%ecutioner, an" state" that he ;Hero"= woul" e loyal to him Eust as he was loyal to Mark Anthony. He also state" that he was the est can"i"ate for 0ome to ha9e in the eastern front in the e9ent that there woul" e an Ara or (arthian in9asion. ?cta9ian e9i"ently elie9e" Hero" an" ke$t him in $olitical $ower. 1he $u$$et kin# then returne" to ,u"aea with more status than efore. He ha" a network of s$ies who informe" him of $otential u$risin#s an" $ossi le $ro lems insi"e an" outsi"e his "omain. He was a faithful an" loyal frien" to the em$eror an" offere" his assistance whene9er $ossi le.
3. '.*&E. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F CAESA;EA MA;ITIMA . An artist<s ren"erin# of Hero"<s 'aesarea ; y the sea=. !ts artificial $ort was one of the won"ers of the first century. He uilt an 507. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 71-7/.
377 aAue"uct to rin# a continuous su$$ly of fresh water an" "esi#ne" the sewer system so the ti"es woul" clean out the waste. 5hi$s were safely #ui"e" into the $ort at ni#ht with a li#hthouse. 0ecently archaeolo#ists ha9e "etermine" that the ancient city was far lar#er than "e$icte" in this ren"erin#. :ow that his ruler was secure", he e#an 9ast construction $ro#rams. He uilt a theater in ,erusalem an" an am$hitheater an" hi$$o"rome in 'aesarea Maritima alon# the coast. 28@ He then in9ite" athletes from the surroun"in# nations to com$ete, #i9in# e%$ensi9e $ri>es to each winner. He intro"uce" chariot races with chariots "rawn y two, three, or four horses, an" also #la"iators, who fou#ht not only other #la"iators ut also wil" lions. ,ose$hus sai" Hero" also uilt a theater an" hi$$o"rome in 289 ,erusalem, althou#h scholars "o not know where these were locate". 1hese facilities an" accom$anyin# s$ortin# e9ents were enEoye" y the 5a""ucees an" Helleni>e" ,ews, ut ortho"o% ,ews looke" u$on them as "eli erate attem$ts to "estroy theie faith an" culture 7 an in9asion of Greek an" 0oman $a#anism. ,erusalem was a mi% of ,ewish an" Greek cultures.
508. 1heaters were semicircular whereas am$hitheaters were circular. 1he Greeks uilt
them into hillsi"es that ha" natural accommo"atin# formations, howe9er, the 0omans who use" arches an" "e9elo$e" concrete, uilt free-stan"in# structures. .oth ha" tiere" seatin# that surroun"e" the theatrical $erformance area. Hi$$o"romes were constructe" for horse races. 509. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 12.@.1.
378
3. '.*&F. A M:6EL :F HE;:6?S HIPP:6;:ME. 5cholars are unsure where in ,erusalem Hero" the Great uilt a hi$$o"rome in ,erusalem. 1his 28*1 scale mo"el, as shown in a miniaturi>e" first century ,erusalem, has an assume" location for the ancient chariot races. (hoto#ra$h y the author. !f Ale%an"er the Great wante" to ha9e an am assa"or of Greek culture in the (romise" &an", he coul" not ha9e ha" a etter re$resentati9e than Hero" the Great. Hero" was y no means intereste" in ,u"aism, ut skillfully use" reli#ion an" 0oman stren#th to achie9e his #oals. After ten years of construction, 'aesarea alon# the Me"iterranean 5ea, which ,ose$hus calls 'aesarea 5a aste, was finally finishe". He uilt sta"iums, theaters, an" hi$$o"romes in numerous cities an" restore" the ?lym$ic Games to the eastern section of the 4m$ire.
379
3. '.*&G. ;UINS :F THE HIPP:6;:ME IN JE;ASH. A mo"ern charioteer is an%ious to use the hi$$o"rome in ancient ,erash. Hi$$o"romes were first use" for horse an" chariot races, then for animals an" #la"iators, an" in the secon" century 'hristians were fe" to the lions in hi$$o"romes an" am$hitheaters. (hoto courtesy of the ,or"anian .ureau of 1ourism.
3. '.*&H. A M:6EL :F HE;:6?S THEATE;. 1his 28*1 scale mo"el of a 0oman theater is ty$ical of what scholars elie9e Hero" constructe" in ,erusalem ut its location is unknown.
380 Archaeolo#ists ha9e unco9ere" se9eral theater seat tokens in ,erusalem. 5ome ha9e sai" that Hero"<s #oal was to make 'aesarea the 0ome of the Mi""le 4ast ;or ancient :ear 4ast, as some woul" say=. 0ome, which ha" a re$utation for outlan"ish s$orts an" "e$ra9e" social life, was Hero"<s i"eal city. !n true Greek an" 0oman tra"ition, most #ames were incre"i ly 9iolent.218 He honore" 'aesar an" other 0oman "i#nitaries y hostin# the 19-n" ?lym$ia" in the most la9ish style $ossi le. ,ose$hus writes, Abo)t this ti1e it 3as that Cesarea Sebaste 3hi"h he ha( b)ilt 3as fi$ishe(. The e$tire b)il(i$% bei$% a""o1#lishe( i$ the te$th year+ the sole1$ity of it fell i$to the t3e$ty-ei%hth year of Hero(?s rei%$+ a$( i$to the h)$(re( a$( $i$ety-se"o$( :ly1#ia(. There 3as a""or(i$%ly a %reat festi8al+ a$( 1ost s)1#t)o)s #re#aratio$s 1a(e #rese$tly+ i$ or(er to its (e(i"atio$4 for he ha( a##oi$te( a "o$te$tio$ i$ 1)si"+ a$( %a1es to be #erfor1e( $a9e(4 he ha( also %otte$ rea(y a %reat $)1ber of those that fi%ht si$%le "o1bats+ a$( of beasts for the li9e #)r#ose4 horse ra"es also+ a$( the 1ost "har%eable of s)"h s#orts a$( sho3s as )se( to be e@hibite( at ;o1e+ a$( i$ other #la"es. He "o$se"rate( this "o1bat to Caesar+ a$( or(ere( it to be "elebrate( e8ery fifth year. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &..'.& 1he wor" $a9e( to the Greeks an" 0omans meant com$lete nu"ity whereas to the ,ews the term inclu"e" wearin# nothin# ut un"er#arments, as was "one y men "urin# ni#ht time fishin# on the 5ea of Galilee. Athletes $erforme" in total nu"ity an" criminals were crucifie" in total nu"ity. !n military terms, ,ose$hus sai" the wor" meant to e without armor. 211
510. Din# A#ri$$a, the #ran"son of Hero" the Great, was also a uil"er who constructe" an
am$hitheater in .erytus ;to"ay<s .eirut, &e anon=. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, at one time 1,488 #la"iators fou#ht there in a sin#le contest ; Anti3uities. 19.7.2=. 511. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. @.14.-.
381
His feats in architecture were sur$asse" only y his a ility to mani$ulate others, often with fear. His court was fille" with Greek a"9isors who flattere" him with the $hrase Bthe #reat Hero".C 1his com$lementary title was e9entually chan#e" to BHero" the Great.C 21- 1he Greeks, as well as the 0omans, elie9e" the ,ews were an unci9ili>e" $eo$le an" Hero" was "etermine" to $ro9e them wron# y makin# !srael the $innacle of Hellenism. As a result, the ,ewish $eo$le ha" no #o9ernment or tem$le authority that $lace" a check on the encroachin# Greek culture. ?f the four le9els of (harisees, the u$$er echelon was as corru$t an" as the 5a""ucees while the other three at least ma"e a fee le attem$t to hel$ ,ews maintain their ,ewishness. Unfortunately, as will e shown, the (harisees "i" so y institutin# the strict le#alism calle" the Btra"itions of the el"ersC ;Mt. 12*1-=. He ha" statues of 'aesar erecte" in 'aesarea an" 5a aste in 5amaria. At 5a ast, in the lan" of the 5amaritans, he uilt a tem$le to 'aesar for those who "esire" to em$eror worshi$. When he wante" to erect a statue in ,erusalem, the ,ews #reatly o Eecte". .ut since the 5amaritans "i" not raise similar o Eections, the ,ewish hate" for them increase".
512. Goul , %n the )ays. -83.
382
3. '.*&I. THE TEMPLE ;UINS :F EMPE;:; AUGUSTUS. Hero" uilt a tem$le in 5amaria so the 5amaritans coul" worshi$ 4m$eror Au#ustus. 1his reflects, in $art, the "ee$ influences of Hellenism in the re#ion e9en thou#h he was hate" y oth the ,ews an" 5amaritans. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 49en thou#h for more than two centuries !srael ha" een un"er the "ictatorshi$ of the Greeks an" their Hellenistic culture, the country was not free from Greek statues, theater, hi$$o"romes, an" hot aths. 1he $a#an in9asion intensifie" "urin# the short rei#n of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes. While the tem$le an" ,erusalem were B$urifie"C after the Macca ean 0e9olt, in the countrysi"e 9esti#es of Hellenism continue". When Hero" the Great entere" the scene, he reintro"uce" these $a#an cultural icons much to the "is#ust of the local ,ewish $o$ulation. 1his was es$ecially "amnin# since they ha" Eust remo9e" the yoke of tyranny from the Greek 5eleuci"s, an" now a son of 4sau, who su$$ose"ly con9erte" to ,u"aism un"er ,ohn Hyrcanus, was reinstillin# $a#anism. Howe9er, to #ain the Bres$ectC of the ,ewish $eo$le, his coins "i" not ha9e any ima#es of humans or sym ols of "eities. :onetheless, outsi"e of ,erusalem he uilt tem$les to worshi$ 9arious #o"s as well as the em$eror. 5tatuettes of the Ascle$ius, the #o" of healin#, an" his "au#hter Hy#ieia, the #o""ess of cleanliness an" healin#, ha9e een unco9ere" in the sea$ort city 'aesarea. When ,esus took His "isci$les to 'aesarea (hili$$i ;now known as .anias=, He took them to the 5hine of (an,
383 the most $a#an city in the Holy &an". 1he influence of the $a#an Greek an" 0oman culture u$on the ,ewish $eo$le cannot e o9erstate".
3. '.*&J. STATUETTES :F HEALING G:6S. &4+1* (ortion of a mar le statuette of the #o" Ascle$ius ;hei#ht -3 cm.= from 'aesarea ;'ourtesy of the 5e"ot Jam Museum=. 0!GH1* (ortion of a statuette of his "au#hter, the #o""ess Hy#ieia ;hei#ht -4 cm.= from 'aesarea (hoto#ra$hs courtesy of the !srael AntiAuities Authority. Hero" was y irth a "escen"ant of 4sau, a rother of ,aco , who was the $atriarch of the ,ews. 5ince the 4"omites ha" resorte" to $a#anism in centuries $ast, ,ohn Hyrcanus ;rei#ne" 1/2-184 ..'.= force" those who li9e" south of ,erusalem in !"umea to con9ert to ,u"aism. 1he ,ews, howe9er, ne9er reco#ni>e" the con9ersions of these $eo$le. Un"er Hero"<s ruthless lea"ershi$ an" 0oman military mi#ht, he took control of near y re#ions so that nearly all the lan" that Go" ha" $romise" to A raham an" his "escen"ants was now in the han"s of a "escen"ant of 4sau, not ,aco . 1his was an a omination in the min"s of the first century ,ews. 1he ,ews won"ere" how coul" $eo$le, such as the !"umeans who worshi$e" i"ols an" li9e" in "e auchery, coul" $ossi ly inherit the lan" Go" $romise" to A raham an" His chosen $eo$le. 1hey conclu"e" that since Go" $ermitte" most of the lan" area of the )a9i"ic Din#"om to come un"er Hero"<s
384 "omain, certainly the messiah was to come soon an" take control of the resurrecte" kin#"om. 1hey inter$rete" the $olitical an" social e9ents aroun" them as $ro$hetic in"icators that their lon# awaite" )a9i"ic Din#"om was at han" with the son of )a9i" as the conAuerin# messiah on the throne.
Hero" was a shrew" usiness$erson, ta%in# the ,ews to the $oint of makin# them economic $easants to the 0oman 4m$ire. He ta%e" international cara9ans tra9elin# throu#h his "istrict on the Din#s Hi#hway ;east of the ,or"an 0i9er= an" the 7ia Maris that went throu#h 'a$ernaum. He erecte" statues almost e9erywhere e9en thou#h this act was in "irect 9iolation of the secon" Mosaic comman"ment concernin# #ra9en ima#es. His lifestyle an" rei#n were clearly reflecti9e of a Greek $re"ecessor, Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies. 1his a#itate" the ,ews to the $oint of re9olt an" in an attem$t to esta lish some sort of $eaceL he remo"ele" an" enlar#e" their tem$le. 21/ Howe9er, he rename" it after himself, as it was the crownin# achie9ement of his many architectural en"ea9ors. +rom 3/ ..'. until the tem$le was "estroye" in A.). 78, there were thirteen free"om re9olts. 1he area aroun" Galilee, es$ecially Mount Ar el an" Gamala, ecame a hot e" of re ellion. )urin# the ministry of ,esus there was constant fear that, at the sli#htest clash or infraction, another re ellion woul" reak out. +ear of war was constant, while the rest of the 0oman 4m$ire enEoye" the military-enforce" 4a( Romana" the $eace of 0ome.214 3. '.** 3 D* A.C. S"hool of Hillel4 S"hool of Sha11ai
513. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11.1-7.
514. &ee, The -alilean. 7--7/.
385 1hrou#hout the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" ;212 ..'. - A.). 78= there were no #reater ra is than 0a i Hillel an" 5hammai. Many of their i lical an" ?ral &aw o$inions ecame su Eects of "iscussion an" ha9e since then een $reser9e" in the Mishnah. Hillel, who ha" stu"ie" in .a ylon, was intereste" in rin#in# the ,ewish $eo$le ack to a more ortho"o% inter$retation of 5cri$ture as o$$ose" to 5hammai, who #rante" a roa" ran#e of $ermissi9eness.212 1he two o$$osin# (harisaic schools of i lical inter$retation ecame well esta lishe" y the time of 'hrist. 1hey "e ate" some /28 times on issues that most mo"ern 'hristians woul" "etermine to e insi#nificant. Jet some issues "i" affect how le#alistically $eo$le li9e" their "aily li9es to e consi"ere" holy efore Go". 213 When ,esus went to the tem$le at the a#e of twel9e, He most likely challen#e" not only the $riests an" the teachers of the &aw, ut also $ro a ly the 9ery est teachers of the entire 5econ" 1em$le (erio". 1he li9es of Hillel, the #reat ra i of classical ,u"aism, an" ,esus o9erla$$e". Althou#h Hillel was still teachin# at the time of ,esus< irth, his "isci$les continue" his theolo#y "urin# the life of 'hrist. He was known for his kin"ness, humanity, an" humility. ?nce when an as$irin# con9ert aske" him to sum u$ the whole 1orah, an" he sai", B1hat which is hateful to you, "o not "o to your fellow man. 1hat sums u$ the whole 1orah.C 217 An ama>in# similarity to what ,esus sai" only a cou$le of "eca"es later. 3. '.*3 */ D *& A.C. Fa1i$e i$ J)(aea A se9ere famine fell u$on the entire lan" east of the Me"iterranean 5ea which threatene" the sur9i9al of entire $o$ulations. !t is elie9e" to ha9e een one of the worst since the "ays of Din# Aha in the ninth century ..'. ;1 D#. 17-1@=. While Hero" is known for his incre"i le cruelty to all his su Eects, at this time he "emonstrate" unusual acts of kin"ness. Usin# his $ersonal fun"s, he $urchase" #rain from 4#y$t an" insure" the sur9i9al of his $eo$le. He also acAuire" sufficient clothin# for the el"erly, the infirme", an" others who ha" "ifficulty carin# for themsel9es, for the comin# winter.21@ 515. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 9-18. 516. +alk, &esus the 4harisee. 9/.
517. .oteach, *osher &esus. -2, in a summary of the .a ylonian 1almu" Shabbat D1a.
518. Wilkinson, &erusalem as &esus *new %t. -3.
386
3. '.*/ *
A.C. Treaty Establishe( bet3ee$ ;o1e a$( Parthia
1he 0omans an" (arthians esta lishe" a treaty that set the 4u$hrates 0i9er as the oun"ary of the two em$ires. While the 4u$hrates was hun"re"s of miles to the 4ast of ,erusalem, there was little more than a massi9e "esert etween the ri9er an" the Holy 'ity. 1he ,ewish encla9e was, in effect, the real 0oman frontier that face" the eastern front an" Hero" was always concerne" a out a (arthian threat. 3. '.*' * A.C. Lea(ershi# Cha$%e i$ Sa$he(ri$
0a i 5hammai succee"e" 0a i Menachem as A Bet )in ;Hice-(resi"ent of the 5anhe"rin= an", therefore, 5hammai<s inter$reti9e $hiloso$hy ha" the "ominatin# influence u$on ,ewish society. 5hammai state" that there shoul" e a #reater se$aration etween the Gentiles an" the ,ews concernin# how certain urnt offerin#s were to e ma"e on the feast "ays. 1he 5chool of Hillel o$$ose" these restricti9e re#ulations as unnecessary. !n the followin# "eca"es, these two sa#es an" the stu"ents of their schools woul" freAuently o$$ose each other on 9arious theolo#ical an" $ractical $oints. Hillel elie9e" that the time of the Messiah ha" come, an" he was e%$ectin# to meet him. !t is unknown if he "i". 1he hi#h $riest an" $resi"ent of the 5anhe"rin throu#hout most of the first century was also the lea"in# ra i of the 5chool of 5hammai. 219 3. '.*. * -&! A.C. Hero( the Great Ae%i$s Te1#le ;e1o(eli$% a$( E@#a$sio$ Keru a el re uilt the tem$le when the ,ews returne" from .a ylon in 212 .', ut it was a 9ery sim$le structure. 5ince the ,ews ha" a #reat "is"ain for Hero", the tyrant nee"e" to attain fa9or with his su Eects. He met with them an" to#ether $lanne" a massi9e remo"elin# $roEect. ,ose$hus sai" that Hero"<s #reatest architectural accom$lishment was the e%$ansion of 519. +alk, &esus the 4harisee. 9/-94. +alk is a ,ewish scholar who elie9es the school of 5hammai
was the controllin# force within the (harisaic esta lishment at the time of 'hrist. 5ome 'hristian scholars a#ree with him, nota ly William ). )a9is in his 4aul and the Rabbinic &udaism ;$a#e 9= who a#rees with an" Auotes ..H. .ranscom &esus and the ,aw of Moses ;$a#e 24=. Another is Geor#e +. Moore in his two 9olume work title" &udaism in the #irst 'entury of the 'hristian 5ra ;$a#e 1*@1=.
387 the sacre" tem$le.2-8 Hero"<s $lan was to uil" a more la9ish structure than the famous 5olomon<s tem$le. !n fact, it was so massi9e an" si#nificant that some scholars refer to it as the Bthir" tem$le,C e9en thou#h Keru a el<s structure remaine" intact throu#hout the reconstruction $erio".2-1 !t was com$lete" in A.). 3/, only se9en years efore its "estruction. Howe9er, Hero"<s Hellenistic lifestyle #reatly offen"e" the ,ews, who themsel9es ha9e a history of killin# their own $ro$hets. 5ome scholars ha9e Auestione" if the tom Hero" uilt, known as the Mach$elah, for A raham an" the $atriarchs wasn<t to a$$ease the ,ews for their $ast sins ;see !. *. *=. 1his hu#e uil"in# is e%cee"in#ly lar#er than any massi9e tom an" may ha9e een referre" to y ,esus as a BmonumentC in &uke 11*4@.
3. '.*.A. THE MACHPELAH . Hero" uilt this massi9e uil"in# as a tom for A raham in He ron. !t is an e%cellent e%am$le of Hero"ian construction an" "esi#n. 1he e%terior is 520. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11.1-7 an" Wars. 1.-1.1. 521. Mackowski, &erusalem 'ity of &esus. 172.
388 elie9e" to e similar to that of the e%terior of the tem$le at the time of 'hrist. 'ourses of stone are i"entical to the Hero"ian wall in ,erusalem with some locks measurin# as lon# as -8 feet.2-- 1he Muslims, howe9er, ha9e increase" the hei#ht of the walls, a""e" the minaret, an" transforme" the e"ifice into a mosAue, now known as the B4l-Haram el-! rahimi.C (hoto#ra$h y the author.
4ideo Insert
,3)/,)/0)4 7See /0)/?).A)48 An unassigned s%ho&ar dis%usses the Herodian ash&ars of the Western Wa&& and ho( those stones "ay ha$e +een #ut in #&a%e)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, when Hero" announce" his $lans to enlar#e the tem$le, the $eo$le feare" he woul" "estroy the e%istin# tem$le uilt y Keru a el centuries earlier. Howe9er, after Hero" assure" them he woul" not "estroy it, he o taine", A tho)sa$( 3a%o$s that 3ere to bri$% sto$es for the b)il(i$%+ a$( "hose te$ tho)sa$( of the 1ost s9illf)l 3or91e$+ a$( bo)%ht a tho)sa$( sa"er(otal %ar1e$ts for as 1a$y of the RLe8iti"alS #riests+ a$( ha( so1e of the1 ta)%ht the arts of sto$e ")tters+ a$( others of "ar#e$ters+ a$( the$ be%a$ to b)il(. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities" &'.&&.* His architectural achie9ements on ehalf of the ,ews were not ecause he was a reli#ious $erson, far from it. Hero" knew that he re$eate"ly offen"e" his ,ewish su Eects. He 9alue" reli#ion as a means of influence, mani$ulation an" control. He constructe" the la9ish tem$le to a$$ease them an", like so many of his other uil"in# $roEects, im$ress 0ome. 1he construction $roEect laste" ei#hty years, more than si%ty after his "eath. When the tem$le was 522. Mackowski, &erusalem 'ity of &esus. 117.
389 finally com$lete", so many hi#hly traine" skille" craftsmen were out of em$loyment that the nation suffere" an economic recession. :ot only were an estimate" ele9en thousan" skille" stone workers out of work, ut the su$$ortin# usinesses as well were out of work.
3. '.*.A. A M:6EL :F HE;:6?S TEMPLE. Hero" the Great e#an reconstructin# the tem$le in -8-19 ..'., an" while most of the work was com$lete" within 12 years, the ornamental work was finally com$lete" in A.). 3/ 7 more than ei#hty years later. !t reAuire" ele9en thousan" skille" workers, $lus thousan"s of s. )urin# that time, the 0eli#ious worshi$ an" tem$le rituals continue" "urin# the construction $rocess. Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. 3. '.*< **-& Caesarea A.C. Co$str)"tio$ of the Artifi"ial Sea#ort Harbor at
Hero" ha" a $assion to make his "omain the 0ome of the east. .ut this woul" not occur without a maEor im$ro9ement of tra"e an" commerce. While the Hasmoneans of the $re9ious century ha" a stron# na9y, they "i" not ha9e a #oo" har or for their shi$s. 1o accom$lish his "ream, Hero" "eci"e" to uil" the worl"<s first artificial har orL a sea$ort that woul" not
390 only accommo"ate the shi$s of the 0oman na9y, ut also shi$s of tra"e that woul" uil" the wealth he "esire". .ack in 0ome, a newly "e9elo$e" material calle" Bhy"raulic concrete,C was "e9elo$e". !t was a mi%ture of local lime an" 9olcanic san" shi$$e" in from the .ay of :a$les. !t is elie9e" he $lace" this material mi%ture, calle" B$o>>olana,C in forty-fi9e foot lon# chests or ar#es an" floate" them to the "esire" $osition. 2-/ 'ar$enters then "rille" holes in the si"es of the ar#es, an" the sinkin# 9essel was carefully $ositione" to create a reakwater. When the water mi%e" with the $o>>olana, the $ow"er mi% har"ene" ecame concrete. 2-4 Hero" create" a BtrainC of sunken ar#es that that e%ten"e" out into the Me"iterranean 5ea almost a half mile, an" the reakers were wi"e enou#h to accommo"ate a mo"ern two lane hi#hway. After twel9e years of har" work, he ha" a har or that coul" accommo"ate an estimate" /88 shi$ "aily, many times more than enter :ew Jork to"ay. 2-2 He was one of the most $rolific uil"ers of antiAuity an" his $roEects "otte" the entire eastern Me"iterranean area as e9i"ence" y numerous archaeolo#ical sites. Howe9er, 9isitors to"ay "o not see much of Hero"<s fame" har or. ?nly "i9ers who e%$lore the "e$ths of the sea can a"mire the work of this incre"i le architectural mastermin". Historians ha9e always assume" that the har or was urie" as the result of the many earthAuakes that rock the re#ion. Howe9er, in recent years archaeolo#ical "i9ers, usin# so$histicate" eAui$ment, ha9e come to a "ifferent conclusion* when Hero"<s ar#es were sunk, they reste" on san". ?9er time, they sim$ly sank "ee$er into the san" until they were no lon#er 9isi le from the shore or useful for shi$s. ,esus sai" that he who uil"s his house on the san" is not wise, an" Hero"<s har or, after a few centuries, met the same fate 7 it sank into the archi9es of history an" "isa$$eare".
523. !n -882, (rofessor 0o ert Hohlfel"er of the Uni9ersity of unco9ere" the ancient concrete reci$e written y 0oman en#ineer recreate" the 0oman $rocess of $ourin# un"erwater concrete. 'oncrete 0ecreate".C Artifa( 5$rin#, -882.-8*-,7L www.a>om.com
'olora"o an" his team (ollio Hitru9ius, an" they B'aesarea<s Un"erwater 0etrie9e" A$ril 7, -882.
524. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. 2@. 525. htt$*//www.youtu e.com/watchF9IAmH,U078hA8 0etrie9e" )ecem er 19, -81-.
391 !n the "ays of ,esus, the har or was ustlin# with commercial an" military acti9ity. ,ust as camel cara9an tra"e routes etween 4uro$e, Africa an" Asia crosse" o9er ,u"aea since efore Din#s )a9i" an" 5olomon, so now sea routes coul" e "irecte" to ,u"aea. 'aesarea was an instant success an" nearly all shi$s crossin# the eastern Me"iterranean sto$$e" there. An" when Hero" finishe" uil"in# this eautiful city, the $ro9er ial Bicin# on the cake,C was that he constructe" a three-story shi$ so he an" his frien"s coul" sail in comfort an" style to !taly. 526 &ittle won"er then, that he was e9entually #i9en a sur-title Bthe Great.C
U$it 3 Histori"al Aa"9%ro)$(

526. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.14./.
392
Cha#ter . The A(8e$t of Joh$ the Aa#tist a$( Jes)s B, D / A.C.C
3. .. A. J:HN THE AAPTIST P;EACHING IN THE 0IL6E;NESS+ by G)sta8e 6ore?+ &,... ,ohn the .a$tist, or more accurately known as ,ohn the .a$ti>er, $reache" to $eo$le in the small 9illa#es in the ,u"ean )esert an" alon# the ,or"an 0i9er. He not only tol" them to re$ent an" e a$ti>e", ut also tol" them they were not rea"y to recei9e the ?ne they were e%$ectin#.
393 3. .. & < D . A.C. Joh$ the Aa#tist is Aor$4 ;o1a$ Pea"e ,ohn the .a$tist was orn in 4in Darem, a small 9illa#e outsi"e of ,erusalem that to"ay has een a sor e" into the city limits. .oth ,ohn an" ,esus were orn an" li9e" un"er the 0oman authorities. !n essence, throu#hout their entire li9es they were 0oman su Eects as were all the ,ews of !srael. 5cholarshi$ sel"om stu"ies their li9es from the $ers$ecti9e that they were ortho"o% ,ews li9in# in a 0oman-Greek culture. He was well acAuainte" with the e9ils of the time, the hy$ocrisy of the reli#ious $arties, the inroa"s the 0oman-Greek culture ha" u$on the common $eo$le. !n li#ht of that, he not only tol" the ,ews to re$ent an" e a$ti>e"L the mere fact that they were "escen"ants of A raham woul" not e sufficient for a"mission into the Din#"om of Hea9en. +urthermore, he also tol" them they were not rea"y to recei9e the ?ne they were e%$ectin#. 3. .. * . D ' A.C. The Airth of Jes)s :early all scholars to"ay a#ree that ,esus was orn in 3 or 2 ..'. Jet this seems har"ly $ossi le to the no9ice who woul" won"er how ,esus coul" ha9e een orn 3 or 2 years B efore 'hrist.C 1his miscalculation occurre" in 2//, when )ionysius 4%i#uous ;4%i#uous meanin# Binsi#nificantC= was commissione" y (o$e ,ohn ! to reckon a calen"ar to "etermine the "ate of the irth of 'hrist. He carefully ma"e his calculation an" "eci"e" that March -2 was the "ay of the conce$tion of ,esus, which was cele rate" in the church<s +east of Annunciation. 1his "ay was also to e the first "ay of the :ew Jear in his calen"ar. 2-7 1his woul" then $lace the irth of ,esus on )ecem er -2, a $a#an holi"ay in the 0oman 4m$ire. 1he 0oman festi9al was the feast of Sol %n ictus" meanin# the BUnconAuera le 5unC an" was a few "ays from the feast of Saturnalia that the 0omans incorrectly thou#ht was the winter solstice of )ecem er -2 ;instea" of )ecem er -1=. 5ince the $a#ans were alrea"y cele ratin# 9arious #o"s, )ionysius sim$ly a""e" the irth of 'hrist to their cele ration without any real e9i"ence of the actual "ate of irth. 2-@ Unfortunately, )ionysius was less than accurate y at least four years in
527. Geatin#. B1he 5tar of .ethlehem.C 1-1.
528. Maier, %n the #ullness of Time. 18, -9.
394 calculatin# the year of the irth, since Hero" "ie" in 4 ..'. 2-9 While the actual "ay of the irth of ,esus remains unknown, recent Messianic scholarshi$ has offere" some clues that will e "iscusse" later. !f one consi"ers that ,esus was orn in 2 ..'., then accor"in# to the 0oman calen"ar that irth "ate woul" e 74@ A.U.'. ab urbe condita, meanin# Bfrom the foun"in# of the city.C 2/8 1he $hrase BA.).C "oes not mean Bafter "eath,C ut )ionysius use" it to re$resent the &atin $hrase, ab incarnatione )omini" meanin#, Bfrom the incarnation of the &or".C &ater tra"itions re$lace" this with anno )omini, meanin#, B!n the year of our &or".C 2/1 More recently, ..'. has een re$lace" with ..'.4. B efore 'ommon 4ra,C an" A.). has een re$lace" with '.4. meanin# B'ommon 4ra.C 3. .. 3 ' D / A.C. Mary+ Jose#h+ a$( Jes)s Flee to E%y#t 1he #os$els recor"e" the account of Mary an" ,ose$h takin# their chil", ,esus, to 4#y$t to esca$e the comin# slau#hter y Hero" the Great. 1hey remaine" there until after his "eath an" or"er was restore" in the lan". A""itional "etails follow the i lical narrati9e elow. 3. .. / / A.C. The 6eath of Hero( the Great !n his final years, Hero" ecame misera ly ill an" in a #reat "eal of $ain. He freAuently went to the hot s$rin#s of Hammat-1i erias ;in 1i erias=, or to his $referre" hot s$rin#s in 'allirrhoe, east of the )ea" 5ea to fin" the relief he so "es$erately "esire". At the a#e of se9enty, the rutal life of Hero" en"e". His rei#n can e "elineate" into three "istincti9e $erio"s. 1. 49en thou#h he was title" BDin# of the ,ewsC y the 0oman senate in 48 ..'., he ha" to fi#ht 9arious nationalistic factions as well as the (arthians from 48 to /7 ..'. 1hereafter, from /7 to -2 ..'., he consoli"ate" his $ower an" he eliminate" re els an" challen#ers to his throne.
529. Deller, W. The Bible as +istory. /33. 530. Maier, %n the #ullness of Time. -4--2. 531. +ine#an, +andbook re9. e"., 1934, 1/-.
395 -. +rom -2 to 1/ ..'. was a $erio" of massi9e uil"in# $roEects, sta ility, #rowth, an" e%$ansion. )urin# this $erio" the ,ewish $eo$le $ros$ere" e9en thou#h there was a two-year "rou#ht that cause" wi"es$rea" famine ;----1 ..'.=. !t is for his success in construction an" economic #rowth that he was title" Bthe GreatC y historians. /. +inally, from 1/ to 4 ..'. he was $la#ue" with a "i9ersity of $ro lems within his family an" his own mental insta ility. +earful of losin# his throne, he ecame e%tremely $aranoi" thinkin# that his closest family, as well as others, woul" o9erthrow him. 1he lon#er he rule", the more his life "isinte#rate". While he was a #reat architect an" a"ministrator, his $ersonal life was in sham les. He e%$loite" his su Eects an" his family. He mur"ere" those innocent $eo$le of whom he ecame sus$icious. He usur$e" the kin#"om of his so9erei#n from the last unfortunate Hasmonean. 1o le#ali>e his treachery he marrie" their niece, Mariamne. +rom this $oint on, his ruthless tactics went unchecke" within his own family as follows* 1. )oris ha" a son, Anti$ater who was ehea"e" y his father Hero" ;4 ..'.F= -. Mariamne, the #ran"-"au#hter of Hyrcanus. 5he ha" two sons, Ale%an"er an" Aristo ulus, oth of whom were $ut to "eath y Hero" ;7 ..'.F=. 5he also ha" two "au#hters 5alam$sis an" Dy$ros. 5alam$sis marrie" her first cousin (hasaelus an" they ha" three sons an" two "au#hters. 49en thou#h Mariamne was his fa9orite wife, he ha" her mur"ere" on a aseless sus$icion. Afterwar"s he we$t itterly an" ha" illusions that she 9isite" him. His $assionate fear ha" #rown into a mental illness. /. Hero"<s thir" wife was also Mariamne. 5he was the "au#hter of 5imon who was the hi#h $riest ;-4 ..'.=. 1o#ether they ha" a son Hero" who was the first hus an" of Hero"ias ;"au#hter of Aristo ulus an" .ernice=.
396 4. Malthake was a fourth wife with whom he ha" two sons, Archelaus an" Anti$as an" a "au#hter, ?lym$ias. Anti$as marrie" Hero"ias whose first hus an" was Hero" ;son of Mariamne=. 2. 'leo$atra of ,erusalem which whom he ha" two sons, (hili$ an" Hero". (hili$ marrie" 5alome, the "au#hter of Hero"ias who was the wife of Hero" an" Anti$as. 3. (allas with whom he ha" a son name" (hasael. 7. (ha"ra, who ha" a "au#hter name" 0o%ana @. 4l$is, who ha" a "au#hter name" 5alome 9. :ame unknown 7 a rother<s "au#hter, no chil"ren. 18. :ame unknown 7 a sister<s "au#hter, no chil"ren. 1hus, Hero" the Great ha" ten wi9es, nine sons, an" fi9e "au#hters. With a few o scure "escen"ants, the family "ie" out within a century. 2/- !n a""ition to his imme"iate family, those liste" elow also met their fateful en" at his han". 1. +irst Mariamne<s #ran"father an" her rother oth "ie" at his comman". -. He ha" a 17-year ol" rother-in-law, Aristo ulus of the Hasmonean "ynasty who was to e the hi#h $riest in the tem$le. +or some reason, Hero" ecame "istrustin# of the youthful $riest an" ha" him "rowne" y Bacci"entC in the royal $ool of his ,ericho $alace. 1hereafter, Ananelus resume" the $riesthoo" while Hero" an" all of ,erusalem "ee$ly mourne" for the youn# man<s "eath. /. He con"emne" other rothers-in-law, ,ose$h an" Hyrcanus !!. 4. He ha" the mother of Mariamne, Ale%an"ra, mur"ere".
397 2. He ha" two ra is, ,u"ah of 5arafaus an" Matthew of Mar#oloth with their followers, who were (harisees, urne" ali9e. 3. His "eath sAua"s also kille" two frien"s, )ositheus an" Ga"ias. 7. A "istant kinsman 'orto anus also "ie" an unnatural "eath. @. When he was a out to "ie, he or"ere" the "eath of his thir" son, Archelaus, ut the or"er was ne9er carrie" out. 9. 1hose who sur9i9e" were sai" to 9ictims.2// e more misera le than his
Unfortunately, the list a o9e is not com$lete as any $reten"er to his throne ma"e him trem le. His re$utation of cruelty was well known throu#hout the em$ire. 1he 0oman historian Macro ius recor"e" these choice wor"s of 'aesar Au#ustus concernin# him* 2I?( rather be Hero(?s #i% tha$ his so$.5 Ma"robi)s+ 3aturnalia *./
'3/
Au#ustus no "ou t use" a "eli erate $lay on wor"s, as in Greek the wor"s pig an" son soun" similar. +urthermore, $i#s were a for i""en foo" to the ,ews, an" hence, Hero" woul" $ermit $i#s to li9e in $eace. 1here is little Auestion, when consi"erin# how many of his own family he or"ere" to e kille", that Hero" was com$letely ca$a le of mur"erin# innocent little oys in .ethlehem in or"er to wi$e out any $ossi le challen#e to his throne. Jet, amon# his numerous acts of terri le wicke"ness, there were acts of kin"ness. His international re$utation was fa9ora le not only amon# the 0omans, ut amon# ,ews in the )ias$ora. He contacte" other monarchs, inter9enin# on ehalf of ,ews in their countries an", there y, makin# life easier for them. 'onseAuently, forei#n ,ews lo9e" him while those at home hate" him. +or e%am$le, for two years ;-/--1 ..'.=, there was a maEor 533. Met>#er, The New Testament. 44-42L (asachoff an" &ittman, &ewish +istory in 122
Nutshells . 29-31L +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 19.
534. Saturnalia" !!.4L +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 19L ,ohnson, BMatthew.C 7*-38.
398 famine in !srael that is elie9e" to ha9e een the worst since the "ays of Din# Aha ;1 D#. 17-1@=. With massi9e star9ation a serious threat, Hero" im$orte" #rain an" sol" it or #a9e it to those in nee". He also insure" that the el"erly, the infirme", an" others who ha" "ifficulty carin# for themsel9es, ha" sufficient clothin# for the comin# winter. .y this action, he coole" the incre"i le hatre" that the ,ewish $eo$le ha" for him.
3. .. /A. NASA G;APHIC :F THE LUNA; ECLIPSE :N MA;CH &*+ / A.C. 1he 7oyager astronomy com$uter $ro#ram in"icates that there was a lunar ecli$se o9er ,erusalem on March 1/, 4 ..'. !f this is the ecli$se ,ose$hus meant, then the irth of ,esus woul" ha9e een as early as 2 or 3 ..'. Gra$hic courtesy of the :ational Aeronautics an" 5$ace A"ministration ;:A5A=. 1he last months of Hero"<s life were misery eyon" "escri$tion. .ein# in constant fear, he imme"iately kille" those he ima#ine" woul" challen#e his throne an" remo9e" a son from his last will an" 1estament. !n a sin#le "ay he "e$ri9e" Matthias the $osition of hi#h $riesthoo" an" ha" another Matthias an" his com$anions who raise" a cons$iracy, urne" ali9e. 1hat
399 ni#ht, as if an ominous si#n came from hea9en itself, ,ose$hus sai" that there was an ecli$se of the moon. 2/2 As Hero" was "yin#, two ra is in ,erusalem elie9e" this was the $erfect time to re el. 1hey incite" their followers to war a#ainst Hero", ut the re ellion was Auickly crushe". Hero" ha" the two ra is, mentione" a o9e, ,u"ah of 5arafaus an" Matthew of Mar#oloth, urne" at the stake an" e%ecute" nearly four "o>en of their followers. Hero" elie9e" that the hi#h $riest was in9ol9e" in some way, so he was tie" to a cor$se of one of the re els. 1he hi#h $riest "ie" a slow an" a#oni>in# "eath as the cor$se "ecaye". 1he "ay of Hero"<s "eath was a festi9al for the ,ews. His a#oni>in# "eath was reco#ni>e" y ,ose$hus to e a "i9ine Eu"#ment who sai" it was as if eternal hell came u$on him as 9arious horri le "iseases slowly en#ulfe" him. 1he historian sai", A)t $o3 Hero(?s (iste1#er %reatly i$"rease( )#o$ hi1 after a se8ere 1a$$er+ a$( this by Go(?s H)(%1e$t )#o$ hi1 for his si$s7 for a fire i$ hi1 %lo3e( slo3ly+ 3hi"h (i( $ot so 1)"h a##ear to the to)"h o)t3ar(ly as it a)%1e$te( his #ai$s i$3ar(ly4 for it bro)%ht )#o$ hi1 a 8ehe1e$t a##etite to eati$%+ 3hi"h he "o)l( $ot a8oi( to s)##ly 3ith o$e sort of foo( or other. His e$trails 3ere also e@")l"erate(+ a$( the "hief 8iole$"e of his #ai$ lay i$ his "olo$4 a$ a=)eo)s a$( tra$s#are$t li=)i( also settle( abo)t his feet+ a$( a li9e 1atter affli"te( hi1 at the botto1 of his belly. His #ri8ate 1e1ber 3as #)trefie( a$( #ro()"e( 3or1s+ a$( 3he$ he sat )#+ he ha( a (iffi")lty of breathi$%+ 3hi"h 3as 8ery loathso1e+ be"a)se of the ste$"h of his breath a$( the =)i"9$ess of its ret)r$s. He ha( "o$8)lsio$s i$ all #arts of his bo(y+ 3hi"h i$"rease( i$ stre$%th to a$ i$s)fferable (e%ree. He also se$t for his #hysi"ia$s a$( (i( $ot ref)se to follo3 3hat they #res"ribe( for his assista$"e4 a$( 3e$t beyo$( the ri8er Jor(a$+ a$( bathe( hi1self i$ the 3ar1 baths B$at)ral
400 hot s#ri$%sC that 3ere at Callirrhoe ...3hi"h 3ater r)$s i$to the la9e "alle( As#haltitis B6ea( SeaC. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &<...' His o"y e#an to $utrefy while he was still ali9e. Worms consume" his or#ans as he #roane" in a#ony. He urnt u$ with fe9ers, #ras$in# airL he coul" har"ly "raw his tainte" reath. He attem$te" suici"e, ut that faile". He finally "ie" after #i9in# or"ers to ha9e many youn# $risoners kille" as he feare" no one woul" mourn at his "eath. 1he or"er was ne9er carrie" out. 1here sim$ly was no relief for the "yin# kin#. Hero"<s final act was to #ather all of the $rominent men of ,u"ea an" !srael to#ether in his hi$$o"rome in ,ericho. He instructe" his assistants to kill them at the moment of his "eath, as he feare" that there woul" e no mourners. ,ose$hus tells that he "ie" a $ainful, $rolon#e", an" a#oni>in# "eath at a#e 78.2/3 When his life "e$arte", fortunately, his assistants faile" to carry out his or"ers.2/7 His o"y was urie" in a hi""en area of the southern fortress$alace, the Hero"ian which has now een foun". ,ose$hus "escri e" the la9ish funeral a$$ointments* The bier 3as of soli( %ol(+ st)((e( 3ith #re"io)s sto$es a$( (ra#e( 3ith the ri"hest #)r#le e1broi(ere( 3ith 8ario)s "olors. :$ it lai( the bo(y 3ra##e( i$ a "ri1so$ robe+ 3ith a (ia(e1 resti$% o$ the hea(+ a$( abo8e that a %ol(e$ "ro3$ a$( the s"e#ter by his ri%ht ha$(. Jose#h)s+ %ars &.33.! Many reathe" a si#h of relief u$on his "emise. .y his ten wi9es an" many concu ines, he ha" nine sur9i9in# "au#hters an" fi9e sons who miraculously outli9e" him. Howe9er, Go"<s Eu"#ment was to come, as within a century the entire Hero"ian family "ynasty was utterly "estroye" y "isease an" 9iolence.
536. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.3.1 an" Wars. 1.-/.1.
537. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.3.2L 17.@.1-4L Dokkinos, BHero"<s Horri le )eath.C -@-/2, 3-.
401
)urin# his rei#n, the country enEoye" $ros$erity with low unem$loyment as he was "etermine" to rin# the #lory of 0ome to ,erusalem. U$on his "eath, the construction $roEects sto$$e" for a short $erio" of time an" the economy went into a recession until his sons continue" 9arious $roEects in their res$ecti9e "istricts. Howe9er, with his $assin# many were moti9ate" to re9olt a#ainst the Hero"ian )ynasty an" the 0omans. 1here were so many re9olutionary mo9ements, historians ha9e "ifficulty countin# them. Woul" they ha9e een an or#ani>e" cohesi9e force, the 0omans woul" ha9e ha" a serious challen#e. ,ose$hus sai" there were Bten thousan" other "isor"ers in ,u"ea,C which mi#ht ha9e een an e%a##eration, ut clearly state" the war-like tension of the time. Amon# them were two thousan" of Hero"<s ol" sol"iers who fou#ht a#ainst the Hero"ian "ynasty. 1he final outcome was not written, ut it is assume" they were either kille" in attle, crucifie", or fle" the country. 2/@
3. .. ' / A.C. Je3s ;e8olt at Passo8er4 3+
Iille(
2/9
1he ,ewish $eo$le ha" a lon#-stan"in# o$inion that the messiah woul" a$$ear at (asso9er to "efeat the 0omans. !n the year 4 .', while 'aesar Au#ustus an" the 0oman senate were e9aluatin# Hero"\s last will an" 1estament, the ,ews in ,u"ea were re ellin# a#ainst the 0omans. 1he "eath of Hero" imme"iately ins$ire" #reat ho$e of ,ewish nationalism an" in"e$en"ence. A she$her" known as Athron#es, an" his four rothers le" a re9olt at (asso9er a#ainst the 0omans an" their sym$athi>ers. (asso9er was elie9e" to e a key to their 9ictory. 1hey ha" a common elief that Go" woul" inter9ene if they went to war in faith, elie9in# Go" for the 9ictory. 1o e assure" of 9ictory, 1hron#es claime" to e the kin# of the ,ews, wore a crown, an" ser9e" in a self-a$$ointe" Eu"icial ca$acity.
538. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.4. 539. 1he 0omans ha" to conten" with se9eral minor ,ewish re9olts an" four maEor ones in 4 ..'., A.). 33-74, A.). 112-117, an" in A.). 1/--1/2. Historians, howe9er, refer to the re9olt of A.). 33-74 as the B+irst 0e9oltC an" to the re9olt of A.). 1/--1/2 as the B5econ" 0e9olt.C 1hese two conflicts ha" a maEor im$act u$on ,ewish an" 'hristian li9es. 1he ,ews who li9e" in the "istricts of Galilee, ,u"ah, an" (erea re9olte" a total of thirteen times etween the years 3/ ..'. an" A.). 1/-. &ittle won"er then, that when the 5econ" 0e9olt starte", the 0omans wante" to era"icate them.
402 )urin# this re9olt, two scholars at the tem$le were co9ere" with oil, set on fire an" calle" B0oman torches,C an" urne" to "eath. While ,ews were u$risin# in ,erusalem, there was another re9olt only three miles from :a>areth in 5e$$horis 248 which was le" y a Kealot name" ,u"as en 4>echias. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, the news of the u$risin# s$rea" Auickly, an" Eust as Auickly the 0oman le#ate of 5yria, Nuintilius Harus, sent the 0oman army into Galilee. 241 At the same time Aretas, kin# of Ara ia, sent infantry an" ca9alry to fi#ht with the 0omans. 1o#ether they not only crushe" the ,ewish re ellion, they also urne" 5e$$horis an" sol" many resi"ents into sla9ery. 24- Un"er the comman" of Harus, in the ,erusalem area thousan"s were slau#htere" an" -,888 crucifie". 24/ Any sus$ecte" re9olutionaries were ca$ture" an" Auickly crucifie". 244 Another re9olutionary was 5imon, a former of Hero" the Great. He also $lace" a "ia"em on his own hea", then #athere" some men with wea$ons an" e#an to attack the 0omans an" 0oman sym$athi>ers. He urne" "own a $alace in ,ericho an" a num er of other royal facilities. After raisin# much ha9oc in ,u"ea, he was e9entually ca$ture" an" ehea"e". 242 1he reli#ious, cultural, an" $olitical tensions, un"erscore" y the re ellions an" su seAuent massi9e slau#hter an" crucifi%ions when ,esus was a chil", are clearly in"icati9e of a social en9ironment that was far more e%$losi9e than the Mi""le 4ast is to"ay. 1his was the tension-fille" en9ironment in which ,esus #rew u$.
540. At this time 5e$$horis was the ca$ital city of the )istrict of Galilee. &ater the ca$ital was mo9e" to the new city of 1i erias alon# the 5ea of Galilee. 541. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.2. 542. .atey, &esus and the #orgotten 'ity. 2/-24, 73.
543. ,ose$hus commentes on the ,ewish 0e9olt of 4 ..'. in Anti3uities. 17.9.3-7 an" in
Wars -.1.1L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 137.
544. :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 32.

545. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.3.
403
3. .. . / A.C. D A.6. /& The 6i8i(e( Mo$ar"hy 1he three sur9i9in# sons of Hero" Auarrele" amon# themsel9es concernin# their inheritance. 1herefore, 0ome e%ecute" Hero"<s &ast Will an" 1estament an" his kin#"om was "i9i"e" into four "istricts* one was #i9en to 5yria an" the others were #i9en to his three sons as in"icate" elow. To be obtai$e( 3. .. .A. THE 6IFISI:N MAP :F HE;:6?S IING6:M . After the "eath of Hero" the Great, the 0oman 5enate re9iewe" his last will an" 1estament. While the former monarch "esire" his kin#"om to #o to his three sons, the 5enate mo"ifie" Hero"<s final reAuest an" #a9e $arts of it to others who woul" e more effecti9e a"ministrators. 3. .. < / A.C. D A.6. . Hero( Ar"hela)s Eth$ar"h ;)les o8er J)(ea+ Sa1aria+ a$( I()1ea 1o ha9e successfully rule" o9er these three $ro9inces woul" ha9e reAuire" consi"era le a"ministrati9e skill as each $ro9ince ha" its own "istincti9e $eo$le #rou$. !n ,u"ea were ,ewish $eo$le, in 5amaria were the 5amaritans who elie9e" only in the first fi9e ooks of Moses, an" in !"umea were "escen"ants of 4sau who were forci ly con9erte" to ,u"aism in the secon" century ..'. 1he !"umeans woul" in later centuries ecome a sor e" into the Ara worl". 1he nineteen year ol" Archelaus who inherite" these three $ro9inces ha" none of his father<s a"ministrati9e Aualities an" was far more rutal. +or this reason, ,ose$h most likely took his youn# family alon# the 7ia
404 Maris hi#hway from 4#y$t north alon# the coast, an" then inlan" to :a>areth. 1he $ersecution initiate" y Archelaus u$on oth the ,ews an" the 5amaritans was so se9ere, that for a while the two #rou$s set asi"e their hatre" an" itterness for each other, an" forme" a "ele#ation that went to 0ome an" a$$eale" to 'aesar Au#ustus. 243 While there, ,ews re9olte" in ,erusalem an" the 5amaritans "i" likewise in their communities. 0oman sol"iers res$on"e" in ,erusalem y ro in# the tem$le treasury an" settin# fire to the tem$le $illars. 247 When the $eo$le $roteste" this e9il act, /,888 more were slau#htere" in a sin#le "ay y Hero"<s son, Archelaus. 24@ !n res$onse to the sacrile#e of the tem$le, more ,ews Eoine" the riots an" nearly e9ery 0oman #arrison was attacke". .y the time Archelaus returne", the 0oman #enerals enforce" 0oman $eace 7 4a( Romana. 1he ,ewish $eo$le continue" to a$$eal to 0ome for a chan#e of lea"ershi$ an" a #reater "e#ree of self-rule. 0ome finally a#ree" an" in the ninth year of his rei#n, Din# Archelaus was anishe" to Hienna in Gaul ;mo"ern +rance=. 249 1he office of Bkin#shi$C was re$lace" y the office of B$rocurator,C a 0oman #o9ernor. 228 +rom this e%$erience, the $rocurators who rei#ne" were wise enou#h to for i" 0oman sol"iers from enterin# the tem$le area that was restricte" to only ,ews. 5ol"iers who "i" so were $ut to "eath y the or"er of the $rocurator. ?f all the $eo$le #rou$s within the 0oman 4m$ire, the ,ewish $eo$le were the only ones who were #rante" the followin# e%em$tions* 1. 1hey "i" not $artici$ate in 0oman worshi$, an" -. 1hey "i" not $ermit the 0omans to set u$ any ima#es in their tem$le, to which the 0omans a#ree". !n fact, 0oman #enerals e9en 546. +ine#an, 'hronology. /88L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.9.3L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and
Times of &esus the Messiah . 13/. 547. Golu , %n the )ays. -3@.
548. Deller W. The Bible as +istory. /71. 549. +rom 4 ..'. to A.). 3 is nine years, not ten, ecause there is no year B>ero.C
550. Golu , %n the )ays. -3@.
405 a#ree" not to ha9e their sol"iers units carry ima#es of military ea#les throu#hout ,ewish territory. 221 3. .. , / A.C. D A.6. 3/ Hero( Phili# Tetrar"h ;)les o8er Norther$ 6istri"ts Hero" (hili$ ;&k. /*1= ha" a small kin#"om known as Gaulanitis, an" relate" re#ions north an" east of the 5ea of Galilee, namely Gaulanitis, 1rachonitis, .atanea, an" Auranitis 7 in what is now 5yria 22- which "i" not affect the life of 'hrist.22/ 1hese "istricts were lar#ely non-,ewish an" Hero" (hili$ was a sur$risin#ly mil" an" $eaceful ruler as e9i"ence" y the len#th of his rei#n. 3. .. ! / A.C. D A.6. 3! Hero( A$ti#as Tetrar"h ;)les o8er Galilee a$( Perea 5ince Hero" the Great<s title, [Din# of the ,ews,[ ha" cause" a furor amon# the ,ews, his son Anti$as was title" B4thnarch,C meanin# Bruler of a nationC y 0ome.224 Hero" Anti$as, who is often referre" to as BHero"C in the :ew 1estament ;Mk. 3*14--9L &k. /*1L 1/*/1-/2L -/*7-1-=, was known for his la9ish lifestyle an" "eceitful manners. He ;Anti$as, son of 'leo$atra of ,erusalem= is at times confuse" with Hero" (hili$ ;son of Mariamne !!=. 222 1he $rimary res$onsi ility of Hero" Anti$as was to maintain the $eace an" forwar" the ta%es from Galilee an" (erea to 0ome. He cause" the "eath of ,ohn the .a$tist an" foun" ,esus innocent of ,ewish accusations. His wife Hero"ias con9ince" him to tra9el to 0ome where he reAueste" to e a"9ance" to the rank of kin#. :o "ou t, it came as a #reat sur$rise to him when 4m$eror 'ali#ula instea", e%ile" him to &yons in Gaul ;A.). /9=. 223 3. ..& * A.C. Se##horis Ae"o1es the Seat of Go8er$1e$t
551. Golu , %n the )ays. -78-71.
552. Mantey, B:ew 1estament .ack#roun"s.C 3. 553. +ine#an, 'hronology. /88L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.4.3. 554. .atey, &esus and the #orgotten 'ity. 2--2/. 555. +ine#an, 'hronology. /88L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.7.-. 556. Met>#er, New Testament. -3.
406 Hero" Anti$as, the new tetrarch of the $ro9ince of Galilee, e#an a massi9e lon#-term uil"in# $ro#ram to make 5e$$horis his ca$ital. 1his $ro9i"e" em$loyment o$$ortunities for skille" craftsmen such as car$enters ;who were also stonemasons= from the entire Galilee area. 1he theater was most likely constructe" at this time since many cities throu#hout the em$ire imitate" the $o$ular tren"s of 0ome, which in turn en"orse" Hellenism. 227 5e9eral years later, in A.). -3, the ca$ital was relocate" to 1i erius alon# the western shore of the 5ea of Galilee. 1he si#nificance of 5e$$horis is that since it lies only an hour<s walk from :a>areth, many scholars elie9e that ,esus an" His father an" half- rothers tra9ele" there for em$loyment o$$ortunities. !t was also "e"icate" to the Greco-0oman #o" )ionysus an" was a city fille" with "e auchery of e9ery kin" -- male an" female $rostitution, #luttony, materialism, alcoholism, etc. 3. ..&& / Be$(C D 3 A.C. Mary+ Jose#h+ a$( Jes)s ;et)r$ fro1 E%y#t Hero" Archelaus, who rule" ,erusalem, .ethlehem, an" all of ,u"ea, was more wicke" than his father. +or this reason Mary an" ,ose$h, on their return tri$ from 4#y$t, y$asse" .ethlehem an" were tol" to #o "irectly to :a>areth. His rei#n was so horri le, that it cause" the ,ews to com$lain to 'aesar Au#ustus, an e9ent that ,esus use" in a $ara le ;&k. 19*11--7=. As for :a>areth, it was in the )istrict of Galilee ;Mt. -*--= an" un"er the control of his rother Hero" Anti$as. 3. ..&* There is No Eear Lero
!n the stu"y of history, there was no year >ero. 1he mo"ern ,ulian calen"ar en"s the ..'. era with )ecem er /1, 1 ..'. an" the A.). era e#ins with A.) ,anuary 1, 1. 1he secon" century e#an with the year 181, not 188. 1his has een $ro lematic for some .i le an" history stu"ents in calculatin# the num er of years in the ..'. era to the A.). era. +or e%am$le, the num er of years from ,anuary 1, - ..'. to )ecem er /1, A.). 4 is 3 years. 22@ 3. ..&3 A.6. & Gree9s For1 a Tra(e E1bar%o a%ai$st Je3s
557. Minkoff, Approaches to the Bible. -*9-L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the
Messiah . 38-31, 137.
558. +ine#an, +andbook. 1/4L Met>#er, New Testament. 18-.
407 1he Greeks of the )eca$olis cities forme" a tra"e em ar#o a#ainst the ,ews. !ts effecti9eness is unknown since !srael lay in the crossroa" center etween three continent an" enEoye" consi"era le international tra"e. !t a$$ears, howe9er, that it was not successful ut it "i" increase tensions etween ,ews an" Greeks. 229 3. ..&/ A.6. . Je3s ;e8olt a%ai$st Ar"hela)s4 Lealot Mo8e1e$t Soli(ifie( &ife was misera le, es$ecially for those li9in# un"er the rei#n of Archelaus. 1hrou#h hi#h ta%ation they ha" een re"uce" to $easant s. An#er an" frustration were rewin# alon# with a "esire for national so9erei#nty. All the in#re"ients for a $easant u$risin# were $resent an" rea"y to e%$lo"e. His #o9ernorshi$ was more rutal than that of his father, which #a9e rise to the soli"ification of re els who "esire" so9erei#nty an" were willin# to kill an" steal to accom$lish their $olitical #oals. 1he wealthy an" $owerful aristocracy ha" no un"erstan"in# of life for the common $eo$le, nor "i" they care. 1herefore, when a new $oll ta% was im$ose" on all a"ult men, it was an aristocratic "ecision that ecame, as the $ro9er says, B1he straw that roke the camel<s ack.C 4s$ecially since, it was to e $ai" "irectly to the treasury in 0ome. 238 :ot only was the ta% offensi9e, ut the coin with which it was to e $ai" ha" a #ra9en ima#e of 1i erius 'aesar who claime" to e Go" ;9iolation of 4%. -8*/-4=. 1his ta%, alon# with the harsh "ictatorshi$ of Archelaus, #a9e rise to another ,ewish re9olt.
To be obtai$e( -- Coi$ of Tiberi)s Caesar 3. ..&/A. C:IN :F TIAE;IUS CAESA; . 1he $oll ta% an" coin that were associate" with it feature" on the o 9erse si"e a
559. 1on#ue, B)eca$olis.C 1*/79. 560. Gil rant, BMark.C ///.
408 $ortrait of the 4m$eror 1i erius while on the re9erse si"e the inscri$tion rea"s *iberius 2aesar Augustus4 son of the $ivine Augustus" )igh Priest. !n the mi"st of this social an" $olitical cal"ron, a new Breli#iousC #rou$ immer#e" known as the !ealots, more commonly known as the Bmen of the "a##er.C 1he 0omans calle" them the Sicarii ;see *. &.*& an" *. &.**=. 1his #rou$ was fanatically reli#ious an" nationalistic.
1he foun"er was ,u"as of Gamla ;sometimes calle" ,u"as the GalileanL Acts 2*/7=, who was the son of 4>ekias, ;or He>ekias of Gamala=, a well-known re el lea"er who was e%ecute" y Hero" the Great in 47 ..'. ,u"as ha" a co-cons$irator, a (harisee name" 5a"ok. ,u"as was the teacher of a new "octrine that a$$eale" to the ,ewish nationalists an" "eclare" that Go" alone was to e the kin# of !srael. 1o#ether, ,u"as an" 5a"ok insti#ate" riots an" re ellions as well as theolo#ical "is$utes in the tem$le. 1hey sai" it was a sin to $ay ta%es to any $a#an #o9ernment such as 0ome. )eca"es later when ,esus was confronte" y the (harisees a out $ayin# tri ute ;ta%es= to 'aesar, that $olitical issue was ase" on this new nationalistic "octrine. ,u"as an" 5a"ok or#ani>e" free"om fi#hters throu#hout the lan" into a #uerrilla-ty$e military mo9ement. !t was their ho$e that some"ay a $oliticalmessiah or lea"er woul" rise to the occasion an" rin# $olitical-sal9ation an" free"om to the ,ewish $eo$le. 231 5ome scholars elie9e this was the same ,u"as who le" the re ellion a#ainst 5e$$horis after Hero"\s "eath in 4 ..'.23- He le" a an" of men into attle an" ca$ture" a 0oman armory in 561. +lusser, &esus. -38L 'rossan, Who *illed &esus? 22-23. 562. &ee, The -alilean. 7--7/L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.1.1 an" Wars. -.@.1L Acts 2*/7.
409 5e$$horis from which they stole a #reat "eal of wea$onry. !t was an e%tremely humiliatin# "efeat for the 0omans, who not only e%ecute" the #uar"s who faile" their "uty, ut also crucifie" anyone sus$ecte" in the Kealot mo9ement. All this took $lace less than three miles from :a>areth where ,ose$h, Mary, li9e" with their son ,esus, who woul" ha9e een a out ten years ol" at the time. 1here can e little Auestion that 0oman sol"iers searche" e9ery home in :a>areth an" other near y 9illa#es to look for wea$ons an" crucify any sus$ecte" Kealot. ,u"as was amon# those who were Auickly a$$rehen"e" an" crucifie". His sons ,aco an" 5imeon continue" the cause of nationalism, ut they, too, were ca$ture" an" crucifie" y the 0omans in A.). 43 an" 4@ res$ecti9ely. 1he Kealot mo9ement e9entually le" to the "estruction of ,erusalem an" the tem$le in A.). 78. Althou#h ,u"as the Galilean was crucifie", his "octrine continue" to e a "e ate" issue amon# the ,ews. !t woul" e the ack#roun" of the "iscussion when ,esus was challen#e" y the (harisees concernin# whether it was ri#ht to $ay ta%es to 'aesar, since this $oll ta% went "irectly into the 0oman treasury. ,ust as Athron#es, a self-$roclaime" messiah, le" a re9olt with his four rothers that e#an on (asso9er ;4 ..'.=, elie9in# it woul" rin# "i9ine 9ictory, so "i" ,u"as the Galilean. ,ose$hus recor"e" the e9ent. At the Feast of U$lea8e$e( Area(+ 3hi"h 3as $o3 at ha$(+ a$( is by the Je3s "alle( Passo8er+ a$( )se( to be "elebrate( 3ith a %reat $)1ber of sa"rifi"es+ a$ i$$)1erable 1)ltit)(e of the #eo#le "a1e o)t of the "o)$try to 3orshi#4 so1e of these stoo( i$ the te1#le be3aili$% the rabbis Bthat ha( bee$ #)t to (eathC+ a$( #ro")re( their s)ste$a$"e by be%%i$%+ i$ or(er to s)##ort their se(itio$. At this ti1e Ar"hela)s 3as affri%hte(+ a$( #ri8ately se$t a trib)$e 3ith his "ohort of sol(iers )#o$ the1+ before the (isease sho)l( s#rea( o8er the 3hole 1)ltit)(e+ a$( %a8e or(ers that they sho)l( "o$strai$ those 3hat+ be%a$ the t)1)lt by for"e+ to be =)iet. At these the 3hole 1)ltit)(e 3ere irritate(+ thre3 sto$es at 1a$y of the sol(iers+ a$( 9ille( the14 b)t the trib)$e fle( a3ay 3o)$(e(+ a$( ha( 1)"h a(o to es"a#e so. After 3hi"h they betoo9 the1sel8es to their sa"rifi"es+ as if they ha( (o$e $o 1is"hief4 $or (i( it a##ear to Ar"hela)s that the 1)ltit)(e "o)l( be restrai$e( 3itho)t bloo(she(. So he se$t his 3hole ar1y )#o$
410 the1+ the foot1e$ i$ %reat 1)ltit)(es+ by 3ay of the "ity+ a$( the horse1e$ by the 3ay of the #lai$+ 3ho+ falli$% )#o$ the1 o$ the s)((e$+ as they 3ere offeri$% their sa"rifi"es+ (estroye( abo)t three tho)sa$( of the14 b)t the rest (is#erse( )#o$ the a(Hoi$i$% 1o)$tai$s4 these 3ere follo3e( by Ar"hela)s?s heral(s+ 3ho "o11a$(e( e8eryo$e to retire to their ho1es+ to 3hi"h they all 3e$t+ a$( left the festi8al. Jose#h)s+ %ars *.&.3
23/
Archelaus< cruel an" inhumane treatment of his ,ewish su Eects was the cause of another re ellion. He crushe" the ,ewish free"om fi#hters an" ha" some -,888 of them crucifie" alon# the roa"s lea"in# into the city of ,erusalem. ,esus woul" ha9e een a out ten or twel9e years ol". 1he $u lic e%ecutions were a stron# intimi"ation for most ,ews to su mit to the iron han" of the 0omans. 5hortly thereafter, the 0oman 5enate re$lace" Archelaus. 1here can e little "ou t that ,esus as a youn# oy woul" ha9e seen these crucifie" Kealots. He most certainly hear" constant "iscussions of a $ossi le re ellion an" the horrific sufferin# ,ewish $eo$le en"ure". 3. ..&' A.6. . D , Jes)s %oes to the Te1#le While the chronolo#y at this $oint in history is somewhat "ifficult to "etermine with a solute certainty, if these e9ents "i" not occur in the same year they most certainly ha$$ene" a year or two $rior. ,esus went to ,erusalem at the a#e of twel9e to cele rate the (asso9er ;&k. -*41-42= at which time He Auestione" the ri#htest intellectuals of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" ;212 ..'. - A.).78=. Generally, at the a#e of twel9e the ra is woul" ask the chil" Auestions to "etermine if the asics of the faith were un"erstoo". ,esus turne" this aroun" to the ama>ement of scholars. 5i#nificant to the e9ent is that at this time, the $olitical tension was at an e%$losi9e $oint. A re9olt e#an in the year 4 ..'. an" another in A.). 3. When ,esus was at the tem$le, e9ery mo9ement was carefully o ser9e" y sol"iers on the to$ of the Antonia +ortress.
563. 5ee also ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.@.4.
411 3. ..&. A.6. . D & Pro")rator of J)(ea Co#o$i)s ;e#la"es Hero( Ar"hela)s as
)ue to his rutality, Hero" Archelaus was remo9e" from office y the 0oman senate in A.). 3. He was the reason the an#el of the &or" tol" ,ose$hus not to return to .ethlehem. Althou#h a new $rocurator ;i.e. #o9ernor=, 'o$onius, was a$$ointe" in his $lace, ,ose$h an" Mary remaine" in :a>areth. 3. ..&< A.6. . D &' A$$as A##oi$te( Hi%h Priest Ananus ;shortene" to Annas, also s$elle" Ananos=, son of 5ethi, was a 5a""ucee an" father-in-law to 'aia$has. 234 He was ori#inally from Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t, an" came to ,erusalem at the in9itation of Hero" the Great.232 His a$$ointment to the $osition as hi#h $riest was a $oint of immense tension with the common $eo$le who 9iewe" the $riesthoo" un"er his lea"ershi$ as ein# eAually corru$t as the 0omans. 1he hi#h $riest was also the $resi"ent of the 5anhe"rin, the su$reme ,ewish Eu"icial an" le#islati9e o"y. After his full ser9ice, he retire", ut retaine" the title in a ceremonial ca$acity until his "eath an", hence, he is referre" to as the hi#h $riest "urin# the life of 'hrist e9en thou#h he officially "i" not function in that office. After his tenure in office in A.). 12, !shmael en (ha i hel" the office followe" y his son 4lea>ar until the year A.). 1@. :either of these two hi#h $riests ha" any recor"e" si#nificance in the i lical narrati9es. 233 .e#innin# in the year A.). 1@, the Annas "ynasty rule" a#ain un"er the lea"ershi$ of 'aia$has. 1he "ynasty of Annas $ro"uce" ei#ht hi#h $riests who ser9e" etween the years A.). 3 an" 32, an" they accumulate" nearly forty years of tem$le ser9ice. .esi"es the foun"in# father Annas !, there were fi9e sons, a son-inlaw, an" a #ran"son. !t is elie9e" that the first three 'hristian martyrs mentione" in the ook of Acts were e%ecute" un"er the tenure of Annas )ynasty. 1hose martyrs were*
564. :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. //, /@L 5ee also &k. /*-L ,n. 1@*1/, -4L Acts
4*3.
565. Wilson, The #alse Trials. -3. 566. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 23-27.
412 1. 5te$hen* was kille" un"er the "irecti9es of 'aia$has.

237
-. ,ames, the rother of ,ohn* was kille" un"er the "irecti9es of Matthias.23@ /. ,ames, the rother of ,esus* was kille" un"er the "irecti9es of Annas !!. 239
3. ..&, A.6. < Sa1arita$s 6efile the Te1#le .y this time the an#er an" itterness etween ,ews an" their 5amaritan nei#h ors was intense. Amon# the 5amaritans, it was common knowle"#e that any "ea" animal or $erson woul" "efile a ,ewish $riest an" kee$ him from $erformin# his "uties in the tem$le, an" if anythin# "ea" was rou#ht into the ,ewish tem$le, it too woul" ecome "efile". Dnowin# this, a #rou$ of 5amaritans infiltrate" the tem$le an" "efile" it y throwin# "ea" men<s ones in the tem$le yar" an" sanctuary. !t was "one for no other reason than $ure s$itefulness. Hateful actions as this were common, Eust as a ,ew tra9elin# alon# throu#h 5amaria was an in9itation of "eath. !nto this socially e%$losi9e en9ironment ,esus tau#ht His listeners to lo9e their nei#h ors, inclu"in# the 5amaritans. 3. ..&! A.6. &* Artaba$)s III Ae"o1es Ii$% of the Parthia$ E1#ire +ar to the east of the lan" of the ,ews, Arta anus !!! ecame kin# of (arthia. Un"er his in#enious lea"ershi$ (arthia ecame a #reater threat to the 0omans as he "esire" to ha9e access to the Me"iterranean 5ea. 1his was seen as a threat y the 0omans. He was a #enius an" his military $hiloso$hy an" tactics were continue" y his successors. As a conseAuence, the (arthian 4m$ire continue" to e 0ome<s nemesis for the ne%t two centuries. His rulershi$ an" constant threat resulte" in a ti#hter 0oman rei#n o9er all the $ro9inces in the eastern 0oman 4m$ire, inclu"in# !srael.
567. Acts 3-7. 568. Acts 1-L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 19.87.83. 569. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. -8.89.81.
413 3. ..* A.6. &/ D 3< Tiberi)s Caesar of the ;o1a$ E1#ire
4m$eror Au#ustus "ie" an" was succee"e" y 1i erius, who re"uce" the ruler title of Galilee from $rocurator to $refect an" a$$ointe" Halerius Gratus to that $osition. ,esus ministere" "urin# his rei#n an" it was the ima#e of 1i erius that was on coina#e when ,esus was aske" a out the inscri$tion. 3. ..*& A.6. &. D &< EleaGar be$ A$a$)s A##oi$te( Hi%h Priest 1he 0oman le#ate 'yrenius ;s$elle" Nuirinius in &atin= a$$ointe" 4lea>ar en Ananus ;also Annas or Ananais= to the $osition after hi#h $riest in A.). 3. 1his was shortly after the 0omans "e$ose" Archelaus, 4thnarch of ,u"ea an" the $ro9ince was un"er "irect 0oman rule. As hi#h $riest, he ha" a solute $ower o9er the affairs of the tem$le, es$ecially since he ha" the 0oman army at his eckonin# call. As in the tra"itional $ro9er , BA solute $ower corru$ts a solutely,C Ananus Auickly use" his $osition to attain immense wealth an" $resti#e. 3. ..** A.6. &, D 3.T3< Jose#h)s bar Caia#has A##oi$te( Hi%h Priest 1he 0oman (refect Halerius Gratus a$$ointe" ,ose$hus ar 'aia$has to the hi#hest $osition in ,u"aism 7 hi#h $riest in the tem$le. Howe9er while 'aia$has, the son-in-law of Annas ;,n. 1@*1/=, hel" the $riestly title, Annas was still consi"ere" as influential in reli#ious matters ecause the $osition was as much of a social honor as an official office, e9en after retirement. 278 &ike Annas, 'aia$has was known for his e%tensi9e commercial interests an" $rofiteerin#.271 1he fact that 'aia$has was re$lace" shortly after the remo9al of (ontius (ilate was no acci"ent. A chan#e of rulershi$ often rou#ht with it a chan#e in $riesthoo". ,esus li9e" at a time when corru$tion in the tem$le was at its worst in ,ewish history. 3. ..*3 A.6. &, Hero( A$ti#as b)il(s Tiberias !n ,uly, Hero" Anti$as foun"e" the Galilean city of 1i erias. He mo9e" his ca$ital from 5e$$horis to 1i erias, an" maintaine" a""itional $alaces in 'a$ernaum an" ,ericho. 5ince 1i erias is only a few miles from 'a$ernaum 570. :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 118. 571. Wilson, The #alse Trials. -3--7.
414 an" other areas where ,esus ministere", He was always un"er the watchful eye of Hero" an" his Hero"ian s$y network. 3. ..*/ A.6. &! Je3s ;iote( i$ ;o1e Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, the ,ews in 0ome enEoye" $eace an" ha" e%ce$tional $ri9ile#es with the e%ce$tion of a few years ; e#innin# in A.). 19= when some 4,888 were sent to 5ar"inia to fi#ht the .an"itti. 0arely was there any conflict etween ,ews an" the 0omans outsi"e of the Holy &an" in the early first century. !n essence, "urin# the "ays of 4m$erors 1i erius an" Au#ustus, they enEoye" $eace, $ros$erity, an" free"om of reli#ion throu#hout the em$ire with the e%ce$tion. 273. ..*' A.6. ** D 3& SeHa$)s+ the Ar"h E$e1y of Tiberi)s Caesar !n far "istant 0ome, there was a $olitical attle etween the years A.). -an" A.). /1 that influence" (ilate when he "etermine" the fate of ,esus. !t was an escalatin# $ower stru##le an" no one threatene" 'aesar 1i erius more than "i" &ucius Aelius 5eEanus. !n fact, so much $olitical chaos eru$te" that 1i erius $lace" himself in e%ile on the islan" of 'a$ri, off :a$les, from -3 until /1. He foun" that in a Auiet an" $eaceful 9illa far remo9e" from the $otential acti9ities of 0ome, he coul" rule the em$ire with the full attention that was reAuire" of him. 5eEanus, on the other han", $romote" himself as a true 0oman, ut all the while he accuse" the closest su$$orters an" counselors of 1i erius of treason or "isloyalty to 0ome. He was a master of "ece$tion an" was cunnin# in e9ery concei9a le manner. He was also the comman"er of the (raetorian Guar", the elite 0oman military unit that was hi#hly skille" an" res$ecte" an" feare" When )rusus, the son of 1i erius, mysteriously "ie" in )ecem er of A.). --, many sus$ecte" 5eEanus in the $lot. Jet y the followin# hear he was the most $owerful 9oice in the 0oman senate. .y A.). -/ he ha" or#ani>e" an efficient s$y rin# of more than two hun"re" informants who monitore" the actions of a"9isors an" counselors closest to 1i erius. 27/ When he felt he ha" 572. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 14.18.1L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah .
47-28.
573. We
, B1he 0oman 4%amination an" 'rucifi%ion of ,esus.C 7-1--3.
415 sufficient information, he accuse" them of treason an" se"ition. With the (raetorian Guar" at his comman", he ecame a $owerful an" $ersuasi9e accuser. As a result, hun"re"s were e%ecute" or committe" suici"e. .y skillful mani$ulation while $reachin# social reform an" Eustice, he weakene" the $olitical su$$ort of 1i erius to the $oint that the 'aesar $lace" himself in e%ileL his #o9ernment was mo9e" $ermanently to the islan" of 'a$ri. +rom A.). -/ to A.). /1, 0ome was $olitical chaos as 5eEanus ma"e thousan"s of accusations. !f there was anythin# that 1i erias "es$erately nee"e", it was a true frien". 1herefore, when the ,ews crie" out to (ilate that he was no frien" of 'aesar, his thou#hts went to the $olitical turmoil in 0ome an" all those who ha" een e%ecute", im$risone", or committe" suici"e. Howe9er, y the en" of A.). /1, 5eEanus himself was cau#ht in his own we of "ece$tion an" was e%ecute". Many of his frien"s an" su$$orters chose suici"e rather than crucifi%ion ;see &.. &. '=.274
3. ..*. A.6. *. D 3. Po$ti)s Pilate Praefe"t)s of J)(ea (ontius (ilate was the fifth $raefectus of ,u"ea, a$$ointe" y 1i erius. 272 Althou#h he was un"er the #eneral su$er9ision of the 0oman le#ates in )amascus, he ha" consi"era le in"e$en"ence. 1he $rocurators li9e" in 'aesarea ut relocate" to ,erusalem at times of 9arious festi9als to insure $eace. (ontius (ilate ;&k. /*1L -/*1= enEoye" the secon" lon#est rei#n of all the rulers of ,u"ea. His lon#e9ity makes a $ositi9e statement to his a"ministrati9e a ilities, which ha9e often een critici>e" y historians. While he was incre"i ly rutal an" clearly lun"ere" in some inci"ents as re$orte"
574. Maier, B5eEanus, (ilate.C 18-1/. 575. 5ee A##e$(i@ & an" relate" footnote concernin# the $ro$er title an" title chan#e of the ruler of ,u"aea.
416 y the historians ,ose$hus an" (hilo, the len#th of his rei#n woul" in"icate that he was to some e%tent an a le a"ministrator. 273 Hero" the Great e#an the ten-mile aAue"uct that rou#ht water from near y .ethlehem to ser9e ,erusalem an" the tem$le. Howe9er, he "ie" efore the construction was com$lete". ,ose$hus recor"e" that the task was continue" y (ontius (ilate. Howe9er, to finance it, (ilate $lun"ere" tem$le fun"s known as the B'or anC ;Mk. 7*11=, which nearly cause" riots. .y the time 0oman $eace was restore" many ,ews ha" "ie". 277 ,ose$hus re$orts this confrontation* A)t Pilate )$(ertoo9 to bri$% a ")rre$t of 3ater to Jer)sale1+ a$( (i( it 3ith sa"re( 1o$ey+ a$( (eri8e( the ori%i$ or the strea1 fro1 a (ista$"e of t3o h)$(re( f)rlo$%s. Ho3e8er+ the Je3s 3ere $ot #lease( 3ith 3hat ha( bee$ (o$e abo)t this 3ater4 a$( 1a$y te$ tho)sa$(s of the #eo#le %ot to%ether+ a$( 1a(e a "la1or a%ai$st hi1+ a$( i$siste( that he sho)l( lea8e off that (esi%$. So1e of the1 also )se( re#roa"hes+ a$( ab)se( the 1a$+ as "ro3(s of s)"h #eo#le )s)ally (o. So he habite( a %reat $)1ber of his sol(iers i$ their habit+ 3ho "arrie( (a%%ers )$(er their %ar1e$ts+ a$( se$t the1 to a #la"e 3here they 1i%ht s)rro)$( the1. So he ba(e the Je3s hi1self %o a3ay+ b)t they bol(ly "asti$% re#roa"hes )#o$ hi1+ he %a8e the sol(iers that si%$al 3hi"h ha( bee$ beforeha$( a%ree( to4 3ho ha( lai( )#o$ the1 1)"h %reater blo3s tha$ Pilate ha( "o11a$(e( the1 ... a$( there 3ere a %reat $)1ber of the1 slai$ by this 1ea$s+ a$( others of the1 ra$ a3ay 3o)$(e(4 a$( th)s a$ e$( 3as #)t to this se(itio$. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &,.3.* !n the early "ays of his a"ministration, (ilate a olishe" ,ewish laws an" esta lishe" the sym ols of 0oman so9erei#nty. He e9i"ently was unaware of a similar e9ent that ha" occurre" nearly two centuries earlier when 576. Maier, The #irst 5aster. 14@. 577. Mackowski, &erusalem 'ity of &esus. @3L Mantey, B:ew 1estament .ack#roun"s.C 7.
417 Antiochus 4$i$hanes attem$te" to a olish ,u"aism from !srael, an" a re9olt followe". 1he account was recor"e" y ,ose$hus* A)t $o3 Pilate+ the #ro")rator of J)(ea+ re1o8e( the ar1y fro1 Caesarea to Jer)sale1+ to ta9e their 3i$ter =)arters there+ i$ or(er to abolish the Je3ish la3s. So he i$tro()"e( Caesar?s effi%ies+ 3hi"h 3ere )#o$ the e$si%$s+ a$( bro)%ht the1 i$to the "ity. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &,.3.& !n res$onse, the ,ews met with (ilate an" aske" for reconsi"eration of the im$erial $roclamation. ,ose$hus continues the len#thy "escri$tion of the confrontation of ner9es when su""enly the ,ews foun" themsel9es surroun"e" y sol"iers who ha" their swor"s "rawn. Howe9er, they "i" not retreat from their commitment to the 1orah. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus who continue" the story, they chose to throw T the1sel8es )#o$ the %ro)$(+ a$( lai( their $e"9s bare+ a$( sai( they 3o)l( ta9e their (eath 8ery 3illi$%ly+ rather tha$ the 3is(o1 of their la3s sho)l( be tra$s%resse(4 )#o$ 3hi"h Pilate 3as (ee#ly affe"te( 3ith their fir1 resol)tio$ to 9ee# their la3s i$8iolable+ a$( #rese$tly "o11a$(e( the i1a%es to be "arrie( ba"9 fro1 Jer)sale1 to Caesarea. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &,.3.& 1he sol"iers confronte" the crow", an" many $rotestin# ,ews "ie" that "ay. 1his may ha9e een the occasion referre" to in &uke 1/*1--, Bwhose loo" (ilate ha" min#le" with their sacrifices.C 27@ ?n another occasion, (ilate ha" erecte" $lain #ol"en shiel"s in his ,erusalem hea"Auarters. 1he ,ews lou"ly $roteste" these shiel"s. (ilate knew that ,ews in Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t ha" #ol"en shiel"s in their syna#o#ues, an" coul" not un"erstan" why his su Eects $roteste". 279 578. Historians a$$ear to e uncertain the "ate of this e9ent. 5ee We
4%amination an" 'rucifi%ion of ,esus.C 719. , B1he 0oman
579. Maier, B1he 4$iso"e of the Gol"en 0oman 5hiel"s.C 189--1L 5ee also (hilo )e
,egatione ad -aium. %%%9iii, -99-/82.
418
3. ..*.A. C:INS :F P:NTIUS PILATE. 1wo ron>e coins of the same "enomination minte" y (ontius (ilate with a BlitusC ;bent staff=, the sym ol of his office an" the name of 1i erius 'aesar. !t is nota le that he "i" not $lace the sym ol of a $a#an "eity on his coins as this woul" ha9e cause" a riot y the (harisees ;the 5a""ucees woul" not ha9e care" 9ery much=.
3. ..*< A.6. *< The Mi$istry of Jes)s+ the Christ Ae%i$s ,esus came "urin# a tur ulent time than what is no "ifferent than to"ay in the Mi""le 4ast. 1here were constant riots, wars, an" rumors of wars resultin# in military crack-"owns an" multi$le crucifi%ions. His ministry was $rimarily in the Galilee area an" the 5yno$tic Gos$els #i9e the a$$earance that it may ha9e een only a year in len#th ecause each of these three ooks mentions the (asso9er only once. 1he Gos$el of ,ohn, howe9er, re$orts three Eourneys to ,erusalem for (asso9er an" there y #i9es a minimum len#th of three years of ministry. 1he theory that His ministry was three an" a half years lon# is ase" on the (asso9er ein# recor"e" three times in the #os$els. !t is the o$inion of this writer that the ministry of ,esus most likely was four years or sli#htly lon#er. 1his e%tra time woul"
419 coinci"e with a 3 or 2 ..'. irth "ate, a commencement of ministry at the a#e of /8, an" a crucifi%ion in the year A.). /8. 1his woul" also $ro9i"e time for His teachin#s an" miracles that ha9e een tra"itionally associate" with the last si% months of his life a $erio" far too short to accom$lish all these feats.
U$it
420
The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter & I$tro()"tio$
/. &. A. THE C;EATI:N :F LIGHT by G)sto8e 6ore?+ &,... 1he #os$el writer ,ohn e#an his #os$el y i"entifyin# ,esus as the son of Go" an" connectin# Him with the creation of the worl".
421 /. &. & I$tro()"tio$7 The 0orl( Sta%e is Set4 Joh$?s Prolo%)e Galatians 4*4 states that in the fullness of time ,esus came. Jet the term BfullnessC is un"erstoo" only within the cultural conte%t of the first century an" the e9ents that $rece"e" it. 1here were four maEor areas of $re$aration that ha" to e com$lete" efore BfullnessC coul" e achie9e" in $re$arin# the worl" for comin# of the BAnointe" ?ne.C 1. 1he Greeks* 1hey $ro9i"e" a cultural milieu an" lan#ua#e. 5ee more at 3. '. ,. -. 1he 0omans* 1hey $ro9i"e" elements of law an" or"er throu#hout the em$ire an" im$ro9e" trans$ort. 1his was a $rofoun" accom$lishment as the $re9ious two centuries were fille" with 9iolence, $olitical an" reli#ious chaos, $ersecution, an" assassinations. /. 1he $eo$le throu#hout the 0oman 4m$ire an" in re#ions eyon" were e%$ectin# a messianic fi#ure or kin# of some kin". +rom the 0oman senate to the common sla9e, there were e%$ectations of the a$$earance of a 9ery im$ortant $erson. +or a rief "escri$tion of those who e%$resse" this antici$ation lon# efore the a"9ent of ,esus, see 3. '.&'+ 3. '.&&+ an" 3. /.&!. 4. 1he ,ewish $eo$le $ro9i"e" the reli#ious foun"ation necessary for ,esus to come. ack#roun" an"
1he most im$ortant an" antici$ate" life in history was orn in .ethlehem some two thousan" years a#o. Jet ,ohn ma"e a "istinct $oint to "emonstrate that the life of ,esus "i" not e#in in a man#er in .ethlehem, ut that He e%iste" from eternity $ast. 1he theme of his #os$el is the "eity of ,esus, Who was Bfrom the e#innin#LC in essence, he sets forth oth the "i9ine an" human nature of the Messiah. 1he $ur$ose of His comin# was to teach men a out the Din#"om of Go", as well as to $ay the hi#h cost to re"eem a lost humanity. ,ohn<s $oint is that only Go" coul" ha9e $erforme" such a #reat task. ,ohn e#an his #os$el y statin# that ,esus was not a mere human, ut was Go" who e%iste" from the creation of the earth. !n his first sentence for the wor" Word, ,ohn use" the Greek wor" logos that inclu"e" the Greek conce$t of reason an" s$eech.5 0 ,ohn was not a Greek $hiloso$her, ut "esire" to
580. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*7-9.
422 e%$ress the conce$t that ,esus was the i"ea an" e%$ression of Go" in human form an" was, in fact, Go". /. &. * J$. &7&-* The Eter$ality of Go( BNIF &!,/C A A C C? A? A? I$ the be%i$$i$% 3as the 0or(+ a$( the 0or( 3as 3ith Go(+ a$( the 0or( 3as Go(. He 3as 3ith Go( i$ the be%i$$i$%.
/. &. 3 J$. &73-&, The 0or( of Go( Ae"a1e the Perso$ Jes)s. BHCSA+ "o$ti$)e(C All thi$%s 3ere "reate( thro)%h Hi1+ a$( a#art fro1 Hi1 $ot o$e thi$% 3as "reate( that has bee$ "reate(. / Life 3as i$ Hi1+ a$( that life 3as the li%ht of 1e$. ' That li%ht shi$es i$ the (ar9$ess+ yet the (ar9$ess (i( $ot o8er"o1e it.
3
There 3as a 1a$ $a1e( Joh$ 3ho 3as se$t fro1 Go(. < He "a1e as a 3it$ess to testify abo)t the li%ht+ so that all 1i%ht belie8e thro)%h hi1. , He 3as $ot the li%ht+ b)t he "a1e to testify abo)t the li%ht. ! The tr)e li%ht+ 3ho %i8es li%ht to e8eryo$e+ 3as "o1i$% i$to the 3orl(.
.
He 3as i$ the 3orl(+ a$( the 3orl( 3as "reate( thro)%h Hi1+ yet the 3orl( (i( $ot re"o%$iGe Hi1. && He "a1e to His o3$+ a$( His o3$ #eo#le (i( $ot re"ei8e Hi1. &* A)t to all 3ho (i( re"ei8e Hi1+ He %a8e the1 the ri%ht to be "hil(re$ of Go(+ to those 3ho belie8e i$ His $a1e+ &3 3ho 3ere bor$+ $ot of bloo(+ or of the 3ill of the flesh+ or of the 3ill of 1a$+ b)t of Go(.
&
The 0or( be"a1e flesh a$( too9 )# resi(e$"e a1o$% )s. 0e obser8e( His %lory+ the %lory as the :$e a$( :$ly So$ fro1 the Father+ f)ll of %ra"e a$( tr)th. &' BJoh$ testifie( "o$"er$i$% Hi1 a$( e@"lai1e(+ 2This 3as the :$e of 3ho1 I sai(+ WThe :$e "o1i$% after 1e has s)r#asse( 1e+ be"a)se He e@iste( before 1e.?5C
&/
423 I$(ee(+ 3e ha8e all re"ei8e( %ra"e after %ra"e fro1 His f)ll$ess+ &< for the la3 3as %i8e$ thro)%h Moses+ %ra"e a$( tr)th "a1e thro)%h Jes)s Christ. &, No o$e has e8er see$ Go(. The :$e a$( :$ly So$Qthe :$e 3ho is at the Father?s si(eQHe has re8eale( Hi1.
&.
Literary style ,ohn<s #os$el is in ty$ical He raic style of $oetry that echoes the first sentence of Genesis, yet his #os$el was written for a Gentile au"ience. !t is a #enre of com$limentin#, re$eatin# or contrastin# i"eas, rather than rhymin# wor"s. Herses 1 an" - "escri e the eternal as$ects of ,esus Bfrom the e#innin#C ;lines A an" A<= of time with the focus on the Wor" ;of Go" who was ,esus= ein# the eternal )eity ;line '=. 1he first lines were written with re$eatin# or contrastin# i"eas, as note" y the similarities etween lines A an" A<, . an" .<, etc. 1he focus of this short He raic $oem is the center line 7 line ' an" '<, ein# ,esus 7 in human form was Go" on earth. 2I$ the be%i$$i$%.5 1his $hrase in the ori#inal He rew "i" not ha9e the "efinite article Bthe.C !n essence, the #os$el writer is sayin# that Bin e#innin#C there ne9er was a e#innin# $oint, ut was eternity $ast ;cf. ,n. 17*2L 'ol. 1*17=. 1his is a $ara"o% to mo"ern thinkin#, ut un"erstoo" y his first century au"ience. Hence, ,ohn reflecte" u$on two writin#s of Moses in Genesis an" in (salm 98.2@1 After the summary account of creation, ,ohn "iscusses the con"ition of man. Man, who was an" is the su$reme creation in the ima#e of Go" ;Gen. 1*-3=, fell into sin an" is now offere" sal9ation y Go" throu#h 'hrist ,esus. !t was A"am who was "efeate" y 5atan in the eautiful Gar"en of 4"en ;Gen. -*@=, ut ,esus came an" ha" 9ictory o9er 5atan. .ecause of ,esus< sinless life, sacrificial "eath, an" resurrection, eternal life is now a9aila le to all men y the ?ne Who was in the e#innin#. While the sacrifices of the ?l" 'o9enant co9ere" sin, the work of 'hrist remo9e" sin. 2@- 1he :ew 'o9enant fulfille" the ol" one an" com$lete" the way of sal9ation for mankin".
581. Moses authore" (salm 98 - 113.

582. 5ee A##e$(i@ &. concernin# ?l" 1estament sacrifices an" ,esus. +or the :ew 1estament $lan of sal9ation re9eale" in the ?l" 1estament, see A##e$(i@ <.
424
4ideo Insert
/3)/,)/0)4 Re$) John MetFger of !ornerstone Bi+&e !o&&ege dis%usses the ;eity of Jesus in the O&d Testa"ent and in eternity #ast 7.-20>8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 1he clima% of this #os$el is the only true res$onse one can #i9e to ,esus* BMy &or" an" my Go"C ;,n. -8*-@=. ,ohn state" that ,esus was with the +ather throu#hout eternity $ast ;(ro9. @*---/1L ,n. 17*2, -4= an" was the 'reator of all thin#s ;'ol. 1*13-17L 4$h. /*9L He . 1*-=. +urthermore, ,esus is oth the li#ht an" the life of humanity ;,n. 2*-3, @*1-, 9*2, 1-*/2, 43L ! ,n. 2*11= an" the "arkness of this worl" coul" not e%tin#uish Him. 1he #os$el e#ins an" en"s with life. !n fact, the wor" life is one of ,ohn<s key wor"s. 1he $re-e%istence of BGo"C as 'reator is also foun" in a )ea" 5ea 5croll "ocument known as the Manuel of )iscipline.2@/ 1he ancient 4ssene writer sai", For H)(%1e$t is Go(?s a$( fro1 His ha$( is the 3ay of bla1eless$ess Fro1 His (esi%$ e8erythi$% re"ei8e( its ori%i$+ a$( fro1 His (esi%$ E8erythi$% that e@ists 3as #re#are( 3itho)t Hi1 $othi$% 3as 1a(e. 6ea( Sea S"rolls+ &JS PI7&
',/
All that is a$( e8er 3as "o1es fro1 the Go( of 9$o3le(%e+ Aefore thi$%s "a1e i$to e@iste$"e He (eter1i$e( a #la$ for the1+ A$( 3he$ they f)lfille( their a##oi$te( roles it is i$ a""or(a$"e 3ith His %lorio)s (esi%$+ 583. 5ee *. * Aibli"al A$( E@tra-Aibli"al 0riti$%s for more information. 584. 5antala, The Messiah in the New Testament. 32-33.
425 That they (is"har%e their f)$"tio$s Nothi$% "a$ be "ha$%e(. 6ea( Sea S"rolls+ &JS III73
','
2The 0or(.5 ,ohn "i" not s$eak of a Bwor"C or Bwor"sC as s$oken y ,esus, ut rather, he s$oke of Bthe Wor"C as ein# the essence of &esus / the essential inner mind of 'hrist. !f the Auestion were aske", BWhat is in the heart of hearts of ,esusFC the answer is BHis Wor".C !n or"er to un"erstan" the min" of ,esus, one must un"erstan" His s$eech, actions, ministry, an" life. ,ohn essentially #a9e two si#nificant $oints a out the Messiah* 1. 1he Wor" was with Go". -. 1he Wor" was Go". Dnowin# ,esus was not an either/or choice of these two $oints, ut a com ination of oth. 2@3 ?ne cannot un"erstan" the Messiah<s Wor" without un"erstan"in# His mind and heart. With this comes the un"erstan"in# of the essence of the min" of Go" the +ather ;,n. 14*-/--4=. 2@7 ?ther :ew 1estament writers referre" to the essential inner mind of ,esus as ein# the logos, which is Greek meanin# Word, of Go". (aul sai" in 4$hesians 4*1that it was shar$er than a two-e"#e" swor", meanin# that it can cut to the soul to sur#ically e%$ose sin. &uke, in his secon" writin#, use" it where the BWor"C of Go" is un"erstoo" to e the B5$iritC of Go" or the Bre9eale" min"C of Go" ;Acts 1/*4@L 1@*2=. ,ohn use" logos a#ain in his last work with the Wor" of Go" ein# ,esus 'hrist Himself ;0e9. 19*1/=. Gnosticism an" )ocetism were two $o$ular heresies within the Gentile worl" that confronte" the a$ostles an" other church lea"ers. 1hese theories of knowle"#e an" Go" confronte" oth ,ews an" 'hristians, an" for that reason, the A$ostle (aul ma"e these two comments* For e8erythi$% 3as "reate( by Hi1+ i$ hea8e$ a$( o$ earth+ the 8isible a$( the i$8isible+ 3hether thro$es or (o1i$io$s or
&.
585. 5antala, The Messiah in the New Testament. 32-33.

586. 5tern, &ewish New Testament 'ommentary. 124.
587. MaEor, Manson, an" Wri#ht, The Mission and Message of &esus . 379-@8.
426 r)lers or a)thoritiesQall thi$%s ha8e bee$ "reate( thro)%h Hi1 a$( for Hi1. Colossia$s &7&. Eet for )s there is o$e Go(+ the Father. All thi$%s are fro1 Hi1+ a$( 3e e@ist for Hi1. A$( there is o$e Lor(+ Jes)s Christ. All thi$%s are thro)%h Hi1 a$( 3e e@ist thro)%h Hi1.
.
& Cori$thia$s ,7. While the stu"y of the influence of Gnosticism an" 9arious cultic eliefs is eyon" the sco$e of this stu"y, it must e riefly state" that ,ohn<s #os$el is to a certain e%tent, an a$olo#etic "ocument that refutes these $a#an i"eas. 1he $hrase 2No o$e has e8er see$ Go(+5 means that no one has e9er seen the ultimate #lory, maEesty, an" nature of Go". Accor"in# to Moses, Go" sai" BJou cannot see my face, for no one can see me an" li9eC ;4%. //*-8=. 1his is "ue to mankin"<s sinfulness. Jet accor"in# to the He rew .i le ;Tanakh=, Go" ;Adonai or 5lohim= has ma"e Himself known to selecte" in"i9i"uals in a limite" manner. 4%am$les are* 1. 1o A raham ;Gen. 1@= -. 1o ,aco ;Gen. /-*-2-//= /. 1o Moses ;4%. /= 4. 1o ,oshua ;,os. 2*1/-3*2= 2. 1o the $eo$le ;ten tri es= of !srael ;,u". -*1-2= 3. 1o Gi"eon ;,u". 3*11--4= 7. 1o the $arents of 5amson ;,u". 1/*---/= @. 1o !saiah ;!sa. 3*1= :o one in the ancient worl" e9er Auestione" the e%istence of Go" or #o"s. 1o the Greek min", the uni9erse an" the worl" with all its $eo$les an" #o"s
427 ha9e always e%iste". 1he ,ews, howe9er, ha" a ra"ically "ifferent conce$t, one in which the earth ha" a s$ecific e#innin#. ,ohn<s $ur$ose is to con9ince ,ews an" Gentiles that ,esus was the e%$ecte" Anointe" ?ne ;'hristL ,n. -8*/1=, the $re"icte" Messiah of the He rew $ro$hecies.
20ith Go(.5 1hrou#hout history, there ha9e een a few who incorrectly tau#ht that the ori#inal law rea" Bwith a #o"C an", there y, "enie" the "eity of ,esus. 1his theolo#ical "iscussion is eyon" the sco$e of this work, yet is so si#nificant that the rea"er is encoura#e" to stu"y the Gran9ille 5har$ 0ule2@@ concernin# this erroneous inter$retation. !n a""ition, for an e%cellent article on the humanity of ,esus, see .ruce A. Ware, as this su Eect is also eyon" the sco$e of this stu"y. 2@9 2That li%ht that shi$es i$ the (ar9$ess.5 &i#ht ;Greek* phosC590 was associate" with the knowle"#e of Go", while "arkness ;Greek* skotos=591 was associate" with i#norance ;Greek* agnosia=592 or reEection of Go". 1he $hrases associate" with li#ht an" "arkness, such as Bsons of li#ht,C an" Bsons of "arkness,C were $o$ulari>e" y the 4ssenes who authore" the 588. Wallace, -reek -rammar. -78-98, 3//, 7/2. 1he Gran9ille 5har$ 0ule has ecome
foun"ational in i lical stu"ies an" may also e foun" in systematic theolo#y te%t ooksL 5ee also 5tanley 4. (orter BGran9ille 5har$<s 0ule* A 0es$onse to )an Wallace, ?r Why a 'ritical .ook 0e9iew 5houl" .e &eft Alone.C &ournal of the 5 angelical Theological Society. March, -81/. 23*1. 9/-188L )aniel Wallace, BGran9ille 5har$<s 0ule* A 0eEoin"er to 5tan (orter.C &ournal of the 5 angelical Theological Society. March, -81/.181-183.
589. +or an e%cellent article on the humanity of ,esus, see .ruce A. Ware, in, B1he Man
'hrist ,esusC $a#e 2, as this su Eect is also eyon" the sco$e of this stu"y, 590. .arclay, B&i#ht.C &esus. -34. 591. .arclay, B)arkness.C &esus. -34. 592. .arclay, B!#norance.C &esus. -34.
428 )ea" 5ea 5crolls many "eca"es efore ,esus was orn. Hence, they were in common usa#e when ,esus came to rin# li#ht to all mankin". 2The tr)e li%ht.5 1he Greek wor" for true is alethes" which is closely relate" to alethinos" which means genuine or real. ,esus alone can rin# li#ht to mankin" in a worl" of Auestiona le sha"ows an" illusions. 59! ,ohn<s #os$el is, to a certain "e#ree, a "efense a#ainst Gnosticism which state" that matter is essentially e9il an" anythin# s$iritual is essentially #oo". 5ee BGnosticismC in Glossary. 2He %a8e the1 the ri%ht to be "hil(re$ of Go(.5 While the ?l" 1estament states that one "ay the Gentiles woul" ecome sa9e", the ,ewish lea"ers, for the most $art, reEecte" that i"ea. ,ohn, howe9er, $lace" all humanity on an eAual $lane efore the Almi#hty Go". 1his was stunnin# to the ,ews, who felt they were selecte" ecause they were Go"<s chosen $eo$le. 2The la3 3as %i8e$ thro)%h Moses.5 A certain measure of #race accom$anie" the &aw of Moses or else no man coul" ha9e een sa9e" un"er it. Jet the $ro$er office of the law itself was not #race, ut restraint an" con9iction of sin ;0om. /*-8L Gal. /*19=. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, the 'hurch has a"o$te" a 0oman 9iew of ,aw" in that it means restriction an" therefore, bad" while the He rew .i le 9iews ,aw as %nstruction an" freedom" an" therefore good. 2The 0or( be"a1e flesh a$( too9 )# resi(e$"e a1o$% )s.5 1his statement is rather meanin#less to"ay, ut in the first century it was a $owerful statement ecause a heresy known as )ocetism challen#e" the church. 1he wor" )ocetism ori#inates from the root wor" dokein" meanin# to seem.594 !t is a heresy that states that ,esus was not a human ein#, ut He only seemed to e human. +or that reason, ,ohn sai" that the Wor" ecame flesh ;,n. 1*14=. !n ,ohn<s first letter he un"erscore" this messa#e y sayin# that anyone who "enies that ,esus came in the flesh is of the anti'hrist ;1 ,n. 4*/=. 5ee )ocetism in Glossary. Howe9er, there is another as$ect to this statement* Greek $oets an" $hiloso$hers ne9er e9er consi"ere" that the wor" of any #o" coul" ecome human. 1o them, the human o"y was a $lace in which the soul was tra$$e" an" confine". 1he i"ea that the Wor" of Go" ecame human in the form of ,esus, that He
593. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*7-9L 24. 594. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*1/, 32.
429 entere" the human race as a chil", li9e" as a mortal man, tau#ht an" $erforme" miracles so mankin" coul" see into the eyes of Go", was stunnin# an" un elie9a le, yet elie9a le to the Gentiles. 1herefore, the 9ery i"ea $ose" y critics who say that the essence of ,ohn 1 was orrowe" from the Greeks is totally a sur".
/. &. 3.J& Ho3 "a$ it be sai( that $o o$e has e8er see$ Go( BJ$. &7&,C 3he$ other #assa%es Bi.e.+ E@. 337&&C "learly i$(i"ate other3ise> 1his Auestion is o 9iously in res$onse to the statement, 2No o$e has e8er see$ Go(+5 which a$$ears in "irect conflict with other i lical $assa#es. +or e%am$le, 4%o"us //*11 states that Bthe &or" use" to s$eak to Moses face to face,C ut in 9erse 1@, Moses aske" Go" to Bshow me your #lory.C At first Go" refuse", ut then conce"e" an" ma"e His B#oo"ness to $assC in front of him ;4%. //*19=, ecause Byou cannot see my face, for no one can see my face an" li9eC ;9. -8=. 1his i"ea is re$eate" three 9erses later. Herse -8 then re"efines the meanin# of the $hrase Bface to face,C ut it o 9iously was not in the sense of mo"ern inter$retation an", hence, there is no conflict with ,ohn 1*1@. 1here are similar accounts that were written y Moses, !saiah, an" 4>ekiel. +or e%am$le, $re9ious to this e$iso"e, Moses an" the lea"ers of the !sraelite chil"ren Bsaw Go", an" they ate an" "rankC ;4%. -4*11 =. While this 9erse affirms a 9isual a$$earance, it is in the conte%t of //*19--8. 1hey may ha9e seen Go", ut not His face. 'enturies later 4>ekiel was #rante" the unusual o$$ortunity to #et a #lim$se that was only a 9ision in which he saw a form on a throne, not a clear ima#e ;4>ek. 1*-3--@=. 1herefore, the a$$arent ?l" 1estament references that seem to conflict with ,ohn are, in fact, clarifie" y Moses.
430 4lsewhere, !saiah saw Go" hi#h an" lifte" u$ u$on a throne ;!sa. 3*1= an" the se9enty el"ers of !srael saw Go" ;4%. -4*9-11=. Jet as state" a o9e, 4%o"us //*-8 rea"s that no one can see Go" an" li9e. 1his $assa#e an" ,ohn 1*1@ mean that the ultimate #lory an" nature of Go" are hi""en from sinful humanity. +inally, Go" was the author of the human o"y an" soul of ,esus 'hrist. !n Him the "i9ine an" human natures were unite", so that Bthe Wor",C who Bwas in the e#innin# with Go"C an" Bwas Go",C Bwas ma"e flesh an" li9e" amon# us.C !t was on oth accounts that ,esus was calle" Bthe 5on of Go".C 1herefore, He was also sai" to e BGo" manifeste" in the fleshC ;1 1im. /*13=. /. &. / L9. &7&-/ I$tro()"tio$ by L)9e Ma$y ha8e )$(erta9e$ to "o1#ile a $arrati8e abo)t the e8e$ts that ha8e bee$ f)lfille( a1o$% )s+ * H)st as the ori%i$al eye3it$esses a$( ser8a$ts of the 3or( ha$(e( the1 (o3$ to )s. 3 It also see1e( %oo( to 1e+ si$"e I ha8e "aref)lly i$8esti%ate( e8erythi$% fro1 the 8ery first+ to 3rite to yo) i$ a$ or(erly se=)e$"e+ 1ost ho$orable Theo#hil)s+ / so that yo) 1ay 9$o3 the "ertai$ty of the thi$%s abo)t 3hi"h yo) ha8e bee$ i$str)"te(.
&
1he #os$el of &uke an" the ook of Acts were oth a""resse" to an in"i9i"ual y the name of 1heo$hilos, who was $ro a ly an u$$er-class Greek. 1here are, howe9er, a few scholars who elie9e that, since the name 1heo$hilos means Blo9e of Go",C oth ooks were written for an au"ience faithful to Go". 1his inter$retation is a minority 9iew$oint, since in"i9i"uals freAuently ha" names that were in some way connecte" with a "eity. 2:ri%i$al eye3it$esses a$( ser8a$ts.5 &uke assure" his rea"ers that his information was from relia le sources. He was y $rofession a $hysician an" his me"ical trainin# reAuire" him to e o ser9ant an" "e"icate" to "etail. He researche" his material an" his writin# reflects a so$histicate" style of Greek that is uniAuely "ifferent from other :ew 1estament authors. 1he same care that he woul" ha9e #i9en to his $atients, he e%ercise" in com$ilin# an" recor"in# the historical e9ents $ertainin# to ,esus. He relie"
431 not only on $ersonal inter9iews, ut also on written e9ents $re$are" y other writers ;&k. 1*1=. &uke was a tra9elin# com$anion of the A$ostle (aul ;'ol. 4*14L Ph1. -4= an" referre" to himself in the BweC statements in the ook of Acts. He met at least one of the ori#inal a$ostles, ,ames, the half- rother of ,esus ;Acts -1*1@=. &uke was a frien" of Mark ;'ol. 4*18-14L Phl1. -/ff= an" .arna as ;Acts 4*/3=. He was with 5ilas ;Acts 12*--, -7, /-= an" with (hili$, the e9an#elist ;Acts -1*@=, with A#a us ;Acts -1*18= an" with an el"erly "isci$le, Manson ;Acts -1*12ff=. 'learly, &uke ha" an a un"ance of resources from which to write his #os$el, as well as the ook of Acts. 2I ha8e "aref)lly i$8esti%ate(.5 1he intro"uction y &uke is the only $lace in the #os$els where the writer i"entifies himself with the $ronoun B!.C 1his is similar to the, B! ha9e ma"e it e9i"entC statement y ,ose$hus, which he wrote in "efense of his maEor work on the history of the ,ewish $eo$le. .oth writers un"erscore" the "etaile" research they $erforme" to insure accuracy for the rea"ers. I s)##ose that+ by 1y boo9s of the Anti1uities of the 5ews+ 1ost e@"elle$t E#a#hro(it)s+ I ha8e 1a(e it e8i(e$t to those 3ho #er)se the1 that o)r Je3ish $atio$ is of 8ery %reat a$ti=)ity.... Jose#h)s+ Against A&ion !t shoul" e note" that ,esus ha" a half- rother name" ,ames ;Mt. 1/*22= who "i" not elie9e ,esus was the Messiah until after the resurrection. 1herefore, &uke, s$eakin# with the once-ske$tical ,ames, un"erstoo" that Auestions of ske$tics that in turn moti9ate" him to e e%tremely careful in his research. 2A$ or(erly se=)e$"e.5 &uke state" that it was his $ur$ose to recor" an or"erly account or seAuence of the e9ents that occurre" "urin# the life of ,esus. As a traine" me"ical $hysician, he not only focuse" on accuracy of "etail, ut also on the meaning of 9arious e9ents. +urthermore, the "efinition of this Greek $hrase for Bor"erly accountC inclu"es chronolo#ical accuracy. As such, &uke was "ifferent from other writers ecause, to them, it was #enerally acce$ta le to com$romise on the chronolo#y in or"er to o tain a "ee$er un"erstan"in# an" si#nificance of a #i9en messa#e.
432
433
U$it / The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter * The Ge$ealo%ies of Jes)s
/. *. A. AN ANGEL FISITS THE FI;GIN MA;E. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. Mary, who is accurately re$resente" in or"inary attire of
434 a ,ewish $easant woman, is shown kneelin# in $rayer u$on a mat or car$et, which also ser9e" as her e".
/. *. & I$tro()"tio$ !t was e%tremely im$ortant for the ,ews to know the ancestry of ,esus, as He ha" $ro$hetic im$ortance. 1he si#nificance of the #enealo#ies lies in the fact that Go" ha" #i9en A raham, !saac, ,aco an" their "escen"ants the A rahamic 'o9enant concernin# the lan" ;Gen. 1-*--/, 7L 1/*14-17= an" ?ne who woul" e sent to less them ;Gen. 12*1@L 17*3-@=. 1his co9enant was later reaffirme" to Din# )a9i" ;- 5am. 7*13L (s. @9*1-4= an" is known as the )a9i"ic 'o9enant. 1herefore, the #enealo#ical recor" is a lo#ical startin# $oint to "ocument that the messiahshi$ of ,esus is the fulfillment of oth the )a9i"ic an" A rahamic 'o9enants.292 1he recor" of #enealo#ies, 293 were $resente" to $ro9e to the ,ewish $eo$le that ,esus fulfille" all of the co9enant reAuirements an" all the $ro$hecies. /. *. * Mt. &7&-&< The Ge$ealo%y of Jes)s as ;e"or(e( by Matthe3 The histori"al re"or( of Jes)s Christ+ the So$ of 6a8i(+ the So$ of Abraha17
&
Abraha1 fathere( Isaa"+ Isaa" fathere( Ja"ob+ Ja"ob fathere( J)(ah a$( his brothers+ 3 J)(ah fathere( PereG a$( Lerah by Ta1ar+ PereG fathere( HeGro$+ HeGro$ fathere( Ara1+ / Ara1 fathere( A11i$a(ab+ A11i$a(ab fathere( Nahsho$+ Nahsho$ fathere( Sal1o$+ ' Sal1o$ fathere( AoaG by ;ahab+ AoaG fathere( :be( by ;)th+ :be( fathere( Jesse+ . a$( Jesse fathere( Ii$% 6a8i(.
*
3. *. 3MU+ 3. *. .MU+ 3. 3. &MU, /. *. *MU+ an" &3. /. 'MU.
596. )alman, &esus 'hrist in the Talmud. /1L ,erusalem 1almu", &0bamoth 49 .
435 The$ 6a8i( fathere( Solo1o$ by Uriah?s 3ife+ < Solo1o$ fathere( ;ehoboa1+ ;ehoboa1 fathere( AbiHah+ AbiHah fathere( Asa+ , Asa fathere( Jehosha#hat+ Jehosha#hat fathere( Jora1+ Jora1 fathere( UGGiah+ ! UGGiah fathere( Jotha1+ Jotha1 fathere( AhaG+ AhaG fathere( HeGe9iah+ & HeGe9iah fathere( Ma$asseh+ Ma$asseh fathere( A1o$+ A1o$ fathere( Josiah+ && a$( Josiah fathere( Je"ho$iah a$( his brothers at the ti1e of the e@ile to Aabylo$. The$ after the e@ile to Aabylo$ Je"ho$iah fathere( Shealtiel+ Shealtiel fathere( Ler)bbabel+ &3 Ler)bbabel fathere( Abi)(+ Abi)( fathere( Elia9i1+ Elia9i1 fathere( AGor+ &/ AGor fathere( La(o9+ La(o9 fathere( A"hi1+ A"hi1 fathere( Eli)(+ &' Eli)( fathere( EleaGar+ EleaGar fathere( Mattha$+ Mattha$ fathere( Ja"ob+ &. a$( Ja"ob fathere( Jose#h the h)sba$( of Mary+ 3ho %a8e birth to Jes)s 3ho is "alle( the Messiah.
&*
So all the %e$eratio$s fro1 Abraha1 to 6a8i( 3ere fo)rtee$ %e$eratio$s4 a$( fro1 6a8i( )$til the e@ile to Aabylo$+ fo)rtee$ %e$eratio$s4 a$( fro1 the e@ile to Aabylo$ )$til the Messiah+ fo)rtee$ %e$eratio$s.
&<
/. *. *.J& 0hat 3as the #)r#ose of a %e$ealo%i"al listi$%>
436 !t was most im$ortant that the #os$el writers inform their rea"ers not only that ,esus was the Messiah, ut also that He ha" the right to e the Messiah an" His cre"entials ;inclu"in# the #enealo#y= were $resente" as e9i"ence of this truth. At the time this #os$el was written, the $rimiti9e church was en"urin# $ersecution from oth ,ews an" Gentiles. 1he elie9ers nee"e" assurance. !f they were #oin# to "ie for their faith, they nee"e" to know who ,esus was as a $hysical man an", hence, the #enealo#ies ;see /. *. & !ntro"uction=. 1he $hrase, BA recor" of the #enealo#y,C coul" also e translate" as rea"in#, Bthe ook of the #enerations of,C or Bthe ook of ori#in,C an" is similar to recor"s foun" in Genesis -*4, 2*1, 3*9, an" /7*-. 297 1hese recor"s were im$ortant for three $rimary reasons* 1. 1hey #a9e a clear i"entity of ancestral an" tri al ori#ins, which le" to the secon" reason, -. 1hey were critically im$ortant for certain reli#ious or $olitical offices. /. 1he #enealo#ical recor" "emonstrates the "i9ine $ur$ose for the restoration of man from the e#innin# of A"am. 1he $romise of the )a9i"ic 'o9enant was fulfille" y ,esus. He recei9e" His B loo" ri#htC to Din# )a9i"<s throne throu#h Mary an" His Ble#al ri#htC to the throne throu#h His a"o$te" earthly father ,ose$h. ?ther e%am$les of #enealo#y are as follows* 1. 1he historian ,ose$hus $reser9e" his #enealo#y for $osterity ; ,ife 1./=. -. ?ne ancient ra i, with a "esire that his son woul" marry only into the ri#ht family, trace" the #enealo#y of a $ros$ecti9e "au#hter-inlaw to Din# )a9i".29@ 597. Gil rant, BMatthew.C 19L )alman, &esus 'hrist in the Talmud. /1L ,erusalem 1almu",
&0bamoth 49 .
598. .a ylonian 1almu", *etubot 3- .
437 /. !n ,ewish history, when the ,ews returne" from .a ylon, three families, Ho aiah, Hakko> an" .ar>illai, claime" to e of $riestly stock, ut :ehemiah "enie" them that $ri9ile#e of ser9ice ecause no recor" was foun" of them ;4>ra -*31-3-=. 4. Another returnin# #rou$ of 32- $eo$leYa$$arently #entilesY wante" to return to ,erusalem, ut coul" not $ro9e they were "escen"ants of !srael ;4>ra -*29=. 1hey too were "enie" the o$$ortunity e ecome ,ewish. 2. 1he A$ostle (aul reflecte" u$on his #enealo#y when he claime" that he was of the tri e of .enEamin ;(hil. /*2=. 299 ?ne<s herita#e was always im$ortant, not only in the ,ewish worl", ut throu#hout all ancient cultures in this area. &inea#e was reckone" throu#h the father from whom the son recei9e" his herita#e. !t ma"e no "ifference if a father was a iolo#ical father or a le#al father throu#h a"o$tion or marria#e. 1his is e%$laine" in the secon" century ..'. A$ocry$ha ook of 5irach. A "o8e$a$t 3as also establishe( 3ith 6a8i(+ the so$ of Jesse+ of the tribe of J)(ah7 the herita%e of the 9i$% is fro1 so$ to so$ o$ly4 so the herita%e of Aaro$ is for his (es"e$(a$ts. Sira"h /'7*' 1his ancient custom continues to"ay amon# some Muslim lea"ers, who trace their recor" of ancestry from Muhamma". &ikewise, the 5amaritans claim to ha9e their $riestly #enealo#y recor"e" from A"am to the $resent "ay $riests. 1heir #enealo#ical recor" is known as the Adler 'hronicle or 'hronicle E.388 1herefore, the #enealo#y $resente" y the #os$el writers was $erfectly in tune with the cultural reAuirements for anyone functionin# in any reli#ious office.
599. Golu , %n the )ays. 41.
600. !nformation o taine" "urin# a $ersonal inter9iew with Hosney Dohen, a 5amaritan
$riest in Au#ust of 1999L :eusner an" Green, )ictionary of &udaism. 1/.
438 26a8i(+ the So$ of Abraha1.5 A raham was the first to recei9e the messianic $romise of sal9ation for his future nation ;Gen. 1-*/L 1@*1@L --*1@= as $art of his co9enant with Go". 381 Matthew wrote to a ,ewish au"ience an" mentione" oth A raham an" )a9i" in his #enealo#y, ecause Go" ha" $romise" them an eternal throne ;- 5am. 7*13L (s. @9*14=. 1he ,ews un"erstoo" the si#nificance of these co9enants an" the connection Matthew was makin# to relate them to ,esus ;9ia the #enealo#y=. 1he mention of A raham an" )a9i" meant far more than historic fi#ures, it meant a $romise of Go" that was now to e fulfille". A out three or four "eca"es before the irth of ,esus, a ook known as the 4salms of Solomon was written with the followin# 9erse that em$hasi>es the connection of )a9i" an" the Messiah as a $olitical fi#ure ;see also comments on Mt. -1=. While the entire cha$ter $aints a com$rehensi9e $icture of ,ewish e%$ectations, this 9erse is of $articular interest as it illustrates the hi#h le9el of e%$ectation at the time of ,esus. See+ Lor(+ a$( raise )# for the1 their 9i$%+ the so$ of 6a8i(+ to r)le o8er yo)r ser8a$t Israel i$ the ti1e 9$o3$ to yo)+ : Go(. Psalms of 3olomon &<7*&.
*
1he "efinition of the $hrase 2So$5 is im$ortant in un"erstan"in# the full "e$th of He raic writin#s. 1he wor" meant any male offs$rin#, $ast, $resent, or future. !n He rew, there is no wor" for B#ran"son,C or B#reat-#ran"son.C +or e%am$le, 9erse 1 in"icates that ,esus was the BsonC of Din# )a9i", who was a BsonC of the $atriarch A raham. 5ince Matthew wrote his #os$el to the ,ews, it was critical to "emonstrate that ,ose$h was a "escen"ant of )a9i" as well as A raham. ?mittin# se9eral names was not an error. !t merely "emonstrate" that the linea#e from A raham to ,esus is easily reco#ni>e". ?l" 1estament $ro$hets re$eate"ly foretol" that the Messiah woul" e a "escen"ant of Din# )a9i", su stantiatin# the #enealo#ical inte#rity of ,esus.
601. Gil rant, BMatthew.C 19. 602. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. -*337.
439 1he $hrase Bson of )a9i"C was not only a matter of #enealo#y, ut it also was a messianic title. Matthew<s first century rea"ers clearly un"erstoo" the messa#e. 1he messianic title a$$eare" first in the 4salms of Solomon 17*-/ an" /3 that was written in the first century ..'. Mo"ern critics nee" to answer why the (harisees an" 5a""ucees ne9er critici>e" His #enealo#y. !t was ecause recor"s of families, clans, an" tri es were archi9e" in the tem$le. 1he focus of Matthew is sim$ly that ,esus, the Messiah, has a 9erifia le historical trail to A raham that He is a )a9i"ic kin#, an" that He is the fulfillment of the A rahamic 'o9enant. 38/ !n fact, the terms Son of Man384 an" Son of )a id ecame synonyms for Messiah y the first century.382 1he e%$ectations were that this B5onC woul" e%cel )a9i"<s trium$hs.383 +urthermore, the e%$ressions of B5on of ManC an" B5on of Go",C when use" of 'hrist "o so to e%$ress His "eity. 387 .ut &uke wrote to a Gentile au"ience, who knew little of A raham or )a9i". 1herefore, he trace" the linea#e throu#h )a9i" an" A"am, the father of humanity. 'ritics ha9e calle" attention to the fact that the father of ,ose$h was ,aco accor"in# to Matthew ;1*13=, whereas &uke sai" he was the son of Heli ;/*-/=. A#ain, this is har"ly an error, for as the ancients calle" oth their #ran"sons an" #reat-#ran"sons Bsons,C they "i" likewise with their sons-in-law. Heli was, in fact, the father of Mary an" the father-in-law of ,ose$h.38@ )urin# the 0eformation (erio", in the year 1498, the inter$retation was $o$ulari>e" y Annius of Hiter o who state" that &uke<s #enealo#y connecte" ,ose$h as the son-in-law of Heli. 389
603. Merrill, *ingdom of 4riests. 1@3-@7.

604. 1he $hrase Son of Man in the .ook of 4noch is a fi#ure, who is waitin# in hea9en until Go" sen"s him to earth where he woul" esta lish his kin#"om an" rule o9er it. 1his ook was common knowle"#e to the ,ewish $eo$le, so when ,esus use" the $hrase a out Himself, it was clearly claimin# to e the lon#-awaite" Messiah. 1he $hrase Son of Man was ori#inally "eri9e" from )aniel 7*1/. 5ee .ruce, New Testament +istory. 137L 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 182.
605. 0ichar"son, B)a9i".C 29-38.

606. 4salm of Solomon 17L 4cclesiasticus 47*11L 1 Macc. -*27. 607. ,n. /*1/L 2*-7L 3*-7L cf. Mt.-3*3/-34L 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 182.
608. Willmin#ton, Willmington0s -uide to the Bible . 7. Willmin#ton has an e%cellent i lical
stu"y outline.
609. Gil rant, B&uke.C 182.
440 /. *. *.J* Is there a 1ista9e i$ Matthe3 &7&&> 2Je"o$iah a$( his brothers.5 1he i lical recor" of ,econiah ;also known as ,ehoiachin= has #i9en critics fo""er for their ar#uments that the .i le contains errors. At issue is the 9erse where Matthew states that 5alathiel ;a/k/a 5healtiel= is the son of ,ehoiachin while &uke ascri es him to e the son of :eria. ,eremiah -7*-4-/8 $re"icte" that ,ehoiachin woul" lea9e no heirs. Jet, it is alto#ether $ossi le for him to ha9e a"o$te" the se9en sons of :eria, as im$lie" in Kechariah 1-*1-. Matthew ma"e a s$ecial note of ,econiah an" his rothers ecause the .a ylonian Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar ha" all of them an" their wi9es im$risone". !n A$ril of 231 ..'., howe9er, the .a ylonians release" them an" #a9e ,ehoiachin a lifetime $ension. 1he first century ,ews were con9ince" that the Messiah woul" come throu#h the #enealo#y of ,ehoiachin, which is $recisely what ha$$ene".318 2Mary+ 3ho %a8e birth to Jes)s.5 1he im$ortance of this Greek $hrase is that it is feminine, an" o 9iously refers to Mary. 1he si#nificance lies in the fact that in the ,ewish culture, the irth of a chil" was always associate" with the father. Howe9er, in this case the #os$el writer use" a feminine relati9e $ronoun to reak the $attern of the #enealo#y to em$hasi>e that ,ose$h was not the father an" that Mary was in"ee" a 9ir#in when ,esus was orn. 1he #en"er is lost in 4n#lish translations, ut the writer un"erscore" the im$ortance of her #enealo#y. 311
20ho is "alle( the Messiah.5 1he meanin# of the wor" BMessiahC or B'hristC is BAnointe" ?ne.C 1he lack of a "efinite Greek article su##ests that the wor" B'hristC may ha9e een use" as a name rather than a title. 1he 610. Gil rant, BMatthew.C -7. 611. Wallace, -reek -rammar. //3-/7L Joun#, %ntermediate New Testament -reek. 73.
441 $hrase was later re$eate" y (ilate ;Mt. -7*17, --=. 31- ,esus was a$$ointe" an" consecrate" y Go" the +ather to the anointe" office of 0e"eemer, which in the He rew lan#ua#e took on the name BMessiah.C /. *. *.J3 Co$"er$i$% Matthe3 &7!+ 3as UGGiah really the father of Jotha$> 1he #enealo#ical recor" is somewhat challen#in# ecause ,otham<s father is known as A>ariah ;- D#. 12*1-7, 1 'h. /*1-=, as well as U>>iah ;- D#. 12*/-, /4L - 'h. -3*1--/, -7*-L !sa. 1*1, 3*1L 7*1=. 1he two names ha9e een a fa9orite su Eect for critics. Howe9er, it is also known that $eo$le woul" occasionally chan#e their name when there was a "ramatic chan#e in their life. 1here is no reason #i9en for the name chan#e or if the kin# maintaine" two names, ut the fact that these refer to the same $erson has een well esta lishe". 1here are se9eral other e%am$les of name chan#es in oth the ?l" an" :ew 1estaments, as well as in ,ewish an" surroun"in# cultures. 1. When Gi"eon "estroye" the 'anaanite altar to .aal at ?$hrah ;,#. 3*/-, 7*1=, his name was chan#e" to ,eru aal. -. ,ehoaha>, who was the son of ,osiah, ha" his name chan#e" to 5hallum.31/ :ame chan#es were not restricte" to this $erio" of history, as note" in the :ew 1estament. /. When the famous 5aul ecame the A$ostle (aul, he went from a He rew name to a Greek name. 4. :ame chan#es were also common in other cultures, as e%em$lifie" y the 4#y$tian (haraoh :echo, who chan#e" the name of 4liakim to ,ehoiakim ;- D#. -/*/4=. 2. 49i"ently, a reason for the "ual i"entity of U>>iah/A>ariah was not consi"ere" si#nificant y the i lical writers. 612. Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C 1-.
613. - D#. -/*-1, 1 'h. /*12, ,er. --*11.
442
/. *. *.J/ 0hy (i( Matthe3 (i8i(e the list of $a1es i$to three %ro)#s> 2Fo)rtee$ %e$eratio$s.5 At this time there was no stan"ar"i>e" numerical system of num ers, ut rather, al$ha et letters ha" numeric 9alues. +or e%am$le, stu"ents to"ay are familiar with the system of 0oman numerals. !n this system, ! I one, H I fi9e, WI ten, etc. &etters are com ine" to create s$ecific num ers, such as WW!H is -4. &ikewise, the ,ews ha" their system. When Matthew $resente" his #enealo#y, he wrote it in a manner so the ,ews woul" reco#ni>e the He rew numeric 9alue of the most im$ortant kin# in their history, Din# )a9i". 1he name B)a9i"C s$elle" with three letters with their corres$on"in# numeric 9alue are as follows* )aleth ;I4=, waw ;I3=, an" "aleth ;I4=. 1he name of B)a9i"C is a sim$le arithmetic $ro lem of 4M3M4I14. 1herefore, to see the name B)a9i"C is also to see the num er 14.314 1o Matthew, the numeric 9alue was of #reater im$ortance than recor"in# e9ery historical name of the #enealo#y. 5o some names were ski$$e". 1he He rew term for this al$hanumeric system is B#emetriaC ;see A##e$(i@ &3 for more information=. 1he most em$hatic way to say anythin# in He rew was to re$eat it three times. !n this case, the numerical 9alue of Din# )a9i" was mathematically symmetrical, un"erscore" three times to em$hasi>e its im$ortance, an" was also a con9enient learnin# techniAue that ai"s memory. 1he use of letters for num ers to create a cry$tic meanin# is known in He rew as a reme=. Another e%am$le is the famous num er of 333, which is a reme= re$resentin# the Antichrist. 312 1he fact that Matthew has three #rou$s of fourteen names was his instrument to un"erscore the im$ortance of ,esus ein# a 5on of )a9i". 1he ,ews knew this writin# instrument with the wor" BholyC ;i.e. !sa. 3*/= in 5cri$ture is re$eate" three times. &ater, when "escri in# his 9ision of the horri le $la#ues that woul" come, ,ohn sai", Bwoe, woe, woe to the inha itants of the earthC ;0e9. @*1/=. 1here was no other way for a ,ew to
614. ,ohnson, BMatthew.C 7*-2-L Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C 7.
615. Hansen, B1he 5tar in the 4ast.C -*1,18.
443 e%$ress an i"ea in the most si#nificant way $ossi le ut to re$eat it three times. ?nly a ,ewish au"ience woul" ha9e un"erstoo" the numerical meanin# of Matthew<s #enealo#y, as this literary "e9ice also im$lie" BholinessC to ,esus.
Howe9er, in or"er to em$hasi>e the name B)a9i",C Matthew ha" to omit se9eral names from his listin#. 1his was $ossi le ecause a #ran"son or #reat-#ran"son was also consi"ere" to e a Bson.C 1his is a $rime e%am$le of how im$ortant it is to un"erstan" the #os$els in the i lical historical an" cultural conte%t. 1herefore, there is no conflict in the .i lical te%t. As $re9iously state", the terms Son of Man an" Son of )a id ecame synonyms for Messiah y the first century. 313 1he e%$ectations were that this B5onC woul" e%cel )a9i"<s trium$hs. 317 /. *. *.J' 6o other bibli"al %e$ealo%ies s)%%est a )$i=)e 1essa%e> 5el"om. An ortho"o% ra i may ha9e a etter answer. Howe9er, Genesis 4*17-1@ lists si% names of $eo$le followin# A"am. 1he num er si% re$resentin# mankin". Whereas Genesis 2 lists se9en names followin# 5eth, that num er is one of $erfection an" wholeness. ,ewish rea"ers woul" ha9e een aware of oth the names an" what the num er of names im$lie". 31@ /. *. *.J. 0hy (i( Matthe3 i$"l)(e fo)r 3o1e$ of less tha$ fa8orable "hara"ter> 616. 0ichar"son, B)a9i".C 29-38.
617. 4salm of Solomon 17L 4cclesiasticus 47*11L 1 Macc. -*27. 618. 5ee footnote to Genesis 4*17-1@ in the New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le.
444 !f Matthew wante" to hi#hli#ht the no le character of women, he coul" ha9e chosen 5arah, 0e ekah, se9eral other matriarchs. !nstea", he chose four who were the shame of ,u"aism 7 women with an historic less than fa9ora le re$utation* 1amar, 0aha , 0uth, an" .athshe a. Genealo#ies sel"om containe" the names of women, unless they were si#nificant heroines. Howe9er, these women were anythin# ut heroines. :ote the rief "escri$tions of each* 1. 1amar, accor"in# to ,u ilee 41*1 was Aramean an" not ,ewish. After her first two ,ewish hus an"s "ie", her father-in-law was su$$ose" to $ro9i"e a hus an" for her accor"in# to the ,ewish law ;)eut. -2*2-18=. Howe9er, he a an"one" her to $o9erty. 'onseAuently, she cle9erly "is#uise" herself as a $rostitute an" in9ite" her father-in-law to slee$ with her. 5he ecame $re#nant an" later "eli9ere" twins. Her father-in-law e9entually a"mitte" to mistreatin# her. -. 0aha was a 'anaanite $rostitute in ,ericho where she $ro9i"e" $rotection for the !sraelite s$ies. 1his occurre" when ,oshua sent two s$ies into ,ericho $rior to the !sraelite in9asion. When her nei#h ors searche" for them, she $ro9i"e" $rotection an" a means of their esca$e ;,osh. -=. /. 0uth was a $a#an Moa ite, ancient enemy of !srael. 5he sli$$e" un"er the co9ers of a slee$in# man who later marrie" her. 1he Moa ites e9entually assimilate" into the lar#er nei#h orin# Ara tri es. Her #reat-#ran"son was Din# )a9i". Accor"in# to the &aw of Moses, no Ammonite or Moa ite was $ermitte" to enter the assem ly of the &or" ;)eut. -/*/=, yet she was inclu"e" in this list 7 ama>in#. 4. .athshe a committe" a"ultery with Din# )a9i". 5ince her "ecease" hus an" Uriah, was from the $a#an Hittite tri e, there is #oo" reason to elie9e that she was also of the same tri e. &ater she #a9e irth to 5olomon. 319
619. :otice that Matthew refers to .athshe a only as Bthe wife of Uriah,C an" not y her name. He e9i"ently ha" no a$$reciation for her yet inclu"e" her in the #enealo#y when writin# his #os$el.
445 1he focus of Matthew<s #os$el is to "emonstrate that ,esus ha" the cre"entials to rin# sal9ation to humanity an" reak "own ancient cultural an" reli#ious arriersL arriers etween ,ew an" Gentile an" arriers etween male an" female. 5cholars ha9e conclu"e" the followin# $ossi ilities of concernin# the moti9e of Matthew to inclu"e these women* 1. 1hese women ecame $art of the written He rew .i le in s$ite of their actions or herita#e. !n that culture they woul" ha9e suffere" "iscrimination for what they "i" an" who they were. 5o likewise, Mary, the mother of ,esus, woul" suffer "iscrimination y her nei#h ors in .ethlehem an" :a>areth. Matthew "emonstrate" that ,esus came through an" to the lowest, most "es$ise" $eo$le, as well as those of wealth an" esteem. 5e%ual sin an" ein# a Gentile $lace" one on the ottom of the ancient ,ewish social la""er. 1his was a $owerful statement of the for#i9eness of Go" an" re9eale" His messianic $lans for the ,ews an" Gentiles. -. As forei#ners, these women were historic "emonstrations of the lo9e of Go" for the Gentile $eo$le. 0aha , 0uth, an" $ossi ly .athshe a were of Gentile ancestry. /. All these women were e9entually 9in"icate", as woul" mother of ,esus. e Mary, the
/. *. 3 L9. 37*3-3, The Ge$ealo%y of Jes)s as ;e"or(e( by L)9e As He be%a$ His 1i$istry+ Jes)s 3as abo)t 3 years ol( a$( 3as tho)%ht to be the so$ of Jose#h+ so$ of Heli+ */ so$ of Matthat+ so$ of Le8i+ so$ of Mel"hi+ so$ of Ja$$ai+ so$ of Jose#h+ *' so$ of Mattathias+ so$ of A1os+ so$ of Nah)1+ so$ of Esli+ so$ of Na%%ai+ *. so$ of Maath+ so$ of Mattathias+ so$ of Se1ei$+ so$ of Jose"h+ so$ of Jo(a+ *< so$ of Joa$a$+ so$ of ;hesa+ so$ of Ler)bbabel+
*3
446 so$ of Shealtiel+ so$ of Neri+ *, so$ of Mel"hi+ so$ of A((i+ so$ of Cosa1+ so$ of El1a(a1+ so$ of Er+ *! so$ of Josh)a+ so$ of ElieGer+ so$ of Jori1+ so$ of Matthat+ so$ of Le8i+ 3 so$ of Si1eo$+ so$ of J)(ah+ so$ of Jose#h+ so$ of Jo$a1+ so$ of Elia9i1+ 3& so$ of Melea+ so$ of Me$$a+ so$ of Mattatha+ so$ of Natha$+ so$ of 6a8i(+ 3* so$ of Jesse+ so$ of :be(+ so$ of AoaG+ so$ of Sal1o$+ so$ of Nahsho$+ 33 so$ of A11i$a(ab+ so$ of ;a1+RsS so$ of HeGro$+ so$ of PereG+ so$ of J)(ah+ 3/ so$ of Ja"ob+ so$ of Isaa"+ so$ of Abraha1+ so$ of Terah+ so$ of Nahor+ 3' so$ of Ser)%+ so$ of ;e)+ so$ of Pele%+ so$ of Eber+ so$ of Shelah+ 3. so$ of Cai$a$+ so$ of Ar#ha@a(+ so$ of She1+ so$ of Noah+ so$ of La1e"h+ 3< so$ of Meth)selah+ so$ of E$o"h+ so$ of Jare(+ so$ of Mahalaleel+ so$ of Cai$a$+ 3, so$ of E$os+ so$ of Seth+ so$ of A(a1+ so$ of Go(. /. *. 3.J& 0hat are the three i$ter#retatio$s of L)9e 37*3b-3,> 1his $assa#e has een challen#in#. ?9er the years scholars ha9e a"o$te" three 9iews on these narrati9es. As is at times the case, some o$inions may contra"ict. :ote the followin#* 1. .oth #enealo#ies #i9e the "escent of ,ose$h* Matthew<s is real, an" &uke<s is legal.
447 -. Matthew #i9es ,ose$h<s le#al "escent as successor to the throne of )a9i", an" that &uke #i9es his real $arenta#e, an" finally, /. Matthew #i9es the real "escent of ,ose$h an" &uke, the real "escent of Mary. Matthew<s #enealo#ical recor" is trace" from )a9i" throu#h 5olomon, while &uke trace" his recor" from )a9i" throu#h :athan. .oth Mary an" ,ose$h are "escen"ants of the Din# )a9i". 3-8 1wo centuries later 1ertullian claime" that the 0oman census recor"s liste" Mary as ein# a "escen"ant of )a9i". 3-1
/. *. 3.J* 0hy is Jose#h?s father Heli i$ L)9e 37*3 a$( Ja"ob i$ Matthe3 &7&.> 1he issue of ,ose$h<s father, mainly 7 who was he 7 has een a Eoyful su Eect of critics. !n Matthew 1*13 he is ,aco while in &uke /*-/ he is Heli. 'oul" there ha9e een more than one man in the life of ,ose$hF 'onsi"er this* Accor"in# to the &e9itical laws of Moses ;)eut. -2*2 ff= if a man "ie" without chil"ren, his rother must, if he is free to "o so, marry his wi"ow an" chil"ren will e consi"ere" a heirs of the "ecease" rother or of the secon" hus an". 5cholars ha9e su##este" that ,ose$h<s mother was marrie" twice an" that ,ose$h was the son of Heli ;secon" hus an"= ut le#ally he was the son of the first hus an" who $asse" away. 1o a"" to the mystery, Heli an" ,aco ha" the same mother, ut Heli<s father is a "escen"ent of )a9i" throu#h :athan while ,aco <s father is a "escen"ent throu#h 5olomon. While this is a realistic $ossi ility scholars ha9e a#ree" that there is no certain answer to this Auestion. 2The so$ of ;hesa+ the so$ of Ler)bbabel.5 1he name Rhesa means B(rinceC an" is not a $ro$er name. 5ome scholars elie9e that it is hi#hly "ou tful that these two names re$resent two "ifferent #enerations, ut that Keru a el was a $rince. 3--
620. Graham, A -uide to the -ospels. 289.

621. 1ertullian, Against the &ews. 9. 622. Graham, A -uide to the -ospels. 282-89.
448 1he #enealo#ical recor"s, which were house" in the tem$le, woul" ecome more si#nificant after A.). 78 when it was "estroye". 0elate" to this is an interestin# letter written a out the year -88 y ,ulius Africanus, a 'hristian from 4mmaus. He wrote to Din# Aristi"es at the house of 4"essa 3-/ informin# the monarch that the half- rothers of ,esus ha" "escen"ants li9in# in the 9illa#es of :a>ara, 'ocha a, an" elsewhere. +ortunately, while the ori#inal letter has lon# een lost, it "i" not esca$e the watchful eye of 4use ius ;-32-/48=, who was one of the most si#nificant early church fathers an" historians. 4use ius note" the si#nificance of family #enealo#ies an" the fact that the &or"<s $eo$le ;B"es$osyniC=L "e$orte" $ossi ly "ue to conflict with the 0omans. A fe3 ho3e8er of the "aref)l+ either re1e1beri$% the $a1es+ or ha8i$% it i$ their #o3er i$ so1e other 3ay+ by 1ea$s of "o#ies+ to ha8e #ri8ate re"or(s of their o3$+ %lorifie( i$ the i(ea of #reser8i$% the 1e1ory of their $oble e@tra"tio$. :f these 3ere the abo8e 1e$tio$e( #erso$s "alle( (es#osy$i B1ea$i$% Lor(?s #eo#leC.*/ o$ a""o)$t of their affi$ity to the fa1ily of o)r Sa8ior. These "o1i$% fro1 NaGara a$( Co"haba+ 8illa%es of J)(ea to the other #arts of the 3orl( e@#lai$e( the aforesai( %e$ealo%y fro1 the boo9 of (aily re"or(s as faithf)lly as #ossible. E)sebi)s+ (cclesiastical )istory &.<.&/ 4use ius also mentione" Bthe ook of "aily recor"sC which inclu"e" the #enealo#ical recor"s. 0e#ar"less of the ar#ument, the entire :1 a un"antly re$orts the #enealo#ical recor" ;Mt. 1*1L Acts -*/8L 0om. 1*/L - 1im. -*@L He . 7*14L ,ohn. 7*41-4-L 0e9. 2*2, --*13=. +urthermore, while some 'hristians may ha9e ar#ue" the relia ility of the #enealo#ical recor", at least one ra i "i"n<t. 0a i Ulla, of the thir" century i"entifie" ,esus as ein# from the linea#e of )a9i" ;Broyal raceC= an" sai", 2Jes)s 3as treate( i$ a$ e@"e#tio$al 3ay+ be"a)se he 3as of the royal ra"e.5
623. 5ee &,. *. ..J& an" &,. *. .A.
624. (arenthesis mine. )efinition foun" in (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee. 1@.
449 Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 3anhedrin /3a

.*'
U$it / The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter 3
625. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*222. Geikie claims this $assa#e can e foun" in ol"er unmutilate" e"itions.
450
The Airths :f Joh$ The Aa#tist A$( Jes)s
/. 3. A. MA;E FISITS ELILAAETH. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. 1he "ifference in custom worn y women in ,erusalem was "istinctly "ifferent from those in Galilee. Mary ;ri#ht= is shown in a holi"ay "ress of a :a>arene while 4li>a eth is shown in a common "ress of ,erusalem an" .ethlehem areas. /. 3. & L9. &7'-&< ;c. 3-4 ..'.= !n the 1em$le THE AI;TH :F J:HN F:;ET:L6 I$ the (ays of Ii$% Hero( of J)(ea + there 3as a #riest of AbiHah?s (i8isio$ $a1e( Le"hariah. His 3ife 3as fro1 the
'
451
. (a)%hters of Aaro$+ a$( her $a1e 3as EliGabeth. Aoth 3ere ri%hteo)s i$ Go(?s si%ht+ li8i$% 3itho)t bla1e a""or(i$% to all the "o11a$(s a$( re=)ire1e$ts of the Lor(. < A)t they ha( $o "hil(re$ be"a)se EliGabeth "o)l( $ot "o$"ei8e+ a$( both of the1 3ere 3ell alo$% i$ years.
0he$ his (i8isio$ 3as o$ ()ty a$( he 3as ser8i$% as #riest before Go(+ ! it ha##e$e( that he 3as "hose$ by lot+ a""or(i$% to the ")sto1 of the #riesthoo(+ to e$ter the sa$"t)ary of the Lor( a$( b)r$ i$"e$se. & At the ho)r of i$"e$se the 3hole asse1bly of the #eo#le 3as #rayi$% o)tsi(e. && A$ a$%el of the Lor( a##eare( to hi1+ sta$(i$% to the ri%ht of the altar of i$"e$se. &* 0he$ Le"hariah sa3 hi1+ he 3as startle( a$( o8er"o1e 3ith fear. &3 A)t the a$%el sai( to hi17 26o $ot be afrai(+ Le"hariah+ be"a)se yo)r #rayer has bee$ hear(. Eo)r 3ife EliGabeth 3ill bear yo) a so$+ a$( yo) 3ill $a1e hi1 Joh$. &/ There 3ill be Hoy a$( (eli%ht for yo)+ a$( 1a$y 3ill reHoi"e at his birth. &' For he 3ill be %reat i$ the si%ht of the Lor( a$( 3ill $e8er (ri$9 3i$e or beer. He 3ill be fille( 3ith the Holy S#irit 3hile still i$ his 1other?s 3o1b. &. He 3ill t)r$ 1a$y of the so$s of Israel to the Lor( their Go(. &< A$( he 3ill %o before Hi1 i$ the s#irit a$( #o3er of EliHah+ to t)r$ the hearts of fathers to their "hil(re$+ a$( the (isobe(ie$t to the )$(ersta$(i$% of the ri%hteo)s+ to 1a9e rea(y for the Lor( a #re#are( #eo#le.5
,
1he an#el roke four hun"re" years of silence from hea9en an", there y, continue" the seAuence of Malachi 4*2-3. 1he sole $ur$ose of ,ohn was the fulfillment of this $assa#e. A num er of ?l" 1estament $ro$hets were orn un"er "ifficult circumstances, such as to el"erly $arents ecause the woman was arren, meanin# infertile. !n such cases the chil" was reco#ni>e" as ha9in# a "i9ine callin#. 1he miraculous irth of ,ohn to an el"erly cou$le was likewise a clear in"ication their son woul" e a $ro$het. (eo$le "i" not for#et him an", therefore, as he a$$roache" the a#e of /8 an an%ious au"ience was waitin# to hear him s$eak. ,ohn was a "escen"ant of Aaron, which mean that e9ery male "escen"ant was automatically Aualifie" to e a $riest. 1he $ro lem arose in that since fifteen centuries ha" $asse" from the time of Aaron, that there were too
452 many Aualifie" $riests for tem$le ser9ice. 1herefore, they were "i9i"e" into twenty-four clans or courses, an" took turns ser9in# in the tem$le. 1his also $ermitte" them time to work at home in whate9er careers or occu$ations they ha". ,ohn<s father Kacharias3-3 was a mem er of the 'ourse of A iEah ;:eh. 1-*1-L 1 'h. -4*18=. 3-7 1he courses were also known as BhousesC or Bfamilies.C3-@ 1he name of the course, or #rou$ of men, that Kacharias elon#e" recei9e" its name from a $riest who ori#inally ha" it hun"re"s of years earlier, a "escen"ant of 4lea>ar who was a son of Aaron ;1 'h. -4*-/=. 1hey were all "escen"ants of that ancient 4lea>ar. 1his esta lishe" ,ohn as a "escen"ant of Aaron in the tri e of &e9i. His mother 4li>a eth was also from the same tri e. 'learly, ,ohn was of $riestly stock an" the miracle of his irth "i" not #o unnotice" y the tem$le elite. He was a s$eakin# 9oice efore he was ornYsayin# that Go" was #oin# to "o somethin# $rofoun". 1hey won"ere" what it coul" e. 2I$ (ays of Ii$% Hero( of J)(ah.5 5ince there was no uni9ersal calen"ar at this time, it was common to in"e% maEor e9ents to the rei#n of a kin#. Hero" was #i9en his title y the 0oman senate in 48 ..'., ut he ha" to fi#ht a formi"a le Kealot re9olt for three years efore he coul" enEoy his throne. Hence, his rei#n is #enerally reco#ni>e" as ein# from /7 to 4 ..'. He remaine" a 9assal of 0ome, e9en thou#h the title woul" im$ly he was an autonomous monarch.3-9 1he $hrase Bthe GreatC was a""e" in later years ecause of his incre"i le architectural construction achie9ements. Unfortunately, he was a tyrant whose e9il rei#n create" another "ark an" "isastrous time in the history of the ,ews. 2A #riest of AbiHah?s (i8isio$.5 As state" $re9iously, the tem$le $riests were "i9i"e" into twenty-four courses or classes ;1 'h. -4*7-1@=. 4ach #rou$ officiate" in the tem$le twice a year, one week each time from 5a ath until 626. 1he name Kechariah is sometimes s$elle" BKacharias.C 5ee +ein er#, BKechariah.C
2*184/L (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 48.
627. 1he B'ourse of A iEahC ha" a tra"ition in 5olomon<s 1em$le of which a""itional
information is foun" in ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 7.14.7. 628. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*@3.
629. )e Hau%, Ancient %srael. 191.
453 the followin# 5a ath. 1he course of A iEah ;He rewL in Greek is Abia= to which Kechariah elon#e" was the ei#hth course. 1his tra"ition ori#inate" with Din# )a9i", 3/8 an" is an im$ortant clue in calculatin# the irth "ates of ,ohn the .a$tist an" ,esus. 2Le"hariah ... EliGabeth.5 1he name BKechariahC means Bthe &or" remem ers,C an" B4li>a ethC means, Bthe oath or co9enant of Go".C 3/1 1o#ether their names announce" B1he &or" remem ers the co9enant of Go",C which was fulfille" y their son ,ohn. 1hey were ri#hteous efore Go" an", while una le to concei9e a chil", continue" to "emonstrate holy faith in their functions in life an" in the tem$le. 1hey continue" to elie9e in the $romises of Go" an" when they were well into their ol" a#e, an an#el a$$eare" to them an" sai", BJour $rayers ha9e een hear"C ;&k. 1*1/=. ,ohn, whose name means Bthe #race of Go",C or Bthe &or" is mercifulC was the answer to those $rayers.3/5ome critics ha9e Auestione" the ,ewish tra"ition of courses that ministere" in the tem$le, in s$ite of o9erwhelmin# e9i"ence in 9arious ,ewish writin#s. 1hen on ,une 11, -811, archaeolo#ist unco9ere" the ossuary of Miriam who was connecte" to the family of 'aia$has an" in the Ma<a>iah $riestly course.
631. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 48L Gel"enhuys, B&uke.C /*187. 632. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 4-.
454
/. 3. &A. THE AU;IAL :SSUA;E :F MI;IAM. An ossuary, or one o%, "isco9ere" in -811, has the inscri$tion that i"entifie" the "ecease" as BMiriam "au#hter of Jeshua son of 'aia$ha.C !t also i"entifie" 'aia$has family as elon#in# to the Ma<a>iah $riestly family who li9e" in the 9illa#e of .eth !mri. Associate" (ress (hoto. 1he si#nificance of this ossuary is that connecte" the 'aia$has family with the Ma<a>iah $riestly course, one of the -4 "i9isions of $riests ;Dohens= that took turns ser9in# for two one-week $erio"s in the tem$le. 1his is the first reference to the Ma<a>iah course in an e$i#ra$hic fin" from the 5econ" 1em$le (erio", which was the last of the $riestly courses that ser9e" in the first tem$le.3// 1he list of courses was formulate" "urin# Din# )a9i"<s rei#n an" a$$ears in ! 'hronicles -4*1@. Kechariah not only ser9e" in the tem$le, ut "i" so with some characters of less than fa9ora le re$utation. 2To e$ter the sa$"t)ary of the Lor( a$( b)r$ i$"e$se.5 1he or"er of the "ay was that a $riest was chosen y lot to urn incense with the
633. Michelle Morris. B-,888 Jear ?l" ?ssuary Authentic, 5ay 0esearchers.C &erusalem 4ost. ,une -9, -811. 5ee also htt$*//www.E$ost.com/Hi"eoArticles/Hi"eo/Article.as$%Fi"I--71@4
455 mornin# an" e9enin# sacrifice. 1o e chosen y lot was the culmination of e%citement in the life of a $riestL a "ay e9ery $riest $raye" for. Many waite" an" waite" all their li9es to e chosen, ut since there were so many of them, most ne9er ha" the o$$ortunity to ser9e in this honore" ca$acity. 1wice a "ay, mornin# an" e9enin# a lam was sacrifice" alon# with a meat offerin# of flour an" oli9e oil an" a "rink offerin# of wine. .efore the first sacrifice an" after the e9enin# sacrifice, incense was urne" so that the sacrifices mi#ht ascen" to Go" en#ulfe" in a sweet aroma. 1his is what Kecharias was "oin# when he encountere" an incre"i le hea9enly creature. 2He 3as startle( a$( o8er"o1e 3ith fear.5 !t woul" seem reasona le that one woul" e startle" an" fearful at the une%$ecte" si#ht of an an#el. Howe9er, there is more to Kechariah<s fear than the mere encounter with an an#el. He was in the Holy of Holies makin# an offerin#, an" he remem ere" that when the sons of Aaron ma"e an im$ro$er offerin#, they were instantly kille" ;&e9. 18*1-/=. 1here was also a common elief in the first century that $rior to the "eath of a $riest, an an#el woul" a$$ear at his ri#ht si"e. 1o say that Kechariah was startle" an" #ri$$e" with fear is an incre"i le un"erstatement 7 for a moment he was $ro a ly emotionally $araly>e"Z &ittle won"er then, that he was startle" an" most certainly, somewhat trou le", thinkin# that his "ay of "eath ha" arri9e". 3/4 2Eo)r #rayer has bee$ hear(.5 1wice a "ay, mornin# an" afternoon, ei#hteen $rayers were $raye" in the tem$le. 1hese $rayers were calle" in He rew Amidah which means standing ecause they were $raye" while the worshi$er was stan"in#. 3/2 ?ne of those $rayers was that 4liEah woul" come as $ro$hesie" in Malachi 4*2. 5ince Kechariah was to e the father of ,ohn the .a$tist, a ty$e of 4liEah, scholars elie9e that the an#el tol" Kechariah his $rayer ha" een hear", meanin# 4liEah was a out to come. 3/3 &ittle "i" Kechariah know that this B4liEahC woul" e his own son. 2He 3ill be %reat i$ the si%ht of the Lor(.5 1he wor" B#reatC was associate" only with the &or" ;JHWH= in the ?l" 1estament. :ow an an#el s$oke to Kechariah an" tol" him that his son woul" e B#reat.C 1his ha" a
634. +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e -, 5i"e A. 635. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 94L 5ee A##e$(i@ &<. 636. 'humney, The Se en #esti als of the Messiah. 17@-79.
456 $rofoun" effect u$on the el"erly $riest. 1he life of the .a$tist here was measure" in terms of the #reatness of the &or". :ote that in &uke 1*/,esus was calle" B#reat.C
/. 3. &A. A TEMPLE INCENSE FESSEL. 1his re$lica of a secon" tem$le incense 9essel is similar to what Kechariah may ha9e use" when he ha" an an#elic encounter. 1he incense was re$resentati9e of the $rayers of the $eo$le. (hoto courtesy of the 1em$le 1reasures, ,erusalem. 2A$( 3ill $e8er (ri$9 3i$e or beer.5 5ome other translations rea" that ,ohn the .a$ti>er was ne9er to "rink wine of any other fermente" "rink. 1his $hrase im$lies that ,ohn was to take the :a>arite 9ow. A $erson takin# the :a>arite 9ow was not to $artake of any alcoholic e9era#es, cut his hair, or touch a "ea" animal or $erson. 1he restrictions of this lifelon# co9enant is a reflection of the lifestyle an" messa#e of three si#nificant ?l" 1estament $ro$hets, who ha" also taken the same 9ow centuries earlier* 5amson ;,u".1/*4-7L 13*17=, ,eremiah ;,er. 1*2=, an" 5amuel ;! 5am. 1*11=. !t was
457 5amuel, the first maEor $ro$het, who anointe" the first kin# an" ,ohn, the last $ro$het, who a$ti>e" the eternal Din#. 2I$ the s#irit a$( #o3er of EliHah.5 ,ohn ;later known as ,ohn the .a$tist= woul" li9e an" function as "i" the $ro$het 4liEah, who $reache" re$entance an" holy li9in# centuries earlier. As such, ,ohn was the fulfillment of the $ro$hetic wor"s of Malachi ;4*2-3L cf. Mt.17*18-1/=. He #a9e stron# allusions of ein# the $ro$het y his clothin#, "iet, an" "eclarin# that he woul" Bmake rea"y a $eo$le $re$are" for the &or".C 3/7 /. 3. * L9. &7&,-*' LECHA;IAH MA6E SPEECHLESS 2Ho3 "a$ I 9$o3 this>5 Le"hariah as9e( the a$%el. 2For I a1 a$ ol( 1a$+ a$( 1y 3ife is 3ell alo$% i$ years.5
&,
The a$%el a$s3ere( hi1+ 2I a1 Gabriel+ 3ho sta$(s i$ the #rese$"e of Go(+ a$( I 3as se$t to s#ea9 to yo) a$( tell yo) this %oo( $e3s. * No3 liste$K Eo) 3ill be"o1e sile$t a$( )$able to s#ea9 )$til the (ay these thi$%s ta9e #la"e+ be"a)se yo) (i( $ot belie8e 1y 3or(s+ 3hi"h 3ill be f)lfille( i$ their #ro#er ti1e.5
&!
Mea$3hile+ the #eo#le 3ere 3aiti$% for Le"hariah+ a1aGe( that he staye( so lo$% i$ the sa$"t)ary. ** 0he$ he (i( "o1e o)t+ he "o)l( $ot s#ea9 to the1. The$ they realiGe( that he ha( see$ a 8isio$ i$ the sa$"t)ary. He 9e#t 1a9i$% si%$s to the1 a$( re1ai$e( s#ee"hless. *3 0he$ the (ays of his 1i$istry 3ere "o1#lete(+ he 3e$t ba"9 ho1e.
*&
After these (ays his 3ife EliGabeth "o$"ei8e( a$( 9e#t herself i$ se"l)sio$ for fi8e 1o$ths. She sai(+ *' 2The Lor( has (o$e this for 1e. He has loo9e( 3ith fa8or i$ these (ays to ta9e a3ay 1y (is%ra"e a1o$% the #eo#le.5
*/
637. 5ee the similarities etween ,ohn the .a$tist an" 4liEah as well as those of ,e>e el an"
Hero"ias in & . &.&& BWante" to kill him.C
458 2Ho3 "a$ I 9$o3 this>5 Kechariah was not the only one in i lical history to ask this Auestion. A raham ;Gen. 12*@=, Gi"eon ;,#. 3*17=, He>ekiah ;D#. -8*@=, an" Kechariah aske" similar Auestions. Howe9er, in this $assa#e, Kechariah was $unishe" for his "ou t. Jet later Mary woul" ask a similar Auestion, BHow will this eFC ut woul" not e $unishe". Why the "ifferenceF 1he answer is that Kachariah ha" $raye" for a son ;&k. 1* 1/= ut "ou te" when Go" answere" him. He ha" little or no faith associate" with his $rayers. Mary, on the other han", was faithful an" "i" not "ou t Go". 5he merely Auestione" how it woul" ha$$en, not if it woul" ha$$en. 1he si#n Kechariah reAueste" was more than what he ha" e%$ecte". He was stricken with the ina ility to s$eakL this authenticate" the messa#e an" e%ecute" Eu"#ment u$on him. !n the ?l" 1estament se9eral si#nificant men were orn un"er unusual circumstances an" only y the inter9ention of Go" Himself. 1hey are !saac ;Gen. -1*1=, ,aco an" 4sau ;Gen. -2*-1=, 0eu en ;Gen. -9*/1=, !ssachar ;Gen. /8*17-1@=, ,ose$h ;Gen. /8*----4=, 5amuel ;! 5am. 1*19=, an" 5amson ;,#. 1/*1--=. 1he irth of ,ohn the .a$tist ;&k. 1*27= was amon# these incre"i le irth miracles, yet it woul" e #reatly sur$asse" y the astoun"in# 9ir#in irth of ,esus ;&k. -*7=. 2The #eo#le 3ere 3aiti$%.5 1he tem$le rituals were $erforme" in a systematic manner. !t was the custom for the $eo$le to wait for their Aaronic lessin# ;:um. 3*-4--3= which the $riest woul" #rant them at his e%it. 5ince the $erformance of his work took lon#er than e%$ecte", the $eo$le $ro a ly won"ere" if he was "ea", reflectin# u$on the story of the sons of Aaron when they erre" in the $erformance of their $riestly "uties ;&e9. 18*1-/=. ,ust as e9ery clan an" tri e ha" the o$$ortunity to e in char#e of the ser9ice once e9ery si% months, the hea" of e9ery $riestly family ha" the o$$ortunity once in his life to enter the Holy (lace of the tem$le. !t was there where the altar of incense stoo" efore the 9eil that conceale" the Holy of Holies. 1his e9ent was hi#hly antici$ate" y e9ery $riest an" was consi"ere" to e the ultimate sacre" e9ent of his life. 3/@ !t was when Kechariah entere" the Holy (lace that he $ersonally met an an#el with 638. 1enney, New Testament Times. 1/9.
459 whom he con9erse". 1he news of this encounter, un"erscore" y the loss of his s$eech, sent shock wa9es throu#hout the tem$le. (eo$le were alrea"y astonishe" y the miraculous $re#nancy to an el"erly cou$le an" they were aware that it carrie" a "i9ine messa#e. :ow the father, Kechariah, ha" tem$orarily lost his s$eech. !t $ut e9eryone on notice that a #reat $ro$het was a out to e orn, ut the ultimate miraculous irth was yet to come. 2To ta9e a3ay 1y (is%ra"e a1o$% the #eo#le.5 !nfertility was consi"ere" a curse of Go", a "is#race. !t was commonly elie9e" that if a woman coul" not #i9e irth to chil"ren, the Eu"#ment of Go" was u$on her. +urthermore, chil"ren were consi"ere" security for $arents in their ol" a#e. 1his is still true in many Ara an" Mi""le 4astern cultures to"ay. /. 3. 3 L9. &7*.-3, NaGareth MA;E T:L6 :F C:NCEPTI:N I$ the si@th 1o$th+ the a$%el Gabriel 3as se$t by Go( to a to3$ i$ Galilee "alle( NaGareth+ *< to a 8ir%i$ e$%a%e( to a 1a$ $a1e( Jose#h+ of the ho)se of 6a8i(. The 8ir%i$?s $a1e 3as Mary. *, A$( the a$%el "a1e to her a$( sai(+ 2;eHoi"e+ fa8ore( 3o1a$K The Lor( is 3ith yo).5 *! A)t she 3as (ee#ly tro)ble( by this state1e$t+ 3o$(eri$% 3hat 9i$( of %reeti$% this "o)l( be. 3 The$ the a$%el tol( her7
*.
26o $ot be afrai(+ Mary+ for yo) ha8e fo)$( fa8or 3ith Go(. 3& No3 liste$7 Eo) 3ill "o$"ei8e a$( %i8e birth to a so$+ a$( yo) 3* 3ill "all His $a1e Jes)s. He 3ill be %reat a$( 3ill be "alle( the So$ of the Most Hi%h+ a$( the Lor( Go( 3ill %i8e Hi1 the thro$e of His father 6a8i(. 33 He 3ill rei%$ o8er the ho)se of Ja"ob fore8er+ a$( His 9i$%(o1 3ill ha8e $o e$(. Mary as9e( the a$%el+ 2Ho3 "a$ this be+ si$"e I ha8e $ot bee$ i$ti1ate 3ith a 1a$>5
3/ 3'
The a$%el re#lie( to her7
460 2The Holy S#irit 3ill "o1e )#o$ yo)+ a$( the #o3er of the Most Hi%h 3ill o8ersha(o3 yo). Therefore+ the holy :$e to be bor$ 3ill be "alle( the So$ of Go(. A$( "o$si(er yo)r relati8e EliGabethQe8e$ she has "o$"ei8e( a so$ i$ her ol( a%e+ a$( this is the si@th 1o$th for her 3ho 3as "alle( "hil(less. 3< For $othi$% 3ill be i1#ossible 3ith Go(.5
3.
2I a1 the Lor(?s +5 sai( Mary. 2May it be (o$e to 1e a""or(i$% to yo)r 3or(.5 The$ the a$%el left her.
3,
2I$ the si@th 1o$th.5 1his was the si%th month of 4li>a eth<s $re#nancy, a key $oint in "eterminin# the "ate when ,esus was orn as is further "escri e" elow. 2The a$%el Gabriel 3as se$t by Go( to a to3$ i$ Galilee "alle( NaGareth.5 1he #os$el writers ne9er recor"e" where Ga riel met Mary, yet one e%tra- i lical ook in"icates that she went to fill a $itcher with water, which woul" ha9e een at the 9illa#e well. A$( Mary too9 the #it"her a$( 3e$t forth to fill it 3ith 3ater7 a$( a 8oi"e sayi$% 2hail+ yo) that are hi%hly fa8ore(+ the Lor( is 3ith yo)+ blesse( are yo) a1o$% 3o1e$.5 Protoevangelium of 5ames &&7&
3/9
Wells were often the community meetin# $laces an" :a>areth ha" only one well. ,esus met the 5amaritan woman at a well ;,n. 4= an" the $atriarchs !saac an" ,aco met their wi9es, 0e ecca an" 0achel res$ecti9ely, at the 9illa#e well. !n Genesis 13*7, an#el foun" Ha#ar y a s$rin#. 1he a$ocry$hal Gos$el of Mary, also states that the an#el met Mary y the well. 348 2A 8ir%i$ e$%a%e( to a 1a$ $a1e( Jose#h.5 1o ha9e een en#a#e" or $le"#e" to e marrie" meant that a written le#al an" in"in# contract, known as a katu ah, or katubah" was written etween the ri"e an" #room.
639. 1he rea"er is remin"e" that Auotations from non- i lical sources are not to un"erstoo" as ein# of eAual authority with the i lical narrati9es. 5ee &. *. /. e
640. Achen, The +oly ,and. 1-.
461 !t was almost always a$$ro9e" y oth $arents. 1he $ractice of writin# a in"in# a#reement "ates to at least -888 ..'. an" is foun" in Genesis -4. Mary an" ,ose$h woul" ha9e ha" a katu9ah, as it was the custom of the time that state" that they were committe" to each other as much as a marrie" cou$le woul" e, ut they were not yet marrie". !n fact, other cultures likewise ha" marital contracts. An e%am$le is as follows*
/. 3. 3A. A SEC:N6 CENTU;E IATUFAH . Wra$$e" in urla$, this early secon" century katu9ah was foun" in one of the many ,u"ean ca9es. Accor"in# to the katu9ah ;a o9e=, "ate" on A$ril 2, 1-@, a contract of marria#e was written in Greek y a certain Jehu"ah, son of 4lea>ar whoT Ga8e i$to 1arria%e his o3$ (a)%hter Shela1Gio$+ 8ir%i$+ to Eeh)(ah+ $i"9$a1e( Ii1ber+ so$ of Ha$a$iah Rso$ ofS So1ala1+ both of the 8illa%e of E$-%e(i i$ J)(ea+ (3elli$% there. 1he ri"e#room Jehu"ah a#ree" to #i9e to 5helam>ion, as security when the contract was si#ne", All the #ro#erty 3hi"h he o3$s i$ the sai( 8illa%e RE$-%e(iS as 3ell as here a$( 3hi"h he 1i%ht a"=)ireO 2Eo) 3ill "all His $a1e Jes)s.5 !t was the custom to name the first- orn son after his father, ut this was not to e. 1he common, an" shortene", He rew name BJeshua,C was translate" to Greek, then to &atin, then to 4n#lish to what is to"ay, B,esus.C !n He rew, it is B,oshua,C from a more fully "e9elo$e" name, BJehoshuah.C !ts meanin# is Bsa9iorC or Bsal9ation,C
462 or Bthe &or" sa9es,C or .eshua, meanin#, BJahweh is sal9ation.C 341 ,oshua, the ?l" 1estament counter$art, le" the !sraelites out of the "esert an" into a new life in the (romise" &an". &ikewise, ,esus came to sa9e humanity an" lea" $eo$le out of the "esert of sin an" into new life in Him. 34Accor"in# to ra inic tra"ition, it was un"erstoo" that the name of the Messiah was "etermine" efore the foun"ations of the worl" were lai". 34/ !t shoul" e note" that &uke took the 9erse, B5he will #i9e irth to a son, an" you are to #i9e him the name ,esus,C "irectly from the thir" century ;..'.= 5e$tua#int ;&WW=344 translation of !saiah 7*14. 342 1he reference to the Messianic name of B!mmanuelC in !saiah 7*14 was ne9er literally fulfille" until ,esus came. !t means BGo" with usC or BGo" Himself,C 343 which is $recisely what ,esus was in human flesh. 5ince His "eath an" resurrection, He has een correctly calle" BGo" with us.C 2He 3ill be %reat a$( 3ill be "alle( the So$ of the Most Hi%h.5 1he $hrase BHe will e #reat,C must ha9e stunne" Mary. Greatness in the ?l" 1estament was always a reference to Go" ;(s. 4@*-, @3*18, 1/2*2, 142*/=L ne9er to a man. !t most certainly must ha9e een $er$le%in# to Mary an" ,ose$h. 'ritics of 5cri$ture ha9e lon# sai" that the $hrases B5on of the Most Hi#hC an" B5on of Go"C ha9e Greek ori#ins. Althou#h they ha" no har" e9i"ence, they conclu"e" that these $hrases were secon" or thir" century theolo#ical "e9elo$ments y church lea"ers who inserte" them into the 5cri$ture. Howe9er, with the "isco9ery of the )ea" 5ea 5crolls in 192- archaeolo#ists foun" a treasure of fifteen thousan" literary fra#ments in 'a9e 4. Amon# 641. Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C 19. 642. Grant. B,esus 'hrist.C -*@39L (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 42. 643. .a ylonian 1almu", 4esah 24a.
344278. 5ome two centuries efore the irth of ,esus, the ,ews in 4#y$t reali>e" they nee"e" to translate their He rew 5cri$tures into Greek, as they were losin# their He rew ton#ue. 1his translation ecame known as the 5e$tua#int ;also known as &WW= an" is freAuently Auote" y :1 writers.
645. Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C 19. 646. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 489-18.
463 them was +ra#ment 4N-43 that has an ama>in# $arallel to &uke 1*/- an" /2. 5ince the fra#mente" $a$yrus is torn, it is not a com$lete rea"in#. 1here is, howe9er, sufficient te%t to accurately reconstruct the ori#inal writin# with the missin# wor"s in $arentheses elow* RHeS shall be %reat )#o$ the earth. : 9i$%+ all R#eo#leS shall 1a9e R#ea"eS ./< a$( all shall ser8e hi1. He shall be "alle( the So$ of the RGSreat Go(+ a$( by his $a1e shall he be haile( RasS the So$ of Go(+ a$( they shall "all hi1 So$ of the Most Hi%h. 6ea( Sea S"roll /J*/.
./,
1he "isco9ery of )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N-43 clearly "emonstrates that the $hrases critics Auestione" were of common usa#e amon# e9en the most reli#ious ,ews an" reinforces the literal inter$retation of the i lical e9ent. !t is another $iece of e9i"ence that eliminates the ar#ument that narrati9es of the 5cri$tures were enhance" y later e"itors. 349 Most noteworthy is the fact that the 4ssenes were a #rou$ of conser9ati9e ,ews who $assionately hate" the Greek $hiloso$hy an" culture. 1hey woul" ha9e een the last $eo$le to take anythin# from the Greeks. Howe9er, the mystery remains as to why the 4ssenes woul" ha9e ha" a writin# so close to &uke<s #os$el when they consi"ere" themsel9es to e the most theolo#ically an" reli#iously $ure. 1he term 2Holy S#irit5 must e un"erstoo" in the ,ewish conte%t ecause the full 'hristian un"erstan"in# of it "i" not occur until after the ascension. !n ,ewish thou#ht an" $hiloso$hy the Holy 5$irit ha" two $rimary functions.
328
647. 1he
rackete" wor"s were inserte" for clarification y Hershel 5henks, BAn Un$u lishe" )ea" 5ea 5croll 1e%t (arallels &uke<s !nfancy :arrati9e.C -4--2. :ews of this fra#ment was $u lishe" in the aca"emic Eournal, Biblical Archaeological Re iew in 1998, nearly forty years after its "isco9ery. Jet its official translation remains un$u lishe" as it su$$ose"ly challen#es the $osition of scholars who $u lish such "ocuments.
648. 5henks, BAn Un$u lishe" )ea" 5ea 5croll 1e%t (arallels &uke<s !nfancy :arrati9e.C -4. 649. 5henks, BAn Un$u lishe" )ea" 5ea 5croll 1e%t (arallels &uke<s !nfancy :arrati9e.C -4.
650. .arclay, BMark.C 79-@1.
464 1. 1o re9eal "i9ine truth to men, an" -. 1o ena le men to reco#ni>e an" acce$t that truth. +or that reason, the an#el sai" to Mary that B the #o3er of the Most Hi%h C woul" o9ersha"ow her 7 ecause what was a out to ha$$en was eyon" her un"erstan"in# of the Holy 5$irit. 2Eo)r relati8e+ EliGabeth.5 1he wor" Brelati9eC in the Greek, sygenes" meanin#, Bone in the same family,C can also e translate" as Bkinswoman,C althou#h the latter $hrase is out of use in mo"ern 4n#lish. 1he wor" BcousinC use" in some translations is far too restricti9e, althou#h it is inclu"e" in the roa"er framework of Bkinswoman.C 321 Mary<s family elon#e" to the tri e of ,u"ah an" 4li>a eth<s to the tri e of &e9i. Marria#es etween "ifferent tri es were customary. 322I a1 the Lor(?s .5 1his $hrase was a common sayin# amon# ,ews an" early 'hristians. 1he wor" BC can also e translate" as Bser9antC 32/ 1he 4n#lish wor" or ser ant is "eri9e" from the Greek term doulos. 324 A doulos was a common househol" , "ifferent from a $risoner in chains, known as a desmios" who was force" into har" la or, such as an oarsman on a attleshi$. A /ser9ant was the $ri9ate $ro$erty of another $erson who was free. Within the ,ewish worl", such ca$ti9e $eo$le coul" $artici$ate in "omestic worshi$ an" ha" to e treate" humanely 7 a reAuirement of the Mosaic &aw that that im$ro9e" the li9e of a o9er what mi#ht ha9e e%iste" in nei#h orin# cultures.322 A was one who was e%$ecte" to e fully "e"icate" to his master. 1he $hrase B! am the &or"<s ,C is a $rofession of "e"ication, to 9oluntarily ser9e Go" with the i"entical commitment as a woul" his earthly master. 651. )ou#las, B'ousin.C 1*/-3.
653. Kerwick an" Gros9enor, A -rammatical Analysis of the -reek New Testament. 17-. 654. &ink an" 1uente. B5la9e, 5er9ant, 'a$ti9e, (risoner, +reeman.C /*2@9-91.
655. 1he 'o"e of Hammura i attem$te" to im$ro9e the li9es of s y makin# certain humane $ro9isions for them. .ut it has een Auestione" how well these were enforce".
465 /. 3. / L9. &73!-/' Hilla#e in ,u"ah MA;E FISITS ELILAAETH I$ those (ays Mary set o)t a$( h)rrie( to a to3$ i$ the hill "o)$try of J)(ah / 3here she e$tere( Le"hariah?s ho)se a$( %reete( EliGabeth. /& 0he$ EliGabeth hear( Mary?s %reeti$%+ the baby lea#e( i$si(e her+ a$( EliGabeth 3as fille( 3ith the Holy S#irit. /* The$ she e@"lai1e( 3ith a lo)( "ry7
3!
2Eo) are the 1ost blesse( of 3o1e$+ a$( yo)r "hil( 3ill be blesse(K Ho3 "o)l( this ha##e$ to 1e+ that the 1other of 1y Lor( sho)l( "o1e to 1e> // For yo) see+ 3he$ the so)$( of yo)r %reeti$% rea"he( 1y ears+ the baby lea#e( for Hoy i$si(e 1eK /' She 3ho has belie8e( is blesse( be"a)se 3hat 3as s#o9e$ to her by the Lor( 3ill be f)lfille(K5
/3
/. 3. /.J& 0hy 3as it i1#orta$t for Mary to 8isit EliGabeth> While the s$ecific reason is not #i9en, un"erstan"in# the cultural 9alues of the time can frame out a relati9ely accurate answer. Mary was $re#nant ut not marrie" an" that situation ha" serious social conseAuences. .efore the town el"ers of :a>areth ha" o$$ortunity to Eu"#e her at the town #ate ;)eut. --*12=, she went to the home of Kechariah an" 4li>a eth ecause their home $ro9i"e" her a $rotecti9e en9ironment. 5ince Kechariah was of a $riestly line, his comments concernin# her con"ition ha" #reater authority than those of her nei#h ors in :a>areth. +urthermore, 4li>a eth was also $re#nant, therefore, the three of them reali>e" that Go" was a out to "o somethin# incre"i ly $rofoun". Without the miraculous $re#nancy of 4li>a eth, Mary<s situation coul" ha9e een "ire. 2Eo) are the 1ost blesse( of 3o1e$.5 1his $hrase coul" also e translate" to rea" Bof all the women most lesse" are you.C 323 1o the early 'hurch fathers $rior to the a"9ent of Mariolo#y "octrines, Mary was seen as a 5econ" 49e. Unlike the first 49e who sai", B:oC to Go"<s comman"ment of 656. Ler3i"9+ Analysis of the .ree! +ew *estament &<3.
466 o e"ience, the secon" B49eC sai" BJes.C 5imilarly, Eust as the first A"am faile" the test of sin, the Bsecon" A"am,C meanin# ,esus, $asse" the test of sin an" was sinless. Mary, Eust as anyone else, ha" the free"om to o ey or "iso ey Go" an" was herself in nee" of sal9ation ;0om. /*-/=. 1here woul" ha9e een no incarnation, if this youn# ,ewish #irl ha" not een o e"ient. 5he was ri#hteous, ut not sinless. Jet she is calle" B lesse"C ecause she was chosen to carry the 'hrist-chil". Go" woul" ne9er force His will u$on anyone, for to "o so woul" inEure the ima#e of Go" in which man was create". +inally, ima#ine the el"erly mute an" "eaf Kachariah li9in# with two women who were "i9inely $re#nant. Asi"e for the humor that must ha9e e%iste", e9eryone in the small community knew that Go"<s han" was in this matter. Wor" of these e9ents most certainly s$rea" throu#hout the tem$le circles throu#h the #ossi$ #ra$e9ine. 1he li9es of the $arents an" the two small infant oys woul" e carefully o ser9e". :o won"er then, that years later when ,ohn an" ,esus e#an to $reach, oth ha" waitin# au"iences. /. 3. ' L9. &7/.-'. MA;E GIFES P;AISE T: G:6.
/.
A$( Mary sai(7
2My so)l #ro"lai1s the %reat$ess of the Lor(+ /< a$( 1y s#irit has reHoi"e( i$ Go( 1y Sa8ior+ /, be"a)se He has loo9e( 3ith fa8or o$ the h)1ble "o$(itio$ of His . S)rely+ fro1 $o3 o$ all %e$eratio$s 3ill "all 1e blesse(+ /! be"a)se the Mi%hty :$e has (o$e %reat thi$%s for 1e+ a$( His $a1e is holy. ' His 1er"y is fro1 %e$eratio$ to %e$eratio$ o$ those 3ho fear Hi1. '& He has (o$e a 1i%hty (ee( 3ith His ar14 He has s"attere( the #ro)( be"a)se of the tho)%hts of their hearts4
467 He has to##le( the 1i%hty fro1 their thro$es a$( e@alte( the lo3ly. '3 He has satisfie( the h)$%ry 3ith %oo( thi$%s a$( se$t the ri"h a3ay e1#ty. '/ He has hel#e( His ser8a$t Israel+ 1i$(f)l of His 1er"y+ '' H)st as He s#o9e to o)r a$"estors+ to Abraha1 a$( his (es"e$(a$ts fore8er.5
'*
A$( Mary staye( 3ith her abo)t three 1o$ths4 the$ she ret)r$e( to her ho1e.
'.
2My so)l #ro"lai1s the %reat$ess of the Lor(.5 1he $hrase in &atin is my soul megalyne , the &or". !t means to enlarge or to tell out. 327 1he entire $assa#e is known as The Song of Mary" or The Magnificent. Her wor"s e#in with a Auiet moo" an" uil" to a crescen"o. 5he e%$resses her "ee$est thou#hts an" her heartfelt Eoy to Go" for selectin# her to rin# forth the 'hrist chil". Her wor"s are reflecti9e of twel9e ?l" 1estament $assa#es an" Hannah<s $rayer of 1 5amuel -*1-18. 1his work has four stro$hes* 1. Her Eoy an" #ratitu"e, -. 1he #racious mercy of Go" to all who honor an" lo9e him, /. His s$ecial work for the $easants of this worl", an" 4. His mercy to !srael.32@ Mary an" ,ose$h were $oor in economic terms, ut were rich in the knowle"#e of Go". Herses 43-22 ha9e een recite" throu#hout 'hurch history y those who elie9e" they were calle" to the ministry of $rayer an" intercession.
657. &iefel", B&uke.C @*/2. 658. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@/2L 4llis, BMa#nificant.C -*9/3L (entecost, The Words and Word of
&esus 'hrist. 43-49.
468 2He has (o$e a 1i%hty (ee( 3ith his ar1.5 How are the lo9e, mercy, an" maEesty of Go" "escri e"F 1he ,ews ascri e" to Go" $ositi9e human $assions an" $hysical actions. 329 /. 3. . L9. &7'<-.. J:HN THE AAPTIST IS A:;N AN6 NAME6 No3 the ti1e ha( "o1e for EliGabeth to %i8e birth+ a$( she ha( a so$. ', The$ her $ei%hbors a$( relati8es hear( that the Lor( ha( sho3$ her His %reat 1er"y+ a$( they reHoi"e( 3ith her.
'<
0he$ they "a1e to "ir")1"ise the "hil( o$ the ei%hth (ay+ they 3ere %oi$% to $a1e hi1 Le"hariah+ after his father. . A)t his 1other res#o$(e(+ 2NoK He 3ill be "alle( Joh$.5
'!
The$ they sai( to her+ 2No$e of yo)r relati8es has that $a1e.5 .* So they 1otio$e( to his father to fi$( o)t 3hat he 3a$te( hi1 to be "alle(. .3 He as9e( for a 3riti$% tablet a$( 3rote7 HIS NAME IS J:HN.
.&
A$( they 3ere all a1aGe(. ./ I11e(iately his 1o)th 3as o#e$e( a$( his to$%)e set free+ a$( he be%a$ to s#ea9+ #raisi$% Go(. .' Fear "a1e o$ all those 3ho li8e( aro)$( the1+ a$( all these thi$%s 3ere bei$% tal9e( abo)t thro)%ho)t the hill "o)$try of J)(ea. .. All 3ho hear( abo)t hi1 too9 it to heart+ sayi$%+ 20hat the$ 3ill this "hil( be"o1e>5 For+ i$(ee(+ the Lor(?s ha$( 3as 3ith hi1. 2They reHoi"e( 3ith her.5 1he ancients elie9e" le$rosy an" chil"lessness were curses from Go". 1hose who ha" li9e" with either one ha" a hea9y loa" of #uilt, con"emnation, social ri"icule, an" recei9e" neither com$assion nor mercy from the reli#ious esta lishment. 'onseAuently, there was immense Eoy. :ot only was a son orn y a miracle, ut the curse ha" lifte" also.
659. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . @77, @94.
469 2They 3ere %oi$% to $a1e hi1.5 ,ewish oys were more likely to e name" after a #ran"father than their father. 338 ? 9iously, there was #reat sur$rise when 4li>a eth an" Kechariah in"icate" the chil"<s name woul" e ,ohn. !t was a reach of tra"ition, as no one in either Kechariah<s or 4li>a eth<s families ha" that name. (arents name" their oys on the ei#hth "ay "urin# the rite of circumcision. !f he was also #i9en a Greek or common name, that name was use" in "aily con9ersation. Howe9er, for all reli#ious acti9ities, only the He rew name coul" e use". +or e%am$le, if a youn# man<s name was Moshe" then his common name woul" e Moses or (hili$. 331 !nfant #irls were #i9en their names when they were weane" from their mother. 33At times, there were more oys in a family than BfathersC after which to name them. !n such cases, oys were name" after heroes of the .i le or Macca ean 0e9olt. An e%am$le is (eter* His father ,ona ;,ohn= $ro a ly name" him B5imonC in honor of the hi#h $riest who sacrifice" his life "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt. .ut Kechariah "i" not follow that $o$ular tren" either an", therefore, those $resent were all the more astonishe" with the name of ,ohn. 2He 3ill be "alle( Joh$.5 1he name &ohn is "eri9e" from &ehohanan" which means &eho ah0s gift or -od is gracious.66! 2They 1otio$e( to his father.5 Kechariah ecame oth mute an" "eaf. 49i"ently they ma"e si#ns to his father ecause he also ha" lost his hearin#. !n the $hrase Buna le to s$eakC the Greek wor" kophos is use" for Bs$eak.C Howe9er, this same wor" coul" also e translate" to mean B"eaf.C 334 When Kechariah wrote on a ta let that the chil"<s name woul" e ,ohn, he was o e"ient to Go" an" the Eu"#ment that ha" fallen u$on him some nine months earlier was lifte". 660. Gilmour, B&uke.C @*44.
661. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*22/. 662. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*238. 663. .arclay, B&uke.C 17.
664. &iefel", B&uke.C @/2.
470 'ommon writin# ta les consiste" of a woo"en oar", a$$ro%imately @ y 18 inches or somewhat lar#er, that was coate" with wa%. 1he oar" ha" a small frameYlike a $icture frameYso when new hot wa% was $oure" u$on it, it woul" e confine" to the woo"en surface. After it coole", stu"ents coul" write on the wa%-coate" oar" with a shar$ stylus ;an instrument similar to a lar#e nail=. When the messa#e was no lon#er nee"e", the wa% was melte" an", when it a#ain har"ene", it was rea"y for another messa#e.
332
/. 3. .A. A C:MM:N 0;ITING TAALET. 1a lets were constructe" of a $iece of woo" an" coate" with wa%. Writin# was accom$lishe" y scratchin# letters onto the wa% surface with a stylus. (hoto courtesy of the 1em$le !nstitute, ,erusalem. /. 3. ..J& 0he$ 3as Joh$ the Aa#tist bor$ a$( 3hy is this (ate si%$ifi"a$t> Dnowin# the "ate of irth for ,ohn the .a$tist $ro9i"es the only si#nificant clue in "eterminin# when ,esus was orn. Accor"in# to &uke 1*2, Kechariah elon#e" to the $riestly "i9ision of A iEah. !n a tra"ition esta lishe" y Din# )a9i" ;1 'h. -/*1-- ff=, who "i9i"e" the lan" into twenty-four "i9isions, an" 665. Millar", BWritin# 1a lets* :ote$a$er of the 0oman Worl".C 48.
471 each "i9ision sent a "ele#ation to the tem$le to minister to the &or" an" to the $eo$le. 49ery "i9ision ser9e" for a one-week $erio", twice a year, ut all "i9isions were reAuire" to come to ,erusalem for the +easts of (asso9er, (entecost, an" 1a ernacles ;)eut. 13*13=. 1he "i9isions ser9e" in chronolo#ical or"er accor"in# to the weeks of the reli#ious calen"ar. 1he first "i9ision was that of ,ehoiari ;1 'h. -4*7a= who ser9e" in the first week of the first month ;:isan=, the secon" "i9ision of ,e"aiah ;1 'h. -4*7 = ser9e" in the secon" week, etc. :isan is the first month of the reli#ious calen"ar year, as esta lishe" y Go" in 4%o"us 1-*;while 1ishrei is the first month of the secular calen"ar=. Kachariah elon#e" to the "i9ision of A iEah, which was the ei#hth "i9ision in accor"ance to )a9i"<s "irecti9e ;1 'h. -4*18 =. Allowin# for the weeks when all twentyfour "i9isions ser9e", Kechariah an" his "i9ision of A iEah woul" ha9e ser9e" in the tenth week. 'alculatin# time for the el"erly $riest to return home, the two weeks of reAuire" se$aration ;&e9. 1-*2L 12*19, -4--2=, an" countin# forwar" nine months woul" ha9e $lace" the irth of ,ohn the .a$tist "urin# the (asso9er festi9al. 1he si#nificance of this timin# lies in the fact that "urin# the (asso9er ritual, each ,ewish family ha", as is "one to"ay, an em$ty seat at the ta le waitin# for the comin# of 4liEah.333 5ince all se9en ,ewish festi9als ;technically, these are festi9als of Go", not the ,ews= an" in some manner each one $oints to an as$ect of the life an" ministry of ,esus. 1his calculation makes lo#ical sense.
/. 3. < L9. &7.<-,
666. 'humney, The Se en #esti als of the Messiah. 17@-@1.
472 LECHA;IAH P;:PHESIES :F J:HN?S MINIST;E The$ his father Le"hariah 3as fille( 3ith the Holy S#irit a$( #ro#hesie(7
.<
Praise the Lor(+ the Go( of Israel+ be"a)se He has 8isite( a$( #ro8i(e( re(e1#tio$ for His #eo#le.
.,
He has raise( )# a hor$ of sal8atio$ for )s i$ the ho)se of His ser8a$t 6a8i(+ < H)st as He s#o9e by the 1o)th of His holy #ro#hets i$ a$"ie$t ti1es4 <& sal8atio$ fro1 o)r e$e1ies a$( fro1 the "l)t"hes of those 3ho hate )s. <* He has (ealt 1er"if)lly 3ith o)r fathers a$( re1e1bere( His holy "o8e$a$t Q <3 the oath that He s3ore to o)r father Abraha1. He has %i8e$ )s the #ri8ile%e+ </ si$"e 3e ha8e bee$ res")e( fro1 o)r e$e1ies? "l)t"hes+ to ser8e Hi1 3itho)t fear <' i$ holi$ess a$( ri%hteo)s$ess i$ His <. #rese$"e all o)r (ays. A$( "hil(+ yo) 3ill be "alle( a #ro#het of the Most Hi%h+ for yo) 3ill %o before the Lor( to #re#are His 3ays+ << to %i8e His #eo#le 9$o3le(%e of sal8atio$ thro)%h the for%i8e$ess of their si$s.
.!
Ae"a)se of o)r Go(?s 1er"if)l "o1#assio$+ the 6a3$ fro1 o$ hi%h 3ill 8isit )s <! to shi$e o$ those 3ho li8e i$ (ar9$ess a$( the sha(o3 of (eath+ to %)i(e o)r feet i$to the 3ay of #ea"e. , The "hil( %re3 )# a$( be"a1e s#irit)ally stro$%+ a$( he 3as i$ the 3il(er$ess )$til the (ay of his #)bli" a##eara$"e to Israel.
<,
1he lessin# or B ene"ictusC of Kechariah ;&k. 1*37-39= ha" all si% elements of the $riestly lessin# of :um ers 3*-4--3. He reali>e" that his infant son ha" a $ro$het callin#, the first in four centuries. His $salm ;&k. 1*3@-79= is a $raise of Go" an" consists $rimarily of a strin# of ?l" 1estament $hrases, followe" y his $oetic wor"s. Hs. 3@ Hs. 39 (salm 41*1/L 119*19 (salm 1/-*17
473 Hs. 78 Hs. 71 Hs. 7--7/ Hs. 74-79 His own wor"s (salm 183*18 Micah 7*-8L (salm 183*42L 182*@-9 His own wor"s
Kechariah then conclu"e" with his own wor"s. 337 He $ro$hesie" that his son woul" e the forerunner of 'hrist ;!sa. 18*/L Mt. 11*18= y $reachin# re$entance an" sal9ation ;,n. 1*-9L &k. /*/=. His son woul" then intro"uce ,esus to the worl" ;:um. -4*17L Mal 4*-=, ut it woul" e some three "eca"es efore the e9an#elist woul" e#in to fulfill ?l" 1estament $ro$hecies throu#h his ministry in the "esert.
/. 3. <.J& 0hat 3as the "o$$e"tio$ bet3ee$ the fa1ily of Joh$ the Aa#tist a$( the Esse$es> 1his Auestion has een a su Eect of consi"era le "e ate amon# scholars. Kechariah, alon# with many other ri#hteous ,ews, was o$$ose" to the on#oin# 5a""ucean corru$tion in the tem$le, yet $erforme" his o li#ations to the est of his a ilities. Kechariah was of the clan of A iEah of the $riestly Ka"ok family. !t was the forefathers of Kechariah an" ,ohn the .a$tist, who more than a century earlier, ha" esta lishe" a se$aratist 4ssene mo9ement with encla9es in the "esert wil"erness outsi"e )amascus, in Numran y the )ea" 5ea, an" in a small encla9e in western ,erusalem. 1hose li9in# in Numran are now known for ha9in# written the worl"-famous )ea" 5ea 5crolls. !t woul" ha9e een only natural for Kechariah<s e%ten"e" family to care for youn# ,ohn when his $arents "ie". His stron# chil"hoo" trainin# in the 1orah was reflecte" in his later years when he was $reachin#. ,ohn "i" not acce$t the 4ssene theolo#y of stron# an" le#alistic ritual o ser9ances ut $reache" a messa#e of sal9ation an" re$entance. He was followe" y ,esus who $reache" #race an" the Din#"om of Go". Kechariah was most certainly 667. Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. 44.
474 lookin# for the comin# of the Messiah. A careful e%amination of ,ohn<s wor"s re9eals that he was, in fact, lookin# forwar" to the comin# of the $olitical-messiah who woul" "eli9er the ,ewish $eo$le from 0oman o$$ression. His un"erstan"in# of who the Messiah woul" e an" what He woul" "o was 9ery ty$ical of the common $erson. :onetheless, e9en thou#h there is a #enealo#ical connection as well as a #eneral "is#ust for the tem$le lea"ershi$, there is no other known relationshi$ etween ,ohn the .a$tist an" those who wrote the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. 2Le"hariah 3as fille( 3ith the Holy S#irit.5 1his e9ent occurre" "urin# the ?l" 'o9enant /?l" 1estament (erio". 1he (entecost e%$erience was more than three "eca"es into the future. 49en thou#h #os$els are a $art of the :ew 1estament ook, all e9ents $rior to the resurrection of ,esus are within the ?l" 'o9enant (erio". Un"er this co9enant, the Holy 5$irit came u$on selecte" in"i9i"uals for s$ecific ministries an" for s$ecific seasons. ?ther e%am$les are Miriam ;4%. 12*-8=, Hul"ah ;- D#. --*14=, ,ohn the .a$tist ;&k. 1*12=, Mary, the mother of ,esus ;&k. 1*/2=, 4li>a eth ;&k. 1*414-=, 5imeon ;&k. -*-2--3=, an" Anna the $ro$hetess ;&k. -*/3-/@=. 5ince the )ay of (entecost, the Holy 5$irit is within all those who chose to $lace their faith in 'hrist ,esus an" e o e"ient to Him. 2A hor$ of sal8atio$.5 A horn, such as a ram<s horn, was a uni9ersal sym ol of su$reme stren#th an" authority for oth the ,ews an" their Gentile nei#h ors ;cf. (s.1@*-L - 5am. --*/=. 1his is e%em$lifie" y the four horns on the tem$le altar u$on which sacrifices were offere" u$ to Go" ecause of sin. !n this conte%t, holiness an" $ower can refer only to 'hrist.33@ 2Sal8atio$ fro1 o)r e$e1ies.5 1he wor"s of the el"erly $riest reflect the common thinkin# that Go" woul" sen" someone who woul" "eli9er them from the 0oman "ictatorshi$. 1he "efinition of Bsal9ationC inclu"es not only knowle"#e of Go", ut also His B"eli9erance,C such as a $rayer for "eli9erance from those who hate us. Kechariah re$eate" the theme when he $raye" that Go" woul" Brescue us from the han" of our enemies.C 1he ,ews ha" #reat "ifficulty acce$tin# ,esus, as He was ra"ically "ifferent from their $reconcei9e" e%$ectations of a Messiah.
668. 5ee A##e$(i@ &. concernin# ?l" 1estament sacrifices an" ,esus.
475 2The 6a3$ fro1 hi%h.5 5ome translators ha9e this $assa#e rea", B1he risin# sun.C !t is a $hrase that refers to the Messiah in the ?l" 1estament 339 who woul" e sent y Go" in hea9en. 1herefore, the wor" B)awnC is ca$itali>e". /. 3. , Mt. &7&,-*' J:SEPH IS T:L6 :F MA;E?S C:NCEPTI:N The birth of Jes)s Christ "a1e abo)t this 3ay7 After His 1other Mary ha( bee$ e$%a%e( to Jose#h+ it 3as (is"o8ere( before they "a1e to%ether that she 3as #re%$a$t by the Holy S#irit. &! So her h)sba$( Jose#h+ bei$% a ri%hteo)s 1a$+ a$( $ot 3a$ti$% to (is%ra"e her #)bli"ly+ (e"i(e( to (i8or"e her se"retly.
&,
A)t after he ha( "o$si(ere( these thi$%s+ a$ a$%el of the Lor( s)((e$ly a##eare( to hi1 i$ a (rea1+ sayi$%+ 2Jose#h+ so$ of 6a8i(+ (o$?t be afrai( to ta9e Mary as yo)r 3ife+ be"a)se 3hat has bee$ "o$"ei8e( i$ her is by the Holy S#irit. *& She 3ill %i8e birth to a so$+ a$( yo) are to $a1e Hi1 Jes)s+ be"a)se He 3ill sa8e His #eo#le fro1 their si$s.5
*
No3 all this too9 #la"e to f)lfill 3hat 3as s#o9e$ by the Lor( thro)%h the #ro#het7 *3 2See+ the 8ir%i$ 3ill be"o1e #re%$a$t a$( %i8e birth to a so$+ a$( they 3ill $a1e Hi1 I11a$)el+ 3hi"h is tra$slate( WGo( is 3ith )s.?5
**
0he$ Jose#h %ot )# fro1 slee#i$%+ he (i( as the Lor(?s a$%el ha( "o11a$(e( hi1. He 1arrie( her *' b)t (i( $ot 9$o3 her i$ti1ately )$til she %a8e birth to a so$. A$( he $a1e( Hi1 Jes)s.
*/
2Mary ha( bee$ e$%a%e( to Jose#h.5 As $re9iously state", a $le"#e of marria#e meant that a marria#e contract was si#ne" y the ri"e an" ri"e#room. 1he contract was known as a katu9ah, an" no res$ecta le cou$le woul" ha9e een $le"#e" without one.
669. :um. -4*17L !sa. 9*-L 38*1L Mal. 4*-L +or more information in ,esus in the ?l" 1estament, see the e%hausti9e stu"y y ,ohn Met>#er.
476 Marria#es were #enerally arran#e" y the fathers, ut sometimes the ri"e was selecte" y the ri"e#room, an" on rare occasion the matchmaker was the #roomsman BShoshebhinC . A marria#e e#an with a etrothal which was followe" y the we""in# a year later. 1he etrothal $erio" was to test the ri"e<s fi"elity, an" a time when the ri"e#room woul" uil" a home for his ri"e, as well as $re$are for the comin# househol". 2Not 3a$ti$% to (is%ra"e her #)bli"ly.5 Another translation rea"s that ,ose$h "i" Bnot want to e%$ose her to $u lic "is#race.C !t is often human nature to assume #uilt when one is accuse" of a crime. !n first century ,u"ea, a $re#nancy outsi"e of marria#e was a monumental "is#race an", with the e%ce$tion of ra$e, the woman was always consi"ere" #uilty y her family an" community. !f for any reason Eu"icial action woul" e taken to enforce the terms of the katu9ah, the "is#race woul" e com$oun"e". 2He ha( "o$si(ere(.5 Most 4n#lish translations use the wor" Bconsi"ere"C which fails to "o Eustice to "escri e the emotions of ,ose$h. 1he ori#inal wor" is enthymeomai which has two "iffinitions. 1. 1he first "efinition is the one #enerally use" in 4n#lish translations 7 to ponder or to consider. -. 1he other meanin# is to become upset.378 ery angry or to become ery
1o say that ,ose$h B$on"ere"C or Bconsi"ere"C the situation is to say that he was not affecte" emotionally y Mary<s $re#nancy. 1hat o 9iously "oes not make sense 7 most certainly he an" his family were incre"i ly u$set. ?ne cannot ima#ine how an#ry he must ha9e een. Jet he chose not to $ermit his an#er lea" him to a "ecision he woul" re#ret. He was Eust an" kin" in the "ecision he ma"e, which is why the early church fathers referre" to him as B,ose$h the ,ust.C
/. 3. ,.J& 0hat 3e((i$% ")sto1s i$ Galilee sha#e( the betrothal of Mary a$( Jose#h>
670. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes . 44-42.
477 1he minimum a#e for etrothal was twel9e for #irls an" thirteen for oys, althou#h the mi"-teens were $referre" for #irls an" ei#hteen for oys. 1he formality e#an when the youn# man came to the #irl<s family an" $resente" them with a formal, le#ally in"in# contract known as a katu ah. 1his co9enant contract state" the marria#e $ro$osal an" the sum of money or other 9alua les he woul" $ay to her $arents to ha9e her as his wife. 1his was known as the B ri"e $rice.C 371 1he $ur$ose was to com$ensate the father for the loss of a worker in the family. .ut more im$ortantly, the B$riceC was to assure that his wife was costly, an" therefore, she was to e cherishe".37- 1he katu ah also state" that the youn# man $romise" to honor, lo9e, su$$ort, an" care for her, $ro9i"in# all the necessities of life. !f the terms of the contract were acce$te" y oth families, it was si#ne" an" the cou$le cele rate" y sharin# a cu$ of wine to#ether. ?nly then was the co9enant seale" an" the cou$le consi"ere" etrothe". 37/ 1he ri"e woul" wear a 9eil whene9er in $u lic which si#nifie" to any $ossi le suitors that she ha" ma"e a marria#e commitment. While in the ancient worl" women were often consi"ere" to e mere $ro$erty, ,u"aism ele9ate" them to a hi#her status. .ecause a katu ah was a le#al contract, a termination resulte" in each s$ouse recei9in# a certificate of "i9orce. Howe9er, if a "i9orce occurre", each $arty was $ermitte" to re-enter another etrothal. 374 1he 1almu" state" that, B1he on", create" y Go" is so stron# that, after etrothal, a woman reAuires a "i9orce efore she can marry another man.C )urin# the etrothal time, the ri"e $re$are" herself for her new home, whereas the ri"e#room woul" B$re$are a $lace for her.C 1his structure was sim$ly another room a""e" onto the e%istin# home of his father. 5el"om "i" a youn# ri"e#room uil" a sin#le-family "wellin# on a uil"in# lot away from his family. While the youn# ri"e#room constructe" the room, $ro a ly with the hel$ of family an" frien"s, the father e9entually "eclare" 671. &ash, The Ancient &ewish Wedding . 3. 672. 0oman, &esus of -alilee. -43-47. 673. Matthews, Manners and 'ustoms. --2L 1rut>a, BMarria#e.C 4*94-93L Maier, %n the
#ullness of Time. -1L &ash, The Ancient &ewish Wedding . 7-18, 14.
674. Maier, %n the #ullness of Time. 13--1L 1rut>a, BMarria#e.C 4*94-93L Gol" er# an"
0ayner, The &ewish 4eople. /7--74L 5ee also )eut. -4*1-4.
478 its com$letion. ,esus woul" ha9e een orn "urin# the one-year $erio" of Mary<s etrothal. After the we""in# ceremony, the #roomsman le" the newly marrie" cou$le into the ri"al cham er to consummate their marria#e, while family an" frien"s waite" outsi"e. When the cou$le came out the feast e#an.372 1he ,ews were not alone in this $racticeL it was the cultural norm amon# many $eo$le #rou$s in the ancient Mi""le 4ast. 'enturies earlier the co"e of Hammura i state" in Acts 129-138 373 that if a ri"e#room roke the etrothal, the ri"e<s father retaine" the ri"e<s $rice ;#ift=. Howe9er, if the future father-in-law roke the co9enant, he woul" ha9e to $ay "ou le the ri"e $rice to the ri"e#room. 1he le#al co"es of &i$it-!shtar ;:o.-9= an" 4shnunna ;:o.-2= ha" similar reAuirements. 377 1hese are mentione" ecause to the mo"ern stu"ent, the cultural an" reli#ious norms ten" to len" to#ether at times. ?ne is not always certain if a elief or action is for reli#ious or cultural reasons. Many of the "aily acti9ities of the a9era#e ,ew were similar to those of any non-,ewish $erson of the time. 1he im$ortant "ifference, of course, was the reli#ious element an" whate9er influences that woul" ha9e ha" u$on "aily life. )urin# the etrothal $erio" the cou$le was consi"ere" to e hus an" an" wife, althou#h the we""in# was still in the future. !f either one "ie" $rior to the we""in# the sur9i9in# $artner woul" ha9e een consi"ere" a 9ir#in ut also as a wi"ow or wi"ower, an" woul" e free to marry someone else. 37@ 2Jose#h so$ of 6a8i(.5 1he hum le ,ose$h of :a>areth was one of hun"re"s, if not thousan"s, of the "escen"ants of Din# )a9i". 1he wor" BsonC can also mean "escen"ant, as in this case. Archaeolo#ical "isco9eries confirm the $resence of )a9i"ic families li9in# in ,erusalem in the first century ..'. An ossuary, or one o%, was "isco9ere" in 1971 with an inscri$tion i"entifyin# the ones insi"e as a mem er of the royal )a9i"ic
675. &ash, The Ancient &ewish Wedding . 9. 676. Acts 129-138 is a reference to the le#islati9e acts recor"e" in Hammura i<s 'o"e. 677. Wri#ht an" 1hom$son, BMarria#eC -*922. 678. &ash, The Ancient &ewish Wedding . 9-11.
479 linea#e.379 !t "emonstrates that the $hrase Bson of )a9i"C ha" a $rofoun" influence in first-century ,u"aism. 1he $hrase Bson/5on of )a9i"C ha" ecome a threatenin# term to the 0omans who crushe" the re9olts of many messianic $reten"ers. +or that reason, 4m$eror Hes$asian ;rei#ne" A.). 39-79= searche" for "escen"ants of ,esus with the thou#ht of killin# all those who mi#ht continue the Messianic i"eals that #a9e irth to 'hristianity. As a result, he foun" some chil"ren of ,esus< half- rothers an", u$on Auestionin# them an" seein# the rou#hness of their han"s, reali>e" these men were no threat. 1herefore, he release" them.3@8 :ot many years later, 4m$erors )omitian 3@1 an" 1raEan 3@were also concerne" a out the $ossi le rise of a messianic fi#ure from "escen"ants of Mary an" ,ose$h. 26o$?t be afrai( to ta9e Mary as yo)r 3ife.5 1he news of the $re#nancy was shockin# to ,ose$h an" his family. !n a small 9illa#e, such news was unhear" of an" was consi"ere" a curse u$on a family for "eca"es to come. !n a""ition to kee$ the "owry that she rou#ht into the relationshi$, it is commonly sai" that ,ose$h ha" three choices* 1. Marry her Auickly an" ha9e e9eryone assume the chil" was an early "eli9ery -- e%ce$t that woul" ha9e roken the tra"itional one-year waitin# $erio" etween etrothal an" marria#e, so the #ossi$ woul" ne9er en"L -. Make a $u lic confession of the $re#nancy which coul" :?1 ha9e resulte" in the ri"e ein# stone" to "eath ;a Mosaic law that was sel"om o ser9e"= ecause that woul" e the killin# of an un orn chil". ?r, /. Ha9e a Auiet "i9orce an" sen" Mary into another 9illa#e or city to ha9e the chil".3@/ After all, one of the two most $o$ular ra is, 0a i 679. .ara# an" +lusser, B1he ?ssuary of Jehohanah.C /9-44. 680. 4use ius /.1-., ;'ruse @1=. 681. 4use ius /.19--8, ;'ruse @4-@2=. 682. 4use ius /*/-, ;'ruse 97-9@=.
480 Hillel, ha" ma"e "i9orce easier to o tain ;the cause of later "iscussions y ,esus=. Howe9er, it was not until the an#el of the &or" s$oke to ,ose$h that he reali>e" that he was to e%ercise a fourth choice -- to marry her an" e the le#al father of the oy-chil" who woul" e known as B!mmanuelC ;fulfillment of !sa. 7*14=. ,ose$h ha" to choose etween Go"<s mercy an" his le#al ri#hts. He chose mercy an" no "ou t was freAuently challen#e" later y the out-of-we"lock irth, e9en in "istant .ethlehem. 1heir we""in# occurre" after the irth of ,esus, since the marria#e consummation occurre" "urin# the we""in# feast. 3@4 1hey reflecte" u$on the $re#nancy in li#ht of a i lical $ro$hecy concernin# the anointe" ?ne who was to e orn in .ethlehem, not :a>areth. 3@2
/. 3. ,.J* 0hy "o)l( Jose#h not ha8e sto$e( Mary to (eath> 1he Mosaic &aw "i" reAuire the stonin# of an unfaithful man an" woman ;)eut. --*-/--4=, althou#h y the first century this $ractice ha" en"e". 3@3 .ein# unfaithful is one thin#, ut ein# $re#nant is another. ,ose$h coul" not, woul" not, ha9e stone" Mary for three reasons* 1. 1he custom of stonin# an a"ulterous woman was com$letely out of use y the first century. At a later time the 5cri es an" (harisees use" the su Eect only as a $oint of ar#ument with ,esus, ut that was only a hy$othetical Auestion ecause the 0omans terminate" ca$ital $unishment y ,ewish lea"ers.
683. +or relate" "i9orce issues, see ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 4.@.-/L 12.@,18 an" 1@.9.3. 684. (oor families ha" a one or two-"ay we""in# feast, while wealthy families always ha" a
se9en-"ay feast.
685. Matthews, Manners and 'ustoms. --2L 1rut>a, BMarria#e.C 4*94-93L Maier, %n the
#ullness of Time. -1L 5ee also Micah 2 an" Gal. 4. 686. 1he $ractice of killin# a woman sus$ecte" of se%ual acti9ity $rior to marria#e is still $ractice" in many Muslim communities, an" is known as an Bhonor killin#.C
481 -. 1he fact that Mary was $re#nant woul" mean "eath to an innocent chil", which woul" ha9e ma"e the killer #uilty of the chil"<s mur"er. /. !f she was not $re#nant an", if such a stonin# ha" taken $lace, it woul" not ha9e een committe" y ,ose$h, ecause he ha" not yet marrie" her. 'ultural rules reAuire" her father or el"er rother to commit the act. 1he same is true to"ay amon# ortho"o% Muslim Ara s an" the family e%ecution is known as an Bhonor killin#.C 1herefore, a Auiet "i9orce was ,ose$h<s only o$tion until an an#el "irecte" him to "o otherwise.3@7
/. 3. ,.J3 0hy (o the %os#els fail to "all Jes)s the 2Pri$"e of Pea"e>5 as #re(i"te( i$ Isaiah !7. Bsee Mt. &7&,-*'aC> !saiah 9*3 refers to the Messiah as the B(rince of (eace,C yet nowhere is the title foun" in the #os$els or elsewhere in the :ew 1estament. ,esus is, howe9er, referre" to as Bthe (rince of &ifeC ;Acts /*12=, Ba (rince an" 5a9iorC ;Acts 2*/1=, an" B(rince of the kin#s of the earthC ;0e9. 1*2=. 1he ook of !saiah sometimes referre" to as the BGos$el of the ?l" 1estament,C ecause it contains so many $ro$hecies of His first comin# as well as His secon". When ,esus was on earth He came as a ser9ant an" teacher. When He returns He will rule the nations of the earth for a thousan" years an", as such, He will e the (rince of (eace. !n His first comin#, ,esus tau#ht the $rinci$les of the Din#"om of Go", where y men<s hearts will e chan#e" an", conseAuently, they will o tain an inner $eace that $asses all human un"erstan"in#. !n His secon" comin#, ,esus will rule this earth an" institute international $eace. He may not ha9e recei9e" the official title of B(rince of (eaceC y any :ew 1estament writers, ut those whose li9es ha9e een chan#e" certainly know Him as such. !n .i le times, the "efinition or meanin# of a wor", $hrase, or title was no "ifferent than the wor", $hrase, or title itself. !n this case, sim$ly ecause He was not #i9en the formal title "oes not mean He wasn<t the (rince of (eace to whose li9es He touche". His statements, such as B.lesse" are the 687. !f the etrothal of a youn# #irl was terminate", then she an" her father recei9e" the
ill of "i9orce. Mishnah, -ittin 3.-.
482 $eacemakers,C are still re$eate" to"ay. Howe9er, when He returns to rule an" rei#n on this earth, it will e a $erio" of $eace for which He will e referre" to as the B(rince of (eace.C 2All this too9 #la"e to f)lfill.5 1he ,ews ha" een e%$ectin# a militarymessiah to "eli9er them from 0oman o$$ression, ut they nee"e" to un"erstan" that ,esus was the Messiah who woul" "eli9er them from the o$$ression of sin. 1herefore, Matthew went to #reat len#ths to "emonstrate that ,esus was the Messiah an" the fulfillment of all He rew $ro$hecies. 3@@ Hence, this $assa#e is the first of twel9e in which he use" the wor" Bfulfill.C As a result, this recor"e" association $ro9i"es for us minute "etails, as well as a $owerful testimony, of the ins$iration of 5cri$ture. 1he wor" BfulfillC means to B#i9e com$lete meanin# to.C 3@9 2The 8ir%i$ 3ill be"o1e #re%$a$t.5 1he 9ir#in irth, or more correctly, the 9ir#in conce$tion of ,esus, an" its reflection u$on !saiah 7*14 has een the su Eect of consi"era le "e ate. More s$ecifically, the issue has een whether the He rew wor" almah means irgin or a young maiden of marriageable age. At the time of !saiah, as well as at the time of ,esus, a youn# mai"en who was of marria#ea le a#e was also a 9ir#inL the two $hrases are synonymous. 1hose who insist on the B9ir#inC only "efinition fail to reco#ni>e the synonym within its cultural conte%t. 1herefore, !saiah woul" not ha9e een trou le" y the use of either "efinition in his te%t. !t was "istincti9ely "ifferent from the Western culture of to"ay where 9ir#inity is not always foun" in youn# men an" women of marria#ea le a#e. !t shoul" e note", howe9er, that some -28 years earlier when ,ews in 4#y$t translate" their He rew .i le into Greek ;known as the 5e$tua#int I &WW=, the wor" B9ir#inC of !saiah 7*14 was translate" into parthenos. 398 1he a$ostle ,ohn use" the same wor", parthenos in reference to the celi ate men of 0e9elation 14*4 391 which o 9iously coul" not refer to youn# women. 688. Matthew mentions the fulfillment of $ro$hecies in -*12, 17, -/L @*17L 1-*17L 1/*/2L
-1*4L -3*23L -7*9 many of which were $ro$hesie" in (salm -, 13, --, 118, 11@L !saiah 7 9, 11, 2/L Micah 2L an" Kechariah 4, 3, 9, 14.
689. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on Mt. 1*--. 690. ,ohnson, BMatthew.C 7*-22. 691. .ruce, )efense. /9.
483 When !saiah wrote this $assa#e in 7/2 ..'., Aram ;5yria= an" the ten tri es !srael were unite" to "efeat Aha>, the kin# of ,u"ah. 1he &or" Go" tol" Aha> to ask for a si#n ;!sa. 7*11=. 1he si#n was to e a confirmation that the $en"in# in9asion of the two kin#s woul" not occur ;9. 7=. Howe9er, Aha> "i" not want to test the &or", so Go" #a9e him a si#n that a 9ir#in woul" #i9e irth to a chil" an" his name woul" e B!mmanuelC ;9. 14=. !saiah continue" to e "escri$ti9e a out the chil" an" i"entifie" him as Maher-5halal-Hash.a> ;@*1=. Within a short $erio", the $ro$hecy was fulfille". A youn# woman, who was a 9ir#in when the $ro$hecy was #i9en, later marrie" an" #a9e irth to a son who was the su Eect of the $ro$hecy an" Aha> was not "efeate". Hence, !saiah<s $ro$hecy was fulfille" twice. .y the first century, howe9er, this $ro$hetic narrati9e was no "ou t for#otten an" of no futuristic 9alue, until ,esus was orn. Matthew then reference" !saiah 14*7 as a Messianic $ro$hecy an" awakene" the ,ews to the wor"s B9ir#inC an" B!mmanuel.C 5u""enly, they coul" see in this $assa#e hi""en meanin#, ecause in the "i9ine $lan of Go", ,esus woul" e orn of a 9ir#in to reak the chain of sin in humanity. 39Matthew un"erstoo" the $hrase, B1he 9ir#in shall e with chil",C to e a typological anticipation of &esus in the same manner as the irth of Maher-5halal-Hash.a> was a si#n that Go" woul" e with his $eo$le ;which is the meanin# of %mmanuel= in the "ays of !saiah. When Matthew wrote his #os$el se9eral "eca"es after the crucifi%ion, he sai" that ,esus was with his $eo$le. 1herefore, the term B9ir#inC as use" in !saiah 7*14 clearly meant a Byoun# woman of marria#ea le a#e.C39/ Matthew chose his wor"s carefully to create an escalation of a theme. He ma"e s$ecific use of the wor" BfulfillmentC of the 9ir#in irth with a reflection on the miraculous irths of other #reat $ro$hets. !n essence, he sai" that what ha" occurre" $re9iously was a seemin#ly insi#nificant Bty$e an" sha"owC ;see A##e$(i@ *.= of a #reater e9ent to come. He also use" this literary tool in referrin# to the si#n of a oy chil" to Aha> with reference to the $rotection of Go". Howe9er, the escalation of a future clima% was 692. +or an e%hausti9e stu"y on the su Eect, see Almah / 7irgin or .oung Woman
y Geor#e &. &awlor. His work inclu"es a "etaile" re9iew of the se9en $assa#es where the wor" almah is use" in Gen. -4*4/L 4%. -*@L 1 'hron. 12*-8L (salms 43*1L 3@*-2L (ro9. /8*19L 5on# of 5ol. 1*/L 3*@L an" !sa. 7*14.
693. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 24-22.
484 that Mary, a literal 9ir#in, #a9e irth to ,esus, who was $ersonally BGo" with us.C 1his was eAually si#nificant to ,esus, who affirme" Himself as the B!mmanuelC when He sai" in his Great 'ommission that He woul" B e with you alwaysC ;Mt. -@*-8=. 394
/. 3. ,.J/ Ca$ the "o$"e#t of the 8ir%i$ birth be s)##orte( histori"ally> 1hrou#hout 'hurch history there has een unanimous a#reement on this su Eect. ?nly on rare occasion "i" anyone challen#e this asic "octrine, an" those few in"i9i"uals were i"entifie" as heretics an" Auickly remo9e" from 'hurch. ?nly in mo"ern times ha9e in"i9i"uals challen#e" this miraculous e9ent, an" then with the "eli erate o9ersi#ht of many early church "ocuments su$$ortin# the i lical truth. Amon# the non-'hristian writin#s that acknowle"#e" the 9ir#in irth is the se9enth century Doran, which rea"s as follows* Jes)s 3as of 8ir%i$ birth a$( #erfor1e( 1a$y 1ira"les. A)t those to 3ho1 he "a1e as a Pro#het reHe"te( hi1+ a$( #lotte( for his (eath. Their #lots faile( for Go(?s #la$ is abo8e 1a$?s #lots. Iora$+ 3ura 373' 1he 9ir#in irth is also e9i"ence" y the num er of hostile witnesses who wrote a#ainst it. !f the irth was a myth, then the witnesses woul" ha9e een "ismisse" as such. A out the year A.). 1@8, 'elsus, a Greek $hiloso$her, 9i#orously attacke" all as$ects of 'hristianity an" es$ouse" his o$inions of the 9irtues of classical $a#anism in a writin# title" :n the True )octrine . 'elsus claime" that ,esus was not orn of a 9ir#in, ut ha" a father y the name of (anthera. 392 !n the Greek, this name soun"s nearly the same as the same wor" for B9ir#inC an", therefore, it was an insultin# $un. While his work has een lost in history, sections are $reser9e" throu#h the literary work of church father, ?ri#en of Ale%an"ria. !n the year A.). -4@, ?ri#en
694. +ran>. BWho is !mmanuelFC 11/-112. 695. .arclay, B,ohn.C -*-@.
485 wrote a re uttal entitle", Against ;or 'ontra = 'elsus. +rom this aca"emic "iscussion it is known that 'elsus $romote" his form of $hiloso$hical hatre" a#ainst the 'hristian faith. Let )s i1a%i$e 3hat a Je3 - let alo$e a #hiloso#her - 1i%ht #)t to Jes)s7 2Is it $ot tr)e+ %oo( sir+ that yo) fabri"ate( the story of yo)r birth fro1 a 8ir%i$ to =)iet r)1ors abo)t the tr)e a$( )$sa8ory "ir")1sta$"es of yo)r ori%i$s> Is it $ot the "ase that far fro1 bei$% bor$ i$ royal 6a8i(?s "ity of Aethlehe1+ yo) 3ere bor$ i$ a #oor "o)$try to3$ a$( of a 3o1a$ 3ho ear$e( her li8i$% by s#i$$i$%> Is it $ot the "ase that her (e"eit 3as (is"o8ere(+ that she 3as #re%$a$t by a ;o1a$ sol(ier $a1e( Pa$thera she 3as (ri8e$ a3ay by her h)sba$(+ the "ar#e$ter+ a$( "o$8i"te( of a()ltery> I$(ee(+ is it $ot so that i$ her (is%ra"e+ 3a$(eri$% far fro1 ho1e she %a8e birth to a 1ale "hil( i$ sile$"e a$( h)1iliatio$> 0hat 1ore> Is it $ot so that yo) hire( yo)rself o)t as a 3or91a$ i$ E%y#t+ lear$e( 1a%i"al "rafts a$( %ai$e( so1ethi$% of a $a1e for yo)rself 3hi"h $o3 yo) fla)$t a1o$% yo)r 9i$s1e$>5 Cels)s+ =)ote( by :ri%e$ i$ 2ontra 2elsus &.*,-3/
.!.
'elsus claime" that there was an error y the #os$el writers in writin# the Greek wor" panthenos ;meanin# irgin=, an" what was meant was 4arthera" a masculine name. His theory may ha9e come from ,ewish sources who o$$ose" the 'hristian mo9ement ecause it was em$tyin# some syna#o#ues an" con9ertin# others into churches. !n the .a ylonian 1almu", ,esus is "escri e" as a .alaam, who "ecei9e" the ,ewish $eo$le. While the 1almu" "oes not #i9e $ro$er names, it "oes recor" a story of a woman who B$laye" harlot with car$enters.C 397 1he conte%t of the account o 9iously reflects u$on Mary, ,ose$h, an" ,esus. .y statin# this, the 1almu" "oes $ro9i"e witness of the "ynamic im$act ,esus ha" u$on the ,ewish community an" the reEection ,esus has recei9e" throu#hout history. 39@ !n the Greek culture, with its cultural $assion of se%ual "esires, the Athenians name" their city<s $atron #o""ess Athene, +e 4arthenos meanin# 696. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. //.
697. .a ylonian 1almu", Sanhedrin 183 a- .
698. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. //, 37.
486 Bthe Hir#in.C 399 49en within the $a#an culture, the wor" ha" a commonly un"erstoo" meanin# of B9ir#in.C While some ha9e su##este" that the 9ir#in irth was in9ente" y the 'hurch, there are three "istinct reasons that, when taken to#ether, su##est otherwise an" su$$ort the i lical account. 1. 1he first century church elie9e" in the historical 9ir#in irthL -. 1here was no $re-'hristian s$eculation that the Messiah woul" 9ir#inally concei9e"L
/. 5ince the Messiah woul" e a 5on of )a9i" it was thou#ht he woul" ha9e to e naturally concei9e". 1he i"ea of a 9ir#in irth was a ra"ically new conce$t within the ,ewish community. :o one writin# a fictitious account woul" "eli erately create an issue that woul" ha9e cause" criticism. 1herefore, for the church to in9ent the i"ea of a 9ir#in irth woul" ha9e een an in9itation for criticism. .y the fifth or si%th century a ,ewish writer $icke" u$ the claim of 'elsus an" $lace" it in an anti-'hristian ook title" Toledot/.eshu ;BGenerations of JeshuaC= that was o 9iously written for a ,ewish au"ience. 1he writer i"entifie" the 0oman sol"ier as Josef en-(an"era ;,ewish nameF= an" the factious account ecame $art of the 1almu" ooks of Shabbat 184 , Sanhedrin 37a, as well as the Tosefta 'hullin -*----/.788
/. 3. ,.J' 0hat is the si%$ifi"a$"e of the 8ir%i$ birth> 1his is a theolo#ical Auestion that is three rief answers are as follows* eyon" the sco$e of this $a$er, ut
1. 1hrou#hout the ?l" 1estament (erio", the miraculous irth of a chil" to el"erly $arent was a well-esta lishe" $attern that Go" use" to announce that a s$ecial $erson was orn 7 usually a $ro$het. 1he
699. .ruce, Answers to <uestions. /9.

700. "tern, Jewish New Testament Commentary. 11!. "ee al#o $er%ord, Christianity in Talmud and Midrash.
487 9ir#in irth of ,esus was the culmination of all the miraculous recor"e" throu#hout ,ewish history. irth
-. 1he 9ir#in irth is critical in that it roke the #enerational curse of sin that has $la#ue" humanity since A"am an" 49e succum e" to the tem$tations of 5atan.781 1he asic un"erstan"in# of sin is critical in or"er to com$rehen" the si#nificance of what ,esus sa9e" us from, as well as what he sa9e" us to. 78- 1he a solute $urity an" holiness of ,esus coul" e#in only with a 9ir#in irth. 1hus He "i" not recei9e the curse that ha" een transmitte" from #eneration to #eneration since A"am. 1he life, "eath, an" resurrection of ,esus were nothin# less than a continuance of that $urity an" holiness. 78/ .y a #racious an" merciful Go", we ha9e 'hrist ,esus who ore our sins ;$ast, $resent, an" future= on the cross. 1he $arallel etween A"am an" ,esus in 0omans 2*1---1, an" to a lesser e%tent, in 1 'orinthians 12*-1--are im$ortant. 49ery $erson who has e9er li9e" has inherite" a sin nature from A"am. .ut ,esus, orn of a 9ir#in "i" not ha9e that sin nature althou#h He ha" the o$$ortunity an" tem$tations to sin. Jet He chose not to sin. .y His sinless life, "eath, an" resurrection, He not only rou#ht sal9ation y which man woul" e sa9e" from the conseAuences of sin, ut also e sa9e" to sal9ation with Himself. 1his incre"i le #ift of eternal life is a9aila le to anyone who acce$ts Him as &or" an" 5a9ior an" commits their life to Him. Acce$tance of the 9ir#in irth as a historical fact is foun"ational in un"erstan"in# who ,esus is an" the "e9elo$ment of one<s relationshi$ with Him. !t was throu#h 49e, a 9ir#in in the Gar"en of 4"en, that "eath entere" into the worl". :ow throu#h Mary, a 9ir#in, life woul" enter into the worl". +inally, there is a teachin# amon# (rotestants that the loo" of the un orn chil" comes from the father, an", therefore, the transfer of sin was roken y the 9ir#in irth. Howe9er, mo"ern science has $ro9en this loo" theory to e wron#. As $re9iously state", 0oman 'atholics also #ra$$le" with the 701. 'ritics ha9e $ose" four Auestions* 1= Was ,esus orn of a 9ir#inF -= Was ,esus the 5on
of Go"F /= !s the .i le the !ns$ire" Wor" of Go"F 4= )i" He rise from the #ra9eF 1o affirm ne#ati9ely to one of more of these Auestions reflects a loss of faith an" "enial of who ,esus was in the first century an" who He is to"ay.
702. Marino, B1he ?ri#in, :ature, an" 'onseAuences of 5in.C -22-2@. 703. 5ee a Din# ,ames Hersion or :ew American 5tan"ar" Hersion of the .i le.
488 $ro lem of the transfer of sin from the Hir#in Mary to 'hrist ,esus. 1hey resol9e" the $ro lem with the elief that she too was orn of a 9ir#in, so she too was $ure an" holy. Unfortunately, this "oes not reconcile with 5cri$ture as (salm 21*2 su##ests states that the sinful nature is #enerational, $assin# from one #eneration to another at time of conce$tion. 1he com$lete answer remains a "i9ine mystery. Howe9er, the miracle of ,esus is that He not only was orn of a 9ir#in, ut He also recei9e" His human nature from His sanctifie" mother an", hence, her sinful nature "i" not enter Him.784 Holiness is a work of the Holy 5$irit, not the a sence of a male s$erm.
/. 3. ,.J. 0hat is the I11a")late Co$"e#tio$ a$( is there a bibli"al basis for it> 1he !mmaculate 'once$tion is not at all relate" to the irth of ,esus, ut is a $art of 0oman 'atholic "octrine that states that His mother Mary was concei9e" normally ut free from ori#inal sin. 1he 'atholic 'hurch also elie9es in the $er$etual 9ir#inity of Mary. 1his conce$t was $ro$ose" y ,ohn 'hrysostom in /99 an" ecame the 'hurch<s e%$lanation of how Mary, the Mother of Go", was orn human an" remaine" sinless. 1his "octrine was the su Eect of contro9ersy for centuries until it was finally $roclaime" as an article of faith in 1@24 y (o$e (ius !W. 782 5ince there is no i lical su$$ort for the "octrines of the !mmaculate 'once$tion an" $er$etual 9ir#inity, (rotestants elie9e this "octrine is the result of an inaccurate theolo#ical construct.
/. 3. ,.J< Ho3 (oes o$e e@#lai$ so-"alle( other 8ir%i$ births i$ history> 'ritics ha9e lon# state" that the claim of a 9ir#in irth was ty$ical of the "ayL the early 'hurch sim$ly mimicke" what e%iste" in the nei#h orin# $a#an cultures. 1he 4#y$tian $haraohs claime" it, as "i" Ale%an"er the Great, an" ,ulius 'aesar e9en claime" to ha9e walke" on water. Hir#in 704. &awlor, Almah. -2-/2. 705
. 5tim$son, A Book about the Book. -3.
489 irths were associate" with "eity, meanin# that those who claime" to ha9e een orn without an earthly father were, in fact, #o"s. Howe9er, a rea"in# of $a#an claims of 9ir#in irths com$are" to the #os$el account of ,esus lea"s the rea"er to a $rofoun" conclusion that critics sim$ly cannot relate the irth of ,esus to anyone else. While the conce$tion of ,esus was y the Holy 5$irit, 9arious monarchs an" kin#s claime" their mythical act was #enerally the result of the se%ual action of a ser$ent. .ecause snakes she" their skin annually, they were sym olic of renewe" life, rather than re$resentati9e of 5atan an" "eath, which is a later 'hristian inter$retation. 1herefore, it was only natural that the ancients woul" create a myth in which the sym ol of renewe" life was also the e%$lanation of a new life concei9e" y a B9ir#in irth.C +or e%am$le, in the secon" century ;A.).=, the 0oman historian 5uetonius wrote The ,i es of the 'aesars9 the )eified Augustus in which he "escri e" the so-calle" 9ir#in irth of 'aesar Au#ustus. :ote his wor"s* 0he$ Atia ha( "o1e i$ the 1i((le of the $i%ht to the sole1$ ser8i"e of A#ollo+ she ha( her litter set (o3$ i$ the te1#le a$( fell aslee# 3hile the rest of the 1atro$s also sle#t. The$ a ser#e$t %li(e( )# to her a$( shortly 3e$t a3ay. 0he$ she a3o9e she #)rifie( herself+ as after the e1bra"es of her h)sba$(+ a$( at o$"e there a##eare( o$ her bo(y the 1ar9 i$ "olors li9e a ser#e$t+ a$( she "o)l( $e8er %et ri( of it4 so that #rese$tly she "ease( e8er to %o to the #)bli" baths. I$ the te$th 1o$th after that A)%)st)s 3as bor$ a$( 3as therefore re%ar(e( as the so$ of A#ollo. Atia too+ before she %a8e hi1 birth+ (rea1e( that her 8itals 3ere bor$e )# to the stars a$( s#rea( o8er the 3hole e@te$t of la$( a$( sea+ 3hile :"ta8i)s (rea1e( that the so$ rose fro1 Atia?s 3o1b. S)eto$i)s+ *he 'ives of the 2aesars4 *he $eified Augustus !/./ Ale%an"er the Great also claime" to ha9e een orn of a B9ir#in.C Whether his mother was a 9ir#in at the time of her conce$tion, or if she, after a normal marital relationshi$, concei9e" him y non-human means is unknown. :onetheless, accor"in# to one myth Ale%an"er was concei9e" y a "i9ine snake an" another myth claime" the conce$tion was y a li#htnin# olt. 1he Greek historian (lutarch ;43 7 1-8 A.).=, who chan#e" his name to
490 &ucius Mestrius (lutarchus when he followin#, ecame a 0oman citi>en, state" the
R*S ... It is sai( that his father Phili# fell i$ lo8e 3ith :ly1#ias+ Ale@a$(erVs 1other+ at the ti1e 3he$ they 3ere both i$itiate( i$to the 1ysteries at Sa1othra"e O.:$ the $i%ht before the 1arria%e 3as "o$s)11ate(+ the bri(e (rea1e( that there 3as a "rash of th)$(er+ that her 3o1b 3as str)"9 by a th)$(erbolt+ a$( that there follo3e( a bli$(i$% flash fro1 3hi"h a %reat sheet of fla1e blaGe( )# a$( s#rea( far a$( 3i(e before it fi$ally (ie( a3ay O. RThe soothsayerS Arista$(er of Tel1ess)s O (e"lare( that the 3o1a$ 1)st be #re%$a$t. At a$other ti1e a ser#e$t 3as see$ stret"he( o)t at :ly1#iasV si(e as she sle#t+ a$( it 3as this 1ore tha$ a$ythi$% else+ 3e are tol(+ 3hi"h 3ea9e$e( Phili#Vs #assio$ a$( "oole( his affe"tio$ for her+ so that fro1 that ti1e o$ he sel(o1 "a1e to slee# 3ith her. The reaso$ for this 1ay either ha8e bee$ that he 3as afrai( she 3o)l( "ast so1e e8il s#ell or "har1 )#o$ hi1 or else that he re"oile( fro1 her e1bra"e be"a)se he belie8e( that she 3as the "o$sort of so1e hi%her bei$%. R3S ... A""or(i$% to Eratosthe$es+ :ly1#ias, 3he$ she se$t Ale@a$(er o$ his 3ay to lea( his %reat e@#e(itio$ to the East+ "o$fi(e( to hi1 a$( to hi1 alo$e the se"ret of his "o$"e#tio$ a$( )r%e( hi1 to sho3 hi1self 3orthy of his (i8i$e #are$ta%e O. Pl)tar"h+ 'ife of Ale6ander+ Cha#ters * - 3
< .
History is fille" with reli#ious an" $olitical fi#ures who claime" to ha9e een orn of a mortal woman an" "i9ine father. 1he maEor "ifference etween the 9arious myths an" the Hir#in Mary is that ,esus was concei9e" y the Holy 5$irit. ?ne critic state" how stu$i" other $eo$le<s myths are, im$lyin# that 'hristians are likewise as foolish for their elief. 787 Jet he fails to
706. htt$*//www.me"male%$erts.com/(?'M/$a#anUi"easU9ir#inU irth.html 0etrie9e" ,uly @, -811. 707. htt$*//www.me"male%$erts.com/(?'M/$a#anUi"easU9ir#inU irth.html. 0etrie9e" ,uly @, -811.
491 reco#ni>e that the i lical account is ra"ically "ifferent from other accounts. 'ritics who claim that the church fathers co$ie" the 9ir#in irth conce$t cannot e%$lain the hu#e "ifference etween the #os$el account an" $a#an accounts. 1herefore, it coul" not ha9e een a Bco$ycatC 9ersion create" y the early ,ewish or Greek church fathers. 78@
/. 3. ,.J, Co)l( the i(ea of a 8ir%i$ birth ha8e bee$ borro3e( fro1 #a%a$ so)r"es as "riti"s "lai1 BMt. &7&,-*'aC> !m$ossi leZ While this Auestion has een answere" in the $rece"in# $a#e, the followin# is to e note"* (a#an mytholo#ies, $rimarily those of the .a ylonians, Greeks an" 0omans, were e%tremely hostile to ,u"aism. 1herefore, no res$ecta le ,ew woul" e9er ha9e consi"ere" takin# an element from a $a#an reli#ion, es$ecially one as ra"ical as a 9ir#in irth. 1he conce$t of stealin# such an i"ea woul" ha9e cause" riots in the syna#o#ues. Jet the ,ews were known to acknowle"#e miraculous irths to el"erly $arents, ut a 9ir#in irth was too close to $a#anism for them. Another o ser9ation is that the #os$els were written in a ,ewish conte%t, which inclu"e" the firm elief that no mere human coul" e a #o" or e transforme" into a #o". 1he Greeks, howe9er, elie9e" that certain in"i9i"uals coul" e "eifie". 1here are some noteworthy o ser9ations that ha9e een ma"e of le#en"ary fi#ures. +or e%am$le, concernin# Ale%an"er the Great, none of the le#en"s an" myths a out him e%iste" "urin# or shortly after his life. (lutarch, who authore" ,ife of Ale(ander , ;see Auotation a o9e= li9e" some four centuries after the worl" conAueror "ie" 7 which was more than sufficient time for fanciful stories to ecome toute" as truth. :o ancient manuscri$ts written y eyewitnesses ha9e een unco9ere", whereas the #os$els re$ort numerous eyewitnesses an" were written within three or four "eca"es after the life of 'hrist 7 a time far too short for any le#en"s or myths to "e9elo$. +urthermore, all ut one of the a$ostles "ie" a martyr<s "eath. Woul" anyone "ie an a#oni>in# "eath for a fanciful mythF +inally, it was common amon# non-,ewish cultures to freely orrow i"eas an" $hiloso$hies from each other. ,ewish $eo$le who "i" likewise ecame
708. +or further stu"y see )ewayne .ryant, B1he (a#an 'hrist in the (o$ular 'ulture.C 4247.
492 known as BHelleni>e" ,ewsC an" were se9erely frowne" u$on y ortho"o% ,ews who maintaine" the i lical comman" to B e a se$arate $eo$le.C &ater, the A$ostle (aul #a9e similar instructions in 'olossians -*3-@ an" 1 1imothy 3*-8. 1he su##estion that the church fathers orrowe" $a#an i"eas an" inserte" them into the :ew 1estament "emonstrates #ross i#norance of the first century ,ewish culture an" the $assion for which the a$ostles li9e" an" "ie".789
/. 3. ,.J! If Jes)s 3as bor$ of a 8ir%i$+ 3hy (i( the A#ostle Pa)l $ot refer to it> !t was an assume" historical factL e9ery o"y un"erstoo" this to ha9e occurre" an" there was no nee" to Auestion it. 49en the $a#ans who li9e" in the .ethlehem area a"mitte" the occurrence of the e9ent. 1he fact that the a$ostle was silent on the matter sim$ly means that he ha" other more im$ortant issues to "iscuss. 1he ar#ument from silence is always a weak ar#ument, es$ecially in this case, when some of the ori#inal a$ostles were still ali9e. :onetheless, notice what the a$ostle "i" say* he affirme" the connection to A raham ;Gal. /*13=, the #enealo#y of )a9i" to ,esus ;0om. 1*/=L His true humanity an" life un"er the &aw ;Gal. 4*4=, His many "iscussions of inter$ersonal issues such as "i9orce ;1 'or. 7*18=, the e9ents of the &ast 5u$$er, ;1 'or. 11*-/--3=, an" His "eath, urial, resurrection, an" a$$earances after the resurrection ;1 'or. 12*/-@=. !n li#ht of all that the a$ostle sai" an" his $ur$ose of writin#, it is easy to un"erstan" why there was no nee" to "iscuss the irth of ,esus or anythin# else a out His human $aternity.
709. +or further stu"y on this su Eect, see Gre#ory A. .oy". &esus under Siege. 'ha$ter 4.
493 2They 3ill $a1e hi1 I11a$)el.5 1he name B!mmanuel,C or B4mmanuel,C meanin# BGo" with us,C is not foun" in the :ew 1estament. 718 Jet ,esus was Go" on earth an" was with His $eo$leL in essence, He was with them. 1he fact that B!mmanuelC "oes not a$$ear in 5cri$ture "oes not mean that there is an error. !n ancient thinkin# there was no "ifference etween a name, a wor", or its "efinition. ;5ee also B1he 9ir#in will ecome $re#nantC a o9e.= 2He 1arrie( her b)t (i( $ot 9$o3 her i$ti1ately.5 Matthew use" the wor" BuntilC that is in"icati9e that after the irth of ,esus, Mary an" ,ose$h ha9e a normal marital relationshi$. 1his is o$$osite to the late thir" century "octrine of the $er$etual 9ir#inity of Mary. 711 1hat "octrine states that the first wife of ,ose$h "ie" an" the chil"ren of that marria#e ecame the ste$si lin#s to ,esus. ?l" church recor"s ha9e 9arious names for her, inclu"in# Melcha, 4scha, an" 5alome. 71- Howe9er, Matthew 1/*22-23 an" Mark 3*/ su##est that the rothers an" sisters "i" ori#inate from the marria#e of Mary an" ,ose$h.71/ After A.). 1/2 when Ha"rian "estroye" ,erusalem, he was fully "etermine" to "estroy any e9i"ence of tra"itional an" messianic ,u"aism as well as 'hristianity. 1herefore, when he foun" the ca9e of the 5a9ior<s irth 7 the ca9e that ha" een use" as a sta le 7 he uilt a shrine on to$ of it to honor his $a#an #o" A"onis.714 1wo centuries later the ruins of his architectural monument were foun" y Nueen Helena an" ena le" her to i"entify the site. !n A.). /-3 she $rocee"e" to uil" the 'hurch of the :ati9ity.712 While Ha"rian inten"e" to "estroy the ca9e as e9i"ence of the irth of ,esus, he in 710. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 22L Green, %nterlinear -reek/5nglish
New TestamentF .erry, %nterlinear ,iteral Translation of the -reek New Testament.
711. 1he A$ocry$hal ook title" the +istory of &oseph the 'arpenter in"icates in 'h. 11 that
,ose$h ha" four ol"er sons an" se9eral "au#hters y a $re9ious marria#e. 1his te%t was create" to su$$ort the 'atholic "octrine of the $er$etual 9ir#inity of Mary. 5ee also +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 44. 712. Miller, The &esus of the Bible. 4-L 1his is further e9i"ence that some church recor"s, es$ecially after the a#e of 'onstantine, are unrelia le.
713. ,ohnson, BMatthew.C 7*-24.

714. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*-2.
715. Achen, The +oly ,and. -8.
494 fact, was instrumental in $reser9in# it. 5imilarly, his attem$t to "estroy the crucifi%ion site also ecame crucial to its $reser9ation an" the construction of the 'hurch of the Holy 5e$ulcher.
/. 3. ! L9 *7&-3 Aethlehe1 B". .-' A.C.C THE ;EGIST;ATI:N Bor Ce$s)sC I$ those (ays a (e"ree 3e$t o)t fro1 Caesar A)%)st)s that the 3hole e1#ire sho)l( be re%istere(. * This first re%istratio$ too9 #la"e 3hile J)iri$i)s 3as %o8er$i$% Syria. 3 So e8eryo$e 3e$t to be re%istere(+ ea"h to his o3$ to3$.
&
2I$ those (ays O Caesar A)%)st)s.5 &uke in"e%e" the irth of 'hrist to oth the rei#n of 'aesar 713 an" the #o9ernorshi$ of 'ryenius ;s$elle" Nuirinius in &atin= as well as to se9eral historical e9ents in 0ome. 1his metho" of "atin# was common in the ancient worl". Au#ustus was orn in 3/ ..'. an" he rei#ne" from /1 ..'. to A.). 14. He was the first 0oman em$eror who hel" sole $ower an", as such, e%$an"e" the em$ire to encircle the Me"iterranean 5ea, "e9elo$e" the Gol"en A#e for literature, architecture, an" military accom$lishments. He is cre"ite" with 4a( Romana ;meanin# $eace y the 0oman military mi#ht= "urin# which there were no maEor international conflicts for nearly a century, althou#h ,ewish re ellions seeme" to occur re#ularly. Howe9er, etween the years 7 an" 2 ..'., there was $eace. !t was one of the few times $eace was esta lishe", ut there was $eace. 1herefore, to say that 0oman $eace e%iste" in ,u"ea an" Galilee "urin# the lifetime of ,esus 7 that is com$letely incorrect. 1he
716. 1he name B'aesarC was ori#inally the family name of the ,ulian family. Howe9er in short time it e eAui9alent to Bthe 4m$eror.C 5ee )unn, B'aesar, 'onsul, Go9ernor.C 1*-3978.
495 country was the frontier that face" the (arthians, a $owerful military threat to the east. While the e%$an"in# (arthians were consi"ere" a threat to 0oman security, the hea9y military $resence in ,u"ea an" Galilee "eterre" any $otential military conflicts. Au#ustus also streamline" the functions of #o9ernment that $ermitte" local 9assals, such as Hero" the Great, #reater autonomy an" $ro9i"e" $roce"ures for $ro9incials to claim re"ress of a uses y their #o9ernors. 1he 0omans essentially ha" two "esires, to collect ta%es an" maintain $eace. As lon# as their 9assals accom$lishe" these two #oals an" maintaine" or"er in society, they were $lease". 717 Howe9er, the common $eo$le li9in# un"er 0oman rule ecame economic sla9es. 1heir hu#e ta% contri utions su$$orte" the military machine an" the affluent lifestyle of the wealthy ureaucrats in 0ome an" in the $ro9incial ca$itals, ut it im$o9erishe" thousan"s. 1o insure the ma%imum ta%ation for the #o9ernment, a census was taken e9ery fourteen years or more freAuently when a new #o9ernor "eman"e" it. !t reAuire" a$$ro%imately two years to com$lete after a census "ecree was issue". All men etween the a#es of 12 an" 38 were reAuire" to re#ister at their ancestral 9illa#e. 71@ Howe9er, one of the mysteries that remain $ertains to the Auestion as to why the ,ews ha" to return to their city of ori#in. 1he 0omans coul" not ha9e care" less a out the ,ewish $eo$le or their history. 1he $o$ulation count coul" ha9e een taken where9er the ,ewish $eo$le were resi"in# $ermanently, rather than makin# them return to the tri al areas that were allotte" to them some 1,288 years earlier. 1he ,ewish $eo$le always looke" u$on a census with fearful reser9ations. 1hey remem ere" the census or"ere" y Din# )a9i" an" the fatal results that followe" ;- 5am. -4=. 1hey conclu"e", therefore, that another census coul" in9oke the wrath of Go" u$on the 0oman 4m$ire an" they woul" e inclu"e" in the "i9ine wrath ecause they $artici$ate" in it. 719 /. 3. !.J& 6i( L)9e 1a9e a$ error "o$"er$i$% J)iri$i)s BL9. *7&<C> 717. 'onnick, The Message and Meaning of the Bible . 11---4L Met>#er, The New Testament. /8/-L 1enney, New Testament Times. 1/8-/-. 718. Harrison, A Short ,ife of 'hrist. /3-/7. 719. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*223.
496 As state" $re9iously, &uke recor"e" that the irth of ,esus occurre" when Au#ustus was em$eror an" Nuirinius was #o9ernor ;&k. -*1-7=. Howe9er, the $ro lem that some historians ha9e ha" is the lack of e9i"ence that Nuirinius was #o9ernor at the time ,esus was orn ;@-3 ..'.=. Accor"in# to two ancient historians, he was a s$ecial le#ate ;"i$lomatic re$resentati9e with military authority= char#e" y the 0oman 5enate to Auell the Homona"ensian 0e9olt in the 1aurus Mountains in Asia Minor ;now southeastern mo"ern 1urkey= which then was a $art of 5yria. 7-8 !n fact, it is well known that 5entius 5aturninus rule" from 9-7 ..'. an" Nuinctilius Harus rule" from 7-4 ..'. 1o a"" a""itional confusion, ,ose$hus recor"e" Harus as rei#nin# in A.). 3. 1he fact remains that Nuirinius was not in the official $osition of #o9ernor, ut functione" as #o9ernor as he was in char#e of 5yria<s "efense an" forei#n $olicy un"er Harus. 5ince the Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ea were within 5yria<s a"ministrati9e "istrict, Nuirinius woul" ha9e su$er9ise" the census an" accom$anyin# re#istration. Jet critics claim &uke make an error when he wrote the i lical account. Ama>in#ly, Bthe stones cry outC the truth concernin# this issue. !n 1734, a fra#mente" inscri$tion in stone was "isco9ere" near 1i9oli, twenty miles east of 0ome. !t is known as the 1i ur !nscri$tion or the &a$is 1i urtinus ;'!& W!H /31/= an" is now in the Hatican Museum. 1his stone monument honore" an official who ha" twice taken control of the affairs of 5yria as the $ersonal re$resentati9e of 'aesar Au#ustus. 7-1 )ue to the fact that only $art of the entire inscri$tion was foun", the official cannot e i"entifie". Many scholars elie9e this in"i9i"ual was Nuirinius. 1hen, in 1@@8, the other missin# $art of the 1i ur !nscri$tion was "isco9ere" as $art of a tom , ut the name of any official is unclear. 5cholars elie9e that the inscri$tion of oth $ieces rea"s as follows* At J)iri$i)s?s "o11a$( I "arrie( o)t a "e$s)s i$ A#a1ea+ a "ity of &&<+ i$habita$ts. Also at J)iri$i)s?s "o11a$( I 1ar"he( a%ai$st the It)raea$s a$( "a#t)re( their fortress o$ the 1o)$tai$s of Leba$o$.
720. 5tra o, -eography 1-.3.2L 1acitus, Annals /.4@L 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 24L Deller,
W. The Bible as +istory. /2@.
721. 1enney, New Testament Times. 1/7L 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 24.
497 Tib)r I$s"ri#tio$

<**
1herefore, from archaeolo#ical "isco9eries, inscri$tions written in stone e#in to clarify the status of Nuirinius at the time when ,esus was orn.
/. 3. !.J* 0hy 3as J)iri$i)s a##oi$te( to the r)lershi# #ositio$ of the ;o1a$ (istri"t of Syria> 1he s$ecific reasons for the a$$ointment ha9e een lost in history, ut it is well known that corru$tion was well esta lishe", 0ome was losin# ta% re9enue, an" there were constant rumors of $en"in# ,ewish re ellions. 7-/ Ancient historians a#ree that the $ro lems in 5yria of the time #o ack to at least 27 ..'. when Ga inius was a$$ointe" to the office of #o9ernor-#eneral or $roconsul. Un"er his lea"ershi$ ;27-22 ..'.= corru$tion ecame $aramount an" "i" not "issi$ate u$on his "e$arture. 1herefore, when Nuirinius was installe" as ruler of 5yria, corru$tion of the hi#hest or"er was well esta lishe". +or this reason, the 0oman historian Marcus 1ullius 'icero ;183 7 4/ ..'.=, sai", Gabi$i)s e@torte(+ (aily+ a$ i$"al")lable 3ei%ht of %ol( fro1 the 3ell-sto"9e( a$( ri"h treas)res of Syria+ a$( 1a(e 3ar o$ the #ea"ef)l R#eo#leS+ that he 1i%ht "ast their a$"ie$t a$( hitherto )$to)"he( ri"hes i$to the botto1less %)lf of his o3$ l)sts.5 Ci"ero+ Pro 3estion" & 4lsewhere 'icero sai", I$ Syria his o$e e1#loy1e$t 3as to 1a9e "orr)#t a%ree1e$ts 3ith tyra$ts i$tereste( (e"isio$s+ robberies+ #illa%es+ a$( 1assa"res. 722. 5antala, The Messiah in the New Testament. 9@. A com$lete translation is foun" in
'ai#er, Archaeology and the New Testament. 141. 5ee also htt$*//www.harrin#tonsites.com/'arrier.htmS1i urtinus 0etrei9e" ?ct., 12, -811. 723. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*278-7-.
./3
498 Ci"ero+ $e Provinciis 2onsularibus" & ./
While Ga inius rule" fi9e "eca"es efore Nuirinius an" the irth of ,esus, his actions reflect the stan"ar" form of corru$tion in 5yria, of which the ,ewish (romise &an" was a "istrict. 1he fact that the (ersian 4m$ire was a threat, corru$tion on the eastern front was a $rimary concern to 0ome. 1herefore, Nuirinius was installe" as a tem$orary ruler to take a census an" strai#hten out the mess. ,ustin Martyr sai" that Nuirinius ha" een sent to 5yria with the title of procurator at the time ,esus was orn. 7-4 5cholars maintain that he was an interim B#o9ernorC an" that the census was ma"e when he was rulin# or a"ministratin# his "uties in 5yria. Accor"in# to 0oman #o9ernmental $roce"ures, each $ro9ince ha" its eAuestrian $rocurator, who in the eyes of the $ro9incials was almost as im$ortant as the #o9ernor himself. 1herefore, the title of B#o9ernorC woul" ha9e een a$$lie" y the common $eo$le. 7-2 !t must e note" that while Nuirinius< comman" was the )istrict of 5yria, the three ,ewish $ro9inces within that "istrict com$rise" only a small area of his res$onsi ilities. Accor"in# to 1acitus, it was a common $ractice "urin# the iron rule of Au#ustus that when a #o9ernor faile" to $erform as "esire", a re$lacement was sent in to assume control. ?ther $ro9inces where Au#ustus e%ercise" this action were in Gaul ;-7 ..'., 1- ..'.=, 'yrene ;7 ..'.=, an" 4#y$t ;9 ..'.= an" e9ery fourteen years thereafter until a out A.). -78.7-3 1herefore, many scholars elie9e that the 1734 "isco9ery re9eals that he was the Nuirinius mentione" in the #os$els. !f 5aturninus rule" from 9-7 ..'., he "i" so ina"eAuately an", therefore, Nuirinius was or"ere" y Au#ustus to take tem$orary control. 1his theory is a 9ery real $ossi ility. As $re9iously state", when a new #o9ernor took comman", one of his first $riorities was to take a census to im$ro9e the re9enue flow to 0ome. 1his is $recisely what Au#ustus "i" in /8 ..'. when he took control of 4#y$t an" initiate" the Bfirst censusC shortly thereafter. 7-7
724. ,ustin Martyr, #irst Apology. 'h. /4. 725. The 'ambridge Ancient +istory. Hol. W. -13. 726. 1acitus, Annals -.4-L .arclay, B&uke.C -8.
727. 5antala, The Messiah in the New Testament. 97.
499 As $re9iously state", the ,ewish lan" was su Eect to the &ast Will an" 1estament of Hero" the Great. 1he 0oman $u$$et ma"e three chan#es to this "ocument in his last few years of life an" each chan#e ha" to e a$$ro9e" y 0ome. Au#ustus was aware of Hero"<s health $ro lems as well as his re$utation of ein# a rutal tyrant an" taskmaster. 1hese were the i"eal in#re"ients for a $easant u$risin#, a $otential re ellion the (arthians also reco#ni>e".7-@ 1herefore, a census in the Holy &an" woul" ha9e informe" 0ome of the followin#* 1. 1he $otential ma%imum ta% re9enue of the re#ion -. 1he num er of men who coul" $otentially re el a#ainst the 0oman 4m$ire /. 1he tone of the $olitical sta ility. 1his was not a numerical fi#ure, ut those takin# the census coul" #a#e the feelin#s of the $eo$le in 9arious communities concernin# their hostility towar" the 0omans. 1herefore, while Au#ustus was "ealin# with corru$tion an" incom$etence in )amascus, he was also "ealin# with a $otentially e%$losi9e situation in ,u"aea. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, Hero" foun" himself in serious "isfa9or with 0ome as well as his $olitical allies in 5yria. 7-9 Hero" was a $u$$et kin# un"er the "irect control of the 0oman #o9ernor )amascus. When Hero" "ie", his kin#"om was "i9i"e" into four sections, one of which went to the actin# 5yrian #o9ernor. !n this $olitically chaotic en9ironment, scholars elie9e Nuirinius esta lishe" law an" or"er 7 $recisely what 0ome nee"e". 1his conclusion #aine" 9irtually total su$$ort y scholars when two other inscri$tions were "isco9ere" in (isi"ian Antioch, 5yria, which state" a certain citi>en ser9e" in the military un"er the rei#n of Nuirinius at this time. .oth inscri$tions honore" the same citi>en. 7/8 &uke "i" not recor" the name of the official $olitical #o9ernor of 5yria, ut rather, recor"e" the name of the actin# #o9ernor who hel" tem$orary rulershi$. He initiate" the census
728. Hoehner, 'hronological Aspects of the ,ife of 'hrist . ----/. 729. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 13.9./. 730. Harrison, A Short ,ife of 'hrist. /7.
500 an" re$orte" "irectly to the em$eror himself. +or this reason ,ose$h ha" to take Mary an" tra9el to his ancestral 9illa#e of .ethlehem. 7/1 2The 3hole e1#ire.5 1he Greek $resent tense of the wor"in# of this $hrase allows a census to ha9e taken $lace throu#hout the em$ire, ut not necessarily as a sin#le census. 0esi"ents were counte" in se9eral "istricts ut not necessarily at the same time, followe" y se9eral others. 7/1herefore, the census in Auestion most certainly was not a sin#le em$irewi"e countin# of millions of $eo$le. !t shoul" e note", that 1acitus twice state" that "urin# the entire rei#n of 1i erius, there was ne9er a sin#le census con"ucte" throu#hout e9ery "istrict of the em$ire at the same time. 0ather, 9arious sections were counte" an", e9entually, the BwholeC em$ire was recor"e". 7//
2This first re%istratio$.5 As state" a o9e, critics ha9e lon# $ointe" to &uke<s account as $roof of error in 5cri$ture. &uke carefully sai" it was the first registration or census while Nuirinius was #o9ernor. !t is an im$ortant $oint ecause a secon" census y the same #o9ernor was taken later in A.). 3-9.7/4 'ritics look at the secon" census an" assume it was the only one.
731. 'onnick, The Message and Meaning of the Bible . 11---4L Met>#er, The New Testament. /8/-L 1enney, New Testament Times. 1/8-/-.
732. Hoehner, 'hronological Aspects of the ,ife of 'hrist . 12. 733. 1acitus, Annals 1.11 an" )io 'assius 2/./8.-.
734. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.-.1L Acts 2*/7.
501
/. 3. !A. A ;ELIEF ST:NE CA;FING A ;:MAN CENSUS. 1here was har"ly anythin# that the 0omans "i" that cause" "ee$er resentment than a census. !n this relief car9in#, ,ews line u$ un"er the watchful eye of 0oman sol"iers an" officials. 1he $o$ulation count was use" to "etermine ta% $otential an" the si>e of the 0oman military nee"e" in the e9ent of a re ellion. As $re9iously state", Nuirinius was not in an official $osition, ut was #o9ernin# tem$orarily in a $osition su$erior to Hero" the Great as an interim a$$ointee on ehalf of 0ome in the years @ to 7 ..'. .ecause he was not the officially a$$ointe" #o9ernor, he has at times een o9erlooke" y researchers. .ut his a$$ointment was for "ue cause. 1he office of $riesthoo" in ,erusalem was also fille" y a 0oman a$$ointee. !t was this same Nuirinius, not Hero" the Great, who a$$ointe" Annas in A.). 3, as the ecclesiastical authority of the ,ewish $eo$le, an" Annas woul" later clash with ,esus.7/2 5hortly thereafter in A.). 9, Nuintilius Harus was transferre" from the ancient Mi""le 4ast to 4uro$e as the !m$erial &e#ate in Germany. He crosse" the 0hine 0i9er with three le#ions into Germania Ma#na, which ha" een occu$ie" y 0oman sol"iers for the $re9ious twenty years. He was entice" y German tri esmen to enter the 1euto ur#ian +orest ne9er to returnL the entire 0oman re#iment was slau#htere". 7/3
735. 1enney, New Testament Times. 1-9.
502
/. 3. !A. ;:MAN CENSUS E6ICT IN EGEPT BPa#yr)s ! /C. Archaeolo#ists ha9e unco9ere" se9eral ancient "ocuments that refer to a census. 5hown here is an e%am$le of such a "ecree ;known as (a$yrus 984=. !t was issue" in A.). 184 in the 9illa#e of .acchias in 4#y$t. (hoto#ra$h courtesy of the 1rustees of the .ritish Museum &i rary. 1he census e"ict a o9e rea"s as follows* Gai)s Fibi)s Ma@i1)s+ Praefe"t of E%y#t+ states7 2The e$roll1e$t by ho)sehol( bei$% hel(+ it is $e"essary to $otify all 3ho+ for a$y "a)se 3hatsoe8er+ are o)tsi(e their ho1es to ret)r$ to their (o1esti" hearths+ that they 1ay also a""o1#lish the ")sto1ary (is#e$satio$ of e$roll1e$t a$( "o$ti$)e stea(fastly i$ h)sba$(ry that belo$%s to the1.5<3< 1his $u lic announcement, whose en"in# was lost, ma"e s$ecific reference to citi>ens returnin# to the 9illa#e of their irth for the $ur$ose of a 736. 5ee 5tra o, -eography 1-.3.2, an" 1acitus, Annals /.4@L Deller, W. The Bible as
+istory. /7-L 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 24.
737. )eissman, -78-7-L Wilson, :ur #ather Abraham. 43-4@.
503 customary dispensation census. +or e%am$le, the ?%yrhynchus (a$yrus an" some -78 other "ocuments foun" in 4#y$t in"icate that a census was taken e9ery fourteen years from 2/3 ..'. to A.). -2@. 7/@ +ra#ments of 9arious announcements "isco9ere" elsewhere also in"icate the 0oman custom of $o$ulation counts at fourteen year inter9als, althou#h, no "isco9eries ha9e een ma"e for the years A.). 73 an" 98. 7/9 1he historian 5uetonius note" that censuses in the years -@ ..'., @ ..'. an" A.). 14 inclu"e" 0oman citi>ens.748 ?n occasion, a census reAuire" women e counte" with their hus an"s or fathers. 1he com ine" ta%es of its many $ro9inces allowe" the 0oman em$erors to #i9e their $eo$le in !taly free B rea" an" circuses,C on a #ran" scale ne9er seen efore or since. :early all construction $roEects were uilt y thousan"s of s from ca$ture" lan"s an" the materials $ai" for y forei#n ta% re9enue.741 When a "ecision was ma"e to ha9e a census taken, the $u lic announcement was #enerally ma"e in the month of 4$ei$h ;late ,une= an" the su Eects ha" a year to e counte". Howe9er, some historians elie9e it may ha9e taken as lon# as three years to count the $o$ulation of a #i9en $ro9ince or country. 1hose who faile" to re#ister coul" ha9e u$ to a fourth of their $ossessions confiscate" as a fine. !f they faile" for two consecuti9e censuses, then they coul" lose u$ to half of their $ro$erty. 741he census inclu"e" a rief "escri$tion of the hus an", the a#e of his wife, an" an in9entory of their $ossessions, such as the num er of shee$ an" camels, an" their house. !t ha" to e si#ne", un"er oath, y the in"i9i"ual su mittin# the "ocument. &ikewise, a notice was #i9en that $unishment 738. ?n the census in 0oman 4#y$t, which was ty$ical of the entire :ear 4ast, see 5. &.
Wallace, Ta(ation in 5gypt from Augustus to )iocletian . (rinceton, :,* (rinceton Uni9ersity. 19/@, 93-112. 5ee also Horsley, New )ocuments %llustrating 5arly 'hristianity. 4*22-98 for e%am$les of 9arious com$le% family househol"s.
739. )eissman, -78-7-L .laiklock, B'ensus.C 1*771-7-L 5ee also Horsley, New )ocuments
%llustrating 5arly 'hristianity. 3*11--143 for an analytical stu"y of $a$yri.
740. 5uetonius, Augustus -7.2. 741. Deller, W. The Bible as +istory. /27L 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 24-22. 742. Har"aman, ,erry. B1he 0oman 'ensus.C 71.
504 was to e mete" out for those who $ro9i"e" false information. 1he oath was es$ecially offensi9e to an ortho"o% ,ew, such as ,ose$h, as it containe" wor"in# where y he ha" to swear to his truthfulness u$on a 0oman em$eror or $a#an #o". 74/ 1here can e little Auestion that $ayin# ta%es to a forei#n $a#an $ower an" the reAuirement of swearin# u$on a $a#an "eity were maEor reasons why ,u"as of Galilee, #athere" a lar#e followin# of Kealots an" re9olte" a#ainst the 0omans in A.). 3. Hence, the action of a s$ecial census that $re"ate" the irth of ,esus si#nificantly increase" social tensions. 744 2Ea"h to his o3$ to3$.5 When the 0omans con"ucte" a census, they care" little for the family or tri al affiliations of their su Eects, ut they "i" want $eace. 1hey were essentially intereste" in the ta% $otential an" reAuire" military in the e9ent of an u$risin#. 1herefore, to reAuire ,ose$h to return to the town of his herita#e 7 .ethlehem 7 was an unusual e9ent. 1he ,ewish $eo$le ha" alrea"y $ro9en themsel9es to e a re ellious unch. 1herefore, scholars ha9e su##este", an" this writer a#rees, that an enrollment un"er the #uise of a family or tri al census woul" e less likely to offen" the ,ewish $eo$le. +urthermore, the fact that this census a$$ears to take lon#er than enrollments in other areas also su##est two $ossi ilities worthy of consi"eration* 1. Au#ustus wante" the census to u$risin#, es$ecially since 7 e taken #ra"ually as not to stir an
-. 1he Hero"ian family was in turmoil. 1he "eath of Hero" the Great an" the ri9alry of his sons that followe" $ro9i"e" am$le o$$ortunity for another ,ewish re9olt. 742
743
. &ink an" 1uente. B5wear, ?ath.C /*7/7-4/.
744. Har"aman, ,erry. B1he 0oman 'ensus.C 7--7/.

745. +rom the time the 0omans came in 3/ ..'. until the B+irst 0e9oltC that cause" the "estruction of the tem$le an" ,erualem in A.). 78, there were thirteen other re9olts.
505
/. 3.&
L9. *7/-< Aethlehe1
THE AI;TH :F JESUS A$( Jose#h also 3e$t )# fro1 the to3$ of NaGareth i$ Galilee+ to J)(ea+ to the "ity of 6a8i(+ 3hi"h is "alle( Aethlehe1+ be"a)se he 3as of the ho)se a$( fa1ily li$e of 6a8i(+ ' to be re%istere( alo$% 3ith Mary+ 3ho 3as e$%a%e( to hi1 a$( 3as #re%$a$t. . 0hile they 3ere there+ the ti1e "a1e for her to %i8e birth. < The$ she %a8e birth to her firstbor$ So$+ a$( she 3ra##e( Hi1 s$)%ly i$ "loth a$( lai( Hi1 i$ a fee(i$% tro)%hQ be"a)se there 3as $o roo1 for the1 at the lo(%i$% #la"e.
/
/. 3.& .J& 0hy 3as Jes)s bor$> 1his Auestion has a lon# theolo#ical answer. Howe9er, to summari>e, ,esus was orn to re9eal Go" the +ather to mankin" ;,n. 1*1@=, to re"eem mankin" from sin ;,n. 1*19=, to rin# all $eo$le unto Himself, an" to rule His kin#"om ;Mt. /*--/L ,n. 1@*/7=. /. 3.& .J* 0he$ 3as Jes)s bor$> 1his Auestion has een often raise" ecause, if ,esus was such an im$ortant fi#ure in history, why "i"n<t anyone remem er His irth"ayF 1he answer lies
506 in the fact that in the He raic culture, the "ate of one<s "eath was remem ere" an" o ser9e" rather than the "ate of one<s irth. 1he $o$ular o$inion to"ay is that )ecem er -2 is the irth "ate of ,esus. 1his "ate was $romote" y Hi$$olytus ;c. A.). 132--/2=, an" ecame the official "ate y 'onstantine the Great in his attem$t to era"icate 'hristianity<s ,ewish roots an" ecause this "ate was alrea"y a $a#an 0oman holi"ay. &ikewise, 'onstantine se$arate" the "eath an" resurrection "ate of ,esus ;at (asso9er=, rename" it B4asterC in honor of the .a ylonian #o" !shtar, an" $lace" it on an earlier "ate for cele ration. +or centuries the 4astern 'hurch cele rate" the irth of ,esus on ,anuary 3. Accor"in# to their tra"ition, it was on this same "ate two years later that the ma#i 9isite" the 'hrist chil". Another o$inion was $romote" y church father 'lement of Ale%an"ria in a out A.). -88. !n his ook Stromata" he recor"e" that ,esus was orn in the twenty-ei#hth year of the rei#n of Au#ustus an" on the -2th "ay of (achon of the 4#y$tian calen"ar, which is reconcile" to May 14, 3 ..'. on the mo"ern ,ulian calen"ar. 743 1his may e farfetche", ut it is a etter estimate than )ecem er -2. 5ince His irth an" resurrection, there ha9e een numerous attem$ts to calculate the "ate He was orn an" nearly all those estimates ha9e een in some way connecte" with a celestial li#ht. Halley<s 'omet $asse" y in 11 ..'. an" other comets were seen in 44 ..'., 17 ..'., an" A.). 33. 5u$erno9as ha9e een calculate" as well as ali#nments of $lanets. .ut, as will e shown, all these attem$ts ha9e faile". 1he e#innin# $oint to "etermine the "ate of irth is to "etermine the "ate of the irth of ,ohn the .a$tist ;see /. 3. ..J&=, then count forwar". .y the $rocess of calculatin# $arameters, a time win"ow is esta lishe" in which His irth occurre". 5i#nificant e9ents that ha9e een 9erifie" are "elineate" elow which lea" to an accurate estimate" "ate. As 9arious e9ents are e9aluate", an" y the $rocess of elimination, the time win"ow is narrowe".
746. Ante/Nicene #athers -*///.
507 1. 5ince the ma#i came to the $alace of Hero" the Great to fin" ,esus, the Din# of the ,ews, it is o 9ious that Hero" was ali9e with no in"ication of any illness. 1he "eath of Hero" has een calculate" to March 4 ..'., as ,ose$hus recor"e" that there was an ecli$se of the moon on March 1/, shortly after Hero"<s a#oni>in# "eath. 747 ? 9iously ,esus was orn $rior to the ecli$se in 4 ..'. -. !t is a well-esta lishe" historical fact that Hero"<s three sons e#an their rei#ns in 4 ..'.L each o9er a se#ment inherite" from their father. 1his confirms that ,esus was orn $rior to that time. /. Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, $rior to his "eath, Hero" li9e" in ,ericho where he "ie" of an e%cruciatin# "isease. 5cholars elie9e his stay there was a$$ro%imately a year, $ossi ly a little less. 5ince the ma#i 9isite" him in ,erusalem, this woul" $lace the irth of ,esus $rior to the year 2 ..'.74@ 4. 1he 'ensus )ecree of Nuirinius was in @ ..'. 1herefore ,esus must ha9e een orn etween the years @ an" 2 ..'., an" in all $ro a ility, in 3 ..'. 2. When the ma#i left Hero", ,esus was less than two years ol". 3. 1he comman" y Hero" to kill oys - years an" youn#er su##ests that the ma#i may ha9e seen the star for two years. 9. 1herefore ,esus must ha9e een orn etween 7-2 ..'.
!n a""ition to these $arameters, scholars ha9e also consi"ere" the followin# clue* Hero" the Great e#an re uil"in# the tem$le in -8/19 ..'. 1he (harisees in ,ohn -*1/-/2 state" that it ha" een 43 years since reconstruction e#an. When a"Euste" to the mo"ern calen"ar, that con9ersation took $lace in the year A.). -7 or -@, in the 12 th year of the
747. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.3.4-2.

748. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities . 17.3.2.
508 rei#n of 1i erius.749 !f ,esus was a$$ro%imately thirty years ol" when He e#an His ministry in the year A.). -7/-@, then His irth year ha" to ha9e een in / or 4 ..'. Howe9er, this writer su##ests that since the .i le says that He was Ba$$ro%imatelyC /8 years ol", He was in fact, $ro a ly ol"er. !f so, that woul" $ush the year of His irth into the 7-2 ..'. time win"ow. Howe9er, this writer firmly elie9es that the $re#nancy of 4li>a eth is the most si#nificant clue, which has een o9erlooke" historically, an" is a#ain $resente" elow ;see $re9ious comments on BWhen was ,ohn the .a$tist .ornFC=. A #rowin# num er of scholars now elie9e that He was orn in the autumn of the year. 1he key to calculatin# His irth is to know when ,ohn the .a$tist was orn, as this information is #i9en in 5cri$ture, althou#h in an in"irect manner. 'arefully follow the outline of e9ents elow* 1. 1he father of ,ohn the .a$tist, Kechariah, was a $riest who ser9e" in the ei#hth rotation of A iEah ;see 1 'h. -4*18=. 1here were twentyfour #rou$s, calle" courses, of $riests who ser9e" in the tem$le twice a year, each lastin# two weeks. -. ,ewish recor"s in"icate that the first course of $riests ser9e" in the first half of the month of :issan, the first month of the ,ewish reli#ious calen"ar. Kechariah<s #rou$ was sche"ule" for ser9ice in the secon" half of the He rew month of 1ammu>. /. After com$letin# his tour of $riestly "uty at the tem$le, Kechariah came home an" soon thereafter his wife ecame $re#nant ;&k. 1*-/-4=. 1he conce$tion woul" ha9e occurre" a$$ro%imately on the first "ay of the He rew month of A9. 4. 5i% months into her $re#nancy ;&k. 1*-3, /3=, her cousin Mary ;He . Miriam= also ecame $re#nant, which woul" ha9e een in the first half of the month of 1e9et. 2. Mary Auickly tra9ele" to 9isit 4li>a eth who was now $re#nant after ein# arren all her life ;&k. 1*/9=. Mary staye" with Kechariah an" 4li>a eth for three months until 4li>a eth #a9e irth to ,ohn ;&k. 1*2327=. 749. 5no"#rass, B1he 1em$le !nci"ent.C 447.
509 3. ,ohn was therefore orn in the month of :issan, "urin# the time of (asso9er. 49ery year at the +east of (asso9er a $assa#e was rea" in the syna#o#ues that sai", B.ehol", ! am #oin# to sen" you 4liEah the $ro$het efore the comin# of the #reat an" terri le "ay of the &or".C 7. 1herefore, ,esus was orn si% months later on the 12 th of the month of 1ishri at the e#innin# of the +east of 5ukkot, also known as the +east of 1a ernacles. 1he +east commemorate" the time when the !sraelites li9e" in ooths, also known as Tabernacles that were hastily constructe" from $alm ranches an" other 9e#etation, as they left the on"a#e of 4#y$t. 1oo often the focus has een on their hin"si#ht, comin# out of on"a#e, rather than foresi#ht in that they were #oin# to enter a new era li9in# in the free"om of the lan" $romise" to them y A raham.728 More im$ortantly, the fall festi9al cele rate" BGo" li9in# with usC 7 the "efinition of %mmanuel. 1here is further insi#ht to su$$ort the theory of His irth on this festi9al. While many scholars elie9e He ministere" for three an" a half years, there are others, inclu"in# this writer, who elie9es four an" a half years of ministry may e more accurate. 0e#ar"less, e9eryone elie9es it was a certain num er an" a half years. 5ince ,esus was crucifie" on the s$rin# festi9al of (asso9er, that one-half year "ifference woul" ha9e $lace" His irth on or a out the time of the +east 1a ernacles. 1he im$lication is stren#thene" in ,ohn 1*14 where the #os$el writer recor"e" that ,esus "welle" or Bta ernacle"C amon# men. 'ritics may e Auick to state that this inter$retation of ,ohn 1*14 is clearly a Bstretch of hermeneutics.C Howe9er, 5cri$ture "oes ha9e its share of wor" im$lications, allusions, an" Bty$es an" sha"ows.C While the a o9e calculation is ase" on historical are other su##estions to su$$ort this conclusion. also known as Weeks or Sukkot, is a feast of Eoy. ;meanin# $lay on wor"s that is easily remem 5cri$ture in that the an#els tol" the she$her"s an" seAuential lo#ic, there 1he +east of 1a ernacles, 1here may e a wor"$lay ere" y the listeners= in that this was a season of
750. Garr, Restoring :ur ,ost ,egacy. 149.
510 #reat Eoy ;&k. -*18=. 751 1he B5eason of Great ,oyC is synonymous with the +east of 1a ernacles ;5e$t. - ?ct=.72- Another $oint is that while the !sraelites were wan"erin# aroun" in the "esert for 48 years, Go" was in the mi"st of them an" His $resence was in the ta ernacle, a hu#e tent. 1he twel9e tri es were cam$e" roun" a out the ta ernacle. 1herefore, accor"in# to those who stu"y the ,ewish roots of 'hristianity, the cele ration of the irth of ,esus li9in# amon# men ;'hristmas= shoul" coinci"e with the ,ewish +east of 1a ernacle cele ration rather than with )ecem er -2. ,ust as Go" li9e" amon# men in the "esert, ,esus came to li9e amon# men in the (romise" &an" "urin# the time, or +east, of 1a ernacles. 20e$t )# fro1 the to3$ of NaGareth.5 1his $hrase of #eo#ra$hical "irection clearly illustrates one of the many "ifferences etween mo"ern Western thou#ht an" ancient Mi""le 4astern thou#ht. When #i9in# "irections, most $eo$le to"ay think #oin# north as Bu$C an" tra9elin# south as B"own.C :ot in i lical times 7 they thou#ht it terms of ele9ation. While :a>areth is on a hill to$, .ethlehem is on to$ of a hi#her ri"#e, almost as hi#h as ,erusalem which is -,@88 feet a o9e sea le9el. Another e%am$le of this terminolo#y is foun" in the $salms when the son# writer says they are #oin# Bu$ to ,erusalem,C re#ar"less of the "irection they are comin# from. 2The "ity of 6a8i(+ 3hi"h is "alle( Aethlehe1.5 &uke connecte" the irth of ,esus to Din# )a9i". .ethlehem was i"entifie" as ein# in ,u"ea so as to "istin#uish it from another 9illa#e of the same name se9en miles northwest of :a>areth in the lan" of Ke ulon ;,os. 19*12=. !f ,esus was the $romise" Messiah, then e9ery $ro$hecy a out Him woul" e fulfille" in "etail. 1he He rew name Bethlehem is a com ination of two wor"s* Beth" which means, BhouseC or Bthe house of,C an" lehem or lechem which means B rea".C !n a roa" sense, the term also means food.72/ 'om ine", that 9illa#e name means Bthe house of rea".C !t is interestin# that ,esus, who is
751. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1/. 752. 'humney, The Se en #esti als of the Messiah. 1@8-@3.
753. 'ranefiel", B.rea".C /7.
511 the .rea" of &ife, was meanin#. orn in a small o scure 9illa#e with a name of similar
1he name of the small, seemin#ly insi#nificant 9illa#e has an interestin# history. !n the ancient 'anaanite (erio" it was known as B.eth-&ahame,C meanin# the house of ,ah. &ater, un"er Assyrian "omination the name was sli#htly mo"ifie". +rom the ancient U#aritic ;Assyrian= lan#ua#e is the loan wor" ,ehem that honore" the Assyrian #o" of war, ,akhmu" "urin# the earlier 'anaanite (erio". 724 !n essence, the 9illa#e of B.ethlehem,C ei#ht centuries later was rename" ,ehem" an" ecame the $lace where the (rince of (eace was orn. 722 1he He raic wor" for rea" ; lehem= coul" also e translate" food, an", in the cultural conte%t, it means Ball of man<s $ro9isions.C 723 !n recent times, the historical name has een $reser9e" in the Ara ic Bayt ,ahm, which is the eAui9alent of B.ethlehem.C 727 1he $lace name has een $reser9e" for thousan"s of years. A $oint of interest is that the Assyrians relocate" the ten northern !sraelite tri es to the east, ut "i" not relocate the two southern tri es of .enEamin an" ,u"ea where .ethlehem is locate". 5i#nificant to the research of $lace names is the fact is that ancient names of ,ewish 9illa#es, ri9ers, an" mountains remaine" unchan#e", e9en after the Ara ;Muslim= in9asion. 1he new arri9als often mo"ifie" ,ewish $lace names with Ara ic names an", therefore, researchers Auickly i"entifie" i lical sites that ha" een a an"one" for centuries.
/. 3.& .J3 0here 3as Jes)s bor$> 1he irth$lace of ,esus was har"ly the Auaint sta le freAuently seen in 'hristmas scenes an" "ecorations of to"ay. Most of the mountains in central ,u"aea ;mo"ern !srael= are "ry limestone, which "e9elo$e" ca9es. Westerners to"ay ten" to think of ca9es as ha9in# stala#mites an"
754. (ayne, B.ethlehem.C 1*1@9.
755. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo, B.C=. 756. Joun#, The &ewish Background. -4.
757. 1enney, e"., B.ethlehem.C -*-7/-74.
512 stalactites, ut the ca9es of the Mi""le 4ast are without these internal formations ecause of the semi-ari" climate con"itions $re9ent their "e9elo$ment. 0ather, ca9es ten" to e small, arely lar#e enou#h for homes or to sta le li9estock in col" winters an" hot summers. 5ince many hills were of soft limestone, some ca9es ha9e een enlar#e" into li9in# Auarters. P@>>>>>> P@ @@
49i"ence 9erifies that .ethlehem is the authentic site ecause when the 0oman General Ha"rian trie" to "estroy 'hristianity in the 1/8s, he "estroye" $art of the ca9e where ,esus was orn, $lante" a #ro9e of trees an" uilt a shrine "e"icate" to the #o" A"onis. &ater, in A.). /-3, 'onstantine the Great ecame the first 'hristian em$eror of 0ome. 1o commemorate 'hristian sites he sent his mother Nueen Helena to the Holy &an" to locate the sites si#nificant to the life of ,esus an" to uil" a church o9er each one. 5he foun" the shrine uilt y Ha"rian an" or"ere" the 'hurch of the :ati9ity to e constructe". 72@ 1he church was later $artially "estroye", ut in the si%th century, the .y>antine 4m$eror ,ustinian re uilt it. )urin# the 'rusa"er era, it was e%$an"e" to what is seen to"ay.
758. )uffiel", Tourist0s +andbook. 29.
513 /. 3.& A. THE CHU;CH :F THE NATIFITE. 1he ori#inal 'hurch of the :ati9ity was a asilica constructe" y Nueen Helena in the early fourth century an" many a""itions an" chan#es ha9e een ma"e since then. 1he $resent church seen a o9e was uilt y ,ustinian ;c. 2-7-232= an" e%$an"e" y the 'rusa"ers. 729 1he small "oorway was constructe" within a lar#er entrance y the 'rusa"ers to $re9ent Ara horsemen from enterin# the house of worshi$. 738 (hoto#ra$h y the author. !n the ancient Mi""le 4ast, maEor historical e9ents are the su Eects of "iscussion lon# after the $artici$atin# $ersonalities $asse" on. Within two "eca"es of Ha"rian, the early 'hurch father ,ustin Martyr ;c. 118-132= wrote of the ca9e. Martyr was an ar"ent "efen"er of the faith an" o$$ose" a lea"in# ske$tic of his time y the name of 1ry$ho. !n a written "efense title" )ialogue with Trypho" ,ustin mentione" .ethlehem as the $lace of the irth of ,esus. He wrote* The "hil( 3as bor$ i$ Aethlehe1. Si$"e Jose#h "o)l( $ot fi$( lo(%i$% i$ that 8illa%e a$( 3hile they 3ere there Mary bro)%ht forth the Christ a$( #la"e( Hi1 i$ a 1a$%er a$( here the 1a%i 3ho "a1e fro1 Arabia+ fo)$( hi1. J)sti$ Martyr $ialogue with *ry&ho <,
<.&
Another writer was ?ri#en ;c. -28=, who was a hi#hly res$ecte" "efen"er of the faith. !n his a$olo#etic writin#s title" Against 'elsus" he sai" that ,esus was orn in a sta le in a ca9e. 5uch sta les ha" trou#hs, or man#ers, cut from cretaceous limestone in which water or #rain was $lace" for the animals. 73- His te%t rea"s,
759. Masterman, 1*47--7/. 760. Maier, %n the #ullness of Time. /4. 761. Ante/Nicene #athers" 1*-/7.
762. 1hom$son, BMan#er.C -*944.
514 0ith res#e"t to the birth of Jes)s i$ Aethlehe1+ if a$yo$e (esires+ after the #ro#he"y of Mi"ah a$( after the history re"or(e( i$ the Gos#el by the (is"i#les of Jes)s+ to ha8e a((itio$al e8i(e$"e fro1 other so)r"es+ let hi1 9$o3 that i$ "o$for1ity 3ith the $arrati8e i$ the Gos#el re%ar(i$% His birth+ there is sho3$ at Aethlehe1 the "a8e 3here he 3as bor$+ a$( the 1a$%er i$ the "a8e 3here he 3as 3ra##e( i$ s3a((li$% "lothes. A$( this site is %reatly tal9e( of i$ s)rro)$(i$% #la"es. E8e$ a1o$% the e$e1ies of the faith+ it bei$% sai( that i$ this "a8e 3as bor$ that Jes)s 3ho is 3orshi#e( a$( re8ere$"e( by the Christia$s. :ri%e$+ Against 2elsus &7'&
<.3
1hrou#hout ,ewish history it was common for ca9es to e use" for tom s, homes, sta les, an" tem$orary shelters. 734 1herefore, y the first century it was only natural to ha9e a ca9e either un"er their house or ehin" it. 1his is es$ecially true in the .ethlehem area, ecause the entire 9illa#e is locate" on a limestone ri"#e. 5ince the entire Mi""le 4ast was fille" with lions, ears, an" other wil" animals that $reye" on li9estock, animals of 9alue, such as an o% or "onkey woul" ha9e een $lace" in a ca9e or room that is a"Eacent to the house or $art of it. &ikewise, sick or youn# animals were $lace" there as well for safekee$in# an" health maintenance.732 Homes #enerally ha" only two rooms, a family e"room an" another Bfamily room,C which inclu"e" a kitchen an" was the only room in which #uests were in9ite". 733 A thir" or fourth room was in"icati9e of financial $ros$erity. 1he homes in which ,esus li9e" in .ethlehem, :a>areth, an" 'a$ernaum 763. ?ri#in, Against 'elsus. 1*21L Also foun" in the Ante/Nicene #athers9 The Writings of
the #athers )own to A.). DGH . 4*41@.
764. 'a9e where Go" s$oke to Moses ;4%. //*-1--/=L 1he ca9e of &ot ;Gen. 19*/8=L
Mach$elah 7 A raham<s tom ;Gen. -/*19=L Makke"ah 7 A hi"in# $lace of kin#s ;,osh. 18*13-17=L 4n#e"i 7 A hi"in# $lace for )a9i" ;1 5am. --*1=L ? a"iah<s lar#e ca9e where he hi" 128 $ro$hets ;1 D#. 1@*4=.
765. 1enney, e"., B.ethlehem.C -*-7/.

766. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes . -3/.
515 were ty$ical of the i lical $erio"L homes which were also shelters for 9alue" "omestic animals. 737 1hey were ke$t in"oors at ni#ht as not to e threatene" y thie9es or wil" animals. An e%am$le is foun" in 1 5amuel -@ where Din# 5aul went to see the witch ;me"ium= of 4n"or. 5he took a calf from Bwithin her houseC ;9. -4=, kille" it, $re$are" it, an" ser9e" the kin# an" his ser9ants. ,esus sai" in Matthew 2*14-12 that a lam$ that has een lit will #i9e li#ht to the whole house. 1hat was ecause houses were of sim$le "esi#n an" consiste" of a lar#e room an" a smaller slee$in# room. 1he wall se$aratin# the two rooms often ha" sAuare o$enin#s calle" Bwin"owsC throu#h which fresh air flowe" an" allowe" some li#ht to shine in. +amilies who li9e" in areas that were not su Eect to free>in#, such as :a>areth, the 5ea of Galilee, or southern "esert areas, may ha9e ha" an o$en court yar"s. More often, howe9er, four houses were constructe" in such a manner that they surroun"e" a court yar" where chil"ren an" li9estock were safe.
767. Maintainin# animals in or close to human li9in# Auarters was not limite" to ancient times. 1he author<s father an" #ran"father li9e" in .anfe, Germany, where in the 19 th century the arn an" li9in# Auarters were a"Eacent to each other within the same uil"in#.
516 /. 3.& A. A M:6E;N CAFE STAALE. 'a9es in hillsi"es are still use" for sta les an" homes as they were in the first century. .ecause of the semi-ari" climate an" the soil formation in the Mi""le 4ast, ca9es are e%tremely "ry, cool in the summer, an" comforta le in the winter. 1hese also ten" to e rather small when com$are" to those in other #eo#ra$hical areas, $rimarily ecause of the freAuent earthAuakes. 1his one was $hoto#ra$he" y the author in the hills o9erlookin# the ,or"an 9alley. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he tra"ition that ,esus was orn late in the e9enin# in a ca9e outsi"e .ethlehem is recor"e" in a secon" century :ew 1estament A$ocry$ha ook known as the 4rotoe angelium of &ames. 73@ 1he te%t confirms the tra"ition se9en times, 739 ut it also states that it was outsi"e the 9illa#e an" the arri9al was in late e9enin#. 778 1he fact that the narrati9e states Mary an" ,ose$h were outsi"e the 9illa#e $ro$er "oes not necessarily conflict with the i lical account, as a near y ca9e woul" still e consi"ere" $art of the 9illa#e. An e%cer$t rea"s* 771 A$( he 3e$t to the #la"e of the "a8e+ a$( behol(+ a (ar9 "lo)( o8ersha(o3e( the "a8e. A$( the 1i(3ife sai(7 2My so)l is 1a%$ifie( to(ay+ for 1y eyes ha8e see$ 3o$(erf)l thi$%s4 for sal8atio$ is bor$ to Israel.5 Protoe8a$%eli)1 of Ja1es &!7*
77-
768. 5chneemelcher, New Testament Apocrypha . -*/78-@@. 769. 4rotoe angelium of &ames 19*1, -, /L -8*4L -1*/. 1he te%t makes use of the narrati9es
familiar to us from Matthew an" &uke, as well as the tra"itions of the time. 1o this the writer a""e" a creati9e ut false account of the so-calle" miraculous &irth o% 'ar( an" her marria#e to the so-calle" wi"ower ,ose$h. 1he rea"er must se$arate the creati9e writin# from what is i lically an" historically correct. 1he author of 4rotoe angelium was neither ,ewish nore the "isci$le ,ames.
770. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 73.

772. +inally, the (rotoe9an#elium of ,ames, a $o$ular a$ocry$hal #os$el written in the
latter half of the secon" century recor"s the story of the irth of oth Mary an" ,esus. Historians #enerally elie9e that factual e9ents an" $laces 7 such as the ca9e an" the
517
'aution is e%ten"e" to the rea"er ecause church lea"ers throu#hout history ha9e a Eustifia le reason to Auestion this writin#. 1he 4rotoe angelium of &ames" written a out A.). -88, is so fanciful that the story is or"erline mystical. .ut since historical no9els #enerally contain a "e#ree of historical accuracy, the Auotation is inclu"e" within this stu"y. 77/ !n all $ro a ility, Mary an" ,ose$h #a9e irth in the sta le area of the home ecause the #uest room of the same house was alrea"y occu$ie". Howe9er, accor"in# to ancient Mi""le 4astern hos$itality an" $rotocol, it is ama>in# that the 9isitors in the #uest room "i" not offer their room to Mary when she was in la or. 2The ti1e "a1e for her to %i8e birth.C 1he $hrase clearly in"icates that the chil" was not orn the moment they arri9e" in the 9illa#eL it coul" ha9e een "ays or e9en weeks until Mary "eli9ere" the 'hrist chil". 1he te%t assumes a time la$se ha" occurre". 1his woul" lea9e one to conclu"e that the ca9e was not a cru"e sta le as is often thou#ht, ut rather, a $art of a home that was acce$ta le for human occu$ation. 774 1his was not usual for the times. +reAuently a house was uilt a"Eacent to a ca9e in such a manner that the natural ca9ity was $art of the occu$ie" home. 0e#ar"less of the culture an" any hostilities of the time, when a woman was a out to #i9e irth, other women came to hel$ her. 775
$resence of a mi"wife 7 are $ro a ly true ut the Auotations are $ro a ly rather fanciful. 773 !t is consi"ere" y the author to e Bsu$$orti9e e9i"ence,C not B$rimary e9i"enceC that su$$orts the ar#ument that ,esus was orn in a ca9e or in a house with a ca9e. 5ee $re9ious footnotes.
774. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 74-79. 775. (acker, 1enney, an" White. The Bible Almanac. 448-49.
518
/. 3.& C. CLAE M:6EL :F M:THE; IN CHIL6AI;TH . A clay statuette from @th century ..'. 'y$rus "e$icts woman #i9in# irth as two other women assist. ;cf. 4%. 1*13L Gen /8*/=. 1he irthin# stool the $re#nant woman sat u$on is hi""en. .asic functions of life were #enerally the same in all ancient Mi""le 4astern cultures. Mary may ha9e "eli9ere" ,esus in a similar manner, since the custom "i" not chan#e until mo"ern times. Mo"ern rea"ers of the infancy narrati9es often conclu"e that Mary an" ,ose$h were alone in a arn when Mary #a9e irth. 1his was har"ly the case. :o matter if she was marrie" or not, the i"ea that a woman who was a out to #i9e irth an" "i" not ha9e shelter or the assistance of other women in the 9illa#e, is unthinka le in this culture. 1he facilities may ha9e een mea#er, ut #enerous 4astern hos$itality is #enerally eyon" Western ima#ination, es$ecially in times of nee". 1he classic e%am$le is foun" in Genesis 1@ which recor"s the encounter of A raham an" his #uests. 49en those who woul" normally ha9e chi"e" Mary for ein# unmarrie" an" $re#nant woul" ha9e come to offer assistance. 5ince ,ose$h was relate" to nearly e9eryone in the 9illa#e, all he $ro a ly sai" was, B! am ,ose$h, son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of ...C an" he ha" an imme"iate welcome.
519 20ra##e( Hi1 s$)%ly i$ "loth.5 1his $hrase has een use" y some .i le translators to "escri e the clothin# of the infant. !n oriental custom, B1he oriental swa""lin# clothes consiste" of a sAuare cloth an" two or more an"a#es. 1he chil" was lai" in the cloth "ia#onally an" the corners were fol"e" o9er the feet an" o"y an" un"er the hea", the an"a#es then ein# tie" so as to hol" the cloth in $osition.C 773 A Greek $hysician, 5oranus, in 4$hesus wrote a ook title" :n Midwifery and the )iseases of Women" in the A.). 188s. 777 He "escri e" the asic techniAues of chil" irth an" inclu"e" the followin#, 1. Use of a irthin# stool or chair. 1he e%$ectant mother ne9er lai" "own to #i9e irthL sittin# on a irthin# stool $ermitte" #ra9ity to hel$ rin# forth the chil".77@ -. A mi"wife was "irectly in front of the mother an" another woman was ehin" her to ai" in the irthin# $rocess. /. As soon as the chil" was orn the mi"wife cut the um ilical cor" four fin#er-wi"ths from the chil"<s elly an" tie" it with woolen yarn. 4. 1he chil" was then cleane" with $ow"ere" salt, washe" with warm water, an" oli9e oil was ru e" onto the skin. 2. )ro$s of oli9e oil were also $lace" in the eyes to wash away any resi"e from the uterus. 3. 1he chil" was wra$$e" ti#htly in stri$s of cloth known as Bswa""lin# clothesC for the first si% months of life. 1his $rotecte" the chil" from eye inEury that coul" e cause" y fin#ers or fin#er nails. Hence, the chil" was wra$$e" in a manner that $re9ente" arms an" feet from 776. Garlan", B5wa""lin#.C 4*378L .ailey, B1he Man#er an" the !nn.C 99-183. 777. Miller, The &esus of the Bible. 22-27L 5ee also
htt$*//www.afn.or#/]afn/-31-/'hil" irth.htmS12 0etrie9e" +e ruary 14, -81-.
778. 5oranus as retrie9e" from htt$*//www.afn.or#/]afn/-31-/'hil" irth.htmS12 0etrie9e"

+e ruary 14, -81-L htt$*//www. ritannica.com/4.checke"/to$ic/4-@294/?n-Mi"wifery-an"the-)iseases-of-Women. 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -1, -81/.
520 mo9in#. He was almost in a Bmummy-wra$,C which also functione" as a "ia$er.779 7. 1he chil" was then $lace" in a $illow fille" with soft hay an" lai" in a fee"in# trou#h ;man#er=. While 5oranus is cre"ite" for ein# a $ioneer in ancient me"icine, he may ha9e attaine" some of his i"eas from common folklore. +or e%am$le, 4>ekiel, s$eakin# the wor" of the &or" to ,erusalem, sai" of that city, :$ the (ay yo) 3ere bor$ yo)r "or( 3as $ot ")t+ $or 3ere yo) 3ashe( 3ith 3ater to 1a9e yo) "lea$+ $or 3ere yo) r)bbe( 3ith salt or 3ra##e( i$ "loths.
/
EGe9iel &.7/ 1he $ro$het ma"e the analo#y of the Holy 'ity to that of a new orn chil". 'learly the chil" irthin# $ractices mentione" y 5oranus were common knowle"#e centuries earlier e9en in the ,ewish culture. 1his custom was not only $ractice" y the ,ews, ut also y the 4#y$tians, (arthians, Ara s, an" other $eo$le #rou$s. ?ne time when teachin# a class of Ara $astors in ,or"an, this author aske" them if they were familiar with this metho" of wra$$in# a neworn infant. A out half the stu"ents sai" that they ha" een wra$$e" in swa""lin# clothes when youn#. 1o"ay, howe9er, "is$osa le "ia$ers are rin#in# this ancient tra"ition to an en". 2Lai( Hi1 i$ a fee(i$% tro)%h.5 1he wor" manger is often use" in this 9erse, ut man#er is an ol" 4n#lish wor" meanin# fee"in# trou#h for "omestic animals. 5uch trou#hs were often in ca9es that in turn ser9e" as arns.
779. htt$*//www. ritannica.com/4.checke"/to$ic/4-@294/?n-Mi"wifery-an"-the-)iseases-ofWomen 0etrie9e" +e ruary 14, -81-.
521
/. 3.& 6. A TEPICAL ST:NE MANGE; BFEE6ING T;:UGHC. Man#ers were fee" trou#hs car9e" from a lar#e limestone lock as this one, or car9e" into the si"e of a ca9e, ut were sel"om ma"e of woo". Animals, such as #oats, "onkeys, an" o%en ha9e a ten"ency to chew woo"en o Eects an" there y "estroy them. ,esus was most likely lai" to rest on a e" of straw in a man#er similar to this one foun" near ,erusalem. 1he new orn chil" woul" ha9e een washe", #ently ru e" with salt to $re9ent infection, an" wra$$e" with a lar#e soft cloth. 1his $ractice continue" for se9eral months. 7@8 (hoto#ra$h y the author at the 0ockefeller Museum, ,erusalem. 2Ae"a)se there 3as $o roo1 for the1 at the lo(%i$% #la"e.5 Many 4n#lish translations use the wor" Binn,C rather than Blo"#in# $lace,C ut oth terms are sli#htly mislea"in# in terms of the cultural "efinition. 1he Greek wor" katalyma" for inn means the guest room , as in the upper room of &uke --*11.7@1 Howe9er, the usual Greek wor" for a commercial inn or hotel is pandocheion" as foun" in the (ara le of the Goo" 5amaritan ;&k. 780. (acker, 1enney, an" White. Nelson0s %llustrated 5ncyclopedia. 444-42L 1hom$son, BMan#er.C
-*944. 781. +or more information on a ty$ical u$$er room, see 9i"eo !. &. 3.F.
522 18*/3=. More s$ecifically, the first $art of pandocheion means all an" the secon" $art is a 9er meanin# to recei eL essentially to recei e all. 7@- &uke state" that the #uest room was alrea"y full, or occu$ie" with other #uests. With that term clarifie", there are two $ossi le reasons for the lack of "ecent accommo"ations that must e consi"ere". 1. 1he first an" $rimary is the literal inter$retation that they trie" to stay with someone in ,ose$h<s family, an" there was no room for them to stay in anyone<s #uest room. 1he custom of hos$itality reAuire" that tra9elers e accommo"ate" in $ri9ate homes, as recor"e" throu#hout the .i le. ?nly in isolate" $laces alon# tra9el routes woul" there e a commercial esta lishment that woul" $ro9i"e accommo"ation. .ethlehem was not alon# any si#nificant tra9el route. A #uest room was a small room on the house roof an" insi"e was a e", chair, an" ta le. !n - Din#s 4*@-17 the 5hunammite woman uilt an u$$er room or #uest room for 4lisha. 1he custom of a #uest room is still $rominent amon# some Ara 9illa#es to"ay. -. !n this culture the irth of a chil" outsi"e of marria#e was consi"ere" shameful for the entire family an" clan. (eo$le 9alue" their family honor an" tri al ancestry to such an e%tent that mo"ern Westerners cannot com$rehen" the im$ortance relate" to chil" irth inside marria#e. 1herefore, when ,esus was orn, it woul" ha9e een natural for the e%ten"e" family to reEect the $resence of Mary an" ,ose$h an" not take care of them. Hos$itality was a sacre" "uty in the ancient Mi""le 4ast. Whene9er a tra9eler entere" a 9illa#e, it was not his res$onsi ility to fin" a $lace to stay, ut it was the "uty of the 9illa#ers to in9ite him in for the ni#ht. 1he kin"est an" most #racious #ift of hos$itality can har"ly match that of the i lical $erio" 7 a social "ynamic that is "ifficult for Westerners to"ay to com$rehen". 1here is the $ossi ility that the $hrase Bno room in the inn,C was an e%cuse so the youn# cou$le woul" not rin# shame to the relati9es. 1his stron# sense of family honor an" $ri"e continues in the Mi""le 4ast to"ay. 1his inter$retation, thou#h, is a minority 9iew. 7@/
782. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. /-.
783. Willmin#ton, Willmington0s -uide to the Bible . 1@-19.
523
4ideo Insert
/3)/0),/)4 7G ,3)/.)/0)48 An unassigned s%ho&ar dis%usses the ty#i%a& guest %ha"+er' or <u##er roo"'= that (as on the to# of a house)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 5ome scholars ha9e conclu"e" that the wor" inn was in"ee" a commercial restin# area use" y cara9an. 5uch a facility is known as a cara anserai" or y its shortene" name, a khan. Dhans were low one-story structures, uilt of rou#h stones or sun ake" ricks, an" $ro9i"e" a safe enclosure of many camels. ?ne lar#e khan was "isco9ere" alon# the 5ea of Galilee, an" the ruins can still e seen at Dhan Minyeh near 'a$ernaum 7@4 an" another at the Goo" 5amaritan !nn alon# the ,ericho to ,erusalem roa". 7@2 Howe9er, there are three reasons there "eclinin# this inter$retation to .ethlehem* 1. :o Greek or He rew wor"s su##est a cara9anserai. -. .ethlehem was not on a maEor tra"e route an", therefore, woul" not ha9e een 9isite" y cara9ans. /. :either secular ancient writin# nor archaeolo#ical "isco9eries su##est the $ossi ilities of a BkhanC in .ethlehem. !t has usually een assume" that Mary an" ,ose$h coul" not fin" a $lace to stay ecause so many also tra9ele" to .ethlehem for the census. .ut this may not ha9e een the reason for lack of accommo"ations. As in"icate"
784. 1he ruins of Dhan Minyet, also known as Dhir at al-Minya, were uilt y Muslims etween 782 an" 712. Howe9er, some scholars elie9e that since the international hi#hway, the " e%iste" for more than a millinium efore 'hrist, another cara9anserai must ha9e e%iste" at or near 'a$ernaum to ser9e the tra9elin# cara9ans. 785. 1he last structure on the site of the Goo" 5amaritan !nn, $rior to restoration y the state of !srael, was a khan, or camel cra9an way station, uilt y the 5ultan ! rahim (asha ;1494-12/3= of the ?ttoman 4m$ire. Archaeolo#ists ha9e "emonstrate" that the site ha" een a rest area for well o9er a mellinia.
524 elsewhere, this writer $ro9i"e" e9i"ence to show that ,esus was orn "urin# the +east of 1a ernacles fulfillin# the $ro$hecy that one "ay the &or" woul" Bta ernacleC with His $eo$le ;4>ek. /7*-7=. 5e9ere lack of accommo"ations woul" ha9e een more ty$ical "urin# the three $il#rima#e feasts* (esach ;(asso9er=, 5ha9uot ;(entecost=, or 5ukkot ;1a ernacles, also known as .ooths=. )urin# these times ,erusalem so o9er-crow"e" that many of the surroun"in# 9illa#es, such as .ethlehem, hoste" $il#rims who coul" not fin" accommo"ations in the Holy 'ity. Howe9er, a Auestion arises for which there is no answer* !f there was no room in .ethlehem, why "i"n<t ,ose$h take Mary to the home of 4li>a eth an" KechariahF 1hey li9e" only a few miles from .ethlehem 7 near ,erusalem. A Auick res$onse to this Auestion mi#ht e that ,esus ha" to e orn in .ethlehem to fulfill ancient $ro$hecies. .ut "i" ,ose$h know thatF How much knowle"#e of ,esus "i" Mary an" ,ose$h un"erstan" at this timeF .ase" u$on the con9ersation they ha" with Him twel9e years later in ,erusalem, o 9iously they "i" not know 9ery much. )i" they know their chil" was )eity on earthF 1hese assume" answers make one return to the ori#inal Auestion as to why ,ose$h "i" not consi"er takin# Mary to the home of Kechariah an" 4li>a eth until a etter accommo"ation coul" e foun". After the irth, Mary an" ,ose$h coul" ha9e tra9ele" to .ethlehem to re#ister for the census. 1he answer may ne9er e known.
+inally, Matthew sai" that when the ma#i arri9e" they entere" a house ;Mt. -*11=. 49i"ently a sufficient amount of time ha" trans$ire" followin# the irth to allow ,ose$h to marry Mary an" mo9e his family to etter "wellin#
525 Auarters.7@3 ,esus was orn in a sta le that e9i"ently was not $art of a house, an" e9entually the Holy +amily mo9e" into a sim$le house, ty$ical of Mi""le 4astern homes.
/. 3.&& L9. *7,-&/ Aethlehe1 I$ the sa1e re%io$+ she#her(s 3ere stayi$% o)t i$ the fiel(s a$( 9ee#i$% 3at"h at $i%ht o8er their flo"9. ! The$ a$ a$%el of the Lor( stoo( before the1+ a$( the %lory of the Lor( sho$e aro)$( the1+ a$( they 3ere terrifie(. & A)t the a$%el sai( to the1+ 26o$?t be afrai(+ for loo9+ I #ro"lai1 to yo) %oo( $e3s of %reat Hoy that 3ill be for all the #eo#le7 && To(ay a Sa8ior+ 3ho is Messiah the Lor(+ 3as bor$ for yo) i$ the "ity of 6a8i(. &* This 3ill be the si%$ for yo)7 Eo) 3ill fi$( a baby 3ra##e( s$)%ly i$ "loth a$( lyi$% i$ a fee(i$% tro)%h.5
,
S)((e$ly there 3as a 1)ltit)(e of the hea8e$ly host 3ith the a$%el+ #raisi$% Go( a$( sayi$%7
&3
Glory to Go( i$ the hi%hest hea8e$+ a$( #ea"e o$ earth to #eo#le He fa8orsK
&/
5he$her"s were the social outcasts of the "ayL they were at the ottom of the social-economic la""er. 1heir occu$ation, alon# with that of a ta% collector, tanner, an" "un# collector, was consi"ere" a "es$ise" an" shameful occu$ation. A family sai" it was curse" if a son "eci"e" to enter this form of li9elihoo". Howe9er, since .ethlehem was a hol"in# area for shee$ to e sacrifice" at the tem$le, the ra is ele9ate" the status of those she$her"s. 1he tem$le $riests were known as the Sanctified Shepherds of the Seed of &acob. 7@7 1hese she$her"s were reAuire" to follow strict ra inic rules as to how they care" for the shee$ an" her"e" them from .ethlehem to the tem$le. 1he #ra>in# fiel"s were also Bsanctifie".C 1he she$her"s an" their families also 786. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 2/L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah .
142. 787. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*1-/, 1*229, 1*27/.
526 ha" to li9e accor"in# to strict ra inic rules an" re#ulations.7@@ !t was an honor to e a she$her" of the &or"<s shee$. !n a similar manner, the $arents of ,esus are calle" ri#hteous y the #os$el writers. ,esus, Go"<s sacrifice for humanity, was orn where shee$ were raise" for sacrifice in the tem$le. As the an#els #uar"e" the 'hrist chil", it was the she$her"s who ha" #uar"e" the shee$ an" who were the first to e in9ite" to see the Messiah. +or centuries shee$ were raise" on these hills that woul" e9entually sacrificially "ie for the sins of their she$her"s ;4%. 1-*1-1/=. :ow a she$her" was orn here who woul" "ie for His shee$ ;,n. 18*11=. 2She#her(s 3ere stayi$% o)t i$ the fiel(s.5 1he she$her"s were out in the fiel"s to $rotect their shee$ from thie9es, lions an" ears alon# with at least one she$her" who was statione" in the watchtower for etter o ser9ation. 1his area, alon# with its tower, ecame known as the B1ower of the +locksC ;Mic. 4*@=, or Mi#"al 4"er, which translate" is Bthe 1ower of 4"er,C meanin# the B1ower of the 5he$her"sC ;cf. Gen. /2*-1L see $hoto at &*. 3.& A=.7@9 5cholars elie9e the fiel"s were lan" that was owne" y the tem$leL meanin# it was tem$le $ro$erty. 798 'oncernin# the she$her"s an" the 9illa#e of .ethlehem, the $ro$het Micah sai",
,
A$( yo)+ 3at"hto3er for the flo"9+ fortifie( hill of 6a)%hter Lio$+
the for1er r)le 3ill "o1e to yo)+ so8erei%$ty 3ill "o1e to 6a)%hter Jer)sale1.
!
No3+ 3hy are yo) sho)ti$% lo)(ly> Is there $o 9i$% 3ith yo)>
788. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 1/1-/-.
789. An article y 'harles 0. 'on"or in the Nuarterly 0e$ort of the 4alestinian 5(ploration #und Report "ate" A$ril, 1@72, sai" that BMi#"ol 4"erC, also known as Bthe 1ower of the +lockC is a out a thousan" $aces from .ethlehem. +urthermore, it is locate" at the ruins of the Monastery of the Holy 5he$her"s. 790. )r. (aul Wri#ht makes reference to this in mini-lecture '. '. /.F.
527 Has yo)r "o)$selor #erishe( so that a$%)ish %ri#s yo) li9e a 3o1a$ i$ labor> Mi"ah /7,-! +or many centuries towers ser9e" two $ur$oses. 1. 5ome she$her"s were statione" in the tower to look for thie9es an" wil" $re"atory animals Eust as 9ineyar" owners looke" for thie9es an" wil" oars. -. 1he tower ser9e" a secon" home for those who ten"e" to the flocks an" cro$s. Micah s$eaks of .ethlehem as the $lace where the Din#"om of Go" will enter the earth. 1he term B)au#hter of KionC or B)au#hter KionC is a reference to a small 9illa#e near a maEor city. !t is a He raic $hrase similar to a "au#hter near her mother. :ote that 9erse 9 $oses Auestions concernin# a kin# an" counselor. 1hese shee$ which are sometimes referre" to as Bsmall cattle,C were raise" throu#hout the ,u"ean hills an" "esert an", when mature, were her"e" to .ethlehem. 791 1here was a constant mo9ement of Bsmall cattle, Bas they were sacrifice" "aily in mornin# an" e9enin# sacrifice in the tem$le, an" at (asso9er they were sacrifice" y the thousan"s. 1he "escri$tion of kee$in# sacrificial shee$ at .ethlehem was $reser9e" in the Mishnah. :ote that while shee$ an" #oats are sometimes calle" Bsmall cattle,C in the Mishnah they are calle" BcattleC an" these are o 9iously small. If "attle are fo)$( bet3ee$ Jer)sale1 a$( as far as Mi%(al E(er <!* BAethlehe1C<!3 or 3ithi$ the li9e (ista$"e i$ a$y (ire"tio$+ 1ales 1)st be (ee1e( to be 0hole-offeri$%s a$( fe1ales Pea"e-offeri$%s. <!/ ;. J)(ah says+ If fitte( to be
791. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*1-/, 1*229, 1*27/. 792. Genesis /2*-1. 793. !nsert y the authorL Mi#"al 4"er was an area a"Eacent to .ethlehem. 794. 5ince &e9. 1*/, female shee$ were not 9ali" as Whole-offerin#s.
528 Passo8er-offeri$%s+ they 1)st be (ee1e( to be Passo8erofferi$%s Rif they are fo)$( ()ri$%S thirty (ays before the feast.<!' Mish$ah+ 3he!alim <7/ 1he similarity to ,esus is o 9iousL ,esus is the &am of Go" who was sacrifice" for the sins of man, Eust as the shee$ which #ra>e" aroun" the hills of .ethlehem were sacrifice" to co er the sins of man. (erha$s the an#els came to the she$her"s to let them know that their "ays of raisin# sacrificial shee$ woul" soon e o9er 7 Go"<s ori#inal co9enant with the ,ewish $eo$le woul" soon e fulfille" with a new co9enant for e9eryone. 793
4ideo Insert
/3)/0),,)4 An unassigned s%ho&ar dis%usses the To(er of the F&o%: and the fie&ds of the she#herds near Beth&ehe")
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 1his $hrase, B1he she$her"s stayin# out in the fiel"s,C has een use" as a $roof-te%t to claim that ,esus was not orn on )ecem er -2, ecause she$her"s woul" not ha9e een out in the col" ni#hts. Howe9er, the climate $ro9es this inter$retation wron#. .ethlehem lies on the e"#e of a semi-ari" re#ion. 1he rainy season en"s y late A$ril an" y 5e$tem er the #rassy fiel"s are urne" "ry y the sun. 1hen the autumn rains come an" y )ecem er the fiel"s are lush an" #reen. 1he Mishnah accounts a$$ear to "iffer on the len#th of time throu#hout the year flocks staye" outsi"e. 1he "ifferences mi#ht e ecause !srael has fi9e "istinct climate >ones. Howe9er, the .a ylonian 1almu" su##ests that the flocks staye" outsi"e throu#hout the year. 797 +urthermore, shee$ an" #oats
795. .rackete" insert y )an y, The Mishnah .
+ruchten aum, %sraelology9 The Missing ,ink in Systematic Theology. 797. .a ylonian 1almu", Be=ah 48a.
529 ha9e een known to lay outsi"e with a coatin# of ice on their thick fur an" with no re#ar" to )ecem er weather. 2The %lory of the Lor( sho$e5 1his was the 5hekinah #lory of Go", not seen for centuries. 1he wor" Shekinah or Shechinah means that which dwells.79@ 1he #lory of Go" fri#htene" the she$her"s. Hence, the an#els tol" them not to e fearful. 1he #lory of Go" "i" not come to the reli#ious elite, ut to the hum le she$her"s who atten"e" the shee$ near .ethlehem, shee$ which were "estine" to e sacrifice" in ,erusalem. 1he 5hekinah Glory of Go" is also mentione" in the :ew 1estament relati9e to the martyr"om of 5te$hen ;Acts 7*22=, the li#ht that surroun"s ,esus at His secon" comin# ;1hess. 1*9=, an" the ra"iant s$len"or of the new ,erusalem ;0e9. -1*11, -/=. ,ose$hus sai" that when 5olomon<s tem$le was com$lete", the #lory of Go" was so "ense that one $riest coul" not see another. 799 2Great Hoy.5 5ince the irth of ,esus occurre" "urin# the +east of 1a ernacles, this $hrase was an a$$ro$riate $lay on wor"s. 1his +east commemorate" Go" li9in# amon# men an" was a time of #reat Eoy for e9eryone. Hence, the wor"s of the an#el were in "ue season.
4ideo Insert
/3)/0),,)4. A Messiani% ra++i dis%usses the "ysti%a& star that a##eared to the she#herds at the fie&ds and to(er as +eing either the She:inah D&ory of Dod or an ange& of Dod)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 2A$( o$ earth #ea"e to #eo#le He fa8ors.5 1he $eace &uke s$oke of was not in the $olitical conte%t, ut rather, a $eace of the heart. 1his $eace is also con"itionalL it is to Bwhom His fa9or rests.C 1he fa9or of Go" rests only u$on those who acce$t B,esus< $eaceC or the B$eace of the Messiah.C
798. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*39. 799. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. @.4.-.
530
531
U$it / The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter / The Christ Chil( is Ho$ore( a$( Co$se"rate(
532 /. /. A. THE AI;TH :F JESUS IS ANN:UNCE6 AE AN ANGEL. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. An an#el announces the news of the irth of ,esus to she$her"s who ten"e" shee$ that woul" soon e sacrifice" in the tem$le. Her"in# shee$ was consi"ere" y the ,ews as one of the most "e#ra"in# occu$ations, e9en if she$her"s were sanctione" y the tem$le $riesthoo" to ten" to sacrificial shee$.
/. /. & L9. *7&'-*
.ethlehem
SHEPHE;6S H:N:; THE INFANT JESUS 0he$ the a$%els ha( left the1 a$( ret)r$e( to hea8e$+ the she#her(s sai( to o$e a$other+ 2Let?s %o strai%ht to Aethlehe1 a$( see 3hat has ha##e$e(+ 3hi"h the Lor( has 1a(e 9$o3$ to )s.5
&'
They h)rrie( off a$( fo)$( both Mary a$( Jose#h+ a$( the baby 3ho 3as lyi$% i$ the fee(i$% tro)%h. &< After seei$% the1+ they re#orte( the 1essa%e they 3ere tol( abo)t this "hil(+ &, a$( all 3ho hear( it 3ere a1aGe( at 3hat the she#her(s sai( to the1. &! A)t Mary 3as treas)ri$% )# all these thi$%s i$ her heart a$( 1e(itati$% o$ the1. * The she#her(s ret)r$e(+ %lorifyi$% a$( #raisi$% Go( for all they ha( see$ a$( hear(+ H)st as they ha( bee$ tol(.
&.
1he rollin# hills of .ethlehem remain unchan#e" after two millennia. Asi"e from the fact that .ethlehem has #rown consi"era ly in the $ast century, 9isitors can still see the rocky hills where she$her"s ha9e #ra>e" their shee$ an" #oats for thousan"s of years. Ama>in#ly, since the irth of ,esus, there ha9e een more than fifty messianic $reten"ers who "ecei9e" a #reat many ,ewish $eo$le. :ot one of them was orn in .ethlehem. ?nly ,esus fulfille" e9ery $ro$hecy concernin# the Messiah.
533
/. /. &A. FIEL6 :F THE SHEPHE;6S+ EA;LE SP;ING . Another 9iew of the hills in the s$rin# time when the hills are ali9e with the 9i rant colors of s$rin# flowers an" #rass. !srael has more wil" flowers than any other nation e%ce$t 5wit>erlan". (hoto#ra$h y (ai9i Heinrich.
/. /. &A. FIEL6 :F THE SHEPHE;6S+ EA;LE SUMME; . 1he occu$ation of she$her"in# has chan#e" little in more than two thousan" years. 5he$her"s to"ay still kee$ their shee$
534 outsi"e year roun", althou#h some $ro9i"e tents "urin# e%treme hot an" col" $erio"s. .ethlehem is situate" on the e"#e of a semi-ari" re#ion an", therefore, there is a hu#e "ifference etween winter-s$rin# 9e#etation ;$re9ious $hoto= an" what is a9aila le for shee$ in the summer. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
/. /. * L9. *7*& ;5ee also Mt. 1*-2 = JESUS CI;CUMCISE6 AN6 NAME6 0he$ the ei%ht (ays 3ere "o1#lete( for His "ir")1"isio$+ He 3as $a1e( Jes)s Qthe $a1e %i8e$ by the a$%el before He 3as "o$"ei8e(.
*&
2He 3as $a1e( Jes)s.5 ,esus recei9e" His circumcision ; b0rit/milah= on the ei#hth "ay after His irth, as $rescri e" y the &aw of Moses ;Gen. 17*18ff=, with the ty$ical ,ewish lessin# recite" y ,ose$h. @88 At this time that He was officially #i9en His name of &ehoshua ben .osef" @81 ;,esus, son of ,ose$h= @8- ut ecame known y the shortene" form of .eshua" which in Greek is &esus. !t ori#inate" with &oshua an" means -od sa es" or 1he ,ord -od is sal ation. @8/ 1he rite of circumcision an" the #i9in# of a name woul" ha9e een $erforme" at the local syna#o#ue in .ethlehem. 'ircumcision was a si#n of the eternal an" uncon"itional co9enant Go" ha" with A raham an" His $eo$le ;Gen. 17*11=. 1his ma"e ,esus, as well as all the $eo$le of !srael, eli#i le to fulfill the $romises Go" $le"#e" to A raham. 1he A$ostle (aul referre" to this in Galatians /*13 concernin# the $romises to the $atriarch an" his Bsee",C meanin# 'hrist. !n the He rew .i le, circumcision was $roof of "i9ine ownershi$ an" was reAuire" of all male chil"ren an" male con9erts.@84 &ater in the :ew 1estament era, (aul wrote that real circumcision is of the heart an" is s$iritual ;0om. -*-9L cf (hil. /*/=.
800. 5tern, &ewish New Testament 'ommentary. 13--3/.
801. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*13.

802. 5tern, &ewish New Testament 'ommentary. 13--3/.
803. Gun"ry, A Sur ey of the New Testament. 171.
535 While Moses $rescri e" circumcision on the ei#hth "ay, the ra is $ermitte" the rite to e $erforme" on other "ays, if e%tenuatin# circumstances warrante" it. 1his is an e%am$le of how the ?ral &aw "emonstrate" #race an" com$assion, an attri ute often o9erlooke". 1he followin# is an e%am$le* A "hil( "a$ be "ir")1"ise( o$ the ei%hth+ $i$th+ te$th+ ele8e$th+ or t3elfth (ay+ b)t $e8er earlier a$( $e8er later. Ho3 is this> The r)le is that it sho)l( be (o$e o$ the ei%hth (ay4 b)t if the "hil( is bor$ at t3ili%ht the "hil( is "ir")1"ise( o$ the $i$th (ay4 if a Festi8al-(ay falls after the Sabbath+ the "hil( is "ir")1"ise( o$ the ele8e$th (ay4 a$( if the t3o Festi8al-(ays of the Ne3 Eear fall after the Sabbath the "hil( is "ir")1"ise( o$ the t3elfth (ay. If a "hil( is si"9+ it is $ot "ir")1"ise( )$til it be"o1es 3ell. Mish$ah+ 3abbath &!.' /. /. 3 L9. *7**-*/ Jer)sale1 JESUS IS P;ESENTE6 IN THE TEMPLE A$( 3he$ the (ays of their #)rifi"atio$ a""or(i$% to the La3 of Moses 3ere fi$ishe(+ they bro)%ht Hi1 )# to Jer)sale1 to #rese$t Hi1 to the Lor( *3 BH)st as it is 3ritte$ i$ the la3 of the Lor(7 E8ery firstbor$ 1ale 3ill be (e(i"ate( to the Lor( C */ a$( to offer a sa"rifi"e Ba""or(i$% to 3hat is state( i$ the la3 of the Lor(7 a #air of t)rtle(o8es or t3o yo)$% #i%eo$sC.
**
2E8ery firstbor$ 1ale 3ill be (e(i"ate( to the Lor(.5 !n kee$in# with the Mosaic &aw, Mary an" ,ose$h "e"icate" ,esus to a lifetime of ser9ice to Go". 1he "e"ication ser9ice came forty-one "ays after the irth of the chil" ;&e9. 1-*1-3=, calculate" as follows* 1. 5he was consi"ere" to e unclean for se9en "ays ;&e9. 1-*-= -. ,esus was circumcise" on the ei#hth "ay ;&e9. 1-*/=, 804. 4rickson, 'hristian Theology. 18/3.
536 /. Mary waite" thirty-three "ays to com$lete her $urification ;&e9. 1-*4=.@82 4. ,ewish custom $ermitte" the rite of consecration at the tem$le to e "elaye" to any time thereafter. !n fact, they "i" not e9en nee" to e $resent, if tra9elin# woul" ha9e een ur"ensome for her.@83 At the time of the consecration, two "o9es or youn# $i#eons ;&k. -*----4L cf. &e9. 2*7,11L 1-*--@L 14*--,/8L 12*14,-9= were offere" at the tem$le. @87 1his is a clear statement of ,ose$h<s financial con"ition* he was $oor. 1he offerin# also in"icates that the #enerous #ifts $resente" y the ma#i were recei9e" at a later time, otherwise, Mary an" ,ose$h woul" ha9e offere" a ull ;&e9. 1-*--3=.
/. /. 3A. A:0L F;AGMENT 0ITH INSC;IAE6 2I:;AAN5 AN6 T0: AI;6S. !n the 1938s .enEamin Maar e%ca9ate" the
805. Accor"in# to &e9iticus 1-*2, if a woman #a9e irth to a #irl, she ha" to wait si%ty-si% "ays for her $urification to e com$lete". :o reason was #i9en in the .i le as to why the "ifference in waitin# time for the woman who #i9es irth to a oy or a #irl.
806. 4 ersheim, 1/3, n 2. 4 ersheim reference" his work to the ,erusalem 1almu",
She3alim . 28 . 807. Kissu, B1his (lace is for the .ir"s.C /7.
537 ruins of some first century sho$s near the tem$le mount foun" a owl fra#ment with the inscri e" wor" BDor an.C wor" means sacrifice" an" has two inscri$tions of "ea" ;shown u$si"e=. 1here is no Auestion that the 9essel inten"e" for a sacrificial offerin# at the tem$le. an" 1he ir"s was
1he $resentation was a ceremony that consiste" of a urnt offerin# of two turtle"o9es ;$i#eons= an" two $rayerful ene"ictions. 1he first lessin# was for the law of re"em$tion an" the secon" for the #ift of the first orn son. 1he urnt offerin# was a sin offerin#, which was followe" y thankfulness to Go" for the chil" an" for the restoration of communion with Him. !t was also a sym olic e%$ression of the lo9e an" $rotection of Go" o9er each family in !srael. At the conclusion of the lessin#s, the reAuire" secon" offerin# ;re"em$tion $ayment= of fi9e shekels ;:um. 1@*12-13= was ma"e. @8@ 1his $assa#e $ro9i"es stron# e9i"ence that Mary an" ,ose$h, thou#h $oor, were "e"icate" an" faithful to their ortho"o% ,ewish faith. 1his i lical tra"ition is foun"ational to the mo"ern "ay $ractice of infant "e"ication to the &or" efore the con#re#ation. The fi8e selas Bshe9elsC ()e for the Bfirstbor$C so$ sho)l( be #ai( i$ Tyria$ "oi$a%e4 the thirty ()e for the Bthat 3as %ore( by a$ o@C, ! a$( fifty ()e fro1 the.... Mish$ah+ 7er!horoth ,.< 1he mik9aoth ;$lural for mik9ah= on the southern ste$s of the tem$le is elie9e" to ha9e een the most likely $lace where Mary took her ritual immersion. !t was also the only location where there was sufficient water for the mass immersions ; a$tisms= of three thousan" $eo$le after the )ay of (entecost. 0itual cleansin#s were e%tremely im$ortant in ,u"aism, as is reflecte" in the confrontations the reli#ious lea"ers ha" with ,esus on this su Eect. !t is also one of the si% sections of the .a ylonian 1almu" is "e"icate" to this su Eect.
808. 4 ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 1/3-/7. 809. 4%o"us -1*/-.
538
/. /. 3A. A MIIFAH . &4+1* A mik9ah is an immersion reser9oir car9e" in stone. 1his one is locate" at the southern ste$s of the tem$le. 1o ecome ritually clean $rior to enterin# the tem$le, one woul" ste$ "own into the reser9oir, e com$letely immerse", an" then e%it. 1he one shown is one of many mik9aoth ;$lural for Bmik9ahC= that was once use" at the tem$le southern ste$s. (hoto#ra$h y the author. /. /. 3C. M:6EL :F TEMPLE S:UTHE;N STEPS . 0!GH1* 1his is a mo"el of the southern ste$s of the tem$le showin# a $latform area. ?n the south si"e of the $latform are se9en entrances that le" to the mik9aoth eneath it. 5e9eral were "esi#nate" for men only, while others were reser9e" only for women. Men, who were $rofessional water carriers ke$t these mik9aoth fille" with Bli9in# water.C Mary woul" ha9e use" one of these for her ritual ath of $urification after the irth of ,esus. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
539
/. /. 36. THE S:UTHE;N STEPS AS SEEN T:6AE. 1he ste$s are uniform with occasional "ifferent trea" wi"ths, causin# the walker to notice an" e careful in his or her ascent. 1his ste$ $attern was $ur$oseful so that those who come to worshi$ "o not "o so out of ha it. 1he mik9aoth are on the other si"e of the han" rail. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
4ideo Insert
/3)/3)/0)4 ;r) 1au& Wright of Jerusa&e" Uni$ersity !o&&ege dis%usses the southern ste#s' "i:$ah' and sho( re&ated dis%o$eries at near+y e6%a$ations)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) /. /. / L9. *7*'-3' Jer)sale1 SIME:N EPP;ESSES J:E :F THE AI;TH There 3as a 1a$ i$ Jer)sale1 3hose $a1e 3as Si1eo$. This 1a$ 3as ri%hteo)s a$( (e8o)t+ loo9i$% for3ar( to Israel?s "o$solatio$+ a$( the Holy S#irit 3as o$ hi1. *. It ha( bee$
*'
540 re8eale( to hi1 by the Holy S#irit that he 3o)l( $ot see (eath before he sa3 the Lor(?s Messiah. *< G)i(e( by the S#irit+ he e$tere( the te1#le "o1#le@. 0he$ the #are$ts bro)%ht i$ the "hil( Jes)s to #erfor1 for Hi1 3hat 3as ")sto1ary )$(er the la3+ *, Si1eo$ too9 Hi1 )# i$ his ar1s+ #raise( Go(+ a$( sai(7 No3+ Master+ Eo) "a$ (is1iss Eo)r i$ #ea"e+ as Eo) #ro1ise(. 3 For 1y eyes ha8e see$ Eo)r sal8atio$. 3& Eo) ha8e #re#are( it i$ the #rese$"e of all #eo#lesQ 3* a li%ht for re8elatio$ to the Ge$tiles a$( %lory to Eo)r #eo#le Israel.
*!
His father a$( 1other 3ere a1aGe( at 3hat 3as bei$% sai( abo)t Hi1. 3/ The$ Si1eo$ blesse( the1 a$( tol( His 1other Mary7 2I$(ee(+ this "hil( is (esti$e( to "a)se the fall a$( rise of 1a$y i$ Israel a$( to be a si%$ that 3ill be o##ose(Q 3' a$( a s3or( 3ill #ier"e yo)r o3$ so)lQthat the tho)%hts of 1a$y hearts 1ay be re8eale(.5
33
&uke carefully wrote the $oetic wor"s of 5imeon, notin# that he $raise" Go" for the sal9ation that was come to all people. His $hrase echoe" !saiah 4-*3, 49*3, 2-*18, an" (salm 9@*/. 5imeon "i" not say that he ha" seen the messiah, ut rather, thanke" Go" for the o$$ortunity to see "i9ine sal9ation come to !srael. 2For 1y eyes ha8e see$ yo)r sal8atio$.5 5imeon ehel" the Holy 'hil" an" knew what he was a out to say, e9en thou#h it was a $lay on wor"s. 1he wor" Bsal9ationC in He rew is ByeshuahC with a letter Bh,C ut as a $ersonal name, the letter BhC is "ro$$e". Hence, the name of ,esus in He rew is BJeshua.C 1he $lay on wor"s like this is calle" a mnemonic, which is a memory "e9ice for the listeners.@18 5imeon #lorifie" Go" for he ha" seen the &or"<s sal9ation in the infant ,esus. What coul" ha9e #one throu#h 5imeon<s min" knowin# that it was
810. +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e -, 5i"e .L .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1/.
541 ina$$ro$riate to #i9e a lessin# to a chil" orn out of we"lockF His lessin# unAuestiona ly stirre" contro9ersy in the ra inic community. 2A$( a s3or( 3ill #ier"e yo)r o3$ so)l.5 1he a y ,esus, what a mar9elous #ift Go" rou#ht into the life of Mary an" ,ose$hL what a $ri9ile#e to ha9e een the $arents of the 'hrist chil". Jet these $ro$hetic wor"s $ointe" to the "ay Mary woul" stan" at the foot of the cross an" see in horror her elo9e" 5on "ie an a#oni>in# "eath.
/. /. ' L9. *73.-3, The Te1#le ANNA+ THE P;:PHETESS :F ASHE; There 3as also a #ro#hetess+ A$$a+ a (a)%hter of Pha$)el+ of the tribe of Asher. She 3as 3ell alo$% i$ years+ ha8i$% li8e( 3ith her h)sba$( se8e$ years after her 1arria%e+ 3< a$( 3as a 3i(o3 for ,/ years. She (i( $ot lea8e the te1#le "o1#le@+ ser8i$% Go( $i%ht a$( (ay 3ith fasti$% a$( #rayers. 3, At that 8ery 1o1e$t+ she "a1e )# a$( be%a$ to tha$9 Go( a$( to s#ea9 abo)t Hi1 to all 3ho 3ere loo9i$% for3ar( to the re(e1#tio$ of Jer)sale1.
3.
2A$$a.5 Anna was from the tri e of Asher, one of the so-calle" ten lost tri es of northern !srael. 1hese lost tri es resulte" from the Assyrian in9asion in 7--/-1 ..'. which relocate" them hun"re"s of miles to the east in or"er to "estroy their ,ewish culture. .y the first century a few ,ews from all twel9e tri es ha" returne" to their lan" of $romise. @11 Her role in #enealo#y clearly i"entifies ,esus as the Messiah for all the ,ewish $eo$le an" "emonstrates that a remnant of those tri es remaine" faithful to Go". 5he functione" as a $ro$hetess in the tem$le, an interestin# $osition of a woman in ministry.
811. While many of the ,ews "is urse" y the Assyrians an" .a ylonians ne9er returne" to their homelan", theolo#ians of the Mi""le A#es la ele" them as the Bten lost tri esC ecause they "i" not know where they were locate". !n recent years, howe9er, many mem ers of those tri es ha9e returne" to !srael, ein# i"entifie" y ):A testin# an"/or o ser9ation of reli#ious rituals such as circumcision an" (asso9er.
542 1he i lical Greek is unclear a out her a#e, as to whether she ha" een a wi"ow for ei#hty-four years or was ei#hty-four years ol". 1he ,ewish a$ocry$hal ook recor"e" that she li9e" to a ri$e ol" a#e of 182 ;the ook of ,u"ith 13*-/8=, so it can e assume" she was a wi"ow of ei#hty-four years. 1his was nearly twice the normal life e%$ectancy of the first century. As such, Anna ha" e%$erience" many horrific e9ents in her life time. 5he woul" ha9e een marrie" aroun" the year 91 ..'. an" mourne" the loss of her hus an" only se9en years later ;@4 ..'.=. 5he e%$erience" the rule of 5alome, the Aueen of ,u"ea an" the sAua lin# of her two sons after her 7 sAua lin# that le" to ci9il war an" the in9asion of the 0omans in 3/ ..'. At that time, General (om$ey $lun"ere" the tem$le an" entere" the Holy of Holies. 4le9en years later General 'rassus also entere" the tem$le an" $lun"ere" it a#ain. 1hen came the Hero"ian "ynasty an" numerous re9olts an" "o>ens of "istur ances that resulte" in thousan"s of crucifi%ions. !n the meantime, $eo$le e9erywhere were talkin# of a soon-to-come messiah who woul" rin# $eace into this chaotic worl". Anna, alon# with se9eral others, $raye" "aily in the tem$le for that messiah. ?n a si"e note, those who 9iolate Go"<s Wor", His holy tem$le, or His anointe" will ha9e their "ay of Eu"#ment. +ifteen years after (om$ey entere" the tem$le, he an" his troo$s were "efeate" in the .attle of (harsalus. He esca$e" to 4#y$t to fin" refu#e ut instea", was assassinate" on 5e$tem er -@, 4@ ..'. General 'rassus le" his troo$s a#ainst the (arthians in 2/ ..'. in the first of many attles etween the 0oman an" (arthian 4m$ires. 1he 0omans were soun"ly "efeate" at the .attle of 'arrhae where 'rassus was kille". 2Ni%ht a$( (ay.5 1his $hrase "i" not mean a literal re$etiti9e -4-hour "ay, ut all of her wakin# time ;cf. Acts -3*7=. @1- +urthermore, the tem$le was close" "urin# the late ni#ht hours. !t means that she faste" on the $rescri e" "ays an" honore" the o li#ation of $rayer three times a "ay. /. /. . Mt. *7&-, Jer)sale1 B". /-* A.C.C THE MAGI SEEI JESUS
812. Gil rant, B&uke.C 79.
543 After Jes)s 3as bor$ i$ Aethlehe1 of J)(ea i$ the (ays Ii$% Hero(+ 3ise 1e$ fro1 the east arri8e( )$e@#e"te(ly Jer)sale1+ * sayi$%+ 20here is He 3ho has bee$ bor$ Ii$% the Je3s> For 3e sa3 His star i$ the east a$( ha8e "o1e 3orshi# Hi1.5
& 3
of i$ of to
0he$ Ii$% Hero( hear( this+ he 3as (ee#ly (ist)rbe(+ a$( all / Jer)sale1 3ith hi1. So he asse1ble( all the "hief #riests a$( s"ribes of the #eo#le a$( as9e( the1 3here the Messiah 3o)l( be bor$. 2I$ Aethlehe1 of J)(ea+5 they tol( hi1+ 2be"a)se this is 3hat 3as 3ritte$ by the #ro#het7
'
A$( yo)+ Aethlehe1+ i$ the la$( of J)(ah+ are by $o 1ea$s least a1o$% the lea(ers of J)(ah7 be"a)se o)t of yo) 3ill "o1e a lea(er 3ho 3ill she#her( My #eo#le Israel.5
.
The$ Hero( se"retly s)11o$e( the 3ise 1e$ a$( as9e( the1 the e@a"t ti1e the star a##eare(. , He se$t the1 to Aethlehe1 a$( sai(+ 2Go a$( sear"h "aref)lly for the "hil(. 0he$ yo) fi$( Hi1+ re#ort ba"9 to 1e so that I too "a$ %o a$( 3orshi# Hi1.5
<
(re9iously, the resi"ents of .ethlehem must ha9e een shell-shocke" when the she$her"s tol" them of what they ha" hear" an" seen. A chil" orn on to unwe" $arents cause" Auite a stir, yet the re$orts of the she$her"s ma"e $eo$le sto$ an" won"er what Go" mi#ht e "oin#. ?nly time woul" tell. Howe9er, the .ethlehemites woul" e in for a secon" sur$rise 7 the 9isit y three (arthian ma#i an" their escort of sol"iers an" ser9ants. :ot only were they won"erin# what was #oin# on, ut so "i" those in the Hero"<s $alace. 1he $olitical "ynamics at $lay at this $oint were $henomenal an", therefore, a rief historical re9iew is reAuire". While the 0oman 4m$ire was e%$an"in# across the Me"iterranean an" into $arts of 4uro$e, the (arthian 4m$ire was e%$an"in# in the 4ast. 1o"ay<s !srael an" $arts of ,or"an were the frontiers of these ri9al em$ires. !n 3/ ..'. the 0omans came "own from )amascus an" took control of the
544 ,ewish lan"s. .ut in 2/ ..'. @1/ when the 0omans attem$te" to e%$an" eastwar", they were soun"ly "efeate" ;see 3. '.&/=. !n retaliation, the (arthians in9a"e" ,erusalem an" hel" it until Anti$ater, the +ather of Hero" the Great, chase" them out. @14 A few years later, the ,ews re elle". .ut y then Hero" the Great was in comman" an" he ruthlessly massacre" thousan"s of ,ews, Auickly "ro9e out the remainin# (arthians, an" restore" or"er. 5ince he was somewhat of a $sycho$ath, he was always fearful of an attem$te" o9erthrow of his kin#"om an" suffere" fits of "e$ression. 1herefore, when the (arthian ma#i came, he most certainly reflecte" on e9ents that occurre" some three an" a half "eca"es earlier in his rei#n. 1he ma#i were $olitical-reli#ious fi#ures who functione" as Bkin# makersC an" am assa"ors, ut they were not kin#s. @12 Hero"<s lack of concern can only e attri ute" to the fact that he ha" a massi9e 0oman army at his "is$osal an" the ma#i an" their $rotecti9e escort an" cara9an coul" ha9e een easily slau#htere" if nee"e". While there is no mention of him sen"in# out any s$ies to o ser9e them, his $sycholo#ical $rofile an" the recor"e" e9ents of his life y ,ose$hus su##est that he was $ro a ly always aware of their actions an" tra9els.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 /. /. ..J& Ho3 (oes the #ro#he"y i$ Matthe3 *7. a%ree 3ith Mi"ah '7*> 1he answer lies in un"erstan"in# how first century ra is inter$rete" 5cri$tureL a matter of first century hermeneutics. !t was customary to cite two Auotations, ut to #i9e the cre"it to the etter known $ro$het. 1his metho"olo#y is clearly "ifferent from to"ay<s stan"ar". (art of Matthew\s Auotation is foun" in Micah, while the other $art is in - 5amuel 2*-. 1herefore, Mathew<s $ro$hecy "oes a#ree with the ?l" 1estament per se, ecause he use" the common first century metho" of Auotin# 5cri$ture. He $resente" a $ara$hrase of Micah 2*- with em$hasis on the small 9illa#e of .ethlehem as the fulfillment of $ro$hetic wor"s. @13 Matthew sai" that from
813. 5ome sources in"icate 22 ..'.
814 815
. ,ayne, BMa#i.C 4*/1-/4. . ,ayne, BMa#i.C 4*/1-/4.
816. Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C -9L Archer, 5ncyclopedia of Biblical )ifficulties. /1@.
545 the smallest 9illa#e of ,u"ea came forth Go"<s #reatest #ift in fulfillment of Micah<s $ro$hecy.
4ideo Insert
/3)/3)/A)4 ;r) Joe Wehrer of Mount Cion S%hoo& of Ministry' dis%usses Je(ish her"eneuti%s to %&arify so %a&&ed +i+&i%a& %onf&i%ts in the gos#e&s 7,/20-8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 20ise 1e$ fro1 the east.5 1he $hrase in Greek is magoi apo anatolon" which is where some translators o taine" the wor" magi. 1his scri$tural $hrase #i9es us one of the most "ynamic insi#hts into the reli#ious an" $olitical settin# at the time of 'hrist. +ew $hrases in the :ew 1estament ha9e $ro9i"e" more fuel for "e ate than this one. Hence, s$ecial attention is #i9en to it here.
/. /. ..J& Co)l( the 1a%i ha8e "o1e fro1 Arabia+ rather tha$ fro1 Parthia i$ the east> !n He rew, the wor" east not only refers to a com$ass "irection, ut also means the rising" with an o 9ious reference to the rising of the sun.@17 1here are se9eral $oints to consi"er in this stu"y* 1. !f the 5cri$ture 9erse ha" only that wor" 7 east 8 then the wise men coul" ha9e ori#inate" anywhere east of the ,or"an 0i9er. -. Howe9er, the wor" magi $laces the focus on the ancient .a ylonian 4m$ire. 817. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*-8.
546 /. 'onseAuently, the wor" east is limite" to ancient .a ylon, later known as (ersia an" Me"ia ;4>ek. -2*4L !sa. -*3=, that in the first century was $art of the (arthian 4m$ire Y an enemy of the 0omans.@1@ Most scholars elie9e the ma#i tra9ele" from Ur or .a ylon northwest alon# the 4u$hrates 0i9er, the westwar" an" southwest to )amascus an" on to ,erusalem. 1hey most likely a9oi"e" the searin# hot "esert an" tra9ele" within the +ertile 'rescent 19 alon# a roa" known as the 7ia Maris.
/. /. .A. A MAP :F THE P:PULA; ;:UTE F;:M U; AN6 AAAEL:N T: JE;USALEM. 1he ancient roa" the ma#i followe" was $ro a ly the same one in the +ertile 'rescent that A raham ha" use" centuries earlier it was the most feasi le route to a9oi" the massi9e Ara ian )esert ;to"ay $art of ,or"an= that lies "irectly etween .a ylon an" ,erusalem. Whether they came from .a ylon, Ur, or elsewhere, they coul" not tra9el in a strai#ht line from east to west ecause there were no sources of water in that area of the "esert.
818. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 3/9.
819. (acker, 1enney, an" White, e"s. The Bible Almanac. 1@7-91.
547 Howe9er, there seems to e a "ifferent o$inion concernin# their ori#in amon# some historic sources. ,ustin Martyr sai", in his a$olo#etic ook that, The 3ise 1e$ fro1 Arabia "a1e to Aethlehe1 a$( 3orshi#e( the "hil( a$( offere( to hi1 %ifts RofS+ %ol( a$( fra$9i$"e$se a$( 1yrrh.5 J)sti$ Martyr+ $ialogue with *ry&ho.
@-8
A$$arently Martyr was not the only one who hel" this o$inion, 1ertullian an" 'lement of 0ome ma"e similar comments. @-1 Howe9er, this $riestly-kin#ly class of men "i" not function in Ara ia. 1herefore, Ara ia was $ro a ly not their home or $oint of ori#in, ut $art of their tra9el itinerary. 5ome scholars elie9e !saiah #a9e $ro$hetic e9i"ence that the ma#i woul" come from Ara ia an" not (arthia. 1he $assa#e rea"s as follows* Cara8a$s of "a1els 3ill "o8er yo)r la$( Q yo)$% "a1els of Mi(ia$ a$( E#hah Q all of the1 3ill "o1e fro1 Sheba. They 3ill "arry %ol( a$( fra$9i$"e$se a$( #ro"lai1 the #raises of the L:;6. Isaiah . 7. :otice that the $assa#e in"icates that youn# camels came from Mi"ian an" 4$hah. 1hese were two Ara tri al areas in northern Ara ia. 1he narrati9e continues to say that $eo$le from 5he a woul" also come 7 5he a is from the southern re#ion of Ara ia from where came the famous Aueen of 5he a with a hu#e amount of #ol" ;1 D#s. 18*-=. 5outhern Ara ia was known for its fine Auality of frankincense. 1here are three noteworthy thou#hts a out this matter* 1. !f the ma#i came from Ara ia, that woul" e%$lain why Hero" the Great was not 9ery concerne" a out them, since he was an !"umean, a tri e that ha" close relationshi$s with the Ara s an" e9entually ecame $art of the Ara nation.
820. ,ustin Martyr, Selections from &ustin Martyr0s )ialogue with Trypho" a &ew. 7@. 821. .rown, Birth of the Messiah. 139-78.
548 -. ?n the other han", 9ery little is known a out the office an" function of ma#i in the Ara ian worl". 5ome elie9e they har"ly e%iste", if at all. Jet some si% centuries after 'hrist, the ma#i must ha9e ha" some "e#ree of influence in the Ara ian culture as they are mentione" without "escri$tion in the Nur<an ;--*17=. /. +inally, it has #enerally een assume" that the ma#i came y way of the $o$ular northern route 7 tra9elin# alon# the 4u$hrates 0i9er, then turnin# westwar" towar" )amascus, an" then turnin# southwest towar" ,erusalem. Howe9er, if they came y way of a southern route throu#h Ara ia, it woul" e natural for ,ustin Martyr, 1ertullian, an" 'lement of 0ome to say that they came from Ara ia e9en if that was not their $oint of ori#in. While a few scholars elie9e this refers to the ma#i, most others elie9e this !saiah $ro$hecy refers to a future time an", therefore, cannot e connecte" with the ma#i of the first century. 5o the ori#in of the ma#i remains a 9eile" mystery known only to Go". 20here is He 3ho has bee$ bor$ Ii$% of the Je3s>5 1he ma#i "i" not ask if the kin# ha" een orn, ut where he was orn. 1his statement of confi"ence must ha9e shocke" Hero", yet he snu e" the ma#i an" faile" to $ersonally $ursue the re$ort. 2For 3e sa3 His star i$ the east.5 1his $hrase has #i9en scholars fuel for microanalysis, "e ates, an" criticism. 5e9eral o$inions of the BstarC are $resente" in this stu"y, followe" y the o$inion of this writer. While the star was o ser9e" in the east an" it tra9ele" west, there ne9er were any strai#ht-line roa"s that from east to west. !n fact, the terrain of the lan" woul" make such a roa" im$ossi le to uil" an", furthermore, there were no ri9ers, wells, or other water sources in the 9ast Ara ian )esert ;as it was calle" then= "irectly east of ,erusalem. 1herefore, when the ma#i came from the east an" tra9ele" west, they most certainly followe" a star that took them on the roa" that circum9ente" the "esert. !nci"entally, note that it a$$ears that only they 7 the ma#i 7 saw it. !t mo9e", stoo" still, chan#e" "irection, e9i"ently was o9er the city of ,erusalem, chan#e" "irection from west oun" to southwar", ho9ere" o9er a house, an" still no one else notice" it. How stran#eZ Jet scholars ha9e often stru##le" to connect the star of .ethlehem with astronomical ali#nments. 1he most $o$ular inter$retation of the BstarC is
549 that it was a $lanetary ali#nment of ,u$iter an" 5aturn, which occurs e9ery @82 years. 5ince the .a ylonians recor"e" maEor astrolo#ical an" $olitical e9ents, they left writin#s of an interestin# luminary e9ent that was "isco9ere" in 19-2. !n that year, a German researcher, (. 5chna el, translate" ta lets from the 5chool of Astrolo#y in 5i$$ar, .a ylon. 1hese ta lets ha" a recor" of a uniAue fi9e-month ali#nment of $lanets ;,u$iter an" 5aturn= in the constellation 4isces" in a year that has een reckone" to 7 ..'. Mo"ern science has confirme" that these two $lanets were closely, ut not $erfectly, ali#ne" in May, ?cto er, an" :o9em er of that year. Howe9er, the ali#nment was only for a few "ays an" then the $lanets "rifte" a$art.@-- 1here ne9er was a sin#le ri#ht li#ht, e9en when the $lanet Mars Eoine" this "uet in the followin# year. 1o accom$lish this feat, the $lanets woul" ha9e left their natural or it an" le" the ma#i for two months aroun" the northern e"#e of what was then calle" the Ara ian )esert ;mo"ern ,or"an=. 1o a"" "ou t to this inter$retation, there is no e9i"ence that the ma#i elie9e" such astrolo#ical conEunctions as Ba star.C Howe9er, a num er of astronomers ha9e ar#ue" a#ainst any $lanetary ali#nment ecause ,u$iter an" 5aturn were ne9er close enou#h to e seen as a sin#le li#ht.@-/ Another $ossi ility is the comet that a$$eare" etween March 9 an" A$ril 3 of the year 2 ..'. an" laste" for more than se9enty "ays. @-4 Matthew -*7 in"icates that the new star ha" Eust Ba$$eare"C an", therefore, was not a $art of the celestial o"ies that were normally o ser9e". !ts s$ee" of tra9el was "ifferent from other starry li#hts ;Mt. -*-, 9= an", in a rather unusual mo9e, the star sto$$e" Bo9er the $lace where the chil" wasC ;Mt. -*9=. At this $oint, a comment y a 0oman historian may a"" to the un"erstan"in# of the wor" Bsto$$e".C )io 'assius "escri e" Haley<s comet in 1- ..'. y statin# that Bthe star calle" comet stoo" for se9eral "ays o9er the city ;0ome=.C@-2 !t is the o$inion of this writer that the BstarC of .ethlehem was not a literal star, ut either a "i9ine li#ht or an an#el. 5uch luminary fi#ures are not 822. Deller, W. The Bible as +istory. /34-32.
823. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*229L Geatin#. B1he 5tar of .ethlehem.C 1-1.
824. Hum$hreys, 21-2-. 825. )io 'assius, Roman +istory 24.-9.
550 consi"ere" uniAue to the 5cri$tures an" woul" ha9e een seen only y those whose eyes were o$ene" y the #race of Go". 1he !sraelites were le" out of 4#y$t y a B$illar of li#htC ;4%. 1/*--= an" the A$ostle (aul encountere" a Bli#ht from hea9enC ;Acts 9*/=. 1he mo9ement $attern of the so-calle" star an" its $osition o9er a s$ecific house eliminate the $ossi ility of a true $hysical star ;althou#h that is how it a$$eare"= an" $ermit for only two "i9ine $ossi ilities* 1. !t was either an an#el of li#ht ;cf. :um. -4*17L ,o /@*17L (s. 184*4L He . 1*7L - (et. 1*19L ,u"e 1/L 0e9. 1*-8L -*-@L 9*1L 1-*-4=, or -. !t was the 5hekinah #lory of Go" to the Gentiles.
1his inter$retation reconciles a $ro lem ;of chan#in# mo9ement an" $osition= other inter$retations a9oi", that is, the BstarC tra9ele" from .a ylon in the east an" went hun"re"s of miles westwar" to ,erusalem. +rom there it turne" ninety "e#rees an" went "ue south se9en miles to .ethlehem. :o starry or $lanetary o Eect is ca$a le of tra9elin# in this manner. 1he unusual li#ht then came close enou#h to the earth so as to i"entify a s$ecific house without incineratin# it, the 9illa#e, or the earth. 1his issue has een a9oi"e" y those who attem$t to i"entify a star, comet, or $lanetary com ination. While Go", who create" the hea9ens, coul" certainly ha9e chan#e" the natural course of a sin#le star, He $ro a ly ha" a "ifferent $ur$ose in min"* the mo9ement of the hea9enly li#ht is far more "escri$ti9e of an an#el or the 5hekinah #lory of Go" rather than a celestial all of fire. 1here are se9eral influential facts to e consi"ere". 1he $ro$het )aniel was from a $riestly class in ,erusalem, ut when taken ca$ti9e in .a ylon where
551 Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar a$$ointe" him to e the hea" of the reli#ious class. .y the ins$iration of Go", )aniel $re"icte" the num er of years until the first comin# of the Messiah ;)an. 9*-4--7=, an" his a ility ;o 9iously "i9inely ins$ire"= Aualifie" him to e amon# the .a ylonian astrolo#ers. +urthermore, centuries earlier, .alaam was also an astrolo#er from the .a ylonian 'ourt ;)eut. -/*4=. !n his account the star was i"entifie" as the sce$ter of kin#shi$ ;:um. -4*17=. 1he ma#i of the .a ylonian court ;3 th century ..'.=, who later hel" the same $osition in the (arthian 'ourt ;1 st century=, "i" not ha9e Micah<s $ro$hecy concernin# the irth of the Messiah in .ethlehem ;Mic. 2*-=. Hence, when the ma#i were lookin# for the neworn kin#, they naturally went to the kin#<s $alace in ,erusalem. !t was there where they learne" of the $assa#e in Micah an" went a few miles south to the 9illa#e of .ethlehem. +inally, the Greeks an" 0omans ha" always consi"ere" that si#nificant e9ents as well as the irths an" "eaths of #reat men were sym oli>e" y the a$$earance or "isa$$earance of hea9enly o"iesYa custom that has transcen"e" to mo"ern times. 1he $a#an sorcerer, .alaam, sai" that a star woul" arise from the east, an" this star woul" e si#nificant to the comin# ruler of the worl". Ama>in#ly, only a century after ,esus, the cele rate" 0a i Aki9a ;Aki a= #a9e a messianic $reten"er the name B5on of the 5tar.C 1hat $reten"er, 5imon ar Dokh a, in A.). 1/- le" a re ellion a#ainst the 0omans, ut 0omans "efeate" him, "estroye" ,erusalem, an" rename" the lan" 4alestinia 8 a curse wor" from where the mo"ern name B(alestineC is "eri9e". @-3
/. /. ..J* 0ho 3ere the 3ise 1e$T1a%i> 1he ma#i BmagoiC were the $ro9er ial Bwise menC from a royal court of the (arthian 4m$ire, althou#h other kin#"oms such as 'hina, !n"ia, an" Ara ia also ha" ma#i. 1hey were wise men who were knowle"#ea le in astronomy as well as astrolo#y. Howe9er, o9er the centuries the "efinition of the name chan#e" with an em$hasis on astrolo#y or ?riental soothsayers ;as in Acts 1-*3=. 1hey were a"9isors to the kin#s an" $ositions of ma#icians, e"ucators an" am assa"ors. Din#s rule" o9er the $eo$le ut the ma#i "irecte" the
826. +or further stu"y, see 4use ius, 5cclesiastical +istory. 4*3L )io 'assius, Roman +istory. 39*1--14.
552 kin#s. :o kin# e#an a war without consultin# them. 1he ma#i of the i lical te%t are elie9e" to ha9e een ori#inally from Me"ia an" (ersia, which was within the e%$an"in# (arthian 4m$ire y the time of ,esus. ?ne of their $rimary functions was to insure transition in #o9ernment. 1herefore, they were res$onsi le for e"ucatin# all the chil"ren of the royal court an" hence, were calle" Bthe kin# makers.C 1hey also re-e"ucate" the no ility of conAuere" nations. 1hey tau#ht a wi"e ran#e of su Eects, inclu"in# mathematics, astronomy, astrolo#y, the sciences, "i9ination, military skills, an" ma#ic, ut mainly reli#ion. @-7 1heir status of royalty was not only acknowle"#e" y the early church, ut was also $re"icte" y the $ro$het !saiah ;38*/=. 1he ma#i ser9e" their kin#s in 9arious ca$acities from the cra"le to the #ra9e. When a son was orn into a royal home, whether at home or in a nei#h orin# country, it was customary for the ma#i to honor that family. +or this reason they tra9ele" first to the home of Hero" the Great, since this was o 9iously the most likely $lace where the son of a kin# woul" e orn. !t is an interestin# $oint of history that these ma#i, who stu"ie" the stars an" were lookin# for a messiah, were le" to the real Messiah y a star/an#el of "i9ine a$$ointment. !ronically the tem$le 5a""ucees, who re$resente" the $eo$le efore Go", "i" not want to ha9e anythin# to "o with this infant orn in .ethlehem, a $ara"o% well "ocumente" throu#hout Matthew<s #os$el.@-@ 1he ma#i were har"ly men as is often "e$icte" on mo"ern 'hristmas "is$lays. 1he usual ima#e of the ma#i is three men "resse" as kin#s or kni#hts on camels who arri9e" alone, "resse" in fine colorful clothin# an" ha" hu#e chests of #ifts. 1his was har"ly the scene. Din#s an" their kin#-makers ;or magi= were of such a hi#h or"er that they ne9er ro"e camels, ut only on horses, i"eally the worl"-famous Ara ian horses. ?r"inary an" wealthy $eo$le of the .a ylonian, (ersia, an" later 827. 1he .a ylonians, followe"
y the (ersians, who in turn were followe" y the (arthians, all ha" a re$utation for $re"ictin# the future. 1wo ancient writers who ma"e s$ecific mention of this art amon# the (ersians are 'icero, )e di inatione 1.47 an" (lutarch, Ale(ander and 'aesar /.-. 5ee also Jamauchi, 4ersia and the Bible . 47-.
828. Matthew /*9L @*18-1-L 12*-@L -1*4/L --*2-18L -4*14L -@*19.
553 (arthia, ro"e camels. &on# "istance haulers of merchan"ise use" camel cara9ans. :ote the followin# from (arthian history* 1. When the (ersian Din# 'yrus !! ;rei#ne" 228-2/8= unite" the (ersians an" Me"es to "efeat the .a ylonians in 2/9, @-9 his $rocessional march into .a ylon on a horse was Auite ty$ical for a 9ictorious monarch. -. 1he (arthians ha" two ty$es of ca9alry* the hea9y-arme" an" armore" cata$hracts an" the li#ht ri#a"es of archers who were skille" horsemen ;see 3. '.&/=. 1he ma#i were e%clusi9e an" uniAue. :ot only "i" they ri"e horses, ut their clothin# was entirely white. An" they certainly "i" not arri9e alone. 1ra9elin# in remote areas was always an in9itation to e ro e" or mur"ere", es$ecially if the tra9eler a$$eare" to e wealthy. 1hey were escorte" with an entoura#e of sol"iers, ca9alry, foo" an" water su$$lies, an" comforta le slee$in# tents. 1hey were far too "i#nifie" to slee$ out un"er the stars with commoners. @/8 ?nce they arri9e" in ,erusalem, they o 9iously "is$laye" wealth, $ower of a forei#n #o9ernment, an" a "e#ree of mysticism since they were followin# what they $ercei9e" to e a star. What kin" of effect "i" they ha9e on those who saw them arri9e in Hero"<s $alace in ,erusalemF !t is unknown, ut the mystery that remains is this* 5ince the (arthians in9a"e" an" controlle" ,erusalem riefly in the year 48 ..'., why was Hero" the Great a$$arently so com$lacent when the ma#i arri9e"F 1his Auestion remains unanswere" ;see also /. /. <.J*=. +inally, it seems that e9ery few years these names a$$ear in the Western me"ia as a Brecent "isco9ery.C !n the 1- th century three skulls y .isho$ 0einal" in 'olo#ne, Germany that su$$ose"ly were i"entifie" as Melchior, 'as$ar an" .altha>ar 7 the ma#i of the .ethlehem. @/1 Unfortunately, church 829. 1he #ran"son of 'yrus !.
830. 5tearman. B1hose Mysterious Ma#i.C 9, 18.
831. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*-8.
554 history if full of a sur" tra"itions. @/- 1his matter is mentione" sim$ly ecause there are no relia le ancient sources to 9erify the claim an", therefore, these names ha9e no historical 9alue.
/. /. ..J3 0hy 3ere the 3ise 1e$T1a%i i$tereste( i$ a Je3ish Messiah> 1he historians 1acitus, 5uetonius, an" ,ose$hus, all in"icate" that there was a $re9ailin# elief throu#hout the ancient Mi""le 4ast that a $owerful monarch woul" arise from ,u"ea. 1he conce$t of such a monarch was first s$rea" a roa" when the ten northern !sraelite tri es were relocate" to the east y the Assyrians in the late @th century ..'. ;5ee 3. *. / an" 3. *. '= :ote what these historians sai", There had s#read o$er a&& the Orient an o&d and esta+&ished +e&ief' that it (as fated at that ti"e for "en %o"ing fro" Judaea to ru&e the (or&d) Suetonius Life of Vespasian, 32? There is a fir" #ersuasion H that at this $ery ti"e the East (as to gro( #o(erfu&' and ru&ers %o"ing fro" Judaea (ere to a%Iuire JaK uni$ersa& e"#ire) Ta%itus' Histories, ?2,0 A+out that ti"e one fro" their %ountry shou&d +e%o"e go$ernor of the ha+ita+&e earth)= Jose#hus' Wars, A)?)3 5ince the e%$ectation was well-known throu#hout the entire Me"iterranean area, this may e the reason the 0oman 4m$eror Au#ustus calle" himself the sa9ior of the worl". !n the meantime, another well-known fi#ure, the $oet Hir#il, wrote of the won"erful an" $ros$erous #ol"en a#e that was a out to come in his fourth literary work known as the #ourth 5clogue" ut also known as the Messianic 5clogue. @// !n li#ht of the common e%$ectation
832. 0on 'harles has #ather scores of fanciful le#en"s, mostly written etween the si%th an" si%teenth centuries after ,esus, that $ertain to the life of 'hrist in his ook title" The Search. 833. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*-3--7.
555 of the time, it is ama>in# that Hero" the Great a$$eare" to in"ifferent a out the une%$ecte" 9isit y the ma#i. e rather
(re9iously, in 382 ..'., the .a ylonian Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar ca$ture" ,erusalem an" relocate" ,ewish families of royalty an" $riests to .a ylon. 1hese ca$ti9es inclu"e" a num er of $ro$hets, inclu"in# )aniel. .ecause )aniel was of ,ewish royalty an" no ility ;)an. 1*/=, he recei9e" three years of instruction y the .a ylonian ma#i $rior to his ser9ice to the court ;)an. 1*/-2=. 49entually he ecame the chief of the ma#i ;)an. -* 4, 18, 1-, 4@=. While in .a ylon, he wrote the ook that ears his name an" inclu"es se9eral insi#hts that $ertain to the .a ylonians. 5ome scholars ha9e su##este" that (ersian historians recor"e" that Koroaster, the foun"er of the Koroastrianism reli#ion, was a stu"ent of the $ro$het )aniel. 'learly he ha" a hi#h le9el of influence in the .a ylonian an" (ersian halls of #o9ernment. )aniel 4 recor"s that the .a ylonian Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar ha" a horrific "ream an" none of his ma#i coul" #i9e him the inter$retation, e9en after ein# threatene" them with "eath. )aniel, who ecame the hea"master of the .a ylonian school of astrolo#y-astronomy ;)an. 4*9=, was #i9en the inter$retation y Go". When he e%$laine" the "ream to the kin#, he sa9e" not only his own life, ut also those of the court ma#i. 'onseAuently, he was hi#hly res$ecte" an" a$$reciate", an" others carefully listene" to him. +urthermore, the e9ent of )aniel in the lion<s "en left a $rofoun" im$act on the royal court an" eyon" 7 one that laste" for centuries. ,ust as .alaam was a $ro$het whose re$utation laste" for centuries ;see 3. &. '.A=, so likewise "i" )aniel<s re$utation. !n the ancient worl" there were many $ro$hets an" many Bwanna- eC $ro$hets, ut none stoo" the test of a "en of lions. 1herefore, when at a later time he s$oke of an" recor"e" the comin# of the Messiah ;)an. 9*-4--7=, e9eryone listene". 5i% hun"re" years later they were still watchin# an" waitin# for )aniel<s Messiah. 1he ancients elie9e" that the #o"s controlle" the e9ents of life, which a""e" em$hasis to )aniel<s $ro$hecies after his #ran" re-entry into the royal court.
556
.y the first century the ma#i ecame 9ery much aware of the $ro$hecy recor"e" in :um ers -4*17 as the .a ylonians were ea#er to learn from other cultures. Hence, they were soon lookin# for the same messiah as were the ,ews. Without Auestion there was a connection etween the wise men ;ma#i= of )aniel an" the ma#i who came to honor ,esus. @/4 Howe9er, there is another reason why these ma#i woul" ha9e ha" a stron# interest in the ,ewish messiah. 1hrou#hout the ancient Mi""le 4ast at this time there was a #rowin# frustration amon# the $o$ulous with local monarchs who were $u$$ets of 4uro$ean "ominance, first y the Greeks an" later y the 0omans. 1hese su Eu#ate" $eo$le were cryin# to their #o"s for a messiah to "eli9er them. Archaeolo#ists "isco9ere" a fra#ment which $ro9i"es e9i"ence that fourth century ..'. ma#i ha" a #reat "is"ain for Ale%an"er the Great. @/2 1hese ma#i an" many others in the ancient Mi""le 4ast, ha" "reams of someone woul" come an" rin# $eace to their strife-torn worl"L they were e%$ectin# a messiah. When the ma#i arri9e" in .ethlehem, they roke the rules of royal $rotocol 7 they, the kin# makers of the (arthian 4m$ire, knelt "own efore common ,ewish $easants an" worshi$e" an infant chil"L wealth an" $ower $rostrate" itself at the feet of $o9erty. 2The #ro#het.5 Matthew use" the sin#ular form ;Geek. 4rophetou= e9en thou#h he ma"e reference to the wor"s s$oken y the $ro$het Micah
834. 4""y, The *ing is )ead. 37. 835. 1he fra#ment known as 1M /9/, mentions Ale%an"er the Great in 11.-4--9. !t was
translate" an" $u lishe" y W. .. Hennin# un"er the title of B1he Mur"er of the Ma#i.C &ournal of the Royal Academy Society . &on"on* 1944, 1//-44.L 5ee also 4""y, The *ing is )ead. 3@-39.
557 ;2*-=.@/3 1he ,ews in the Holy &an" ha" access to Micah<s $ro$hecy, .a ylonian ,ews "i" not. ut the
2As soo$ as yo) fi$( hi1+ re#ort to 1e+ so that I too 1ay %o a$( 3orshi# hi1.5 What Hero" was really sayin#, Bas soon as you fin" him, re$ort to me, so that ! may #o an" kill him.C His rei#n inclu"es a lon# history of mur"ers of 9arious family mem ers. ;5ee 3. .. 3 an" 3. .. / for more information on his "emonic actions.= /. /. < Mt *7!-&* Aethlehe1 THE MAGI H:N:; JESUS After heari$% the 9i$%+ they 3e$t o$ their 3ay. A$( there it 3asQthe star they ha( see$ i$ the eastK It le( the1 )$til it "a1e a$( sto##e( abo8e the #la"e 3here the "hil( 3as. & 0he$ they sa3 the star+ they 3ere o8erHoye( beyo$( 1eas)re. && E$teri$% the ho)se+ they sa3 the "hil( 3ith Mary His 1other+ a$( falli$% to their 9$ees+ they 3orshi#e( Hi1. The$ they o#e$e( their treas)res a$( #rese$te( Hi1 3ith %ifts7 %ol(+ fra$9i$"e$se+ a$( 1yrrh. &* A$( bei$% 3ar$e( i$ a (rea1 $ot to %o ba"9 to Hero(+ they ret)r$e( to their o3$ "o)$try by a$other ro)te.
!
2E$teri$% the ho)se.5 1he ma#i "i" not 9isit ,esus when he was in the sta le man#er. 49i"ently a sufficient amount of time ha" trans$ire" followin# the irth to allow ,ose$h to take his now marrie" wife an" 5on an" mo9e into etter "wellin# Auarters. @/7 ,esus was orn in a sta le that e9i"ently was not $art of a house, ut y the time the ma#i arri9e" the Holy +amily mo9e" into a sim$le house, ty$ical of Mi""le 4astern homes. 2Prese$te( hi1 3ith %ifts.5 1hese #ifts of #ol", frankincense, an" myrrh were of #reat $rice an" of $ro$hetic si#nificance for these reasons* 1. Gol" was the sym ol of royalty. 836. 'arson, BMatthew.C @*98L .easley-Murray, 4reaching the -ospel. /@-48. 837. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 2/L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah .
142.
558 -. +rankincense is a $un#ent, itter yellow su stance from the #enus tree ;&atin* boswellia=, which, when urne", emitte" a hi#hly $ri>e" fra#rance. !t was so 9alua le that it was carefully #uar"e" alon# the tra"e routes from where it was $ro"uce" near the 0e" 5ea an" in 5outhern Ara ia. 1he fra#rance was associate" with "eity an" use" in many tem$les. !t was the #ift for the $riest, which in &atin is pontife(" meanin# bridge/builder. 1he $riest was the ri"#e- uil"er etween man an" Go".@/@ /. Myrrh, also a $leasant fra#rance, is ma"e from the myrrh tree ;&atin* balsamodendron myrrhae =, ut coul" also e "issol9e" in wine to ecome a itter-tastin# ut mil" anesthetic ;cf. Mk. 12*-/=. @/9 !t was also use" for urial, me"icinal, an" cosmetic $ur$oses. @48 +or the He rews, myrrh was one of fi9e in#re"ients nee"e" to make anointin# oil ;4% /8*---4=. !t was offere" to ,esus as an anal#esic when He was on the cross ;Mk 12*-/= an" use" on His o"y after He was $lace" in the tom ;,n 19*/9=. @41 Myrrh was use" to em alm the "ea"L a #ift #i9en to ?ne who was to "ie. @4!t shoul" e note" that while #ifts were $resente" to ,esus, there is no recor" of #ifts $resente" to the 4"omite Din# Hero". !t has often een assume" that there were three ma#i, an" ri#htly so. While the i lical narrati9e lists only three #ifts, it woul" ha9e een a su$reme insult for a fourth ma#i to come an" not $resent a #ift. !n other meetin#s of "i#nitaries, such insults woul" ha9e resulte" in arme" conflict an" $ossi le "eath. 5eneca wrote that in (arthia one coul" ne9er a$$roach a kin# without a #ift.@4/ 1he $ractice of $resentin# #ifts to a su$erior was a well838. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/-.
839. Gil rant, BMatthew.C /9. 840. ?ri#en, 'ontra 'elsum 1.38F 'arson, BMatthew.C @*@9. 841. .yers, BGlitterin# Gol".C 9/.
842. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/--//. 843. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/-.
559 esta lishe" custom throu#hout Mi""le 4astern history, as well as in the He rew .i le. @44 1he 9isit y the ma#i was a s$ecial act of Go", as was His anointin# of the $a#an Din# 'yrus !! to e a ruler of $eace centuries earlier. 2They ret)r$e( to their o3$ "o)$try by a$other ro)te.5 1he routes the ma#i use" when comin# to an" from ,erusalem ha9e always een fuel for scholarly "e ate. 1he fact that they were warne" in a "ream su##ests that they ha" to e e%tremely careful to a9oi" any contact with Hero", an" lea9e as Auickly an" Auietly as $ossi le ;which was no easy accom$lishment for such an entoura#e=. Most certainly they knew that he ha" s$ies an" sol"iers throu#hout his kin#"om, an" many were statione" in his $alacefortresses that were locate" alon# his eastern an" southern frontiers ; ecause he feare" 'leo$atra H!!, the Aueen of 4#y$t= an" near maEor hi#hways.@42 1herefore, lea9in# .ethlehem without "etection was no easy matter. &ess than three miles from .ethlehem was the Hero"ian ;5ee 3. '.*&C an" 3. '.*&6=. +rom this mountain-to$ facility s$ies coul" easily o ser9e any acti9ity in .ethlehem as well as any tra9elers on the roa"s lea"in# to an" from the 9illa#e. 1he ma#i also ha" to a9oi" ,ericho ecause it was the home to Hero"<s winter $alace. !f they somehow sli$$e" y ,ericho an" went further north to cross the ,or"an 0i9er, they nee"e" to a9oi" the Amathus fortress where the ,a ok 0i9er flows westwar" into the ,or"an 0i9er 7 this area was known as (erea. @43 1he ,or"an 0i9er can easily e for"e" in the summer an" only at a few strate#ic $laces "urin# the rainy season when the ri9er is hi#her an" swifter. 1here were no ri"#es until 0oman times. @47 !f they went to 4in Ge"i, crosse" the )ea" 5ea y oat, they mi#ht ha9e een s$otte" y Hero"<s lookouts statione" at the Machaerus ;5ee
844. Gen. 4/*11L 1 5am. 9*7-@L 18*-7L 1 D#. 18*-L (s. 42*@L 7-*18-11, 12L !sa. 38*13.
845. 4#y$t was un"er "irect rule of 0ome since /8 ..'. an" Nueen 'leo$atra H!! was the
rulin# monarch. Hero" the Great was un"er constant fear of her as she ha" consi"era le $olitical influence in 0ome that threatene" him. 846. !n -887 a team of German archaeolo#ists from the )ortmun" 1echnical Uni9ersity locate" the ruins of a fortifie" $alace they elie9e was uilt y Hero" the Great. Hero"<s fortress was $ro a ly uilt o9er another fortress mentione" in ,u"#es @*17. 1he "isco9erey of Amathus was re$orte" in the )ortmund Technical $ni ersity News Release , ;)ec. 1/, -887=, an" in Artifa(" -/*1 ;Winter, -88@=. 1/-14. 847. )orsey. Roads and +ighways. /9.
560 '. '. <A=. ?n the other han", if they tra9ele" close to the )ea" 5ea they woul" e seen from the Masa"a $alace-fortress. How coul" they or anyone else esca$e un"etecte"F !t has een su##este" that they tra9ele" throu#h :a ataean territory east of the )ea" 5ea. 1here is sufficient archaeolo#ical e9i"ence to su##est that the :a ataeans, a maEor #eo-$olitical $ower, ha" #oo" commercial an" $olitical relationshi$s with their nei#h orin# kin#"oms to the east.@4@ Howe9er, the :a ataeans were amon# the most feare" enemies of Hero" the Great. 5ince the Ma#i ha" royal cre"entials, they $ro a ly o9erni#hte" in the royal city of (etra, an" then continue" on their homewar" Eourney. 1he tri$ home was Eust as much of a miracle for them as were the miracles of healin# $erforme" y ,esus. .y "i9ine #ui"ance they came an" y "i9ine #ui"ance they returne" home.
/. /. <.J& Co$"er$i$% Matthe3 *7!-&*+ (i( Go( a##ro8e of the Ma%i?s )se of astrolo%y> Any in9ol9ement with astrolo#y has always een strictly for i""en. @49 1he fact that Go" use" the ma#i to honor the 'hrist chil" has at times een inter$rete" to mean that Go" a$$ro9es of astrolo#y alon# with similar arts relate" to witchcraft an" the occult. :othin# coul" e further from the truth. Go", y His #race, le" the ma#i to the 5a9ior since many other $eo$le were also lookin# for a Him. !t has often een state" that the 9isit of the ma#i was to e in"icati9e of the many Gentiles who woul" e9entually come to reco#ni>e ,esus as the true Messiah.
848. 'rew, BWhich Way "i" 1hey GoFC 18@L 5ee also 'rew, BWhy :ot :a ateaFC 1-/. 849. )eut. 4*19L 17*--7L 1@*9-14L !sa. 47*1/L ,er. 18*-.
561 )i" ,esus en"orse astrolo#y when he sai", BAt that time the si#n of the 5on of Man will a$$ear in the sky an" all the nations of the earth will mournC ;Mt. -4*/8=F 1his Auestion is in reference to 'hrist<s return an" has two elements which some mi#ht associate with astrolo#y. 1. 1he wor" Bsi#nC as to how it is relate" to starry sky ;astronomy=, an" -. !t is the $re"icti9e $hrase that $eo$le will e in mournin#. !n res$onse to the Auestion, it is Go" who create" the hea9ens an" the earth an" He $re"icte" that there will e $hysical si#ns in the sky an" on earth $rior to the return of the Messiah. 1hese e9ents are not relate" to astrolo#y, ut rather, the e9ents of mankin" an" Go", who knows the future, knows what will occur an" when. :ot only "oes Go" not en"orse astrolo#y, He forbids it.@28
+inally, 4$hraim, the 5yrian, wrote this $oetic hymn to illustrate the "istinctions etween Gentile royalty an" ,ewish lea"ers* The 1a%i e@alte( fro1 afar+ the S"ribes 1)r1)re( $ear at ha$(. the S"ribes sho3e( their (o"tri$e+ The Ma%i sho3e( their offeri$%s It is a 1ar8el that to Hi1+ the Aabe+ they of His o3$ ho)se h)rrie( 3ith their s3or(s a$( they that 3ere stra$%ers Bh)rrie(C 3ith their offeri$%s. 850. )eut. 1@*18-11L 4%. --*1@L &e9. -8*-7L 1 5am. -@*9 an" !sa. -*3L 5ee also Archer,
B'rimes an" (unishment.C 1*18/1-/-.
562 E#hrai1 the Syria$+ )ymns on the +ativity

,'&
1he 0omans an" (arthians en#a#e" in a series of conflicts etween the years 33 ..'. an" A.). -17. 1he 0omans "esire" to ha9e the 4u$hrates 0i9er as their eastern oun"ary while the (arthians "esire" to ha9e access to the Me"iterranean 5ea. ? 9iously the lan" etween the 4u$hrates an" the Me"iterranean 5ea was the $oint of contention, an" this inclu"e" !srael. !n 2/ ..'. the two em$ires fou#ht at the .attle of 'arrhae in mo"ern 1urkey an" in A.). 11/, 0oman 4m$eror Ha"rian o9erran the (arthian ca$ital city of 'tesi$hon, locate" a out twenty miles south of .a#h"a" in mo"ern !raA. 1he "ates of these two conflicts are si#nificant ecause they en9elo$e the first century time of ,esus. 1herefore, the $olitical im$lications of the three (arthian ma#i who 9isite" ,esus cannot e un"erstate". +urthermore, the rief (arthian in9asion of ,erusalem in /9 ..'. a""e" fuel to the $olitical tension that e%iste" when the ma#i arri9e".
/. /. <.J* 0as Hero( the Great %)ilty of treaso$> 1his Auestion is sel"om aske", ut is incre"i ly si#nificant. 1he (arthians in9a"e" ,erusalem an" hel" it riefly. !n /9 ..'. the (arthians "ecei9e" Hyrcanus an" (hasael to "iscuss $eace in Galilee. When they arri9e", the two men were ca$ture". Hyrcanus was carrie" off to the (arthia an" (hasael was $lace" in ca$ti9ity where he committe" suici"e ;see 3. '.* =. 1he in9asion an" su seAuent loss of ,erusalem com$letely humiliate" the 0omans. Un"er Hero"<s comman", 0oman sol"iers "efeate" the (arthians in ,erusalem an" slau#htere" whate9er ,ewish free"om fi#hters they coul" fin". :ow the hi#hest officials of the (arthian 4m$ire, an enemy of 0ome, returne" to ,erusalem, an" Hero" faile" to inform his 0oman su$eriors of the 9isit. ?n two $oints, he committe" treason y failin# to re$ort this inci"ent. :ote the followin#* 851. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 198.
(arenthesis y 1homas.
563 1. Hero" was informe" that a kin# of the ,ews was "omain, ut he faile" to notify 0ome. orn within his
-. 1he unin9ite" 9isit y the (arthian 'ourt, who a$$eare" without notice, shoul" ha9e een re$orte" to 'aesar Au#ustus, ut he faile" to notify 0ome. 0ather, he kille" all the neworn oys in .ethlehem, ut y then the Holy +amily ha" esca$e" to 4#y$t. 1he fact that the ma#i ha" also esca$e" without informin# him of the new kin#<s i"entity or location woul" e worrisome for the rest of his life. !t is unknown if he was calle" to e%$lain his lack of a$$ro$riate res$onse, ut he was not trie" for treason althou#h o 9iously #uilty of it. +inally, there is a school of thou#ht that states that imme"iately after ceremonial o ser9ances were com$lete" in the tem$le, ,ose$h, Mary, an" ,esus returne" to :a>areth, an" it was there the ma#i 9isite" them. 1his inter$retation is ase" u$on the followin# $assa#e in &uke. 0he$ Jose#h a$( Mary ha( (o$e e8erythi$% re=)ire( by the La3 of the Lor(+ they ret)r$e( to Galilee to their o3$ to3$ of NaGareth.
3!
L)9e *73! 5ome translations rea" that ,ose$h an" Mary returne" imme"iately to Galilee after o ser9in# all of the reAuire" laws. !f the #os$el of &uke were the only recor", that inter$retation woul" ha9e een acce$te" throu#hout church history. Howe9er, there are two consi"erations. 1. !n ,ewish writin#s, it was not uncommon to ski$ lar#e $erio"s of time. 49en thou#h &uke state" in the first few 9erses of his ook that his work was a chronolo#ical account, that "oes not mean he coul" not ski$ $erio"s of time or e9ents. -. 1he other #os$els a"" li#ht to the chil"hoo" years of ,esus. 1herefore, rea"ers know that etween the time B,ose$h an" Mary ha" "one e9erythin# reAuire" y the &aw of the &or",C there were other
564 e9ents ;i.e. tri$ to 4#y$t= that occurre" $rior to their return to :a>areth. 'ritics ha9e $on"ere" that if the story of the .ethlehem massacre was true, why "i"n<t ,ose$hus mention itF A $ossi le answer is that ,ose$hus may not ha9e known a out it. Hero" ha" mur"ere" so many of his own family, frien"s an" staff, that the .ethlehem e9ent was not e9en a minor $oint. 1here was another horrific e9ent that historians elie9e occurre" a out this same time. Hero" ha" "ecree" that lar#e #ol"en ea#le e $lace" a o9e the #reat #ate that le" into the tem$le. 1his an#ere" the ,ews for two reasons* 1. !t 9iolate" the comman"ment that $rohi ite" #ra9en ima#es an" -. 1he ea#le was the icon that re$resente" the o$$ressi9e 0oman 4m$ire. !n res$onse, two teachers, ,u"as an" Matthias, ha" their stu"ents $ull "own the ea#leYan act of "efiance a#ainst Hero" an" 0ome. !t was a "ea"ly "ecision as an outra#e" $aranoi" "ictator ha" the two teachers an" forty of their stu"ents urne" ali9e. 1his was a time when the sli#htest infraction a#ainst 0oman or Hero"ian law resulte" in "ea"ly conseAuences. 1he ma#i are known to ha9e 9isite" at least one other monarch. !n the year A.). 33 they tra9ele" to :a$les to honor :ero an", for an unknown reason, when they left, they tra9ele" home y way of a "ifferent route. @2- After they "e$arte" from 0ome they also seem to ha9e "e$arte" from history. 1here is no mention of them in 5cri$ture, secular history, or a$ocry$hal tra"ition. !t is #enerally elie9e" they sim$ly 9anishe" ecause, in the course of time, the nee"s of kin#s chan#e". .ut their #enerosity create" the tra"ition of a 'hristmas #ift e%chan#e that is well known throu#hout the Western worl" an" eyon". +inally, if the ma#i came from Ara ia, then why is there no e9i"ence of such a kin#ly class of menF 1here is no mention of them in the N u0ran other than $ossi ly a "e#ra"in# comments a out a reli#ious #rou$ known as BMa#ians,C ;5ura --*17= which is cou$le" to the ,ews, 'hristians, an" a
852. ,ohnson, BMatthew.C 7*-27L Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C -2.
565 #rou$ known as the 5e eites. @2/ !f there e9er were any ma#i in Ara ia, they certainly "i" not ha9e the status, $ower, wealth, or influence as "i" their counter$arts in (arthia.
U$it
853. 1he reli#ious #rou$ known as BMa#iansC are mentione" only once in the Nur<an --*17, the holy ook of !slam that ori#inate" more than si% centuries after ,esus. 5ee htt$*//cor$us.Auran.com/conce$t.Es$Fi"Ima#ians. 0etrie9e" )ecem er -, -81-.
566
The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter ' The Great Es"a#e a$( ;et)r$
/. '. A. J:SEPH+ MA;E+ AN6 JESUS ;ETU;N F;:M EGEPT. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. While the artist<s ren"erin# shows the Holy +amily walkin# alone, this was most likely not the case, es$ecially since they carrie" the #ifts of the Ma#i. (eo$le normally tra9ele" in re#ularly sche"ule" cara9ans whene9er
567 $ossi le or in 9illa#e #rou$s as "i" the Holy +amily when ,esus was taken to the tem$le at the a#e of 1-. 1ra9elin# alone was always an in9itation to e ro e" an" $ossi ly kille". ?ften artists illustrate the woman ri"in# on a "onkey. 1his woul" ha9e een the case only in the e9ent of her $re#nancy, sickness, or inEury. Howe9er, this artistic "e$iction is historically accurate in that Mary woul" ha9e walke" an" carrie" a small chil" on her hi$. !f the chil" was somewhat ol"er, he woul" ha9e een seate" u$on her shoul"ers. 4#y$t was an occasional refu#e for "istresse" inha itants as illustrate" y A raham, ,ero oam, an" ,eremiah. /. '. & I$tro()"tio$. With the news of a $ossi le $olitical ri9al, the $aranoi" Hero" the Great was "etermine" not to $ermit anyone to challen#e his throne. 1herefore, he sent a military unit to the small 9illa#e of .ethlehem to kill all infant oys un"er the a#e of two. 5ince .ethlehem was a small 9illa#e, the num er of innocent li9es massacre" was relati9ely few. 1his wicke" act "emonstrate" the true nature of this e9il "ictator. /. '. * Mt. *7&3-&' E%y#t ESCAPE T: EGEPT After they 3ere %o$e+ a$ a$%el of the Lor( s)((e$ly a##eare( to Jose#h i$ a (rea1+ sayi$%+ 2Get )#K Ta9e the "hil( a$( His 1other+ flee to E%y#t+ a$( stay there )$til I tell yo). For Hero( is abo)t to sear"h for the "hil( to (estroy Hi1.5 &/ So he %ot )#+ too9 the "hil( a$( His 1other ()ri$% the $i%ht+ a$( es"a#e( to E%y#t. &' He staye( there )$til Hero(?s (eath+ so that 3hat 3as s#o9e$ by the Lor( thro)%h the #ro#het 1i%ht be f)lfille(7 :)t of E%y#t I "alle( My So$. BHosea &&7&C
&3
+or centuries 4#y$t ha" een a $lace of refu#e. 49en ,eremiah was there for a while. !n fact, some cities, such as Ale%an"ria, ha" a si#nificant ,ewish $o$ulation. @24 .y the time ,esus was orn, the 0omans installe" Nueen
854. 5ome historians ha9e estimate" the ,ewish $o$ulation of Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t, to ha9e een a out -28,888 at the time of 'hrist.
568 'leo$atra H!! as rulin# monarch, ut Hero" the Great $ercei9e" her to e a constant threat. 1herefore, he uilt se9eral $alace fortresses alon# the southern or"er he share" with 4#y$t. 5tran#e as it may seem, this $olitical tension a""e" a "e#ree of safety to the refu#ees li9in# there. 2So he %ot )# ... ()ri$% the $i%ht a$( es"a#e( to E%y#t.5 ,ose$h took Mary an" ,esus an" fle" to 4#y$t "ue to the warnin# of the an#el. !n all $ro a ility, they took a small route that e9entually connecte" with the 7ia Maris an" then on to 4#y$t. 1ra9elin# alone was e%tremely "an#erous, es$ecially with the #ifts #i9en to them y the ma#i, so they woul" ha9e Eoine" one of the freAuent cara9ans. After three "ays< Eourney, they reache" the 0hinokolura Wa"i ;mo"ern Wa"i al-Arish=, which at that time was the or"er etween 4#y$t an" ,u"ea. ?nce they crosse" the seasonal ri9er e", they continue" their Eourney without fear. @22
/. '. *.J& 0here i$ E%y#t (i( Mary+ Jose#h+ a$( Jes)s %o> 1heir $lace of resi"ency has een lost in history, ut there are two $ossi le cities that scholars consi"er. ?ne is Ale%an"ria, uilt y Ale%an"er the Great, which ha" ecome a maEor ,ewish center. !t was lar#er than any city in ,u"ea, with an estimate" forty $ercent ,ewish $o$ulation. !t ha" a syna#o#ue so hu#e that a courier was nee"e" to re$eat the wor"s of the ra i so the $eo$le in the ack of the au"itorium coul" hear. 1his city is where the He rew 5cri$tures ha" een translate" into Greek some two an" a half centuries earlier. ,ose$h coul" ha9e Auickly foun" a home an" em$loyment as a youn# car$enter, althou#h fun"s $ro9i"e" y the ma#i woul" most certainly ha9e een sufficient. While Ale%an"ria woul" ha9e een an i"eal city for them, it is also further west than many other ,ewish communities. 1herefore, it also seems rather unlikely they woul" ha9e tra9ele" so far to the west of the :ile. @23 A secon" o$inion is the ?l" 'o$tic Nuarter of the city of ?l" 'airo. 1here the 'hurch of 5t. 5er#iust marks the su$$ose" tra"itional site where Mary an" ,ose$h li9e" for three months. 'o$tic 'hristians ha9e claime" for centuries that it was here, in a cry$t that was ori#inally a ca9e or #rotto that 855. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 17. 856. Maier, %n the #ullness of Time. 7!.
569 the infant ,esus was lai" to rest. Howe9er, there is a $ro lem with this Btra"itional site.C 'airo was not foun"e" until A.). 341, when it was a military out$ost. 49entually a town known as al-+ustat, #rew aroun" the out$ost an" later ecame known as 'airo. ,ust as the Holy &an" has its share of le#en"s, so "o the 4#y$tians.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 2:)t of E%y#t I "alle( 1y so$.5 1his was not so much a $ro$hecy concernin# the return of ,esus from 4#y$t, as it is a "ou le reference to the historical "eli9erance of the ,ewish $eo$le out of 4#y$tian on"a#e ;4%. 4*--=. Jet the meanin# of Hosea<s wor"s is sai" y some to e confusin# ecause there is no mention of a messiah. 1he 9erse rea"s as follows* 0he$ Israel 3as a "hil(+ I lo8e( hi1+ a$( o)t of E%y#t I "alle( My so$. Hosea &&7& A $reacher once clarifie" the meanin# with a ri""le. He tol" the con#re#ation to listen ;or rea"= the followin# fi9e $oints an" #uess who the su Eect is. 1. Without a miracle in his mother<s wom he woul" ne9er ha9e een orn. -. As an infant he was taken to 4#y$t. /. He returne" from 4#y$t to the (romise" &an". 4. He saw si#ns an" won"ers, an" the han" of Go" mo9e for him. 2. He was kille" y his enemies, rose from "eath, an" will li9e fore9er into eternity. :early e9eryone imme"iately i"entifie" the su Eect as ,esus. Howe9er, the ri""le was inten"e" to "escri e the nation of !srael. He note" these similarities* 1. Without a "i9ine inter9ention e#innin# with A raham, the ,ewish nation woul" ne9er ha9e een orn.
570 -. When a famine fell u$on the lan" of 'anaan, the fle"#lin# nation of less than a hun"re" souls went to 4#y$t. /. !n Go"<s timin#, they returne" from 4#y$t to the (romise" &an" ;'anaan=. 4. As they left 4#y$t, they witnesse" $rofoun" si#ns an" won"ers that "emonstrate" the han" of Go" for all nations to see. 2. !n A.). 78 the 0oman armies kille" national !srael ut in 194@ the nation was re orn, an" will li9e fore9er into eternity. 1heolo#ians call this ty$e of #enre of Hosea 11*1 a B"ou le reference,C that is, it "escri es oth the life of national !srael an" the life of ,esus. Matthew reco#ni>e" the history of the He rew chil"ren as a Bty$e an" sha"owC of ,esus ;see A##e$(i@ *.=. .ut the ima#ery #oes further* ,ust as Go" throu#h Moses le" His $eo$le out of 4#y$tian on"a#e an" to the or"er of the (romise" &an", so ,esus woul" lea" His $eo$le out of the on"a#e of sin an" into the Din#"om of Go". @27 !n fact, all "ealin#s Go" ha" with His $eo$le in the ?l" 1estament (erio" were in some manner $re$aratory for the comin# Messiah. ,esus is the reali>ation an" fulfillment of their sal9ation. 1he Gentiles are $ri9ile#e" to e #rafte" into these lessin#s of A raham ;0om. 9-11=.
857. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 78.
571
/. '. *A. A MAP :F THE P:PULA; ;:UTE EGEPT. Ma$ of the routes likely taken y ,ose$h, ,esus from :a>areth to .ethlehem, to 4#y$t an" :a>areth. A maEor section of the route was alon# the Maris.
T:TF;:M Mary an" return to fame" 7ia
Howe9er, sometimes it is what the #os$el writer "oes not say that is si#nificant. :otice 9erse - of this Hosea<s $assa#e. 0he$ Israel 3as a "hil(+ I lo8e( hi1+ a$( o)t of E%y#t I "alle( My so$. * The 1ore they Bthe #ro#hetsC "alle( the1 Bthe #eo#le of IsraelC+ the 1ore they Bthese #eo#leC (e#arte( fro1 Me.
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Hosea &&7&-*
572 :ot only were the $eo$le of ancient !srael a Bty$e an" sha"owC of ,esus, ut Eust as they once reEecte" the authority of Moses an" ,oshua ;9erse -a=, so likewise, they reEecte" ,esus. 1he first century rea"ers of Matthew<s #os$el ne9er misse" this im$ortant $oint. Matthew e%$ecte" his ,ewish au"ience to know this $assa#e an", in essence sai", that ha$$ene" to !srael ha$$ene" to ,esus.
/. '. 3 Mt. *7&.-&, Aethlehe1 HE;:6 :;6E;S THE SLAUGHTE; :F E:UNG A:ES The$ Hero(+ 3he$ he sa3 that he ha( bee$ o)t3itte( by the 3ise 1e$+ fle3 i$to a ra%e. He %a8e or(ers to 1assa"re all the 1ale "hil(re$ i$ a$( aro)$( Aethlehe1 3ho 3ere t3o years ol( a$( )$(er+ i$ 9ee#i$% 3ith the ti1e he ha( lear$e( fro1 the 3ise 1e$. &< The$ 3hat 3as s#o9e$ thro)%h Jere1iah the #ro#het 3as f)lfille(7
&.
A 8oi"e 3as hear( i$ ;a1ah+ 3ee#i$% a$( %reat 1o)r$i$%+ ;a"hel 3ee#i$% for her "hil(re$ a$( she ref)se( to be "o$sole(+ be"a)se they are $o 1ore BJer. 3&7&'C.
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1here are three reasons why Hero" "eci"e" to kill the 'hrist-chil".
573 1. He was not a out to tolerate any $otential threat to his monarchy. Un"er the sli#htest sus$icion, he e9en mur"ere" his own wi9es an" sons. -. He reali>e" that he was tricke" y the ma#i when they faile" to return to him as they ha" ori#inally $romise". 1his was an insult. /. !t was an insult for the 9isitin# ma#i, who re$resente" royalty, not to $resent a #ift to Hero". 1o meet a monarch of another nation, for whate9er reason, an" not $resent a #ift was a su$reme insult 7 sometimes consi"ere" worthy of "eath. 2Massa"re all the 1ale "hil(re$ ... t3o years ol( a$( )$(er.5 1his terri le action, known as the Massacre of the !nnocents, is ty$ical of the well-earne" re$utation of Hero" the Great. While he was known for ein# one of the #reatest uil"ers the 0oman 4m$ire, he was also known for his immense cruelty to his family an" those he rule". 1he slau#hter of innocent chil"ren in a small 9illa#e was ty$ical of him. He e9entually e9en kille" most of his wi9es an" se9eral sons. 1his sin#le act of rutality in .ethlehem ecame the si#nature for which the #reat architect an" uil"er is remem ere". 1he account of Hero"<s e9il act was also recor"e" y 4use ius, who wrote the followin#* Christ+ the$+ ha8i$% bee$ bor$+ a""or(i$% to the #ro#he"ies i$ Aethlehe1 of J)(ea+ abo)t the ti1e that ha( bee$ re8eale(+ Hero( 3as alar1e( at the i$telli%e$"e. Ha8i$% as"ertai$e(+ o$ the i$=)iry of the easter$ Ma%i 3here the 9i$% of the Je3s sho)l( be bor$+ as they ha( see$ his star a$( this ha( bee$ the "a)se of so lo$% a Ho)r$ey to the1+ %lo3i$% 3ith Geal to 3orshi# the i$fa$t as Go(+ he 3as )$(er %reat a##rehe$sio$ s)##osi$% his o3$ 9i$%(o1 to be i$ (a$%er. After i$=)iri$% of the (o"tors of the la3 i$ the $atio$ 3here they e@#e"te( Christ sho)l( be bor$ a$( as"ertai$i$% the #ro#he"y of Mi"ah a$$o)$"i$% that it 3o)l( be i$ Aethlehe1+ i$ a si$%le e(i"t he or(ere( all 1ale i$fa$ts fro1 t3o years a$( belo3 to be slai$+ both i$ Aethlehe1 a$( all its #arts+ a""or(i$% to the ti1e that he as"ertai$e( fro1 the Ma%i. He tho)%ht+ as see1e( #robably+ that he 3o)l( "arry off Jes)s also i$ the (estr)"tio$ 3ith those of his o3$ a%e. The "hil(+ ho3e8er+ a$ti"i#ate(
574 the s$are+ bei$% "arrie( i$to E%y#t by his #are$ts 3ho 3ere i$for1e( by a$ a$%el of 3hat 3as to ha##e$. These sa1e fa"ts are state( i$ the sa"re( te@t of the %os#el. E)sebi)s+ (cclesiastical )istory ,.&-* 2A 8oi"e 3as hear( i$ ;a1ah.5 0amah was a 9illa#e situate" a out fi9e miles north of ,erusalem in the lan" elon#in# to the tri e of .enEamin. After the forces of Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar "estroye" the tem$le in 2@7 ..'., they went north to 0amah an" ma"e a #reat slau#hter of the $eo$le, inclu"in# chil"ren. Matthew reco#ni>e" this historical e9ent as a Bforesha"owC of the killin# of chil"ren in .ethlehem y Hero" the Great. @2@ An unknown first century writer recor"e" these wor"s concernin# Hero" the Great, There follo3e( a bol( 9i$%+ $ot (es"e$(a$t fro1 a #riestly fa1ily+ 3ho 3as #res)1#t)o)s a$( 3i"9e(. He 9ille( ol( a$( yo)$%+ a$( the 3hole "o)$try 3as terribly afrai( of hi1. He ra8a%e( the #eo#le 3ith sla)%hter as ha( ha##e$e( i$ E%y#t. Assum&tion of Moses .7**
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2;a"hel 3ee#i$% for her "hil(re$.5 1hese wor"s, ori#inally written y the (ro$het ,eremiah ha9e raise" some "ifficulties. While there is historical e9i"ence of a massacre in 0amah, there is none in .ethlehem ha9in# occurre" "urin# the "ays of either the $ro$het or 0achel. Messianic scholars say there is only one $oint of similarity* that is that the ,ewish mothers are wee$in#. !n 0amah the chil"ren were not kille", ut were taken from them, whereas in .ethlehem the mothers urie" their little sons. 1he #os$el writer may also ha9e ma"e an allusion to 0achel<s tom , locate" near .ethlehem, where she is $oetically re$resente" as wee$in# for her slain chil"ren. Howe9er, the most accurate inter$retation may e foun" in the 1almu". !t su##ests that when the chil"ren of !srael were "ri9en y the .a ylonian 858. Gil rant, BMatthew,C 42. 5ee Bty$es an" sha"owsC in A##e$(i@ *..
575 army to .a ylon, the roa" they tra9ele" u$on went $ast the #ra9e of their mother 0achel an" crie" itterly. Hence, 0achel hear" the cries of her chil"ren.@38 Hence, in this cultural #enre, 0achel hear" the cries of the families of .ethlehem. /. '. / Mt. *7&!-*34 L9. *73!-/
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Fro1 E%y#t to NaGareth
After Hero( (ie(+ a$ a$%el of the Lor( s)((e$ly a##eare( i$ a (rea1 to Jose#h i$ E%y#t+ * sayi$%+ 2Get )#K Ta9e the "hil( a$( His 1other a$( %o to the la$( of Israel+ be"a)se those 3ho so)%ht the "hil(?s life are (ea(.5 *& So he %ot )#+ too9 the "hil( a$( His 1other+ a$( e$tere( the la$( of Israel. ** A)t 3he$ he hear( that Ar"hela)s 3as r)li$% o8er J)(ea i$ #la"e of his father Hero(+ he 3as afrai( to %o there. A$( bei$% 3ar$e( i$ a (rea1+ he 3ith(re3 to the re%io$ of Galilee. *3 The$ he 3e$t a$( settle( i$ a to3$ "alle( NaGareth to f)lfill 3hat 3as s#o9e$ thro)%h the #ro#hets+ that He 3ill be "alle( a NaGare$e. L9. 3! 0he$ they ha( "o1#lete( e8erythi$% a""or(i$% to the la3 of the Lor(+ they ret)r$e( to Galilee+ to their o3$ to3$ of NaGareth. / The boy %re3 )# a$( be"a1e stro$%+ fille( 3ith 3is(o1+ a$( Go(?s %ra"e 3as o$ Hi1. 2After Hero( (ie(.5 :o time frame was #i9en as to how lon# after Hero"<s "eath "i" an an#el of the &or" a$$ear to ,ose$h in a "ream. !t coul" easily ha9e een more than a year or two as there was consi"era le amount of unrest in the three ,ewish "istricts of Galilee, (erea, an" ,u"ea. Many messianic $reten"ers #a9e rise with their small #rou$s of re els an" chaos an" 9iolence s$rea" throu#hout the lan" until the stron# arm of 0oman mi#ht rou#ht $eace an" or"er. .elow are a few a re9iate" accounts y the historian ,ose$hus, which are "escri e" in #reater "etail in 3. .. '. 1. When Hero" the Great "ie", two influential ra is encoura#e" their stu"ents to remo9e the #ol"en ea#le, sym olic of the 0oman 4m$ire, that hun# o9er the main #ate of the ,ewish tem$le. 1he ra is an"
576 their stu"ents were ca$ture, an" ali9e.@31 y Hero"<s comman", were urne"
-. 1here were so many re9olutionary mo9ements, historians ha9e "ifficulty countin# them. Woul" they ha9e een an or#ani>e" cohesi9e military unit, the 0omans woul" ha9e ha" a serious challen#e. ,ose$hus sai" there were Bten thousan" other "isor"ers in ,u"ea,C which is o 9iously an e%a##eration, ut it clearly states the war-like tension of the time. Amon# the re els were two thousan" of Hero"<s ol" sol"iers who fou#ht a#ainst the Hero"ian "ynasty. 1he final outcome was not written, ut it is assume" they were either kille" in attle, crucifie", or fle" the country. @3/. ,u"as, the son of 4>ekias, a $rofessional thief, assem le" a lar#e #rou$ of men from the city of 5e$$horis, Eust an hour<s walk for :a>areth. 1hey assaulte" the $alace an" stole wea$ons an" money. Until the mi#hty han" of 0oman cau#ht u$ with them, they terrori>e" Galilee as ro ery was their only means of su$$ort. @3/ 4. 1he "eath of Hero" #a9e a 9ision of o$$ortunity for some to re el a#ainst their 0oman o9erlor"s. At this time, Athron#es, a self$roclaime" messianic lea"er $lace" a "ia"em ;crown= u$on his hea" an" $lace" his four rothers in the $osition of #enerals. 1he wearin# of a crown was an announcement of kin"shi$ an" a "irect threat to 0oman authority. While they were at first successful, e9entually they were ca$ture" an" $ut to "eath. @34 2. 5imon, a former of Hero" the Great, also $lace" a "ia"em on his own hea", then #athere" some men with wea$ons an" e#an to attack the 0omans an" 0oman sym$athi>ers. He urne" "own a $alace in ,ericho an" a num er of other royal facilities. After raisin# much ha9oc in ,u"ea, he was e9entually ca$ture" an" ehea"e". @32
861. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.3.-. 862. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.4. 863. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.2. 864. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.7 an" Wars -.4./. 865. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities 17.18.3.
577 5ince each of these re9olutionaries ha" messianic as$irations, it is easy to un"erstan" why ,esus was freAuently silent a out His i"entity. He certainly "i" not want to e i"entifie" with any of them or their cause. :otice that recor" of these messianic $reten"ers an" re el lea"ers has een $asse" throu#hout the centuries was written y ,ose$hus, the first century historian to whom many scholars to"ay are "ee$ly in"e te". 2Go to the la$( of Israel.5 .y this time the $hrase meant the entire lan" of the twel9e tri es, not Eust the ancient area of the ten northern tri es. !t was also known as B,u"aeaC althou#h it com$rise" the three ,ewish $ro9inces of ,u"ea, Galilee an" (erea, as well as 5amaria an" !"umea. 1he .i le refers to it in the He rew, 5ret=/%srael" ut ne9er as (alestine. 2Ae"a)se those 3ho so)%ht the "hil(?s life are (ea(.5 1his statement was a reference to Hero" the Great who "ie" in 4 ..'. !n He rew a $lural form is at times use" to "enote an in"efinite num er or for one of many. @33 1he same is true in Greek. @37 1his is one of se9eral similarities etween Moses an" ,esus. !n fact, Moses is seen a $ro$hetic $icture of ,esus ;see A##e$(i@ *=. !n this case, the $hrase nearly a#rees 9er atim with the first killin# of the innocents in 4%o"us 4*19. 1he ,ewish rea"ers of Matthew<s #os$el woul" ha9e imme"iately connecte" the two e9ents. @3@ 2Ar"hela)s 3as r)li$% o8er J)(ea i$ #la"e of his father Hero(.5 As state" $re9iously, Hero" the Great "ie" in 4 ..'. after which his kin#"om was then "i9i"e" y the 0oman senate amon# three of his sur9i9in# sons an" a fourth "istrict was #i9en to the #o9ernor of )amascus. Hero"<s son, Archelaus, recei9e" ,erusalem an" the "istrict of ,u"ea which inclu"e" .ethlehem. He was a tyrant, worse than his father, ut ha" none of his father<s a"ministrati9e skills. &ife ecame so un eara le that the ,ews re elle". Archelaus, fearful that his #o9ernment mi#ht fall, heT
866. 5ee 4%o"us 4*19, where the &or" sai" to Moses, BGo ack to 4#y$t, for all the men
who wante" to kill you are "ea".C 5cholars elie9e Ball the menC is a reference to (haraoh 1hutmose !!!. 5ee New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnotesL .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 2/-.
867. Wallace, -reek -rammar. 484.

868. Ha#ner, BMatthew 1-1/.C /9.
578 O Se$t o)t the 3hole ar1y )#o$ the1 Bthe Je3sC+ a$( se$t the horse1e$ to #re8e$t those that ha( their te$ts 3itho)t the te1#le+ fro1 assisti$% those that 3ere 3ithi$ the te1#le+ a$( to 9ill s)"h as ra$ a3ay fro1 the foot1e$ 3he$ they tho)%ht the1sel8es o)t of (a$%er4 3hi"h the horse1e$ sle3 three tho)sa$( 1e$+ 3hile the rest 3e$t to the $ei%hbori$% 1o)$tai$s.,.! Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &<.!.3 An an#el warne" ,ose$h in a "ream not to return to .ethlehem. 1hose who li9e" there suffere" horri ly un"er Archelaus. After he rule" for a "eca"e, the ,ewish $easants re elle" a#ain. !t was one of the most horrific re9olts "urin# the lifetime ,esus. @78 1his anarchy soon ecame too much for 0ome an" Archelaus was re$lace" y 'o$onius. @71 1his situation was similar to the 5yrian #o9ernor who $re9iously re$lace" y Nuirinius. 'o$onius imme"iately le9ie" a $ro$erty ta% u$on all of his su Eects. 1his in turn le" to another re9olt in A.). 3, or#ani>e" an" $romote" y ,u"as the Galilean, father of the Kealot mo9ement. 1his re9olt is mentione" in Acts 2*/7. ,esus woul" ha9e een a out ei#ht or ten years ol" the time, woul" ha9e known of these horrific e9ents, an" seen the o"ies of fellow ,ews crucifie" on crosses an" in trees. @72To f)lfill 3hat 3as s#o9e$ thro)%h the #ro#hets.5 1his $ortion of 5cri$ture has een $ro lematic, since the $ro$hecy is not foun" anywhere in the ?l" 1estament. Howe9er, note that Matthew use" the wor" Bsai"C an" not Bwritten.C 1here are two $ossi ilities to this*
869. (arenthesis mineL 5ee also Wars -.1./.
870. 5ee Aarabbas for a listin# of false $ro$hets who ha" messianic e%$ectations an"
871. 1enney, New Testament Times. 14/L ,ose$hus, The &ewish Wars. -.@.1. 872. 1rees were at times use" for s in $lace of crosses, es$ecially when there was a lar#e
num er of e%ecutions an" the su$$ly of crosses was fille" on oth si"es with 9ictims. 5ee also Met>#er, The New Testament. -/--4L (asachoff an" &ittman, &ewish +istory in 122 Nutshells . 29-31.
579 1. He may ha9e referre" to a $o$ular teachin# within the ?ral &aw or tra"ition. -. He may ha9e referre" to a rea"er in the syna#o#ue who rea" the $ro$hecy $u lically. +urthermore, at this time the ,ews ha" oth the Written &aw known to"ay as the ?l" 1estament, an" the ?ral &aw, which was not recor"e" until after the thir" century A.). When anyone was rea"in#, it was out lou", since silent rea"in# was an unknown skill at this time. Hence, the $hrase Bwhat was sai"C coul" refer to either the Written 5cri$ture or ?ral &aws.
/. '. /.J& Ho3 "o)l( Matthe3 say that a #ro#het BIsaiahC i(e$tifie( Jes)s as a 2NaGare$e5 3he$ there 3as $o NaGareth 3he$ the #ro#het li8e(> 1his is an interestin# Auestion since !saiah li9e" aroun" 788 ..'., an" :a>areth was esta lishe" late in the !nter-1estamental $erio", meanin# that there were a out 388 years etween the $ro$het an" the esta lishment of the small farmin# 9illa#e. 1his $hrase, 2That He 3ill be "alle( a NaGare$e+5 Matthew attri ute" to the $ro$hets may ha9e een $art of the ra inic o$inion, as it is not foun" in any ?l" 1estament ook. Howe9er, it is a $ro$hetic $lay on wor"s reflectin# u$on the Bshoot of ,essie,C referrin# a $ro$hecy #i9en y !saiah. The$ a shoot 3ill %ro3 fro1 the st)1# of Jesse+ a$( a bra$"h fro1 his roots 3ill bear fr)it.
&
Isaiah &&7& 1he wor"s shoot" branch, an" Na=areth, ha9e the same root wor" ;Net=erC. 1he "e ate hin#es on whether the Greek wor" for B:a>arethC "eri9es from He rew net=er, meanin# branch, or na=ar, meanin# to consecrate. @7/ 1hose who claim there is a connection to net>er, ase their o$inions on the $hrase B:et>er-shoot $lante" y Go"C foun" in the )ea" 5ea 5croll 1NH 3*12L 7*2, @, 18. 5ince B:et>erC is the root wor" for :a>areth, what Matthew is sayin# 873. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*--.
580 is that ,esus is the B:et>erC or ranch that came out of the root of ,esse 7 the father of Din# )a9i". 1his is clearly a $lay on wor"s, known as a mnemonic, @74 that functione", 1. As a memory tool an" -. !n"icate" that the matter was of )i9ine ori#in.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 ,esus, like a ty$ical ra i, use" $uns an" $lays on wor"s. 1his ty$e of #rammar is known as a mnemonic" that is, to arran#e somethin# in such a manner that it is easily remem ere" y the listeners. @72 !n this case, the memory tool of na=ar an" Net=er a$$arently ha" a "i9ine ori#in. 2They ret)r$e( to Galilee+ to their o3$ to3$ of NaGareth5 1his $assa#e in &uke -*/9 su##ests that the holy family returne" to :a>areth imme"iately followin# the com$letion of the Mosaic &aw reAuirements, 41 "ays after the irth of ,esus. .ut this is har"ly the case. &uke e9i"ently felt that some "etails of the life of ,esus were not nee"e" for his rea"ers, the Bmost e%cellent 1heo$hilusC ;&k. 1*/=. &uke "i" not mention the 9isit of the ma#i, the killin# of the innocents an" the esca$e of the holy family, their fli#ht to 4#y$t, an" their return to :a>areth. &uke -*/9 is not out of chronolo#ical or"er at this $oint, ut sim$ly "oes not ha9e those "etails. !t was inserte" here ecause critics ha9e at times state" that this $assa#e $ro9es an error, when in fact, they "i" not $lace the $assa#e in the conte%t of the writer<s $ur$ose. 1he #reatest of early theolo#ians, Au#ustine, ha" these wor"s concernin# this incre"i le e9ent* He thro)%h 3ho1 ti1e 3as 1a(e+ 3as 1a(e i$ ti1e4 a$( He+ ol(er by eter$ity tha$ the 3orl( itself+ 3as yo)$%er i$ a%e tha$ 1a$y of His ser8a$ts i$ the 3orl(4 He+ 3ho 1a(e 1a$+ 3as 1a(e 1a$4 He 3as %i8e$ e@iste$"e by a 1other 3ho1 He bro)%ht i$to e@iste$"e4 He 3as "arrie( i$ ha$(s 3hi"h He 874. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 718.
875. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1/.
581 for1e(4 He $)rse( at breasts 3hi"h He fille(4 He "rie( li9e a babe i$ the 1a$%er i$ s#ee"hless i$fa$"y - this 0or( 3itho)t 3hi"h h)1a$ elo=)e$"e 3as s#ee"hless. A)%)sti$e+ 3ermon on 2hristmas
,<.
+inally, it is a well-known fact of history that Archelaus ha" a $assionate hatre" for the ,ewish $eo$le, As a ruler of ,erusalem an" ,u"ea, he was worse than his father an" for this reason, ,ose$h, Mary, an" their youn# son ,esus y-$asse" the area an" settle" in :a>areth. 1he Auestion is why he ha" an incre"i le hatre" an" itterness towar" his su Eects. !t is ecause after Hero" "ie" the ,ews sent an em assy of fifty men to 0ome to a$$eal to Au#ustus not to ha9e him as their kin#. Au#ustus "ecree" that he e their ruler, ut without the title of Bkin#C that he $assionately wante". As a result, he s$ille" out his 9en#eance towar" the $eo$le until 0ome remo9e" him from office. 1his e9ent ecame the ack#roun" for the $ara le in &ike 19*11--7.
876. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 4/.
582
U$it / The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter . The Aoyhoo( Eears of Jes)s
/. .. A. JESUS AN6 TEMPLE LEA6E;S. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. At the a#e of 1-, ,esus challen#es the reli#ious lea"ers in the
583 tem$le with stimulatin# Auestions. Amon# the "octors of the law, there may ha9e een 0a i Hillel an" his ri9al 0a i 5hammai, two of the most famous ra is of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" ;213 ..'.-A.). 78=. 1he octa#on-sha$e" architectural style of the uil"in# is incorrect. /. .. & I$tro()"tio$ &ittle is known of the early years of ,esus from the a#e of twel9e until the e#innin# of His ministry. What is known is that He was o e"ient to his $arents ;&k -*21= an" B#rew in wis"om an" stature, an" in fa9or with Go" an" menC ;&k -*2-=, an" He "i" not ha9e any formal ra inic trainin# either in the He rew 5cri$tures or the ?ral &aw ;Mk 3*-L ,n. 7*12=. 1here is, howe9er, #eneral information of what life was like for a youn# oy. 5yna#o#ues in the (ro9ince of Galilee were use" as schools, where the ra i tau#ht all chil"ren the fi9e ooks of Moses, unlike in ,erusalem where only oys were tau#ht. )urin# the sunny, "ry "ays they often ha" classes outsi"e un"er a fi# tree. 5ince this tree $ro"uces fruit for nearly ten months of the year, it ecame sym olic of the Wor" of Go" from which men were tau#ht to BeatC constantly. !t was in these schools that oys were tau#ht an elementary le9el of rea"in# skills. Writin# was less $o$ular. 1here was little nee" for writin# skills in this $rimiti9e culture, with the occasional e%ce$tion of le#al "ocuments which were written y $rofessional scri es. 1he common lan#ua#es were Greek, He rew, an" its sister lan#ua#e, Aramaic. Greek was intro"uce" y Ale%an"er the Great some three centuries earlier. Aramaic was the lan#ua#e ,ewish $eo$le s$oke "urin# their e%ile in .a ylon. Howe9er, He rew remaine" the reli#ious lan#ua#e for reli#ious e9ents amon# the ,ews in !srael while it $asse" from use in other communities such as in 4#y$t. !t is #enerally acce$te" that ,esus rea" from a He rew scroll, s$oke to the crow"s in Aramaic, an" con9erse" with the 0oman authorities in Aramaic or Greek. ,esus, who was tau#ht to recite the +allel ;(s. 114-11@=, which means praise. He was also the $ersonification of it. :ote the i"entifyin# connections, ;114*1= He is the ?ne who came out of 4#y$tL
584 ;114*@= ;112*-= Go"L ;113*/= ;113*4= ;113*14, 1@= ;113*4@= ;117= ;11@= ;11@*--= He was the an#uish of the #ra9eL He calle" u$on the name of the &or"L He com$lete" His 9ows to the &or"L He was the 0ock from which flowe" waterL He was the answer to the Auestion, BWhere is their
He "eli9ere" the ca$ti9es from ca$ti9ityL 1he lo9e co9enant of Go" His ultimate trium$h o9er reEection He was the stone that the uil"ers reEecte".
;11@*-2--3=Messianic 4arousia ;5econ" 'omin#= As a chil" ,esus atten"e" the community syna#o#ue in :a>areth where His teacher was the local ra i. .y the a#e of twel9e He ha" ecome a $rofoun" scholar an" "emonstrate" incre"i le wis"om y askin# Auestions of the ri#htest $riestly scholars of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio". /. .. * L9 *7/&-' Jer)sale1
JESUS FISITS THE TEMPLE E8ery year His #are$ts tra8ele( to Jer)sale1 for the Passo8er Festi8al. /* 0he$ He 3as &* years ol(+ they 3e$t )# a""or(i$% to the ")sto1 of the festi8al. /3 After those (ays 3ere o8er+ as they 3ere ret)r$i$%+ the boy Jes)s staye( behi$( i$ Jer)sale1+ b)t His #are$ts (i( $ot 9$o3 it. // Ass)1i$% He 3as i$ the tra8eli$% #arty+ they 3e$t a (ay?s Ho)r$ey. The$ they be%a$ loo9i$% for Hi1 a1o$% their relati8es a$( frie$(s. /' 0he$ they (i( $ot fi$( Hi1+ they
/&
585 ret)r$e( to Jer)sale1 to sear"h for Hi1. /. After three (ays+ they fo)$( Hi1 i$ the te1#le "o1#le@ sitti$% a1o$% the tea"hers+ liste$i$% to the1 a$( as9i$% the1 =)estio$s. /< A$( all those 3ho hear( Hi1 3ere asto)$(e( at His )$(ersta$(i$% a$( His a$s3ers. 0he$ His #are$ts sa3 Hi1+ they 3ere asto$ishe(+ a$( His 1other sai( to Hi1+ 2So$+ 3hy ha8e Eo) treate( )s li9e this> Eo)r father a$( I ha8e bee$ a$@io)sly sear"hi$% for Eo).5
/,
20hy 3ere yo) sear"hi$% for Me>5 He as9e( the1. 26i($?t yo) 9$o3 that I ha( to be i$ My Father?s ho)se>5 ' A)t they (i( $ot )$(ersta$( 3hat He sai( to the1.
/!
2E8ery year his #are$ts tra8ele( to Jer)sale1.5 1his refers to the annual cele ration of (asso9er ; 4esach= in the Holy 'ity. 1hose who li9e" #reat "istances away, such as :a>areth, were not reAuire" to make the lon# Eourney. Howe9er, Mary an" ,ose$h, ein# ri#hteous ,ews, chose to o ser9e all se9en of the &or"<s feasts ;usually known as B,ewish feastsC= an" were cele rate" in three B#rou$s of feasts.C &ocal resi"ents o ser9e" them three times a year, those of a mo"erate "istance o ser9e" only those in the month of :isan ;(asso9er=, an" those who li9e" in "istant countries mi#ht only o ser9e the first #rou$ once in a lifetime. ?ri#inally, atten"ance was reAuire" of all men ;4%. -/*14-17L )eut. 13*13=. Women were free of the o li#ation, ut freAuently atten"e" with their hus an"s ;1 5am. 1*7L -*19L see A##e$(i@ &&, the ,ewish 5acre" 'alen"ar.= 1ra9elin# was "an#erous, as Kealots an" an"its were in the countrysi"e waitin# to take a"9anta#e of unsus$ectin# tra9elers. 1herefore, $eo$le tra9ele" in #rou$s to the tem$le. 1he 9illa#e was, in effect, an e%ten"e" family an" closely-knit community. 'hil"ren woul" $lay to#ether as they tra9ele" the lon# Eourney which skirte" aroun" the )istrict of 5amaria. !t was common for $arents not to know where one or more of their chil"ren were, as it was assume" that they were in the #oo" han"s an" care of someone else from the 9illa#e. When Mary an" ,ose$h "isco9ere" ,esus was missin#, the news was a maEor concern for e9eryone. 'hil" a "uction "i" not ha$$en in this culture. 1hey returne" to ,erusalem an" searche" for Him. When they e9entually foun" him in the tem$le, they were un"erstan"a ly u$set.
586 20he$ he 3as &* years ol(.5 Accor"in# to the ?ral &aw, when a son or "au#hter was twel9e years ol" he/she was to e e%amine" y a local ra i concernin# the meanin# of ein# a ,ew, un"erstan"in# Go", an" answerin# similar Auestions. 1hen, when he/she was thirteen years an" one "ay ol", he/she ecame a Bson/"au#hter of the comman"ment.C As such, the youn# a"ult entere" a new $hase of life with new res$onsi ilities an" $ri9ile#es. +or oys these inclu"e" the rea"in# of the 1orah in the syna#o#ue, its inter$retation, an" recitin# the Shema with its ene"iction. @77 While this usually occurre" in the 9illa#e syna#o#ue, it a$$ears that ,esus, of His own accor", ha" a similar "iscussion with the $riests on the tem$le ste$s. 1he Mishnah #i9es e9i"ence of the customary e%amination* A boy t3el8e years ol( a$( o$e (ay - his 8o3s 1)st be e@a1i$e(4 if he is thirtee$ years ol( a$( o$e (ay+ his 8o3s are 8ali(+ b)t they 1)st be e@a1i$e( thro)%ho)t his thirtee$th year. Mish$ah+ +iddah '..
,<,
Accor"in# to a secon" century ra i, 4lea>ar en 5imeon, a youn# man ecame res$onsi le for his own actions from the a#e of thirteen an" one "ay, althou#h still un"er the #ui"in# han" of his father for another year. At a#e 1/ an" 1 "ay he ecame a ben hat/torah" or Son of the ,aw. As such he e#an to war the tephillin" or phylacteries, an" was $resente" in the syna#o#ue on the 5a ath. He ecame res$onsi le for fulfillin# all the comman"ments @79 an" le#al actions, with the e%ce$tion of the $urchase of real estate, $ayment of ta%es, an" military "uty, which e#an at the a#e of twenty.@@8 (rior to this rite of $assa#e he was known as a katon" meanin# little, ut afterwar"s he was known as a gadol" meanin# grown/up. 877. Mishnah, Megillah 4.3. 878. 5ee also .a ylonian 1almu", Seder Moed. .oma @-aL .a ylonian 1almu", Seder
Tohoroth 42 .
879. Mishnah, A ot 2*1L cf. Joma @-aL Da$lan B.ar Mit>9ah, .at Mit>9ah.C ')-0?M ,u"aica
Multime"ia.
880. A thirteen-year ol", e9en in ancient times, was not consi"ere" knowle"#ea le a out
uyin# an" sellin# real estate. 5ee Maim. Ja"., 4"ut, 9*@L Da$lan. B.ar Mit>9ah, .at Mit>9ah.C ')-0?M ,u"aica Multime"ia.
587 1he "iscussion ,esus ha" with the $riests woul" ha9e een a out the 1orah, as all oys an" #irls at that a#e "iscusse" the 1orah with their local ra is. Howe9er, Matthew sai" that ,esus met with the tem$le $riests who foun" Him to e mature far eyon" His years in the un"erstan"in# of the 1orah an" other ?l" 1estament ooks. What an unusual si#ht to ha9e seen ,esus sittin# on the tem$le ste$s with the est teachers of the &aw. :ormally, chil"ren were #athere" aroun" their teachers who tau#ht them, ut on this "ay, ,esus was on the tem$le ste$s an" the teachers were #athere" aroun" Him. What coul" these scholars ha9e een thinkin#F 1here is little Auestion that they woul" watch him carefully in the years to come. Here lies an e%am$le of ?l" 1estament law an" :ew 1estament #race. !t is the similarity of ecomin# a son of the 'omman"ment for a ,ewish oy an" ecomin# a elie9er for a 'hristian. Accor"in# to an ?l" 1estament, "urin# a ,ewish oy<s or #irl<s twelfth year he or she was e%amine" y ra is to "etermine if the asics of ,u"aism an" the res$onsi ilities of a"ulthoo" were un"erstoo". !n essence, the chil" e%amine" his or her own heart for the nee" of Go" in life. 1hen, on the "ay after the thirteenth irth"ay, he or she ecame res$onsi le for his or her own s$iritual welfare. ?n the :ew 1estament si"e, anyone at any a#e can come to Go" when they reco#ni>e their nee" for Go". !n oth ,u"aism an" 'hristianity the a"ult, not the chil", makes the "ecision to acce$t or reEect Go", rather than a choice ein# ma"e y $arents for an infant. Joun#er chil"ren, howe9er, are still "e"icate" to Go" in oth ,u"aism an" 'hristianity. !t shoul" e note" that the bar/mit= ah "i" not ecome a ceremonial e9ent until the Mi""le A#es, an" only in recent times has it ecome a si#nificant family an" con#re#ational e9ent. +inally, some 'hristian scholars ha9e sai", althou#h incorrectly, that at the time of ,esus this rite of $assa#e was at the a#e of twel9e. ,ewish history clearly recor"s a "ifferent story, in fact, the ar mit>9ah was not an institutionali>e" cele ration until the fifteenth century. @@1
881. Wice.
B.ar Mit>9ah.C -*7/L Da$lan B.ar Mit>9ah, .at Mit>9ah.C ')-0?M ,u"aica Multime"iaL 1he earliest writin# of a ar mit>9ah is known to"ay is from the work of Mor"ecai en Hillel, a German Halachist of the 1/ th century.
588
/. .. *A. M:6E;N AA; MITLFAH CELEA;ATI:N IN JE;USALEM. A thirteen-year ol" oy carries a 1orah 5croll as the men of his family cele rate his Bar Mit= ah ;Bat Mit= ah for #irls= at the Western Wall. 1he women are near y an" look on. !t is a time of cele ration when a son or "au#hter ecomes res$onsi le for their s$iritual "estiny. 1his rite of $assa#e has ecome more cele ratory to"ay than it was in the "ays of ,esus. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2Sitti$% a1o$% the tea"hers+ liste$i$% to the1 a$( as9i$% the1 =)estio$s.5 !t is rather astoun"in# that a twel9e-year ol" oy woul" ha9e a "ialo# with the "octors of theolo#y an" ,ewish law ; oth Written an" ?ral=, es$ecially since the oy only atten"e" the local syna#o#ue school an" ha" no further trainin#. He remem ere" the ooks which He ha" hear" rea" out lou" in the little :a>areth syna#o#ue, an" His memory retaine" e9ery sylla le. 1hat lea"s to a 9ery interestin# Auestion*
/. .. *.J& Ho3 (i( Jes)s attai$ the i$"re(ible 9$o3le(%e that He (is#laye( at the te1#le 3he$ He 3as 1erely t3el8e years ol(> ,esus, who was 188V man an" 188V "i9ine, ha" to learn human knowle"#e as e9eryone else. He recei9e" a asic ,ewish e"ucation at home an" in the syna#o#ue school, ut that was not His only e"ucation. When ,esus met the
589 reli#ious scholars in the tem$le, He not only offere" thou#ht-$ro9okin# answers, ut Auestions that challen#e" the est scholars of the entire secon" tem$le $erio" ;212 ..'. 7 A.). 78=. &ittle "i" they know that the oy who was efore them was "i9inely tau#ht e9ery mornin#, as $ro$hesie" y the $ro$het !saiah.
The Lor( G:6 has %i8e$ Me the to$%)e of those 3ho are i$str)"te( to 9$o3 ho3 to s)stai$ the 3eary 3ith a 3or(. He a3a9e$s Me ea"h 1or$i$%4 He a3a9e$s My ear to liste$ li9e those bei$% i$str)"te(.
/
The Lor( G:6 has o#e$e( My ear+ a$( I 3as $ot rebellio)s4 I (i( $ot t)r$ ba"9.
'
I %a8e My ba"9 to those 3ho beat Me+ a$( My "hee9s to those 3ho tore o)t My bear(. I (i( $ot hi(e My fa"e fro1 s"or$ a$( s#itti$%.
.
The Lor( G:6 3ill hel# Me4 therefore I ha8e $ot bee$ h)1iliate(4 therefore I ha8e set My fa"e li9e fli$t+ a$( I 9$o3 I 3ill $ot be #)t to sha1e.
<
The :$e 3ho 8i$(i"ates Me is $ear4 3ho 3ill "o$te$( 3ith Me> Let )s "o$fro$t ea"h other. 0ho has a "ase a%ai$st Me> Let hi1 "o1e $ear MeK
,
I$ tr)th+ the Lor( G:6 3ill hel# Me4 3ho 3ill "o$(e1$ Me> I$(ee(+ all of the1 3ill 3ear o)t li9e a %ar1e$t4 a 1oth 3ill (e8o)r the1.
!
Isaiah ' 7/-! 5ince ,esus ha" oth the human nature an" "i9ine nature, He woul" ha9e access with His +ather in hea9en unknown to mortals. 1he Auestion then is,
590 B)i" ,esus ask Auestions to "isco9er answers or "i" He ask Auestions to ha9e the scholars reflect u$on !saiahF !n the instruction that Go" #a9e to ,esus, knowle"#e was also #i9en of His futureL that He woul" e eaten, scorne" an" s$it u$on. When ,esus sai" that He ha" to e a out His +ather<s usiness, He clearly ha" a reference to followin# the instructions He recei9e" e9ery mornin#. ?ne of the Auestions of theolo#y stu"ents ha9e often focuse" on is when "i" ,esus reali>e that He was the MessiahF 1he answer lies in !saiah 28*4-9. :otice that (hili$$ians -*2-11 an" Acts 1*3-7 state that the incarnate Go" was willin# to e se$arate" from His full use of "i9ine knowle"#e, there y makin# human "e9elo$ment an" maturity a necessity. He was a han"some man whose o"y an" life were not marre" y sin. How ra"ically "ifferent He woul" a$$ear later when "yin# on a 0oman cross.
1he "ynamics of the "ialo# are hei#htene" in li#ht of the fact that the two #reatest theolo#ical schools of the entire 5econ" 1em$le (erio" ;212 ..'. 7 A.). 78= e%iste" at this time. 1hese schools were the House of Hillel an" the House of 5hammai. 1heir foun"in# ra is were ali9e an" in the tem$le when ,esus came. Hillel, like Moses, is sai" to ha9e li9e" 1-8 years an" "ie" etween the years A.). 18 an" -8. He an" 5hammai ;28 ..'. 7 A.). /8= routinely hel" classes in the section of the tem$le known as 5olomon<s (ortico. !t was here that the #reatest of teachers tau#ht, as if tryin# to ca$ture some of 5olomon<s wis"om. Anyone who seriously "esire" to learn woul" ha9e stu"ie" in one of these schools ;then calle" BhousesC=. !t was consi"ere" a $oint of aca"emic e%cellence that the A$ostle (aul ha" stu"ie" un"er Gamaliel, the #ran"son of Hillel. 1here can e little Auestion that the twel9e-year-ol" ,esus challen#e" the most im$ortant an" influential ra is of this si%th century $erio", when other twel9e-year ol" oys were
591 challen#e" y their local ra is. !t is ironic that Hillel e%$ecte" to see the Messiah "urin# his lifetime an", it mi#ht e he "i", ut not reali>e it.
2So$+ 3hy ha8e yo) treate( )s li9e this>5 After searchin# en"lessly for three "ays Mary an" ,ose$h must ha9e een Auite u$set with ,esus when they foun" Him. 1he Auestion reflects a tone of contention in the family. .ut ,esus was alrea"y focuse" on His "i9ine callin# while His $arents were still e%$ectin# a somewhat normal chil" in s$ite of His unusual irth an" callin#. His family "i" not com$letely un"erstan" until many years later after the resurrection. :o won"er Mary woul" later $on"er these thin#s in her heart. 5he "i" fin" ,esus at the tem$le, yet in another sense she may ne9er ha9e foun" himL she ne9er felt that this youn# man was really hers. :o one in His family reco#ni>e" His "eity or how that relate" to His ministry. 'ertainly they must ha9e won"ere" if He was to e another Honi who $erform miracles.@@2I ha( to be i$ 1y Father?s ho)se.5 When a oy was twel9e years ol", not only was He $re$arin# to ecome a 5on of the comman"ment the "ay after His thirteenth irth"ay, ut He also e#an to $re$are for His future occu$ation. A youth woul" ecome an a$$rentice with his father or, if he "esire" a "ifferent 9ocation, he woul" ecome an a$$rentice with a craftsman of a "ifferent tra"e. ,ustin Martyr in"icate" ,esus an" His father were in the tra"e of makin# $lou#hs an" yokes ;for "onkeys an" o%en=. 1he literal Greek rea"s, B!n the affairs of the +ather of Me.C When ,esus sai" that He ha" to e in His +ather<s house, the statement was clearly a out His
882. Honi was a miracle worker of the first century ..'. an" is note" for makin# it rain one
time. 5ee comments on ,n. 19*-2--7, an" 3. '.& .
592 future ministry an" reco#nition of His "i9inity. ,esus un"erstoo" His $ur$ose an" "i9ine callin# at an early a#e. Te1#le (is")ssio$s7 Whene9er men #athere", a fa9orite to$ic of "iscussion was some $assa#e from the 1orah. At the local syna#o#ue, festi9als, an" social #atherin#s someone woul" ine9ita ly offer a 9iew$oint or ask a Auestion of the sacre" writin#s an" there was enou#h fuel for hours of "iscussion. 1his was the e"ucational form of entertainment of the time. 1his tra"ition continues to this "ay in ortho"o% communities in the ?l" 'ity syna#o#ues an" alon# the Western Wall. /. .. 3 L9. *7'&-'* NaGareth
G;:0ING UP IN NALA;ETH The$ He 3e$t (o3$ 3ith the1 a$( "a1e to NaGareth a$( 3as obe(ie$t to the1. His 1other 9e#t all these thi$%s i$ her heart. '* A$( Jes)s i$"rease( i$ 3is(o1 a$( stat)re+ a$( i$ fa8or 3ith Go( a$( 3ith #eo#le.
'&
,esus #rew in mental wis"om an" $hysical stature an" attaine" a"ult an" s$iritual $erfection. 1here were four rothers an" at least two sisters, $ossi ly more, in the family of at least nine. As the ol"est chil", He no "ou t ha" res$onsi ilities of hel$in# raise His youn#er si lin#s 7 somethin# that is common in most families with many chil"ren. 4arly in His life, He was tau#ht y His mother the stories of !srael<s heroes. 5ome of whom fou#ht on the #reat attlefiel"s of 4s"raelon which is $lainly 9isi le from the hills aroun" :a>areth. 1o the south is the $lateau of Gil oa where Din# 5aul fou#ht his last attle. :ot far from :a>areth was the 7ia Maris" the international hi#hway that went from 4#y$t to )amascus to .a ylon. @@/ ,esus #rew u$ in a Auiet 9illa#e, ut not far away there was rich ,ewish history an" acti9e international commerce. .efore an" after e9ery meal He hear" His father offer a $rayer of thanks#i9in# an" lessin#. As with any other reli#ious $easant family, His home was one of $lain li9in# an" hi#h thinkin#. 49erythin# a out His home
883. Also known as Bthe way of the lan" of the (hilistinesC ;4%. 1/*17L :um. -8*17=.
593 e%$resse" an atmos$here of lo9e an" "e9otion to the Go" of A raham, !saac, an" ,aco . 2Jes)s i$"rease( i$ 3is(o1 a$( stat)re.5 ,esus #rew u$ like any other oy, ut remaine" sinlessL He left $art of His "eity in hea9en. 1he fact that &uke state" that ,esus B#rewC in wis"om "iscre"its some a$ocry$hal accounts, in which ,esus was "escri e" to ha9e ha" unusual mystical $owers in His chil"hoo". &ikewise, there is no truth to the account that ,esus lacke" formal e"ucation. !n fact, a9era#e ,ewish $easants were etter e"ucate" than their $eers in nei#h orin# cultures. +ormal e"ucation e#an as early as the e#innin# of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" ;ca. 212 ..'.=, when &e9ites were #i9en the res$onsi ility of teachin# the $eo$le ;- 'h. 17*@-9=. 4i#hty years before ,esus, 0a i 5himeon en 5hetah "ecree" that all chil"ren an" youth un"er the a#e of se9enteen e instructe" in formal e"ucation @@4 an" the Mishnah $reser9e" the 9arious sta#es of this instruction from chil"hoo" to $riesthoo".@@2 While it is unknown if this "ecree was uni9ersally a$$lie" in Galilee, it is known that oth oys an" #irls were e"ucate" until the a#e of thirteen.
884. .a ylonian 1almu", *etubbot 28 . 885. Mishnah, A ot 2*-1.
594 /. .. 3A. SHEPHE;6 A:ES IN AUTHENTIC FI;ST CENTU;E C:STUME. 1hese two chil"ren hol"in# a shee$ at the :a>areth Hilla#e are "resse" in clothes much as ,esus woul" ha9e worn. (hoto#ra$h y the author. Accor"in#ly, ,esus woul" ha9e atten"e" formal e"ucation in the local syna#o#ue until the a#e of twel9e, or $ossi ly se9enteen ;see also *. 3. /=. )urin# those years chil"ren learne" the 1orah e#innin# at the a#e of fi9e an" the ?ral &aw e#innin# at ei#ht. !n the local syna#o#ue He woul" ha9e learne" how to rea" an" write with the use of a wa% oar" an" stylus. 1he $rimary teachin# metho" was Auestion an" answer, which naturally le" to an a"ult $astime of theolo#ical "e ates. When He ecame a son of the 'omman"ment at a#e thirteen an" one "ay, then it was time to learn his father<s tra"e. He woul" remain there a$$ro%imately ei#hteen years until the a#e of thirty, the a#e when men normally entere" the $riesthoo" ;or ministry=. Matthew summari>e" those years Auite well when he sai", B,esus #rew in wis"om an" stature an" in fa9or with Go" an" men.C As ri#hteous ortho"o% ,ews, His $arents raise" Him accor"in# to all the laws of ,u"aism, which inclu"e" the followin#* ;abbe$ Ga1aliel the so$ of ;abbi J)(ah the Patriar"h sai(7 2E@"elle$t is st)(y of the La3 to%ether 3ith 3orl(ly o"")#atio$+ for toil i$ the1 both #)ts si$ o)t of 1i$(. A)t all st)(y of the La3 3itho)t B3orl(lyC labor "o1es to $a)%ht at the last a$( bri$%s si$ i$ its trai$.5 Mish$ah+ Aboth *.* 2I$ fa8or 3ith Go( a$( 3ith #eo#le.5 A similar theme is foun" in &uke -*48. ,esus ecame the $o$ular son of :a>areth, ein# well a$$reciate" an" like" y e9ery o"y. What a stark contrast to His later return to "o miracles an" $reach the Din#"om of Go", when these same frien"ly $eo$le woul" threaten to kill him. He was a res$onsi le son, similar to the "escri$tion of 1 5amuel -*-3 an" (ro9er s /*4.
595
596
U$it / The Early Eears of Jes)s Cha#ter < Filla%e Life i$ NaGareth
597
/. <. A. JESUS G;:0ING UP IN NALA;ETH. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. ,esus is shown with His mother carryin# water from the only water fountain in :a>areth. 1his was a "aily e9ent e%ce$t for the 5a ath. 5ome scholars elie9e the 9illa#e was foun"e" in the first or secon" century ..'., an" was little more than a small a#ricultural 9illa#e of three "o>en ,ewish homes. /. <. & 6aily Life i$ NaGareth 1he 9illa#e of :a>areth was nestle" in the hills of Galilee. Jet stran#e as it may e, there were three $ro9incial ,ewish "istricts* Galilee, (erea east of the ,or"an, an" ,u"ea which surroun"e" ,erusalem. 1he southeastern corner
598 of Galilee arely touche" (erea. ?therwise, Galilee was surroun"e" y non,ewish $eo$le. !n fact, the name -alilee comes from the He rew wor" -alil which means circle 7 an" the "istrict if Galilee is anythin# ut circular. 6 )aily life in the first century was e%tremely "ifficult when com$are" to mo"ern con9eniences commonly taken for #rante" to"ay. Houses were col" an" "am$ in the winter an" the summer ni#hts were so hot an" humi" that many sle$t on the roofs of their houses. 1o"ay 9isitors to !srael can 9isit reconstructe" 9illa#es at the Hasmonean Hilla#e, the Dat>rin 1almu"ic Hilla#e, the :a>areth Hilla#e, an" the .i lical Gar"en at Ja" Hashmonah, to #et a #lim$se of ancient life. Great care was taken at these li9in# museums to $resent an" authentic re-creation of "aily life in the "ays of ,esus.
4ideo Insert
/. <. &.F& MaH( Sh)fa$i e@#lai$s the 3or9 of re"o$str)"ti$% the histori"ally a"")rate first "e$t)ry NaGareth Filla%e B37 /C. Cli"9 here.
4ideo Insert
/. <. &.F* MaH( Sh)fa$i+ a %)i(e at the re"o$str)"te( first "e$t)ry NaGareth Filla%e+ e@#lai$s the Gree9 ter1 te!ton" B2"ar#e$ter5C a$( the ty#e of a"ti8ities the "ar#e$ter #erfor1e( B'7&&C. Cli"9 here.
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 1he 4n#lish wor" for car$enter is often sai" to ha9e come from the Greek wor" tekton" meanin# builder or craftsman. 1hat "efinition is somewhat less than accurate 7 it shoul" e master builder or master carpenter ;Mk.
886. .arclay, B&uke.C 42.
599 3*/a=.@@7 1he term inclu"es contractor or director of works. 1he 4n#lish wor" architect is "eri9e" from tekton. !n i le times the tekton was one of hi#h social im$ortance, e9en thou#h it "i" not #enerate an a o9e a9era#e income. 1he master craftsman was known for his meticulous skill, which was associate" with a man of wis"om. 0a inic literature in"icates that if there was a $ro lem in the 9illa#e an" no ra i was a9aila le to resol9e the issue, the Auestion was aske", BWhere is there a car$enter or a son of a car$enterFC 1his occu$ation was a hi#hly skille" tra"e an", therefore, associate" with skille" a ility to resol9e issues of life. 5ince ,ose$h was #i9en the $resti#ious com$liment of ein# ri#hteous, it shoul" not e a sur$rise that he woul" e em$loye" in this occu$ation. 1he two most $rominent scholars of the "ay, Hillel an" 5hammai, were also master car$entersL it was an occu$ation of hi#hest esteem. !n :a>areth, situate" in the Auiet mountains of Ke ulon of the Galilee "istrict, ,esus earne" His li9in# in the manual tra"e of His father, as woul" ha9e een the custom for youn# men. ,ose$h an" ,esus were uil"ers or car$enters, an" the reconstruction of the near y city of 5e$$horis create" em$loyment o$$ortunities for many men who ha" those tra"e skills. !t is hi#hly $ossi le that ,ose$h an" his son ,esus worke" there. 1he fact that 5e$$horis is not mentione" in the #os$els or elsewhere is a mystery. 1he city ha" a lar#e ,ewish $o$ulation in the early $art of the first century as "etermine" y the many mik9aoth, or ritual aths, foun" in resi"ential ruins y archaeolo#ists. 1herefore, consi"erin# its ,ewishness an" em$loyment o$$ortunities, it is "ifficult to ima#ine ,esus not ein# here in His youn#er years workin# for other ,ews an" those sym$athetic to them.@@@ Howe9er, some scholars ha9e Auestione" whether ortho"o% ,ews, such as ,ose$h an" ,esus, woul" ha9e acce$te" em$loyment in an o9ertly $a#an city. 5e$$horis was "e"icate" to the Greco-0oman #o" )ionysus an" fille" with "e auchery of e9ery kin" 7 male an" female $rostitution, #luttony, materialism, alcoholism, etc. How coul" a ,ewish man work there an" not e assimilate" into the HellenismF 1hat was an issue the ra is also $on"ere".
887. .atey, &esus and the #orgotten 'ity. 74L (acker, B'ar$enter, .uil"er, Workman, 'raftsman, 1ra"e.C 1*-79.
888. .atey, &esus and the #orgotten 'ity, 7--72.
600 1heir answer is foun" in a set of #ui"elines they crafte" to "etermine the ty$es of Gentile construction $roEects ,ewish craftsmen were $ermitte" to work on. 1he Mishnah recor"s the followin#, No$e 1ay hel# the1 b)il( a basili"a+ s"affol(+ sta(i)1+ or H)(%e?s trib)$al4 b)t o$e 1ay hel# the1 to b)il( #)bli" baths or bath ho)ses4 yet 3he$ they ha8e rea"he( the 8a)lti$% 3here they set )# the i(ol it is forbi((e$ Bto hel# the1C to b)il(. Mish$ah+ Abodah 8arah &.< While there were restrictions, ,ewish men were $ermitte" to fin" em$loyment or ha9e sho$s in Gentile cities. 5e$$horis is only an hour<s walk from :a>areth an" ha" a 'ar"o Ma%imums ;Main 5treet= with sho$s on either si"e. 'raftsmen, farmers, an" merchants woul" sell their #oo"s to Bcity folkC an" tra9elers. 5cholars elie9e, with a hi#h "e#ree of certainty, that it was somewhere alon# this B'ar"oC is where ,ose$h an" Mary met, since tra"ition says she was orn in 5e$$horis. @@9
889. 'hancery an" Meyers. BHow ,ewish was 5e$$horis in ,esus< 1ime.C -8L 5ee also
BGui"e to 5ites.C .y BAR 5taff. 38.
601
/. <. &A. A NATU;AL F:;EST TEPICAL :F FI;ST CENTU;E 0::6LAN6S. A natural o$en-tree forest with mea"ows, as in the "ays of ,esus, is locate" a short "istance northwest of :a>areth. While most of the trees in the lan" were "estroye" "urin# the 1urkish ?ttoman occu$ation ;1217-1917=, for reasons unknown, the trees of this small area of se9eral hun"re" acres sur9i9e". !t can e seen to"ay as ,esus saw it an" it may ha9e een from this forest where He o taine" the woo" for His craft. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1o"ay, the Western conce$t of a car$enter is someone who uil"s houses of woo". Howe9er, "urin# the first century in ,u"ea an" Galilee, houses were uilt of stone. !n fact, for thousan"s of years they were uilt of stone. 1here was 9ery little woo" in them. Many scholars elie9e the car$enter or tekton was a master stone mason an" woo" worker, the latter ein# a craftsman who ma"e a wi"e 9ariety of woo"en househol" an" a#ricultural utensils. ?thers ar#ue that the tekton uilt the woo"en su$$orts for the construction of 0oman arches rather than trim an" sha$e stones. A $artial list of car$entry tools is foun" in !saiah 44*1/, such as the measurin# line, marker, chisel, an" com$ass which ha9e een use" throu#hout history in woo"workin# as well as masonry construction. @98 1he Greek $oet Homer ;c. 890. Hisitors an" stu"ents to !srael shoul" 9isit reconstructe" 9illa#es an" witness first
century life an" the re-enactment of first century life with its crafts an" tra"es. Amon# the est as of this writin# are the .i lical Gar"en at Ja" Hashmonah, the :a>areth Hilla#e, the
602 @28 ..'.= sai" that the tekton constructe" shi$s, houses, an" tem$les. @91 'learly, he was a hi#hly skille" craftsman amon# workin# men. His tra"e tau#ht Him to transform "ea" an" useless o Eects into li9in# an" useful thin#sL that the meanest material fashione" an" sha$e" can ecome $recious, frien"ly an" useful to men. &ater He woul" teach the "i9ine $rinci$les of the Din#"om of Go" so that "ea" an" useless $eo$le coul" e ecome $recious, frien"ly, an" useful to Go". 1he ancient 9illa#e where ,esus #rew u$ was locate" in a hi#h 9alley etween the :a>areth Mountains. 1he 9alley is sha$e" like a owl with a sin#le water s$rin# aroun" which the community #rew. !n the surroun"in# hills an" mountains there was sufficient forest lan" for car$entry work, while the a#ricultural fiel"s were in the 9alley floor.
Dat>rim ;Nat>rim= Archaeolo#ical (ark, an" the Hasmonean Hilla#e northwest of ,erusalem alon# 0oute 44/ near Mo"i<in. A few miles further west alon# the same hi#hway is the :eot De"umim (ark, a 3-2 acre i lical lan"sca$e reser9e with reconstructe" first tem$le $erio" scenes. 1wo other sites of interest is the Golan Hei#hts Archaeolo#ical Museum north of the 5ea of Galilee an" the (hilistine Museum in Ash"o". A 9isit to one or more of these Bli9in# museumsC will enhance one<s un"erstan"in# of the cultural settin# of the "ays of ,esus. 891. .arclay, BMark.C 1/@.
603 /. <. &A. A FI;ST CENTU;E 2CA;PENTE;5 AT 0:;I. 1his woo" worker, in authentic costume, is em$loye" at his woo"craft in a manner similar to the work of ,ose$hus an" ,esus. (hoto#ra$h taken at the :a>areth Hilla#e y the author.
/. <. &C. T::LS F:; 0::6 AN6 ST:NE 0:;I :F A 2CA;PENTE;.5 1y$ical tools such as hammers, chisels, an" saws were use" to make woo"en im$lements such as $lows an" yokes for o%en. 'ar$enters were also stone masons. (hoto#ra$h taken at the :a>areth Hilla#e y the author.
604
/. <. &6. A PL:0 AN6 E:IE F:; T0: 6:NIEES. 1his $low an" yoke, ty$ical of i lical times, were acAuire" y the writer in :a>areth. 1he natural formations of tree lim s were selecte" for the 9arious $arts of the im$lement. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
/. <. &E. T0: A;AAS PL:0ING IN THE &!* S AS IN AIALICAL TIMES. 1his $low "esi#n is known to e at least 4,888 years ol" as clay mo"els of $lows ha9e een "isco9ere" in 4#y$tian tom s. (hoto#ra$h y H. H. Horton.
605
/. <. &F. TEPICAL 0::60:;IING T::LS. 1y$ical tools of a first century car$entry sho$ that ,ose$h, ,esus, an" His rothers mi#ht ha9e use". (hoto#ra$he" at the :a>areth Hilla#e y the author.
/. <. &G. FI;ST CENTU;E ST:NE MAS:NS B2CA;PENTE;S5C. .uil"ers, "resse" in authentic attire, work
606 on a uil"in# at the :a>areth Hilla#e as ,esus may ha9e "one centuries a#o. (hoto#ra$h taken at the :a>areth Hilla#e y the author.
/. <. &H. THE CA;6: MAPIMUS IN SEPPH:;IS. 1he &atin name cardo ma(imus was the main street of any 0oman city. 5e$$horis was the ca$itol city of Galilee when ,esus was orn, an" the 'ar"o Ma%imus was the main street with small sho$s alon# oth si"es ein# the $illars ;only one is shown stan"in#=. !t was here where $eo$le came to sho$ an" tra"e. (hoto#ra$h y the author. :a>areth was a 9illa#e where $easants li9e" in stone houses that were col" an" "am$ in the winter. +or this reason, whene9er $ossi le, a home was incor$orate" with a ca9e that offere" sta le tem$erate con"itions* warm an" "ry in the rainy winter months, cool an" $leasant in the hot "ry summer. Houses ha" stone walls coate" with a clay an" straw mi%ture, with an occasional mu"-lime $laster coatin#. Win"ows were sAuare or rectan#ular o$enin#s in the walls with a skin or woo"en closure. +loors were of $acke" "irt or flat stones, an" roofs were ma"e with "irt or stone an" coate" with a mu"-lime $laster to create some "e#ree of water-ti#htness. 0ainwater from the roof was channele" into a cistern for summer use. 1he sto9e was a small clay "ome in which a fire was uilt. .rea" "ou#h in the
607 form of a mo"ern $i>>a was lai" u$on the har" hot clay sto9e surface to ake. &ife in such $rimiti9e homes was so cru"e that it is almost im$ossi le to"ay to com$rehen" what the "aily acti9ities were like. @9-
/. <. &I. THE IITCHEN :F A ;AAAI?S H:USE. 1he author stan"s in a reconstructe" kitchen of a ra i<s home in Dat>rim, a fourth century ;A.).= ,ewish 9illa#e. !n small 9illa#es, the ra i #enerally ha" the nicest home. (hoto#ra$h y (ai9i Heinrich. Homes #enerally ha" only two rooms, a family e"room an" another Bfamily room,C which inclu"e" a kitchen an" was the only room in which #uests were in9ite". @9/ 1he home in which ,esus li9e" is ty$ical of the i lical $erio"L a home which was also the shelter for some "omestic animals. Halue" animals were ke$t in"oors at ni#ht as to e threatene" y thie9es or wil" animals. An e%am$le is foun" in 1 5amuel -@ where Din# 5aul went to see the witch ;me"ium= of 4n"or. 5he took a calf from Bwithin her houseC ;9. -4=, kille" it, $re$are" it, an" ser9e" the kin# an" his ser9ants. ,esus sai" in Matthew 2*14-12 that a lam$ that has een lit will #i9e li#ht to the whole house. 1hat was ecause houses were of sim$le "esi#n an" consiste" of a lar#e room an" a smaller slee$in# room. 1he wall se$aratin# the two rooms
892. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. /8-/3.

893. .ailey, &esus. -3/.
608 often ha" sAuare o$enin#s calle" Bwin"owsC throu#h which fresh air flowe" an" allowe" some li#ht to shine in. 94 Most $eo$le in to"ay<s Western culture woul" not ha9e a #reat affection for first century country "inin#. 5mall owls ser9e" as "rinkin# cu$s an" sou$ owls. 1he first century "iet was essentially a cereal "iet, su$$lemente" with seasonal fruits an" 9e#eta les. @92 1he meat woul" ha9e een fish that was salte", #rille", or "rie". Any other meat was for s$ecial occasions. )urin# the col" rainy winter months, e9eryone woul" ha9e eaten insi"e a crow"e" room, whereas in the warmer months family time was in the courtyar" a"Eacent to the house.
/. <. &I. THE INTE;I:; :F A TEPICAL JE0ISH H:ME. 1he interior of this reconstructe" 4th century house at the Dat>rim ;Nat>rim= Archaeolo#ical (ark ;Museum= is nearly i"entical to ,esus< home. 1he walls were constructe" of lar#e stones, with the ceilin#/roof ein# either of stone or tree lim s with ranches co9ere" with $lastere" mu". 1he wall on the ri#ht si"e is an interior wall with a series of 9entilation holes known as [win"ows.[ 1his ty$e of home is col" an" "am$ "urin# the 894. (acker, 1enney, an" White, e"s. The Bible Almanac. 4@7-9-. 895. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. 93.
609 winter rainy season an" "ea"ly, if earthAuake. (hoto#ra$h y the author. occu$ie", "urin# an
/. <. &J. THE ANCIENT NALA;ETH T: CAPE;NAUM ;:A6. ,esus often walke" etween :a>areth an" 'a$ernaum, He went throu#h these "istant wheat fiel"s an" "own throu#h the Halley of the )o9es, as seen from the to$ of Mount Hittim. ?n the ri#ht si"e is Mount Ar el with countless ca9es in its massi9e cliff face, an" eyon" it is the 5ea of Galilee. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he #a$ etween the wealthy an" the common $easants was tremen"ous. Houses of the common $eo$le were small an" mo"est. 1he #roun" floor ten"e" to ha9e a low ceilin# with "ark soot co9erin# the walls. Generally, cookin# was "one outsi"e, e%ce$t in the col" an" wet winter months. 1he first floor ha" se9eral rooms, with a few hi#h o$enin#s that ser9e" as win"ows, an" a courtyar" share" y nei#h ors. ?ften the ol"est son li9e" in an a""e" room on the si"e of his $arents< house when he marrie". At times, a ca9e was $art of the "wellin# area for either human or animal occu$ancy. 1he secon" floor ha" more win"ow o$enin#s an" a hi#her ceilin#. 1he flat roofs ser9e" as "ryin# areas for foo", water collectors, an" $laces for family meetin#s or times of $rayer ;Acts 18*9=. @93 896. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. 4@9-98.
610 ,esus was a ,ew. He li9e", s$oke, an" tau#ht like a ,ew. An in-"e$th stu"y of His wor"s will re9eal that many of His sayin#s ha" $re9iously een s$oken y other ri#hteous ra is. His ,ewish $eo$le, therefore, were alrea"y familiar with many of the foun"ational $rinci$les u$on which He $roclaime" His Din#"om of Go"/Hea9en. His "iscussions with o$$onents re9eale" His "i9ine wis"om, yet He was in e9ery way an ortho"o% ,ew on a "i9ine mission to rin# fulfillment to the ?l" 'o9enant an" usher in the a#e of the :ew 'o9enant. A maEor "ifficulty of mo"ern 'hristians is that we think of ,esus as a 'hristian without a ,ewish culture or reli#ion. !n fact, He was an ortho"o% ,ew who li9e" in a reli#iously conser9ati9e ,ewish community ;see 3. /.*.=.@97 Most e9ents in the life of ,esus were ne9er recor"e". What is known is that the central focus of any youn# man was the stu"y of the 1orah as the Bsource an" #rantor of sal9ation.C @9@ 49en if a youn# man "i" not $ursue hi#her e"ucation eyon" that $ro9i"e" y the local syna#o#ue, he "e"icate" himself to memori>in# numerous $a#es of the i lical scrolls. Men often #athere" to "iscuss the meanin# an" life a$$lication of the sacre" 5cri$tures. ?ne can safely assume ,esus functione" well in this ca$acity, as He "i" with the tem$le $riests when He was twel9e years ol". ,esus "i" not stay lon# in any 9illa#e or city. He was an itinerant $reachin# ra i who coul" easily e seen as a wan"erin# ,ew. 49en as a chil" He Eourneye" to 4#y$t. +rom the 4#y$tian "usty san" "unes, His $arents took Him to fresh waters an" #reen hills of Galilee. +rom :a>areth He often went to ,erusalem to o ser9e the &or"<s feasts ;also calle" the ,ewish feasts=. He was calle" of Go" to meet ,ohn the .a$tist a short "istance north of the )ea" 5ea where He was a$ti>e". He tra9ele" most often in the Galilee areas, namely in 'a$ernaum, 'hora>in, an" .ethsai"a. He walke" throu#h 5amaria an" to Gentile cities such as Ga"ara, 'aesarea (hili$$i, 5i"on, 1yre, an" 5yria. He was a tra9eler on a focuse" missionL a wayfarer in 9oluntary e%ile in the lan" of His own creationL to a $eo$le He "esire" to call His own. He ha" a messa#e to $reach an" "isci$les to train. 1hey sle$t in the homes of frien"s, in ca9es, an" un"er oli9e trees, ut sel"om where they anywhere 897. Meyers an" 5tran#e. Archaeology" the Rabbis and 5arly 'hristianity. 27. 898. :euser, Rabbinic &udaism. 23.
611 for any len#th of time. !n the $rocess, their $o$ularity #rew. 1hey were in constant "eman" y crow"s of $eo$le who were either followin# them or wantin# to know where they were #oin#. ?f course ,esus an" His "isci$les were $la#ue" y the constant challen#es of the reli#ious lea"ers of ,erusalem who also followe" them. 1hrou#hout His Eourneys ,esus heale" many, restore" life to three "ecease" $eo$le, an" $reache" the #oo" news of eternal life 7 the Din#"om of Hea9en. 1hen, in Go"<s a$$ointe" time, He tra9ele" to ,erusalem for the last time an" the worl" has ne9er een the same e9er since. +inally, the a sence of historical information on the early years of ,esus as #i9en rise to numerous a$ocry$hal myths, many of which were immortali>e" y !talian artists "urin# the Mi""le A#es. 5ome of these fanciful tales inclu"e accounts of "ra#ons that owe" "own to Him, roses of ,ericho lossome" where9er He walke", how He forme" a ir" from clay an" it came to life an" flew away. Jet the creators of these le#en"s faile" to reali>e that any account that is not roote" in truth is an insult to His character an" holiness. 1hey may ha9e meant to honor HimL ut no fairy tale toute" at truth can honor Him.
U$it ' The Early Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter & The Mi$istry of Joh$ the Aa#tist
612
'. &. A. J:HN THE AAPTIST P;EACHES IN THE 6ESE;T. Ill)stratio$ by Go(frey 6)ra$(. &,!.. '. &. & I$tro()"tio$ ,ohn the .a$tist was the $ro9er ial heral" who announce" the comin# of ?ne sent y Go". He an" ,esus were only si% months a$art in a#e. As an ortho"o% ,ew, the .a$tist e#an his ministry at a#e thirty or shortly thereafter. !t is unclear how lon# he $roclaime" the comin# of the &or", ut nearly all scholars a#ree that it was lon#er than their a#e "ifference of si% months. 1herefore, ecause it is elie9e" ,esus e#an His ministry Ba out a#e thirty,C He was actually somewhat ol"er which $ermitte" sufficient time for ,ohn to $roclaim His comin#.
613 1hey were not alike in nature, for ,ohn was a stern man of the "esert wil"ernessL an" his messa#e was one of "enunciation an" con"emnation callin# for $eo$le to re$ent. ,esus ha" a mil"er tem$er, yet oth were fearless when ol"ness an" stren#th was reAuire". 1hey no "ou t met once or twice a year in ,erusalem in the o ser9ances of festi9als. .oth were trou le" at the social an" reli#ious "ecay of their times an" calle" men to seek Go", so when His ministry e#an, it "i" so with a $assion. As for ,esus, the Auiet "ays of seclusion in the little 9illa#e of :a>areth were o9er. He woul" e#in His ministry of $reachin# the "i9ine $lan of sal9ation near the northern shores of the 5ea of Galilee an" in the surroun"in# 9illa#es, inclu"in# those of .ethsai"a, 'hora>in, an" 'a$ernaum. 1hese 9illa#es form what is often known as the Be9an#elical trian#le.C ,esus ha" mo9e" to 'a$ernaum ;Mt. 4*1/= after His reEection in :a>areth.
'. &. &A. MAP :F THE EFANGELICAL T;IANGLE. 1he area of three 9illa#es where ,esus ministere" most freAuently forme" what has een calle" the B49an#elical 1rian#le.C 1hese 9illa#es were .ethsai"a, 'a$ernaum an" 'hori>im, locate" in the area a"Eacent to or sli#htly north of the 5ea of Galilee.
614 'a$ernaum was a well-esta lishe" center in a northwestern area of the 5ea of Galilee known for the manufacture of asalt ;9olcanic rock= #rin"in# stones an" fishin#. 1he lar#e num er of lack asalt@99 #rin"in# stones an" other utensils unco9ere" here is in"icati9e of a thri9in# $rimiti9e in"ustry. 1he 9illa#e was also a $oint where international cara9ans, tra9elin# on the 7ia Maris" sto$$e" for su$$lies an" to $ay toll ta%es. 1he si#nificance of the 7ia Maris cannot e o9erstate", as hun"re"s, if not thousan"s of $eo$le tra9ele" on this roa" from "istant locations to see ,esus. 'a$ernaum was also the home of the 0oman centurion an" his sol"iers. 1he $ur$ose of the military $resence was to $rotect the cara9ans from thie9es an" ro ers, insure tra9elers woul" $ay their ta%es, an" "eter any Kealot acti9ities in the area. 1he 9illa#e of Gamala, locate" only a few miles to the north, was the home of the Kealots, a ra"ical #rou$ of (harisees who were creatin# constant $olitical tension. &ittle is known of .ethsai"a. 5u$$ose"ly it was a fishin# town situate" on a hillto$ alon# the northern e"#e of the 5ea of Galilee. Archaeolo#ical e%ca9ations re9eal that the 9illa#e "ates to a out the ninth century ..'. an" it once ha" a $rotecti9e city wall, the foun"ations of which ha9e een "ate" to the Assyrian era. !t is the only known 9illa#e in ,u"aea to ha9e ha" such a $rotecti9e fortification. .y the time of ,esus, it was an insi#nificant fishin# town, e9en thou#h it ha" een enlar#e" an" fortifie" y Hero"<s son, Hero" (hili$. !t was one of many that circle" the 5ea of Galilee. .ethsai"a was only a few miles east of 'a$ernaum an" was the chil"hoo" home of (eter ;,n. 1*44=. He mo9e" to 'a$ernaum either ecause the 9illa#e was more o ser9ant of the ,ewish laws an" tra"itions, or ecause it was also the center for ,ewish sa#es an" their schools, an"/or ecause of his marria#e ;Mk. 1*-9-/8=. 1he 9illa#e ha" een enlar#e" an" fortifie" y Hero"<s son, Hero" (hili$. 1he only recor"e" miracle in .ethsai"a is of the account of ,esus healin# a lin" man ;Mk. @*----3=. 5cri$ture an" other sources are silent concernin# any other acti9ities y ,esus there.
899. .asalt is a 9olcanic rock that is soft an" easily car9e" into orntal an" architectural
sha$es as well as #rin"in# stones an" wheels. 1he asalt rocks, which litter the hills aroun" the northeastern Galilee area, came from se9eral "ormant 9olcanoes on the Golan Hei#hts.
615 5cri$ture is silent as to any teachin#s or miracles y ,esus at 'hori>im. He e9i"ently s$ent consi"era le time in these 9illa#es ecause He $romise" its "estruction ecause of their un elief an" reEection of the #os$el. !n fact, he #a9e the stin#in# wor"s that the $a#an an" se%ually $er9erte" cities of 5o"om an" Gomorrah woul" fare etter than they woul" on Eu"#ment "ay ;Mt. 11*-4=. !n A) 78 the $romise" "estruction ecame a reality an" to"ay these are little more than tourist attractions. 1he authentication of ,esus< messa#e y His works is the maEor characteristic of His ministry. ,ust as Moses $erforme" miracles as si#ns to authenticate his messa#e, ,esus $erforme" miracles to authenticate His. While the ultimate "estiny of Moses was to lea" the !sraelites out of 4#y$tian on"a#e, the ultimate "estiny of ,esus was to "ie on the cross for the sins ; on"a#e= of humanity. As Moses le" the chil"ren of !srael in their 4%o"us out of 4#y$tian on"a#e, likewise ,esus woul" lea" anyone who woul" elie9e an" follow Him out of the on"a#e of sin an" into the Din#"om of Go" ;cf. !sa. 48*/-2=. +or four centuries after the $ro$hetic ministries of Ha##ai, Kechariah, an" Malachi, Go" ha" not sent a $ro$het to His $eo$le. 1his $erio" of history is sometimes referre" to as the Bsilent years.C 1he ,ews, likewise, reco#ni>e" that Go" an" His Holy 5$irit were silent. :ote the wor"s of two ,ewish writers of the time* I$o3 that o)r fathers i$ for1er ti1es a$( for1er %e$eratio$s ha( hel#ers+ ri%hteo)s #ro#hets a$( holy 1e$ O. 0e 3ere also i$ o)r "o)$try+ a$( they hel#e( )s 3he$ 3e si$$e(+ a$( they i$ter8e$e( for )s 3ith hi1 3ho "reate( )s si$"e they tr)ste( i$ their 3or9s. A$( the Mi%hty :$e hear( the1 a$( #)r%e( )s fro1 o)r si$s. A)t $o3+ the ri%hteo)s ha8e asse1ble( a$( the #ro#hets are slee#i$%. Also 3e ha8e left o)r la$(+ a$( Lio$ has bee$ ta9e$ a3ay fro1 )s a$( 3e ha8e $othi$% $o3 a#art fro1 the Mi%hty :$e a$( His La3. * Aar)"h ,'7&-3 0he$ the latter #ro#hets (ie(+ that is+ Ha%%ai+ Le"hariah+ a$( Mala"hi+ the$ the Holy S#irit "a1e to a$ e$( i$ Israel.
616 Mish$ah+ *osefta 3otah &373 1he ,ews clearly reco#ni>e" their "ilemma, which only a""e" to the e%$ectations of a comin# Messiah. 1herefore, when ,ohn e#an $reachin#, the $eo$le reco#ni>e" the silence ha" come to an en" an" he ha" an imme"iate au"ience.988 '. &. * L9. 37&-. ;5ee also Mt. /*1-/L Mk. 1*--4= The 0il(er$ess Near Jor(a$, A.). -3 J:HN 6ECLA;ES HIS MINIST;E I$ the fiftee$th year of the rei%$ of Tiberi)s Caesar+ 3hile Po$ti)s Pilate 3as %o8er$or of J)(ea+ Hero( 3as tetrar"h of Galilee+ his brother Phili# tetrar"h of the re%io$ of It)rea a$( Tra"ho$itis+ a$( Lysa$ias tetrar"h of Abile$e+ * ()ri$% the hi%h #riesthoo( of A$$as a$( Caia#has+ Go(?s 3or( "a1e to Joh$ the so$ of Le"hariah i$ the 3il(er$ess. 3 He 3e$t i$to all the 8i"i$ity of the Jor(a$+ #rea"hi$% a ba#tis1 of re#e$ta$"e for the for%i8e$ess of si$s+ / as it is 3ritte$ i$ the boo9 of the 3or(s of the #ro#het Isaiah7 ! &
&
Pre#are the 3ay for the Lor(4 A 8oi"e of o$e "ryi$% o)t i$ the 3il(er$ess7 1a9e His #aths strai%htK ' E8ery 8alley 3ill be fille(+ a$( e8ery 1o)$tai$ a$( hill 3ill be 1a(e lo34 the "roo9e( 3ill be"o1e strai%ht+ the ro)%h 3ays s1ooth+ . a$( e8eryo$e 3ill see the sal8atio$ of Go(. BIsa. / 73-'C
900. 5ee also 1 Macc. 4*43, 9*-7, 14*41L ,ose$hus, Against Apion. 1*41. 901. 5ee commentary on '. &. *.J&+ B!s there a mistake in the Auotation of !saiahFC
617 1he "i9ine callin# of ,ohn the .a$tist was to fulfill the $romise #i9en y the $ro$het Malachi, who sai", B5ee, ! will sen" you the $ro$het 4liEah efore the #reat an" "rea"ful "ay of the &or" comesC ;Mal. 4*2=. He calle" the ,ewish $eo$le to re$entance, a conce$t that was new to them. 1he common elief was that since they were Go"<s chosen $eo$le they were alrea"y sa9e", an" there was no nee" for re$entance. Unknown to most 'hristians to"ay, the first century ,ews were alrea"y well aware of the rite of a$tism. 1hey immerse" themsel9es in a mik9ah that was fille" with water efore enterin# the tem$le, althou#h that was not for the re$entance of sin. ,ohn $roclaime" the ol" $ractice of immersion in a new conte%t, that is, the cleansin# from a sinful lifestyle. Most scholars elie9e that ,ohn<s a$tism was sym olic of true re$entance whereas the a$tism most commonly thou#ht of y the (harisees was the con9ersion of a Gentile to ,u"aism.981he reli#ious esta lishment was not too $lease" with ,ohn 7 he was $reachin# an" a$ti>in# an" "i" not e9en #ra"uate from one of their $resti#ious schools. +urthermore, he "i" not authenticate the hi#h social $ositions they cherishe", rather, he use" $owerful an" stin#in# wor"s. He calle" them a B roo" of 9i$ersC ;Mt. /*7= an" $roclaime" "estruction an" Eu"#ment as sym oli>e" with the $hrase, the Ba% is rea"yC ;Mt. /*18=. He "eclare" that e9eryone who "i" not $ro"uce #oo" fruit in his life woul" e cut "own an" thrown into the fire ;Mt. /*18=. Jet the 9iolent $ro$hecies he $reache" were not fulfille" "urin# the life of ,esus. ,ohn<s messa#e of re$entance an" holy li9in# ha" a similar rin# to the teachin#s of the 4ssenes at Numran, who are elie9e" to ha9e written the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. 1hey ha" se$arate" themsel9es from esta lishe" ,u"aism "ue to the corru$tion in the tem$le. 5ome scholars ha9e su##este" that ,ohn may ha9e een raise" y or li9e" in the 4ssene community as a youth. 5ince 5cri$ture in"icates that his $arents were ol", they, no "ou t, $asse" on while he was still youn# an" the 4ssenes were known to take in or$hane" chil"ren, es$ecially those of $riestly families. 98/
902. +or more information of 9arious reasons for a$tism, see a$tism as relate" to :ico"emus in '. '. '.J*.
903. Harrison, A Short ,ife of 'hrist. 33-78.
618 1he a$ti>er came at a time ;mi" to late -8s, A.).= when the social-$olitical tension was near a reakin# $ointL e9ery few years there was a re9olt in which hun"re"s, sometimes thousan"s, were crucifie". 'aesar 1i erius e%$oun"e" Hellenistic thou#ht an" lifestyle throu#hout the em$ireL (ilate an#ere" his su Eects with his cruelties, e%tortions, in"olence, an" mur"ers. Hero" Anti$as was as wicke" as his father Hero" the Great an" li9e" a $a#an life of a ,ewish a$ostate with reckless lust. 'aia$has an" Annas, the tem$le $riests, who recei9e" their secure $ositions from the 0omans, use" the tem$le to enhance their own wealth at the e%$ense of the common ,ews who came to worshi$. 1he 5a""ucee an" (harisee elite were in communion with 'aia$has an" Annas. 1he common $eo$le ha" ecome economic s in their $romise" lan", a lan" full of $a#an i"olatry. 1wo Hellenistic $hiloso$hies, 4$icureanism an" 5toicism, conten"e" for $o$ular su$remacy. 984 1he former concentrate" on sensuality an" the latter on intellectualism an" $ri"e. .oth were influencin# ,ewish thou#ht an" culture. 1o counteract this $a#an in9asion, the 5cri es an" (harisees em$hasi>e" tra"itionalism, multi$lie" the re#ulations of "aily life, an" ele9ate" their ?ral &aw o9er the Written &aw, while at the same time ele9atin# themsel9es in the eyes of the $eo$le.
1he ,ewish $easants ha" nowhere to turn, no one to hel$ them. !nto this cal"ron of hostilities, itterness, an#er, re9olts an" rumors of re9olts, ,ohn $reache" a messa#e from !saiah, B(re$are the way for the &or".C +inally, the four-century silence of Go" was roken. (eo$le flocke" to hear ,ohn, ho$in# that in some way he woul" "eli9er them from their heartache an" tears. 1he entire life of ,ohn was a sermon. His sim$le messa#e was an earth shakin#* BGet rea"y for the comin# of the &or".C
904. )e &acy, B4$icureanism an" the 4$icurean 5chool.C /*--/.
619 2I$ the fiftee$th year of the rei%$ of Tiberi)s Caesar+ 3hile Po$ti)s Pilate 3as %o8er$or of J)(ea5 5ince there was no uni9ersal calen"ar, it was customary for ancient writers to in"e% the occurrence of a maEor e9ent to a year of the kin#<s rei#n. 4ach kin#"om ha" its own calen"ar an" followe" a formula similar to the followin#* 982 !n the BWC year of Din# BJ,C these e9ents occurre"T. 1wo other i lical e%am$les are, I$ the ei%htee$th year of Israel?s Ii$% Jeroboa1 so$ of Nebat+ AbiHa1 be"a1e 9i$% o8er J)(ah O. 3a AbiHa1 3al9e( i$ all the si$s his father before hi1 ha( "o11itte(.
&
& Ii$%s &'7&+ 3a
I$ the t3e$ty-thir( year of J)(ah?s Ii$% Joash so$ of AhaGiah+ JehoahaG so$ of Jeh) be"a1e 9i$% o8er Israel i$ Sa1aria a$( rei%$e( &< years. * He (i( 3hat 3as e8il i$ the Lor(?s si%ht a$( follo3e( the si$s that Jeroboa1 so$ of Nebat ha( "a)se( Israel to "o11it4 he (i( $ot t)r$ a3ay fro1 the1.
&
* Ii$%s &37&-* &uke use" the time formula to em$hasi>e the im$ortance of the ministry of ,ohn the .a$tist. When the wor" of Go" came to ,ohn, he $reache" re$entance an" a$tism for the for#i9eness of sins throu#hout the remote areas of the ,u"ean )esert. 983 0econcilin# the Bfifteenth year of the rei#n of 1i erius 'aesarC to to"ay<s calen"ar has een a su Eect of "e ate. +i9e consi"erations are $resente".
905. 1his formula for "atin# was use" some thirty times in 1 an" - Din#s. 906. While &uke recor"e" the year in relation to the year of the 'aesar, the calen"ar he
use" is unknown. 1he fifteenth year woul" $ro a ly e Au#ust -@ to Au#ust -9. &ess likely is that he use" the 5yrian calen"ar, which woul" ha9e the year reckone" etween the fall of -7 an" the fall of the followin# year. 5ee &iefel", B&uke.C @*@24.
620 1. 5ince 1i erius rei#ne" with Au#ustus for a rief time, the Auestion is whether his rei#n inclu"e" the time of co-re#ency. -. 1he first year was often known as the BAscension year,C an" the followin# year was consi"ere" the first year, e9en thou#h in mo"ern thinkin#, this woul" ha9e een the secon" year of rulershi$. /. !t was not uncommon for kin#s an" em$erors to co-rei#n 7 meanin# that there were two monarchs in $ower at the same time. Au#ustus ma"e 1i erius his collea#ue in the years A.). 11 or 1-. When Au#ustus 'aesar "ie" in Au#ust A.). 14 an" 1i erius 'aesar took full control on 5e$tem er 17, A.). 14 ;accor"in# to to"ay<s calen"ar=. 1he Auestion is whether &uke inten"e" to inclu"e the time of co-re#ency an" which calen"ar he was usin#. 1here were a num er of calen"ars at the time* ,ewish, 5yrian-Mace"onian, an" 4#y$tian calen"ars, ut the calen"ar of choice was $ro a ly the ,ulian calen"ar. &uke, no "ou t, thou#ht he was recor"in# a $recise "ate, ut coul" not foresee the challen#es that woul" follow centuries later.987 4. 1he ,ewish $ro9inces were un"er the control of the 0oman $ro9incial ca$ital in )amascus, 5yria, where the calen"ar year e#an on 5e$tem er 1. !f &uke inten"e" to inclu"e the time of co-re#ency then the fifteenth year woul" ha9e een from ?cto er 1, A.). -7 to 5e$tem er /8, A.). -@.98@ !f the 0oman calen"ar is use", then the fifteenth year e#an Au#ust 19, A.). -@ an" en"e" on the followin# Au#ust 1@, A.). -9, which woul" make the "ate of crucifi%ion to e in A.). /8, if ,esus ministere" for three an" a half years ;which in all $ro a ility was a year lon#er=. 989 !f, howe9er, &uke counte" the core#ency of the 'aesars, then the fifteenth year of 1i erius 'aesar
907. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@24. 908. Met>#er, New Testament. 184-82. 909. Hoehner, 'hronological Aspects of the ,ife of 'hrist . /8-/7L (entecost, The Words and
Word of &esus 'hrist. 79-@8L Hoehner $resents fi9e inter$retations of "atin# the e#innin# "ate of the .a$tist. +our of them are har"ly worth mentionin# as these are hi#hly unlikely for 9arious reasons. +.+. .ruce in New Testament +istory ;19- n-= elie9es the year A.). /8 is more likely than any other for the crucifi%ion "ate.
621 woul" ha9e chronolo#y. een in A.). -3, which works 9ery well with i lical
2. +inally, another clue is the tem$le remo"elin# $ro#ram, which was in its forty-si%th year ;,n. -*-8=. ,ohn use of the 9er ;was= im$lies that the construction was still in $rocess. 1he e#innin# of this massi9e $roEect can e reckone" to -8-19 ..'., in accor" with the writin#s of ,ose$hus, who state" this work e#an in the 1@ th year of Hero"<s rei#n.918 Howe9er, in writin#, he in"icate" the construction e#an three years earlier. 5ome scholars elie9e the earlier "ate may ha9e een the $reliminary "esi#n work. 911 !f the most likely e#innin# "ate of the tem$le reconstruction is the 1@ th year of Hero"<s rei#n, then the forty-si%th year woul" e late A.). -@, the year of the e#innin# of the ministry of ,esus.91?f these $ossi ilities, tra"itional scholarshi$ has conclu"e" that 1i erius starte" his rei#n when he ecame co-re#ent in A.). 11. 1his woul" $lace the start of ,ohn<s ministry in the year -3 A.). 2Tiberi)s Caesar ... Po$ti)s Pilate ... Hero( ... Phili# ... a$( Lysa$ias O A$$as a$( Caia#has.5 1hese men were not mythical characters ut real $ersons, who, y their $osition a#ainst ,esus, contri ute" to the s$rea"in# of 'hristianity. ?ne of the outstan"in# features of 5cri$ture, that is "ifferent from other reli#ions, is the fact that nearly all $ersonalities an" $laces ha9e een 9erifie" from e%tra- i lical historical sources. 1i erius 'aesar ;rei#ne" A.). 14-/7=. (ontius (ilate ;rei#ne" A.). -3-/3=, Hero" PAnti$asQ ;rei#ne" 4 ..'. "e$ose" in A.). /9=, (hili$ ;"ie" A.). /4=, &ysanias ;unknown=, Annas ;A.). 3-12= an" 'aia$has ;A.). 1@-/3=. &uke, more than any other :ew 1estament writer, was careful to anchor e9ents to $eo$le an" $laces. &ater (eter woul" write,
910. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11.1. 911. ,ose$hus, Wars. 1.-1.1. 912. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 27L Met>#er, New Testament. 184-82L 1enney, New
Testament Times. 134-32.
622 For 3e (i( $ot follo3 "le8erly "o$tri8e( 1yths 3he$ 3e 1a(e 9$o3$ to yo) the #o3er a$( "o1i$% of o)r Lor( Jes)s Christ4 i$stea(+ 3e 3ere eye3it$esses of His 1aHesty.
&.
* Peter &7&. +inally, Hero" Anti$as is i"entifie" as Hero", tetrarch of Galilee. 1he $hrase BtetrarchC means Bruler of the fourth $art.C 1he title resulte" from the "i9ision of the Hero" the Great<s 4m$ire into four $arts. +or the 0oman senate to con9ey a title as BtetrarchC was somewhat "e#ra"in#, ut a title as BDin# of the ,ewsC woul" ha9e stirre" #reat animosity. 2Go(?s 3or( "a1e to Joh$.5 1his is a literary formula, in"icatin# that the $ro$hetic messa#e is from Go". 1he wor" Bwor"C in Greek is rhema" meanin# Bs$oken wor",C as o$$ose" to logos meanin# written word. 0hema is similar to the intro"uctions of earlier $ro$hets* Ha##ai ;1*1=, Kechariah ;1*1=, an" Malachi ;1*1=. 1herefore, the $eo$le un"erstoo" that ,ohn was in the same office as the $ost-e%ilic $ro$hets, a $osition un"erscore" y his miraculous irth to el"erly $arents. &ater known as Bthe .a$tist,C he was the fulfillment of !saiah 48*/ an" Malachi /*1. 2;e#e$ta$"e.5 ;Gk. metanoias=. 1his wor" has "ual meanin#s* a "ee$ mournful sorrow an" a com$lete chan#e of lifeL a turn-aroun" to seek a moral chan#e.91/ 4ssentially, howe9er, this com$oun" wor" connects time an" chan#e, so that the final meanin# is to think differently after. 914 1he "efinition inclu"es a sense of reconciliation an", furthermore, while there is a sense of turnin# BfromC sin there is also a sense of turnin# BtoC Go". 912 ,ohn<s messa#e em$hasi>es that failure to re$ent woul" rin# "i9ine wrath an" $unishment, while o e"ience woul" result in enterin# the Din#"om of Go".
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 '. &. *.J& Is there a 1ista9e i$ the =)otatio$ of Isaiah> 913. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@42L Dittel,Theological )ictionary of the New Testament. 4*972188@.
914. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*-/.

915. 5tern, &ewish New Testament 'ommentary. 13.
623 2The #ro#het Isaiah.5 ,ohn sai" he Auote" the $ro$het !saiah ;48*/=, ut the Auotation in &uke /*4 e#ins with wor"s from another $ro$het, Malachi ;/*1=. !saiah\s $oetic $hrase arely resem les the com$lete wor"s attri ute" to him y the three #os$el writers. 1he e%$lanation is that the $hrase com ines the key wor"s from two $ro$hets an" attri utes them to the maEor $ro$het, which was common hermeneutics of the first century. 1his $assa#e is etter un"erstoo" in li#ht of asic knowle"#e of He rew $oetry, which in this case, em$hasi>es the key theme. A . ' .< A< 9. 9. / I 3ill se$( 1y 1esse$%er ahea( of yo)+ 0ho 3ill #re#are yo)r 3ay. A 8oi"e of o$e "alli$% i$ the (esert. Pre#are a 3ay for the Lor(+ 1a9e strai%ht #aths for hi1. Mala"hi 37& BNIF &!,/C 1he $oetic $arallel style of He rew literature Auickly "emonstrates the relationshi$ of the two ?l" 1estament $assa#es as well as the theme of the messa#e, which is always the center line ;'=. ? ser9in# Mark<s Auotation as a whole unit, line A ;9. - is Mal. /*1= is the Bmessen#er,C i"entifie" as the 9oice in line ' ;9. / is !sa. 48*/=. 1here is a mnemonic here, meanin# $lay on wor"s that is easily remem ere" y the listeners.913 Malachi uses the wor" Bmessen#er,C meanin# not an or"inary man, ut a $ro$het. ,ohn<s name means Bmy messen#er.C :ote that lines A an" A< ha9e a common theme, as "o lines . an" .<. 1he focus of the $oem is the centere" line 7 line ' 7 2A 8oi"e of o$e "alli$% i$ the (esert.5 2Pre#are the 3ay for the Lor(.5 5ome ol"er 4n#lish .i les ha9e the wor" B&?0)C in ca$ital letters. 1he ca$itali>ation in"icates that the ori#inal name of Go" was B,eho9ah,C as it is in this case. 1he a$$lication y the Holy 5$irit of what is sai" of ,eho9ah in the ?l" 1estament is focuse" u$on ,esus in the :ew 1estament 7 that is that ,esus is Go". 1he focus of this $hrase is the $re$aration for the comin# of ,eho9ah as reflecte" in !saiah 48*/.
916. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1/.
624
Hea9y rains each winter woul" wash rocks, trees, an" other "e ris onto the roa"ways, as well as create holes an" #ullies y washin# the san"y soil away. 1he e%tensi9e "ama#e to the roa"s nee"e" to e re$aire" efore the kin# tra9ele" on them ;cf. !sa. 27*14=. 1he kin# sent roa" crews out e9ery s$rin# to re$air the "ama#e. Howe9er, in a""ition, whene9er the kin# was #oin# to e tra9elin# to a 9illa#e, a heral" woul" #o ahea" an" tell the 9illa#ers that their kin# was comin#. 1he 9illa#ers woul" then re$air any remainin# "ama#e to the hi#hways. ,ohn use" this ima#ery to tell the $eo$le to #et rea"y for their kin#, who was a out to come. With ,ohn<s reference to the $ro$hecy of !saiah, his listeners reali>e" it was time for the $ro$hecies to e fulfille". +our centuries of "i9ine silence ha" en"e". '. &. 3 Mt. 37/-. ;5ee also Mk. 1*2-3= Alo$% the Jor(a$ ;i8er J:HN AAPTILES THE AELIEFE;S Joh$ hi1self ha( a "a1el-hair %ar1e$t 3ith a leather belt aro)$( his 3aist+ a$( his foo( 3as lo")sts a$( 3il( ho$ey. ' The$ #eo#le fro1 Jer)sale1+ all J)(ea+ a$( all the 8i"i$ity of the Jor(a$ 3ere flo"9i$% to hi1+ . a$( they 3ere ba#tiGe( by hi1 i$ the Jor(a$ ;i8er as they "o$fesse( their si$s.
/
,ohn "rew lar#e crow"s, in $art ecause of his messa#e an" in $art ecause his miraculous irth was well known. His $o$ularity escalate" into what may e consi"ere" to"ay as international status. 1he effect of his ministry can e seen in Acts 19, where the A$ostle (aul met ,ews in 4$hesus who were a$ti>e" y ,ohn ut ha" not hear" of recei9in# the Holy 5$irit. ? 9iously ,ohn ne9er tra9ele" to 4$hesus, ut "istant ,ews who came to ,erusalem an"
625 took ,ohn<s messa#e home with them. 49entually, some of them met the a$ostle. 2Joh$ hi1self ha( a "a1el-hair %ar1e$t 3ith a leather belt.5 !t is often sai" that ,ohn<s clothes an" eccentric lifestyle echoe" the $ro$het 4liEah ;- D#s. 1*@=. !m$o9erishe" $eo$le who coul" not affor" woolen clothin# wore clothes wo9en from camel hair. .ut more im$ortantly, it was the custom of the He rew $ro$hets to e%$ress themsel9es in a "ramatic manner if they felt their wor"s coul" not a"eAuately communicate the messa#e. ,ohn clearly i"entifie" with not only the ancient $ro$hets, ut also with the $eo$le who were re"uce" to economic s y the 0omans. 1he camel hair #arment was also reflecti9e of the $ro$het Kechariah ;1/*4=, who wrote the $ro$hetic messianic ook that ears his name. ,ust as oth $ro$hets, 4liEah an" Kechariah, soun"e" warnin#s to their $eo$le an" $re"icte" future e9ents, an" ,ohn woul" "o the same. He li9e" in isolation an" i"entifie" with the misery of the $easant $eo$le, reEectin# the comforta le wealthy lifestyle of the tem$le $riesthoo" that he coul" ha9e enEoye". ,ohn seems to ha9e ha" an imme"iate followin#. !t is noteworthy that, centuries earlier, Eust as 4liEah ha" his archenemies, Aha an" ,e>e elL e9entually ,ohn woul" ha9e his, Hero" an" Hero"ias.
2Lo")sts a$( 3il( ho$ey.5 4atin# locusts an" honey was not a menu most $eo$le woul" consi"er, e9en in the worst of times, ut the .a$tist was "ifferent. 1he Mosaic &aw $re9ents ,ews from eatin# insects, with the e%ce$tion of locusts that are otherwise known as B#rassho$$ersC ;&e9. 11*--=. Howe9er, it is hi#hly "ou tful locusts were a $art of ,ohn<s "ietary $lan for two si#nificant reasons*
626 1. 1he insect has only a one or two month life cycle an", therefore, woul" only ha9e een a rief menu o$tion. Hence ,ohn woul" ha9e een star9in# a out ten months of the year. -. 1he most likely "efinition is that the locust was the ean $o" of the locust tree.917 1his wil" e"i le $lant has a taste similar to chocolate an" is commonly known to"ay as carob or carob pod.91@ 1he ean $o" is foun" in a un"ance an" woul" ha9e een "rie", store" in clay Ears, an" enEoye" throu#hout the year. More im$ortantly, it was also the menu of "es$erately $oor $eo$le. Howe9er, this tree "oes not #row in the "esert areas where ,ohn "i" most of his $reachin#, ut the $o"s are easy to carry an" $reser9e well in the "esert climate.
'. &. 3A. THE 2L:CUST5 :; F;UIT :F THE CA;:A T;EE. 1he caro tree was also known as the locust tree, which $ro"uces a ean that was commonly eaten y $oor $easants. 1he eans can e store" year-roun", while the locust insect has
917. A9i-Jonah an" Draelin#, :ur ,i ing Bible. -7-.
918. .acon, Walking Beside &esus. //. 1his tree with its caro $o"s are #rown at the Holy
&an" Museum an" at :eot De"umim, a ,erusalem. i lical lan"sca$e reser9e locate" northwest of
627 a life cycle of only one or two months. (hoto#ra$he" author who hel" two BlocustC $o"s in his han". y the
1he locust $o", as a foo" source for the $oor an" "urin# a famine, is foun" in the .a ylonian 1almu". While the narrati9e is somewhat fanciful, it "oes refer to the caro ean as nourishin# the whole worl". !n this case, the father of the youn# man, who may ha9e ha" some messianic as$irations, sai", The 3hole 3orl( 3ill be $o)rishe( be"a)se of 1y so$ Ha$i$a a$( a 1orsel of "arob bea$ 3ill satisfy 1y so$ Ha$i$a for a 3ee9. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ Mo,ed *a,anit" */b ,ust as the wor" locust has a "efinition somewhat "ifferent from to"ay<s conce$t, so "oes the wor" honey. 1he sweet syru$ is not restricte" to ee honey, ut inclu"es any ty$e of sweet syru$ ori#inatin# from a $lant. !n this conte%t, it most likely was date honey, or syrup from the "ate $alm tree. 1his is foun" in the ,erusalem 1almu" 919 as well as in ,ose$hus. When ,ose$hus "escri e" ,ericho, which is near the area where ,ohn $reache" an" a$ti>e" ,esus, he referre" to the honey that was sAuee>e" from the $alm trees, as well as honey ma"e y the honey ee. 1he $hrase Bwil" honey,C means any sweet syrup, which can come from multi$le sources in nature. There are i$ it B1ea$i$% 2Jeri"ho "o)$trysi(e5C 1a$y sorts of #al1 trees that are 3atere( by it+ (iffere$t fro1 ea"h other i$ taste a$( $a1e4 the better sort of the1+ 3he$ they are #resse(+ yiel( a$ e@"elle$t 9i$( of ho$ey+ $ot 1)"h i$ferior i$ s3eet$ess to other ho$ey. This "o)$try #ro()"es ho$ey fro1 bees4 it also bears that balsa1 3hi"h is the 1ost #re"io)s of all the fr)its i$ that #la"e... Jose#h)s+ %ars /.,.3
919. .acon, Walking Beside &esus. //L ,erusalem 1almu", Bikkurim 1./L Hareu9eni, Nature
in :ur Biblical +eritage . /2.
628 1herefore, the $hrase locust and honey was not to e literally inter$rete" accor"in# to mo"ern "efinitions, ut with ancient "efinitions that were sym olic of a $oor an" hum le lifestyle an" the messa#e of the $ro$hets. 1his is an e%cellent e%am$le that "emonstrates how a :ew 1estament stu"y cannot e com$lete without thorou#h stu"y of the He rew .i le an", $refera ly, relate" ra inic writin#s. Here the focal $oint is not the "iet or lifestyle of the .a$tist $reacher, ut his messa#e, which was Bclothe"C in the messa#e of earlier $ro$hets. 'learly ,ohn li9e" a hum le lifestyle that not only reflecte" his messa#e, ut it also ena le" him to focus on his ministry mission. 2Aa#tiGe( by hi1.5 1he term bapti=e is from the Greek wor" baptismos or baptisma. 9-8 !t<s root wor" bapto means to dip an" as such was use" y the Greek $oet Homer to "escri e the "i$$in# of steel in water to tem$er it.9-1 1he He rew counter$art is tabhal, an" is often translate" sim$ly as to dip" as when :aaman dipped himself in the ,or"an 0i9er ;- D#s. 2*14=. 9-1herefore, the ,ews were alrea"y familiar with the rite of a$tism. !t was affor"e" to those who ha" ecome $roselytes to the ,ewish faith. !t was also use" in "aily ritual aths for the $riests in the tem$le, ut the a$tism of ,ohn was uniAue ecause it was unto Go". Also the 4ssenes in Numran immerse" themsel9es three times "aily to remain ritually $ure. 9-/ !n ,ewish thinkin#, $urity ;Greek katharos = was "efine" within the realm of $hysical, reli#ious, an" ethical $urityL a term that has oth fi#urati9e an" literal reAuirements of eha9ior. 9-4 1he a$tism of ,ohn the .a$tist was a a$tism of re$entance an" $urityYthat those who were a$ti>e" were sorry ;re$entant= for their sins an" they "e"icate" themsel9es to li9e accor"in# to the $rece$ts set forth in the .i le. !n 1947, when the )ea" 5ea 5crolls were "isco9ere", He rew an" 'hristian scholars were sur$rise" to learn that the 4ssenes, who $re"ate" 'hrist y more than a century, ha" elie9e" in a a$tism with ama>in# similarities to early 'hristianity. :amely, immersion was nee"e" with a re$entant heart. 920. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*199--88.
921. Homer. :dyssey. 9./9-.
922. Williams, B.a$ti>e, .a$tism.C -7-/8. 923. Harrison, A Short ,ife of 'hrist. 33-78. 924
. &ink an" 5chattenmann. B(ure, 'lean.C /*18--8/.
629 1his was unknown in other ,ewish writin#s at this time. !n one of the scrolls known as the )amascus )ocument ;also known as the 'ommunity Rule= is a rule in column three which states if a $erson immerses himself an" is not sorry for his sins, he will not e for#i9en, e9en with all the water in the worl". 0e$entance was to e cou$le" with water immersionL the water cleans the o"y, the Holy 5$irit cleans the insi"e of the $erson. 9-2 1herefore, the "octrine of a$tism was not a new conce$t for the early church, ut was $atterne" from the 4ssenes an" their ritualistic aths. 9-3 1his may e $art of the "efinition of the $hrase Bin the fullness of timeC ,esus came to this earth. Men were rea"y for Him in ways eyon" our com$rehension.
+inally, for a $oint of clarification, ,ohn<s a$tism a re$entance a$tism for the for#i9ness of sins. 1he a$tism of ,esus is not only for the for#i9eness of sins, ut also for the re"em$ti9e work of ,esus that is essential for sal9ation an" eternal life.9-7 '. &. / L9. 37<-&/ ;5ee also Mt. /*7-18= Alo$% the Jor(a$ ;i8er J:HN C:NTINUES T: P;EACH ;EPENTANCE He the$ sai( to the "ro3(s 3ho "a1e o)t to be ba#tiGe( by hi1+ 2Aroo( of 8i#ersK 0ho 3ar$e( yo) to flee fro1 the "o1i$% 3rath> , Therefore #ro()"e fr)it "o$siste$t 3ith re#e$ta$"e. A$( (o$?t start sayi$% to yo)rsel8es+ W0e ha8e
<
925. Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated . 2.

926. +or more information on a$tism, see 927. .easley-Murray, B.a$tism.C 1*143. '. '. '.J*.
630 Abraha1 as o)r father+? for I tell yo) that Go( is able to raise )# "hil(re$ for Abraha1 fro1 these sto$esK E8e$ $o3 the a@ is rea(y to stri9e the root of the treesK Therefore+ e8ery tree that (oes$?t #ro()"e %oo( fr)it 3ill be ")t (o3$ a$( thro3$ i$to the fire.5
! &
20hat the$ sho)l( 3e (o>5 the "ro3(s 3ere as9i$% hi1.
He re#lie( to the1+ 2The o$e 3ho has t3o shirts 1)st share 3ith so1eo$e 3ho has $o$e+ a$( the o$e 3ho has foo( 1)st (o the sa1e.5
&&
Ta@ "olle"tors also "a1e to be ba#tiGe(+ a$( they as9e( hi1+ 2Tea"her+ 3hat sho)l( 3e (o>5
&*
He tol( the1+ 26o$?t "olle"t a$y 1ore tha$ 3hat yo) ha8e bee$ a)thoriGe(.5
&3 &/
So1e sol(iers also =)estio$e( hi17 20hat sho)l( 3e (o>5
He sai( to the1+ 26o$?t ta9e 1o$ey fro1 a$yo$e by for"e or false a"")satio$4 be satisfie( 3ith yo)r 3a%es.5
'. &. /.J& Ho3 (i( the reli%io)s lea(ers a##raise so1eo$e they s)s#e"te( to be a $e3 self-a##oi$te( rabbi or 23a$$a-be5 1essiah> :early e9eryone was e%$ectin# a messiah, most with #reat antici$ation. Hun"re"s e%$ecte" the restoration of the ancient )a9i"ic Din#"om, re$ente" of their sins, faste", $raye", an" followe" ,ohn the .a$tist.9-@ .ut the tem$le lea"ers an" 0omans feare" anyone who claime" the title, fearin# a re ellion. Howe9er, since a num er of in"i9i"uals y this time ha" come forth claimin# to e the Messiah ;an" were usually kille" y the 0omans= the tem$le lea"ers ha" "e9ise" a $lan to e9aluate anyone claimin# messianic intentions. An o ser9ation team was sent first, which listene" carefully to what was sai", ut "i" not en#a#e in any "iscussions or "e ates. 1he team woul" ha9e consiste" of (harisees, 5a""ucees, 5cri es, an" any other $rominent in"i9i"uals who "esire" to en#a#e in this fiel" of "isco9ery.
928. Golu , %n the )ays. -77.
631 1he team woul" return to the tem$le an" re$ort what they ha" seen an" hear". !f the $resi"ent of the 5anhe"rin ;Annas or 'aia$has= an" their fellow lea"ers elie9e" more o ser9ation was nee"e", a secon" team was sent. 1his team confronte" the in"i9i"ual with a wi"e 9ariety of Auestions an" the res$onses were re$orte" to the hi#h $riest. .oth ,ohn an" the 4ssenes use" a$ocaly$tic wor"s concernin# the future. ,ohn calle" the reli#ious esta lishment a B roo" of 9i$ersC ;/*7=, $roclaime" imminent Eu"#ment an" "estruction ;/*18=, an" state" that e9ery ,ew who "i" not $ro"uce #oo" fruit in his life woul" e cast into an eternal fire ;/*18=. :either the .a$tist nor anyone else e%$ecte" ,esus to e as He was, yet the a$ocaly$tic "escri$tion is a$$lica le when a$$lie" to His return an" rei#n "urin# the Millennial 0ei#n. 2Aroo( of 8i#ersK5 1hese stin#in# wor"s were a$$lie" "irectly to the (harisees an" 5a""ucees ;Mt. /-7=, as if to em$hatically say, B .ou roo" of 9i$ersZC 1hese reli#ious lea"ers were su$$ose" to e the s$iritual she$her"s of the common $eo$le, ut instea" ha" ecome like 9i$ers 7 unclean an" $oisonous snakesL a corru$t wealthy $ower #rou$. 1hey most likely were $art of the Bfirst teamC that "i" not come to re$ent, ut to s$y on ,ohn an" re$ort ack to 'aia$has.9-9 Hence, ,ohn<s tar#ete" res$onse. 20ho 3ar$e( yo) to flee fro1 the "o1i$% 3rath>5 :ot only were the (harisees unaware of a comin# wrath, ut ,ohn<s answer "i" not $oint to himself. 1his is the ominous warnin# that "estruction is a out to fall u$on those who "o not re$ent. 1he wor" BwrathC has a "ou le connotation. !t referre" to the fall of ,erusalem in A.). 78, as well as to the final Eu"#ment 9/8 of Go" that e9ery $erson must some"ay face. When the 0omans surroun"e" ,erusalem, many 'hristians fle" to the )eca$olis cities for refu#e. 2Chil(re$ O sto$es.5 Here ,ohn use" two wor"s of similar soun", a common form of s$eech in i lical He rew known as a parechesis.9/1 1he ook of Matthew is full of He rew thou#ht an" i"ioms. 5ome "etails of
929. When someone ma"e $u lic "eclarations, the reli#ious lea"ers sent out a team of o ser9ers who listene" to the s$eaker, ut woul" not en#a#e in Auestions. 1his team then re$orte" to 'aia$has what they saw an" hear". &ater teams woul" "iscuss issues with ,esus.
930. +inal Eu"#ment* 0om. -*2L 1 1hess. 1*18L &ake of +ire* 0e9. -8*11-12.
632 these thou#hts an" i"ioms ecome lost in translation to Greek. 1he wor" stones ;a anim= an" the wor" children ; anim= soun" alike, 9/ut in the conte%t of the 9erse un"erscore 9ery o$$osite meanin#s. ,ohn sai" the (harisees an" 5a""ucees were to $ro"uce #oo" fruit, ut stones naturally $ro"uce nothin#. Howe9er, Go" coul" ha9e stones $ro"uce #oo" chil"ren who woul" honor Him an" e chil"ren of A raham. !n other wor"s, stones coul" e more $ro"ucti9e than the critics of ,ohn the .a$tist. E8e$ $o3 the a@ is rea(y to stri9e the root of the treesK5 !n the $ictorial lan#ua#e of He rew, this sym oli>e" that Eu"#ment was e%tremely near. !t #a9e a se9ere sense of ur#ency to the messa#e of re$entance an" sal9ation. All the $ro$hets of the ?l" 1estament $reache" re$entance. ,ohn most certainly fit the $icture Auite well. 1he common theme was o e"ience woul" rin# lessin#s an" "iso e"ience woul" rin# $unishment. 1he min"set of the #eneral $o$ulous was somewhat "ifferent. 1hey elie9e" Go" woul" come an" $unish the im$erial 0omans for occu$yin# their lan". 1hey ha" Eust e%$erience" a century of ,ewish lea"ershi$, which was not much etter than the rule of the $a#ans, an" they were 9ery "is#uste" in their $li#ht. 1herefore, the messa#e of $en"in# "oom an" Eu"#ment from ,ohn was music to their ears, as they $ercei9e" this to e inten"e" for the 0omans. 2The 1a$ 3ith t3o shirts.5 5hirts, also known as tunics, were outer #arments knee-len#th shirts that went from the neck to a o9e the knees. 5ince there was a stron# cultural em$hases on mo"esty an" only one tunic was e9er worn, the secon" one coul" e #i9en to someone who ha" none an" was therefore, consi"ere" to e Bnake"C ;see &'. *. !.J&=. 2Ta@ "olle"tors.5 A "es$ise" #rou$ of ,ews, ta% collectors, were a#ents for the 0oman o9erlor"s. 4ach "istrict was reAuire" to raise an amount of re9enue ase" on the $o$ulation. 1hey were $ermitte" to kee$ whate9er fun"s they o taine" a o9e what the 0omans wante". 5ince this was an e%cellent o$$ortunity for a form of e%tortion an" money #ou#in#, these 931. When two similar soun"in# wor"s were use" of a "ifferent the &aw, such as He rew
an" Aramaic, the parechesis is then known as a paromasia . ,esus use" these $uns an" $lays on wor"s as memory tools for His listeners. 5ee .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible. /-1---, 9@8-@1.
932. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . /-1---.
633 a#ents ecame e%tremely wealthy at the e%$ense of their ,ewish Hence, they were "ee$ly hate". rothers.
2Sol(iers.5 1he fact that these sol"iers aske" what they shoul" "o is a clear in"ication they were ,ews. Many ha" chosen to lea9e the restricti9e reli#ious life an" enter the military to attain wealth an" enEoy the $ermissi9e Greek lifestyle.9// :ow they were confronte" with their sin an" aske" what they shoul" "o.
U$it ' The Early Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter * The I$tro()"tio$ a$( Te1#tatio$s of Jes)s
933. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@23.
634
'. *. A. THE AAPTISM :F JESUS AE J:HN THE AAPTIST. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. 1he a$tism of ,esus was the official inau#uration of His ministry. 1he o$en hea9en in"icate" that there was no arrier etween ,esus an" Go" the +ather, an" the Holy 5$irit came u$on Him with $ower. 1he e9ent occurre" a out si% miles south of ,erichoL a short "istance north of the )ea" 5ea.
'. *. & I$tro()"tio$ 1he a#e of thirty was consi"ere" the mature a#e for s$iritual lea"ershi$ in the syna#o#ue an" community. Until this time ,esus was "e9ote" to meetin# the $hysical nee"s of His si lin#s an" mother ecause His father
635 e9i"ently ha" $asse" away y this time. 9/4 :ow He was to foo" to His $eo$le an" to the whole worl". rin# s$iritual
1he ministry of ,esus e#an with the announcement y ,ohn the .a$tist that He is the B&am of Go".C As $re9iously state", it was the custom for a kin# to sen" a heral" to announce to the cities an" 9illa#es that their kin# was comin#. &ikewise, ,ohn the .a$tist was the heral", who announce" that a kin# was comin#. Howe9er, rather than referrin# to ,esus as a Bkin#,C he referre" to Him as the B&am of Go".C 1he wor" Bkin#C or BmessiahC woul" ha9e starte" a riot or re9olt in this $olitically-char#e" ,ewish lan". +or centuries, e9er since 2@3 ..'., the ,ews ha" een un"er forei#n "omination with the e%ce$tion of a out ei#hty to one hun"re" years of in"e$en"ence ;13//14--3/ ..'.=. .ut that so-calle" Bfree"omC was a misera le life un"er their own wicke" lea"ers. :ow they were un"er 0oman authority an", while they ha" some reli#ious li erties, life in #eneral was $easant sla9ery. 'allin# ,esus a Bkin#C or Bmessiah,C woul" ha9e ha" serious $olitical re$ercussions. 1he 4liEah ima#ery of ,ohn the .a$tist ca$ture" e9eryone<s attention. As a sa#e or ra i,9/2 he ha" esta lishe" a consi"era le followin# of "isci$les. His $rimary messa#e was one of re$entance, a$tism, an" li9in# a $ure an" holy lifestyle. His $ersonal lifestyle was si#nificantly "ifferent from the $riestly herita#e from which he came that inclu"e" many comforts of wealth. Jet ,ohn<s messa#e was one that the tem$le $riests faile" to announce to the $eo$le. '. *. * L9. 37&'-&, ;5ee also Mt. /*11-1-L Mk. 1*7-@= Alo$% the Jor(a$ ;i8er J:HN ANN:UNCES THE CH;IST
934. 1he "emise of ,ose$h is one of the mysteries of the .i le. Howe9er, since ,esus was
the ol"est son, it was his res$onsi ility to care for his $arents in their ol" a#e an" to ury them when they $asse" on. We know that He ha" at least four rothers* ,ames, ,oses, ,u"as ;,u"e=, an" 5imon, an" se9eral sisters who were not name".
935. ,ohn the .a$tist is not calle" a Bra
iC or a Bsa#eC anywhere in 5cri$ture or in e%trai lical writin#s. Howe9er, the mere fact he ha" "isci$les is in"icati9e that he functione" as a sa#e or ra i.
636 No3 the #eo#le 3ere 3aiti$% e@#e"ta$tly+ a$( all of the1 3ere (ebati$% i$ their 1i$(s 3hether Joh$ 1i%ht be the Messiah. &. Joh$ a$s3ere( the1 all+ 2I ba#tiGe yo) 3ith 3ater+ b)t :$e is "o1i$% 3ho is 1ore #o3erf)l tha$ I. I a1 $ot 3orthy to )$tie the stra# of His sa$(als. He 3ill ba#tiGe yo) 3ith the Holy S#irit a$( fire.
&'
His 3i$$o3i$% sho8el is i$ His ha$( to "lear His threshi$% floor a$( %ather the 3heat i$to His bar$+ b)t the "haff He 3ill b)r$ )# 3ith a fire that $e8er %oes o)t.5 &, The$+ alo$% 3ith 1a$y other e@hortatio$s+ he #ro"lai1e( %oo( $e3s to the #eo#le.
&<
!n the $u lic intro"uction of ,esus, each #os$el writer clearly re9eals his $assionate messa#e. +or Matthew his messa#e is Bre$ent for the Din#"om of Go" is at han"C ;Mt. /*-L 4*17=L for Mark it is Bthe e#innin# of the #os$el of ,esus 'hristC ;Mk. 1*1= 4 for &uke it was a Auotation from !saiah an" conclu"e" that all humanity will see the sal9ation of Go" ;&k. /*3=L an" finally, instea" of wor"s of Eu"#ment. ,ohn<s #os$el is consi"era ly more theolo#ical. His theme is that rea"ers woul" B elie9e that ,esus is the 'hrist, the 5on of Go"C an" that they woul" Bha9e life in his nameC ;,n. -8*/1=. ,esus came to re9eal that the eternal was not the future, ut the unseen e%iste" now. 1o know Go" was not an en"less $ursuit, ut a con"ition of the $resent reality an" a9aila le to e9eryone. Go" is not a $hiloso$hy or an a straction, ut a "i9ine ein# with character an" $ersonality who "esires all men to attain that same character an" $ersonality. Howe9er, humanity coul" only un"erstan" the "i9ine messa#e, if the )i9ine li9e" amon# them. +inally, the e%$ressions of B5on of ManC an" B5on of Go",C when use" of 'hrist, "o so to e%$ress His "eity. 9/3 '. *. *.J& 6i( the Je3s belie8e i$ 3i$$i$% the Ge$tiles to Go(> Jes. 1here is e9i"ence that they "i" an" some scholars elie9e it starte" after the Macca ean 0e9olt in the early secon" century ..'. +or e%am$le, the ,ewish lea"ers were critici>e" y ,esus for makin# their new con9erts a#ents of 5atan ;Mt. -/*12=. Ha" e9an#elism "isa$$eare" from ,u"aism then
637 ,esus woul" ha9e een critici>e" for not only His harsh wor"s, ut also for the i"ea of con9ertin# anyone. While some sou#ht to win Gentiles to the faith, ,ohn sou#ht to rin# ,ews to ri#hteousness ;see commentary on Mt. -/*12=. 1his $ara#ra$h is re$eate" in 1/.82.8- for con9ience of rea"in#. 2I a1 $ot 3orthy to )$tie the stra# of His sa$(als.5 !t was customary for a or ser9ant to untie the san"als of a 9isitor an" wash his feet. 1he 4n#lish wor" or ser ant is "eri9e" from the Greek term doulos. 9/7 A doulos was a common househol" who $erforme" the most menial of all househol" chores. Here the #os$el writer "eclares that ,ohn was so hum le" at the $resence of ,esus, that he "i" not consi"er himself to e worthy to $erform this most menial act of ser9anthoo" ;cf. 1 5am -2*41=. 9/@ 1hrou#hout the Mi""le 4ast, in ancient times an" to"ay, feet are consi"ere" "efile".9/9 1he reason is that roa"s an" walkways are "irty an" "usty. 1hrou#hout most of history, where9er anyone walke", li9estock "i" likewise an", therefore, ste$$in# into animal "un# was una9oi"a le. 5an"als were remo9e" when enterin# a home an" feet were washe". ?nly the lowest of ser9ants or s untie" san"als for 9isitors, an" if there were no ser9ants or s, then it was the woman\s res$onsi ility to "o so. 2Holy S#irit a$( fire.5 5ome scholars elie9e this $hrase refers to the immersion of the Holy 5$irit u$on the followers of ,esusL ein# on fire for Go". ,esus sai" that they woul" e immerse" in the Ruach +a*odesh" meanin# +oly Spirit"948 which e#an at Acts -*1ff. Howe9er, the term BHoly 5$iritC must e un"erstoo" in the ,ewish conte%t ecause the full 'hristian
937. &ink an" 1uente. B5la9e, 5er9ant, 'a$ti9e, (risoner, +reeman.C /*2@9-91. 938. Howar", ,r., B5hoe, 5an"al.C 4*491-9-L 'ameron, B5an"al.C 2*-3@L +reeman, The New
Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 48/.
939. 1hrou#hout the Mi""le 4ast, in ancient times an" to"ay, feet are consi"ere" "efile".
1he reason is that roa"s an" walkways are "irty an" "usty. 1hrou#hout most of history, where9er anyone walke", li9estock "i" likewise an", therefore, ste$$in# into animal "un# was una9oi"a le. 5an"als an" shoes are always remo9e" when enterin# a home an" feet are washe". ?nly the lowest of ser9ants or sla9es untie" san"als for 9isitors, an" if there were no ser9ants or sla9es, then it was the woman\s res$onsi ility to "o so. 5 ee also A##e$(i@ *.. 940. &k. -4*49L ,n. 12*-3, 13*1/-14L Ac. 1*@.
638 un"erstan"in# of it "i" not occur until after the ascension. !n ,ewish thou#ht an" $hiloso$hy the Holy 5$irit ha" two $rimary functions. 941 1. 1o re9eal "i9ine truth to men, an" -. 1o ena le men to reco#ni>e an" acce$t that truth. ,ohn use" the term $recisely within the ,ewish "efinition an" un"erstan"in# of the time. He was $reachin# the "i9ine truth to men an" many un"erstoo" an" ecame his "isci$les. ?thers elie9e this to e a $urifyin# e9ent that will se$arate the wicke" ,ews from the ri#hteous ones as "escri e" in Malachi /*19--1L 4*1-/, an" (salm 1*3. 1he se$aration was "escri e" in a#ricultural terms. When wheat was har9este", the kernel ha" to e se$arate" from the wheat chaff. 1o accom$lish this, the wheat was $lace" on a threshin# floor, it was li#htly crushe" with a threshin# sle", an" the wheat was then tosse" into the air. 1he win", lowin# across a threshin# floor, lew the chaff to the si"e an" the hea9ier wheat kernels fell to the #roun". 1he chaff was collecte" an" urne", hence, the 9i9i" ima#ery of $en"in# Eu"#ment in hell. 1he $ro$hets state" the Messiah woul" "estroy His enemies with His fiery reath ;cf. !sa. 11*4L /8*-7--@=. 1he a$ocry$hal writer of the +ourth ook of 4>ra restate" this $re9ailin# thou#ht* After this I loo9e(+ a$( behol(+ all 3ho ha( %athere( to%ether a%ai$st hi1+ to 3a%e 3ar 3ith hi1 3ere 1)"h afrai(+ yet (are( to fi%ht. A$( behol(+ 3he$ he sa3 the o$r)sh of the a##roa"hi$% 1)ltit)(e+ he $either lifte( )# his ha$( or hel( a s#ear or a$y 3ea#o$ of 3ar+ b)t I sa3 o$ly ho3 he se$t forth his 1o)th as if it 3ere a strea1 of fire+ a$( fro1 his li#s a fla1i$% breath+ a$( fro1 his to$%)e he shot forth a of s#ar9s. All of these 3ere 1i$%le( to%ether...+ fell o$ the o$r)shi$% 1)ltit)(e+ 3hi"h 3as #re#are( to fi%ht+ a$( b)r$e( the1 all )#. / EGra &37,-&&
!/*
941. .arclay, BMark.C 79-@1. 942. 1he rea"er is remin"e" that Auotations from non- i lical sources are not to un"erstoo" as ein# of eAual authority with the i lical narrati9es. 5ee &. *. /. e
639 1he !sraelites always associate" fire with #reat e9ents in their history. 1he #reat co9enant etween !srael an" Go" was witnesse" y fire ;Gen. 12*17=L Go" "e"icate" the ta ernacle with fire ;4%. 48*/4=. When the !sraelites tra9ele" throu#h the wil"erness they were #ui"e" y a $illar of fireL Go" a$$eare" in the .urnin# .ush ;4%. /*-=L a fire after an earthAuake ;1 D#. 19*1-1-=L an" a fire in a clou" ;4>ek. 1*4=. !n the ?l" 1estament, fire was associate" with Eu"#ment an" "estruction of the wicke", 94/ as well as $urification of the ri#hteous. 944 1he early church, which was ,ewish an" e%$erience" the )ay of (entecost, also elie9e" that the $hrase of Bwin" an" fireC or BHoly 5$irit an" fireC ha" reference to the Eu"#ment, lessin#, an" $resence of Go". 2His 3i$$o3i$% sho8el.5 1he term Bwinnowin#C was associate" with the se$aration of the wheat chaff from the wheat kernel. !n this $rocess, a fork or sho9el was use" to toss the wheat hi#h into the air, at which time the win" lew the chaff to the si"e an" the hea9ier wheat kernel fell "irectly to the threshin# floor. 942 !n this conte%t, the winnowin# fork is re$resentati9e of Go"<s se$aration of the unre$entant from the true $eo$le of Go". 2Clear His threshi$% floor.5 1o clear the threshin# floor im$lie" that ,esus woul" remo9e the Eu"#es of the 5anhe"rin. 1he $hrase was a common reference $ertainin# to "i9ine Eu"#ment. 1he 5anhe"rin mem ers woul" sit in a semi-circular $attern that resem le" a threshin# floor, that all mi#ht see one another an" consi"er carefully the si#nificance of their Eu"#ments.943 1he ima#ery was $reser9e" in the Mishnah* The Sa$he(ri$ 3as arra$%e( li9e the half of a ro)$( threshi$% floor so that they all 1i%ht see o$e a$other. Mish$ah+ 3anhedrin /.3. 943. !sa. /1*9L Amos 7*4L Mal. 4*1L ,u . 9*12L /3*18L 4noch 18*3, 1-ffL 24*3L 1NH 3.1@-19L
et. al.
944. !sa. 1*-2L Kech. 1/*9L Mal. /*-ffL 1NH 2.13.

945. 1he $referre" location for threshin# floors was on a hill to$ where there was a constant cross win".
946. Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4./.
640 1he most famous threshin# floor was the floor of ?rnan ;1 'h. -1*-@L --* l=, which was $urchase" y )a9i" an" where later 5olomon uilt his tem$le, followe" y the tem$le of the first century. 1his was $recisely where ,esus stoo" efore the 5anhe"rin "urin# His thir" ,ewish trial. 1he ima#e of Go" was not only that of a Eu"#e etween the Eust an" unEust, ut also that of the $ro9i"er for His chil"ren.
'. *. *A. A ;EC:NST;UCTE6 TH;ESHING FL::;. 1he threshin# floor was where 9illa#ers woul" s$rea" their arley or wheat on the #roun". A "onkey woul" then $ull a sle" ;shown leanin# a#ainst the wall= o9er the wheat, which woul" loosen the chaff from the kernel. 1hereafter, the wheat was winnowe" y tossin# it into the air. (hoto#ra$he" at the ,erusalem (il#rim 'enter y the author. 2He 3ill b)r$ )# 3ith a fire that $e8er %oes o)t.5 1he chaff was urne" in clay cookin# sto9es. ,ohn use" winnowin# as an analo#y of Eu"#ment y an an#ry Go" who will se$arate his faithful $eo$le from those who reEect sal9ation. 1hey are the ones who will inherit the unAuencha le fire of hell. 1his ima#ery was also use" in the He rew .i le 947 an", hence, was familiar to the au"ience.
947. ,o -1*1@L (s. 1*4L !sa. -9*2, 41*13L )an. -*/2L Hosea 1/*/.
641
'. *. *A. T0: A:ES 0INN:0ING 0HEAT. 1wo oys, "resse" in authentic first century clothes, are winnow wheat in an o$en fiel". !t is a $rocess of throwin# the wheat u$ into the air so the win" can low the chaff asi"e while the hea9ier wheat kernels fall "own to the threshin# floor. 1he kernels are then #athere" an" the chaff is urne". (hoto#ra$he" at the :a>areth Hilla#e y the author. )i" ,ohn the .a$tist think that he was li9in# at the en" of the a#e, the a#e that woul" rin# Eu"#ment u$on the enemies of !sraelF Jes. As will e "emonstrate" later, ,ohn elie9e" that the messiah woul" come with fiery Eu"#ment on the wicke", an" he woul" most certainly o9erthrow the 0oman tyranny. &ittle won"er then, that he use" such stron# lan#ua#e. '. *. 3 Mt. 37&3-&<4 L9. 37*3a ;5ee also Mk. 1*9-11= Fro1 Galilee to Jor(a$ JESUS IS AAPTILE6 Mt. &3 The$ Jes)s "a1e fro1 Galilee to Joh$ at the Jor(a$+ to be &/ ba#tiGe( by hi1. A)t Joh$ trie( to sto# Hi1+ sayi$%+ 2I $ee( to be ba#tiGe( by Eo)+ a$( yet Eo) "o1e to 1e>5
642 Jes)s a$s3ere( hi1+ 2Allo3 it for $o3+ be"a)se this is the 3ay for )s to f)lfill all ri%hteo)s$ess.5 The$ he allo3e( Hi1 to be ba#tiGe(.
&'
After Jes)s 3as ba#tiGe(+ He 3e$t )# i11e(iately fro1 the 3ater. The hea8e$s s)((e$ly o#e$e( for Hi1+ a$( He sa3 the S#irit of Go( (es"e$(i$% li9e a (o8e a$( "o1i$% (o3$ o$ Hi1. &< A$( there "a1e a 8oi"e fro1 hea8e$7
&.
This is My belo8e( So$. I ta9e (eli%ht i$ Hi1K L9.

*3
As He be%a$ His 1i$istry+ Jes)s 3as abo)t 3
years ol(
When ,esus left Galilee, it was not the area y the 5ea of Galilee, ut the 0oman $ro9incial "istrict of Galilee which was a lar#e area to the west of the 5ea. 1he 9illa#e of :a>areth is within that "istrict. 2To be ba#tiGe( by hi1 BJoh$C5 1he a$tism of ,esus marke" the e#innin# of His ministry. 1his o e"ient act was $erforme" for se9eral reasons* 1. ,esus was to e consecrate" to the com$lete will of the +ather. -. ,esus was to acknowle"#e the a$$ro9al recei9e" from the +ather ;(salm -*7L !saiah 4-*1=. /. Here ,ohn, the crier in the wil"erness, announce" the arri9al of the Messiah an" the e#innin# of His ministry. 4. ,esus i"entifie" Himself with sinners ;!sa. 2/*1-L !! 'or. 2*-1=. 2. ,esus i"entifie" Himself with an" to !srael ;,n. 1*11=. 3. He set the e%am$le for others who woul" follow. ecome elie9ers to
7. ,esus also i"entifie" Himself with the ?l" 1estament offices of $ro$het, $riest, an" kin#.
643 @. ,esus was a$ti>e" to fulfill all ri#hteousness. 9. ,esus was 9er ally i"entifie" coul" hear. y the +ather in a manner all $resent
18. ,esus recei9e" the anointin# of His ministry ;Acts 18*/@=. 1he &aw of Moses ;&e9. 13*4= in"icate" a $riest was consecrate" to his office y the ritual cleansin# of washin# with water. While ,esus was to function in the office of Messiah an" not as a $riest, He still took on the sym olic cleansin# in or"er to fulfill the "eman"s of the &aw which si#nifie" He was consecrate" to Go" an" rea"y for $u lic ministry. 1he a$tism itself "i"n<t result in the for#i9eness of sin, ut rather, it was an e%$ansion of the re$entance which alrea"y occurre" when one acce$te" ,esus as &or" an" 5a9ior, inclu"in# the for#i9eness of sin ;Acts /*19L 2*/1L 18*4/L 11*1@L 1/*/@L -3*1@=.
'. *. 3.J& 0hy 3as Jes)s ba#tiGe(> 1here are se9eral answers which, in essence, "efine the meanin# of the $hrase, to f)lfill all ri%hteo)s$ess .C 0i#hteousness ;Greek dikaiosyne= is "efine" y a num er of terms such as Bu$ri#htness, u$ri#ht, Eust acAuitte"C 94@ or as chil"ren say in a sim$lifie" manner, Bas if ! ne9er sinne".C .ut o 9iously e9eryone "oes sin, an" a$tism is the sym olic act to "eclare one has acce$te" "i9ine for#i9eness Bas if ! ne9er sinne".C !t was the last act of his $ri9ate life an" first act of his $u lic ministry for the followin# reasons* 1. !t was to i"entify with the $reachin# of the Din#"om of Go". -. 1o i"entify with the elie9in# remnant of ,ohn<s a$tism. /. 1o i"entify with sinners ;- 'or. 2*-1=. 5ince ,esus took u$on Himself the nature of sinful men, an" $lace" Himself in their $osition, it was $ro$er that He shoul" su mit Himself to e9ery or"inance of Go"<s a$$ointment concernin# sinful men. 948
. .rown, B0i#hteousness, ,ustification.C /*/2--24.
644 4. 1o recei9e the anointin# of the Holy 5$irit ;Acts 18*/@=. While the .a$tism of ,esus has sym olism, so "oes its location. :ote the followin#* 1. !t was the same $lace where ,oshua an" the !sraelites crosse" the ,or"an 0i9er some fifteen centuries earlier when they entere" 'anaan. -. !t was where 4liEah was taken u$ to hea9en in a whirlwin" on a chariot of fire. /. !t was where Gi"eon "efeate" the Mi"ianites an" kille" two of their $rinces. Howe9er, it was ecause of ,oshua<s entrance into the new lan" an", therefore, entrance to a new life, that this section of the ,or"an 0i9er ecame sym olic of a new era. 1he historic name is B.eth-A araC meanin# Bhouse of the crossin#.C !n the course of time it was a re9iate" to B.ethany,C ut the term B eyon" the ,or"anC was attache" as not to confuse it with .ethany locate" near ,erusalem, the home of &a>arus ;,n. 1*-@=. 2After Jes)s 3as ba#tiGe(.5 1he ministry of ,esus was inau#urate" with the sym olism of enterin# the water, which was eAuate" with "eath, an" then rou#ht out of the water, which was eAuate" with the re irth of new life. .y His a$tism, he i"entifie" Himself with the sinful an" lost $eo$le, in or"er to ecome the sacrificial &am of Go". 949 As ,esus $u licly "e"icate" Himself to "o His +ather<s will ;&k. --*4-L Mt. /*12=, the B9oice from hea9enC confirme" His callin#. At the close of His ministry, ,esus rou#ht a sense of reality to the sym olism of "eath an" life when He "ie" on the cross an" arose three "ays later. !t has een a "octrine of the church for elie9ers to "eclare that they ha9e "ie" with 'hrist to the $assions of the worl" an" ha9e een raise" to li9e in the newness of His life.928
949. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B.C=.
645 ?9er the centuries there ha9e een numerous church "iscussions on this "octrine, amon# which was the mo"e of a$tism. 5ome churches to"ay teach that a new con9ert nee"s to e com$letely su merse" in water, ecause the "efinition of B a$ti>eC in the Greek is Bto su merseC or B$ut un"erC the water. ?thers teach that the full meanin# of the "octrine can e foun" in the sym olism of s$rinklin# water on the new elie9er an", therefore, su mersion is not necessary. 5uch "iscussions ha9e, unfortunately, le" to ar#uments an" church s$lits, all of which coul" ha9e een $re9ente" if they ha" known what the early church fathers tau#ht a out the matter. 1he )idache ;ca. A.). 98-1-8= is the earliest known ook on church "octrines, rules, an" $roce"ures. 1he early 'hurch writers un"erstoo" not only their lan#ua#e ut also their culture an" conte%t. 1hey ha" an interestin# inter$retation concernin# the mo"e of a$tism. As for ba#tis1+ ba#tiGe i$ this 3ay7 Ha8i$% sai( all this beforeha$(+ ba#tiGe i$ the $a1e of the Father a$( of the So$ a$( of the Holy S#irit i$ r)$$i$% 3ater. If yo) (o $ot ha8e r)$$i$% 3ater+ ho3e8er+ ba#tiGe i$ a$other 9i$( of 3ater4 if yo) "a$$ot (o so i$ "ol( 3ater+ the$ (o so i$ 3ar1 3ater. A)t if yo) ha8e $either+ #o)r 3ater o$ the hea( three ti1es i$ the $a1e of the Father a$( So$ a$( Holy S#irit. Aefore the ba#tis1+ let the #erso$ ba#tiGi$% a$( the #erso$ bei$% ba#tiGe( a$( others 3ho are able fast4 tell the o$e bei$% ba#tiGe( to fast o$e or t3o (ays before. 6i(a"he <7&-/. ? 9iously, there was a $reference as to how a a$tism was to e $erforme". :ote that fastin# was a $art of a$tism, ecause the $ersecute" church consi"ere" con9ersion a serious "ecision. +inally, it shoul" e un"erstoo" that a$tism "i" not e#in with ,ohn an" ,esus as it was an ol" ,ewish custom for new con9erts. 1he o ser9ers of ,ohn knew $recisely what he was $reachin# an" "oin#. 1he site where ,esus was a$ti>e" was not "ifficult to fin". 5e9eral accounts written y 9isitin# $il#rims centuries a#o #a9e archaeolo#ists stron# clues 950. +or other references that $ertain to the "octrine of a$tism, see Mt. -9*19L Mk. 13*13L
Acts -*/@, @*/3-/@, 18*47-4@, 13*14-12L 0om. 3*/-2L 'ol. -*1-.
646 as to where the e9ent occurre". 1he $rimary "ifficulty with o$enin# the area for mo"ern tourism was that the lar#e area was fille" with e%$losi9e lan" mines that remaine" hi""en since the !sraeli-,or"anian wars. ?nce oth #o9ernments cleare" the area, it was o$ene" to the $u lic. ?ne of se9eral accounts was written y the 5$anish (il#rim 4#eria in /@//@4. 5he 9isite" the home of (eter ;83.8/.84= .ethany eyon" the ,or"an. !n her "escri$tion she mentione" a small church that was occu$ie" y many monks. +urthermore, she sai" that, Aet3ee$ the "h)r"h a$( the R1o$9?sS "ells 3as a #le$tif)l s#ri$% 3hi"h flo3e( fro1 the ro"9.5 S#a$ish Pil%ri1 E%eria.!'& A century an" a half later another $il#rim, 1heo"osius, came in the year 2/8. He "escri e" the 'hurch of 5aint ,ohn the .a$tist as ein# on the eastern si"e of the ,or"an 0i9er an" that this was, 0here 1y Lor( 3as ba#tiGe( there is o$ the far si(e of the Jor(a$ the 2little hill5 "alle( Her1o$O3here Sai$t EliHah 3as ta9e$ )#. Theo(osi)s
92-
?nly two "eca"es later, in 278, Antoninus toure" the holy lan" an" was a it more "escri$ti9e of the site. He sai", 0e arri8e( at the #la"e 3here the Lor( 3as ba#tiGe(. This is the #la"eO3here EliHah 3as ta9e$ )#. I$ that #la"e is the 2little hill of Her1o$5 1e$tio$e( i$ the #sal1O. Ay the Jor(a$+ $ot far fro1 3here the Lor( 3as ba#tiGe( is a 8ery lar%e Mo$astery of Sai$t Joh$+ 3hi"h has t3o %)est ho)ses.
951. Nuote" y Wilkerson, 5geria0s Tra el0s 1-8. 952. Nuote" y Wilkerson, &erusalem 4ilgrims Before the 'rusades. 39.
647 Theo(osi)s92/ +inally, in the year 378 Arculf came an" sai", A)t i$ the )##er #art there is a %reat 1o$astery for 1o$9s+ 3hi"h has bee$ b)ilt o$ the bro3 of a s1all hill $earby+ o8erloo9i$% the "h)r"h. There is also a "h)r"h b)ilt there i$ ho$or of Sai$t Joh$ the Aa#tist 3hi"h+ to%ether 3ith the 1o$astery+ is e$"lose( i$ a si$%le 1aso$ry 3all.5 Ar")lf
924
+ew sites ha9e as many witnesses as "oes the $lace where ,esus was a$ti>e". 1he mosaic Ma"a a Ma$ as well as the written "escri$tions of the hill an" uil"in#s le" archaeolo#ists to search an" fin" the foun"ations an", thus, secure the site i"entity. 922
'. *. 3M THE M:SAIC MA6AAA MAP :F 2AETHANE AEE:N6 THE J:;6AN.5 1his section of the 3th century Ma"a a
953. Nuote" y Wilkerson, &erusalem 4ilgrims Before the 'rusades. 39.. 954. Nuote" y Wilkerson, &erusalem as &esus *new %t. 187. 955. Dhouri, BWhere ,ohn .a$ti>e"* .ethany eyon" the ,or"an.C /3.
648 Ma$ la ele" the site as BAinon where now is 5a$hsa$hasC meanin# Bthe $lace of willows.C !t also "e$icts a ferry crossin# the ,or"an Eust north of .ethany in an area where now is the Allen y .ri"#e. Many ol" ma$s as this one were oriente" towar" the east an", therefore, north is to the left. (hoto#ra$h y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons.
'. *. 3A. THE AAPTISMAL SITE :F JESUS. 1ourists look at what historians elie9e to e, the ori#inal a$tismal site of ,esus. !t is locate" a short "istance a o9e the )ea" 5ea 7 the same location where ,oshua crosse" the 0i9er to enter the (romise" &an" of 'anaan fifteen centuries earlier. 1he a$tism at this location marke" the e#innin# of a new era. Across the narrow ri9er is the Hashmonite Din#"om of ,or"an. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2The S#irit of Go( (es"e$(i$% li9e a (o8e.5 1he Holy 5$irit came u$on ,esus in a "ynamic manner to em$ower an" eAui$ Him to "o the will of the +ather who 9oice" His "eli#ht. 1he 1rinity ma"e the first "ynamic action. ,ust as centuries earlier the "o9e announce" to :oah the en" of the floo" an" "eath to humanity, now it ha" announce" the e#innin# of eternal life
649 throu#h 'hrist ,esus. 1he $romise of the Holy 5$irit u$on ,esus was the $ro$hetic fulfillment of !saiah 11*- an" 4-*1. &uke<s intention here was not only to re$ort the actual e9ent of the Holy 5$irit "escen"in# u$on ,esus, ut o 9iously, also to reflect u$on a similar e9ent that occurre" in the "ays of 5amuel the $ro$het. When 5amuel anointe" )a9i" as kin# of !srael, the 5$irit of Go" came "own mi#htily u$on )a9i" ;1 5am. 13*1/=. !n the ,ewish tra"ition as recor"e" in the 1almu", 923 the 5$irit of Go" is "escri e" as "escen"in# or ho9erin# o9er the waters as a "o9e in Genesis 1*- an" another 1almu"ic $assa#e makes the clear association etween the 5$irit of Go" an" the "o9e. !t rea"s as follows* A$( the S#irit of Go( ho8ere( o8er the fa"e of the 3aters - li9e a (o8e+ 3hi"h ho8ers o8er her yo)$% 3itho)t to)"hi$% the1. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ )agigah &'a. 1hose who were $resent at the a$tism, who un"ou te"ly inclu"e" some re$resentati9es from the 5anhe"rin, coul" not ha9e misse" this association. ,ust as Go" ushere" in a new 'reation ;Gen. 1--=, so likewise woul" ,esus e the ?ne who woul" usher in a Bnew creation.C Genesis 1*- was $re"icti9e of the si#nificant e9ent that came u$on ,esus. Mi#ht not the 5$irit, Who as a "o9e roo"e" or reste" on a trou le" earth at a crisis time $ro"uce li#ht, life, an" lo9eF !n later years when Go" "estroye" the inha itants of the earth with a #reat floo", it was a "o9e that encoura#e" :oah to face the crisis with hi#h ho$es ;Gen @*@-1-=. A similar ima#e of the 5$irit of Go" Bho9erin#C was foun" in the )ea" 5ea 5crolls as follows* A$( o8er the #oor 3ill His S#irit ho8er a$( the faithf)l 3ill He s)##ort 3ith his stre$%th. 6ea( Sea S"roll
!'<
1he conclusion is o 9iousL the $assa#e is to e inter$rete" as meanin# that Eust as the 5$irit of Go" ho9ere" o9er His new creation, so the 5$irit of Go"
956. .a ylon 1almu", 'hagim 12a.
957. Allison ,r., B?ne .a$tism of ,esus an" a :ew )ea" 5ea 5croll.C 2@-38L 5ee also BA
Messianic Hision.C Biblical Archaeology Re iew. 17*3 ;:o9./)ec,1991= 32.
650 ho9ere" o9er ,esus who was a out to usher an a#e of new creation in men<s hearts an" li9es. Unfortunately, as the church lost the herita#e of its ,ewish roots, it also lost s$iritually enli#htenin# insi#hts such as this one. 2The S#irit of Go(.5 !n this $hrase all three $ersons of the 1rinity are $resent.92@ 5ome ha9e attem$te" to translate this $hrase to mean B a s$irit of a #o".C 1he key is in un"erstan"in# Greek #rammar, which states that it is not necessary for a noun to ha9e an article for it to e a "efinite noun. .oth the hea" noun an" the #eniti9e noun can ha9e either an article or lack thereof an" it makes little semantic "ifference. 1he result is that the statement is a "efinite noun. Hence, the $hrase B a s$irit of a #o"C is clearly a misinter$retation. 929 1he theolo#ical si#nificance is enormous. 2This is My belo8e( So$. I ta9e (eli%ht i$ Hi1K5 ?ne of the uniAue features of rea"in# 5cri$ture with ,ewish eyes is how 9arious se#ments of 9erses are tie" to#ether to create a $owerful messa#e. ?ne of the most $rofoun" uses is this statement s$oken y Go" at the a$tism of ,esus. 1he statement consists of three $hrases, "i9i"e" y commas, an" each one $oints to an ?l" 1estament 9erse that intensifies its im$act. 5ee also &&. &. * concernin# the same thou#ht at the 1ransfi#uration. 1. 2This is My belo8e( So$.5 All in atten"ance hear" the 9oice from hea9en. 1he statement is ase" u$on (salm -*7. Eo) are My So$+ to(ay I ha8e be"o1e yo)r Father. Psal1 *7< +or centuries ra is ha" $on"ere" the reference to the wor" B5onC an" conclu"e" it was a messianic $ro$hecy. 1herefore this inter$retation was well-esta lishe" y the first century an" the "i9ine 9oice clearly affirme" the "eity of ,esus, a fun"tal "octrine of
958. 4rickson, 'hristian Theology. @31. 1his "octrine is so asic to 'hristianity that some
theolo#ians "o not sin#le out this $assa#e in their writin#s. 929@-2. Wallace, -reek -rammar. -4/, -28-21. +or further stu"y, see BA$o$$onius< 'anon an" Anarthrous 'onstructions in (auline &iterature* An Hy$othesis.Cwhich was "e9elo$e" y )a9i" W. He"#es for his Master of )i9inity thesis.
651 'hristianity. 938 While the 9oice i"entifie" ,esus as the 5on, it "i" not confer the status or office ;$riest/kin#= u$on Him at this time. ;Accor"in# to Acts 1/*//, He rews 1*2, an" 2*2, ,esus was installe" into this office at His resurrection / ascension.= -. 2Aelo8e( so$5 1his $hrase coul" also e translate" as Bwhom ! lo9e.C !t ori#inates in Genesis --*- an" refers to the time when A raham was a out to sacrifice his son !saac. 1o"ay<s scholars are unsure if this $assa#e was consi"ere" to e a messianic $ro$hecy in the first century, ut the early church "i" reco#ni>e it as such. 931 2Ta9e yo)r so$+5 He sai(+ 2yo)r o$ly so$ Isaa"+ 3ho1 yo) lo8e+ %o to the la$( of Moriah+ a$( offer hi1 there as a b)r$t offeri$% o$ o$e of the 1o)$tai$s I 3ill tell yo) abo)t.5 Ge$esis **7* While the $hrase reflects u$on the sacrifice that A raham was a out to make ;Go" $ro9i"e" a su stitute in the last minute=, after the resurrection of ,esus it was reco#ni>e" to e $ro$hetic, reflectin# the future sacrifice that ,esus woul" make. 1his astoun"in# messa#e was san"wiche" etween two $rofoun" incre"i le 9erses an" those in atten"ance must ha9e won"ere" what kin" of $erson this ,esus was. /. 2I ta9e (eli%ht i$ Hi1.5 1his $hrase is roote" in !saiah 4-*1, which rea"s as follows* This is My Ser8a$t4 I stre$%the$ Hi1+ this is My Chose$ :$e4 I (eli%ht i$ Hi1. I ha8e #)t My S#irit o$ Hi14 He 3ill bri$% H)sti"e to the $atio$s.
960. +or $assa#es that refer to the "eity of 'hrist, see Mt. 1*1@--2, /*17, 17*2L &k. /*--L ,n.
1*14, 1@, //-/4, /*13-1@L 1 ,n. 4*9L !sa. 9*3L (hil. -*7-11. 961 5ee A##e$(i@ &. concernin# ?l" 1estament sacrifices an" ,esus.
652 Isaiah /*7& Whereas (salm -*7 refers to a royal announcement, !saiah 4-*1 refers to a ser9ant. +irst century ,ews elie9e" these two $assa#es to e of the messianic nature, ut they coul" not un"erstan" how a kin# coul" also e a ser9ant. 1his a$$arent contra"iction ecame known as the BMessianic $ro lem,C an" woul" e resol9e" only when they un"erstoo" the i"entity of ,esus as their Messiah. 2As He be%a$ His 1i$istry+ Jes)s 3as abo)t 3 years ol(.5 :otice that the $assa#e states that ,esus was B about thirty years ol",C meanin# he was ol"er. He coul" not ha9e een youn#er ecause the youn#est acce$te" a#e for men to enter the ministry was thirty. After two "eca"es of ser9ice, reli#ious lea"ers retire" at the a#e of fifty. Din# )a9i" e#an his rule at a#e thirty ;- 5am. 2*/-4=. 1he 4ssene community at Numran was the e%ce$tion, as retirement was at a#e si%ty. 93- As a faithful ortho"o% ,ew, ,esus li9e" his life accor"in# to the He rew .i le an" those ?ral &aws that su$$orte" it. '. *. / Mt. /7&-&&4 M9. &7&3b4 ;5ee also Mk. 1*1--1/L &k. 4*1-1/= 0il(er$ess Mo)$tai$s THE 6EFIL TEMPTS JESUS The$ Jes)s 3as le( )# by the S#irit i$to the 3il(er$ess to be * te1#te( by the 6e8il. After He ha( faste( / (ays a$( / 3 $i%hts+ He 3as h)$%ry. The$ the te1#ter a##roa"he( Hi1 a$( sai(+ 2If Eo) are the So$ of Go(+ tell these sto$es to be"o1e brea(.5 / A)t He a$s3ere(+ 2It is 3ritte$7 Ma$ 1)st $ot li8e o$ brea( alo$e b)t o$ e8ery 3or( that "o1es fro1 the 1o)th of Go(.5 B6e)t. ,73C
&
The$ the 6e8il too9 Hi1 to the holy "ity+ ha( Hi1 sta$( o$ the #i$$a"le of the te1#le+ . a$( sai( to Hi1+ 2If Eo) are the So$ of Go(+ thro3 Eo)rself (o3$. For it is 3ritte$7 He 3ill %i8e His a$%els or(ers "o$"er$i$% yo)+ a$( they 3ill s)##ort yo) 3ith
'
962. )ea" 5ea 5croll* )amascus )ocument - ') 17.2-3 ;5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 29=L
)amascus )ocument ') +ra#. 1@, 'ol. /.1-4L 5ee Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated . 22.
653 their ha$(s so that yo) 3ill $ot stri9e yo)r foot a%ai$st a sto$e.5 BPs. !&7&&-&*4 LPPC Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2It is also 3ritte$7 6o $ot test the Lor( yo)r Go(.5 B6e)t. .7&.C
<
A%ai$+ the 6e8il too9 Hi1 to a 8ery hi%h 1o)$tai$ a$( sho3e( Hi1 all the 9i$%(o1s of the 3orl( a$( their s#le$(or. ! A$( he sai( to Hi1+ 2I 3ill %i8e Eo) all these thi$%s if Eo) 3ill fall (o3$ a$( 3orshi# 1e.5
,
The$ Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2Go a3ay+ Sata$K For it is 3ritte$7 0orshi# the Lor( yo)r Go(+ a$( ser8e o$ly Hi1.5 B6e)t. .7&3C
& &&
The$ the 6e8il left Hi1+ a$(
M9.&3b He 3as 3ith the 3il( a$i1als+ a$( the a$%els be%a$ to ser8e Hi1. +or forty "ays ,esus $raye" an" me"itate" in the "esert wil"erness. 1he num er forty a$$ears to e associate" with tem$tation an" retri ution, ecause for forty "ays Moses staye" in the 5inai an" 4liEah in the wil"erness. ;.oth Moses an" 4liEah woul" meet ,esus later on the Mount of 1em$tation.= ,esus was conscious of new $ower within His human o"y as well as an o9erwhelmin# sense of ein# near to Go". He not only ha" to $ro9e Himself to Go", ut also to Himself an" to His $eo$le. 1he ,ews elie9e" that e9ery #reat lea"er woul" #o throu#h a $erio" of se9ere testin# efore Go" woul" honor him with a $osition of lea"ershi$. 1hey reflecte" u$on :oah, ,ose$h, A raham, Moses ;4%. -4*1@L /4*-@=, an" 4liEah ;1 D#. 19*@= as e%am$les. 1herefore, when ,esus face" se9eral tem$tations, it was not only the e#innin# of His lea"ershi$, ut one that followe" a wellesta lishe" i lical $attern that was well known to the ,ews. :ote the followin#* 1. A"am was tem$te" in a eautiful #ar"enL ,esus was tem$te" in a "esert wil"erness. -. A"am enEoye" "elicious foo"L ,esus hun#ere" "urin# a forty "ay fast.
654 /. A"am was #i9en the entire worl"L ,esus was tem$te" with the kin#"oms of the worl". 4. 5atan a$$eare" as a ser$ent to A"am, ut as himself to ,esus. 2. A"am faile" ut ,esus $asse" the tests ;tem$tations= an" was without sin. Jes)s a$( A(a1. 1here are two si#nificant tem$tation stories in the .i le. 1he first is the tem$tation of A"am, Go"<s first create" man, who li9e" in a eautiful #ar"en an" was at $eace with the animals an" worl" aroun" him. A"am fell to the challen#e of 5atan, which rou#ht ruin to man an" the worl" in which he li9e". ,esus, who was the Bsecon" A"am,C challen#e" 5atan in the "esert where there were wil" an" "estructi9e easts, sym olic of the ruin rou#ht on y the sin of A"am. All tem$tations in the history of humanity relate in some manner to these two accounts. !f we are tem$te" y 5atan an" "eci"e to acce$t his tem$tation, we fail an" fall. Howe9er, if we resist 5atan when tem$te", then 5atan fails an" falls. 1he first A"am of creation faile", ut ,esus, who is the Bsecon" A"am,C ha" 9ictory. A"am fell into sin in the lush #reen en9ironment of the Gar"en of 4"en. What a contrast to ,esus who ha" total 9ictory in the harsh "esert wil"erness after a forty "ay fast. A"am an" 49e faile" the same tem$tation tests in the Gar"en of 4"en. ,esus succee"e" where mankin" faile". At times, His a$tism an" the tem$tations ha9e een inter$rete" as two se$arate e9ents, ut these are in fact, fun"tally interwo9en. Go" the +ather ha" Eust au"i ly $roclaime" His a$$ro9al of ,esus after which ,esus face" 5atan, His challen#er. While in hea9en, it was 5atan who attem$te" to $lace himself in the $osition of Go". &ater he "ro9e Hero" the Great to try to kill the infant ,esus an" now he "esire" to cause ,esus to sin. Ha" 5atan een successful, then the $lan of Go" for man<s sal9ation woul" ha9e faile". Howe9er, since ,esus successfully $asse" the test of tem$tation, His success ecame 5atan<s failure. !t shoul" e note" that ,esus resiste" tem$tations throu#hout His entire life. Howe9er, these three tem$tations were ra"ically "ifferent from other ones, ecause 5atan not only attacke" ,esus $hysically when He was at His weakest, ut 5atan also attacke" Him as the Messiah to "estroy His messianic callin#.
655 Jes)s a$( Israel. 1he tem$tations of ,esus $ro9i"e clear reflections u$on the history of !srael. When the !sraelites left 4#y$t ;4%. 14=, they walke" across the "ry ottom of the 0e" 5ea an", there y, went from "eath unto life, the sym olism of a$tism e%$erience" y ,esus. 5oon, after reachin# the other si"e, they tem$te" Go" an" were $unishe". Hence, they s$ent forty years wan"erin# in the "esert, at the en" of which Moses faste" for forty "ays an" ni#hts on ehalf of his $eo$le. &ike !srael<s testin# of forty years, ,esus went into the wil"erness for a time of testin# for forty "ays. 1he !sraelites ;,ews= ha" to choose a faith-test of A"am or 'hrist ;:um. 1/-14=. While they were wan"erin# in the hot "esert, they were fe" y an#els with a tastey foo" 93/ known as manna from hea9en.934 !srael an" ,esus suffere" hun#er that was "eli erately inflicte" y Go" to "emonstrate a lesson ;)eut. @*/=. Jet the scenic hori>ons of the kin#"oms of the worl" which were shown to ,esus, althou#h similar to the scenic eauty Go" showe" Moses on Mount :e o, were not $arallel ecause Moses was not $ermitte" to enter the (romise" &an" un"er any con"ition. 1he $oint is that where !srael faile", ,esus accom$lishe" 9ictoryZ 2To be te1#te( by the (e8il.5 1he $hrase B"e9ilC is translate" from the Greek wor" diabolos" an" its He rew counter$art is Satan" meanin#, ad ersary" opponent" rebel or a slanderer. 965 At times the term was a$$lie" to e9il men.933 While 5atan is the e9il one who rin#s e9il tem$tations to cause men to sin, Go" rin#s tests to challen#e one<s character an" faithfulness.937 ,esus was le" y the 5$irit to confront 5atan, an" the e9il one res$on"e" a##ressi9ely in his attem$t to test ,esus. Howe9er, it must e reco#ni>e" that the reason ,esus was le" y the 5$irit was ecause He, ,esus, was the a##ressor an" 5atan, e9entually ecame the 9ictim.
963. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. /.1.3.
964. Goul"er, Midrash and ,ection in Matthew. -42. 965. .arclay, BMark.C --L . Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*-7.
966. 0eference to ,u"as is in ,ohn 3*78, other references are in 1 1im. /*11 ;slan"erers= an" in - 1im. /*/ an" 1itus -*/ ;false accusers=. 967. (s. -3*-L ,n. 3*3L He . 11*17L - 'or. 1/*2L 0e9. -*-.
656 1he Greek wor" for tempt is peira=ein.93@ 1he translation "ifficulty is that in 4n#lish the wor" tempt always has a ne#ati9e connotation to it. Howe9er, the wor" woul" e etter translate" as tested" as to $ro9e one<s worth or fi"elity. 939 ,esus was teste" to $ro9e His worth or fi"elity. ,esus was ein# Btem$te"C y 5atan, ut Go" "oes not tem$t. He allows $eo$le to confront certain situations as a test of faithfulness. 1he ancients elie9e" an#els were nee"e" for $rotection from wil" animals in the wil"erness ;(s. 91*11-1/=. 1o them, when ,esus went into the "esert, He was walkin# into the $ro9er ial Bhell on earthC to meet the "e9il on His own turf. 1he "esert with the scorchin# heat was seen as a curse" lan" full of wil" animals an" "emons. 978 ut it will e a restore" lan" when the 971 Messiah rei#ns in the future.
'. *. /.J& I$ Matthe3 /7. a$( L)9e /7 & + (i( Sata$ s#ea9 the tr)th> 5atan #a9e the a$$earance of Auotin# 5cri$ture. A careful rea"in#, howe9er, re9eals that he misAuote" it. +or e%am$le, in Matthew 4*3, 5atan incorrectly Auote" (salm 91*11-1- when he faile" to mention the $hrase Bto #uar" you in all your waysC in 9erse 11. 5atan cannot communicate "i9ine truth, ut he will s$eak half-truths, misa$$lie" truths, or re9en#eful truths for the $ur$ose of hurtin# $eo$le an" furtherin# his e9il kin#"om. 968. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*4/-44.
969. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*3--3/.
970. )ea" 5ea 5crolls - 1 NM 1L !sa. 1/*19---L 4>ek. /4*-2L &k. 11*-4--@. )emons an" wil"
animals are associate" with each other in the e%tra- i lical works of the Testament of %ssachar 7*7L Testament of Naphtali @*4L an" Testament of Ben6amin 2*-.
971. !sa. 11*3-9L /-*14--8L 48*/L 32*/2L Hos. -*1@.
657
'. *. /.J* 0as Jes)s "a#able of "o11itti$% a si$> A solutelyZ ?therwise, He woul" ha9e een immune to tem$tations. 1he two most #rie9ous stru##les e%$erience" y Him were at the e#innin# an" en" of His ministry* +orty "ays in the wil"erness an" one ni#ht in the Gar"en of Gethsemane. 1he miracle of ,esus is that He was tem$te" in e9ery area of life as we are 7 the lust of flesh, the lust of eyes, an" the $ri"e of life 7 yet He remaine" com$letely sinless ;He . 4*12=. He was totally Go" an" totally human, a conce$t that mere mortals fin" contra"ictory an" im$ossi le to un"erstan". !f He ha" not e%$erience" 9ictory o9er the tem$tations of humanity, then He woul" not ha9e een the $romise" sinless an" s$otless &am of Go". ?n a relate" issue, 5atan is the archenemy of Go" an" mankin" was create" in the ima#e of Go". Hence, 5atan is the archenemy of mankin" as well. 5ince 5atan<s $rinci$al metho" of attack is tem$tation, this makes the tem$tations of ,esus es$ecially si#nificant.
2If yo) are the So$ of Go(.5 1his $hrase coul" e etter translate" Bsince you are the 5on of Go",C as the in"icati9e moo" in Greek means that the Auestion assumes ,esus was the 5on of Go". 97- !t is interestin# that 5atan "i" not Auestion the "eity of ,esus. 0ather, he aske" ,esus to tell the stones to ecome rea".97/ 5tones are foun" in a un"ance nearly e9erywhere an" chan#in# them into rea" woul" meet the nee"s of the $eo$le for centuries to come. .rea" was the sta$le of the ancient "iet, the 972. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 1--. 973. Willmin#ton, Willmington0s -uide to the Bible . --.
658 asic foo" for sur9i9al, so much so that bread ecame a synonym for food.974 .ut ,esus ne9er affirme" a reAuest $resente" y the e9il one. Jet later, ,esus multi$lie" loa9es of rea" an" fishes to "emonstrate His "eity to a hun#ry an" lost $eo$le. +inally, note that ,esus ne9er ar#ue" or "e ate" with 5atan, He sim$ly sai" B!t is written ...C with an o 9ious reference to the $ower of the ?l" 1estament an" the will an" comman" of Go", the +ather ;see $hrase e%$lanation elow=. 1he $hrase, Bif you are the son of Go",C also "emonstrate" a s$ecial relationshi$ to Go", as well as a Messianic si#nificance ;(s. -*7=. 1his relationshi$ ha" e%iste" eternally. 1he mere thou#ht that the 5on of the most hi#h Go" was walkin# amon# men was un elie9a le for the a9era#e ,ewish $erson. !t was e9en more astoun"in# when Matthew wrote this #os$el to the ,ews an" informe" them that 5atan reco#ni>e" an" "i" not Auestion that ,esus was the 5on of Go". 972 '. *. /.J3 0hose a""o)$t of the te1#tatio$s is a"")rate+ L)9e?s or Matthe3?s> Matthew an" &uke recor" the three tem$tations in a "ifferent or"er, ut only &uke sai" that he wrote his #os$el in an or"erly ;chronolo#ical= account ;&k. 1*/=. &uke<s account is accurate chronolo#ically, ut each writer wrote from his own $ers$ecti9e with an em$hasis on whate9er he thou#ht was si#nificant. &uke, a $hysician y tra"e, wrote in chronolo#ical or"er ecause that was one of the im$ortant features to him. ?n the other han", Matthew, who was $re9iously #ainin# $ersonal wealth as a ta% collector, em$hasi>e" the kin#"oms of the worl" "is$laye" efore ,esus as a si#nificant tem$tation. !n first century ,u"aism, the chronolo#y was not as si#nificant as was the meanin# that the writer was attem$tin# to con9ey. 2Tell these sto$es to be"o1e brea(.5 ,esus, who was 9ery hun#ry, coul" easily ha9e #i9en in to the cra9in#s of His human "esires an" nee"s ;lust of the flesh= an" $erforme" a miracle. +or ,esus to o ey 5atan, e9en for a #oo" reason, woul" ha9e een a sin. .ut He chose not to use His 5onshi$ for His own a"9anta#e an" continue" to ha9e faith in Go" to $ro9i"e for His
974. 'ranefiel", B.rea".C /7.
975. &ee, The -alilean. 1@.
659 nee"s. He reco#ni>e" that the hi#hest #oo" for Go" was not to satisfy His $hysical ur#es an" nee"s, ut to o ey the will of the +ather. When the !sraelites left 4#y$t, Go" $ro9i"e" manna for them as they wan"ere" in the "esert. ;cf. )eut. @*/=. !n fact, ,esus multi$lie" rea" in His later years of ministry ;Mt. 14*1@--1=. Howe9er, at this time it was the "esire of Go" for ,esus to fast. !t shoul" e note" that ,esus truly was tem$te" to turn stones into rea" ecause, 1. He ha" stron# $hysical hun#er an" -. He ha" the $ower to $ro9i"e foo" for Himself. 1he $an#s of hun#er are more $owerful when stimulate" y tem$tations an" stimulate" ima#inations. ,esus not only was face" with $hysical an" s$iritual challen#es, ut also the callin# to e the sacrifice for the sins of humanity. 1o e star9in# in the "esert for more than a month is a" enou#hL to resist the onslau#ht of tem$tations cause a horrific situation eyon" human com$rehension. 1he si#nificance is constantly un"erstate" ecause, for us mortals, it is im$ossi le to fully un"erstan" the a#onies ,esus e%$erience" in those forty "ays in the "esert or for an e9enin# in Gethsemane. 2It is 3ritte$.5 Greek gegraptai, the $erfect $assi9e of grapho" means Bto write.C 1he $erfect tense e%$resses a com$lete" action an" the $ermanent result from it. More s$ecifically, ,esus sai" this in the $erfect tense, meanin# it has been written or it stands written. 973 1herefore, B!t is writtenC can e translate" in more "etail as meanin#, %t is written and still stands . 1his o 9iously affirms the stron# an" unchan#ea le nature of Go"<s Wor", an" that the ?l" 1estament was not eliminate" y the work of ,esus, ut it was fulfille". When ,esus was confronte" y 5atan, His wea$on was the written wor", not the ?ral &aw. 1his Auotation is from )euteronomy @*/, which summari>es the main i"eas of the )euteronomic teachin#. 1he cha$ter has three key wor"s* life, comman"ments, an" sustenance. 1he ra is tau#ht that life was ase" on kee$in# the Mosaic &aws ;all 31/=. !n "oin# so, one ser9e" the 976. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*-@
660 &or" an", conseAuently, enEoye" $ros$erity. 1o the ,ews, it was e9i"ent that the stu"y of the 1orah was the essence of life an" rou#ht one into harmony with Go". Howe9er, ,esus intro"uce" a new conce$t here, that if one was firm in his faith in Go" an" the 1orah, he coul" meet the challen#e of 5atan an" win. 1he tem$tations shoul" e un"erstoo" as an o$$ortunity to attack 5atan, not as a stru##le or challen#e y ,esus. 5atan thou#ht he coul" tem$t ,esus to sin as A"am "i", ut ,esus turne" the challen#e aroun" an" 5atan lost the contest. 1hrou#hout His ministry, ,esus always ase" His ar#uments u$on the 5cri$ture of the He rew .i le. (ossi ly more im$ortant, howe9er, is that the three Auotations are from the ook of )euteronomy, the ,ewish co9enantal ook. Hence, 9ictory o9er 5atan was secure" y the ?l" 1estament 'o9enant $romises.
What is si#nificant is that ,esus conAuere" an" reEecte" the tem$tation y e%$ressin# a solute trust in Go", as written in the ?l" 1estament. 1hat lesson is all the more "ynamic to"ay in that He has risen from the #ra9e an" is seate" y the ri#ht han" of Go". 2:$ the #i$$a"le of the te1#le.5 1he $innacle was the hi#hest $art of the tem$le an" from where the $riest woul" low the trum$et for the o$enin# of the city #ates, si#nalin# a call to $rayer, an" the e#innin# of 5ha at. !t was an estimate" -13 feet a o9e the rocky $a9ement elow. 1here is an interestin# comment recor"e" in the Mi"rash that reflects a first century messianic elief an", therefore, she"s li#ht as to why ,esus was at the to$ of the tem$le for this tem$tation. :ote the followin#* :)r tea"hers ta)%ht+ at the ti1e 3he$ the Ii$% Messiah 3ill a##ear+ he 3ill "o1e a$( sta$( o$ the roof of the te1#le. He 3ill #ro"lai1 to Israel a$( 3ill say to the h)1ble+ 2The ti1e of yo)r re(e1#tio$ has arri8e(K If yo) (o $ot belie8e - behol( 1y li%ht 3hi"h shi$es )#o$ yo)...5
661 Mi(rash+ Pesi!ta /abbati 3.

!<<
1he teachers ;ra is= tau#ht that the messiah woul" "eclare himself as such on the tem$le. 5atan most certainly knew of it an" was "eli#hte" to tem$t ,esus at this $oint. .ut the e9il one was eAually "isa$$ointe" when ,esus "i" not acce$t the in9itation.
'. *. /A. THE INSC;IAE6 PINNACLE ST:NE :F THE TEMPLE. Archaeolo#ists workin# at the southwest corner of the 1em$le Mount "isco9ere" the ancient inscri e" stone that i"entifie" the $innacle of the tem$le. 1he inscri$tion rea"s, Ble eit hateki0ah . . . B or Bthe $lace of trum$etin# . . .C 97@ !t was here that the trum$eter announce" the o$enin# of the city #ates an" the e#innin# of the 5a ath y the lowin# of the ram<s horn trum$et. 979 !t was $ro a ly esi"e this stone, hi#h u$on the tem$le, where ,esus was tem$te". )eca"es later it was from this same $innacle that ,ames, the rother of ,ohn
977@29. Joun#, B1he (olitical Messiah an" the 1em$le.C .a o )igest 1*2, 12, 1@.
978. .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult Words. /3. 979. ,ose$hus, The &ewish Wars. 4.9.1-L .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult
Words. /3.
662 ;Acts 1-*-=, was thrown to his "eath (harisees.9@8 (hoto#ra$h y the author. y an#ry $riests an"
4ideo Insert
/?)/.)/3)4 ;r) 1au& Wright of Jerusa&e" Uni$ersity !o&&ege dis%usses the te"#&e Mount and the 1&a%e of Tru"#eting) 7?2,38 !&i%: here)
'. *. /A. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F A P;IEST 0ITH A T;UMPET UP:N THE PINNACLE. 1his illustration is of a $riest lowin# his trum$et for "aily $rayers from the hi#hest $innacle of the tem$le. !t was also from this $oint that the trum$ets woul" low e9ery three hours "urin# the ni#ht 7 inclu"in# the /*88 a.m. trum$etin# was known as Bthe cock<s crow.C
980. Macartney, -reat %nter iews of &esus. 18.
663 2Thro3 yo)rself (o3$.5 1his tem$tation was a mani$ulati9e ri e wherein the 49il ?ne Auote" (salm 91*11-1-, which essentially states that if the Messiah woul" fall, the an#els woul" catch Him. 5atan attem$te" to challen#e ,esus an" to force Go" to rescue him.
'. *. /C. THE T;A6ITI:NAL TEMPTATI:N SITE :F M:UNT JUA;ANTANIA. 1his tra"ition ori#inate" with the 'rusa"ers ecause from this 9iew$oint one can see #reat "istances. Whate9er ,esus was, the "esert is known for its unfor#i9in# heat an" arrenness. 9@1 (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2All the 9i$%(o1s of the 3orl(.5 1he 0oman 4m$ire encom$asse" many smaller em$ires. !ts 9ast re#ion s$anne" from the mouth of the 0hine 0i9er in mo"ern Germany to southern 4#y$t an" it elte" the Me"iterranean 5ea. Historians ha9e often sai" that the Me"iterranean 5ea was, in the truest sense, a 0oman lake. 1he throne of 'aesar Au#ustus was seen like an Be%cee"in#ly hi#h mountainC an" the 0oman 4m$ire like Ball the kin#"oms of the worl".C 2I 3ill %i8e Eo) all these thi$%s.5 5atan ma"e a le#itimate offer to ,esus when he offere" Him the kin#"oms of this worl", an" ,esus "i" not "eny that. At one time A"am ha" com$lete rei#n o9er the earth. .ut when he sinne", that authority to rei#n was taken from him an" transferre" to 5atan. 981. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 22.
664 5ince then the kin#"oms of the earth ha9e een esta lishe" y force an" maintaine" y $ower an" "eceit. 1hese are his own "e#ra"e" forms of (ara"ise, an" 5atan offere" these to ,esus. .ut ,esus "i" not wish to e the conAueror of Go"<s $eo$le or "ominate them y "eceit. Go" offere" kin#shi$ to ,esus 9ia the cross, which is in stark contrast to 5atan who claims that he can offer Beternal lifeC without the cross. .ut 5atan<s eternal life is eternal "eath. 1he kin#shi$ of ,esus is the Din#"om of Hea9en within His elie9ers. Any "ay when a soul has re$ente" an" turne" to ri#hteousness, the eternal Din#"om of Hea9en has een enlar#e" ecause it has acAuire" a new citi>en. +inally, ,esus res$on"e" y statin#, B!t is written,C whereu$on he Auote" scri$tures from the He rew .i le. 1he results of the test* unchan#e" "eity an" $erfect humanity. .e#innin# with this narrati9e, Matthew $resente" a num er of ironies in the life of ,esusL ironies that reflect His sacrifice for our lessin#s are recor"e" in $oetic form* He was hun#ry ;4*-= ut He fe" others ;14*1/--1L 12*-9-/9= He #rew e%tremely tire" ;@*-4= ut He #a9e others rest ;11*-@= He was the Messiah kin# ut He $ai" ta%es ;17*-4--7= He was accuse" of ein# the "e9il ut He cast "emons out of others ;1-*---/-= He "ie" a sinner<s "eath that sinners mi#ht li9e ;1*-1= He was sol" for the $rice of one ut #a9e His life as a ransom for many ;-8*-@= He "i" not turn stones into rea" for Himself ;4*/-4= ut He is the rea" of life for the worl" ;-3*-3= 5atan woul" e9entually see ,esus $erform tem$tations as miracles an" con9ince many of His )eity. 1here woul" come a time when ,esus woul" multi$ly #reat Auantities of rea" so they woul" e as common as the stones. He woul" $reach of a Din#"om of Go" that is more #lorious than any earthly kin#"om. He woul" not Eum$ off a uil"in# ut sim$ly walk across the water. +urthermore, castin# e9il s$irits out of $eo$le was one of
665 the most "ramatic miracles of His ministry 7 much to 5atan<s "isa$$ointment. While the e9il one thou#ht these tem$tations woul" e the en" of ,esus, instea" these e9ents turne" out to e $oints of 9ictory for ,esus an" all those who woul" e9entually $lace their faith in Him. W0orshi# the Lor( yo)r Go(+ a$( ser8e hi1 o$ly.?5 1his $hrase is the first of the 1en 'omman"ments as written y Moses, an" all ten of which were confirme" y ,esus. A com$lete listin# is foun" in A##e$(i@ *< alon# with the $ur$oses of the Mosaic &aw. 2He 3as 3ith 3il( a$i1als.5 1he en9ironment of nature is often for#otten in i lical stu"ies. Many wil" animals roame" freely throu#hout the lan". !t woul" not ha9e een unusual for tra9elers to see a 5yrian rown ear, a lion, or other animals that coul" threaten the life of a sole tra9eler. (eo$le tra9ele" to#ether in #rou$s not only for $rotection from an"its, ut also for $rotection from wil" $re"ators. 1he Mishnah recor"e" that* The 3olf+ the lio$+ the leo#ar(+ the #a$ther+ a$( the ser#e$t ra$9 as a$ atteste( (a$%er. Mish$ah+ 7aba -amma &./
'. *. /6. THE SE;IAN A;:0N AEA;. 1he 5yrian rown ear was one of se9eral 9icious animals that ,esus coul" ha9e
666 encountere" in the wil"erness. Wil" animals were a constant threat to tra9elers an" she$her"s with shee$. 1herefore, she$her"s, tra9elers, an" e9en the "isci$les carrie" swor"s. (hoto#ra$h y the author at the Haifa Koolo#ical Gar"en.
'. *. /E. THE CA;ACAL LENP. 1his lyn% was amon# the $re"ators that threatene" li9estock an" $eo$le throu#hout the centuries. (hoto#ra$h y the author at the Haifa Koolo#ical Gar"en. 5atan faile" three times, ut that "i" not "eter him. 5atan tem$te" ,esus numerous times, es$ecially at the Gar"en of Gethsemane $rior to His crucifi%ion. 5atan re$eate"ly influence" the "isci$les, such as when ,esus res$on"e" to (eter y sayin#, BGet thee ehin" meC ;D,H=. 1he A$ostle (aul tol" the early church in 4$hesus to $ut on the armor of Go" to fi#ht 5atan an" his "emons ;4$h. 3*18ff.=. &ikewise the fi#ht continues for elie9ers to"ay.
667
668
U$it ' The Early Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter 3 The 0it$ess of Joh$ the Aa#tist
669 '. 3. A. J:HN THE AAPTIST P;EACHING IN THE 0IL6E;NESS. Ill)stratio$ by G)sta8e 6ore?+ &,... '. 3. & J$. &7&!-*, Aetha$y J:HN EPPLAINS HIS MINIST;E This is Joh$?s testi1o$y 3he$ the Je3s fro1 Jer)sale1 se$t #riests a$( Le8ites to as9 hi1+ 20ho are yo)>5
&!
He (i( $ot ref)se to a$s3er+ b)t he (e"lare(7 2I a1 $ot the Messiah.5

* *&
20hat the$>5 they as9e( hi1. 2Are yo) EliHah>5
2I a1 $ot+5 he sai(. 2Are yo) the Pro#het>5 2No+5 he a$s3ere(. 20ho are yo)+ the$>5 they as9e(. 20e $ee( to %i8e a$ a$s3er to those 3ho se$t )s. 0hat "a$ yo) tell )s abo)t yo)rself>5
**
He sai(+ 2I a1 a 8oi"e of o$e "ryi$% o)t i$ the 3il(er$ess7 Ma9e strai%ht the 3ay of the Lor( QH)st as Isaiah the #ro#het sai(5 BIsa. / 73C.
*3
No3 they ha( bee$ se$t fro1 the Pharisees. *' So they as9e( hi1+ 20hy the$ (o yo) ba#tiGe if yo) are$?t the Messiah+ or EliHah+ or the Pro#het>5
*/
2I ba#tiGe 3ith 3ater+5 Joh$ a$s3ere( the1. 2So1eo$e sta$(s a1o$% yo)+ b)t yo) (o$?t 9$o3 Hi1. *< He is the :$e "o1i$% after 1e+ 3hose sa$(al stra# I?1 $ot 3orthy to )$tie.5
*.
All this ha##e$e( i$ Aetha$y a"ross the Jor(a$+ 3here Joh$ 3as ba#tiGi$%.
*,
As state" $re9iously, the ,ews an" many other $eo$le #rou$s were e%$ectin# a messiah ;small BmC= who woul" e a $olitical lea"er an"
670 resurrect the )a9i"ic 4m$ire of a millennium $ast. Hence, the 5a""ucees ;$riests an" &e9ites= aske" ,ohn if he was the 'hrist, 4liEah, or the (ro$het. 4ach time ,ohn "enie" the i"entification ut sai" that ?ne #reater than he was a out to come. 2The Je3s of Jer)sale1 se$t #riests a$( Le8ites.5 1he $riests an" &e9ites were usually 5a""ucees, an" in this case, the lea"in# ,ews of the tem$le sent them. 1his #rou$ came s$ecifically to ask Auestions to "etermine if ,ohn claime" to e the Messiah. 1he tem$le was controlle" y the hi#h $riestly family of Annas whose son-in-law, 'aia$has, hel" the $osition of Hi#h (riest. 1he more conser9ati9e reli#ious $arty, the (harisees ;9. -4=, accom$anie" them. 49eryone listene" carefully to what ,ohn ha" to say so they coul" "etermine if he coul" e the e%$ecte" re9olutionary $olitical-messiah. 1he 5a""ucees "i" not want a $olitical-messiah to ruin their comforta le an" corru$t lifestyle. 1he common $eo$le, howe9er, were an%iously waitin# for a messiah who woul" relie9e their economic o$$ression an" cleanse the tem$le of the reli#ious corru$tion. !nto this reli#ious cal"ron came ,ohn the .a$tist, who ha" the au"acity to $u licly con"emn all of the reli#ious lea"ers. 49eryone was aware of the corru$tion an" arro#ance of the lea"in# 5a""ucees an" (harisees. While not all $riests an" &e9ites were within that #ree"y clich^, their lea"ershi$ "efinitely were. 5ome may ha9e remem ere" ,ohn<s miraculous irth to an el"erly $riestly family, ut others were so stee$e" in a corru$te" lifestyle that they care" little for any miracles or the truth of Go"<s Wor". 2I a1 $ot the Messiah.5 5ince the e%$ectation of a comin# messiah was so hi#h, ,ohn knew what the $riests an" &e9ites were #oin# to ask, BAre you the messiah ;'hristos in Greek=FC He imme"iately res$on"e" an" his incessant wor"s left no $eace with anyone. He ma"e his $oint clear an" $recise. !n a Auest to "etermine how to "eal with him, the $riests an" &e9ites aske" him if he was the 'hrist. 1he wor" BmessiahC to ,ewish min"s was the one whom Go" was to sen" who woul" restore a"herence to the 1orah, o9erthrow the 0oman 4m$ire, usher in the )a9i"ic 'o9enant, an" e%$an" the lan" of !srael to the #eo#ra$hical oun"aries of the )a9i"ic Din#"om. Most si#nificantly, their conce$t of the messiah woul" make the ,ewish nation the international su$er$ower. 1hey ha" to ask, if ,ohn was this man or was he the return of 4liEah who woul" announce the comin# of their Messiah.
671 1he "eclaration clearly re9eals that, at least some ,ewish $eo$le were e%$ectin# the messiah. 1he term BMessiahC means Bthe Anointe" ?neC 9@an" was use" in reference to anointin# a kin# for his s$ecial ser9ice ;1 5am. 13*1, 1/L -1*11=. !t was also a$$lie" for the $riest an" his s$ecial ser9ice ;4%. 48*1/-12L &e9. 4*/=. While the ?l" 1estament lan#ua#e "escri es the anointin# of any kin# or $riest, ,ohn s$ecifically s$oke of the Anointe" ?ne. 1hrou#hout His ministry, ,esus was always aware that the $eo$le were e%$ectin# a kin# who was ra"ically "ifferent than He wasL one who woul" esta lish that lon#-sou#ht $olitical international su$er$ower. 1hey wante" a kin# to #i9e them rea" an" wealth whereas ,esus woul" e the rea" of life who woul" #i9e them eternity. BAre yo) EliHah>5 1he Auestion ha" to e aske" ecause the "ress an" lifestyle of ,ohn was that of u$on the ancient $ro$het. ,ohn the .a$tist followe" the ,ewish tra"ition of em$hasi>in# the im$ortance of his messa#e an" work. !n centuries $ast, ,eremiah instructe" the $eo$le not to mourn for their "ecease" lo9e" ones to sym oli>e the comin# "isaster for ,u"ah an" ,erusalem ;,er. 13*2-9=. &ikewise, 4>ekiel refuse" to mourn the "eath of his wife as a si#n of the $en"in# "estruction of the tem$le an" ,erusalem ;4>ek. -4*13--4=. 5o when $eo$le hear" the messa#e of ,ohn an" saw how he was "resse", they imme"iately Auestione" his i"entity. 1he $eo$le e%$ecte" a literal return of 4liEah as they inter$rete" Malachi 4*2 ecause he ha" not "ie" ;- D#. -*11=. .ut they elie9e" he woul" return to announce the en" of the worl". 1he messa#e of ,ohn, howe9er, was a fulfillment of the $ro$hecies of 4liEah, namely that he ;,ohn= was the one who woul" announce the comin# of the true messiah. 1herefore, ,ohn "enie" that he was the 'hrist, 4liEah, or Bthe $ro$hetC ;)eut. 1@*12=. ,ohn was not the reincarnation of 4liEahL he was not the $ro$het of ol" returne", ut he hel" the office of 4liEah. Within that office, ,ohn $re$are" the $eo$le to hear the wor"s that woul" come from ,esus ;Mal. 4*2-3=. He "i" not re$licate the $rofoun" miracles 4liEah $erforme". He functione" only within the limits nee"e" to $re$are the way for ,esus.
982. 1enney, B,ohn.C 9*/2. %%
672
2Are yo) the Pro#het>5 1here clearly was some serious Auestionin# takin# $lace. 1he wor" B$ro$hetC ha" "irect im$lications for the comin# Messiah. !t "i" not ha9e reference to 4liEah, ut to the $romise" (ro$het of )euteronomy 1@*12, which was yet unfulfille". 2Ma9e strai%ht the 3ay of the Lor(.5 Din#s woul" #o to war in the s$rin#time after the winter rains $ro"uce" a un"ant cro$s, ut the roa"s were freAuently ma"e im$assi le y those rains. 1herefore, kin#s woul" sen" out roa" crews to re$air roa"s for not only their armies, ut also for commerce. 1he $hrase, Bmake strai#ht the way for the &or",C ha" "irect im$lication that a kin# was soon to come. +rom the )ea" 5ea 5crolls is a comment that shows that e9en they were e%$ectin# the messiah to come. 1hey elie9e" that they nee"e" to e $urifie" from the e9ils of this worl" an" #o out into the "esert wil"erness an" $re$are the way for the &or". +or new mem ers, that was "efine" not only y holy li9in#, ut also y stu"yin# the 1orah ;laws of Moses. :ote the followin#* A$( 3he$ these be"o1e 1e1bers of the Co11)$ity of Israel a""or(i$% to all these r)les+ they shall se#arate fro1 the habitatio$ of )$H)st 1e$ a$( shall %o i$to the 3il(er$ess to #re#are there the 3ay of Hi14 as it is 3ritte$ 2Pre#are i$ the 3il(er$ess the 3ay of O+ 1a9e strai%ht i$ the (esert a #ath for o)r Go(5 BIsa. / 73C. This B#athC is the st)(y of the La3 3hi"h He "o11a$(e( by the ha$( of Moses+ that they 1ay (o a""or(i$% to all that 3as bee$ re8eale( fro1 a%e to a%e+ a$( as the Pro#hets ha8e re8eale( by His Holy S#irit.
673 6ea( Sea S"roll+ *he 2ommuntiy /ule. Col)1$ ,+ li$es &3-&<.!,3
2All this ha##e$e( i$ Aetha$y a"ross the Jor(a$.5 1he name of the 9illa#e, .ethany, is elie9e" y many scholars to e the shortene" 9ersion of B.etha ara,C meanin# BHouse of the crossin#.C !t is locate" a short "istance a o9e the )ea" 5ea in mo"ern ,or"an an" is where ,ohn the .a$tist $reache" an" where he a$ti>e" ,esus. 1he $hrase, BHouse of the crossin#,C is an e%tremely $owerful ima#e ecause ,ohn was usherin# a new era of the Messiah at the same site where the !sraelites crosse" the 0i9er ,or"an an" entere" the (romise" &an" -- a new era for life. 9@4 Allusions of this ty$e fit $erfectly in the first century culture as also "emonstrate" y ,ohn ein# the eccentric $ro$het in the "esert, an allusion of an earlier He rew $ro$het. '. 3. * J$. &7*!-3/ J:HN INT;:6UCE6 JESUS The $e@t (ay Joh$ sa3 Jes)s "o1i$% to3ar( hi1 a$( sai(+ 2Here is the La1b of Go(+ 3ho ta9es a3ay the si$ of the 3orl(K 3 This is the :$e I tol( yo) abo)t7 WAfter 1e "o1es a 1a$ 3ho has s)r#asse( 1e+ be"a)se He e@iste( before 1e.? 3& I (i($?t 9$o3 Hi1+ b)t I "a1e ba#tiGi$% 3ith 3ater so He 1i%ht be re8eale( to Israel.5
*!
A$( Joh$ testifie(+ 2I 3at"he( the S#irit (es"e$(i$% fro1 hea8e$ li9e a (o8e+ a$( He reste( o$ Hi1. 33 I (i($?t 9$o3 Hi1+ b)t He 3ho se$t 1e to ba#tiGe 3ith 3ater tol( 1e+ WThe :$e yo) see the S#irit (es"e$(i$% a$( resti$% o$QHe is the :$e 3ho ba#tiGes 3ith the Holy S#irit.? 3/ I ha8e see$ a$( testifie( that He is the So$ of Go(K5
3*
1here were two as$ects to the messa#e of ,ohn. 1. 1he arri9al of the $ro$hetic Din#"om of Go" ;Mt. /*-=.
983. Hermes, The )ead Sea Scrolls in 5nglish. 189.
984. Gil rant, BMatthewC 12L :iemi, B1he &ife of the )ea" 5ea.C 44.
674 -. 1he sal9ation of humanity, the &am of Go" who takes away the sins of the worl" ;,n. 1*-9=. 1hese two themes encom$asse" the entire ministry of the .a$tist. 2The la1b of Go(.5 +rom the time of the 4%o"us, Go" ha" instructe" the He rew chil"ren to sacrifice a lam to Go" at (asso9er ;!sa. 2/*7L ,er. 11*19= to commemorate their "eli9erance from 4#y$tian on"a#e ;4%. 1-*/-3=. ?9er time, the $hrase an" sacrifice took on meanin# for the "eli9erance from sin throu#h the re"em$ti9e work of ,esus on the cross. 1his lam was sym olic of ,esus who was crucifie" on (asso9er to remo9e the sins of the worl". 1he .a$tist ma"e a three-$oint "eclaration that ,esus was 1. 1he &am of Go" of !saiah 2/ -. 1he ?ne who was to a$ti>e with the Holy 5$irit, an" /. !s the 5on of Go". 1he lam has ecome a sym ol of 'hrist in 'hristian art an" in 'ommunion ser9ices throu#hout church history. ,ohn sai" that ,esus was the B&am of Go",C reflectin# u$on the (asso9er &am of Go". Jet there was no mention that ,esus, as the &am of Go", woul" e sacrifice" on the cross as a sin offerin# for the $eo$le of the worl" ;cf. 1 'or. 2*7L 1 (eter 1*19=. 1he ancient $ro$hets ha" mentione" the sacrifice of ,esus, ut neither the "isci$les nor ,ews of His "ay contem$late" His "eath. 9@2 2I (i($?t 9$o3 hi1.5 ,ohn most certainly woul" ha9e known ,esus $ersonallyL they were cousins. ,ohn a"mitte" that he "i" not com$letely com$rehen" the maEesty of his kinsman who was the $romise" messiah. !n a later $assa#e, ,ohn e%$resse" "ou t an" aske" if He really was the e%$ectant messiah. '. 3. *.J& 0as the ba#tis1 by Joh$ si1ilar to the ba#tis1 that the Je3s #erfor1e( 3he$ a #roselyte Hoi$e( the1>
985. &aHaye, 91.
675 2Aa#tiGe 3ith 3ater.5 1here seems to e no connection etween the two a$tisms, ut the $re9ailin# o$inion is ne#ati9e. 1he ,ews reAuire" a Gentile con9ert to renounce all e9il, to e com$letely immerse" in water, an" to wear new clothin# that i"entifie" him as a mem er of the ,ewish community. ,ohn reAuire" com$lete re$entance an" immersion, ut not a chan#e of clothin#.9@3
'. 3. *.J* Ho3 (oes Joh$ &7*! re"o$"ile 3ith L)9e <7&!> !n ,ohn 1*-9 ,esus is i"entifie" as the ?ne who takes away the sins of the worl". &uke, on the other han", a$$ears to "escri e the .a$ti>er as one who "i" not know who ,esus was as e9i"ence" y this Auestion, 2Are yo) the o$e 3ho 3as to "o1e+ or sho)l( 3e e@#e"t so1eo$e else>5 1he conte%ts of the two $assa#es are 9astly "ifferent. ,ohn 1*-9 was written when ,esus e#an His ministry an" &uke 7*19 has reference to a later time when ,ohn the .a$ti>er was in $rison. !n the latter situation, ,ohn remem ere" that the messiah woul" e ?ne who woul" set the ca$ti9es free, so he Auestione" why he was sittin# in Eail. Un"er this stressful situation, it is natural for ,ohn to ha9e Auestione" his ministry an" the work he ha" een "oin# on ehalf of ,esus. !t shoul" e note" that ,ohn 1*-9 an" &uke 7*19 also "emonstrate the humanity of ,ohn as well as the honest recor"in# of the historical e9ents that $ertaine" to him. 'ritics who claim that the #os$els were written solely for #eneratin# a new reli#ion ha9e "ifficulty han"lin# the $ro lem of such honesty, since it reflects the sim$le fact that a "eli erate for#ery or create" works woul" not ha9e such a latant error. 1he solution is actually rather sim$le. ,ohn 1*-9 occurre" early in the ministry of ,ohn. Until this time, he ha" his $ercei9e" o$inions of what the Messiah woul" e like, an" he "i" not s$are any wor"s concernin# his i"eas. 0e$eate"ly he s$oke of the one comin# after him as the ?ne who woul" rin# fire an" Eu"#ment. +urthermore, it "i" not take 9ery lon# for ,ohn to reali>e that ,esus was not as 9ocal a out fire an" Eu"#ment as he was. 1herefore, ,ohn soon ha" some a""itional "ou ts an" aske" the Auestion recor"e" y &uke. What ,ohn the 986. 1enney, B,ohn.C 9*/3.%%
676 .a$tist "i" not know was that he was correct a out his a$ocaly$tic messa#e 7 ecause when ,esus returns He will come as the "i9ine Eu"#e $recisely as ,ohn $reache".
U$it ' The Early Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter / The Mi$istry of Jes)s Ae%i$s
677
'. /. A. JESUS AN6 HIS FI;ST 6ISCIPLES. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. ,esus an" His "isci$les are shown walkin# on the roa" from ,erusalem to 5hekem an" Galilee ;,n. 1*4/-42= that runs throu#h the eautiful Wa"i Haramuyeh, south of .ethel.
'. /. & I$tro()"tio$ ,esus was now a out to e#in His ministry. He knew that His work nee"e" to e continue" after His "e$arture, ut in the meantime, men woul" ha9e to e "isci$le" who woul" e9entually carry on His work. !t is at this $oint that
678 ,ohn the .a$tist enters the $icture. 1he "ay after ,ohn a$ti>e" ,esus, ,ohn a#ain i"entifie" Him as that &am of the worl" ;,n. 1*/2= an", in res$onse, two of ,ohn<s "isci$les ecame "isci$les of ,esus. 5oon others woul" also Eoin them. !t is interestin# that a few men Auickly conclu"e" that ,esus was the messiah. !t is har"ly Eust the result of His a$tism 7 as im$ortant as that was, it was a local e9ent. 1he asis for their "ecision was for this reason* 1he miraculous irth of ,ohn the .a$tist an" 9ir#in irth of ,esus, which some $ro a ly Auestione", was well known. +or four centuries there ha" not een a $ro$hetic 9oice while messianic e%$ectations were #rowin#. 5o therefore, when ,ohn e#an $reachin#, he ha" a waitin# au"ience. !t is unknown as to when his ministry starte", ut for howe9er lon# it was, y the time he a$ti>e" ,esus he ha" a followin# of "isci$les. 5o when the time came that ,esus nee"e" "isci$les, two of his "isci$les imme"iately went to ,esus. 5oon ,esus an" His small an" of "isci$les e#an walkin# throu#h the towns an" cities of !srael, the )eca$olis, an" e9en into the re#ion of 1yre an" 5i"on. 1he ministry of ,esus was lar#ely a rural an" small 9illa#e ministry. (eo$le "i" not li9e Bin the countryC as they "o to"ay in a Western rural settin#, ut rather, rural $eo$le li9e" in small 9illa#es. Jet ,esus also ministere" in ur an areas. 1he .i le "oes not mention whether He e9er entere" 5e$$horis, the ca$ital of Galilee when He was youn#, or if He ministere" in 1i erias, the Galilee ca$ital in His later years. Many scholars elie9e He an" His father, an" $ro a ly His rothers, tra9ele" to 5e$$horis for work or to sell their wares. )urin# His time in ministry He tra9ele" to the )eca$olis cities an" ,erusalem as e9i"ence y $ara les of the unEust Eu"#e an" the master who entruste" his money with his ser9ant to earn interest. :ews of the Miracle Worker an" His sermons Auickly s$rea" far an" wi"e, since 'a$ernaum was alon# the fame" 7ia Maris" the international hi#hway that connects 4#y$t with )amascus 5yria an" $oints further east. '. /. * J$. &73'-'& THE FI;ST 6ISCIPLES
679
A%ai$ the $e@t (ay+ Joh$ 3as sta$(i$% 3ith t3o of his (is"i#les. 3. 0he$ he sa3 Jes)s #assi$% by+ he sai(+ 2Loo9K The La1b of Go(K5
3'
The t3o (is"i#les hear( hi1 say this a$( follo3e( Jes)s. 3, 0he$ Jes)s t)r$e( a$( $oti"e( the1 follo3i$% Hi1+ He as9e( the1+ 20hat are yo) loo9i$% for>5
3<
They sai( to Hi1+ 2;abbi5 B3hi"h 1ea$s 2Tea"her5C+ 23here are Eo) stayi$%>5 2Co1e a$( yo)?ll see+5 He re#lie(. So they 3e$t a$( sa3 3here He 3as stayi$%+ a$( they staye( 3ith Hi1 that (ay. It 3as abo)t & i$ the 1or$i$%.
3!
A$(re3+ Si1o$ Peter?s brother+ 3as o$e of the t3o 3ho hear( Joh$ a$( follo3e( Hi1. /& He first fo)$( his o3$ brother Si1o$ a$( tol( hi1+ 20e ha8e fo)$( the MessiahK5 B3hi"h 1ea$s 2A$oi$te( :$e5C+ /* a$( he bro)%ht Si1o$ to Jes)s.
/
0he$ Jes)s sa3 hi1+ He sai(+ 2Eo) are Si1o$+ so$ of Joh$. Eo) 3ill be "alle( Ce#has5 B3hi"h 1ea$s 2;o"95C. The $e@t (ay He (e"i(e( to lea8e for Galilee. Jes)s fo)$( Phili# a$( tol( hi1+ 2Follo3 MeK5
/3
No3 Phili# 3as fro1 Aethsai(a+ the ho1eto3$ of A$(re3 a$( Peter. /' Phili# fo)$( Natha$ael a$( tol( hi1+ 20e ha8e fo)$( the :$e Moses 3rote abo)t i$ the La3 Ba$( so (i( the #ro#hets C7 Jes)s the so$ of Jose#h+ fro1 NaGarethK5
//
2Ca$ a$ythi$% %oo( "o1e o)t of NaGareth>5 Natha$ael as9e( hi1.

/.
2Co1e a$( see+5 Phili# a$s3ere(. The$ Jes)s sa3 Natha$ael "o1i$% to3ar( Hi1 a$( sai( abo)t hi1+ 2Here is a tr)e Israelite4 $o (e"eit is i$ hi1.5
/<
680 2Ho3 (o yo) 9$o3 1e>5 Natha$ael as9e(. 2Aefore Phili# "alle( yo)+ 3he$ yo) 3ere )$(er the fi% tree+ I sa3 yo)+5 Jes)s a$s3ere(.
/,
2;abbi+5 Natha$ael re#lie(+ 2Eo) are the So$ of Go(K Eo) are the Ii$% of IsraelK5
/!
Jes)s res#o$(e( to hi1+ 26o yo) belie8e o$ly be"a)se I tol( yo) I sa3 yo) )$(er the fi% tree> Eo) 3ill see %reater thi$%s tha$ this.5 '& The$ He sai(+ 2I ass)re yo)7 Eo) 3ill see hea8e$ o#e$e( a$( the a$%els of Go( as"e$(i$% a$( (es"e$(i$% o$ the So$ of Ma$.5
'
,ohn the .a$tist $re$are" the way for ,esus in the followin# manner* 1. His $reachin# $re$are" the hearts of the $eo$le to what ,esus woul" say. -. He acAuire" "isci$les who woul" e9entually lea9e him an" follow ,esus. /. His ministry woul" e a fulfillment of the $ro$hetic 5cri$ture of the B9oice in the wil"erness ;"esert=.C ,ohn<s $re$are" the way for the comin# of ,esus 7 not only in the hearts of many, ut es$ecially in the li9es of those who woul" ecome "isci$les of ,esus. 2A$( follo3e( Jes)s.5 1hese three wor"s ha9e a $rofoun" reflection of how first century "isci$les ecame associate" with their teachin# ra is. 1here were many itinerant ra is who went throu#hout the countrysi"e teachin# in syna#o#ues, at the tem$le, or elsewhere. 1hey #enerally ha" a #rou$ of "isci$les who went with them, not only imitatin# their teachin#, ut also the lifestyle of their teacher. 9@7 1he association or relationshi$ etween ra i an" $otential "isci$le e#an in this manner* A youn# man woul" listen to the teachin# of a certain ra i, an" if he was intereste" in ecomin# a "isci$le, he woul" follow the ra i for
987. .au"er, B)isci$le, +ollow, !mitate, After.C 1*4@8-@7.
681 se9eral "ays or weeks. 1he act of followin# was "one in a $olite manner as not to e in9a"in# the ra i<s $ri9acy an" not so "istant as to e out of si#ht or hearin#. After a while, the ra i woul" ask the follower a Auestion of what he wante". !n a $olite manner, the Bwanna- eC "isci$le woul" ask the ra i 7 in this case ,esus 7 where He was stayin# ;cf. ,n.1*/@ =. 1he Auestion was not necessarily to e taken literally, ut in essence meant, B)o you want me to e your "isci$le ;or stu"ent=FC !f the ra i in9ite" the youn# man to come an" see ;cf. ,n. 1*/9a=, that was a $olite way of the ra i acce$tin# him. !f the ra i refuse" to tell him, the messa#e was that the ra i "i" not acce$t him as a "isci$le. !n the case of ,esus an" the two "isci$les of ,ohn the .a$tist, ,esus acce$te" oth of them y sayin#, B'ome T an" you will seeC ;,n. 1*/9a=. With this statement, the ra i woul" tell the followers to continue followin# him. 1he courtesies of sa9in# face an" $re9entin# humiliation reflect a hi#h "e#ree of res$ect an" "i#nity lost in mo"ern Western culture. :ot knowin# where the ra i was stayin# for the e9enin# was not as humiliatin# as not ein# acce$te" as a "isci$le. +or more information on this uniAue manner in which a man ecame a "isci$le of a ra i, see *. 3. /.J&. 2;abbi.5 1his was not a title. 5ai" with the hi#hest res$ect, it meant Bteacher, #reat one,C or, Bmaster teacher.C :ote that the 5cri es, who were the inter$reters of the &aw, use" it. Moses sai" in Genesis 49*18 that a ruler ;i.e. Messiah= woul" rule the nations an" rin# o e"ience to the nations. Hence, it was un"erstoo" that the Messiah woul" e an inter$reter of the &aw. 9@@ 1his title "i" not ha9e any reference to an or"aine" $osition in the syna#o#ue until later in the first century. !n a similar manner, the title Bra iC was use" as was the res$ectful Blor".C 1his was not a title of "i9inity, ut rather a synonym for BmasterC or B#reat one,C in the same manner that kin#s an" other fi#ures of royalty were a""resse". !t was not until the "isci$les reco#ni>e" an" confesse" ,esus as Messiah that the title B&or"C took on a meanin# of "i9inity. 9@9 +inally, there is an interestin# irony relate" to ,ohn 1*/@ a o9e. !n that 9erse, as well as in ,ohn -8*13, ,esus isn<t Eust calle" a ra i, ut he is calle" a didaskalos" a Greek wor" meanin# master teacher. 1he only other ancient 988. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 111. 989. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 7/7-/@.
682 "ocument with this Greek term is the Mishnah which was written in secon" century ;A.).=. 1herefore, critics claime" this was $roof for #os$el of ,ohn must ha9e een written in the secon" century. im$lication is o 9ious 7 in effect, they im$lie" that the ook of ,ohn errors as it was written more than a century after ,esus. the the 1he has
Howe9er, in 19/8 4. &. 5ukenik con"ucte" archaeolo#ical e%ca9ations on Mount 5co$us, near ,erusalem, an" "isco9ere" an early ossuary. ?n the si"e of the stone one o% was inscri e" the title didaskalos of a man name" 1heo"otion. 998 A#ain, the $ro9er ial Bstones crie" outC the truthfulness of Go"<s Wor", yet the o$inions e%$resse" y te%tual critics remains unchan#e". 20here are Eo) stayi$%>5 1his $hrase is not merely a Auestion of where one woul" stay for a few "ays, althou#h the Auestion was answere" as such, ut it has incre"i le cultural "ynamics which are e%$laine" in "etaile" in *. 3. / an" *. 3. /.J&. 5ee B1hey followe" ,esusC a o9e. 20e ha8e fo)$( the Messiah.5 Most certainly, this was s$oken with a #reat "eal of e%citementZ Accor"in# to ,ohn the term, the 'hrist meant, Bthe MessiahC or Bthe Anointe" ?ne.C .y "efinition, the title in He rew is Mashiah, in Aramaic, Meshiha, an" Greek, Messias" while the Greek, 'hristos" means Banointe".C 1he 4n#lish wor" 'hrist is taken from the Greek an" means, Bthe Anointe" ?ne.C 1he 5e$tua#int translate" Mashiah some forty times to 'hristos. 991 1he Messiah was a key fi#ure in He rew $ro$hecies who the ,ews thou#ht woul" "eli9er them from the on"a#e of the 0omans. !nstea", 'hrist "eli9ere" them from the on"a#e of sin. Moses ha" written of the comin# Messiah who woul" crush 5atan<s hea" ;Gen. /*12=. !saiah ;2/*3= sai" He woul" carry the sins of the worl" an" )aniel ha" counte" the years of His comin# ;)an. 9*-4--3=. &ittle won"er then that (eter referre" to ,esus as the ?ne for whom !srael ha" een waitin# for centuries ;Mt. 13*13=. 49i"ently, An"rew an" 5imon were also waitin# for His comin#. '. /. *.J& 0hat 3ere the Je3ish e@#e"tatio$s of the Messiah> 1he ,ewish e%$ectations are a""resse" numerous times throu#hout this ook ecause un"erstan"in# e%istin# ,ewish o$inions is so critically
990. +ree an" Hos, Archaeology and Bible +istory. -22-23.
991. 5chult>, BMessiah.C 18*1-/@.
683 im$ortant. 1here is no Auestion that first century ,ews e%$ecte" the messiah to e a $olitical fi#ure who woul" re"eem them from 0oman occu$ation. 1he irony is that the 1almu" has $reser9e" statements from se9eral ra is concernin# the rei#n of the messiah. 0a i 4lie>er sai" the B"ays of the messiah woul" e forty years.C 0a i )orsa sai" it woul" e four hun"re" years while another ra i sai" three hun"re" si%ty-fi9e years. 99- ?n the other han", 0a i A ahu sai" the messiah woul" rei#n se9en thousan" years.99/ While these $erio"s of rulershi$ may seem rather ri"iculous to the mo"ern rea"er, they are si#nificant ecause these ra is elie9e" the messiah woul" e Blike the son of manC ;)an. 7*1/=, )aniel<s $ro$hetic $hrase was inter$rete" to mean that the messiah woul" not e an or"inary human, ut in some manner e su$er-human. 1his accounts for their $erce$tions of how the messiah was e%$ecte" to "estroy the 0omans an" rei#n for an incre"i ly lon# $erio" of time. ? 9iously the ,ewish $eo$le were confronte" with a maEor $ara"i#m shift ecause ,esus looke" like an or"inary man. 1herefore, He ha" to carefully chan#e their $reconcei9e" o$inions. 2Eo) 3ill be "alle( Ce#has.5 (eter #rew u$ in .ethsai"a, an" like other 9illa#es in northern Galilee, it that ha" a 9ery nationalistic $assion. His father ,ona ;,ohn= $ro a ly name" him B5imonC in honor of the hi#h $riest who sacrifice" his life "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt. !n fact, "urin# the time of ,esus, many oys were name" after Macca ean 0e9olt heroes. 1herefore, when ,esus chan#e" (eter<s name, more was sai" than merely a name 7 ut rather 7 a nationalistic "estiny was chan#e" to a hea9enly "estiny that woul" esta lish the kin#"om of Go". 2Follo3 1e.5 Usually a stu"ent woul" #o to the master teacher an" ask to ecome one of his "isci$les. !t was not the custom to ha9e the master select the "isci$les. 1herefore, to hear the wor"s Bfollow meC was consi"ere" a sacre" callin#. ?ne woul" ha9e to make an imme"iate "ecision whether or not to ecome a life-lon# "isci$le of a master teacher. !t was always an honor to e the "isci$le of a master teacher an" most $eo$le "i"
992. 1he o$inion of a 488 year rei#n $ro a ly ori#inate" in - 4s"ras 7*-7-/1. +or more information, see William .arclay, &esus. 'h. 7.
993. .a ylonian 1almu", Sanhedrin 99a.
684 not feel worthy of such a callin#. 994 ?ne of se9eral e%am$les from the 1almu" rea"s ;abbi Shesheth sai( 20hoe8er tea"hes the Torah i$ this 3orl( 3ill be #ri8ile%e( to tea"h it i$ the $e@t+ as it is 3ritte$+ WA$( he that 3aters shall 3ater a%ai$ too?5 BPro8. &&7*'C. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 3anhedrin !*a A #oo" ra i, or teacher, was consi"ere" to e as one who $ro9i"es someone a refreshin# "rink. !ts si#nificance is em$hasi>e" in a lan" that has no rain for half the year. 1herefore, the ima#ery here is Auite remarka le in that there is an association of the Wor" of Go" with water ;li9in# waterF=. 1he "isci$les who "ro$$e" their nets un"erstoo" the sacre"ness of ein# aske" to enter the ministry of ein# teachers an" $reachers. 992 2Ca$ a$ythi$% %oo( "o1e o)t of NaGareth>5 As little as the lan" of !srael was, there was $lenty of room for re#ional "iscrimination. :ot only were there serious cultural conflicts etween the ,ews an" 5amaritans, there were also social sti#mas etween ,ewish communities. 1he ,ews of ,erusalem looke" "own u$on the ,ews in the Galilee, an" those in Galilee looke" "own on :a>areth. 1his is e9i"ent y the fact that :athanael, a Galilean, ma"e a "e#ra"in# comment a out the 9illa#e that was the home of ,esus. An e%am$le of the attitu"e of ,ewish cler#ymen that :a>areth was a socially ine$t 9illa#e is foun" in the Mishnah concernin# the e#innin# of the (asso9er o ser9ance. ;abba$ Si1eo$ be$ Gabaliel says7 2A 1a$ sho)l( al3ays beha8e as the (is"i#le of the Sa%es.5 Moreo8er+ the Sa%es say7 2I$ J)(ea they )se( to 3or9 )$til 1i((ay o$ the e8es of the Passo8er+ b)t i$ Galilee+ they )se( to (o $othi$% at all.5 Mish$ah+ Pesahim /.'
994. .au"er, B)isci$le, +ollow, !mitate, After.C 1*4@8-@1.
995. .a ylonian 1almu", Sanhedrin 91 L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the
Messiah . /-@.
685 1he su##estion is o 9iously that the men of :a>areth are la>y. :a>areth was a small community with no historic or cultural si#nificance. 1he 9illa#e is in the lan" that was allotte" to the tri e of Ke ulun an" the .i le i"entifies some fifteen 9illa#es in the area of :a>areth ;,os. 19*18-12=, ut the 9illa#e of Mary an" ,ose$h was not amon# them. ,ose$hus name" a$$ro%imately forty-fi9e lower Galilean towns "urin# the time he was a ,ewish military comman"er in the first re9olt ;A.). 33-78=, ut he faile" to mention this insi#nificant town. +urthermore, nothin# has een "isco9ere" to su##est any wealth or Greek influence in :a>areth, which may account for the num er of tem$le $riests who settle" there after the A.). 1/2 "estruction of ,erusalem.993 )i" Banythin# #oo"C e9er come from :a>arethF JesZ 1o"ay the worl" reco#ni>es the small 9illa#e as the $lace that rou#ht forth the #reatest #ift that Go" e9er #a9e to humanity. 1he history of the 9illa#e is un ecomin#. !t a$$ears from archaeolo#ical e9i"ence that this community was foun"e" in the secon" century ..'. an" the ol"est e%tra- i lical reference is from the thir" century A.). 997 As a result of the 9ictorious Macca ean 0e9olt, in the late secon" century ..'., many ,ews from .a ylon ha" settle" in the Galilee re#ion ;inclu"in# :a>areth= an" other areas from which their ancestors were taken y the Assyrians an" .a ylonians ;see 'hronolo#y=. 1herefore, the 9illa#e was neither ol" nor si#nificant. 1hese 9illa#ers ha" some "istinct cultural "ifferences from those of the reli#ious esta lishment in ,erusalem, inclu"in# their own "ialect which le" to 9arious forms of "iscrimination. 2U$(er the fi% tree.5 When ra is were not in the 9illa#e syna#o#ue or tem$le, it was customary to teach chil"ren or "isci$les un"er a fi# tree. !t was a tra"ition that after a lesson stu"ents woul" "e$art to a Auiet area, sit un"er a "ifferent fi# tree, me"itate, an" $ray a out what they ha" Eust leane". :ot only "i" the tree $ro9i"e a comforta le sha"e, ut also a "esira le fruit as they me"itate" u$on the 5cri$tures. !n the course of time, the fi# tree not only ecame sym olic of national !srael, ut also as a $lace to stu"y the 5cri$tures. 1herefore, to sit un"er a fi# tree was an ancient o"y lan#ua#e that sai" one was a serious stu"ent of 5cri$ture. !n fact, the 1orah was associate" with the fi# tree ecause most trees, such as oli9es, "ates, an" $ome#ranates, ha9e fruit that ri$ens at the same time. 1he fi# 996. &auter ack, 9-. 997. 0i9kin, /11.
686 tree, howe9er, is har9este" continuously ecause there are fi#s that ri$en throu#hout most of the year. An" so it is with the 1orah, one learns a little to"ay an" a little more tomorrow an" a little more the ne%t "ay. 99@ 1he man who Bsits un"er the fi# treeC is a man whose $assion is Go". 1he tra"ition of sittin# un"er the fi# tree starte" centuries earlier when ra is tau#ht their stu"ents that the Wor" of Go" was as sweet as the fresh fruit of the fi# tree. 1herefore, when ,esus sai" that He ha" seen :athaniel un"er a fi# tree, it was more than a literal meanin#. ,esus saw oth his #o"ly character an" the fact that he was me"itatin# on Go"<s wor". ,esus saw that :athan ha" a heart for ri#hteousness an" for Go" 7 an i"eal can"i"ate for a "isci$le. ?""ly enou#h, little is sai" a out him after this encounter. 2The So$ of Go( ... the 9i$% of Israel.5 A#ain, ,esus is thou#ht to e a $olitical fi#ure. 1o this ,esus res$on"e" y sayin# that He is much #reater than an earthly kin#. 1he $hrase Bson of Go"C was e9i"ently in common use, es$ecially amon# the 4ssenes, whose writin#s mention it. 1his small scroll fra#ment has cause" #reat interest, stu"y, an" "e ate amon# scholars ecause it rea"s, in $art, 2O All shall ser8e Rhi1 a$( heS shall be "alle( Rso$ ofS the R%rSeat Go(+ a$( by his $a1e shall he be $a1e(. He shall be haile( the So$ of Go(+ a$( they shall "all hi1 So$ of the Most Hi%h. As "o1ets RflashSto the si%ht+ so shall their 9i$%(o1 O5. 6ea( Sea S"roll /J*/.
999
While this fra#ment cannot e attri ute" to ,esus, it "oes in"icate that some ,ews of the early first century A.). e%$ecte" their messiah to come with the title Bson of Go".C
998. .reshit 0a a 43,1 as $ara$hrase" from .eth U9al, e". Self/-uided Tour Trail @'.; :eot De"umim &t". &o", !srael 19@7. 12.
999
. 5hanks, BAn Un$u lishe" )ea" 5ea 5croll 1e%t (arallels &uke<s !nfancy :arrati9e.C -4--2.
687
'. /. *A. 6EA6 SEA SC;:LL 2S:N :F G:65 F;AGMENT /J*/.. 1he $hrase B5on of Go"C was foun" on a fra#ment, one of 12,888 in )ea" 5ea 5crolls 'a9e +our. !t $re"ates the irth of ,esus.
2The$ He sai(+ WI ass)re yo).?5 !n ,ohn 1*21 there is a He raism that is lost in most mo"ern translations, ut is accurately translate" in the Din# ,ames Hersion as BHerily, 9erily ! say unto you.C Jet e9en with a hi#h "e#ree of accuracy in translation, the si#nificance of the meanin# is lost unless one un"erstan"s the cultural meanin# of the archaic wor"s B9erily, 9erily,C which coul" also e state" as Btruly, truly.C 1he meanin# of the $hrase B! assure youC or B9erilyC is that the s$oken messa#e is true, "e$en"a le an" certain, ut the messa#e also has a connotation of faithfulness. 1he lost He raism is the cultural si#nificance of a re$eate" wor". 1888 1he term BCis a confirmation of truthfulness, as seen in !saiah 32*13 where Go" is a witness to a $articular confirmation, an" He is calle" Bthe Go" of the ,C in Greek 7 theos alethinos ;the 0e9ise" 5tan"ar" .i le rea"s Bthe Go" of truthC=. 1881
1000. htt$s*//mail.#oo#le.com/mail/Fsh9aI1Sin o%/1/2@31"7fc"fe"9" 0etrie9e" +e ruary

--, -81-. 5ee also Green, %nterlinear -reek/5nglish New TestamentF .erry, %nterlinear ,iteral Translation of the -reek New Testament. 1001. .ietenhar". BAmen.C 9@.
688 1he re$etition of Btruly, truly,C was the ancient way of em$hasi>in# the im$ortance of what was s$oken. 0e$eatin# a wor" "oes not "ou le its 9alue, ut the "u$licate" term can est e un"erstoo" with a sim$le illustration from mathematics. !f a num er such as B18C were multi$lie" y the $ower of B18,C its 9alue woul" e far more increase" than if it were merely "ou le". +urthermore, there is an increase" "e#ree of emotion associate" with such a "u$licate" e%$ression. &ater when the crow"s were shoutin# $assionately an" relentlessly to (ilate to crucify ,esus, &uke wrote, B'rucify him, crucify him,C to em$hasi>e the moo" of the mo at the moment. 1881he most unusual feature of this $assa#e, an" the $arallel $assa#es that recor" only one BC or B1ruly,C is the fact that the wor";s= is/are at the beginning of the sentence. 1his is totally out of character with other authors of the He rew .i le, 5e$tua#int, :ew 1estament, an" ra inic writin#s where BC is always at the en" of a sentence. 1he most $ro a le solution to the mystery is that the wor" is not $art of the 9erse, ut is in fact an in"e$en"ent sentence, such as BZC or B, ZC 5ince ,esus was a "ynamic teacher it woul" e natural for him to hear either a statement or say one, followe" y a hearty B.C 1herefore, this one or two-wor" $hrase is a confirmation of the $rece"in# statement. Dee$ in min" that ancient He rew an" Greek "i" not ha9e $unctuation marks. 'onseAuently, $ro$er translation of 5cri$ture was a challen#e for translators of the early 0eformation (erio". 188/ 2A$%els of Go( as"e$(i$% a$( (es"e$(i$% o$ the So$ of Ma$.5 ,ohn $ainte" a $icture reminiscent of ,aco <s "ream in Genesis -@*1-, when the $atriarch saw a la""er that reache" into hea9en. 1here were an#els ascen"in# an" "escen"in# on this la""er an" at the en" was the &or". 1hen the &or" $romise" him lan" an" a #reat num er of "escen"ants that woul" co9er the earth. !n fact, the whole earth woul" e lesse" y what the &or" $romise" ,aco in this "ream. :ow ,ohn mo9es on to ,esus, an" in the ne%t cha$ter, he e#ins to "escri e the miracles ,esus "i" in an" amon# the "escen"ants of ,aco . !n the "ream, the &or" was at the en" of the la""er in hea9en. ,ohn now use" that 1002. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 19@. 1003. &in"sey, B<Herily< or R< - What "i" ,esus 5ayFC -*1, /, 3-@.
689 ima#ery to say that the &or" was amon# His $eo$le rin#in# a "i9ine $resence to them. 1here was no literal la""er, ut it was o 9ious that the &or" ha" come "own to them. +inally, the $hrase Son of Man" or Bar 5nosh in Aramaic, 1004 in the .ook of 4noch is a fi#ure, who is waitin# in hea9en until Go" sen"s him to earth where he woul" esta lish his kin#"om an" rule o9er it. 1his ook was common knowle"#e to the ,ewish $eo$le, so when ,esus use" the $hrase a out Himself, it was clearly claimin# to e the lon#-awaite" Messiah. 1hat is Auite interestin#, ecause the ook of enoch was written in the !nter1estamental $erio", an" the e%$ressions of B5on of ManC an" B5on of Go",C when use" of 'hrist, "o so to e%$ress His "eity. 1882 How "i" the writer of 4noch know thisF

690
U$it ' The Early Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter ' Jes)s ;e8eals Hi1self
691 '. '. A JESUS 6;IFES :UT THE TEMPLE ME;CHANTS. Ill)stratio$ by Go(frey 6)ra$(+ &,!.. 1o challen#e the status Auo 'aia$has an" his 5a""ucees esta lishe" what was thou#ht y some to e the eAui9alent to challen#in# the comman" of Go". ,esus "emonstrate" that the House of Go" was to e a holy sanctuary, not a market $lace for corru$t usinessmen un"er the #uise of reli#ious authorities. '. '. & I$tro()"tio$ At this time ,esus ha" only fi9e "isci$les. He atten"e" a we""in# where, "ue to a shorta#e of wine, His actions re9eale" His i"entity. He woul" first re9eal Himself re$eate"ly, not y a confession, ut y His actions an" teachin#s. 1his, in turn, woul" make the $eo$le $on"er, search their 5cri$tures, an" "isco9er for themsel9es His i"entity. Within the $u lic forum, this e#an with His first miracle in the small rural $easant 9illa#e of 'ana.
'. '. * J$. *7&-&& The First Mira"le i$ Ca$a JESUS TU;NS 0ATE; INT: 0INE :$ the thir( (ay a 3e((i$% too9 #la"e i$ Ca$a of Galilee. Jes)s? 1other 3as there+ a$( * Jes)s a$( His (is"i#les 3ere i$8ite( to the 3e((i$% as 3ell. 3 0he$ the 3i$e ra$ o)t+ Jes)s? 1other tol( Hi1+ 2They (o$?t ha8e a$y 3i$e.5
&
20hat has this "o$"er$ of yo)rs to (o 3ith Me+ 3o1a$>5 Jes)s as9e(. 2My ho)r has $ot yet "o1e.5
/ '
26o 3hate8er He tells yo)+5 His 1other tol( the ser8a$ts.
692 No3 si@ sto$e 3ater Hars ha( bee$ set there for Je3ish #)rifi"atio$. Ea"h "o$tai$e( * or 3 %allo$s.
.
2Fill the Hars 3ith 3ater+5 Jes)s tol( the1. So they fille( the1 to the bri1. , The$ He sai( to the1+ 2No3 (ra3 so1e o)t a$( ta9e it to the "hief ser8a$t.5 A$( they (i(.
<
0he$ the "hief ser8a$t taste( the 3ater Bafter it ha( be"o1e 3i$eC+ he (i( $ot 9$o3 3here it "a1e fro1Qtho)%h the ser8a$ts 3ho ha( (ra3$ the 3ater 9$e3. He "alle( the %roo1 & a$( tol( hi1+ 2E8eryo$e sets o)t the fi$e 3i$e first+ the$+ after #eo#le ha8e (r)$9 freely+ the i$ferior. A)t yo) ha8e 9e#t the fi$e 3i$e )$til $o3.5
!
Jes)s #erfor1e( this first si%$ i$ Ca$a of Galilee. He (is#laye( His %lory+ a$( His (is"i#les belie8e( i$ Hi1.
&&
1he we""in# $roce"ure was rather uniAue 7 an" in some ways 7 like a #ame. As the e9enin# sun set u$on the hori>on, the ri"e#room an" his frien"s went to the ri"e<s home to Bsteal her away.C 5he antici$ate" his comin# an" was $re$are" to meet him with her ri"esmai"s. .oth ri"e an" ri"e#room were carrie" on the shoul"ers of youn# men while others carrie" torches, $laye" flutes an" "rums, san# an" "ance" in the streets, as they went to the a$$ointe" $lace of the we""in#. .ri"e an" #room were treate" as they were a kin# an" Aueen 7 a $rofoun" ima#e in a culture of economic sla9ery im$ose" y 0oman occu$ation. 1he we""in# cele ration is one of the most Eoyful e9ents in ,ewish life, ecause a new family is esta lishe" an" Go" is honore" for the creation of new life. 2Ca$a of Galilee.5 5ince the se9enteenth century, the 9illa#e of 'ana that is a"Eacent to an" Eust north of :a>areth claims to ha9e een the tra"itional site of the miracle. 1he local church contains two 9essels sai" to e of the i lical we""in#. Howe9er, this 9illa#e was esta lishe" solely for tourists an" has no i lical si#nificance. 0ecently archaeolo#ists ha9e i"entifie" the actual site as the a an"one" ruins of Dhir et Dana a out ten kilometers north of :a>areth. 4%ca9ations ha9e "emonstrate" first century occu$ation an" local Ara s for centuries ha9e calle" it the 'ana of Galilee. !t was in the o scure 9illa#e of 'ana were ,esus $erforme" His first miracle. :ot efore crow"s in a s$len"i" am$hitheater, ut efore a few $easant
693 farmin# families who worke" har", who stru##le" to kee$ afloat un"er 0oman o$$ression, an" who were a out to ha9e an or"inary we""in# 7 or so they thou#ht. 1here can e little Auestion that this we""in# was one of #reat Eoy an" cele ration amon# some 9ery im$o9erishe" $eo$le. +amilies of wealth coul" affor" an am$le su$$ly of wine that woul" last se9en "ays 7 the len#th of we""in# cele rations amon# the $ro9er ial Brich an" famous.C Howe9er, amon# the $oor, we""in#s were no more than three "ays, if that. 1he fact that this family ran out of their e9era#e of choice, is in"icati9e of their economic status 7 $oor. 2:$ the thir( (ay a 3e((i$%.5 !n ,u"aism, the "ays of the week "o not ha9e names, ut rather, are num ere". !t is a custom "eri9e" from the 'reation narrati9e of Genesis. 1883 We""in#s were hel" on the thir" "ay of the week ecause, at the time of 'reation, that was the "ay Go" twice sai" that Bit is #oo".C 5ince the "ay e#ins at sunset, the we""in# occurre" Mon"ay after sunset, the e#innin# of the thir" "ay an" went far into the ni#ht. 1887 !t was the custom of the time for the host to em$loy a toastmaster for the we""in# feast to insure that all the nee"s were met for the #uests, an" es$ecially for the ri"e an" #room. 1herefore, when the wine was all consume", it was a social tra#e"y an" insult for him. 5uch an error on the $art of the toastmaster woul" not only haunt him ut also the newlywe"s for the rest of their li9es. !t was a $ro lem eyon" mo"ern com$rehension. 1his #ross em arrassment was a9erte" when ,esus chan#e" the water into wine with the taste of a#e" mellowin#. 188@
1006. 1he custom of num erin# the "ays of the week, instea" of #i9in# them names, continue" in the early church an" is recor"e" ;A) 188-118= in a te%t known as the )idache ;@*1=L 1hrockmorton, -ospel 4arallels. 42L +un"er urk B'alen"ar.C /*/-8. 1007. +un"er urk, B'alen"ar.C /*/-8.
1008. 1enney, B,ohn.C 9*4-. %%
694
'. '. *A. T0: ;ITUAL ST:NE 0ATE; FESSELS. 5tone 9essels were consi"ere" ritually $ure, as o$$ose" to 9essels ma"e of clay ;Mishnah* *elim 18*11L 4arah /*-=. 1hey were ma"e of a limestone lock that was turne" on a $rimiti9e lathe. 1hese 9essels each ha9e a ca$acity of ei#ht an" one-half #allons, similar to what ,ose$hus in"icate"* the content of such a 9essel was the eAui9alent of @ //4 #allons ;,ose$hus, Anti3uities. @.-.9=. 5cholars "e ate whether the 9essels at 'ana were this si>e or lar#er. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 20hat has this "o$"er$ of yo)rs to (o 3ith Me+ 3o1a$>5 1o mo"ern rea"ers this har"ly seems like a statement that ,esus woul" make, es$ecially when He rew law an" the cultural hos$itality "eman"e" res$ect for $arents. !t seems 9ery unkin" an" harsh, ut in the Aramaic lan#ua#e, it "i" not con9ey that ne#ati9e emotion. 1he wor" woman, or gunai" was a wor" of en"earment an" #reat res$ect, so much so that em$eror Au#ustus a""resse" Nueen 'leo$atra of 4#y$t y the same wor" gunai. 1009 ,esus use" it when he hun# "yin# on the cross an" sai", BWoman, ehol" your 5on.C Another translation coul" e, BWhat ha9e ! an" you to "o with thatFC ?r, B:e9er min"L "on<t e worrie".C 1818 Jet
1009. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*9@.
1010. Howar", B5t. ,ohn* !ntro"uction an" 4%e#esis.C @*491.
695 4n#lish translations "o not con9ey the emotion of the common Aramaic $hrase ;mal li elak=, that is $erfectly consistent with the most "elicate courtesy an" feelin# of consi"eration. Jet what ,esus sai" is followe" y the $hrase, BMy time has not yet come,C which can also rea" B! must wait for the ri#ht o$$ortunity.C 1811 ,esus "i" as she reAueste", not out of o e"ience, ut for her honor. He was in His thirties an" the son-$arent relationshi$ still ha" to e honore". Hence, ,esus $erforme" His first miracle at a we""in#, chan#in# water into wine, which later woul" come to sym oli>e His life. 1he life of ,esus is central to any marria#e. .y His "i9ine $ower, He "emonstrate" that He coul" "o what nature coul" also "o. !t is si#nificant that Mary aske" ,esus to resol9e the $ro lem of insufficient wine. 5he woul" ha9e only reAueste" this fa9or if she was a relati9e or close frien" of the ri"e or ri"e#room. !n essence, Mary most certainly was a mem er of the we""in# $arty. !t woul" ha9e een most inconsi"erate for a #uest to make this reAuest an" there y cause em arrassment.
'. '. *.J& 0hy (i( Mary #ose the =)estio$ to Jes)s> While His mother reAueste" He "o somethin# a out the crisis, ,esus was sayin# that His comman"s come from His +ather in hea9en, not her. .ecause we""in#s were a time of #reat cele ration, the entire family of Mary an" ,ose$h was there. 1his miracle must ha9e ha" a s$ecial effect
1011. &ockyer, All the Miracles of the Bible . 131.
696 u$on His si lin#s 181- who most certainly were won"erin# what kin" of .rother they ha". Jet, they ha" no res$ect or honor for Him ;Mk. 3*4=. ?ne tra"ition says that the reason Mary aske" ,esus for hel$ was ecause the ri"e was a sister or a "au#hter of Mary an" ,ose$h. 181/ Another tra"ition says the ri"e#room was Al$haeus an" the ri"e was Mary, the su$$ose" sister of the Hir#in Mary. 1814 :ote that at times $arents "i" name two or more chil"ren with the same first name. !f that was the case, the res$onsi ility of sufficient wine was on them. !f a son of Mary an" ,ose$h was #ettin# marrie", then the we""in# woul" ha9e occurre" in :a>areth. 1his writer elie9es that the reason Mary aske" ,esus for hel$ was ecause she knew that, 1. He was a uniAue son with a "i9ine callin# u$on His life, ut at this $oint, she was not aware of His "i9inity nor of the miracles He woul" e a le to $erform. :onetheless, since ,esus was uniAue since irth, she aske" if there was somethin# He coul" "o. -. 5he ha" a res$onsi ility of some kin" in the we""in# cele ration.
'. '. *.J* 0here 3as Jose#h+ the le%al father of Jes)s> !t is $resume" that y this time ,ose$h ha" "ie" since there is no mention of him after the tem$le e$iso"e when ,esus was twel9e years ol". 1his woul" naturally lea" to the Auestion as to why ,esus "i" not raise His own father from the #ra9e. 1he only $ossi le answer may e that ,ose$h "ie" efore the ministry of ,esus e#an, at which time He $erforme" His miracles. 5ince the +ather in hea9en or"aine" the time when ,esus< ministry, He coul" not $erform any miracles $rior to then. 1he si lin#s of ,esus naturally felt #reat sorrow at the $assin# of their father. .ut once they witnesse" ,esus $erformin# miracles, they $ro a ly coul" not un"erstan" why He "i" not 1012. 1he wor" Bsi lin#sC is use" here with the un"erstan"in# that they were the natural
chil"ren of Mary an" ,ose$h an", in effect, not full si lin#s in the normal sense of the wor". 1013. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 114L .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*93-97. 1014. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*2@-. Holumes coul" e written on the 9arious le#en"s that surroun" the life of ,esus. Howe9er, these two tra"itions are liste" ecause one of them has a real $ossi ility of ein# historically accurate. !n a""ition, while it was not common, at times a family "i" ha9e two chil"ren with the same name.
697 raise their own father from the #ra9e. Howe9er, the ar#ument a#ainst this o$inion says that ,ose$h was assume" to e ali9e as note" in ,ohn 3*4-. 5o was he "ea" or ali9eF 1he mystery continues. 2Je3ish #)rifi"atio$5 1his $urification ritual consiste" of a ceremonial ritual of the washin# of the han"s $rior to eatin#. 1812 .ecause 'hristians ha9e ne9er o ser9e" ritualistic or"inances as this one, the si#nificance of ceremonial washin# is "ifficult for them to un"erstan". 1he ,ewish $eo$le o ser9e" ceremonial washin# of han"s $rior to eatin# as well as com$lete immersions in a small o"y of water commonly known as a Bmik9ah.C 1he washin# of han"s meant washin# from the el ows to the fin#er ti$s $rior to eatin# an" the immersion was o ser9e" $rior to worshi$, such as in the tem$le or local syna#o#ue. Amon# the ,ews there was also the firm $ractice of the washin# of han"s ;- D#. /*11= an" $rayers of thankfulness.1813 5o serious was the matter of han" washin#, that those who faile" to wash $ro$erly were sai" to e su Eect to the attck or influence of a "emon name" 5hi ta.1817 Another e%am$le of a reAuire" immersion for $urification occurre" after one touche" a "ea" o"y or eatin# non-kosher foo"s. !t was elie9e" that they ecame "efile" "urin# the normal e9ents of "aily life, an" that only y the act of ceremonial washin# woul" they e $urifie" efore Go". 1his washin# was not an act to remo9e sins, ut rather, a ,ewish ritual or"inance #i9en y Moses. At this we""in# howe9er, the 9essels were $resent so all the atten"ees coul" to wash their han"s in ritually-$ure water efore eatin#. Hessels of clay $ottery were not consi"ere" to e ritually $ure. 1herefore, si% lar#e stone 9essels were rou#ht to accommo"ate the crow". 2The "hief ser8a$t.5 1he chief ser9ant ; architriklinos = was not a , ut the master of the anAuetL either the hea"waiter or a #uest who ser9e" as the stewar" or host.101 He woul" ha9e $resi"e" o9er the series of su$$ers that were an inte#ral $art of the we""in# feast. !t was his res$onsi ility to insure
1015. 'eremonial in# consiste" of in# the han"s an" forearms. 1016. 1 5am. 9*1/L Mt. 12*/2L &k. --*17. 1017. .arclay, BMark.C 132. 1018. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*99.
698 that the entire feast was $ro$erly con"ucte", assi#n seats for family an" #uests, an" maintain a li9ely s$irit throu#hout the cele ration. 1819 As the hea"waiter, he woul" ha9e taste" the wine before it was rou#ht into the $u lic. !f he was the stewar", he woul" ha9e taste" the wine when it was ser9e" to the #uests.18-8 !n either case, he was also res$onsi le to insure that no one ha" too much to "rink, as this woul" ha9e een an insult to him an" the we""in# cou$le.18-1 1he re$utation of the master of the anAuet was lar#ely "etermine" y how well he mi%e" wines. 1he 1almu" recor"e" that a 0a i 0a9a e%celle" in this art an" ha" esta lishe" a renowne" re$utation for ein# the est wine mi%er. 18-- 1he master of the anAuet insure" that the entire anAuet was a success. !n ancient times, a anAuet was a $rimary form of entertainment. Whether for reli#ious or ci9il occasions, there was always $lenty of foo", wine, $om$, an" s$eeches as the or"er of the "ay. 1he master sche"ule" e9erythin# in its "ue time for the host. 18-/ 2Fi$e 3i$e . . . the i$ferior B3i$eC.5 1he est wines were $resente" first to the #uests of honor in the e#innin# of the feast, with the lesser Auality consume" near the en" of the festi9al. 1o acAuire the est taste it was common $ractice to mi% wines, es$ecially in the royal courts. 18-4 1his was normally "one y the chief ser9ant. 1he wine ,esus $ro"uce" was of such e%cellent Auality that it "i" not ha9e to e mi%e" with other wines. Accor"in# to the .a ylonian 1almu", wines were normally "ilute" two $arts water to one $art wine. A mi%ture that consiste" of three $arts water an" one $art wine coul" not e consi"ere" wine. 18-2 Jet while this 1almu" $resents the conser9ati9e 9iew in this matter, it is also known that there were 9ariations of ratios when it came to mi%in# water an" wine. 1he $oint 1019. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms. 21/. 1020. Howar", B5t. ,ohn* !ntro"uction an" 4%e#esis.C @*49/. 1021. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms. 21/. 1022. .a ylonian 1almu", Ba a Met=ia 38a. 1023. Manser, The Saying of &esus. /7. 1024. )aya#i-Men"els, )rink and be Merry. 24-22. 1025. .a ylonian 1almu", 4esahim 18@ L .a ylonian 1almu", Shabbath 77aL 4"ersheim,
The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 31@--8.
699 ein# wine was sel"om consume" without first "ilutin# it with water. A constant concern was the a use of a lessin# to the $oint it woul" ecome a curse, namely, "runkenness. ,u"aism, as well as the church, has always con"emne" "runkenness. 'lement ma"e this sim$le comment concernin# ,esus* For if He 1a(e 3ater 3i$e at the 1arria%e+ He (i( $ot %i8e #er1issio$ to %et (r)$9. Cle1e$t of Ale@a$(ra+ *he Instructor
& *.
.ecause wine B#la""ens the heartC ;(s. 184*12, it was the sym ol of Eoy, alon# with lo9e, marria#e, an" re$entance. ,esus $erforme" his first miracle at a we""in#. His last miracle, $rior to his ascension, was also sym olic of a marria#e meal. 1here will e another we""in# in the future etween ,esus an" his ri"e, the church. His miracle was sym olic of His :ew 'o9enant, with the sweetness of an a un"ant life fille" with Eoy. 1his is in shar$ contrast to the first miracle of Moses, when he turne" the water in the :ile into loo" that su##ests that the ?l" 'o9enant sym oli>e" Eu"#ment. 18-7 1he 'ana miracle was clearly sym olic of the contrast etween the ?l" an" :ew 'o9enants. !n the Greek city of 5e$$horis, locate" only three miles from :a>areth, the $eo$le worshi$e" the #o" )ionysus. Accor"in# to ancient authors, inclu"in# the secon" century historian (liny, )ionysus was the #o" of wine an" ha$$iness. 18-@ Howe9er, the Greeks un"erstoo" 9ery well that their i"ol coul" not chan#e water into wine. 1his is si#nificant since the #os$el of ,ohn was written for a Greek au"ience. 1his miracle not only ha" $rofoun" theolo#ical im$lications for the ,ews, ut also le" the Gentiles to take notice of the su$erior "eity, Eust as Moses ha" centuries earlier. 2A)t yo) ha8e 9e#t the fi$e 3i$e )$til $o3.5 Wines were normally consume" within three to four years, with the est wines a#in# ten to 1026. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). @4. 1027. +or a stu"y of ,ewish co9enants from a messianic ,ewish $ers$ecti9e, see Arnol"
1028. (liny, Natural +istory -.-/1L /1.13.
700 si%teen years.18-9 1he master of the anAuet was res$onsi le for the success of the entire e9ent, which inclu"e" mi%in# the wines from 9arious 9ineyar"s to o tain the est fla9or. 5ince new wine ha" a $otent effect the 1almu" for a"e #i9in# it to a ,ewish ser9ant. 18/8 1his is a 9ery interestin# reflection u$on the Auality of wine. What ,esus $ro"uce" a$$arently ha" the full fla9or of fine a#e" wine, not the fresh $otency of new wine. 1he 5econ" 1em$le (erio" sa#es sai",
:$e i$ 3hose ho)se 3i$e (oes $ot flo3 li9e 3ater is $ot blesse(. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ (ruvin .'a '. '. *.J3 6i( the 3i$e that Jes)s "reate( "o$tai$ al"ohol> 1his writer has come to the conclusion that this Auestion is usually aske" y those who wish to a use alcohol or "esire to ar#ue a#ainst a $articular church "octrine. .oth issues actually $oint to other $ro lems. Howe9er, to res$on" to the strai#ht forwar" Auestion 7 oth Greek an" He rew lan#ua#es ha9e a wor" that means #ra$e Euice an" another wor" that means fermente" "rink ma"e from #ra$es. !n this $assa#e, the Greek wor" for wine is BoinosC ; oy/nos=, which means a fermente" wine. 1here is no Auestion that the miracle wine ha" alcohol. 1he .i le "oes not con"emn "rinkin# wine, it con"emns "runkenness an" the lifestyle associate" with it ;see commentary elow on B'hoice wine T chea$er wine=. 18/1 !n a""ition to mi%in# 9arious wines to#ether, it was also "ilute" with water. 1his not only re"uce" the $ossi ility of alcohol a use, ut more im$ortantly, the alcohol was necessary to kill the acteria in water that ha" een store" in cisterns for lon# $erio"s of time. Wine was a common e9era#e at this time in a manner similar to what a soft "rink mi#ht e to :orth America.
1029. )aya#i-Men"els, )rink and be Merry. //. 1030. .a ylonian 1almu", *edushim --a. 1031. +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e 4, 5i"e A.
701 '. '. *.J/ 0hat is the (iffere$"e bet3ee$ 3i$e a$( stro$% (ri$9> As $re9iously state", oth Greek an" He rew ha9e "istinct wor"s for fermente" wine an" #ra$e Euice. )ue to the hot climate, #ra$e Euice ecame ranci" Auickly. 1herefore, it was fermente" into wine, which was use" as a me"icine, e9era#e, an" for reli#ious rites. A stu"y of wine is eyon" the sco$e of this stu"y, ut a rief o9er9iew is $resente". 18/- 1he wor" wine is asically use" in three ways as follows. 1. 1he wor" new wine is fresh #ra$e Euice. !t is use" /@ times in the ?l" 1estament. 18// .ut it too is fermente", as e9i"ence" y Hosea 4*11 that says oth Bol" wineC an" Bnew wineC take away un"erstan"in#. ? 9iously 9ir#in #ra$e Euice woul" not "o that. Another e%am$le is that on the "ay of (entecost, the crow"s sai" that the $eo$le were fille" with Bnew wineC ;Acts -*1/=, which o 9iously im$lies they were un"er the influence. Hnece, new wine has some alcohol content. -. 1he wor" wine is sim$ly fermente" #ra$e Euice that has a natural alcoholic content an" is foun" 141 times in the He rew .i le. /. 1he $hrase strong drink is use" -/ times an" refers to an into%icatin# e9era#e. !t was ma"e y fermentin# #ra$es to which "rie" fruit ;i.e., raisins, "ates, fi#s, arley, $ome#ranates, "ates, honey, or e9en honey was a""e". 1he "rie" fruit, with its natural su#ar content, s$ike" the alcohol le9el of the rew resultin# in a Bstron# "rink.C 1his wine is the BmockerC an" rawlerC of (ro9er s -8*11, ut is to e #i9en to those who are "yin# ;(ro9. /1*3=. As is $ointe" out in this stu"y, wine was ne9er consume" Bstrai#ht.C 0ather, it was "ilute" with water. 1he ancient writer (liny sai" it was "ilute" ei#ht
1032. +or an e%cellent stu"y on wine, see :orman &. Geisier. BA 'hristian (ers$ecti9e on Wine-)rinkin#.C Bibliotheca Sacra. 1/9*22/ ;,an-Mar. 19@-= 43-23. 1033. e.#., Gen. -7*-@L ,oel -*-4L Mic. 3*2.
702 $arts water to one $art wine. 18/4 1he !nter-1estamental writer of Macca ees sai", For H)st as it is har1f)l to (ri$9 3i$e alo$e+ or+ a%ai$+ to (ri$9 3ater alo$e+ 3hile 3i$e 1i@e( 3ith 3ater is s3eet a$( (eli"io)s a$( e$ha$"es o$e?s e$Hoy1e$t+ so also the style of the story (eli%hts the ears of those 3ho rea( the 3or9. * Ma""abees &'73! ?n a si"e note, in li#ht of the ancient custom of "rinkin# wine, to"ay<s commercially $ro"uce" wine has a much hi#her alcohol content when consume" than "i" its ancient counter$art. While it may not e a stron# as the Bstron# "rinkC of the first century, it isn<t far from it. .ack to this stu"y, if a house without wine was not lesse", ima#ine what runnin# out of wine at life<s most im$ortant occasion, a we""in#, woul" ha9e een like. !t must e note", howe9er, that "runkenness was hi#hly con"emne" in oth ra inic writin#s an" the .i le. 1o honor the comman", BJou shoul" e holy,C ra is were for i""en from enterin# the tem$le, lessin# a con#re#ation, or ren"erin# a le#al-reli#ious "ecision if they were e9en sli#htly un"er the influence of wine. Wine was normally "ilute" with two to four $arts water an" the mi%ture was known as ma=ug. 18/2 Hence, it woul" ha9e een nearly im$ossi le to ecome into%icate" with the "ilute" e9era#e. Howe9er, ,esus ma"e $ure wine of the est Auality. Anythin# inferior woul" not ha9e een a "i9ine miracle. 18/3 ?rtho"o% ,ews woul" ha9e mi%e" se9eral $ure wines to#ether an" a""e" water. B5tron# "rink,C any wine with a""e" fruit "urin# fermentation to increase the alcohol content, was ta oo. ?n occasion, a s$ice wine with honey an" $e$$er or a $alm wine was create". .eer came from Me"ia an" .a ylon an" arley wine was im$orte" from 4#y$t. 18/7 Howe9er, most ,ews o ser9e" the ra inic rules an" consume" only their local wines.
1034. (liny. Natural +istory 14.3.24. 1035. Mishnah, Niddah -*7L Mishnah, Tosefta Ba a Met=ia /*-7L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 319.
1036. )aya#i-Men"els, )rink and be Merry. 22. 1037. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. /89.
703 2Jes)s #erfor1e( this first B1ira")lo)sC si%$.5 ,ohn clearly in"icate" the miracle at 'ana was the first in the ministry of ,esus. Jet the A$ocry$hal #os$els, written in the mi""le of the secon" century A.)., recor" miracles ,esus su$$ose"ly "i" in his chil"hoo" an" early a"ulthoo". 18/@ 1hese works ran#e from re$licate" $ortions of the true #os$els to heresies. All of them are in serious conflict with the :ew 1estament #os$els, e9en thou#h they claim a$ostolic authorshi$. Miracles were "esi#ne" to authenticate the messa#e an" messen#er of Go". !n the ?l" 1estament, miracles were #enerally $uniti9e, whereas those of ,esus were re"em$ti9e. 1he ,ews were $ersua"e" y miracles, which were si#ns of the continuation of Go" in their mi"st, whereas the Greeks were $ersua"e" y lo#ic an" reason ;1 'or. 1*--=. !t is interestin#, howe9er, that ,esus "i" not come $rimarily as a miracle-worker, ut he came to re9eal the +ather an" to $reach that the Din#"om of Go" was a out to come to those who $lace" their faith in Him. 1hree times ,ohn "iscretely use" the num er se9en. !n his #os$el he recor"s se9en si#ns, se9en "iscourses, an" se9en B! amC statements. 1he num er se9en re$resente" com$leteness an" wholeness, while the num er three re$resente" em$hasis. Whene9er somethin# was sai" in the most im$ortant manner $ossi le, it was sai" three times. 5ince ,ohn use" the num er se9en as a fi#ure of s$eech, it can e safely assume" that there were many more si#ns, "iscourses, an" B! amC statements. !n this first miracle, ,esus clearly "emonstrate" that He, ,esus, was Go" an" He ha" $ower o9er nature. 1o un"erscore His "i9ine authority, He chose not the fresh fruit of the 9ine, ut common water an" chan#e" that into the finest wine. Water has always een an essence to life, es$ecially in the semi-ari" an" ari" climate >ones of !srael. !t is interestin# that the first miracle was not the restoration of life to a "ea" $erson or the healin# of a cri$$le", "eaf, or mute $erson, ut chan#in# water into wine an" creatin# Eoy. !t ha" een more than three "eca"es since re$orts s$rea" throu#hout the lan" of His unusual irthL three "eca"es since the she$her"s an" an#els san# for Eoy. :ow this Man of "i9ine irth e#an to "isclose Go"<s com$assion, $ower, an" the messa#e of the Din#"om of Go". !n this $assa#e, ,ohn em$hasi>e" the si#nificance of the si#n, rather than the miracle itself. 1his is consistent throu#hout ,ohn<s #os$el.
1038. 5imilarly, the 4#y$tian 'o$tic 'hurch has many tra"itions a out ,esus $erformin# miracles as a youn# chil" when He was in 4#y$t ;cf. Mt. /*1/-12=.
704 ,ews relate" wine with the Eoy of life ;(s. 184*12=, as much as mo"ern Western elie9ers relate it to "runkenness an" alcoholism. Unfortunately, the mo"ern "is$osition "istorts its ancient meanin# an" sym olism in the ,ewish culture. Amon# the Gentiles, on the other han", e%cessi9e use of the e9era#e was more common$lace. !t shoul" e note" that in the $ro9ince of Galilee, the Gentiles outnum ere" the ,ews, es$ecially in 5e$$horis, the $ro9incial ca$ital locate" only three miles from :a>areth. )ionysius, the $atron #o" of 5e$$horis, was the "eity of Eoy an" wine althou#h more freAuently thou#ht of as the "eity of into%ication an" re9elry. Accor"in# to a Greek le#en", on certain annual occasions, namely ,anuary 2 an" 3, the #o" of 5e$$horis, )ionysius, $ro"uce" wine in a miraculous manner. 18/9 1he $ro9er ial Bwine, women, an" son#sC were consi"ere" amon# life<s #reatest $leasures y the Greeks an" 0omans. :o ima#e $ortrays this etter than the #o" )ionysos. 5ince :a>areth an" 'ana were oth short "istances from 5e$$horis, there is no "ou t that the news of the miracle soon reache" the Gentile city.
'. '. * FL::; M:SAIC :F THE G:6 6I:NES:S BLEFTC P;ESENTING G;APES AN6 0INE. 1his /r" century !m$erial 0oman mosaic of )ionysos is #enerally "e$icte" as a youn# man who fe9erishly enEoys wine, women, an" son#. (erha$s no ima#e 1039. MaEor, Manson, an" Wri#ht, The Mission and Message of &esus . 7-3.
705 $ortrays the Greek life, as well as the Hero"ian "ynasty, more than )ionysos. ;'ourtesy of the Dato (a$hos Archaeolo#ical (ark, Dato (a$hos, 'y$rusL www.theoi.com/?lym$ios/)ionysos=. A Auestion to $on"er is whether ,esus, when He chan#e" water into wine, silently "emonstrate" His "i9inity an" $ower o9er the near y Greek #o" )ionysus. 1he miracle was o 9iously si#nificant to the ,ews at the we""in#, an" their Greek nei#h ors certainly hear" a out it as well. His "i9inity o9er Greek #o"s ;e9il s$irits= ecame more $ronounce" later, when He cast out "emons with only His sim$le s$oken wor"s. 1he ultimate 9ictory was His resurrection from "eath, the curse which was $lace" u$on humanity y the 49il ?ne when A"am an" 49e sinne" in the Gar"en of 4"en. ,esus "emonstrate" that He ha" #reater $ower than the Greek #o" of Eoy an" wine, )ionysius. !n fact, it a$$ears that all of ,ohn<s recor"e" miracles were 9ictories o9er Greek an" 0oman "eities. 1he first miracle has two sym olic si#nificances. 1. 1he first miracle y Moses, the #reat law-#i9er, was to turn water into loo" ;4%. 7*-8=. !n that historic case, Moses was the a"ministrator of "eath an" wrath ;- 'or. /*3-9=, ut in this case, ,esus was the a"ministrator of Eoy in life ecause He is the true 9ine that rin#s #la"ness to the heart ;(s. 184*12=. While Moses is shown here in contrast to ,esus, in other $laces he is shown as a Bty$eC of 'hrist, as when he sweetene" the itter waters ;4%. 12*-2=, a feat "u$licate" y 4liEah ;- D#. -*19---=. 1he first miracle was far more than Eust the first miracle. !ts first sym olic messa#e woul" ha9e een Auickly reco#ni>e" y the ra is. -. A secon" sym olic si#nificance is that it also reflects u$on the thin an" watery elements of the ,ewish faith ;He . 7*1@= that was a out to e transforme" into a richer an" Eoyous hi#her faith. !n essence, the ?l" 1estament !sraelite reli#ion was sym oli>e" y waterL an" only in the Bty$e an" sha"owC coul" it $oint to ,esus who is the true 9ine ;,n. 12*1=. 1he secon" sym olic si#nificance was $ro a ly not o ser9e" until after His resurrection.
706
'. '. 3 J$. *7&* Fro1 Ca$a to Ca#er$a)1 AN INTE;LU6E AT CAPE;NAUM After this+ He 3e$t (o3$ to Ca#er$a)1+ to%ether 3ith His 1other+ His brothers+ a$( His (is"i#les+ a$( they staye( there o$ly a fe3 (ays.
&*
,esus e#an His ministry in the lush country hills an" 9illa#es of Galilee, also known as Gennesaret, meanin# B#ar"en of a un"ance.C With His family 1848 an" few "isci$les, they walke" "own to *efar Nahum" or the BHilla#e of :ahumC that is known in 4n#lish as B'a$ernaum.C 1841 1he e%$ression B"own,C is a reference to ele9ation an" not to the north-south orientation as is commonly use" to"ay. +or e%am$le, ancient writers referre" to #oin# Bu$C to ,erusalem, re#ar"less from which "irection they came. 1he ca$itol city is a out -788 feet a o9e sea le9el in the central mountain ran#e. +rom 'ana, ,esus an" His "isci$les tra9ele" east to 'a$ernaum, staye" there a few "ays, an" walke" southwar" u$ to ,erusalem for the +east of (asso9er. '. '. / J$. *7&3-*' I$ the Te1#le TEMPLE CLEANSING+ ME;CHANTS 6;IFEN :UT The Je3ish Passo8er 3as $ear+ so Jes)s 3e$t )# to Jer)sale1. &/ I$ the te1#le "o1#le@ He fo)$( #eo#le selli$% o@e$+ shee#+ a$( (o8es+ a$( He also fo)$( the 1o$ey "ha$%ers sitti$% there. &' After 1a9i$% a 3hi# o)t of "or(s+ He
&3
1040. )oncerning the n*m&er o% &rother# and #i#ter# +e#*# had, #ee ,/)/,)/., ,and the &rother o% +ame#,
+o#e#-. 1041. A9i-Jonah an" Draelin#, :ur ,i ing Bible. -21-2-.
707 (ro8e e8eryo$e o)t of the te1#le "o1#le@ 3ith their shee# a$( o@e$. He also #o)re( o)t the 1o$ey "ha$%ers? "oi$s a$( o8ert)r$e( the tables. &. He tol( those 3ho 3ere selli$% (o8es+ 2Get these thi$%s o)t of hereK Sto# t)r$i$% My Father?s ho)se i$to a 1ar9et#la"eK5 A$( His (is"i#les re1e1bere( that it is 3ritte$7 Leal for Eo)r ho)se 3ill "o$s)1e Me BPs. .!7!C.
&<
So the Je3s re#lie( to Hi1+ 20hat si%$ of a)thority 3ill Eo) sho3 )s for (oi$% these thi$%s>5
&,
Jes)s a$s3ere(+ 26estroy this sa$"t)ary+ a$( I 3ill raise it )# i$ three (ays.5
&!
Therefore the Je3s sai(+ 2This sa$"t)ary too9 /. years to b)il(+ a$( 3ill Eo) raise it )# i$ three (ays>5
*
A)t He 3as s#ea9i$% abo)t the sa$"t)ary of His bo(y. ** So 3he$ He 3as raise( fro1 the (ea(+ His (is"i#les re1e1bere( that He ha( sai( this. A$( they belie8e( the S"ri#t)re a$( the state1e$t Jes)s ha( 1a(e.
*&
0hile He 3as i$ Jer)sale1 at the Passo8er Festi8al+ 1a$y tr)ste( i$ His $a1e 3he$ they sa3 the si%$s He 3as (oi$%. */ Jes)s+ ho3e8er+ 3o)l( $ot e$tr)st Hi1self to the1+ si$"e He 9$e3 the1 all *' a$( be"a)se He (i( $ot $ee( a$yo$e to testify abo)t 1a$4 for He Hi1self 9$e3 3hat 3as i$ 1a$.
*3
,esus went to ,erusalem 184- to o ser9e (asso9er for the first time since He e#an His ministry. At (asso9er, the ,ews $ai" their annual tem$le ta% in a""ition to makin# the (asso9er sacrifice. !t was the hi#hest holy festi9al in ,u"aism 7 one of res$ect for the "eli9erance out of 4#y$t an" one of "e9otion to Go" who lo9e" an" $rotecte" them. Howe9er, the Gentile 'ourt of the tem$le com$le% ha" een con9erte" from a Holy 5ite to a massi9e commercial enter$rise for the enefit of the hi#h
1042. ,esus went to at least three (asso9ers ;,n. -*1/L 3*4L an" 11*22=an" atten"e" another feast that was not i"entifie" ut is elie9e" to ha9e een a (asso9er cele ration ;2*1=. He also atten"e" the +eat of 1a ernacles ;,n. 7*-, 18=an" the +east of )e"ication ;,n. 18*--=.
708 $riest, Annas. 1ra"ition says that a certain .a h .en .uta was the first to commerciali>e it when he rou#ht a flock of /,888 shee$ from Da"ar. 1his usiness 9enture woul" ne9er ha9e ha$$ene" if the hi#h $riest Annas ha" not a$$ro9e" it. 1he Gentile 'ourt, which was a witness that the tem$le shoul" e a House of (rayer for all nations, ha" een "e#ra"e" into a foulsmellin# li9estock market with its currency e%chan#e ankers. 1hose who were em$loye" y Annas were $rofit-oriente" while the worshi$ers were force" to ecome "efensi9e a#ainst tem$le swin"lers an" hucksters. 'learly, the li9estock usiness was a hi#hly lucrati9e en"ea9or. 1he irony is that those who claime" ,esus $rofane" the tem$le were the ones $rofitin# from the $rofanin# that occurre" on a weekly asis.
1wo si#nificant $oints concernin# the tem$le are "iscusse" elow. 1hese are followe" y the "iscussion of the tem$le as a sacrificial system an" si#nificant $eo$le affiliate" with the tem$le who functione" as a $ri9ate ankin# system. .ut the "ays when the tem$le was a House of (rayer were essentially #one 7 as only a few ri#hteous $riests continue" to function in their ser9ice as $er the i lical man"ates. 1. 1he tem$le was the shrine of the national reli#ion an" center of $u lic life. ?nly the ri#hteous ;as "efine" y the reli#ious elite= coul" worshi$ there. 1he tem$le ha" ecome an i"ol, an" to s$eak a#ainst it coul" mean "eath. !nto this reli#ious en9ironment, ,esus ol"ly announce" the corru$tion of the esta lishe" reli#ion. ,esus came to earth an" foun" a "eca"ent tem$le, rather than what it was su$$ose" to e 7a holy tem$le where all mankin" coul" come to sacrifice an" commune with Go". -. 1he 4ssenes esta lishe" an in"e$en"ent reli#ious community at Numran in the secon" century ..'. ecause of the corru$tion of the tem$le esta lishment 7 the most corru$te" lea"ershi$ in the si%
709 centuries of the tem$le<s e%istence ;212 ..'. 7 A.). 78=. 1he sins of the 5a""ucees, who controlle" the tem$le affairs, were "escri e" centuries earlier in (salm 39*9. :ot only "i" ,esus con"emn them, ut ,ose$hus likewise mentions them in his ook Anti3uities of the &ews.184/ 'enturies later the ,ewish writers of the .a ylonian an" ,erusalem 1almu"s also wrote of them. 1he $riesthoo" reache" the $innacle of #ree" an" "efile" ;see A##e$(i@ *.= the tem$le in two ways* a. 1hey con9erte" the sacrificial system into a moneymakin# machine for their $ersonal wealth. . 1he tem$le or 9arious $riestly families of the tem$le continue" to function as a central ank for the ,ews. .oth features are "iscusse" elow. &. The Sa"rifi"ial Syste1. 1he ,ews cele rate" their Go", in $art, with se9en annual festi9als, of which the (asso9er was the most si#nificant ;4%. -8=. 49ery male ,ew, who li9e" within fifteen 0oman miles, was e%$ecte" to $artici$ate. Howe9er, it was such a hi#hly esteeme" cele ration that e9ery ,ewish man, $articularly those in "istant lan"s, "reame" of 9isitin# the holy city at least once in his lifetime. Hence, the small city rimme" with u$war"s of hun"re"s of thousan"s of 9isitors "urin# the s$rin# time festi9al of (asso9er. !t was so con#este" that many rou#ht their own foo" an" sle$t outsi"e un"er the starry sky in $laces like the Gar"en of Gethsemane. 5ince many $il#rims tra9ele" #reat "istances, they $urchase" their sacrificial animals in ,erusalem.
1043. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. -8.9.1-@.
710
'. '. /A. FL::; PLAN :F HE;:6?S TEMPLE. 1he 'ourt of the Gentiles was a lar#e area that surroun"e" the more sacre" areas of the tem$le. 1he 'ourt ha" een con9erte" into a commercial ankin# an" li9estock sales area in ,esus< "ay.
711
'. '. /A. A M:6EL :F THE TEMPLE AN6 C:U;T :F THE 0:MEN Bbehi$( the 3allC. 1he 'ourt of the Gentiles was the lar#e area to the e%treme ri#ht an" left si"es as well as the imme"iate fore#roun". (hoto#ra$h y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. 1his #a9e the aristocratic 5a""ucees, namely the house of 'aia$has an" Annas, the annual e%tortion o$$ortunity to o9erchar#e these 9isitors for sacrificial animals nee"e" for their most sacre" worshi$ ser9ice. 1he 9ast num er of shee$, o%en, an" "o9es sol" to 9isitin# $il#rims in the tem$le transforme" the $lace of worshi$ into a market$lace to enefit the well-to-"o 5a""ucees. 1he noise, filth, an" stench were most certainly un eara le. *. The Aa$9i$% Syste1. 1he BHouse of (rayerC ha" ecome a house of merchan"ise, of arterin# an" ickerin#, an" a ankin# center. 1844 !t was su$$ose" to e a $lace where men an" women from all nations coul" $ray to the 1044. 'rossan, Who *illed &esus? 32.
712 Almi#hty Go" of hea9en an" earth. !nstea", it was a system to "e9elo$ an ela orate network of commercial enter$rises which $ro"uce" enormous wealth. 1842 !n ancient times, the common elief was that #o"s li9e" in the tem$le where the $eo$le worshi$e". 1his was true of e9ery ancient culture worl"wi"e, not only in the :ear 4ast. (eo$le truste" their #o"s to $rotect them an" $ro9i"e for their "aily nee"s. 1em$les were always consi"ere" a safe ha9en ecause the #o"s li9e" there an" woul" $rotect $eo$le an" $ro$erty. +urthermore, no one "are" to steal monies #i9en to the #o"s, ecause it was feare" that the #o"s woul" retaliate an" curse the thief, whether he e a kin# or a $au$er. When 5olomon<s tem$le was urne" in 2@7 ..'., the !sraelites elie9e" the .a ylonians "efeate" their Go". Hence, $ro$hets such as )aniel an" 4>ekiel #a9e $ro$hetic wor"s to tell their $eo$le that their Go" was 9ery much ali9e an" in control of their li9es. 'enturies earlier when ,oshua tra9ele" from ,ericho north to Ha>or, he urne" the entire city, inclu"in# its tem$le an" royal $alaces. 5ince Ha>or was the lar#est of the 'anaanite cities, ,oshua<s 9ictory, inclu"in# the "estruction of the 'anaanite tem$le, sent shi9ers of fear throu#h the hearts of all of the other 'anaanite communities. !t was o 9ious to e9eryone that the Go" of ,oshua was more $owerful than the #o" of the 'anaanites. !n e9ery society, as a few in"i9i"uals ecame wealthy, they nee"e" a $lace to store their fun"s. 1he only $lace a9aila le was the near y tem$le, which soon ecame the first ank. 1he tem$le- ankin# system ecame well "e9elo$e" "urin# the Hellenistic (erio" in cities such as )elos, 5ar"is, 'laris, (essinus, Mylasa, Aymus, an" 'aria. 1843 !n 4$hesus, for e%am$le, the tem$le of the #o""ess )iana ser9e" as the central ank for the eastern thir" of the 0oman 4m$ire. 1herefore, the wealth that flowe" into that city was enormous. )e$osits #rew an" other in"i9i"uals nee"e" to orrow money, so the tem$le ecame the first len"in# institution outsi"e of #o9ernment. 0eli#ions an" tem$les were closely ali#ne" with #o9ernments. :ow, not only was the money of the wealthy safely secure", ut incre"i le sums of money also were #i9en to the tem$le y the "e9otees of the faith. Hence, trustworthy $riests coul" ser9e as mort#a#e rokers an" 1045. Wilson, The #alse Trials. -3--7. 1046. Hamilton, B1em$le 'leansin# an" 1em$le .ank.C /33.
713 earn a commission on money lent out. 1housan"s of te%ts written on clay ta lets foun" in Meso$otamia in"icate the a9era#e interest rate of twenty $ercent, which was easy for anyone to calculate usin# fin#ers.1847 !t was also the esta lishe" interest rate for re"eemin# $art of a tithe ;&e9. -7*/1=. !n ,erusalem there was the 5toa .uil"in# which a$$arently was a si#nificant facility in the ancient ,ewish ankin# system.184@ Howe9er, the tem$le themsel9es "i" not ecome len"in# institutions, ut storehouses of $ersonal wealth. Wealthy families ecame len"ers. ?n this issue, the !sraelites were e9i"ently no "ifferent than their nei#h ors. 1hey use" the tem$le to house their wealth an" e9entually wealthy families, often relate" to the tem$le, ecame $ri9ate len"er. !n the secon" century ..'., the 5a""ucees inherite" an esta lishe" B ankC after the Macca ean 0e9olt an" the well-esta lishe" tra"ition continue" until its "estruction in A.). 78.
4ideo Insert
/?)/?)/3)4 ;r) 1au& Wright of Jerusa&e" Uni$ersity !o&&ege dis%usses the te"#&e and the genera& e%ono"y of Jerusa&e" 7,.2308) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) When the ,ews were taken to .a ylon, they were intro"uce" to a hi#hly "e9elo$e" len"in# system. 1here is no e9i"ence that such a system e%iste" "urin# most of the ?l" 1estament $erio". A stu"y of the He rew .i le an" !nter-1estamental ooks re9eal some clues 1047. 1he Uni9ersity of (ennsyl9ania )e$artment of Archaeolo#y an" Anthro$olo#y has an
in9entory of a$$ro%imately /8,888 clay ta lets, most of which are financial transactions, such as mort#a#es an" le#al contracts. 1he .ritish Museum hol"s a out 128,888 similar ta lets. All of these $re"ate Din# )a9i" ;1888 ..'.=. 1048. 5ee mini-lecture y )r. (aul Wri#ht at '. '. /.F&.
714 in"icatin# that len"in# not only e%iste", ut was also a usi9e 1849 hun"re"s of years efore 'hrist. :otice the followin# e%am$les* 1. A num er of $oor cro$ har9ests, unfortunate ha$$enin#s an" $ossi le e%tra9a#ance le" to hu#e "e ts ;:eh. 2*/-4=. -. 1he wealthy an" $ros$erous were e%$ecte" to len" to the $oor without a char#e of interest ;4%. --*-2L )eut. 12*7-11L (s. 12*2=. /. When )ai9" was stru##lin# for his $osition, amon# those who Eoine" him were "e tors who Eoine" him in the 'a9e of A"ullam ;1 5am. --*-=. 1hey $ro a ly Eoine" him "ue to the harsh $unishment they woul" recei9e" for failure of $ayment ;cf. (s. /7*-1=. 1hese accounts a$$ear to e relate" to $ri9ate in"i9i"uals an" there is no "irect mention of commercial len"in# throu#h the ,ewish tem$le. 1herefore, the narrati9e foun" in - Macca ees /*18-14 is $er$le%in#, ecause it is a re$ort of an a#ent for the Greek 5eleuci" kin# who attem$te" to steal $ri9ate monies from the tem$le. !t rea"s as follows* He re#orte( to hi1 that the treas)ry i$ Jer)sale1 3as f)ll of )$tol( s)1s of 1o$ey+ so that the a1o)$t of the f)$(s "o)l( $ot be re"9o$e(+ a$( that they (i( not belo$% to the a""o)$t of the sa"rifi"es+ b)t that it 3as #ossible for the1 to fall )$(er the "o$trol of the 9i$%. 0he$ A#ollo$i)s 1et 3ith the 9i$%+ he tol( hi1 of the 1o$ey abo)t 3hi"h he ha( bee$ i$for1e(. The 9i$% "hose Helio(or)s+ 3ho 3as i$ "har%e of his affairs+ a$( se$t hi1 3ith "o11a$(s to effe"t the re1o8al of the aforesai( 1o$ey. Helio(or)s at o$"e set o)t o$ his Ho)r$ey+ oste$sibly to 1a9e a to)r of i$s#e"tio$ of the "ities of Coelesyria a$( Phoe$i"ia+ b)t i$ fa"t to "arry o)t the 9i$%?s #)r#ose.
1049. 1 D#. 7*21L - D#. 1@*12, 13*@L 1 'h.. 9*-3, -@*11-1-L - 'h.. /3*1@L :eh. 1/*1--1/L 4c. 4-*7L an" 1o it 1*14, 9*2.
715 0he$ he arri8e( i$ Jer)sale1 he ha( bee$ 9i$(ly 3el"o1e( by the hi%h #riest of the "ity+ he tol( hi1 abo)t the (is"los)re that ha( bee$ 1a(e a$( state( 3hy he ha( "o1e+ a$( he i$=)ire( 3hether this really 3as the sit)atio$. The hi%h #riest e@#lai$e( that there 3ere so1e (e#osits belo$%i$% to 3i(o3s a$( or#ha$s+& ' a$( also so1e 1o$ey of Hyr"a$)s+ so$ of Tobias+ a 1a$ of 8ery #ro1i$e$t #ositio$+ a$( that totale( i$ all fo)r h)$(re( tale$ts of sil8er a$( t3o h)$(re( tale$ts of %ol(. & '& To s)"h a$ e@te$t+ the i1#io)s Si1o$ ha( 1isre#rese$te( the fa"ts. A$( he sai( that it 3as )tterly i1#ossible that 3ro$% sho)l( be (o$e to those #eo#le a$( i$ the sa$"tity a$( i$8iolability of the te1#le+ 3hi"h is ho$ore( thro)%ho)t the 3hole 3orl(. A)t Helio(or)s+ be"a)se of the 9i$%?s "o11a$(s 3hi"h he ha(+ sai( that this 1o$ey 1)st i$ a$y "ase be "o$fis"ate( for the 9i$%?s treas)ry. So he set a (ay a$( 3e$t i$ to (ire"t the i$s#e"tio$ of these f)$(s. There 3as $o little (istress thro)%ho)t the 3hole "ity. The #riests #rostrate( the1sel8es before the altar i$ their #riestly %ar1e$ts a$( "alle( to3ar( hea8e$ )#o$ hi1 3ho ha( %i8e$ the la3 abo)t (e#osits+ that he sho)l( 9ee# the1 safe for those 3ho ha( (e#osite( the1. To see the a##eara$"e of the hi%h #riest 3as to be 3o)$(e( at heart+ for his fa"e a$( the "ha$%e i$ his "olor (is"lose( the a$%)ish of his so)l. For terror a$( bo(ily tre1bli$% ha( "o1e o8er the 1a$+ 3hi"h #lai$ly sho3e( to those 3ho loo9e( at hi1 the #ai$ lo(%e( i$ his heart. Peo#le also h)rrie( o)t of their ho)ses i$ "ro3(s to 1a9e a %e$eral s)##li"atio$ be"a)se the holy #la"e 3as abo)t to be bro)%ht )$(er "o$te1#t. 0o1e$+ %ir(e( 3ith sa"9"loth )$(er their breasts+ thro$%e( the streets. So1e of the 1ai(e$s 3ho 3ere 9e#t i$(oors ra$ to%ether to the %ates+ a$( so1e to the 3alls+ 3hile others #eere( o)t of 3i$(o3s. A$( hol(i$% )# their ha$(s to hea8e$+ they all 1a(e e$treaty. There 3as so1ethi$% #itiable i$ the #rostratio$ of the 3hole
1050. Monies ;alms= #i9en to the tem$le for the su$$ort of wi"ows an" or$hans. 1051. (ri9ate fun"s hel" in the tem$le for safe kee$in#.
716 #o#)la"e a$( the a$@iety of the hi%h #riest i$ his %reat a$%)ish. 0hile they 3ere "alli$% )#o$ the Al1i%hty Lor( that he 3o)l( 9ee# 3hat ha( bee$ e$tr)ste( safe a$( se")re for those 3ho ha( e$tr)ste( it+ Helio(or)s 3e$t o$ 3ith 3hat ha( bee$ (e"i(e(. A)t 3he$ he arri8e( at the treas)ry 3ith his bo(y%)ar(+ the$ a$( there the So8erei%$ of s#irits a$( of all a)thority "a)se( so %reat a 1a$ifestatio$ that all 3ho ha( bee$ so bol( as to a""o1#a$y hi1 3ere asto)$(e( by the #o3er of Go(+ a$( be"a1e fai$t 3ith terror. For there a##eare( to the1 a 1a%$ifi"e$tly "a#ariso$e( horse+ 3ith a ri(er of fri%hte$i$% 1ie$+ a$( it r)she( f)rio)sly at Helio(or)s a$( str)"9 at hi1 3ith its fro$t hoofs. Its ri(er 3as see$ to ha8e ar1or a$( 3ea#o$s of %ol(. T3o yo)$% 1e$ also a##eare( to hi1+ re1ar9ably stro$%+ %lorio)sly bea)tif)l a$( s#le$(i(ly (resse( 3ho stoo( o$ ea"h si(e of hi1 a$( s"o)r%e( hi1 "o$ti$)o)sly+ i$fli"ti$% 1a$y blo3s o$ hi1. 0he$ he s)((e$ly fell to the %ro)$( a$( (ee# (ar9$ess "a1e o8er hi1+ his 1e$ too9 hi1 )# a$( #)t hi1 o$ a stret"her a$( "arrie( hi1 a3ay+ this 1a$ 3ho ha( H)st e$tere( the aforesai( treas)ry 3ith a %reat reti$)e a$( all his bo(y%)ar( b)t 3as $o3 )$able to hel# hi1self4 a$( they re"o%$iGe( "learly the so8erei%$ #o3er of Go(. 0hile he lay #rostrate+ s#ee"hless be"a)se of the (i8i$e i$ter8e$tio$ a$( (e#ri8e( of a$y ho#e of re"o8ery+ they #raise( the Lor( 3ho ha( a"te( 1ar8elo)sly for his o3$ #la"e. A$( the te1#le+ 3hi"h a little 3hile before 3as f)ll of fear a$( (ist)rba$"e+ 3as fille( 3ith Hoy a$( %la($ess+ $o3 that the Al1i%hty Lor( ha( a##eare(. * Ma""abees *7.-3 1his historical narrati9e not only $ro9i"es e9i"ence of influential len"in# families within the tem$le, ut also shows that Go" mo9e" in a $rofoun" way to $rotect it in the secon" century ..'. 1here has een little research ma"e on the relationshi$ of the ,ewish tem$le an" ankin# system, yet it
717 a$$ears to ha9e een common $ractice for the two to function to#ether similar to that of other ancient cultures in the :ear 4ast. 'oncernin# the corru$tion of the aristocratic tem$le 5a""ucees, there is no shorta#e of #ra$hic e%$ressions y the writers of the Mishnah. The (a)%hters of the Sa1arita$s are (ee1e( )$"lea$ as 1e$str)ates fro1 their "ra(le a$( the Sa1arita$s "o$8ey )$"lea$$ess to 3hat lies be$eath the1.... The (a)%hters of the Sa(()"ees+ if they follo3 after the 3ays of their fathers+ are (ee1e( to be li9e the 3o1e$ of the Sa1arita$s4 b)t if they ha8e se#arate( the1sel8es a$( follo3 after the 3ays of the Israelites+ they are (ee1e( to be li9e the 3o1e$ of the Israelites. Mish$ah+ +iddah /.&-* ,ose$hus sai" (ilate stole tem$le fun"s to uil" an aAue"uct to ser9e the tem$le. 1his $roEect was e#un y Hero" efore his "eath. :ote the wor"s of ,ose$hus, as these im$ly the $eo$le were u$set, not so much that their money was #one, ut that (ilate stole sacred monies. After this he raise( a$other (ist)rba$"e by e@#e$(i$% that sa"re( treas)re 3hi"h is "alle( 2Corba$+5 182- )#o$ the a=)e()"ts+ thereby he bro)%ht 3ater fro1 fo)r h)$(re( f)rlo$%s. At this+ the 1)ltit)(e 3as i$(i%$a$t4 a$( 3he$ Pilate "a1e to Jer)sale1+ they "a1e abo)t his trib)$al a$( 1a(e a "la1or at it. Jose#h)s+ %ars *.!./ When the 0omans "estroye" the tem$le "urin# the +irst 0e9olt, they urne" "own the 9arious cham ers ;rooms= of the tem$le com$le%. ,ose$hus, who was an eye witness, recor"e" the followin#,
1052. A cor an ;He rew* 3orban = was a #ift consecrate" to Go" an", therefore, it was consi"ere" sacre".
718 A$( $o3 the ;o1a$s+ H)(%i$% that is 3as i$ 8ai$ to s#are 3hat 3as aro)$( the holy ho)se B1ea$i$% the te1#le itselfC+ b)r$e( all those #la"es+ a$( the re1ai$s of the "loisters+ a$( the %ates e@"e#t t3o4 the o$e o$ the east si(e a$( the o$e o$ the so)th si(e4 both of 3hi"h+ ho3e8er+ b)r$e( after3ar(s. They also b)r$e( the treas)ry "ha1bers+ i$ 3hi"h 3as a$ i11e$se =)a$tity of 1o$ey+ a$( a$ i11e$se $)1ber of %ar1e$ts+ a$( other #re"io)s %oo(s+ there (e#osite(4 a$( to say i$ a fe3 3or(s+ there it 3as that the e$tire ri"hes of the Je3s 3ere hea#e( )# to%ether. Jose#h)s+ %ars ..'.* 1he treasury cham ers ;rooms= that ,ose$hus referre" to were $ro a ly the same ones that ,ohn mentione" when "escri in# the "iscussion ,esus ha" y the treasury in ,ohn @*-8. 182/ 5ince the tem$les functione" as anks, the money chan#ers were res$onsi le for all $hases of ankin#, inclu"in# currency e%chan#e. 1he 4n#lish wor" banker is "eri9e" from the ancient money chan#ers. 1he changers of money or money chnagers" ;kollubistai= 1054 sat at a ta le, ench, ban3ue or banca $recisely as "escri e" in the tem$le narrati9es.1822 1he money chan#ers in the tem$le also char#e" the $eo$le hi#h e%chan#e rates for currency an" sol" sacrificial animals at inflate" $rices.
1053. htt$s*//mail.#oo#le.com/mail/Fsh9aI1Sin o%/1/21a 9c4173f14a 0etrie9e"

+e ruary --, -81-. 1054. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*118.
1055. Hamilton, B1em$le 'leansin# an" 1em$le .ank.C /32L .arrois, B1ra"e an"
'ommerce.C 4*3@-.
719
'. '. /C. A ;:MAN ;ELIEF :F A AANIE; AT 0:;I. 1his relief car9in# shows a anker with his money a# an" ook of recor"s at work. 1he hu#e 9olume of money "onate" to tem$les, as well as "e$osits hel" for security reasons, resulte" in tem$les ecomin# ankin# institutions throu#hout the ancient worl". 0elief on a 0oman era funerary stele from Hun#ary. (hoto#ra$h y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. +inally, the fourth #os$el tells us ,esus went to ,erusalem for two feasts. 1hese occurre" in the s$rin# an" woul" ha9e een the (asso9er o ser9ances. He essentially e#an an" en"e" His ministry with the cleansin# of the tem$le, sym olic of the ministry an" culmination of His life, to cleanse the hearts of the $eo$le to e His tem$le. '. '. /.J& 0hat is the e8i(e$"e a%ai$st the e@iste$"e of a te1#le ba$9i$% syste1> 5cri$ture "oes not a""ress this matter "irectly, ut re$eate"ly in"icates the tem$le was to e a $lace of worshi$ an" the "wellin# $lace of the Most Hi#h Go". 1his o 9iously in"icates it was ne9er in the min" of Go" to ha9e a
720 commercial center in His $lace of worshi$ woul" 9ehemently $roteste" a#ainst the ankers. e an a omination. ,esus
As $re9iously state", recent scholarshi$ su##ests that wealthy families in ,erusalem esta lishe" family ankin# systems, that e9entually #rew into commercial usinesses. 1he Mishnah an" oth 1almu"s were written after the "estruction of ,erusalem y ra is who "esire" to see the tem$le an" ser9ices restore" an" Go" honore". 1hey $reser9e" incre"i le "etails an", at times harsh criticisms, of their own $riests, ut ma"e no mention of a commercial len"in# institution. 5ince that they woul" ha9e een 9ehemently o$$ose" to acti9ities similar to Annas an" 'aia$has who #aine" incre"i le wealth throu#h the e%$loition of fellow ,ews. :onetheless, there is sufficient e9i"ence to su##est that 9arious wealthy families who were affiliate" with the tem$le functione" as $ri9ate len"in# institutions. 1823 !t woul" ha9e een one of those families whom ,esus referre" to in His $ara le of the talents, when He tol" a ser9ant that instea" of uryin# the talent, he coul" ha9e $lace" it in a ank an" recei9e" a minimal interest. +or more information, rea" *. &.&. Sa(()"ees concernin# the incre"i le #ree" of the 5a""ucean families. 'learly, they ha" little or no interest in re$resentin# the ,ewish $eo$le efore Go". 2He fo)$( #eo#le selli$% . . . 1o$ey "ha$%ers sitti$% there.5 When ,esus entere" the tem$le, He foun" a#ents for the hi#h $riest sellin# animals an" e%chan#in# currency at inflate" rates. 'urrency e%chan#ers functione" at the tem$le year roun", ut they were es$ecially acti9e at (asso9er. 1his commercial usiness acti9ity ecame known as the .asaars of Annas, locate" in the 'ourt of the Gentiles, from which he $rofite" immensely.1827 He alone was Aualifie" to certify if an animal was $ure, s$otless, an" un lemishe" an", therefore, $erfect for sacrifice. !n the e9ent he reEecte" an animal, he was Auick to ha9e Ban a$$ro9e"C animal a9aila le for the worshi$er to $urchase at a $remium $rice. 5ince most $eo$le were in9ol9e" with a#riculture, they freAuently raise" their own animals for sacrifice. .ut these animals ha" to e a$$ro9e" y Annas, who was known
1056. 'rossan, Who *illed &esus? 32.
1057. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . @1.
721 to reEect them for the sole $ur$ose of sellin# them to someone else. 5ince many $eo$le tra9ele" #reat "istances to the tem$le, Annas took com$lete a"9anta#e of their $li#ht an" increase" his $ersonal wealth y o9erchar#in# them ten to twenty times the fair market 9alue. 182@ 1he 1almu" recor"s an inci"ent of such $rice #ou#in#* :$"e i$ Jer)sale1 a #air of (o8es "ost a %ol(e$ (e$ar. ;abba$ Si1eo$ be$ Ga1aliel sai(+ 2Ay this te1#le+ I 3ill $ot s)ffer the $i%ht to #ass by before they "ost b)t a Bsil8erC (e$ar.5 He 3e$t i$to the "o)rt a$( ta)%ht7 2If a 3o1a$ s)ffere( fi8e 1is"arria%es that 3ere $ot i$ (o)bt or fi8e iss)es that 3ere $ot i$ (o)bt+ she $ee( bri$% b)t o$e offeri$%+ a$( she 1ay the$ eat of the a$i1al offeri$%s4 a$( she is $ot bo)$( to offer the other offeri$%s. A$( the sa1e (ay the #ri"e of a #air of (o8es stoo( at a =)arter-(e$ar ea"h.5 Mish$ah+ -erithoth &7< 1he si#nificance of either a sil9er or a #ol"en "enar ein# the $rice of a $air of "o9es is that a $air of "o9es was the offerin# from the $oorest $eo$le of !srael. 1he tem$le elite clearly ha" no com$assion for anyone ut themsel9es. (asso9er was also the time when the annual half shekel tem$le 1a% ha" to e $ai". +orei#n coins were #enerally reEecte" y Annas, su$$ose"ly ecause these coins #enerally ha" ima#es of $a#an #o"s. Howe9er, the more likely reason was that ancient coins "i" not ha9e a consistent metal 9alue, with the e%ce$tion of coins minte" in 1yre. +or those who came to the tem$le with forei#n currency, Annas char#e" them a $remium of four to ei#ht $ercent, so they coul" $lace pure 1yrian shekels into the tem$le coffers.1829 1yrian shekels were known for ha9in# the $urest sil9er content of any mint in the :ear 4ast. 1his was far more im$ortant to Annas than the ima#e of Mar"uk, the 1yrian #o" that was on the coin. .ut the crimes of Annas "i" not en" there. 1he a>aar he esta lishe" was locate" in the Gentile 'ourt of the tem$le. 1he resultin# atmos$here was more of a li9estock auction than a $lace of worshi$. Annas ha" #reat "is"ain for the 1058. .arclay, BMatthew.C -*18@-14L Wilkinson, &erusalem as &esus *new %t. 117-1@. 1059. 5tein, 0. &esus the Messiah. 1 9.
722 ,ewish $eo$le he re$resente" efore Go", ut he ha" e9en less res$ect for Gentiles. 1he common ,ews hate" him as much as they hate" the Hero"ian househol". 2A 3hi# o)t of "or(s.5 :o wea$ons were $ermitte" in the tem$le area. 1his inclu"e" sticks an" whi$s that were normally use" to "ri9e animals. 1herefore, ,esus Auickly ma"e a whi$ out of linen material an" scol"e" the usiness entre$reneurs as he "ro9e them out of the tem$le. His action was a messa#e e9eryone un"erstoo" an" no one, not e9en the 0oman #uar"s who were statione" in the a"Eacent Antonia +ortress, took action a#ainst Him. ,esus "i" not inten" to cleanse the tem$le from its "i9inely a$$ointe" system of sacrifices, ut from the incre"i le corru$tion an" a uses. ?n se9eral occasions He heale" $eo$le an" tol" them to make the reAuire" sacrifices in the tem$le ;i.e. the cleanse" le$er, Mk. 1*48-42L ten le$ers, &k. 17*11-19=. 1he tem$le was a holy site for worshi$ an" the current acti9ities were an affront to Go". 2This sa$"t)ary too9 /. years to b)il(+ a$( 3ill Eo) raise it )# i$ three (ays>5 1he law reAuire" anyone who threatene" the "estruction of the tem$le e $ut to "eath. While ,esus "i" not say He woul" "o this, His wor"s came close. His statement most certainly cau#ht the attention of the reli#ious esta lishment. He referre" to the Breconstruction of the tem$leC as His o"y resurrecte" from the #ra9e. ,esus ne9er sai", B! am a le to "estroy the tem$le of Go",C or B! will "estroy this tem$le....C 1hose were "istortions later re$eate" y two false witnesses who accuse" Him "urin# His trial ;Mt. -3*31L Mk. 14*27-2@=.
1he Greek $assa#e clearly in"icates construction was still in $ro#ress. !n fact, the tem$le reconstruction e#an in Hero" the Great<s 1@ th year of
723 rei#n, 1838 reckone" to e -8-19 ..'., an" was not com$lete" until A.). 34, only a few years efore its "estruction. 5ince the "iscussion etween ,esus an" the ,ewish a"9ersaries took $lace in the 43 th year of reconstruction, we can accurately "ate this to the 12 th year of 1i erius 'aesar ;&k. /*1=, which in the mo"ern calen"ar was A.). -7. 1831 5ome scholars ha9e ar#ue" for a e#innin# "ate of A.). -@ ;or 791 AU' the foun"in# of 0ome=. Howe9er, their calculation fails to reco#ni>e that the ,ews consi"ere" $art of a year as a full year, in the same manner as they consi"ere" $art of a "ay a full "ay ;i.e. crucifi%ion "ay to resurrection "ay eAuals three "ays=. 183- !t is the stron#est ar#ument for a crucifi%ion "ate of A.). /8, which $resu$$oses a ministry of three an" a half years. :onetheless, scholars are not in a#reement on this "atin# as many elie9e that Hero" the Great "ie" in 1 ..'. an" the crucifi%ion occurre" in A) //.183/ 1hese wor"s sent shock wa9es to the ra is an" tem$le esta lishment. 1hey knew that the tem$le "escri e" in 4>ekiel ;'h. 48 ff= was not the tem$le they so hi#hly cherishe". !f 4>ekiel<s $ro$hecy was to come true, as "i" so many other of his $ro$hecies, then clearly the $resent tem$le woul" ha9e to e "estroye" to $ermit the construction of the one $ro$hesie". 1hat woul" "estroy the $ower an" wealth of the reli#ious rulin# class. :o one "are" to s$eak of such a "estruction or re$lacement. Jet, to a"" tur ulence to their thinkin#, ,esus sai" He woul" raise it in three "ays. When they reali>e" He coul" heal the lin", make the lame walk, an" raise the "ea", their fear of a new tem$le was most threatenin#. :o won"er they ma"e certain someone woul" accuse Him of "estroyin# the Holy 5hrine. 2Ma$y tr)ste( i$ His $a1e 3he$ they sa3 the si%$s He 3as (oi$%.5 1he early teachin# ministry of ,esus must ha9e een im$ressi9e, ecause y the time He atten"e" the we""in# in 'ana, He ha" #athere" fi9e of His twel9e "isci$les. 1he water-to-wine miracle rou#ht #reater attention to Him as he e#an to $erform many miracles, which ,ohn calle" signs or semeion. 1060. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 12.11.1-3. 1061. Mackowski, &erusalem 'ity of &esus. /. 5no"#rass, B1he 1em$le !nci"ent.C 447. 1062. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . -29.
1063 +ilmer, B1he 'hronolo#y of the 0ei#n of Hero" the Great.C -@/-9@L +inne#an, +andbook of Biblical 'hronology. 9@.
724 Multitu"es ha" come from many $arts of the worl" for the (asso9er cele ration. 1hey most certainly hear" all the noise an" latest #ossi$ a out the Man who threw out the money chan#ers an" $erforme" many miracles. 1hey then returne" to their homes an" soon the news a out ,esus ha" s$rea" throu#hout the ,ewish worl". While the ministry of ,esus was essentially in a 9ery small #eo#ra$hical area, His influence reache" throu#hout all ,u"aism.
1064
'. '. ' J$. 37&-*& Jer)sale17 Jes)s 1et a$ I$=)iri$% ;abbi NIC:6EMUS AN6 HIS NE0 AI;TH There 3as a 1a$ fro1 the Pharisees $a1e( Ni"o(e1)s+ a r)ler of the Je3s. * This 1a$ "a1e to Hi1 at $i%ht a$( sai(+ 2;abbi+ 3e 9$o3 that Eo) ha8e "o1e fro1 Go( as a tea"her+ for $o o$e "o)l( #erfor1 these si%$s Eo) (o )$less Go( 3ere 3ith hi1.5
&
Jes)s re#lie(+ 2I ass)re yo)7 U$less so1eo$e is bor$ a%ai$+ he "a$$ot see the 9i$%(o1 of Go(.5
3
2A)t ho3 "a$ a$yo$e be bor$ 3he$ he is ol(>5 Ni"o(e1)s as9e( Hi1. 2Ca$ he e$ter his 1other?s 3o1b a se"o$( ti1e a$( be bor$>5
/
Jes)s a$s3ere(+ 2I ass)re yo)7 U$less so1eo$e is bor$ of 3ater a$( the S#irit+ he "a$$ot e$ter the 9i$%(o1 of Go(. . 0hate8er is bor$ of the flesh is flesh+ a$( 3hate8er is bor$ of the S#irit is s#irit. < 6o $ot be a1aGe( that I tol( yo) that yo) 1)st be bor$ a%ai$. , The 3i$( blo3s 3here it #leases+ a$( yo) hear its so)$(+ b)t yo) (o$?t 9$o3 3here it "o1es fro1 or 3here it is %oi$%. So it is 3ith e8eryo$e bor$ of the S#irit.5
' !
2Ho3 "a$ these thi$%s be>5 as9e( Ni"o(e1)s.
2Are yo) a tea"her of Israel a$( (o$?t 9$o3 these thi$%s>5 Jes)s re#lie(. && 2I ass)re yo)7 0e s#ea9 3hat 0e 9$o3 a$( 0e testify to 3hat 0e ha8e see$+ b)t yo) (o $ot a""e#t :)r
&
1064. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*9, 119.
725 testi1o$y. &* If I ha8e tol( yo) abo)t thi$%s that ha##e$ o$ earth a$( yo) (o$?t belie8e+ ho3 3ill yo) belie8e if I tell yo) abo)t thi$%s of hea8e$> &3 No o$e has as"e$(e( i$to hea8e$ e@"e#t the :$e 3ho (es"e$(e( fro1 hea8e$ Qthe So$ of Ma$. &/ J)st as Moses lifte( )# the s$a9e i$ the 3il(er$ess+ so the So$ of Ma$ 1)st be lifte( )#+ &' so that e8eryo$e 3ho belie8es i$ Hi1 3ill ha8e eter$al life. 2For Go( lo8e( the 3orl( i$ this 3ay7 He %a8e His :$e a$( :$ly So$+ so that e8eryo$e 3ho belie8es i$ Hi1 3ill $ot #erish b)t ha8e eter$al life. &< For Go( (i( $ot se$( His So$ i$to the 3orl( that He 1i%ht "o$(e1$ the 3orl(+ b)t that the 3orl( 1i%ht be sa8e( thro)%h Hi1. &, A$yo$e 3ho belie8es i$ Hi1 is $ot "o$(e1$e(+ b)t a$yo$e 3ho (oes $ot belie8e is alrea(y "o$(e1$e(+ be"a)se he has $ot belie8e( i$ the $a1e of the :$e a$( :$ly So$ of Go(.
&.
2This+ the$+ is the H)(%1e$t7 The li%ht has "o1e i$to the 3orl(+ a$( #eo#le lo8e( (ar9$ess rather tha$ the li%ht be"a)se their (ee(s 3ere e8il. * For e8eryo$e 3ho #ra"ti"es 3i"9e( thi$%s hates the li%ht a$( a8oi(s it+ so that his (ee(s 1ay $ot be e@#ose(. *& A)t a$yo$e 3ho li8es by the tr)th "o1es to the li%ht+ so that his 3or9s 1ay be sho3$ to be a""o1#lishe( by Go(.5
&!
1he conce$t that Go", an" Go" alone, was the su$reme "eity for all $eo$le was a forei#n conce$t to non-,ewish $eo$le. Jet while the ?l" 1estament in9ites the Gentiles into the ,ewish worl", many ,ews ha" "e9elo$e" similar feelin#s of isolation towar" Gentiles for two s$ecific reasons. 1. 1he ,ews remem ere" the horrific e%$erience" their forefathers encountere" un"er Gentile rule "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio". ;+or more information, rea" the !nter-1estamental history from Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes in 173-134 ..'. to the "eath of Hero" the Great in 4 ..'.= -. 1he 0omans an" Greeks, $rior to the time of the 'hristianity, ha" no conce$t of sin. 1heir #o"s ha" all the character traits an" 9ices of mankin". 1hey ma"e sacrifices to a$$ease their #o"s, not for the
726 for#i9eness of sins. +urthermore, to worshi$ an in9isi le "eity who was calle" B+atherC was eAually eyon" their com$rehension. 1832 1he i"ea that these kin" of $eo$le coul" come to Go" was eyon" the ima#ination of most ,ewish lea"ers. ,esus cleare" the $ro9er ial $layin# fiel" elie9e" in Him woul" ha9e eternal life. y statin# that all ;whosoe9er=
Another si#nificant issue was the cleansin# of the tem$le. 1his ol" e9ent was a challen#e to the 5anhe"rin an" it was their res$onsi ility to in9esti#ate such matters, an" it also ha9e een a reason why :ico"emus came to ,esus. Most certainly, the entire con9ersation was not recor"e". He was the hea" of a ra inic school, a lea"in# scholar amon# the (harisees an", from the moo" esta lishe" in the te%t, he was seriously intereste" in learnin# who this ,esus was.1833 !t is here that ,esus $resente" the #os$el in the $ro9er ial Bnutshell.C At this $oint, there are two critical $oints e9i"ent to the theolo#y of ,esus. 1. 1here must e honest re$entance 1his is the e#innin# of the secon" $oint, y e9eryone inclu"in# the ,ews.
-. 0e$entance ;the new irth= is followe" y "isci$leshi$. 2Ni"o(e1)s+ a r)ler of the Je3s.5 As a (harisee with a Greek name, :ico"emus was a mem er of the 5anhe"rin an" e%tremely faithful to the ritualistic laws of ,u"aism that inclu"e" fastin# on Mon"ays an" 1hurs"ays. 1837 He li9e" u$ri#ht in e9ery way, carefully o eyin# the oral an" written laws. 1hat same council woul" later con"emn ,esus to "eath, an" encoura#e the 0omans to e%ecute Him. 49entually :ico"emus ecame a follower of ,esus 7 a ol" "ecision for any mem er of the 5anhe"rin. After the crucifi%ion, :ico"emus was the first to come with s$ices of myrrh an" aloes
1066. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 1----/L More s$ecifically, he was the
hea" of a ,ewish seminary.
1067. &awrence, The Se en ,aws of the +ar est. /7.
727 for the o"y. !n "oin# this he clearly "emonstrate" his "ecision concernin# his faith. ,esus sai" to him. BAre yo) a tea"her of Israel>5 !n the Greek, a "efinite article in"icates :ico"emus was one of the most res$ecte" e"ucators of his time an" it woul" rea", BAre you the teacherFC meanin#, Bsenior theolo#ian,C or, B$rofessor,C in !srael T.C 183@ ,esus was not in"icatin# any lack of knowle"#e of the &aw, ut ,esus was critical of :ico"emus< ina ility to un"erstan" what He was teachin#. :ico"emus ha" een so stron#ly instructe" in e9ery facet of the &aw that he faile" to un"erstan" its $ur$ose. +or this reason, ,esus #a9e the illustration of Moses in :um ers -1*@-9. 2This 1a$ BNi"o(e1)sC "a1e to Hi1 at $i%ht.5 :ico"emus is often critici>e" y to"ay<s theolo#ians for meetin# with ,esus at ni#ht, as if it was a cowar"ly act. Howe9er, as the lea"in# teacher he was immensely $o$ular an" most certainly coul" not #o anywhere without crow"s followin# him. (o$ular ra is were cultural icons an" continue to e so amon# ultraortho"o% ,ews to"ay, Eust as are rock stars an" $rofessional athletes amon# American teen-a#ers to"ay. :ico"emus $ro a ly ha" some "isci$les Eust as other lea"in# ra is "i", ut they o 9iously were not with him. 1here were times, Eust as to"ay, when the most $o$ular teachers, lea"ers, an" ministers "esire" a $ri9ate meetin# when confi"ential Auestions coul" e aske" an" issues "iscusse" that mi#ht not e rea"y for a $u lic forum. 1o ha9e such a meetin# with ,esus, :ico"emus ha" no choice ut to see Him at ni#ht. ,esus close" the meetin# y sayin# that men lo9e the co9er of "arkness to co9er their sins. 1his was not inten"e" to e an insult or "e#ra"in#, ut sim$ly to un"erscore the nee" for re#eneration of life ; ein# orn a#ain=. 2;abbi+ 3e 9$o3 yo) are a tea"her 3ho has "o1e fro1 Go(.5 .y this statement, :ico"emus confesse" that the (harisees ha" an un"erstan"in# that Go" was in their mi"st an", as such, a new re9elation was a out to e $resente" to them. 1his un"erstan"in# was the asis for their accounta ility an" their un elief was the asis for their Eu"#ment ;!sa. 3=.
1068. Howar", B5t. ,ohn* !ntro"uction an" 4%e#esis.C 284-82L +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 9/.
728 !t is noteworthy that :ico"emus a""resse" ,esus with the title of honor, Bra i.C At this time in history, it was not an official title of a ,ewish cler#yman in the syna#o#ue, ut it si#nifie" a hi#hly esteeme" $osition in the community. 1he ,ews use" the title as an eAui9alent to the mo"ern wor" B"octor.C 1he He rew wor" comes from a root wor" meanin# Bto increase.C 5ometimes ,esus was also a""resse" as rabban or rabboni which means our master" our great one .1839 1hese are hi#her titles than rabbi, which means my master. 1070 2Aor$ a%ai$.5 1his coul" also e translate" as, begotten from abo e . When referre" to from the father<s si"e, the 9er is B e#et.C When referre" to from the mother<s si"e, the 9er is B ear.C !n this conte%t, the $hrase means to e B e#otten of water an" the 5$irit of Go"C an" it affirms a hea9enly ori#in. 1871 +or the ,ewish $eo$le to learn that they ha" to e B orn a#ainC was totally contrary to their asic eliefs. 1he reason was that since they were Go"<s chosen $eo$le, they elie9e" all of A raham<s "escen"ants were, therefore, sa9e".187- 0a i 5him<on .en-&akish once sai" that a B(roselyte is like a new orn infantC 187/ to which 0a i Josi a#ree". 1874 'learly the conce$t ehin" the $hrase was not new, ut ha" to e rea$$lie" to e9eryone. 1he a"9anta#e of ein# B orn a#ainC or recei9in# B irth from a o9eC is that the new elie9er ecomes a $artaker of the new co9enant with Go". 1his inclu"es all of the $ri9ile#es an" res$onsi ilities of ein# a chil" of Go", inclu"in# the ri#ht to a""ress the Go" of the uni9erse as B+ather.C 1he res$onsi ility reAuires that one maintain a i lical relationshi$ with the +ather as well as with the rothers an" sisters in the church. 1he intimate 1069. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*249L (acker, 1enney, an" White. The Bible Almanac. 227. 1070. (acker, 1enney, an" White. The Bible Almanac. 227. 1071. Howar", B5t. ,ohn* !ntro"uction an" 4%e#esis.C @*282L +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 9/L
+ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e 4, si"e A.
1072. 1enney, B,ohn.C 9*4@.
%%
1073. .a ylonian 1almu". .e amot 3-a. 1074. .a ylonian 1almu", .e amot 4@ .
729 an" "e9ote" relationshi$ of a hus an" an" wife is re$resentati9e of the "e9otion Go" the +ather "esires to ha9e with all His chil"ren. 1o ecome orn a#ain is not only a one-time "ecision, ut the e#innin# of a new relationshi$ with Go". ,esus came to earth so man mi#ht e sa9e" from his sins. 5al9ation is foun" only y com$lete faith in an" "e$en"ence on ,esus 'hrist. !t is ecause of Him that we ha9e com$lete re"em$tion an" for#i9eness of sins. ,esus, who li9e" a sinless life, "ie" for the sins of humanity, an" returne" to life on the thir" "ay. 1872 !t is the res$onsi ility of men to acce$t the #ift of sal9ation an", there y, recei9e eternal life. 1he "ecision to ecome a "isci$le of ,esus was followe" y a $u lic confession at the time of a$tism. !n this ceremonial $rocess the new con9erts in the first century church were a$ti>e" either Bin the name of ,esusC ;Acts -*/@L 18*4@= or Binto the name of ,esusC ;Acts @*13L 19*2=. 4ither way, the rite was a confession of faith ;0om. 18*9-18=, an offer to acce$t for#i9eness of sin ;Acts -*/@L 1-*13=, to acce$t the #ift of the Holy 5$irit ;Acts -*/@L 18*44-4@=, an" a commitment to e o e"ient to His wor". 1873 1his was a "octrine of the early 'hristian faith.1877 ,ohn /*13 in the Din# ,ames 9ersion B For Go( so lo8e( the 3orl(+ that he %a8e his o$ly be%otte$ So$+ that 3hosoe8er belie8eth i$ hi1 sho)l( $ot #erish+ b)t ha8e e8erlasti$% life C is without Auestion the most Auote" 9erse in the :ew 1estament. !t re9eals the followin#* 1. Go" lo9es His $eo$le
1075. ,esus "ie" on a +ri"ay afternoon an" arose on 5un"ay mornin#. 1he He rew metho"
of countin# time is that the "ay en"s at sun"own. Any time $rior to sun"own was counte" as a full "ay. Any $ortion after sun"own was also consi"ere" a full "ay. Hence, ,esus was consi"ere" "ea" for three full "ays. 1076. +or an e%am$le of a first century a$tismal rite, see &,. *. /.
1077. +or other references to the sal9ation of man, see ,n. /*13-17, 18*9-18L &k. 19*18L
He . 1-*-L Acts 4*1-L 4$h. 1*17, -*@L 0om. @*13. +or the fall an" re"em$tion of humanity, see Gen. 1*-3, /1L /*1-7L (s. @*4-@L 0om. 2*1---1L 1 'or. 12*-1---L - 'or. 2*17. 1he fall an" re"em$tion of humanity an", his sal9ation y the "eath an" resurrection of 'hrist ,esus are two critical "octrines of the 'hristian church. 5ee also 0al$h Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. 31, @9, 99.
730 -. 1o lo9e is to #i9e, #reat lo9e reAuires a #reat #ift an" Go" lo9es humanity so much that He #a9e what was most $recious to Him 7 His son. /. ,esus knew that He was the 5on of Go". 4. ,esus was aware that He woul" "ie a sacrificial "eath for all humanity 7 $ast, $resent, an" future. 2. Mankin" without faith in 'hrist ,esus is "oome" to "estructionL mankin" with faith in 'hrist ,esus will recei9e eternal life. 3. +aith an" trust in ,esus is not an intellectual acknowle"#ement, ut a $ersonal relationshi$. 2U$less so1eo$e is bor$ of 3ater a$( the S#irit+ he "a$$ot e$ter the 9i$%(o1 of Go(.5 1here can e little Auestion that ,esus referre" to 4>ekiel<s $ro$hecy ;/3*-2--7L )ea" 5ea 5croll 1N5 4*-8---=, 187@ yet those tra$$e" y $reconcei9e" i"eas of a $olitical-messiah "i" not reco#ni>e it. 1he two key terms are e%$laine" elow. 1he $hrase BDin#"om of Go"C sim$ly means that Go" has com$lete rulershi$ of one<s life. 'hristians ha9e associate" the $hrase, 2bor$ of 3ater+5 with a$tism $ractice" y a new con9ert to the 'hristian faith. ,ust as the !sraelites esca$e" the on"a#e of 4#y$t, they walke" throu#h the 0ee" 5ea, an" went forth to enEoy the new life in the (romise" &an". &ikewise, a$tism sym oli>es "eath to the on"a#e of sin. .ein# immerse" in a$tism is sym olic of the !sraelites $assin# throu#h the 0ee" 5ea an" risin# out of water is sym olic of the $romise" new life in 'hrist. ,esus intro"uce" a new use for it. .a$tism was well esta lishe" amon# the 4ssenes. Accor"in# to )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N414, one of the reAuirements to ecome a mem er of the Numran sect was to e a$ti>e". While the scroll fra#ment was foun" tattere" with
1078. 1he 4ssenes seem to ha9e ha" a asic conce$t that atonement coul" e #aine" y the Holy 5$irit. +or further stu"y, in9esti#ate comments on )ea" 5ea 5croll 1N5 /*3 -@, 1N5 4*-8---, an" relate" fra#ments.
731 some $ieces missin#, sufficient scri$t was foun" to recreate the ori#inal "ocument.
'. '. 'A. 6EA6 SEA SC;:LL /J/&/ 0ITH AAPTISMAL LITU;GE. )ea" 5ea 5croll 4N414 $reser9e" the a$tismal litur#y for the 4ssene sect who li9e" in 9arious communities, most nota le in Numran. .a$tism was $art of the acce$tance ritual for new mem ershi$ into the #rou$. (hoto#ra$h y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. :otice that the first section reAuires a res$onseL this "iffers from a mik9ah immersion for $urity which one "i" y oneself. An 4ssene a$tism always reAuire" a minimum of two $eo$le. 1he scroll fra#ments from ca9e 4 rea" as follows* B... A$( he shallC say Bi$ res#o$seCU 7lessed (are 9ou" the unclean for the festivals of (... 9our (... and to ma!e atonement for us (...to be &ure before you (... in every matter (... to &urify oneself &rior to (... 9ou made us (.... . F.* Col.& A$( yo) shall "lea$se hi1 for Eo)r holy stat)tes B..C for the first+ the thir( a$( the si@th B...C i$ the tr)th of Eo)r "o8e$a$t B...C to "lea$se o$eself fro1 )$"lea$$ess B...C a$( the$ he shall e$ter the 3ater B...C A$( he shall say i$ res#o$se U 7lessed are 9ou (... for from what comes out of 9our mouth (... men of im&urity (... .
732 F.* N 3. Col.* So)l B...C he is B...C to Eo)rself as a #)re #eo#le & <! B...C A$( I also B...C the (ay 3hi"h B...C i$ the ti1es of #)rity B...C the 9ahad. I$ IsraelVs #)re foo( B...C a$( they shall (3ell B...C. A$( it 3ill ha##e$ o$ that (ay B...C a fe1ale a$( she 3ill %i8e tha$9s B...C F.& For Eo) 1a(e 1e B...C Eo)r 3ill is that 3e "lea$se o)rsel8es before B...C a$( he establishe( for hi1self a stat)te of ato$e1e$t B...C a$( to be i$ ri%hteo)s #)rity a$( he shall bathe i$ 3ater a$( s#ri$9le )#o$ B...C B...C A$( the$ they ret)r$ fro1 the 3ater B...C "lea$si$% His #eo#le i$ the 3aters of bathi$% B...C se"o$( ti1e )#o$ his statio$. A$( he shall say i$ res#o$se7 U7lessed are 9ou (... (... 9our &urification in 9our glory (... (... eternally. And today (... . F.&* 6ea( Sea S"roll /J/&/
& ,
Accor"in# to ,esus, the a$tism ritual sym oli>e" a new $hase of life an" commitment to Go" to carry out that callin#. Water was often a sym ol of the Holy 5$irit. ,esus s$oke of the 5$irit in the form of &i9in# Water, as in His "iscussion with the ;,n. 4=. When the water was $oure" o9er the ra>en altar at the mornin# sacrifice, it was to remem er the water that flowe" from the rock that Moses struck ;4%. 17L 1 'or. 18*4=. .a$tism was not only a $hysical immersion in water, ut that same water was sym olic of ein# immerse" in the Holy 5$irit.
1079. (urity was a maEor issue amon# ortho"o% ,ews
ecause of the continuous encroachment of Hellenism in ,ewish families. (urity ;Greek katharos = was "efine" within the realm of $hysical, reli#ious, an" ethical $urityL a term that has oth fi#urati9e an" literal reAuirements of eha9ior. 5ee &ink an" 5chattenmann. B(ure, 'lean.C /*18--8/. 1080. htt$*//www.#nosis.or#/li rary/ a$tl.htm 0etrie9e" ,uly 17, -811L 5ee also Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls. 4/9.
733 1he "is$ensation of the 5$irit coul" not e#in until the work of ,esus as re"eemer was finishe". 1here coul" e no (entecost until there was first a 'al9ary. ?nly after ,esus was e%alte" in hea9en "i" the 5$irit cele rate the coronation. ?nly after the 0ock ;,esus= was smitten, coul" the ri9ers of water ;Holy 5$irit= flow. 1he e%tent of that flow is "e$en"ent, in $art, to how we thirst, "rink, an" elie9e in the #lorifie" ,esus 'hrist. ,esus sai", B!f any man thirstC ;,n. 7*/7= an" ,esus continue" to s$eak of the Holy 5$irit. :othin# coul" sto$ 'al9ary an" nothin# coul" sto$ (entecost which woul" e the li9in# water of ,esus. 1he $rocess of ein# born again or born from abo e" inclu"es a ritual calle" baptism. 1he term is from the Greek wor" baptismos or baptisma. !t<s root wor" bapto means to dip an" as such was use" y the Greek $oet Homer to "escri e the "i$$in# of steel in water to tem$er it. 18@1 1he He rew counter$art is tabhal, an" is often translate" sim$ly as to dip" as when :aaman dipped himself in the ,or"an 0i9er ;- D#s. 2*14=. 18@- !t was not a new $hase an" the ,ewish $eo$le were familiar with the wor". 2Aor$ of the S#irit.5 1he re#eneration of life in the new elie9er is the key. 1his is of a s$iritual nature an", with it there is the imme"iate "i9ine $romise of eternal life, as well as "i9ine stren#th to $ass throu#h the "ifficulties of this life. While this is of a s$iritual nature, the $hysical challen#es, such as a""ictions, often remain to e heale" in a slower $rocess. Howe9er, y the $ower an" #race of ,esus 'hrist, the new elie9er can reak free of these on"a#es. 1he ,ews $ractice" a$tism for the con9ersion of Gentiles. Hence, it was not a new institution for them. !t ha" een a ceremonial ritual, ut "i" not ha9e the same conce$t of re$entance as tau#ht y ,ohn the .a$tist an" ,esus. 1he 4ssenes, on the other han", were $ro a ly more on tar#et in un"erstan"in# this conce$t than most elie9ers to"ay reali>e. 1hey ha" a "aily ritual immersion ath for $urification that inclu"e" a confession of sins. !t is interestin# that they sai" such a ritual immersion was worthless without a re$entant heart. 1his "octrine "e9elo$e" in the $re9ious two centuries an" the entire ,ewish nation was aware of it. 1herefore, when ,esus $reache" it, His messa#e was not entirely new. 1he 4ssenes a$$ear to ha9e ha" clear un"erstan"in# of the times in which they li9e" that woul" usher in
1081. Homer. :dyssey. 9./9-.
1082. Williams, B.a$ti>e, .a$tism.C -7-/8.
734 the Messiah 7 an" interestin# reflection u$on the Bfullness of timeC in Galatians 4*4, which ha" not yet een written y the A$ostle (aul. +inally, the initial "ifference etween the lost an" the sa9e" is not who is #uilty an" who is innocent, ut rather how each $erson res$on"s to the #os$el messa#e. :ico"emus knew that ri#hteousness was reAuire" to enter the kin#"om of the Messiah ;(s. -4*/-4= an" he knew the "etails of the &aw. He was a out to learn that the &aw was a reflection of what the con"ition of the heart ou#ht to e. Whereas the Written &aw "irects the eha9ior of man towar" Go" from an e%ternal source, a chan#e of heart, the Din#"om of Go" "irects the eha9ior of man towar" Go" from an internal source. 1he conce$t of the Messiah as the 5a9ior of humanity an" the in"wellin# of the Holy 5$irit in the life of the elie9er were not in first century ,ewish e%$ectations.
'. '. '.J& Ho3 "o)l( a$ e8il sy1bol of a s$a9e of N)1bers *&7/-!+ be asso"iate( 3ith Jes)s "r)"ifie( )#o$ a Cross> 2J)st as Moses lifte( )# the s$a9e i$ the 3il(er$ess B(esertC.5 With this $assa#e ,esus reflecte" ack to the ?l" 1estament story in :um ers -1*4-9 when the $eo$le of !srael Eourneye" throu#h the "esert an" com$laine" itterly that they e9er left 4#y$t. Go" $unishe" them for com$lainin# an" murmurin# y sen"in# fiery ser$ents an", after recei9in# some nasty snake ites, they re$ente" an" crie" for mercy. Go" tol" Moses to make a rass snake an" $lace it on to$ of a $ole an" when the $eo$le looke" u$on it, Go" woul" heal them.
735 Jears later the ra>en ser$ent ecame an i"ol "urin# the "ays of He>ekiah ;- D#s. 1@*4=. 1He irony was that they were not to make a #ra9en ima#e of any li9in# thin#, yet when they looke" u$on a ra>> snake, they were heale". 1his ?l" 1estament reference is sometimes $ro lematic, ecause to"ay the snake is associate" with the "emonic ser$ent of Genesis. How coul" such an e9il sym ol e associate" with ,esus who woul" e lifte" u$on a 'rossF 1his association was ma"e y church lea"ers centuries after ,esus. Howe9er, in the "ays of Moses throu#h to the first century many elie9e" that a snake she""in# its skin was a sym ol of renewe" life. ,esus is renewe" life. 18@/ !t was certainly not the snake that heale", nor was it Moses, ut Go" an" centuries later it was ,esus who heale". .ut, as will e shown later, amon# the $a#ans the sym olic snake a$$eare" on ancient #o"s an" #o""esses of healin# as well as in accounts of 9ir#in irths.
1083. :e#e9, The Archaeological 5ncyclopedia of the +oly ,and. -4@.
736 '. '. 'A. EA;LE IS;AELITE INCENSE AU;NE; A6:;NE6 0ITH SNAIES. !ncense urner a"orne" with snakes of the earlier !sraelite (erio". 5nakes re$resente" renewe" life throu#hout the i lical $erio". (hoto#ra$h courtesy of the !srael Museum. '. '. '.J* Sho)l( Ni"o(e1)s ha8e 9$o3$ or s)s#e"te( a$ythi$% abo)t a 2$e3 birth5> A solutely, yesZ He was aware of the a$tismal rites within ,u"aism an", therefore, shoul" ha9e ma"e a connection with what ,esus was tellin# him. He also shoul" ha9e een aware of Din# )a9i"<s two horrific sins for which there was no atonement* mur"er an" a"ultery. As a result he crie" out unto the &or" an" sai",
&
Create i$ 1e a #)re heart+ : Go(+ a$( re$e3 a stea(fast s#irit 3ithi$ 1e. 6o $ot "ast 1e fro1 yo)r #rese$"e or ta9e yo)r Holy S#irit fro1 1e. ;estore to 1e the Hoy of yo)r sal8atio$ a$( %ra$t 1e a 3illi$% s#irit to s)stai$ 1e.
&&
&*
Psal1 '&7& -&* BNIF &!,/C What )a9i" reAueste" from the &or" was a re#eneration or new irth, for he reali>e" that cleansin# himself was a 9ain e%ercise ;(s. 7/*1/=. 1he 4ssenes, e9en thou#h they li9e" un"er the ?l" 'o9enant, reali>e" that the Holy 5$irit $urifies the heart. 1he 4ssenes e9en s$oke freely of Go"<s 5$irit of holiness as a cleansin# an" $urifyin# $ower as re9eale" in a num er of )ea" 5ea 5crolls.18@4 !t is hi#hly $ro a le the )ea" 5ea 5croll 1N5 4.-1 was esta lishe" u$on Malachi /*-ff, which is ama>in#ly close to Matthew /*11 an" &uke /*13.18@2 :icho"emus shoul" ha9e known Malachi /*1-/ states that the Messiah woul" e !srael<s refiner an" $urifier. 1hat $urifyin# ha" 1084. 5ee )ea" 5ea 5croll* 1N5 /.7-9L 4.-1L 1NH 13.1- cf 7.3L 17.-3, +ra#ment -.9, 1/. 1085. )unn, Baptism in the +oly Spirit. 9-18.
737 alrea"y e#un. :ico"emus "i" not see it, yet the 5$irit mo9e" his heart to "iscuss this with ,esus. 1he ra is, of which :icho"emus was one of them, ha" lon# connecte" the ritual of a$tism ;com$lete immersion in water=, with washin# as instructe" in 4%o"us 19*18. !t was "eeme" to e the first ste$ in holy li9in# an" $re$aration to e in communion with Go". 18@3 1he o$inion of the ra is is summari>e" y ,ose$hus concernin# the ministry of ,ohn the .a$tist. 1he ack#roun" to this narrati9e is that Hero" Anti$as ha" e%ecute" ,ohn, then entere" into attle with the :a ateans who soun"ly "efeate" him. 1he ,ewish community elie9e" the "efeat was "i9ine Eu"#ment for a horri le sin a#ainst a ri#hteous man. :ote the narrati9e* No3+ so1e of the Je3s tho)%ht that the (estr)"tio$ of Hero(?s ar1y "a1e fro1 Go(+ a$( that 8ery H)stly+ as a #)$ish1e$t of 3hat he (i( a%ai$st Joh$+ that 3as "alle( the Aa#tist for Herol( sle3 hi1 3ho 3as a %oo( 1a$+ a$( "o11a$(e( the Je3s to e@er"ise 8irt)e+ both as ri%hteo)s$ess to3ar(s o$e a$other+ a$( #iety to3ar(s Go(+ a$( so to "o1e to ba#tis1. For that 3ashi$% R3ith 3aterS 3o)l( be a""e#table to hi1+ if they 1a(e )se of it $ot i$ or(er to the #)tti$% a3ay Ror the re1issio$S of so1e si$s Ro$lyS+ b)t for the #)rifi"atio$ of the bo(y. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &,.'.*
18@7
As $re9iously state", a$tism "i" not ori#inate with 'hristianity, ut with ,u"aism. When a Gentile con9erte" to ,u"aism, he was a$ti>e". When a "isci$le ecame a ra i, he was a$ti>e" as $art of his or"ination ser9ice. 5ome sources in"icate that when one ecame a mem er of the 5anhe"rin, there was a a$tism. 5uch rites were associate" with the new res$onsi ility an" "irection in life. 1he rite, alon# with B orn a#ainC terminolo#y was common in (harisaic writin#s. 1herefore, :ico"emus shoul" ha9e known or at least ma"e an e"ucate" #uess at what ,esus was talkin# a out. 1here
1086. 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 49. 1087. .rackete" inserts for clarification y Whiston,, e".
738 were se9eral times when a man coul" e B orn a#ainC accor"in# to ,ewish theolo#y an" tra"ition. 18@@ 1. When a Gentile man con9erte" to ,u"aism, ha" to $erform three thin#s* a. .e circumcise".18@9 . Make an offerin# at the tem$le c. .e immerse" in a mik9ah. After this he was consi"ere" a Bnew orn chil"C an" acce$te" in ,ewish society.1898 -. When a man was crowne" kin# /. At the time of his ar mit>9ah ;a#e 1/ years an" 1 "ay= 4. When he marrie" a wife ; etween a#es 13 an" -8=. 2. When a man was or"aine" as a ra 3. When a ra i ;a#e /8=
1891
i Eoine" the 5anhe"rin ;a#e 28=
1herefore, :ico"emus shoul" certainly ha9e known what ,esus meant when He use" the terms such as B orn of water,C B orn of the water,C or B a$ti>e.C &ittle won"er that ,esus woul" say, BAre you the teacherTC 1891herefore, Bthe teacher,C who in all $ro a ility was the hea" of a seminar, ha" a small followin# of "isci$les, an" a mem er of the 5anhe"rin, shoul" ha9e un"erstoo" what ,esus meant.
1088. +or more information on ,ewish a$tisms, see William 5.&a5or, B)isco9erin# What ,ewish Mik9a<ot 'an 1ell Us A out 'hristian .a$tism.C 2--29. 5ee also Kon"er9an<s New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. -882. 123-. 1089. 1hose men who "eci"e" to for#o the circumcision ritual, ut o ser9e" the :oahi"e 'omman"ments, were known as BGo"-fearin#C men. 1hey were not B,ewish con9erts,C ut still res$ecte" amon# the ,ewish $eo$le. +or more information on the :oahi"e 'omman"ments, see A##e$(i@ &,. 1090. &i9in#ston, B,esus on (urity, .a$tism, an" ,ewish 0itual .aths.C 1--.
1091. +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e 4, 5i"e A.

1092. 4m$hasis y the author, ut it is also in the Greek te%t.
739
4ideo Insert
/?)/?)/?)4 An unassigned s%ho&ar to dis%uss the Je(ish traditions of +a#tis")
'. '. '.J3 I$ li%ht of ;o1a$s & 7!+ 3as it #ossible for Ni"o(e1)s to be"o1e bor$ a%ai$> Jes, if the answer were limite" to this $assa#e in 0omans, which states that eternal life is o taine" if first, one confesses that ,esus is &or" an", secon", one elie9es that Go" raise" Him from the #ra9e. 1he $ro lem is o 9iously that ,esus was 9ery much ali9e when He s$oke to :ico"emus. 1he :ew 1estament was written years after the ministry of ,esus. While ein# B orn a#ainC is #enerally an" accurately "efine" y 0omans 18*9, a $assa#e more a$$lica le is the new creation ,esus s$oke which is foun" in 'orinthians 2*17. !t states that Bif anyone is in 'hrist he is a new creation.C 1hat was $recisely the $oint of ,esus. :ico"emus nee"e" to ecome a new creation in 'hrist, which to"ay is known as ecomin# B orn a#ain.C
740
'. '. 'C. FI;ST CENTU;E MIIFAH. A mik9ah like this one, locate" at the southern ste$s of the tem$le, ecame the $attern for a$tismal fonts use" y the church. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
'. '. '6. FIFTH CENTU;E C;:SS-SHAPE6 AAPTIST;E . 1he conce$t of a ste$-"own a$tistery was $atterne" after the ,ewish ritual mik9ah. 1he ,ewish rite was a"a$te" y the early church when a ri9er or o"y of water was not a9aila le. 1his
741 cross-sha$e" a$tistery is locate" alon# the northern e"#e of the 5ea of Galilee. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he ministry of ,esus ha" a $owerful intro"uction in 'ana an" e9en more so in ,erusalem when He cleare" the tem$le. 189/ While still in the intro"uctory $hase, ,ohn the .a$tist $ointe" to ,esus an" "eclare" that He was the ?ne for whom e9eryone ha" een waitin#. ,esus ministere" in the ,u"ean countrysi"e an" then walke" north to the "istrict of Galilee to where He woul" "o most of His ministry.
'. '. '.J/ 0hy (oes Joh$ 37&. say that Go( lo8es the 3orl( a$( Joh$ !73! say that Jes)s "a1e to this 3orl( to H)(%e it> ,ohn /*13 is the famous 9erse that says that Go" lo9e" the worl" so much that He #a9e His only 5on ,esus that anyone who elie9es in Him will ne9er $erish ut ha9e e9er lastin# life. Jet ,ohn 9*/9 says that ,esus came into this worl" to Eu"#e it. ? 9iously the secon" 9erse "oesn<t soun" 9ery lo9in#.. ,esus "i" in"ee" come to rin# sal9ation to the worl". He "oes, in fact, lo9e e9eryone an" as 5t. Au#ustine once sai", B,esus "ie" for e9ery one of us as if there was only one of us.C Howe9er, not e9eryone acce$ts the free #ift of sal9ation. +or those who reEect His callin# there will one "ay e an un$leasant "ay of Eu"#ment. 5o oth ,ohn /*13 an" 9*/9 are trueL /*13 is offere" first an", if reEecte", 9*/9 #oes into effect. As someone else once sai", B"ecisions "etermine "estiny.C +inally, the conce$t of rebirth or born again was well known to oth ,ews an" Gentiles. +or the ,ewish $eo$le, the conce$t is "iscusse" a o9e. +or the Gentiles, the 0omans an" Greeks were familiar with the $hrase ecause it was in nearly all of the ancient mystery reli#ions. '. '. . J$. 37**-3. Jes)s a$( Joh$ i$ J)(ea JESUS AN6 J:HN AAPTILE
1093. !t is interestin# that the syno$tic #os$els ne9er mention ,esus in ,erusalem until the
(assion week, yet ,ohn<s #os$el concentrates on His ministry in the Holy 'ity.
742 After this+ Jes)s a$( His (is"i#les 3e$t to the J)(ea$ "o)$trysi(e+ 3here He s#e$t ti1e 3ith the1 a$( ba#tiGe(. *3 Joh$ also 3as ba#tiGi$% i$ Ae$o$ $ear Sali1+ be"a)se there 3as #le$ty of 3ater there. Peo#le 3ere "o1i$% a$( bei$% ba#tiGe(+ */ si$"e Joh$ ha( $ot yet bee$ thro3$ i$to #riso$.
**
The$ a (is#)te arose bet3ee$ Joh$?s (is"i#les a$( a Je3 abo)t #)rifi"atio$. *. So they "a1e to Joh$ a$( tol( hi1+ 2;abbi+ the :$e yo) testifie( abo)t+ a$( 3ho 3as 3ith yo) a"ross the Jor(a$+ is ba#tiGi$%Qa$( e8eryo$e is flo"9i$% to Hi1.5
*'
Joh$ res#o$(e(+ 2No o$e "a$ re"ei8e a si$%le thi$% )$less it?s %i8e$ to hi1 fro1 hea8e$. *, Eo) yo)rsel8es "a$ testify that I sai(+ WI a1 $ot the Messiah+ b)t I?8e bee$ se$t ahea( of Hi1.? *! He 3ho has the bri(e is the %roo1. A)t the %roo1?s frie$(+ 3ho sta$(s by a$( liste$s for hi1+ reHoi"es %reatly at the %roo1?s 8oi"e. So this Hoy of 1i$e is "o1#lete. 3 He 1)st i$"rease+ b)t I 1)st (e"rease.5
*<
The :$e 3ho "o1es fro1 abo8e is abo8e all. The o$e 3ho is fro1 the earth is earthly a$( s#ea9s i$ earthly ter1s. The :$e 3ho "o1es fro1 hea8e$ is abo8e all. 3* He testifies to 3hat He has see$ a$( hear(+ yet $o o$e a""e#ts His testi1o$y. 33 The o$e 3ho has a""e#te( His testi1o$y has affir1e( that Go( is tr)e. 3/ For Go( se$t Hi1+ a$( He s#ea9s Go(?s 3or(s+ si$"e He %i8es the S#irit 3itho)t 1eas)re. 3' The Father lo8es the So$ a$( has %i8e$ all thi$%s i$to His ha$(s. 3. The o$e 3ho belie8es i$ the So$ has eter$al life+ b)t the o$e 3ho ref)ses to belie8e i$ the So$ 3ill $ot see life4 i$stea(+ the 3rath of Go( re1ai$s o$ hi1.
3&
2Ae$o$ $ear Sali1.5 1he location of these two 9illa#es was unknown until the late 19th century when, "urin# an e%ca9ation in 5t. Geor#e<s Greek ?rtho"o% 'hurch in Ma"a a, ,or"an + 1894 a 3th century mosaic ma$ of sacre" sites was foun". Dnown as the Ma"a a Ma$, its focal $oint is ,erusalem, ut it also "e$icts Aenon as ein# near to 5alim, Eust south of 5cytho$olis ;also 1094. 1he mosaic Ma"a a Ma$ is in the 9illa#e of Ma"a a, locate" a out a out -8 miles
south of Amman, the ca$ital of ,or"an.
743 known as .eth 5hean= near the ,or"an 0i9er ;see &/. *. 36=. 5cytho$olis was the only city of the )eca$olis locate" west of the ,or"an 0i9er. :ote that ,ohn was a$ti>in# in this area, while ,esus was a$ti>in# two or three "ays further south alon# the same ri9er in ,u"ea. 2Ae"a)se there 3as #le$ty of 3ater.5 ,ohn the .a$tist "i" most of his ministry in the area where the ,or"an 0i9er em$ties into the )ea" 5ea, a short "istance from the 4ssene community of Numran. Generally, the ,or"an 0i9er ha" sufficient water for an immersion a$tism. Howe9er, at the en" of the rainless summer, the ri9er was re"uce" to a trickle an" ,ohn went further north, where there was a #reater Auantity of water. +or him, s$rinklin# was not an o$tion. 5$rinklin# was intro"uce" into the ,ewish church y the en" of the first century, as recor"e" in the )idache. ;e%ar(i$% ba#tis1. Aa#tiGe as follo3s7 After first e@#lai$i$% all these #oi$ts+ ba#tiGe i$ the $a1e of the Father a$( of the So$ a$( of the Holy S#irit+ i$ r)$$i$% 3ater. A)t if yo) ha8e $o r)$$i$% 3ater+ ba#tiGe i$ other 3ater4 a$( if yo) "a$$ot i$ "ol(+ the$ i$ 3ar1. A)t if yo) ha8e $either+ #o)r 3ater o$ the hea( three ti1es i$ the $a1e of the Father a$( of the So$ a$( of the Holy S#irit. Aefore the ba#tis1+ let the ba#tiGer a$( the "a$(i(ate for ba#tis1 fast+ as 3ell as a$y others that are able. ;e=)ire the "a$(i(ate to fast o$e or t3o (ays #re8io)sly. 6i(a"he <7&-/ 2;abbi+ the :$e yo) testifie( abo)t ... e8eryo$e is flo"9i$% to Hi1.5 1he "isci$les of ,ohn the .a$tist ecame so Eealous of the ministry of ,esus, that they "i" not mention the name of ,esus. 0ather, they referre" to ,esus as Bthat man.C 1he a9oi"ance of a name was a "eli erate insult. Howe9er, ,ohn "i" not res$on" with a re uke ut sim$ly affirme" that Bthat ManC was the ri"e#room ;9. -9= who ha" come from hea9en ;9. /1=.
'. '. ..J& 0hat ha##e$e( to the (is"i#les of Joh$ the Aa#tist 3ho (i( $ot follo3 Jes)s>
744 49entually many followers of the .a$tist followe" ,esus, es$ecially after the he was e%ecute". :ot one of these Eealous followers, howe9er, ma"e that chan#e. 1hey reco#ni>e" that Go" rou#ht forth a mi#hty man such as ,ohn, ut were too $rou" to follow ,esus an", therefore, forme" their own reli#ious sect. 49entually, their "escen"ants ecame known as the Mendeans, or 'hristians of St. &ohn" althou#h they were ne9er true 'hristians. 'enturies later the Muslims calle" them the Sabaeans. 1he #rou$ mo9e" east an" settle" in the cities of Wasit, .asra, an" 'hu>istan on the eastern si"e of the 1i#ris 0i9er in a nation known to"ay as !raA. 1892 2A)t the %roo1?s frie$(.5 1here were some cultural "ifferences in we""in# rituals etween communities. !n Galilee, there was a #roomsman BshoshebhinC for the #room an" ri"eswoman for the ri"e, whereas in ,u"ea only the ri"e#room ha" a #roomsman. 1he ri"e#room in ancient times was the most im$ortant in"i9i"ual at the we""in#, a re9erse from to"ay<s Western custom. 1he ri"e#room in this $assa#e is ,esus an" the frien" is the #roomsman, who is in fact, ,ohn the .a$tist. 2The :$e 3ho "o1es fro1 abo8e.5 ,ohn a#ain $resente" his commentary reflectin# the "i9ine messa#e in no uncertain terms. He state" that ,esus* 1. 'ame from hea9enL -. 5$oke with "i9ine authority, /. 5$oke from o ser9ation into the hearts of men, not from theolo#y or theory, 4. 5$oke the wor"s of Go", an", 2. Ha" com$lete authority from Go" the +ather to $roclaim an" "emonstrate his messa#e ;cf 1 'or. 12*47=. 2The o$e 3ho belie8es i$ the So$ has eter$al life.5 ,ohn rin#s forth his theme that whoe9er $laces his faith in ,esus for sal9ation has eternal life. 1hat life is not only a future $ossession, ut also a $resent $ossession. BWhoe9er elie9esC is not an o$inion or feelin#, ut rather is oth a "ee$1095. Dessler, BMen"aeans.C 4*1437.
745 seate" faith an" commitment to follow i lical instructions that $ertain to all areas of life. After a rief ministry in ,u"ea an" aroun" ,erusalem, ,esus tra9ele" north into the Galilee area. 1here are two $rimary reasons for this. 1. He ;,esus= an" ,ohn were oth en#a#e" in the same ministry. 1hey were challen#e" y the increasin# tension of the (harisees who "esire" to see oth men en" their ministries. 1he corru$t reli#ious lea"ers an" the $olice $ower of the 5anhe"rin was intense, ut limite" to ,erusalem an" ,u"ea. 1herefore, He tra9ele" north to Galilee. -. ,ohn<s im$risonment y Hero" Anti$as si#nale" that the messa#e of the .a$tist was reEecte", as woul" e the messa#e of ,esus. ,esus was #ainin# immense $o$ularity, which coul" ha9e "e9elo$e" into $olitical o9ertones. 1he ima#e of the comin# messiah hel" y the $eo$le was $owerfully e%$losi9e an" com$letely "ifferent from the life an" ministry of ,esus. 1o a9oi" any $ro lems an" to e outsi"e the le#al s$here of the 5anhe"rin, He ministere" in the $lain of Galilee, as well as the 9illa#es that surroun" the 5ea of Galilee. Hero" the Great ha" limite" the arrestin# authority of the hi#h court to ,erusalem an" ,u"ea. At the same time the $o$ularity of ,ohn ha" ecome enormous. 5ince his messa#es were far more inflammatory than those of ,esus, Hero" Anti$as feare" ,ohn mi#ht start a re9olt. Jet stran#e as it seems, the (harisees an" 5a""ucees were not as concerne" a out ,ohn, ut worrie" that ,esus woul" o9erthrow their reli#ious system in the tem$le.
'. '. ..J* 6i( Jes)s ba#tiGe a$yo$e> Accor"in# to ,ohn /*-- an" -3, ,esus an" His "isci$les a$ti>e" $eo$le. Howe9er, ,ohn 4*- is a clarification statement that says only the "isci$les were $erformin# the a$tisms. 1here is no conflict etween these three $assa#es, ut rather, the "isci$les were a$ti>in# un"er the authority of ,esus. 1herefore, it woul" e the same as if ,esus $ersonally $erforme" the a$tisms.
746 '. '. < L9. 37&!-* Ma"haer)s Fortress+ East of the 6ea( Sea
J:HN THE AAPTIST IMP;IS:NE6 A)t Hero( the tetrar"h+ bei$% reb)9e( by hi1 abo)t Hero(ias+ his brother?s 3ife+ a$( abo)t all the e8il thi$%s Hero( ha( (o$e+ * a((e( this to e8erythi$% else Q he lo"9e( Joh$ )# i$ #riso$.
&!
1he .a$tist ha" re uke" Hero" Anti$as, son of Hero" the Great, for his notorious "e auchery an" a"ultery. 1he youn#er Hero" ecame well known throu#hout the 0oman 4m$ire for his wil" an" sensual $arties. His arro#ance almost eAuale" that of his father an", therefore, the re uke of ,ohn the .a$tist was not welcome". Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, he also feare" that ,ohn<s teachin# mi#ht lea" to ci9il unrest. 1893 'onseAuently, he ha" ,ohn im$risone" in the Machaerus +ortress east of the )ea" 5ea.
'. '. <A. ;UINS :F THE MACHAE;US PALACEF:;T;ESS. 1he ruins of this $alace-fortress, east of the )ea" 5ea, are har"ly a sha"ow of its #lorious $ast. Accor"in# to tra"ition, ,ohn the .a$tist was im$risone" an" ehea"e" at this 1096. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.2.1.
747 site. 5ome scholars elie9e the $it ;ri#ht of the fence= was the $rison "un#eon. 1he fortress was constructe" y Ale%an"er ,annaeus ;18/-73 ..'.=, "estroye" y the 0omans in 27 ..'., an" reconstructe" y Hero" the Great, who enEoye" the near y hot s$rin#s of 'allirrhoe in the Wa"i Kerka Ma<in. 1897 (hoto#ra$h y the author.
U$it . The Mi$istry of Jes)s A""elerates Cha#ter & The Mi$istry of Jes)s Ae%i$s i$ Galilee
1097. .ruce, BMachaerus.C -*9-9.
748
.. &. A. JESUS TEACHES HIS 6ISCIPLES. Ill)stratio$ by Go(frey 6)ra$(+ &,!.. 1he instructions ,esus #a9e were the ty$e of lessons learne" on a "aily asis as one interacts with others in the course of life. While formal schools "i" e%ist, most of the ra is tau#ht as they encountere" 9arious situations. !t was a ty$e of $ractical theolo#yL the Wor" of Go" a$$lie" to real life issues. .. &. & I$tro()"tio$ 5ince His miracle in 'ana, the whole $ro9ince of Galilee was talkin# a out Him. Unlike to"ay where cultural an" technolo#ical chan#es are e%$ecte", in the ancient worl", chan#e ha$$ene" so slowly it was har"ly noticea le. 1he only e%ce$tion was relate" to warfare, an" that was ne9er #oo". 1herefore, when a certain Man from :a>areth e#an $erformin# miracles, the news
749 s$rea" like wil"fire. ,esus was the su Eect of e9ery con9ersation 7 on the oats, in the syna#o#ues, in the market$lace, where9er $eo$le met. 1he news s$rea" throu#hout the three ,ewish $ro9inces of ,erusalem, ,u"aea, an" (erea ;east of the ,or"an 0i9er=, to 5i"on far to the north, !"umea far to the south, throu#hout the cities of the )eca$olis, an" eyon". 5ince the international hi#hway, known as the 7ia Maris" went throu#h 'a$ernaum, news of His miracles tra9ele" internationally almost as Auickly as it went to the ne%t 9illa#e. 'row"s e#an to #ather aroun" Him an" soon there was an au"ience to teach an" "eclare the comin# of the kin#"om of Go". 1he country was stirre" from en" to en" an" Galilee was on fire with the e%citement a out Him. Howe9er, the 0omans, 5a""ucees, Hero"ians an" the (harisee elitists were less than "eli#hte". 1hey ke$t a careful eye on ,esus to see if He woul" initiate a re9olt or threaten the tem$le. When ,esus left :a>areth an" mo9e" to 'a$ernaum, it was a fulfillment of one of !saiah<s $ro$hecies that says, Ne8ertheless+ the %loo1 of the (istresse( la$( 3ill $ot be li9e that of the for1er ti1es 3he$ He h)1ble( the la$( of Leb)l)$ a$( the la$( of Na#htali. A)t i$ the f)t)re He 3ill bri$% ho$or to the 0ay of the Sea+ to the la$( east of the Jor(a$+ a$( to Galilee of the $atio$s.
3
Isaiah !7& 1here is no Auestion that the most im$ortant roa" in ancient !srael was the #reat international coastal hi#hway that connecte" 4#y$t with Galilee, (hoenicia, 5yrian an" e9entually went on to Meso$atamia. !ts im$ortance is un"erscore" with the local thirty-se9en connectin# hi#hways. 189@ An ama>in# feature of this 9erse, that is often misse", is the name of the maEor international hi#hway 7 the Way of the Sea . 1his name "i" not e%ist in the "ays of !saiah ;a out 788 ..'.=, rather, the hi#hway was known at that time as the Way of the 4hilistines, or Bthe way of the lan" of the (hilistinesC ;4%. 1/*17L :um. -8*17=. 1899 Howe9er, in 3/ ..'., the 0oman General (om$ey took control of !srael an" rename" the hi#hway the 7ia Maris" which is &atin meanin#, the Way of the Sea . 1his roa" went throu#h 'a$ernaum which
1098. )orsey, Roads and +ighways. 27. 1099. !t was also known as The -reat Trunck Route ecause it connecte" to so many secon"ary roa"s.
750 $ro9i"e" ,esus with a constant stream of 9isitors who were tra9elin# with the cara9ans. 1hey Auickly took the #oo" news of a Miracle-worker an" 1eacher to other nations. 49en thou#h ,esus ha" $re9iously $erforme" His first miracle in 'ana, it was the first of se9eral miracles that cau#ht e9eryone<s attention an" let them know He was ?ne to watch. Galilee was out of reach of the lon# arm of the 5anhe"rin authority, so ,esus coul" minister freely without the threat of the tem$le $olice. Howe9er, He ha" two constant challen#es* 1. 1he (harisees an" the Hero"ians were constantly s$yin# on Him. -. He ha" to chan#e $reconcei9e" i"eas of the ,ewish $eo$le, ecause their e%$ectations of the Messiah were "ifferent from the $ur$ose an" i"entity of ,esus.
.. &. * J$. /7&-3 J)(ea to Galilee JESUS LEAFES JU6EA F:; GALILEE AE 0AE :F SAMA;IA 0he$ Jes)s 9$e3 that the Pharisees hear( He 3as 1a9i$% a$( ba#tiGi$% 1ore (is"i#les tha$ Joh$ * Btho)%h Jes)s Hi1self 3as $ot ba#tiGi$%+ b)t His (is"i#les 3ereC+ 3 He left J)(ea a$( 3e$t a%ai$ to Galilee.
&
,esus left ,erusalem an" returne" to Galilee y takin# a short-cut throu#h 5amaria. 1he 5amaritans consi"ere" the tem$le at ,erusalem to e $art of an a$ostate reli#ion. 1he 5amaritan tem$le, which was theolo#ically o$$ose" to the ,erusalem tem$le, was y the ,ews in 1-@ ..'. 1188 When
1100. 5ee 3. '. 3+ B1/2-184 ..'. 0ule of ,ohn Hyrcanus, 5amaritan 1em$le )estroye".C
751 ,ews tra9ele" throu#h 5amaria to go to ,erusalem, the 5amaritans assume" they were #oin# to worshi$ at the ,erusalem 1em$le. 1herefore, they woul" attack, eat, ro , an" sometimes kill them. 1o a9oi" the "an#ers, the ,ews y$asse" 5amaria y takin# the lon#er route south alon# the eastern si"e of the ,or"an 0i9er throu#h the $ro9ince of (erea. 49entually they crosse" the ,or"an at ,ericho an" hike" the lon# u$hill clim westwar" on the ,ericho to ,erusalem 0oa". Jet in s$ite of the #reat animosity, it was safe for them to #o throu#h 5amaria when lea ing ,erusalem, ecause sym olically, that was seen as Blea9in#C the ,ewish tem$le an" its a$ostate reli#ion. 1hat may not make sense in the mo"ern worl", ut it common thinkin# in the first century.
.. &. *A. THE ;:A6 INT: SAAASTE+ SAMA;IA. 1he ancient roa" is still line" with the $illars that forme" the 'ar"o Ma%imus ;Main 5treet= of 5a aste. .etween these columns merchants ha" their sho$s. 5ince mo"ern roa"s are often $a9e" o9er ancient ones, there is little "ou t that ,esus an" (eter walke" "own this roa" many times "urin# their ministry. (hoto#ra$h y the author. A out this time the (harisees "iscusse" the $ossi le e%ecution of ,ohn an" ,esus. ;,ohn 4*1-/ su##ests they may ha9e ha" an influence on the im$risonment of ,ohn the .a$tist.= Howe9er, the (harisees, in their 9ain attem$t to remain $ure, a9oi"e" 5amaria, ut ,esus for#e" ahea" an" ha" a
752 "i9ine encounter with the in 5ychar. 1o"ay it is known as :a lus, an" is locate" a few miles southeast of the city of 5amaria. .. &. 3 J$. /7/-*. The Filla%e of Sy"har+ i$ Sa1aria4 The THE AT THE 0ELL He ha( to tra8el thro)%h Sa1aria+ ' so He "a1e to a to3$ of Sa1aria "alle( Sy"har $ear the #ro#erty that Ja"ob ha( %i8e$ his so$ Jose#h. . Ja"ob?s 3ell 3as there+ a$( Jes)s+ 3or$ o)t fro1 His Ho)r$ey+ sat (o3$ at the 3ell. It 3as abo)t si@ i$ the e8e$i$%.
/
A 3o1a$ of Sa1aria "a1e to (ra3 3ater. 2Gi8e Me a (ri$9+5 Jes)s sai( to her+ , for His (is"i#les ha( %o$e i$to to3$ to b)y foo(.
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2Ho3 is it that Eo)+ a Je3+ as9 for a (ri$9 fro1 1e+ a >5 she as9e( Hi1. For Je3s (o $ot asso"iate 3ith Sa1arita$s.
!
Jes)s a$s3ere(+ 2If yo) 9$e3 the %ift of Go(+ a$( 3ho is sayi$% to yo)+ WGi8e Me a (ri$9+? yo) 3o)l( as9 Hi1+ a$( He 3o)l( %i8e yo) li8i$% 3ater.5
&
2Sir+5 sai( the 3o1a$+ 2Eo) (o$?t e8e$ ha8e a b)"9et+ a$( the 3ell is (ee#. So 3here (o Eo) %et this Wli8i$% 3ater?> &* Eo) are$?t %reater tha$ o)r father Ja"ob+ are Eo)> He %a8e )s the 3ell a$( (ra$9 fro1 it hi1self+ as (i( his so$s a$( li8esto"9.5
&&
Jes)s sai(+ 2E8eryo$e 3ho (ri$9s fro1 this 3ater 3ill %et thirsty a%ai$. &/ A)t 3hoe8er (ri$9s fro1 the 3ater that I 3ill %i8e hi1 3ill $e8er %et thirsty a%ai$Qe8erK I$ fa"t+ the 3ater I 3ill %i8e hi1 3ill be"o1e a 3ell of 3ater s#ri$%i$% )# 3ithi$ hi1 for eter$al life.5
&3
2Sir+5 the 3o1a$ sai( to Hi1+ 2%i8e 1e this 3ater so I 3o$?t %et thirsty a$( "o1e here to (ra3 3ater.5
&' &.
2Go "all yo)r h)sba$(+5 He tol( her+ 2a$( "o1e ba"9 here.5 2I (o$?t ha8e a h)sba$(+5 she a$s3ere(.
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753 2Eo) ha8e "orre"tly sai(+ WI (o$?t ha8e a h)sba$(+?5 Jes)s sai(. &, 2For yo)?8e ha( fi8e h)sba$(s+ a$( the 1a$ yo) $o3 ha8e is $ot yo)r h)sba$(. 0hat yo) ha8e sai( is tr)e.5 2Sir+5 the 3o1a$ re#lie(+ 2I see that Eo) are a #ro#het. * :)r fathers 3orshi#e( o$ this 1o)$tai$+ yet yo) Je3s say that the #la"e to 3orshi# is i$ Jer)sale1.5
&!
Jes)s tol( her+ 2Aelie8e Me+ 3o1a$+ a$ ho)r is "o1i$% 3he$ yo) 3ill 3orshi# the Father $either o$ this 1o)$tai$ $or i$ Jer)sale1. ** Eo) Sa1arita$s 3orshi# 3hat yo) (o $ot 9$o3. 0e 3orshi# 3hat 3e (o 9$o3+ be"a)se sal8atio$ is fro1 the Je3s. *3 A)t a$ ho)r is "o1i$%+ a$( is $o3 here+ 3he$ the tr)e 3orshi#ers 3ill 3orshi# the Father i$ s#irit a$( tr)th. Ees+ the Father 3a$ts s)"h #eo#le to 3orshi# Hi1. */ Go( is s#irit+ a$( those 3ho 3orshi# Hi1 1)st 3orshi# i$ s#irit a$( tr)th.5
*&
The 3o1a$ sai( to Hi1+ 2I 9$o3 that Messiah is "o1i$%5 B3ho is "alle( Christ C. 20he$ He "o1es+ He 3ill e@#lai$ e8erythi$% to )s.5
*' *.
2I a1 He+5 Jes)s tol( her+ 2the :$e s#ea9i$% to yo).5
As ,esus tra9ele" from ,erusalem to Galilee, He went throu#h 5amaria "urin# the +esti9al of Kimmuth (esah ;or (esach= on ,anuary -7, A.). -@. 1181 1here He sto$$e" for a rest in the heat of the "ay ;aroun" 1-*88 noon=, at a well in the small 9illa#e of 5ychar that ha" historic si#nificance. !t was in ancient 5heckem where ,aco , the ancestor common to oth 5amaritans an" ,ews, $urchase" a $lot of lan" ;Gen. //*19=. .ut on the "ay ,esus came y, a woman of $oor re$utation ;a term associate" with se%ual im$urity= came to "raw water from the tra"itional well of ,aco an" met ,esus. !n this encounter ,esus "emonstrate" that "i9ine lo9e an" for#i9eness coul" "estroy four maEor ta oos that were $resent at the time. 1. 0eli#ious "iscrimination ;,ew 9s. 5amaritan=, -. 0acial-ethnic "iscrimination ;also ,ew 9s. 5amaritan=, 1101.
htt$*//www.lifean"lan".or#/w$-content/u$loa"s/-889/89/lllE-seminar-notes1.$"f 0etrie9e" )ecem er 1@, -81-.
754 /. 5ocial "iscrimination ;man to woman in $u lic=, an" 4. Moral "iscrimination ;her moral history=. While the terms B$oor re$utation,C Bsinful woman,C an" Bse%ual im$urityC are commonly associate" with $rostitution, these were also a$$lie" to women of multi$le marria#es who were not $rostitutes. 1he lo9e of ,esus "estroys all forms of "iscrimination. !n this case, there is an interestin# contrast etween the an" the ,ews. 1he listene" to ,esus, an" as she "i", her knowle"#e an" faith a out Him #rew. 5he conclu"e" that He was the lon# e%$ecte" Messiah without the $erformance of any si#ns or won"ers. 1he ,ews, howe9er, reAuire" a si#n ;1 'or. 1*--=. 2A 3o1a$ of Sa1aria "a1e to (ra3 3ater.5 1he role of a woman was $rimarily one of a "omestic ser9ant in the home. While some women rose to $ositions of $ower an" influence ;i.e., 4sther=, for the most $art, they were the e%ce$tion. !n the a9era#e home the man was the "ominant influence an" the woman "i" as he "irecte". 1his was not only true within the i lical community ut in nei#h orin# cultures as well. !t continues to this "ay in many Muslim countries. A woman<s "omestic "uties inclu"e" $re$arin# foo" for meals an" stora#e, wea9in# raw materials into fa rics, an" maintainin# the home. !f the home "i" not ha9e a cistern, she ha" to "raw water from the 9illa#e well an" carry it home. 1hese were "istincti9e chores an" men were not to un"ertake them. 5ocial co"es strictly for a"e her to s$eak to stran#ers of the o$$osite se%.118- +urthermore, no self-res$ectin# ,ews woul" want to talk with a 5amaritan, that alone a . Howe9er, ,esus was not trou le" y $re9ailin# cultural ta oos. When He a$$roache" the at the well, He roke nearly e9ery #en"er- ase" cultural norm that ha" esta lishe" itself o9er the $re9ious centuries.118/ 1his is why His "isci$les were sur$rise" when they returne" an" foun" Him talkin# with her.
1102. +ree"man, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 214. 1103. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . -@/.
755
.. &. 3A. SAMA;ITAN MANNEJUINS IN 0HITE C:STUMES. 1hese tra"itional white costumes were worn y the 5amaritans when they cele rate" the +esti9al of Kimmuth (esah Ythe 5amaritan (asso9er which is a out two months earlier than the ,ewish one. When ,esus sai" that the fiel"s are ri$e for har9est, Eust as cro$s li#hten in color at har9est time, His wor"s were a $un with an o 9ious "ou le meanin#. (hoto#ra$he" at the 5amaritan 'enter in 5heckem, 5amaria, y the author.
,esus initiate" a con9ersation y askin# her for water. 1his was a ra"ical reAuest on His $art, for it reAuire" that He "rink from her 9essel. 1he ,ews a9oi"e" contact with the Bmi%e" race,C whene9er $ossi le. 5o to "rink from their 9essels or s$eak to an immoral woman was unthinka le. !n her res$onse, she acknowle"#e" two cultural arrica"es* #en"er an" ethnic "ifferences. ,esus shifte" the cultural "ifference to a s$iritual one of the B#ift of Go"C ;9 18= an" of Bli9in# waterC ;9 18, 14=, which was also sym olic of eternal life. 1here was a time when oriental courtesy woul" ne9er refuse
756 a reAuest for water ;cf. ,o --*7L (ro9. -2*-1=. Howe9er, in the two $re9ious centuries the relations etween the ,ews an" 5amaritans ha" ecome straine" nearly to the reakin# $oint, so e9en #i9in# water to someone of the other ethnic #rou$ was strictly for i""en. 1wo other e%am$les of this cultural strain are, 1. 1he (ara le of the Goo" 5amaritan ;&k. 18*-2-/7= an", -. A common sayin# was that one who eats the rea" of a 5amaritan is as one who eats the flesh of swine. 1184 1his sayin# un"erscores the $hrase, BJe3s (o $ot asso"iate 3ith Sa1arita$s+5 1his "oes not mean that ,ews an" 5amaritans ne9er s$oke with each other, ut it meant that there were no frien"shi$s an" social e9ents share" y the two #rou$s. ,ews who tra9ele" throu#h 5amaria ha" the free"om to $urchase" necessary items if they wishe", ut other than that, the two #rou$s "iscriminate" each other. ;5ee *. &.&< a$( 3. *. / for more information.= 1his attitu"e is $reser9e" in the writin#s of a secon" century ..'. ,ew name" ,esus, the son of 5irach, who wrote the followin#* T3o $atio$s 1y so)l (etests+ A$( the thir( is $ot e8e$ a #eo#le4 Those 3ho li8e i$ Seir a$( the Philisti$es+ A$( the foolish #eo#le that li8e i$ She"he1 . Jes)s+ So$ of Sira"h ' 7*'-*. 1he secon" an" fourth stan>as of this He rew $oem refer to the 5amaritans. 'learly, the con9ersation etween ,esus an" this woman was, therefore, e9en more remarka le. 49i"ently, the "i" not #ras$ the full conce$t of what ,esus was sayin#. When he aske" her to #et her hus an" ;9 13=, she in"icate" that she ha" none. Until now, the "ialo# was one that she coul" ha9e ha" with any man who was not too "iscreet. ,esus ca$ture" her un"i9i"e" attention when he sai"* 1104. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*227L +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e 4, 5i"e
..
757 2Eo) ha8e "orre"tly sai(+ WI (o$?t ha8e a h)sba$(+?5 Jes)s sai(. &, 2For yo)?8e ha( fi8e h)sba$(s+ a$( the 1a$ yo) $o3 ha8e is $ot yo)r h)sba$(. 0hat yo) ha8e sai( is tr)e.5
&<b
Joh$ /7&<b-&, 1o this she acknowle"#e" Him to e a $ro$het an" focuse" on the maEor issue etween ,ews an" 5amaritans* where Go" is to e worshi$e". 1he res$onse y ,esus was one referrin# to the comin# of the Din#"om of Go" ;cf. 0e9 -1*--=. 5he ha" een in a marria#e co9enant with fi9e men, was now li9in# with a si%th man with whom she "i" not ha9e a marria#e co9enant. An" now, num er se9en 7 ,esus, tol" her of a new s$iritual co9enant. Howe9er, while she "i" not fully un"erstan" it, she o 9iously ha" a asic conce$t of what ,esus was tryin# to communicate. 5he reflecte" the o$inion of many Mi""le 4astern $eo$le in sayin# that, 2I 9$o3 that Messiah is "o1i$%5 B3ho is "alle( ChristC. 20he$ He "o1es+ He 3ill e@#lai$ e8erythi$% to )s.5 Joh$ /7*'
*'
1he woman<s statement, 20he$ He "o1es+ He 3ill e@#lai$ e8erythi$% to )s+5 may e one of the "ee$est mysteries of the #os$els, ecause, Eust as the 5amaritans ha" unanswere" Auestions, so "i" the ,ews. .oth #rou$s elie9e" that then the messiah will come, he will answer the Auestions they $on"ere" for centuries. ,ews, who Auestione" their ra is why certain "iseases were not heale", recei9e" the same answer from their ra is. !n the ,ewish worl", those "iseases/illnesses ecame known as the BMessianic miracles.C 1182 Mo"ern cultural mores ha9e een the reason for countless sermons con"emnin# the unknown , ecause she li9e" with a man out of marria#e an" ecause she ha" een "i9orce" fi9e times. .ut, to"ay 'hristians usually
1105. 0esearch on the BMessianic MiraclesC is cre"ite" to )r. Arnol" +ruchten aum, a
Messianic scholar an" "irector of Ariel Ministries of 5an Antonio, 1e%as. +or more information on his e%cellent scholarshi$, see htt$*//ariel.or#/. 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -3, -81/. 5ee also .. 3. ,.F ;Hi"eo=, .. &. 3 an" the com$arison of )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ments 4N-7@ an" 4N2-1 with &uke 4*13-/8 at .. *. *
758 em$hasi>e the for#i9eness of ,esus. Howe9er, in the eyes of first century 5amaritans, another $ers$ecti9e may e reco#ni>e". &i9in# with a man with whom she was not marrie" was an outra#e 7 incre"i ly sinful, in oth the ,ewish an" 5amaritan cultures. +urthermore, she has often een con"emne" y mo"ern e%$ositors who "i" not un"erstan" her situation. At that time women sel"om "i9orce" their hus an"s ecause li9in# life as a wi"ow or sin#le $erson almost always insure" a life of $o9erty. Most likely her hus an"s "i9orce" her ecause she coul" not ear chil"ren for them. 1he ancients elie9e" infertility was a curse that came "irectly from Go". !n a society where "i9orce was con"emne", to ha9e een "i9orce" fi9e times sim$ly meant that she was the constant su Eect of #ossi$ an" ri"icule in her 9illa#e. :ot only was she chil"less, ut she ha" no frien"s an" was in"ee", a 9ery lonely woman. 5he "i" not choose to li9e a sinful lifestyle. 5he, most certainly, #a9e u$ on life thinkin# Go" ha" con"emne" her an" li9e" with someone only as a means of sur9i9al. :o one woul" ha9e hel$e" a woman who was re$eate"ly "i9orce". 1herefore, her con9ersation with ,esus ecame her only ho$e for life. &ittle won"er then she lost her shame, ran throu#h the 9illa#e with #reat e%citement an" announce" that she ha" met the Messiah.
2Gi8e yo) li8i$% 3ater.5 ,esus s$oke of Bli9in# water,C a reference to water flowin# from a stream that is always fresh an" 9i rant. !t is in shar$ contrast to well water, or worse yet, cistern water, which is collecte" rain water that after se9eral months ecomes sta#nant. (eo$le ha9e always een "e$en"ent u$on cisterns since there is no rainfall for si% to ei#ht months of the year in this area. Howe9er, li9in# water is water that was ne9er transferre" in a 9essel, always clean an" refreshin#.1183
1106. Myers, BJes, 1hey are.C 4@.
759 As for this woman, ,esus sai" that it was Go" who coul" #i9e this water to her. He ha" set cultural "ifferences asi"e an" "ealt with sin in a firm ut #entle manner. Althou#h she ha" a solutely no ho$e in si#ht for a etter life, ,esus came s$ecifically for her. His wor"s were not like those s$oken y the (harisees, ut were fille" with kin"ness an" com$assion an" she res$on"e" in like manner. 4arlier ,esus ha" turne" water into wine, now He o$ene" the #ates of li9in# water of eternal life for an im$o9erishe" soul. Accor"in# to ,ewish tra"ition, there were si% #ra"es of water that were acce$ta le for mik9aoth ;or mik9ah singular= immersions, each Bone more e%cellent than another.C 1187 A mik9ah was a small reser9oir of fresh water into which one woul" immerse himself/herself to e ritually $ure. 118@ At the tem$le, the $riests immerse" themsel9es three times "aily, as "i" the 4ssenes at Numran. 1he Mi"rash state" that the est Auality was from a continuous flowin# source an" was known as Bli9in# water.C 1189 !t was i"eal to e immerse" in li9in# water. Here ,esus sai" that He woul" make this li9in# water flow out of the elie9er. ,esus offere" her li ing water" which was consi"ere" the est of the si% #ra"es an", therefore, a$$ro9e" for Bthe s$rinklin# of le$ersC an" for Bmi%in# with the ashes of the sin-offerin#.C 1118 ?n the other han", the 4ssenes seeme" to un"erstan" the $hrase li ing water to mean a life in co9enant with each other. !n a fra#ment of the )amascus )ocument is a reference that whene9er mem ers left the 4ssene community, they left the well of li ing water from where life an" refreshment flowe". 'onseAuently, they were no lon#er counte" as $art of the 4ssene community. !n "etail, the "ocument rea"s as follows* A$( li9e this H)(%1e$t 3ill be that of all 3ho reHe"t Go(?s #re"e#ts . . . a$( forsa9e the1 a$( 1o8e asi(e i$ the st)bbor$$ess of their heart. A$( th)s+ all the 1e$ 3ho e$tere( the $e3 "o8e$a$t i$ the la$( of 6a1as")s a$( t)r$e( 1107. Mishnah, Mikwaoth 1.1.
1108. Kon"er9an<s New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. -882. 123-.
1109. Mishnah, Mikwaoth 1.1 - -.1. 1110. Mishnah, Mikwaoth 1.@L cf. &e9. 14*2L 12*1/.
760 a$( betraye( a$( (e#arte( fro1 the 3ell of li8i$% 3aters+ shall $ot be "o)$te( i$ the asse1bly of the #eo#le a$( shall $ot be i$s"ribe( i$ their lists+ fro1 the (ay of sessio$ of hi1 3ho tea"hes. 6ea( Sea S"rolls+ $amascus $ocument &!+ Li$es 3*-3'
&&&&
1he 4ssenes were con9ince" they were the e%clusi9e #rou$ who $ossesse" "i9ine truth. 1heir co9enant of mem ershi$ was eAual to a well of li9in# waters. !f one left the community, he was no lon#er consi"ere" to e in the #oo" #race of Go" or other 4ssenes. 1herefore, the wor"s of ,esus concernin# li ing water" in the conte%t He use" them " coul" ha9e een un"erstoo" y some as a reference to a new co9enant.
4ideo Insert
/A)/,)/0)4 Dordon FranF of Asso%iates for Bi+&i%a& Resear%h dis%usses the Sa"aritan 1asso$er :no(n as the Festi$a& of Ci""uth 1esah 7.2?-8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 2I see that Eo) are a #ro#het.5 .ecause ,esus i"entifie" her sins, she reco#ni>e" Him as a $ro$hetL ?ne who ha" unusual "i9ine insi#ht of oth current e9ents, the future, an" was a $roclaimer of Go"<s wor" ;Greek prophetes=.111- Her statement was not merely a com$liment, ut was one of the hi#hest honors amon# the ,ews. 111/ !n mo"ern society to"ay, there is no similar $osition. :ote the $ro#ression of her o ser9ations* 1. 5he a""resse" ,esus as a B,ewC ;9. 9=, -. 1hen she a""resse" Him as BsirC which has a meanin# similar to Blor"C ;9. 12=, 1111. Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated . 43. 1112. .rown, B(ro$het.C /*74-9-. 1113. Macartney, -reat %nter iews of &esus . -4.
761 /. 1hen she a""resse" Him as a B$ro$hetC ;9. 19=, 4. 1hen she a""resse" Him as the BMessiahC ;9. -2=, an" 2. +inally she reco#ni>e" Him as Bthe 5a9ior of the worl"C ;9. 4-=. 3. Without Auestion, she must ha9e consi"ere" ,esus to e the e%$ecte" Tehab. 1he 5amaritans, like so many others in the ancient Mi""le 4ast, elie9e" that Go" woul" soon sen" someone to restore their lan" an" $eo$le. 1hat BsomeoneC was calle" the Taheb or Restorer 8 a #reat $ro$het of the en"-time whom Moses referre" to in )euteronomy 1@*12.1114 A similar $ro#ression of o ser9ation ws note" y the lin" man who was heale" y ,esus y the (ool of 5iloam ;see &&. *.*/=. +ollowin# her statement B! know that Messiah, calle" 'hrist, is comin#,C ,esus i"entifie" himself as that Messiah. !t was His most "irect statement in His early ministry. 5he returne" to her 9illa#e an" $roclaime" her encounter with ,esus. A lowly woman of the "es$ise" 5amaritans ecame one of the first $rofoun" e9an#elists of the :ew 1estament era. ,esus ne9er con"emne" her for what she thou#ht, ecause Bin 'hrist all thin#s are new.C 1he $ro#ression of her un"erstan"in# is e9en more $rofoun" when consi"erin# her theolo#ical ack#roun". While the 5amaritans elie9e" in a comin# messiah, they ha" a uniAue antici$ate" $erce$tion of him. 1hey only ha" the fi9e ooks of Moses an" "i" not acce$t any other 5cri$tures. +urthermore, some $assa#es of their 5amaritan .i le ;the fi9e ooks of Moses= were somewhat mo"ifie" from the He rew .i le. ?ne of those is the messianic $ro$hecy of )euteronomy /4*18 that rea"s, in their .i le, There will not arise a #ro#het i$ Israel li9e Moses. Sa1arita$ Aible7 6e)tero$o1y 3/7&
1112
1114. .ruce, New Testament +istory. /4-/2. 1115. .arclay, &esus. -/8-/-. !talic em$hyasis mine.
762 +or that reason, they elie9e" that the Messiah woul" e a resurrection or return of Moses. !n essence, the 5amaritan woman must ha9e een won"erin# of ,esus was in fact, Moses. Jet that "i" not influence her as "i" the con9ersation she ha" with Him. 1hrou#hout this "ialo#ue, ,esus was 9ery $atient an" allowe" her un"erstan"in# to "e9elo$. As the Master 1eacher, He #ui"e" her from the known to the unknown. 5he conclu"e" her o$inions elie9in# ,esus to e the messiah an" the 5a9ior of the worl". 1his was an e%treme "e$arture from her $reconcei9e" i"eas an" her own faith. 1he 5amaritans also antici$ate" a comin# Messiah whom they calle" the Taheb. 1113 1hey elie9e" that he woul" come, li9e 118 years, "ie, an" then woul" come the final Eu"#ment of the worl". 1117 1his was ase", in $art, on )euteronomy 1@*1@. 1herefore, the ministry of ,esus was eyon" their wil"est e%$ectations. !n this "iscourse, ,ohn re9eale" an incre"i le e%am$le of the lo9e of ,esus e%ten"e" to those who "o not know him. 1here are se9eral $oints to e notice". 1. ,esus ne9er confuse" "ou t with un elief, or i#norance with stu$i"ity an" carnal foolishness. He was the 9ery mo"el of $atience an" kin"ness an" "i" not con"emn her for her $ast actions or her eliefs. 5he e9i"ently li9e" in shame ;the reason for #oin# to the well at mi""ay was to a9oi" other women= an" ,esus #a9e her ho$e. 5he, as a 5amaritan, elie9e" only in the first ooks of the ?l" 1estament an" some other theolo#ical issues, an" ,esus ne9er con"emne" her ;0om. @*/4= or ar#ue" with her. !n 'hrist, all thin#s are ma"e new. -. He tol" her that He was the Bli9in# waterC of eternal life. 1his is always the real issue. He $ointe" to himself, as we $oint others to 'hrist for sal9ation ;,n. 4*-3=, an"
1116. .arclay, &esus. -/1.
1117. .li>>ar", B,u"aism - (art 1C .a o )igest 1*2, @L Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the
Time of &esus. 193.
763 /. 5he ecame an e9an#elist in her community, Eust as all elie9ers are to e. As a result of her testimony, many came runnin# to ,esus ;,n. 4*-7-/8=. 4. .oth tem$les, the 5amaritan an" ,ewish, were $ronounce" o solete. 2. 1he messa#e of the Din#"om of Go" was a9aila le to the 5amaritans, an" later woul" e offere" to the Gentiles as well. 3. 1he irony is that it was ,esus who was thirsty an" came to the well for a "rink, an" offerent the woman who ha9e him a "rink, li9in# water. 1he wor"s an" works of ,esus are fille" with ironies. 2:)r fathers 3orshi#e( o$ this 1o)$tai$.5 (eo$le in all ancient cultures elie9e" their #o" or #o"s ha" to e worshi$e" in the tem$les where their "eities li9e". At the time of this encounter, the 5amaritan 1em$le ha" een "estroye" for nearly a century an" a half an" the 5amaritans awaite" its reconstruction. ,esus, howe9er, intro"uce" a new conce$t of worshi$ Bin s$irit an" truthC without a tem$le. His Btem$leC woul" e those elie9ers of His in whom the Holy 5$irit woul" li9e an", hence, there woul" e no nee" for a tem$le of stone. 2Sal8atio$ is fro1 the Je3s.5 5al9ation is from the ,ewish $eo$le in the sense that Go" ma"e His co9enant with them, e#innin# with A raham. 5ince ,esus is the central focus of that co9enant, sal9ation is throu#h 'hrist alone. 20orshi# the Father i$ s#irit a$( tr)th.5 1he term Bin 5$iritC in"icates that the worshi$er has chan#e" character an" is focuse" on 'hrist. He has the new life, which he recei9e" at his new irth ;,n. /*2-@L He . 9*-/--4=. 1he $hrase Bin truthC refers to the com$lete honesty an" o$enness that the worshi$er has when he comes to Go" in $rayer, for Go" knows all thin#s. 1o worshi$ Go" in 5$irit an" truth is a hi#h $ri9ile#e an" the +ather seeks those who "esire to worshi$ him.111@ When ,esus was s$eakin# to this a"ulterous woman, He was also s$eakin# to an a"ulterous $eo$le. Her $eo$le were re$resente" in her life an" she 1118. ,n. 4*-/L 0om. @*12L 1 ,n. /*1L 5ee also HeiEko$, $nto 'hrist" ----/.
764 was a Bty$e an" sha"owC ;see A##e$(i@ *.= of all 5amaritans.1119 ,esus knew that she ha" fi9e hus an"s - so "i" the 5amaritans in a s$iritual sense as e%$laine" elow. 11-8 !t was His "esire to see them return to the worshi$ of the ?ne 1rue Go". !n fact, His mission was an" still is to see all humanity come to the sa9in# knowle"#e of the ?ne 1rue Go". ,ust as ,ohn the .a$tist $re$are" the way for ,esus to come to the ,ews, the $re$are" the way for a return ministry of ,esus an", later, for (eter, (hili$, an" ,ohn ;Acts @*2--2=. (eter ha" a successful ministry amon# them. +rom his con9erts, there arose a certain man name" ,ustin, who was orn in the ancient city of 5hechem. He ecame a si#nificant secon" century church father an" writer, who willin#ly "ie" for his faith. He is known to"ay as ,ustin Martyr. 11-1 A maEor reason that the ,ews hate" the 5amaritans was ecause they ha" com$romise" their ,ewish faith an" herita#e. As was alrea"y cite", in the @ th century ..'., the kin# of Assyria rou#ht in forei#n $eo$le, who s$iritually $ollute" the lan" when they marrie" their ,ewish nei#h ors who ha" remaine" in 5amaria. 1he author of - Din#s an" ,ose$hus $reser9e" the "etails. The$ the 9i$% of Assyria bro)%ht #eo#le fro1 Aabylo$+ C)thah+ A88a+ Ha1ath+ a$( Se#har8ai1 a$( settle( the1 i$ #la"e of the Israelites i$ the "ities of Sa1aria. The settlers too9 #ossessio$ of Sa1aria a$( li8e( i$ its "ities. *' 0he$ they first li8e( there+ they (i( $ot fear Eah3eh. So the Lor( se$t lio$s a1o$% the1+ 3hi"h 9ille( so1e of the1.
*/
A)t the #eo#le of ea"h $atio$ 3ere still 1a9i$% their o3$ %o(s i$ the "ities 3here they li8e( a$( #)tti$% the1 i$ the shri$es of the hi%h #la"es that the #eo#le of Sa1aria ha( 1a(e.
*!
They feare( the Lor(+ b)t they also a##oi$te( fro1 their $)1ber #riests to ser8e the1 i$ the shri$es of the hi%h #la"es.
3*
1119. 5ee also .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 73@. 1120. 1he ha" a co9enant with fi9e $re9ious hus an"s. &ikewise the ancestors of the 5amaritan $eo$le ha" co9enants with fi9e #o"s. 5ee also ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 9.14./.
1121. Gui#ne ert, The &ewish World in the Time of &esus. 199.
765 * Ii$%s &<7*/-*'+ *!+ 3* Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, each of these fi9e $eo$le #rou$s #o"s with them into 5amaria. rou#ht their own
A)t $o3 the C)thea$s+ 3ho R3ereS re1o8e( i$to Sa1aria Bfor that is the $a1e they ha8e bee$ "alle( by this ti1e be"a)se they 3ere bro)%ht o)t of the "o)$try "alle( C)thah+ 3hi"h is a "o)$try i$ Persia+ a$( there is a ri8er by that sa1e $a1e i$ itC+ ea"h of the1+ a""or(i$% to their $atio$s+ 3hi"h 3ere i$ $)1ber fi8e+ bro)%ht their o3$ %o(s i$to Sa1aria+ a$( by 3orshi#i$% the1+ as 3as the ")sto1 of their o3$ "o)$tries+ they #ro8o9e( Al1i%hty Go( to be a$%ry a$( (is#lease( 3ith the1. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities !.&/.3 !n essence, the 5amaritan woman was sym olic of the 5amaritan $eo$le. 5ince marria#e is a co9enant as is a relationshi$ with Go" or #o"s, her life with fi9e hus an"s ;co9enants= was reflecti9e of the 5amaritan $eo$le whose ack#roun" was with these #o"s ;co9enants=. When ,esus s$oke with her she li9e" outsi"e of a marria#e co9enant an" the 5amaritan $eo$le li9e" in s$iritual confusion.
+inally, it noteworthy to consi"er the sincere re9erence ,esus #a9e to the holy name, #ather. When consi"erin# all the con9ersations He ha" with His "isci$les an" the $eo$le, He use" the term sur$risin# few times 7 an" then only with the "isci$les who coul" com$rehen" the sacre"ness of the name. 1hat may e why in the ook of Mark the name #ather a$$ears only si% times. 1he lesson to e learne" is that it is ne9er to e use" li#htly, chea$ly or sentimentally, ut only with lo9e, re9erence, an" en"earment. An
766 e%am$le is foun" in the &or"<s (rayer / )isci$le<s (rayer, that states, B&et Jour name e hel" holyC ;Mt. 3*9=. 2I a1 He O the :$e s#ea9i$% to yo).5 1his is a "irect statement y ,esus statin# un"er no uncertain terms that He is Go" Himself, a "eclaration of "eity. !n the He rew .i le the $hrase % Am is use" to re9eal the essence of Go".11-- +urthermore, in the 5e$tua#ent translation, the $hrase % Am is the e(act $hrase use" y Go" to i"entify Himself in the urnin# ush when Moses aske" who was s$eakin# to him. 11-/ ,ohn use" se9en % Am statements in his #os$el. 49i"ently, here He "i" not ha9e to worry a out the ,ewish or 0oman reactions to such an announcement. !n other situations He tol" 9arious in"i9i"uals not to re9eal His i"entity or what miracle He $erforme". 1he ,ews were far more ner9ous a out the comin# of their Messiah than any other $eo$le #rou$. .. &. / J$. /7*<-3, SPI;ITUAL F::6 J)st the$ His (is"i#les arri8e(+ a$( they 3ere a1aGe( that He 3as tal9i$% 3ith a 3o1a$. Eet $o o$e sai(+ 20hat (o Eo) 3a$t>5 or 20hy are Eo) tal9i$% 3ith her>5
*<
The$ the 3o1a$ left her 3ater Har+ 3e$t i$to to3$+ a$( tol( the 1e$+ *! 2Co1e+ see a 1a$ 3ho tol( 1e e8erythi$% I e8er (i(K Co)l( this be the Messiah>5 3 They left the to3$ a$( 1a(e their 3ay to Hi1.
*,
I$ the 1ea$ti1e the (is"i#les 9e#t )r%i$% Hi1+ 2;abbi+ eat so1ethi$%.5
3& 3*
A)t He sai(+ 2I ha8e foo( to eat that yo) (o$?t 9$o3 abo)t.5
The (is"i#les sai( to o$e a$other+ 2Co)l( so1eo$e ha8e bro)%ht Hi1 so1ethi$% to eat>5
33
1122. 4%. /*14-12L !sa. 41*4L 4/*18, -2L 43*4L 21*1-L 2-*3. 1123. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. -11.
767 2My foo( is to (o the 3ill of Hi1 3ho se$t Me a$( to fi$ish His 3or9+5 Jes)s tol( the1. 3' 26o$?t yo) say+ WThere are still fo)r 1ore 1o$ths+ the$ "o1es the har8est?> Liste$ to 3hat I?1 telli$% yo)7 :#e$ yo)r eyes a$( loo9 at the fiel(s+ for they are rea(y for har8est. 3. The rea#er is alrea(y re"ei8i$% #ay a$( %atheri$% fr)it for eter$al life+ so the so3er a$( rea#er "a$ reHoi"e to%ether. 3< For i$ this "ase the sayi$% is tr)e7 W:$e so3s a$( a$other rea#s.? 3, I se$t yo) to rea# 3hat yo) (i($?t labor for4 others ha8e labore(+ a$( yo) ha8e be$efite( fro1 their labor.5
3/
2My foo( is to (o the 3ill of Hi1 3ho se$t Me.5 ,esus ma"e freAuent mention of His "e$en"ence u$on the +ather. 11-4 1he ,ews ha" ma%ims of con"uct that $ertaine" to all areas of life. 1here was always a la or shorta#e when cro$s were har9este" an" $lace" in stora#e. A ra i sai" the followin#* ;abbi Tarfo$ sai(7 2The (ay is short a$( the tas9 is %reat a$( the laborers are i(le a$( the 3a%es are ab)$(a$t a$( the 1aster of the ho)se is )r%e$t.5 Mish$ah+ +e:i!in Aboth *.&' ,esus ha" sim$ly taken a well-known statement concernin# the la or con"itions of his a#ricultural community an" a$$lie" it to the work of Go". 2Loo9 at the fiel(s+ for they are rea(y for har8est.5 ,esus clearly crosse" the ri"#e of connectin# a#ricultural ima#ery to Bhar9estin# for the Din#"om of Go".C At this time of the year the cro$s were not rea"y for har9estin# 7 not yet, an" they certainly were not white ;see *. 3. *). 5ince this was the 5amaritan festi9al of Kimmuth (esah, the 5amaritans wore white festal #arments, ,esus relate" those cro$s to the 5amaritan $eo$le who were rea"y to recei9e the #oo" news a out the kin#"om of Go".
.. &. ' J$. /73!-/* Sa1aria

1124. 'f. ,n. 2*/8L 3*/@L @*-3L 9*4L 18*/7-/@L 1-*49-28L 14*/1L 12*18L 17*4.
768 THE FI;ST 0:MAN EFANGELIST No3 1a$y Sa1arita$s fro1 that to3$ belie8e( i$ Hi1 be"a)se of 3hat the 3o1a$ sai( 3he$ she testifie(+ 2He tol( 1e e8erythi$% I e8er (i(.5 / Therefore+ 3he$ the Sa1arita$s "a1e to Hi1+ they as9e( Hi1 to stay 3ith the1+ a$( He staye( there t3o (ays. /& Ma$y 1ore belie8e( be"a)se of 3hat He sai(. /* A$( they tol( the 3o1a$+ 20e $o lo$%er belie8e be"a)se of 3hat yo) sai(+ for 3e ha8e hear( for o)rsel8es a$( 9$o3 that this really is the Sa8ior of the 3orl(.5
3!
1here can e little Auestion that this woman<s re$utation was the lowest in the community. Jet her statements were so $rofoun" that the 9illa#e el"ers, who normally woul" ne9er ha9e listene" to her, "eci"e" to in9esti#ate her re$ort. Her witness was that ,esus ha" su$ernatural knowle"#e that He coul" ha9e recei9e" only from Go". 5he reco#ni>e" him as 5a9ior an" the Messiah. 1he #reatest e9i"ence of "i9ine truth has always een a transforme" life. 1here was a #rowin# circle of elie9ers who reco#ni>e" the i"entity of ,esus. At this time women were not consi"ere" 9ia le witnesses an" their i"eas were #enerally consi"ere" meanin#less. .y talkin# with her ,esus un"erscore" the im$ortance of women an" there y, their status was ele9ate". 1he manner in which ,esus nullifie" social $reEu"ice was later more fully illustrate" in the A$ostle (aul<s letters. 11-2 2The Sa8ior of the 3orl(.5 ,ohn a#ain announce" that ,esus is the Messiah of all humanity. 1he ,ews coul" not acce$t this teachin# ecause in their min"s, the Messiah woul" e theirs alone an" woul" o9erthrow the 0oman 4m$ire. 1hey refuse" to com$rehen" the $ossi ility that He woul" also e the Messiah for the 5amaritans, Greeks, an" the hate" 0omans. 1his $hrase was re$eate" only one other time in 5cri$ture in 1 ,ohn 4*14. .. &. . J$. /7/3-/' Galilee JESUS ;ETU;NS T: THE P;:FINCIAL 6IST;ICT GALILEE.
1125. 0om. /*-7-4*1@L @*9-17L etc.
769
After t3o (ays He left there for Galilee. // Jes)s Hi1self testifie( that a #ro#het has $o ho$or i$ his o3$ "o)$try. /' 0he$ they e$tere( Galilee+ the Galilea$s 3el"o1e( Hi1 be"a)se they ha( see$ e8erythi$% He (i( i$ Jer)sale1 ()ri$% the festi8al. For they also ha( %o$e to the festi8al.
/3
1he re$utation of ,esus went efore him. 5e9eral weeks later He was ministerin# in the ,erusalem area an", in a society where chan#es occurre" 9ery slowly, a man $erformin# miracles was a maEor e9ent. 49eryone wante" to see the Bmiracle man,C who some thou#ht mi#ht e the Man of Go". 1herefore, when ,esus arri9e" in the Galilean communities, he ha" a waitin# au"ience. .. &. < J$. /7/.-'/ Ca$a THE SEC:N6 SIGN7 A:E IN CAPE;NAUM HEALE6. The$ He 3e$t a%ai$ to Ca$a of Galilee+ 3here He ha( t)r$e( the 3ater i$to 3i$e. There 3as a "ertai$ royal offi"ial 3hose so$ 3as ill at Ca#er$a)1. /< 0he$ this 1a$ hear( that Jes)s ha( "o1e fro1 J)(ea i$to Galilee+ he 3e$t to Hi1 a$( #lea(e( 3ith Hi1 to "o1e (o3$ a$( heal his so$+ for he 3as abo)t to (ie.
/.
Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2U$less yo) #eo#le see si%$s a$( 3o$(ers+ yo) 3ill $ot belie8e.5
/,
2Sir+5 the offi"ial sai( to Hi1+ 2"o1e (o3$ before 1y boy (iesK5
/!
2Go+5 Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2yo)r so$ 3ill li8e.5 The 1a$ belie8e( 3hat Jes)s sai( to hi1 a$( (e#arte(.
'
0hile he 3as still %oi$% (o3$+ his s 1et hi1 sayi$% that his boy 3as ali8e. '* He as9e( the1 at 3hat ti1e he %ot better. 2Eester(ay at se8e$ i$ the 1or$i$% the fe8er left hi1+5 they a$s3ere(. '3 The father realiGe( this 3as the 8ery ho)r at
'&
770 3hi"h Jes)s ha( tol( hi1+ 2Eo)r so$ 3ill li8e.5 The$ he hi1self belie8e(+ alo$% 3ith his 3hole ho)sehol(. This+ therefore+ 3as the se"o$( si%$ Jes)s #erfor1e( after He "a1e fro1 J)(ea to Galilee.
'/
1his is the secon" of se9en miracles recor"e" y ,ohn althou#h ,esus o 9iously $erforme" hun"re"s of other miracles. 1he num er se9en re$resente" wholeness an" com$leteness an", in this case, the $erfect (erson who $erforme" them. 2A "ertai$ royal offi"ial.5 While some scholars elie9e that the official was Manaen, the foster rother of Hero" Anti$as, who e9entually ecame a $ro$het an" teacher ;Acts 1/*1=. ?thers elie9e the official was 'hu>a, or epitropos, the $ersonal stewar" Hero" Anti$as, the tetrarch of Galilee. 1126 !t was the res$onsi ility of the epitropos to care for the kin#<s $ersonal $ro$erty an" in9estments. Accor"in# to a 'hurch tra"ition, ,oanna, the wife of 'hu>a was one of the women who su$$orte" ,esus an" His "isci$les ;&k. @*/L cf. 9erse 2/=. 11-7 +urthermore, it is uncertain if the official was ,ewish, #i9en the 0oman $ractice. At this time, the $ro9incial ca$ital of Galilee was 1i erius, which was locate" alon# the western shore of the 5ea of Galilee, a few miles south of 'a$ernaum. 5ince the ministry of ,esus centere" in 'a$ernaum, tra9elers alon# the 7ia Maris an" #o9ernment officials in near y 1i erias hear" of the re$utation of ,esus. 1he royal official walke" from 1i erius-'a$ernaum area to 'ana to meet ,esus. He e9i"ently ha" incre"i le faith in the a ility for ,esus to heal as the "istance is not only a out ei#hteen miles, ut it is a lon# u$hill walk. 1he ancients walke" Auickly at a near military march of to"ay, not the mo"ern slow two or three miles $er hour, ut a faster $ace of four to fi9e miles $er hour. 1he 5ea of Galilee is 3@8 feet elow sea le9el an" 'ana is a out 1388 feet a o9e sea le9el. :o one woul" ha9e un"ertaken such a $hysical challen#e if there was not a $assionate moti9ation.
1127. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 183.
771 .. &. <.J& 0hat 3as the #)r#ose of the 1ira"les #erfor1e( by Jes)s> Miracles were not the inten"e" en", ut #a9e o9erwhelmin# e9i"ence of the i"entity of ,esus. !t was elie9e" that illnesses were the conseAuences of sin. How a$$ro$riate that ,esus was the Great Healer, since He came to sa9e men from their sins. While the healin# of the human o"y "i" not sa9e anyone from sin, the act of healin# $ro9i"e" strikin# e9i"ence to the o ser9ers, that ,esus sa9e" the lost soul from sin. 11-@ 'onsi"erin# the social an" $olitical tensions, for a ,ew to heal a 0oman or his ser9ant was stunnin# an" unthinka le. !t ha" a $rofoun" effect on e9ery o"y, es$ecially the ,ews, who elie9e" they were the only ri#hteous an" chosen $eo$le of Go". 1hey "ismisse" any thou#ht of Gentile con9ersions an" Auestione" how Go" coul" select one of their own to heal the son of a 0oman official of the horri le Hero"ian "ynasty. Jet e9en within the halls of #o9ernment, the 5$irit of Go" was con9ictin# the lost. Manaen, a foster- rother to Hero", ecame a elie9er. 1hese con9ersions were eyon" ,ewish com$rehension. 11-9 1he short "ialo# etween the centurion an" ,esus is most interestin#. 1he Greek lan#ua#e of the centurion<s reAuest in"icates he repeatedly aske" ,esus to heal his son, ecause he was "es$erate an" the youn# man was near "eath. 1his un"erscores the im$ortance an" faith he ha" in ,esus althou#h the reAuest was $ro a ly rather humiliatin# for him ;,ews were #enerally "es$ise" y the 0omans=. 1he oy<s father ha" assume" that ,esus nee"e" to e esi"e his son $hysically to $erform the miracle ;cf. ,n. 11*1-/7=. ,esus, howe9er, "emonstrate" His $ower o9er "istance y sim$ly s$eakin# His Wor" of healin#. :otice that once ,esus $ronounce" his son heale", it woul" seem natural for the centurion to hurry home to confirm the healin#. .ut he "i" not "o so. !n fact, he staye" in the area an" "i" not e#in his return tri$ until the followin# "ay. !n this case, there was a "ou le miracle 7 an a sent chil" was heale" of his sickness an" the father was heale" of his un elief.
1128. +lusser, &esus. 32. 1129. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 183.
772 1he $assa#e rea"s that on the followin# "ay, as the centurion was walkin# home, he met his ser9ants who came to tell him of the oy<s healin#. 1he time of the healin# was confirme" to ha9e occurre" at the 7 th hour ;1*88 $.m.=, ut the centurion was not sur$rise" at the news. :ote the interestin# $ro#ression in the narrati9e* +irst, he elie9e" in the wor"s of the $romise s$oken y ,esus an" then he elie9e" in ,esus as the Messiah. 1his was a $rofoun" action y an official of Hero"<s court. (re9iously, news of the miracles that ,esus $erforme" in ,erusalem tra9ele" Auickly. Many elie9e" in Him as the result of Him cleansin# the tem$le ;,n. -*-/L /*-=, an" they ha" returne" to their homes in the Galilee area. :ow ,esus was reAueste" to $erform another miracle in the same area where He once turne" water into wine. 1wo statements were ma"e s$oken. y these miracles 7 without a sin#le wor"
1. 1he first miracle in 'ana was associate" with creation of a new family an" the Eoy of the we""in#, at which ,esus a""e" #la"ness to the feast. -. !n the secon" miracle, there was sorrow with the fear of "eath in the family ut ,esus rou#ht health an" #la"ness to many hearts. After this e9ent, some of the chronolo#ical e%$eriences of ,esus< life are "ifficult to ascertain. ,ohn focuse" his #os$el on the e9ents in ,u"ea ;im$lie" 7*/-4=, yet he "i" not mention the miracles in Galilee. 1herefore, it is $ossi le that the ministry of ,esus coul" ha9e een si% months to a year lon#er than the three an" a half year "uration that has #enerally een ascri e" to Him. 'ritics ha9e lon# sai" 'a$ernaum was a $oor an" isolate" 9illa#e with little or no si#nificance to either the ,ewish or the Gentile worl". .ut the fact that a 0oman #arrison was there s$eaks 9olumes of its si#nificance. Archaeolo#ists now are aware that it was a cara9an sto$ an" commercial center with maEor fishin# an" asalt stone $ro"ucts in"ustries. 1hey "isco9ere" a 0oman athhouse, which 9erifies the 0oman $resence. 11/8
1130. &au#hlin, B'a$ernaum from ,esus< 1ime.C 22, 29.
773 1here is also e9i"ence to su##est there was at least a small facility to manufacture #lass 9essels.11/1 'a$ernaum was Auite $ros$erous in the time of ,esus ;see .. 3. *A throu#h .. 3. *E=. Homes consiste" of se9eral rooms clustere" aroun" an o$en courtyar", which was the center of family acti9ities. :oticea ly missin# from the 9illa#e was a well, since a lake of fresh water was near y. 0ooms were essentially for the stora#e of $ersonal items an" slee$in# "urin# the cooler rainy months.11/- .athrooms within homes "i" not e%ist e%ce$t in the $alaces of the aristocrats an" kin#s. )rie" foo" an" cro$ see"s were store" in clay Ears. 1he Galilee area was e%tremely fertile an" $ro"ucti9e with wheat, fruits, an" 9e#eta les, all of which contri ute" to the economic #rowth of a mi%e" community of ,ews an" Gentiles.
.. &. <A. A M:SAIC :F A FI;ST CENTU;E FISHING A:AT. 1his mosaic of a first century fishin# oat is elie9e" to e ty$ical of those use" on the 5ea of Galilee y the fishermen who were calle" y ,esus to ecome His "isci$les. (hoto#ra$h y the author at 'a$ernaum.
1131. &offre"a, Reco ering 'apharnaum. -8. 1132. &offre"a, Reco ering 'apharnaum. -1, -4.
774
.. &. <A. THE S:-CALLE6 2JESUS A:AT.5 )urin# a se9ere "rou#ht in 19@3, an ancient fishin# oat was "isco9ere" in the mu" alon# the shores of the 5ea of Galilee. 1he hull matches well with the first century mosaic tile $icture an" has een nick name" the B,esus oat.C An ima#e of the mosaic is $roEecte" on the wall so 9isitors see the similarities. (hoto#ra$h courtesy of Allon Museum, Di ut> Ginnosar.
775
.. &. <C. ;:MAN MILEST:NE. An early secon" century milestone, "isco9ere" at 'a$ernaum, was most likely ma"e y sol"iers, who also functione" as roa" uil"ers, hi#hway en#ineers, $ursue" hi#hway an"its, an" $ursue" cara9ans who attem$te" to e9a"e the ta% collector. (hoto#ra$h y the author at 'a$ernaum. 1he translation rea"s as follows* IMP BeratorC C RAS E RSS A; 6IFI RT;AIASNI PA; Bthi"iC F Bili)sC R6IFI NE;FAES RNS EP B:SC T;AI RANUSS RHAS 6;IANUS AUG B)st)sC 1ranslation of the &atin inscri$tion rea"s, B1he 4m$eror 'aesar, son of the "i9ine 1raEan who conAuere" the (arthians, #ran"son
776 of the "i9ine :er9a, 1raEan Ha"rian Au#ustus.C reference to "i9inity.

11//
:otice the
.. &. , Mt. /7&*-&<4 L9. /7&/-&' ;5ee also Mk. 1*14-12= Ca#er$a)1 THE P;:PHETIC SETTING Mt. &* 0he$ He hear( that Joh$ ha( bee$ arreste(+ He 3ith(re3 i$to Galilee. &3 He left NaGareth behi$( a$( 3e$t to li8e i$ Ca#er$a)1 by the sea+ i$ the re%io$ of Leb)l)$ a$( Na#htali. &/ This 3as to f)lfill 3hat 3as s#o9e$ thro)%h the #ro#het Isaiah7
&'
La$( of Leb)l)$ a$( la$( of Na#htali+ alo$% the sea roa(+ beyo$( the Jor(a$+
Galilee of the Ge$tilesK &. The #eo#le 3ho li8e i$ (ar9$ess ha8e see$ a %reat li%ht+ a$( for those li8i$% i$ the sha(o3 la$( of (eath+ li%ht has (a3$e(. BIsa. !7&-*C Fro1 that ti1e o$ Jes)s be%a$ to #rea"h+ 2;e#e$t+ for the Ii$%(o1 of Hea8e$ is $ear.5 L9. &/ The$ Jes)s ret)r$e( to Galilee i$ the #o3er of the S#irit+ a$( $e3s abo)t Hi1 s#rea( thro)%ho)t the e$tire 8i"i$ity. &' He 3as tea"hi$% i$ their sy$a%o%)es+ bei$% a""lai1e( by e8eryo$e. 1he literary focus in the He raic $oetry is that the Gentiles li9in# in the lan" of Ke ulun an" :a$htali ha9e seen a #reat li#ht. 1hat li#ht is ,esus. 2La$( of Leb)l)$ a$( la$( of Na#htali+5 1hese areas in the u$$er an" western re#ions of Galilee ha" an international hi#hway known as the 7ia 1133. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. @9L &offre"a, A 7isit to 'apharnaum. -/.
777 Maris meanin#, the Way of the Sea, that connecte" 4#y$t with )amascus an" other $oints east. +or centuries, in9a"in# armies marche" alon# this $o$ular roa" to their "estination. !n the $rocess sol"iers $illa#e" the communities for freshly har9este" foo" an" su$$lies. Hence, those li9in# in the lan" of Ke ulun an" :a$htali were re$eate"ly $lun"ere", ra$e", an" mur"ere". 49en if they were not the tar#ets of a military conAuest, they suffere" #reatly. 1hey were es$ecially "e9astate" in 7/8 ..'. an" a#ain in 7----1, when the Assyrians marche" throu#h, ca$ture", an" relocate" the ten northern !sraelite tri es hun"re"s of miles to the east. At the same time, the Assyrians also relocate" fi9e eastern Gentile tri es into what ecame known as 5amaria, hence, the name BGalilee of the Gentiles.C ,esus ministere" in these two areas 7 now known as Galilee an" 5amaria 7 for two reasons* 1. 1o fulfill the $romise s$oken of y !saiah. .ecause the ,ews of Ke ulun an" :a$htali suffere" so much in the $ast, ,esus was now rin#in# the messa#e of $eace an" ho$e to their "escen"ants. 11/4 -. He was outsi"e of the arrestin# $owers of the 5anhe"rin. 11/2 While the hi#h court sent o ser9ers to listen an" e9entually confront ,esus, there was nothin# they coul" "o until He came into ,erusalem. 11/3 2Galilee of the Ge$tiles.5 When the Assyrians relocate" the !sraelites in 7--/7-1 ..'., they remo9e" so many of them that the 9ast maEority of the remainin# $eo$le were Gentiles. +or this reason !saiah referre" to the re#ion as the Galilee of the Gentiles ;!sa. 9*1= as "i" the author of 1 Macca ees ;2*12=. 1he $ro9ince remaine" unchan#e" for centuries an" it was not until the era of :ehemiah an" 4>ra, an" a#ain after the Macca ean 0e9olt, that ,ews e#an to re$o$ulate Galilee. 5ome scholars elie9e the forefathers of Mary an" ,ose$h came from .a ylon to the $ro9ince of Galilee 1134. Monson, Regions on the Run . /1.
1136. !t is interestin# that the syno$tic #os$els ne9er mention ,esus in ,erusalem until the
(assion week, yet ,ohn<s #os$el concentrates on His ministry in the Holy 'ity. +or further stu"y, see .urton 1hrochmorton, -ospel 4arallels.
778 after the 0e9olt. 5cholars elie9e that for this reason Galileans ha" a noticea le accent in their s$eech. +inally, some scholars ha9e conclu"e" that Galilee was lar#ely $o$ulate" with Gentiles at this time. While there was a si#nificant Gentile $resence, archaeolo#ists ha9e unco9ere" numerous 9illa#es with ritual aths without any e9i"ence of $i# ones 7 a sure si#n of $ast ,ewish occu$ation. 1he ,ewish $o$ulation $re9iously increase" si#nificantly after the Macca ean 0e9olt when a mini-aliya of ,ews mi#rate" from .a ylon to the Galilee re#ion. .ecause of the Gentile $resence, the reli#ious lea"ers of ,erusalem #enerally snu e" the ,ews of this re#ion. To be obtai$e( .. &. , MAP of Fia Maris .. &. ,.J& 0hat is the 2Ii$%(o1 of Hea8e$5> 1he kin#"oms of this worl" consist of matter an" flesh, of $ower an" "eceit, of "e$ra9e" human nature. 1he Din#"om of Hea9en/Go" is the o$$osite. !t is the kin#"om of the 5$irit an" the soul, the kin#"om of renunciation an" of $urityL the kin#"om of all thin#s 9alue" y men who know the worthlessness of e9erythin# else in com$arison. 1he $hrase BDin#"om of Hea9enC is an e%$ression not foun" in the He rew .i leL the term was "e9elo$e" y sa#es to refer to Go" as kin# or to Go" rei#nin# in the li9es of His $eo$le fore9er ;4%. 12*1@=. .ut ,esus "i" not wish to e the restorer of earthly kin#"oms or e the conAueror of $eo$le. Go" offere" kin#shi$ to ,esus 9ia the cross, which is in stark contrast to 5atan ecause he offers Beternal lifeC without the cross. 1he kin#shi$ of ,esus is the Din#"om of Hea9en within His elie9ers. Any "ay when a soul has re$ente", has turne" to ri#hteousness, an" has $lace" ,esus in the center of his or her life, the eternal Din#"om of Hea9en has een enlar#e" ecause it has acAuire" a new citi>en. 1he Din#"om of Hea9en is the 5$irit of Go" functionin# within a $erson, an" that $erson, in turn, functions accor"in#ly to his or her est a ilities to ser9e Go".
779 .. &. ,.J* Is there a (iffere$"e 3ithi$ the #hrases 2Ii$%(o1 of Go(THea8e$>5
Matthew, s$eakin# to a ,ewish au"ience woul" not ha9e use" the name of Go", ut rather, woul" ha9e use" a su stitute wor" such as BHea9en, (ower, Glory, the Hi#hest, or the :ame. 1he reason is that most ,ewish $eo$le ha" so much res$ect for Go", that they "i" not e9en mention His name, ut a""resse" Him with a "ifferent title. ?ther #os$el writers who a""resse" their works to a Gentile au"ience woul" ha9e use" the wor" BGo"C ecause they woul" not ha9e een offen"e" y the name. (hrases such as Bthe Din#"om of Hea9en is nearC an" Blet the fear of hea9en e u$on you,C a9oi" the name of Go" ut ha9e the same meanin#. 1his was a common form of s$eech as the ,ewish $eo$le ha9e such a hi#h res$ect for Go", that His $ersonal name was not mentione". !n fact, e9en to"ay many ortho"o% ,ewish $eo$le s$ell the name of Go" as BG-".C Matthew, at times, use" the $lural form Bhea9ens,C which is characteristically He raic an" "oes not occur in any other lan#ua#e. 11/7 Howe9er, the $hrase BDin#"om of Go"C sim$ly means that Go" has com$lete rulershi$ of one<s life.
.. &. ,.J3 Is the Ii$%(o1 of Go(THea8e$ here $o3 or is it i$ the f)t)re> 1he answere is oth. 5ome $assa#es state that the Din#"om of Go" is near or $resent,11/@ while others state the kin#"om will e a future e9ent. 11/9 1he two seemin#ly contra"ictions are e%$laine" in that the kin#"om is near or $resent in $art, ut will e fulfille" at a future time. :ote the followin# 7 2;e#e$t+ be"a)se the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ has "o1e $ear.5 1he wor" repent in Greek is metanoias" which literally means to change one0s mind. 1137. Grint>, BHe rew as the s$oken an" Written 1he &aw in the &ast )ays of the 5econ"
1em$le.C /7. 1138. Mt. /*-L 4*17L 1-*/4L &k. 17*-1. 1139. Mt. -2*1L ,n. 1@*/3L Acts 1*3-7
780 Howe9er, in the first century culture, to chan#e one<s min" also meant to chan#e one<s lifestyle to match his new way of thinkin#. 1148 1his is the central messa#e of ,esus ecause it is critical to esta lishin# the Din#"om of Go" within one<s life. 1he nearness of the kin#"om has reference to the $resence of ,esus amon# men. His wor"s an" works are the #oo" news of the #os$el of Go" that "eman"s a human res$onse. !t is a measure of time "etermine" y Go" for the fulfillment of the kin#"om as $romise" from the foun"ations of the worl" an" $romise" in 9arious co9enants throu#hout history. 1he $lan of Go" was a out to e fulfille" as state" on the cross when ,esus sai", B!t is finishe".C 1his clearly set #ui"elines to $rotect the church from false teachers, who woul" come an" state that the work of ,esus was not com$lete an" that another messa#e of Go" woul" nee" to e hear". 1he Din#"om of Go" is also in the future in that there will come a time when ,esus will rule an" rei#n u$on the earth with ,erusalem as His ca$ital. 1he Din#"om that is in the $resent is the one in which e9ery elie9er $ermits ,esus to rule an" rei#n his or her life. Howe9er, in the future there will e a com$letely "ifferent Din#"om 7 one where ,esus will rule an" rei#n o9er the nations of the worl" as a $olitical entity 7 Din# of Din#s an" &or" of &or"s. To be obtai$e(
.. &. ,A. MAP :F LEAULUN AN6 NAPHTALI. 1he )istrict of Galilee co9ere" most of the ancient lan"s of the tri es of Ke ulun an" :a$htali, who ha" e%$erience" si#nificant lootin# an" "estruction y armies tra9elin# alon# the 7ia Maris. !t was here that ,esus $erforme" most of his miracles an" $reache" His #os$el messa#e of $eace.
4ideo Insert
/B)/,)/B)4 An unassigned historian dis%usses the &ands of Ce+u&un and *a#hta&i' and the signifi%an%e the Via Maris had at the ti"e of Jesus) 1140. .arclay, BMark.C -3L 0ichar"son, B0e$ent.C 191-9-.
781
782
U$it . The Mi$istry of Jes)s A""elerates Cha#ter * ;eHe"tio$ i$ NaGareth
.. *.
A Ill)stratio$ to be obtai$e(.
.. *. & I$tro()"tio$ !t woul" e only a matter of time until ,esus went to the remote 9illa#e that for so many years was His oyhoo" home. As He came efore the con#re#ation in the syna#o#ue, e9eryone saw Him as the nei#h orhoo" ki" who #rew u$ amon# them. 1he other chil"ren He once $laye" with were now a"ults an" ha" their own chil"ren. 1here were $eo$le $resent whose houses He uilt or re$aire", for whom He constructe" furniture or a#ricultural im$lements. 1hey knew that He was a #oo" an" o e"ient oy, one of whom any $arent woul" e $rou". 5ome a"mire" Him while others coul" not for#et His ille#itimate irth* they elie9e" that since He was orn out of we"lock, He was ille#i le for the least of any reli#ious "uties. !n fact, it is a won"er that He was e9en $ermitte" to rea" from the sacre" scrolls. May e it was ecause He was such a fine youn# man in His youth. ?r may e it was ecause of the miracles an" the e%$lo"in# $o$ularity He attaine". 0e#ar"less, now the $eo$le of :a>areth woul" see this youn# man they thou#ht they knew so well, they $assionately listene" to e9ery wor" 7 much to their sur$rise. .. *. * L9. /7&.-3 NaGareth
JESUS ;EJECTE6 AT HIS H:MET:0N
783 ;1he $oetic section is "i9i"e" in three sections=

&.
He "a1e to NaGareth+ 3here he ha( bee$ bro)%ht )#+
& A As )s)al+ He e$tere( the sy$a%o%)e A A$( stoo( )# to rea(. C &< The s"roll of the #ro#het Isaiah 3as %i8e$ to hi1+ 6 a$( )$rolli$% the s"roll+ He fo)$( the #la"e 3here it is 3ritte$7 *A 2The S#irit of the Lor( is o$ Me+ be"a)se He has a$oi$te( Me A to #rea"h %oo( $e3s to the #oor. C He has se$t 1e to #ro"lai1 free(o1 to the "a#ti8es 6 a$( re"o8ery of si%ht to the bli$(+ C? to set free the o##resse(+ A? &! to #ro"lai1 A? the year of the Lor(?s fa8or5 BIsa. .&7&-*aC.
&,
6? * He the$ rolle( )# the s"roll+ C? %a8e it ba"9 to the atte$(a$t A? a$( sat (o3$.
*&
A? The eyes of e8eryo$e i$ the sy$a%o%)e 3ere fi@e( o$ Hi1. He be%a$ by sayi$% to the1+ 2To(ay as yo) liste$+ this S"ri#t)re has bee$ f)lfille(.5
**
They 3ere all s#ea9i$% 3ell of Hi1 a$( 3ere a1aGe( by the %ra"io)s 3or(s that "a1e fro1 His 1o)th+ yet they sai(+ 2Is$?t this Jose#h?s so$>5 The$ He sai( to the1+ 2No (o)bt yo) 3ill =)ote this #ro8erb to Me7 W6o"tor+ heal yo)rself. So all 3e?8e hear( that too9 #la"e i$ Ca#er$a)1+ (o here i$ Eo)r ho1eto3$ also.?5
*3
He also sai(+ 2I ass)re yo)7 No #ro#het is a""e#te( i$ his ho1eto3$. *' A)t I say to yo)+ there 3ere "ertai$ly 1a$y 3i(o3s i$ Israel i$ EliHah?s (ays+ 3he$ the s9y 3as sh)t )# for
*/
784 three years a$( si@ 1o$ths 3hile a %reat fa1i$e "a1e o8er all the la$(. *. Eet EliHah 3as $ot se$t to a$y of the1Qb)t to a 3i(o3 at Lare#hath i$ Si(o$. *< A$( i$ the #ro#het Elisha?s ti1e+ there 3ere 1a$y i$ Israel 3ho ha( serio)s s9i$ (iseases+ yet $ot o$e of the1 3as heale( Q o$ly Naa1a$ the Syria$.5 0he$ they hear( this+ e8eryo$e i$ the sy$a%o%)e 3as e$ra%e(. *! They %ot )#+ (ro8e Hi1 o)t of to3$+ a$( bro)%ht Hi1 to the e(%e of the hill that their to3$ 3as b)ilt o$+ i$te$(i$% to h)rl Hi1 o8er the "liff. 3 A)t He #asse( ri%ht thro)%h the "ro3( a$( 3e$t o$ His 3ay.
*,
Literary style. 1141 1his narrati9e is written in a $oetic style of three stan>as. 1he first an" thir" are of o$$osite $atterns. !n line 1A, ,esus entere" the syna#o#ue while /A is another reference to the syna#o#ue. !n line 1., ,esus stoo" u$ while in /. He sat "own. !n line 1', He recei9e" the scroll of !saiah while in /' He #a9e it ack to the atten"ant. !n 1), He unrolle" it ut in /) He close" it. 5tan>a - has the same structural form as 1 an" /. :ote the similarities etween A an" A<, . an" .<, etc. !n fact, this stan>a coul" e mo9e" to the ri#ht an" unifie" with the other two. 2He e$tere( the sy$a%o%)e.5 1he ministry of ,esus was first to the ,ews, then to the 5amaritans, an" then to the Gentiles ;cf. Acts 1*@=. 1he reason was $rotocol as follows. 1. 1he co9enant of Go" was #i9en first to the ,ews an", conseAuently, they ha" the first o$$ortunity to acce$t or reEect the fulfille" co9enant of ,esus. -. 1he 5amaritans were a mi%e" $eo$le #rou$ of ,ews who ha" intermarrie" with forei#ners an" "e9elo$e" a mo"ifie" 9ersion of the fi9e ooks of Moses ;1orah=. 1herefore, they were #i9en the secon" o$$ortunity to acce$t or reEect the fulfille" co9enant of ,esus. /. +inally, the Gentiles ne9er ha" the ?l" 'o9enant an" were outsi"e of the co9enant. 1141. .ailey, 4oet and 4easant. (art !, 3@ an" (art !!, 184L +lemin#, The 4arables of &esus.
12, -/L (ilch, The 'ultural )ictionary. 7/.
785 !t was common $ractice for teachers to teach in the syna#o#ues. &ikewise ,esus tau#ht in the syna#o#ues an" His #os$el messa#e was later commissione" to the a$ostles ;Acts 1*@=. When (aul e#an his ministry to the )ias$ora ;,ews in forei#n lan"s=, he also tau#ht in the syna#o#ues as ,esus ha" "one. 114- A$ollos likewise e#an his ministry in the syna#o#ue ;Acts 1@*-3=. 5ince ,esus first $reache" in the syna#o#ue, those who acce$te" Him as their Messiah e#an to worshi$ Go" at home an" in a syna#o#ue ser9ice that was $atterne" after the tra"itional ,ewish ser9ice. 114/ +or e%am$le, early 'hristian an" ,ewish ser9ices always e#an with $raises, followe" y $rayer. A #oo" mo"el for the church to follow to"ay woul" e this instruction foun" in the 1almu"* ;abbi Si1lai e@#o)$(e(7 2A 1a$ sho)l( al3ays first re"o)$t the #raise of the Holy :$e+ blesse( be He a$( the$ #ray.5 Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 3eder 8era,im 7era!oth 3*a-3*b 2BJes)sC stoo( )# to rea(.5 ,esus stoo" to rea" the $assa#e of !saiah. Un"erstan"in# the customs of the "ay ai"s in un"erstan"in# the "ifficulties of this $assa#e. !n ancient times, the rea"er an" au"ience always stoo" to rea" from the 1orah, a tra"ition which is still $ractice" to"ay. 1he He rew .i le was "i9i"e" into three sections* 1he 1orah ;fi9e ooks of Moses=, the Writin#s, an" the (ro$hets. +ollowin# the rea"in# from the 1orah was a rea"in# from the (ro$hets, which, in this case, was from the .ook of !saiah.1144 !t was the cultural norm that, after He finishe" rea"in#, He sat "own to $reach a sermon. Unlike $astors to"ay, ,ewish ra is always sit to teach an" $reach. Ancient te%ts were usually inten"e" for $u lic rea"in# as $ri9ate rea"in# was almost unknown. 5ilent rea"in# was not a skill known to man until the secon" or thir" century A). 1hat is why ,esus sai" B&et those who ha9e
1142. Acts 1/*2L 14*1L 17*1, 18, 17L 1@*4, 19.
1143. Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. -4. 1144. .i9in, B1he 0eEection of ,esus at :a>areth.C .a o )igest. /*4, 1/.
786 ears, listen.C He ne9er sai", B&et those who ha9e eyes, rea".C +or the most $art, letters an" other "ocuments were an e%tension of oral communication. 5t. Au#ustine, in his fourth-century 'onfessions" wrote that 5t. Am rose was the most incre"i le man he ha" e9er met ecause he coul" rea" without mo9in# his li$s or makin# a soun". 1o make the matter or rea"in# more challen#in#, $a$yrus an" ink were e%$ensi9e an" scri es were amon# the hi#hest $ai" $rofessionals in the lan". +urthermore, Greek an" He rew "ocuments freAuently ha" no se$aration of wor"s, sentences, $ara#ra$hs, $unctuation, etc. 1o rea" ancient te%ts reAuire" e%cellent rea"in# skills, e9en y to"ay<s stan"ar"s. 1142 2The year of the Lor(?s fa8or.5 1his $hrase is clearly reflecti9e of the year of ,u ilee, the year when all "e ts were to e for#i9en an" the s were to e emanci$ate" ;&e9. -2*@-17=. 1his year was to occur once e9ery fifty years, ut it was sel"om honore". !n this 9erse, ,esus $roclaime" that this year was sym olic of Him ecause He is the one who for#i9es "e ts an" #i9es free"om to humanity. !t was a solutely stunnin#Z !t is noteworthy that the 4n#lish wor"s sins an" debts are oth translate" from the Aramaic wor" hoba. 1herefore when ,esus s$eaks of sinners He is also s$eaks of "e torsL when He s$eaks of the for#i9eness of sins He also s$eaks of s$eaks of the for#i9eness of moral an" s$ititual "e ts. 1143 .ut what ,esus "i" not rea" from the scroll of !saiah ;31*- = is eAually im$ortantL He "i" not mention the short $assa#e with reference to the B"ay of 9en#eance.C 1hat $assa#e is a clear reference to when 'hrist returns as kin# to Eu"#e the #o"ly an" un#o"ly. When ,ohn the .a$tist thun"ere" that ?ne woul" come who woul" rin# Eu"#ment an" fire, he was ri#htL howe9er, that $ortion of his $ro$hetic wor"s was not to e fulfille" in the first century. 1hat $ro$hetic "ay of 9en#eance is yet to come. 2He be%a$ by sayi$% to the1.5 As $re9iously state", the teacher ;or ra i= woul" always stan" to rea" the 1orah, sit or stan" to rea" from the (ro$hets, an" always sit to teach the class or con#re#ation. 1147 When the rea"er sat "own in the seat of Moses, he was in a sli#htly ele9ate" $osition
1145. Witherin#ton, ,i ing Word. 17/.
1146. .ailey, &esus through 5astern 5yes. -2-. 1147. .i9in, B1he 0eEection of ,esus at :a>areth.C .a o )igest /L4, /.
787 an", essentially, was seen as a ty$e of Moses as he instructe" the con#re#ation.
.. *. *A. THE SEAT :F M:SES AN6 THE AE;MA ST:NE. 1he seat of Moses ; ack#roun"= an" the .erma stone ;fore#roun"= in the syna#o#ue ruins at 'hori>im is ty$ical of a first century syna#o#ue. At :a>areth, ,esus woul" ha9e stoo" u$on the .erma stone when He rea" the 5croll an" was seate" in the 5eat of Moses when he illuminate" the 5cri$tures to the con#re#ation. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
788 !n the fore#roun" of the illustration a o9e is a .erma stone similar to the one on which ,esus stoo" when He rea" the 5cri$tures in :a>areth. 1he Greek wor" Berma refers to the raise" $latform u$on which a s$eaker stoo" to a""ress a con#re#ation, rea" $roclamations, an" u$on which citi>ens stoo" when trie" efore officials. 114@
.. *. *A. THE SEAT :F M:SES IN CH:;ILIM. A close-u$ 9iew of the seat where the teacher of the syna#o#ue sat to instruct the con#re#ation. 1his stone seat was "isco9ere" y archaeolo#ists in 19-3, an" is the ty$e mentione" in Matthew -/*1-/. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2To(ay as yo) liste$+ this S"ri#t)re has bee$ f)lfille(.5 Historically, the $assa#e was un"erstoo" as a reference to the comin# Messiah* the Anointe" ?ne. 1herefore, when ,esus sai" this 5cri$ture was fulfille" in their hearin#, He was announcin# to His oyhoo" frien"s, family, nei#h ors, an" the whole con#re#ation that He was that e%$ecte" Anointe" ?ne 7 the MessiahZ 1hey coul" not ima#ine that a #oo", or"inary chil", orn out of we"lock, coul" $ossi ly e their Messiah. 'onseAuently, there was instant an#er in the crow".
1148. Mt. -7*19L ,n. 19*1/L Acts 1@*1--17L -2*1-1-L +ran>, BGo"<s Gol" an" the Glory of (hili$$i.C 11@.
789
.. *. *C. THE ;EC:NST;UCTE6 NALA;ETH SENAG:GUE. 1his syna#o#ue is elie9e" y ,ewish scholars to e i"entical to the one that #race" y the $resence of ,esus, althou#h its location cannot e affirme". 5ince the architectural style of syna#o#ues ha" little or no 9ariation from 9illa#e to 9illa#e, archaeolo#ists an" researchers e%amine" the syna#o#ue ruins at Gamla to create an authentic re$ro"uction. 1149 5yna#o#ues in wealthier communities were constructe" of white mar le an" reflecte" Greek architecture. A man wearin# first century costume walks $ast the reconstructe" 9illa#e syna#o#ue in the :a>areth Hilla#e which recei9e" ra inic citation for authenticity. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1149. 5yon, )anny. BGamla* (ortrait of a 0e ellion.C /8-//.
790 .. *. *.J& 0hat 3as the )$see$ 1ira"le i$ NaGareth> 1he men of the con#re#ation woul" take turns rea"in# in the worshi$ ser9ice+ ut a 9isitin# #uest was #i9en the honor to lea" the ser9ice. 1he rea"in#s from the scrolls were continue" from week to week an" in any three year cycle the entire 5cri$tures were rea". 1hat, in itself, was a "ifficult task to accom$lish since there were no cha$ter an" 9erse "i9isions. !n fact, there were no 9owels an" all the letters were run to#ether. !t is normally assume" that ,esus sim$ly selecte" a te%t from !saiah, rea" it, an" a$$lie" it to Himself. 'learly, this was not the case. At the $oint where the rea"er of the $re9ious 5a ath en"e", that woul" e the e#innin# $oint for the rea"er the followin# week. 1he miracle lies in the fact that ,esus "i" not select the te%t, ut His rea"in# was the continuation from the rea"in# of the $re9ious 5a ath. 1his was har"ly a coinci"ence, ut a miracle y a "i9ine a$$ointment. 1hen the ser9ice woul" conclu"e with a lessin# an" a $rayer.1128 ?ne woul" har"ly notice a miracle ha" occurre" unless the or"er of worshi$ was known. 1he custom of the "ay was as follows* 1. 1he con#re#ation woul" recite the Shema ;)eut. 3*4=, -. A $rayer followe". /. 1here was a rea"in# from the &aw ; 4arashah=, 4. 1here was a rea"in# from the (ro$hets B+aphtarahC . 2. 1he rea"er woul" then #i9e an e%$lanation an" life a$$lication to each rea"in#. ,esus was $ro a ly seate" in the front of the con#re#ation "urin# the first two ste$s. 1hen a section rea" from the 1orah ;ste$ /=. !t is unknown if He rea" that section or if He entere" the syna#o#ue in time to rea" from the (ro$hets ;ste$ 4=. 0e#ar"less, ,esus then stoo" u$on a lar#e flat stone in the front of the syna#o#ue calle" the B.ermaC ;He . bima=. 1his was the honora le $osition of a Bma$htirC or rea"er ;who at this moment was ,esus= 1150. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 18/L Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. 37-78.
791 of the sacre" Bme#illah,C meanin# the scroll of the $ro$het !saiah. ,esus then rea" the Bha$htarah,C or the rea"in# of the "ay, which was !saiah 31*1-a. As He rea", the entire con#re#ation stoo" to honor the Wor" of Go". 1he len#th of the ha$htarah was normally etween three an" twenty-one 9erses. Howe9er, ,esus only rea" one an" a half 9erses, rolle" u$ the me#illah, an" #a9e it to the Bcha>>anC or the atten"ant, who carefully $lace" the sacre" writin# in a $ainte" ark. 1121 After the unusually short rea"in#, ,esus ste$$e" off the .erma stone, walke" to the 5eat of Moses, an" seate" Himself. 112- 1here He $resente" His sermon on the 5cri$ture He ha" rea". His lifelon# frien"s an" nei#h ors coul" har"ly elie9e that the little oy ,esus, who #rew u$ in their community, was a$$lyin# the wor"s of !saiah to Himself. 1hey knew of the miracles He ha" alrea"y $erforme" + ut His remin"in# them that 4liEah an" 4lisha $erforme" miracles for their non-,ewish nei#h ors, who ha" elie9e" in Go", rou#ht instant an#er an" fury. 1he uns$oken messa#e was that the $a#ans coul" ecome elie9ers while they, the ,ews of :a>areth, mi#ht not. 1he first century ,ewish $hiloso$her, (hilo, $reser9e" for us a "escri$tion of a syna#o#ue ser9ice that was ty$ical of the time of ,esus. He recor"e" the followin#* No3 these la3s they are ta)%ht at other ti1es+ i$(ee(+ b)t 1ost es#e"ially o$ the se8e$th (ay+ for the se8e$th (ay is a""o)$te( sa"re( o$ 3hi"h they abstai$ fro1 all other e1#loy1e$ts+ a$( fre=)e$t the sa"re( #la"es 3hi"h are "alle( sy$a%o%)es+ a$( there they sit a""or(i$% to their a%e i$ "lasses. The yo)$%er sitti$% )$(er the el(er a$( liste$i$% 3ith ea%er atte$tio$ i$ be"o1i$% or(er. The$ o$e+ i$(ee(+ ta9es )# the holy 8ol)1e a$( rea(s it+ a$( a$other of the 1e$ of the %reatest e@#erie$"e "o1es for3ar( a$( e@#lai$s 3hat is $ot 8ery i$telli%ible+ for a %reat 1a$y #re"e#ts are (eli8ere( i$ e$i%1ati"al 1o(es of e@#ressio$+ a$( alle%ori"ally+ as the ol( fashio$ 3as4 a$( th)s the #eo#le 1151. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 18-. 1152. 1he custom of ein# seate" while teachin# is also foun" in Mt. 2*1, -/*-, -3*22L ,n.
@*-L Acts --*/.
792 3ere ta)%ht #iety+ a$( holi$ess+ a$( H)sti"e+ a$( e"o$o1y+ a$( the s"ie$"e of re%)lati$% the state+ a$( the 9$o3le(%e of s)"h thi$%s as are $at)rally %oo(+ or ba(+ or i$(iffere$t+ a$( to "hoose 3hat is ri%ht a$( to a8oi( 3hat is 3ro$%+ )si$% a threefol( 8ariety of (efi$itio$s+ a$( r)les+ a$( "riteria+ $a1ely+ the lo8e of Go(+ a$( the lo8e of 8irt)e+ a$( the lo8e of 1a$9i$(. Philo+ (very .ood Man is ;ree &*.,&-,3.
112/
1he atten"ant was in char#e of the ser9ice. !t was his res$onsi ility to insure the a$$ointe" $eo$le rea" 5cri$ture at the a$$ro$riate times, to see that the furniture an" uil"in# were ke$t in #oo" or"er, an" to make sure the entire ser9ice was con"ucte" $ro$erly an" in or"er. 1124 1his form of a ,ewish worshi$ ser9ice ecame the $attern of worshi$ in the early church, since the first con9erts were ,ews. ,ews wrote the first church hymns, some of which came from 5cri$ture ;i.e. (hil -*3-11L 1 1im. /*13=. 1122
2A 3i(o3 at Lare#hath O 1a$y i$ Israel 3ho ha( serio)s s9i$ (iseases Ble#rosyC.5 &e$rosy was the name #i9en to a wi"e ran#e of skin "iseases, ut the mali#nant skin "isease of horrors was known y the Greek name of lepra an" the He rew name of sara0at. 1his is the con"ition "escri e" in Matthew @*/L Mark 1*4-, &uke 2*1- an" translate" in the 0e9ise" 5tan"ar" Hersion as Bfull of &e$rosy.C 1he :ew 4n#lish .i le translates the term as Bco9ere" with le$rosy.C !ts con"itions inclu"e scaly skin with swellin#, "ischar#e, ulsers, loss of hair, o"or, an" loss of $i#mentation. 1123 1his con"ition lea"es to an a#oni>in# "eath. 2E8eryo$e i$ the sy$a%o%)e 3as e$ra%e(.5 1he many frien"s, nei#h ors, an" e9en "istant relati9es of ,esus were as har" of heart an" 1153. (hilo, The Works of 4hilo . 3@9-98. 1154. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 28/. 1155. Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. 1@--8.
1156. Harrison, B&e$rosy.C -*43/-33.
793 hearin# as their ancestors of ancient !srael. !t is easy to ima#ine that the community of frien"s was e%tremely hostile to one of their own eAuatin# Himself with Go". Howe9er, how "i" His family feelF +or years they trie" to li9e in this small 9illa#e in $eace an" harmony, ut the #ossi$ a out ,esus ha9in# een concei9e" out of we"lock continue". 1his is the first recor"e" instance where the ,ews consi"ere" killin# ,esus ;others* ,n. 2*13L 7*/8L @*48, 29L &k. 11*2/-24=. 1he $rimary reasons for their hatre" were* 1. He i"entifie" himself as the Messiah s$oken of !saiah, an" y the $ro$het
-. He referre" to the faith of two Gentiles to whom Go" showe" mercy an" lessin#, ut the ,ews consi"ere" them con"emne". Jet the an#ere" ,ewish lea"ers shoul" ha9e reco#ni>e" that their own 5cri$tures $ro$hesie" the Messiah woul" rin# sal9ation to the Gentiles. 1127 /. ,esus sai" that His ol" frien"s, nei#h ors, an" "istant relati9es of the small 9illa#e were unworthy of Him, Eust as all of !srael was unworthy of 4liEah an" 4lisha. Howe9er, that BunworthinessC was the result of the sin of un elief committe" y the $eo$le. 1he reEection of ,esus most certainly ha" an effect on His half- rothers an" half-sisters. !t can safely e assume" that y this time they woul" ha9e marrie" an" esta lishe" homes in :a>areth or near y 9illa#es. !n those "ays youn# marrie" families remaine" close to the clan or e%ten"e" families. 5ince the nei#h ors so se9erely reEecte" ,esus, they most certainly reEecte" an" ri"icule" his family, as well. 1his was the norm of the "ay. ,esus was confronte" y se9eral $eo$le #rou$s, namely. 1. 5ome of His frien"s an" nei#h ors in :a>areth -. 1he reli#ious lea"ers from ,erusalem who no lon#er ha" reli#ious authority in the Galilee 1157. !sa. 9*1--L 4-*1-/, 3-7L 38*1-/L also note Mt. 4*1/-13L Acts 1/*47.
794 ;remo9e" y Hero" the Great=, ut s$ie" on Him. /. His family mem ers Auestione" Him as they too, coul" not He was the Messiah. elie9e
Howe9er, at a time when the 0omans were Auick to e%ecute anyone who they sus$ecte" to e the $olitical-reli#ious Messiah e9eryone was e%$ectin#, they ne9er confronte" ,esus. 1hey "i" ha9e their s$ies, the Hero"ians, o ser9in# ,esus. .ut they ne9er felt threatene".
+inally, this may e a #oo" $lace to comment a out women in the Galilean syna#o#ue. 1he strin#ent rules of ,erusalem were consi"era ly more rela%e" in Galilee. While in ,erusalem women were reAuire" to remain silent "urin# syna#o#ue ser9icesL in Galilee syna#o#ue lea"ers were more lenient on se9eral areas* 1. Galilean women were also $ermitte" to make u$ a Auorum to esta lish a new syna#o#ue. -. 1hey were $ermitte" to rea" the 1orah, sit in the seat of Moses or comment on the 1orah rea"in#. ut were not $ermitte" to
/. Howe9er, women were $ermitte" to en#a#e in a Auestion an" answer session that freAuently followe" the teachin# se#ment of the ser9ice. ;!nci"entally, the A$ostle (aul<s comments on women ein# silent in the church ;1 'or. 14*/4= $ro a ly is a reference to this se#ment of the ser9ice.=
795 1he fact that men an" women ha" eAual o$$ortunity to rea" "urin# the 5a ath ser9ice is in"icati9e that oys an" #irls oth went to school to learn how to rea". 1his was Auite unusual, not only in the Greco-0oman worl", ut for many other ,ewish communities as well. 5econ" to ,erusalem, Galilee ha" ecome the $rimary aca"emic center of !srael an", after the "estruction of the tem$le, the seat of ra inic authority relocate" to near y 1i erias. !n fact, all the maEor sa#es in ,erusalem were from the Galilee area. With e"ucation hel" in such hi#h esteem, women were welcome" in the aca"emic community.
.. *. *.J* The Sabbath 6ay?s 3al9 -- Ho3 far (i( they ta9e Jes)s> 1he syna#o#ues were so an#ry at ,esus, that they wante" to take Him 2to the e(%e of the hill5 an" throw Him o9er it to His "eath. !n essence, throw Him o9er a near y cliff. ?9er the years this account has #rown an" the $ro9er ial cliff has increase" in si>e. !n reality, it woul" ha9e een a retainin# wall that wasn<t much hi#her than two meters 7 or Eust o9er a man<s hei#ht. U$on ein# thrown o9er, He woul" ha9e een stone" to "eath. 1hat is the cultural conte%t of the time. Accor"in# to research con"ucte" y :a>areth Hilla#e, this miniature cliff or retainin# wall was either in :a>areth or ri#ht alon# the e"#e of it. 112@ While its location has een lost in history, these were o ser9ant ,ews an" woul" not ha9e roken any 5a ath laws inclu"in# those that $ertaine" to a 5a ath walk. 1he 5a ath )ay<s walk tra9elin# restrictions were esta lishe" centuries earlier. ,oshua / contains the account of the !sraelites crossin# the ,or"an as they were a out to enter the lan" Go" ha" $romise" them. 1he $riests
1158. !nformation acAuire" y $ersonal inter9iews with :a>areth Hilla#e staff on ,une 9, -81/. :a>areth Hilla#e is a recreate" first century li9in# museum in :a>areth, !srael.
796 carrie" the Ark of the 'o9enant, which re$resente" the $resence of Go" in their mi"st. 1he $eo$le were tol" y the famous lea"er, ,oshua, not to #et closer than two thousan" cu its ;a out one thousan" yar"s= from the ark ;,osh /*4a=. 1herefore, on the 5a ath )ay one coul" not tra9el more than a thousan" yar"s from the center of worshi$ so as not to ecome "istant from Go". 4s$ecially since the term Sabbath means rest.1129 5ince the BcenterC was consi"ere" to e the home, syna#o#ue, or other $lace in the 9illa#e, the ra is woul" $lace markers in"icatin# the en" of two thousan" cu its alon# the roa"s lea"in# in an" out of e9ery 9illa#e. ?n the 5a ath )ay, the 9illa#ers coul" walk to that marker that in"icate" the limit of the "istance they coul" tra9el. 1138 Howe9er, a$$arently there was some 9ariation concernin# the len#th of a 5a ath<s )ay<s Eourney. Acts 1*1- in"icates the "istance from the Mount of ?li9es to ,erusalem as a 5a ath )ay<s walk. ,ose$hus cite" this "istance as fi9e furlon#s or /,8/1 feet 1131 an" a#ain as si% furlon#s ;also known as si% sta"ium= or /,3/7 feet. 113- .ut it is "ou tful that when &uke wrote Acts 1*1-, he was intereste" in a $recise measurement. 1he #reat "is$arity of "istance lies in the fact that y Hellenistic measure -888 cu its is /888 feet. 1he 9ariation may e "ue to the fact that while a cu it is #enerally 1@ inches, in some cases it was -1.2 inches. .ut the most common unit of measure was the shorter unit. +or #eneral $ur$oses, two cu its eAual /3 inches or one yar" as referre" to in ,oshua /*4 . +or 0omans, a Eourney of -,888 cu its ;:um. /2*2=, was reckone" to e eAual to si% 0oman sta"ia ;383.2 feet=. ,erome in his 5pistle to Algasian ;.ook 18=, recor"e" the 5a ath )ay Eourney to e a "istance of -888 feet. 113/
1160. +or a""itional 5a
ath re#ulations, see ,u ilee 28*3-1/ at *. /. .. !n fact, "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt, since the ,ews refuse" to fi#ht on the 5a ath, the Greeks slau#htere" more than a thousan" men, women, an" chil"ren. 1hereafter they "eci"e" to "efen" themsel9es as not e remo9e" from the face of the earth ;1 Macc. -*/1-/@=.
1161. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. -8.@.3. 1162. ,ose$hus, The &ewish Wars. 2.-./. 5ome other sources in"icate /,3/9 feet instea" of
/,3/7 feet.
1163. De$ler, B5a
ath<s )ay<s ,ourneyC 4*141L Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3--.
797 ? 9iously, there were "ifferent o$inions as to a $recise "istance, was a consensus of the a$$ro%imate "istance. ut there
1o"ay tourists in !srael see a Auarry on the south si"e of the mountain u$on which :a>areth rests an" are tol" this is the cliff where ,esus was threatene". Howe9er, when e%aminin# the "istance etween :a>areth an" the tra"itional cliff as "etermine" y the 'rusa"ers, there is no Auestion this was far eyon" any 5a ath<s )ay Eourney, e9en y the most li eral inter$retation. Hence, the tra"itional theory of the cliff location nee"s to e remo9e" from any consi"eration as a historical-reli#ious site.
.. *. *6. THE 2T;A6ITI:NAL CLIFF5 :F NALA;ETH . 1he cliff south of :a>areth, accor"in# to 'rusa"er tra"itions, is i"entifie" as ein# where the con#re#ation of :a>areth challen#e" ,esus. Howe9er, this cliff is far eyon" the tra"itional B5a ath<s "ay walkC from the ancient syna#o#ue an", therefore, cannot e consi"ere" as the site. !t is a classic e%am$le of the many tra"itional myths of the Holy &an". 1o"ay it is an acti9e Auarry. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he $eo$le He #rew u$ withL the nei#h ors He lo9e" an" care" forL the ki"s He once $laye" with who now ha" chil"ren of their ownL for the most $art, reEecte" Him. He saw frien"ly faces an" critical eyes.
798 While He was a"mire" as a won"erful teacher, they su""enly reali>e" that He a$$lie" a messianic $ro$hecy to Himself. He left His hometown with a hea9y heart an" mo9e" to 'a$ernaum. 1he hum le home that was His for so many years woul" e no more. Jet of all the human emotions that fille" His heart, He knew that e9entually the ,ewish lea"ershi$ woul" "o likewise 7 turn a#ainst Him. 1he $assa#e in !saiah e%$resse" His own $ur$ose an" $ro#ram 7 $recisely what He was #oin# to "o with His life. 1. 1o $reach the #oo" news to the $oor ;9. 11= -. 1o announce that ca$ti9es to sin woul" e release" ;9. 1@= /. 1o rin# si#ht to the lin" 7 oth to those who are $hysically an" those who were s$iritually lin" to the truth ;9. 1@=. 4. 1o #i9e li erty to those who are inEure" an" o$$resse" ;9. 1@= 2. 1o announce that the Din#"om of Go" has arri9e". !t is noteworthy that little is recor"e" in the .i le concernin# the relationshi$ ,esus ha" with His iolo#ical family. !t a$$ears, howe9er, that His rothers an" sisters still ha" some mis#i9in#s a out Him at this $oint. !n, fact, His rother ,ames was as much if not more of a "ou ter than the famous "ou tin# 1homas until after the resurrection. His mother an" father, assumin# he was still ali9e, were the only family mem ers who ha" any confi"ence in Him. 1hus, the $oetic wor"s of )a9i" were fulfille".
,
lin"
I ha8e be"o1e a stra$%er to 1y brothers a$( a forei%$er to 1y 1other?s so$s.
Psal1 .!7, +inally, throu#hout the i lical $erio" there was a $re9ailin# i"ea that #o"s were territorialL that there were #o"s who controlle" 9arious cities an" re#ions. 1herefore, it is ama>in# that the wi"ow of Kare$hath elie9e" that 4liEah coul" $erform a miracle in the lan" of
799 .aal. !n li#ht of that, it is e9en more ama>in# is that she #a9e him 7 a $ro$het of a forei#n #o" 7 her last loaf of rea". &ikewise, :aaman, who ha" le$rosy ut was not confine" to a le$er<s colony, elie9e" that a forei#n #o" woul" hel$ him. Jet his healin# only occurre" after the encoura#ement of his ser9ant, ut he finally ha" faith to ste$ into the ,or"an 0i9er for his healin#. 1he faith e%$resse" y the wi"ow an" 5yrian General sur$asse" that of the citi>ens of :a>areth. .oth were Gentiles, oth are heros of the ,ewish faith, an" to tell this to the ,ews of :a>areth #reatly an#ere" them.
U$it . The Mi$istry of Jes)s A""elerates Cha#ter 3 The Mi$istry of Jes)s A""elerates i$ Galilee
800
.. 3. A. JESUS AN6 HIS 6ISCIPLES IN A FISHING A:AT. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. After toilin# all ni#ht without catchin# a sin#le fish, ,esus, who was not a fisherman, tol" them where to cast the net ;&k. 2*1-7=. 1he result was $henomenal. .. 3. & L9. '7&-&&4 Mt. /7&!-** ;5ee also Mk. 1*13--8= Sea of Galilee BGe$$esaretC
801 PETE; AN6 THE CATCH :F FISH L9. &As the "ro3( 3as #ressi$% i$ o$ Jes)s to hear Go(?s 3or(+ He 3as sta$(i$% by La9e Ge$$esaret. * He sa3 t3o boats at the e(%e of the la9e4 the fisher1e$ ha( left the1 a$( 3ere 3ashi$% their $ets. 3 He %ot i$to o$e of the boats+ 3hi"h belo$%e( to Si1o$+ a$( as9e( hi1 to #)t o)t a little fro1 the la$(. The$ He sat (o3$ a$( 3as tea"hi$% the "ro3(s fro1 the boat. 0he$ He ha( fi$ishe( s#ea9i$%+ He sai( to Si1o$+ 2P)t o)t i$to (ee# 3ater a$( let (o3$ yo)r $ets for a "at"h.5
/
2Master+5 Si1o$ re#lie(+ 23e?8e 3or9e( har( all $i%ht lo$% a$( "a)%ht $othi$%K A)t at Eo)r 3or(+ I?ll let (o3$ the $ets.5
'
0he$ they (i( this+ they "a)%ht a %reat $)1ber of fish+ a$( < their $ets be%a$ to tear. So they si%$ale( to their #art$ers i$ the other boat to "o1e a$( hel# the14 they "a1e a$( fille( both boats so f)ll that they be%a$ to si$9.
.
0he$ Si1o$ Peter sa3 this+ he fell at Jes)s? 9$ees a$( sai(+ 2Go a3ay fro1 1e+ be"a)se I?1 a si$f)l 1a$+ Lor(K5 ! For he a$( all those 3ith hi1 3ere a1aGe( at the "at"h of fish they too9+ & a$( so 3ere Ja1es a$( Joh$+ Lebe(ee?s so$s+ 3ho 3ere Si1o$?s #art$ers.
,
26o$?t be afrai(+5 Jes)s tol( Si1o$. 2Fro1 $o3 o$ yo) 3ill be && "at"hi$% #eo#leK5 The$ they bro)%ht the boats to la$(+ left e8erythi$%+ a$( follo3e( Hi1. Mt. &! 2Follo3 Me+5 He tol( the1+ 2a$( I 3ill 1a9e yo) fish for #eo#leK5
*
I11e(iately they left their $ets a$( follo3e( Hi1.
Goi$% o$ fro1 there+ He sa3 t3o other brothers+ Ja1es the so$ of Lebe(ee+ a$( his brother Joh$. They 3ere i$ a boat 3ith Lebe(ee their father+ 1e$(i$% their $ets+ a$( He "alle( the1. ** I11e(iately they left the boat a$( their father a$( follo3e( Hi1.
*&
802 5imon (eter an" his rother An"rew were fishermen an" ,ames an" ,ohn, the sons of Ke e"ee, where their usiness $artners. &ike so many other fishermen, the fish they cau#ht were usually "rie", salte" an" sol" to tra9elin# cara9ans. 5ome were taken Auickly to near y markets such as 1i erias, :a>areth, an" 5e$$horis. 1heir usiness "i" not make them wealthy, ut "i" $ro9i"e for all their nee"s. Jet soon they woul" fin" sufficient reason to lea9e the usiness to Ke e"ee an" follow ,esus. .y this time ,esus ha" $erforme" a num er of miracles an" His teachin# cau#ht the attention of many. &ittle won"er then, that when ,esus s$oke to 5imon (eter, (eter a""resse" Him as BMaster.C Another miracle was e9i"ent 7 the hu#e catch of fish in "ayli#ht when fish are normally cau#ht only at ni#ht. 1he miracle was un"erscore" y the $re9ious ni#ht when none were cau#ht 7 a most unusual e9ent. 1herefore, when ,esus calle" 5imon (eter an" his rother An"rew to follow him, they knew they were #oin# with someone s$ecial. Jet they woul" not know to what e%tent Bs$ecialC was until after His "eath an" resurrection. !t has een sai" that a #reat man can transform or"inary $eo$le into #reat $eo$le an" a "e ilitate" $eo$le to mi#hty warriors. 1he li9es of the "isci$les woul" e transforme" "ramatically 7 eyon" their wil"est "reams. !n the course of time, their human frailties woul" e e%$ose", ut the $ower of Go" woul" transform them into healers of the sick an" sol"iers of the cross. 20ashi$% their $ets.5 :ets ha" to e cleane" "aily y remo9in# the seawee"s an" sea #rasses that ecame entan#le" in them. ?nly the trammel net was use" for ni#ht fishin#. !t is a series of three nets close to#ether, which are Bhun#C in the water like a 9ertical curtain. Alon# one e"#e is a series of floats an" alon# the o$$osite e"#e is a series of wei#hts. 1he net is sus$en"e" in a semi-circular fashion near the shore an" slowly the two en"s are "rawn to#ether causin# many fish to e cau#ht. 1134 +urthermore, at ni#ht the fish swim etween the nets an" ecome tan#le". 1his ty$e of net, while 9ery effecti9e for catchin# fish, also catches seawee" an" BuncleanC fish. 1herefore, the ne" nee"s to e cleane" an" unacce$ta le fish remo9e".
1164. +ran>, BAncient Har ors of the 5ea of Galilee.C 114.
803 !n this narrati9e these $rofessional fishermen ha" fishe" all ni#ht an" cau#ht nothin#. 5ince the 5ea of Galilee has always een a un"ant with fish, failure to catch any was unhear" of an", therefore, an unusual miracle. At ni#ht the fish swim close to the surface to fee", ut "urin# the "ayli#ht hours they "escen" to the "e$ths of the lake. !t was common knowle"#e that "ayli#ht fishin# was an e%ercise in futility. +or a car$enter to tell $rofessional fishermen how to fish was totally out of character. 5tran#ely thou#h, the fishermen "i" as ,esus "irecte" an" they $ulle" in an incre"i le catch, which was so lar#e that they nee"e" hel$ to "raw in the net. 1he si#nificance was not only the a un"ant catch, ut that it followe" a futile ni#ht of work with a solutely no results. ,esus clearly "emonstrate" his authority o9er nature an" the creation, an" they reco#ni>e" Him as ha9in# some unusual "i9ine $owers, which cause" (eter to imme"iately confess himself as a sinful man ;9. @=.
.. 3. &A. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F NIGHT FISHING 0ITH A T;AMMEL NET. 1his illustration shows the trammel net ein# hun# in the water in a circular manner. 1hen another net was thrown o9er the enclose" area to kee$ the fish from Eum$in# out.
804
.. 3. &A. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F H:0 FISH A;E CAUGHT IN A T;AMMEL NET. A trammel net is a three-layere" net in which the fish ecome tan#le" an" cau#ht. +ishin# was "one close to the shore at ni#ht when the fish coul" not see the linen net. 1o"ay nylon nets are use" for "ay fishin# ecause the fish cannot see them. 1here are three im$ortant as$ects to this miracle. 1. 1he trammel net is use" only at ni#ht ecause it is ineffecti9e "urin# the "ay when a "ifferent ty$e of net is use". -. Most net fishin# is "one at ni#ht fist can see the nets. ecause "urin# the "ayli#ht, the
/. 1he fish were cau#ht in a "ee$ $ortion of the lake, which was "istant from their normal ha itat near the shoreline. 'learly, e9erythin# that occurre" was contrary to all nature. Hence, 5imon (eter sai", BGo away from me &or"L ! am a sinful man.C 1he irony is that (eter, while "rawin# "o>ens of fishes into his net, was himself cau#ht in the net of ,esus. (eter<s 9iew of ,esus was more than that of a teacher, as he
805 calle" Him BMaster,C !n contrast to ,ohn, who calle" Him B0a i.C !t shoul" e note" that 5atan is also a fisherman ;- 1im. -*-3= an" "esires to catch men. He is the im$ersonator of 'hrist, lurin# as many as he can with his counterfeit "ee"s an" messa#e. 1hese miracles were astonishin# an" the "isci$les were con9ince" this messen#er was from Go". 'om$are" to $re9ious $ro$hets, ,esus $erforme" many s$ectacular miracles which cause" many to won"er who He really was. At a future time (eter recei9e" a secon" callin# when a B5tran#erC alon# the shore tol" him to recast his net an" that resulte" in a catch of 12/ fish. 1he castin# net, known in Greek as the amphiblesstron" was one of the most common fishin# tools throu#hout the ancient Mi""le 4ast. 1132 !t was cast, or thrown, from the shore or from a oat. !t was i"eally use" at ni#ht when the fish "i" not see the net comin# all aroun" them an" they were tra$$e" insi"e. 1he net was then $ulle" ashore an" the fish were se$arate" 7 the a" from the #oo". 1his $ara le teaches there will e a time when Go" will se$arate the a" from the #oo" 7 it is the tenor of the .i le, alon# with the encoura#in# call to follow the ways of our &or".
1165. .arclay, BMatthew.C -*@@.
806 .. 3. &C. CASTING A STAN6A;6 CASTING NET. +ishermen to"ay still cast their nets as they "i" in the time of ,esus. (hoto#ra$h y ,eane 'onte.
4ideo Insert
/A)/0)/,)4 Joe& +en Yosef de"onstrates %asting fishing nets on the Sea of Da&i&ee)
.. 3. &6. CLEANING FISHING NETS. Ara fishermen in the 19-8s are shown cleanin# their nets in the 5ea of Galilee in a similar manner as was "one in the first century. 'leanin# in9ol9es the remo9al of unwante" fish an" 9e#etation. :ote the arren hillsi"e in the ack#roun". (hoto#ra$h y H.H. Horton.
807
.. 3. &E. AN :L6 ILLUST;ATI:N :F FISHE;MEN FISHING. 1his ol" illustration of fishermen u$on the water shows that they wore a loin cloth, ut in "oin# so, they were consi"ere" to e Bnu"e.C 2WMaster+? Si1o$ re#lie(.5 &uke use" the Greek wor" epistates" which means teacher" boss" or master. 5imon (eter clearly reco#ni>e" that he was s$eakin# with someone who ha" unusual authority an" $ower. !n 9erse 2 5imon (eter calle" Him kyrios" meanin# ,ord.1166 2I11e(iately they left.5 1his $hrase illustrates the commitment the "isci$les ha" ecause the fishin# nets were e%$ensi9e an" they woul" sim$ly not lea9e anythin# of such 9alue lyin# on the shore. !n all $ro a ility, their father took the nets an" continue" the fishin# usiness. .. 3. * M9. &7*&-** ;5ee also &k. 4*/1-/-= Ca#er$a)1 JESUS TEACHES AT CAPE;NAUM
1166. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 14-.
808 The$ they 3e$t i$to Ca#er$a)1+ a$( ri%ht a3ay He e$tere( the sy$a%o%)e o$ the Sabbath a$( be%a$ to tea"h. ** They 3ere asto$ishe( at His tea"hi$% be"a)se+ )$li9e the s"ribes+ He 3as tea"hi$% the1 as o$e ha8i$% a)thority.
*&
2They 3ere asto$ishe( at His tea"hi$%.5 As a chil", ,esus atten"e" the local syna#o#ue school in :a>areth as was reAuire" of all chil"ren. He ha" no further e"ucation other than #ra"e school. 5ince He was not a seminary #ra"uate an" not or"aine" as a ra i, He was not $ermitte" to intro"uce a new inter$retation. 1hat is why the $eo$le were ama>e" at His teachin#s. +urthermore, He tau#ht with authority. 0a is woul" freAuently Auote other famous ra is in their sermons. ,esus, howe9er, sai", B! sayT.C !n essence, He sai" He was His own authority. &ater this ecame more $ronounce" when He for#a9e sins, an act only Go" coul" "o.
.. 3. *A. SENAG:GUE AT CAPE;NAUM. 1his late /r" or early 4th century A.). syna#o#ue was ma"e of white-colore" limestone an" constructe" "irectly on to$ of the ori#inal syna#o#ue in which ,esus $reache". 1he massi9e columns an" si>e of the sanctuary "warf 9isitors. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he hi#hway known as the 7ia Maris went from 4#y$t, north alon# the coast an" then throu#h 'a$ernaum, on to )amascus an" e9entually to
809 Meso$atamia. 'onseAuently, there was a hi#h 9olume of international traffic that ma"e 'a$ernaum the commercial hu of the eastern Galilee area. 1ra9elin# cara9ans loa"e" with #oo"s, tra9elers, an" reli#ious $il#rims freAuently sto$$e" at 'a$ernaum for fresh su$$lies an" salte" fish. Alon# this hi#hway the 0omans ha" a #arrison of sol"iers an" Matthew collecte" ta%es from the cara9ans. 1137 &ocal craftsmen car9e" millstones an" #rin"in# stones from local 9olcanic asalt rock. 1he 0oman comman" $ost was locate" at to"ay<s Greek ?rtho"o% 'hurch where the ruins of a athhouse were foun". 1here the 'enturion an" his sol"iers insure" that tra9elers $ai" their ta%es. Howe9er, ecause of the hea9y ta%ation u$on the ,ews, the Galilee area was also a hot e" of re ellious acti9ity. 1he Kealots, those who "esire" to o9erthrow 0oman "omination, were acti9e in this area.
.. 3. *A. ;UINS :F THE ;:MAN AATHH:USE AT CAPE;NAUM. Grass an" wee"s ury the first century 0oman athhouse at Greek ?rtho"o% 'hurch in 'a$ernaum. !t is e9i"ence of the $resence of a 0oman station that insure" tra9elers $ai" ta%es to the a#ent of 0ome 7 Matthew. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1167. Hansen, B1he 5ea of Galilee* An ?9er9iew.C 38-32.
810 While 'a$ernaum was known as a fishin# 9illa#e an" a rest area for tra9elin# cara9ans, there were $ro a ly se9eral other in"ustries locate" there as well. 1he surroun"in# farmlan" was known for its e%cellent wheat that was use" in the tem$le an" was also sol" to cara9ans for e%$ort. Archaeolo#ists ha9e unearthe" #lass 9essels that su##est a #lass makin# in"ustry, as well as "o>ens of #rin"in# stones an" stone im$lements ma"e of the locally-foun" asalt rock. 113@ 1hese "isco9eries le" them to conclu"e that the 9illa#e ha" at least two thri9in# manufacturin# in"ustries.
.. 3. *C. AASALT G;IN6ING ST:NES. Many 9olcanic asalt #rin"in# stones ha9e een unco9ere" in 'a$ernaum, lea"in# archaeolo#ists to sus$ect there may ha9e een a thri9in# stone in"ustry in 'a$ernaum at the time of ,esus. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1168. &offre"a, Reco ering 'apharnaum. -8--4.
811
.. 3. *6. A CASHE :F GLASS FESSELS. &ar#e Auantities of #lass 9essels unco9ere" in 'a$ernaum, like this one, ha9e le" archaeolo#ists to conclu"e the $ossi ility of a #lass in"ustry in the small 9illa#e. (hoto#ra$h y 5tanislao &offre"a.
.. 3. *E. 6EC:;ATE6 PLASTE; PIECES F;:M PETE;?S H:ME. )ecorate" $laster of floral "esi#n ;/ 0) 7 21H century= an"
812 #raffiti was foun" in the home / 'hurch of 5t. (eter. 1he #raffiti, written in nine lan#ua#es, su##est that $il#rims from many countries 9isite" this location. 6EC:;ATE6 PLASTE; PIECES 0ITH INSC;IPTI:NS F;:M PETE;?S H:USE.
.. 3. 3 M9. &7*3-*, ;5ee also &k. 4*//-/7= Jes)s #erfor1e( His first e@or"is1 MAN 6ELIFE;E6 F;:M A 6EM:N J)st the$ a 1a$ 3ith a$ )$"lea$ s#irit 3as i$ their sy$a%o%)e. He "rie( o)t+ */ 20hat (o Eo) ha8e to (o 3ith )s+ Jes)s Q NaGare$e> Ha8e Eo) "o1e to (estroy )s> I 9$o3 3ho Eo) are Q the Holy :$e of Go(K5
*3
A)t Jes)s reb)9e( hi1 a$( sai(+ 2Ae =)iet+ a$( "o1e o)t of hi1K5 *. A$( the )$"lea$ s#irit "o$8)lse( hi1+ sho)te( 3ith a lo)( 8oi"e+ a$( "a1e o)t of hi1.
*'
The$ they 3ere all a1aGe(+ so they be%a$ to ar%)e 3ith o$e a$other+ sayi$%+ 20hat is this> A $e3 tea"hi$% 3ith a)thorityK He "o11a$(s e8e$ the )$"lea$ s#irits+ a$( they obey Hi1.5 *, Ne3s abo)t Hi1 the$ s#rea( thro)%ho)t the e$tire 8i"i$ity of Galilee.
*<
1he ,ewish elitists chose not to reco#ni>e ,esus for who He was, ut the terrori>e" "emons imme"iately reco#ni>e" His authority 7 the ?ne who woul" "eli9er $eo$le from "emonic stron#hol"s an" influence ;0e9. -8*1-/=. Unfortunately, 4n#lish translations miss the sense of terror the "emons e%$resse" in this $assa#e. Here, for the first time, ,esus e%ercise" His "i9ine $ower o9er "emonic s$irits. )emons influence, an" sometimes control, the thinkin#, s$eakin#, feelin#, an" actions of their 9ictims an", therefore, the "emon<s "esires are re9eale".1139 1he a$$roach ,esus use" was uniAuely "ifferent from others who $ractice" e%orcisms. He always s$oke to the "emons ut ne9er touche" 1169. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 142.
813 the $ossesse" $erson. 1his is in contrast with the many times he touche" the sick, infirme", an" e9en the "ea". !n the $rocess of castin# out "emons, ,ewish an" $a#an e%orcists followe" $rescri e" formulas an" re$eate"ly calle" u$on the name of their #o" to cast out "emons. An e%am$le was recor"e" in the secon" century ..'. in the ook of 1o it. !t rea"s, As he 3e$t O he too9 the li8e ashes of i$"e$se a$( #)t the heart a$( li8er of the fish )#o$ the1 a$( 1a(e a s1o9e. A$( 3he$ the (e1o$ s1elle( the o(or+ he fle( to the re1otest #arts of E%y#t+ a$( the a$%el bo)$( hi1. Tobit ,7*-3
&&<
!t shoul" e note" that in Greek thinkin#, "emons were su$ernatural ein#s that coul" e either #oo" or a" s$irits, 1171 ut i lical writers i"entifie" the s$irit only as e9il. .. 3. / M9. &7*!-3&4 L9. /73! B5ee also Mt. @*14-12L &k. 4*/@-/9= Ca#er$a)1 PETE;?S M:THE;-IN-LA0 HEALE6 Mt. *! As soo$ as they left the sy$a%o%)e+ they 3e$t i$to Si1o$ a$( A$(re3?s ho)se 3ith Ja1es a$( Joh$. 3 Si1o$?s 1other-i$la3 3as lyi$% i$ be( 3ith a fe8er+ a$( they tol( Hi1 abo)t her at o$"e. 3& So He 3e$t to her+ too9 her by the ha$(+ a$( raise( her )#. L9. 3! So He stoo( o8er her a$( reb)9e( the fe8er+ a$( it left her. She %ot )# i11e(iately a$( be%a$ to ser8e the1. After the syna#o#ue ser9ice, it was the custom to enEoy a meal with frien"s, so ,esus went to the home of (eter. !t is unknown if (eter<s mother-in-law
1170. 5ee B1o itC in A##e$(i@ ** for a""itional "etails on this ook.
1171. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on &uke 4*//.
814 was sick in e" or if she ecame ill after the syna#o#ue ser9ice. 4ither way, y the time ,esus arri9e" at (eter<s house she ha" Ba fe9er.C 2Si1o$?s 1other-i$-la3.5 5imon is also known as B(eter, 5imon en ,ohan/ ar ,onah, 5imon (eter, 'e$has,C an" BDe$ha.C As with all the "isci$les, little is known of their families. .ut concernin# (eter, he may ha9e ha" a son ;1 (et. 2*1/= an" his wife e9entually Eoine" him on some missionary Eourneys ;1 'or. 9*2=.
.. 3. /.J& 0hy is the heali$% of Peter?s 1other-i$-la3 to be "o$si(ere( 1ore tha$ a heali$% 1ira"le> 2A fe8er.5 1hrou#hout most of history there were three kin"s of fe9ers in the Galilee an" surroun"in# areas. Most of (erea an" all of ,u"ea was too "ry to ha9e mosAuitoe-infeste" marshy areas. 1. 1he malta fe9er in which a $erson was weak, anaemic, an" waste" away. -. 1y$hoi" fe9er /. Malaria, a "isease that for centuries throu#hout marshlan"s north of the 5ea of Galilee. the Hula
All three of these fe9ers e9entually resulte" in "eath. 117- Accor"in# to Alfre" 4"ersheim, the 1almu" i"entifies this "isease as the eshatha tsemirta" meanin#, Ba urnin# fe9er.C 117/ 1he $rescri e" metho" of healin# recor"e" in the 1almu" in9ol9e" tyin# an iron knife to a thorn ush with the hair of the sick $erson attache". 1his was re$eate" se9eral consecuti9e "ays, after which the ush was cut "own while a ma#ical formula was announce". 1174 ? Eects of iron, such as nails an" kni9es, were in much "eman" an" were elie9e" to hol" ma#ical $owers to war" off e9il. 1172
1172. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/87-8@.
1173. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . //3-/7.
1174. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . //3. 1175. 5tans. B'ricifi%ion 49i"ence.C 3.
815 1he healin# was more than a miracle ecause ,esus a#ain "emonstrate" $ower o9er the su$erstitions an" ri"iculous metho"s of e%orcisms of the ra is. ,esus heale" her while the ra is were $lannin# to cut "own a thorn ush. &ittle won"er that they felt foolish. Jet &uke sai" that ,esus re uke" the fe9er. 1he narrati9e reflects the same manner in which He re uke" "emons, which im$lies the source of the fe9er.1173 As mentione" $re9iously, ,esus ne9er touche" anyone with "emonic s$irits, ut He comman"e" them to lea9e as He "i" with the urnin# fe9er. 1his story is far more "ynamic than the healin#, which was a $henomenon in its own ri#ht.
1he ,ewish $eo$le ha" a num er of incre"i le folklores an" su$erstitions they elie9e" woul" either heal a $erson or cast out "emons. ?ne of them ws recor"e" y ,ose$hus. I$ the Falley of Ma"haer)s there is a "ertai$ root "alle( by the sa1e $a1e. Its "olor is li9e to that of fla1e+ a$( to3ar(s e8e$i$% it se$(s o)t a "ertai$ ray li9e li%ht$i$%. It is $ot easily ta9e$ by s)"h as 3o)l( (o so+ b)t re"e(es fro1 their ha$(s+ $or 3ill it yiel( itself to be ta9e$ =)ietly )$til either the )ri$e of a 3o1a$+ or her 1e$str)al bloo(+ be #o)re( )#o$ it4 $o+ e8e$ the$ it is "ertai$ (eath to those 3ho to)"h it+ )$less a$yo$e ta9e a$( ha$% the root itself (o3$ fro1 his ha$(+ a$( so "arry it a3ay. It 1ay also be ta9e$ a$other 3ay 3itho)t (a$%er+ 3hi"h is this7 they (i% a tre$"h all aro)$( it+ )$til the hi((e$ #art of the root be 8ery s1all4 they the$ tie a (o% to it+ a$( 3he$ the (o% tries har( to follo3 hi1 that tie( hi1+ the root is easily
1176. 0ea" the "iscussion on healin# an" e%corisms written in )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ment 4N2-1 at the en" of ,. '. /.
816 #l)"9e( )#+ b)t the (o% (ies i11e(iately i$stea( of the 1a$ 3ho 3o)l( ta9e the #la$t a3ay4 $or after this $ee( a$yo$e be afrai( of ta9i$% it i$to their ha$(s. Eet after all these #ai$s i$ %etti$% it+ it is o$ly 8al)able o$ a""o)$t of o$e 8irt)e 3hi"h it #ossesses+ that if it be bro)%ht to si"9 #erso$s+ it (ri8es a3ay those "alle( (e1o$s. Jose#h)s+ %ars <...3 1his interestin# $oint of su$erstitious folklores is that these re9eal that the ,ewish $eo$le ha" more faith for a healin# in a 9ariety of $laces, ut not in the Go" of A raham, !saac, an" ,aco . ,esus was a out to chan#e their $erce$tions of Who "oes the healin#. 2Ae%a$ to ser8e the1.5 5he functione" as the ;Gk= B"iaconateC or, as woul" e known after (entecost, a B"eaconess of the church.C 1177 1he i"entity of where (eter an" his family once li9e" has een $reser9e" y an interestin# e9ent. Nueen Helena, the mother of 'onstantine the Great, came to the Holy &an" in the early fourth century. 5he honore" the home of 5t. (eter y uil"in# a asilica o9er it that ha" three concentric octa#ons. Her $ur$ose was to $reser9e the location of the holy site. 117@ !n /@/-/@4, the 5$anish (il#rim 4#eria toure" the Holy &an" an" 9isite" the home of (eter. 5he note" that the A$ostle<s home ha" een con9erte" into a small church an" ma"e these comments* The ho)se of the #ri$"e of the a#ostles BSt. PeterC i$ Ca#er$a)1 3as "ha$%e( i$to a "h)r"h4 the 3alls+ ho3e8er+ Bof the ho)seC are still sta$(i$% as they 3ere Bi$ the #astC. S#a$ish Pil%ri1 E%eria
&&<!
1he foun"ations of Nueen Helena<s asilica were also i"entifie" from (iacen>a a out the year 278. He state" that* 1177. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . //3.
1178. 5hanks, B0e"isco9erin# the Dathisma* Where Mary 0este".C 47.
y a $il#rim
1179. Nuote" y &offre"a, Reco ering 'apharnaum. 3/.
817 0e "a1e to Ca#er$a)1 i$ St. Peter?s ho)se+ 3hi"h at #rese$t is a basili"a. Pil%ri1 of Pia"e$Ga
&&,
.. 3. /A. :CTAG:NAL AELANTINE F:UN6ATI:NS :FE; PETE;?S H:ME. 1he ruins of 'a$ernaum as seen from the air lookin# towar" the 5ea of Galilee. 1he three concentric octa#onal walls on the left are the remains of a .y>antine church that was uilt o9er the foun"ation of (eter<s house. 1o"ay a 'atholic shrine is sus$en"e" o9er the site. 1o the ri#ht are the $artially reconstructe" walls of the late /r" century ;A)= 1180. Nuote" y &offre"a, Reco ering 'apharnaum. 33.
818 syna#o#ue that was uilt o9er the syna#o#ue in which ,esus tau#ht. (hoto#ra$h y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. .. 3. ' M9. &73*-3/ ;5ee also Mt. @*13-17L &k. 4*48-41= Ca#er$a)1 MANE 0E;E HEALE6 0he$ e8e$i$% "a1e+ after the s)$ ha( set+ they be%a$ bri$%i$% to Hi1 all those 3ho 3ere si"9 a$( those 3ho 3ere (e1o$-#ossesse(. 33 The 3hole to3$ 3as asse1ble( at the (oor+ 3/ a$( He heale( 1a$y 3ho 3ere si"9 3ith 8ario)s (iseases a$( (ro8e o)t 1a$y (e1o$s. A)t He 3o)l( $ot #er1it the (e1o$s to s#ea9+ be"a)se they 9$e3 Hi1.
3*
20he$ e8e$i$% "a1e+ after the s)$ ha( set.5 1he $eo$le "esire" to o ser9e the strict teachin#s of their ra is an" not want to reak the 5a ath "ay re#ulations y reAuestin# a healin#. 1herefore, they waite" until the 5a ath was o9erL after the sun ha" set an" at least three me"ium-si>e" stars were in the sky. 1hen they rou#ht their sick an" "emon-$ossesse" to ,esus to e heale" an" "eli9ere". 11@1 Why three starsF !t was elie9e" that two or three witnesses were nee"e" to ren"er a Eu"#ment an" three stars in the sky "etermine" when a "ay e#an or en"e" ;)eut. 17*3=. 2The 3hole to3$ 3as asse1ble( at the (oor.5 1he $o$ularity of ,esus continue" to #row e%$onentially. 1ra9elers took the news of the Man who heals far an" wi"e. 1he ,or"an Halley alrea"y ha" a healin# re$utation as forei#ners came to sit in the natural hot s$rin#s, such as in 1i erias, ho$in# in ho$e an" a $a#an #o" they woul" e heale". :ow ,esus, who functione" with the $ower of the Go" of A raham, !saac, an" ,aco , was healin# men, women, an" chil"ren who were ill inclu"in# those who faile" to #et heale" in the natural hot s$rin#s. .ut $o$ularity also came with a serious set of $ro lems* 1. ,esus was surroun"e" y $eo$le all the time. His name was mentione" e9erywhere. He ha" no o$$ortunity to e alone y Himself, alone with His "isci$les, or alone to $ray. Whene9er He woke u$ in the 1181. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 118.
819 mi""le of the ni#ht to #o to a mountain to $ray, His "isci$les hunte" for Him as soon as they work u$. (o$ularity was ta%in# His $hysical, s$iritual, an" emotional stren#th as well as time. ?n a si"e note, it is ama>in# that often ,esus went alon# to $ray for e%ten"e" $erio"s of time ;i.e., all ni#ht=, yet all the $rayers recor"e" in the #os$els are relati9ely short. -. (eo$le were more an%ious to e heale" or to #et a free meal than to hear His messa#e. 1hey faile" to un"erstan" that His miracles un"erscore" His (erson an" messa#e. /. 1here was a #rowin# elief that He was the messiah 7 one who woul" o9erthrow the 0oman o$$ressors. !n fact, some wante" to make Him their kin#. 1heir i"ea of a kin#"om was a resurrection of the mi#hty )a9i"ic 4m$ire of a thousan" years earlier. He was constantly challen#e" with re$lacin# their $reconcei9e" i"eas of a $olitical-messiah with His i"ea of the Din#"om of Go". 1heir i"ea of a messiah woul" not chan#e to a Messiah until after His resurrection.
5o while ,esus welcome" thousan"s of $eo$le whom He heale" an" tau#ht, He was constantly aware of the "an#ers $o$ularity rou#ht to His ministry. .. 3. . M9. &73'-3, ;5ee also &k. 4*4--4/= JESUS G:ES :UT T: P;AE Fery early i$ the 1or$i$%+ 3hile it 3as still (ar9+ He %ot )#+ 3e$t o)t+ a$( 1a(e His 3ay to a (eserte( #la"e. A$( He 3as #rayi$% there. 3. Si1o$ a$( his "o1#a$io$s 3e$t sear"hi$% for Hi1. 3< They fo)$( Hi1 a$( sai(+ 2E8eryo$e?s loo9i$% for Eo)K5
3'
820 A$( He sai( to the1+ 2Let?s %o o$ to the $ei%hbori$% 8illa%es so that I 1ay #rea"h there too. This is 3hy I ha8e "o1e.5
3,
2To a (eserte( #la"e.5 5ome translations use the wor" B"esert,C rather than a solitary an" Auiet area. 11@- Howe9er, there was no "esert near the 5ea of Galilee ;cf. Mk. 1*/2L &k. 4*4-=, ut rather, it is a lush, #reen, $ro"ucti9e farmlan" with Auite $eaceful areas on the hill an" mountain to$s. 1he #os$el writer is sayin# that ,esus "i" not minister in"e$en"ently of the +ather an", for this reasonL He ha" to retreat to a Auiet area an" s$en" hours in $rayer. His humanity is re9eale" in that ministry e%hauste" Him $hysically an" emotionally. 2He 3as #rayi$% there.5 ,esus was often in $rayer. !t was His source of stren#th, es$ecially when He knew "ifficulties lay imme"iately ahea". !n his usiest $erio", when He was so often e%hauste" from the la ors of the "ay, He retreate" to a seclu"e" $lace away from the crow"s an" "isci$les to $ray with His +ather. He ne9er took any im$ortant ste$ without such a ni#ht. .. 3. < Mt. /7*3-*' ;5ee also Mk. 1*/9L &k. 4*44= ;e%io$s of Galilee JESUS T;AFELS AA:UT Jes)s 3as %oi$% all o8er Galilee+ tea"hi$% i$ their sy$a%o%)es+ #rea"hi$% the %oo( $e3s of the 9i$%(o1+ a$( heali$% e8ery (isease a$( si"9$ess a1o$% the #eo#le. */ The$ the $e3s abo)t Hi1 s#rea( thro)%ho)t Syria. So they bro)%ht to Hi1 all those 3ho 3ere affli"te(+ those s)fferi$% fro1 8ario)s (iseases a$( i$te$se #ai$s+ the (e1o$-#ossesse(+ the e#ile#ti"s+ a$( the #aralyti"s. A$( He heale( the1. *' Lar%e "ro3(s follo3e( Hi1 fro1 Galilee+ 6e"a#olis+ Jer)sale1+ J)(ea+ a$( beyo$( the Jor(a$.
*3
26e"a#olis5 1he term means Bten cities.C 1his was a loose confe"eration of ten Greek cities on the eastern si"e of the ,or"an 0i9er an" 1rans-,or"an
1182. +or e%am$le, the Din# ,ames Hersion.
821 Mountains, with the e%ce$tion of 5cytho$olis ;also known as .eth 5hean=. 11@/ More s$ecifically, it was a term a$$lie" to ten a"ministrati9e "istricts. 11@4 .. 3. , M9. &7/ -/' ;5ee also Mt. @*1-4L &k. 2*1--13= Galilee area. THE LEPE; IS HEALE6 D A MESSIANIC MI;ACLE The$ a 1a$ 3ith a serio)s s9i$ (isease "a1e to Hi1 a$(+ o$ his 9$ees+ be%%e( Hi17 2If Eo) are 3illi$%+ Eo) "a$ 1a9e 1e "lea$.5
/
Mo8e( 3ith "o1#assio$+ Jes)s rea"he( o)t His ha$( a$( to)"he( hi1. 2I a1 3illi$%+5 He tol( hi1. 2Ae 1a(e "lea$.5 /* I11e(iately the (isease left hi1+ a$( he 3as heale(. /3 The$ He ster$ly 3ar$e( hi1 a$( se$t hi1 a3ay at o$"e+ // telli$% hi1+ 2See that yo) say $othi$% to a$yo$e4 b)t %o a$( sho3 yo)rself to the #riest+ a$( offer 3hat Moses #res"ribe( for yo)r "lea$si$%+ as a testi1o$y to the1.5 /' Eet he 3e$t o)t a$( be%a$ to #ro"lai1 it 3i(ely a$( to s#rea( the $e3s+ 3ith the res)lt that Jes)s "o)l( $o lo$%er e$ter a to3$ o#e$ly. A)t He 3as o)t i$ (eserte( #la"es+ a$( they 3o)l( "o1e to Hi1 fro1 e8ery3here.
/&
'ultural ack#roun" information on le$ers makes this e9ent oth a miracle an" monumental announcement. 1he se9erity of le$rosy, known as tsaraath in He rew, in the i lical $erio" seems to ha9e a ran#e of o$inions amon# scholars. 5ome ha9e sai" that it was merely a skin "isease while others ha9e #i9en it horrific "escri$tions. 1he fact is that oth are correct. 1he le$rosy "escri e" in &e9iticus 1/*4 an" 1/, a$$ears to e a form of $soriasis that co9ers the skin with white scales. !n 9erse /8 the sym$tom if skin itch is associate" with it. 1hose who ha9e sai" that le$rosy was merely one of se9eral minor skin "iseases ;accor"in# to mo"ern me"ical stan"ar"s= #enerally refer to this con"ition. Howe9er, later in &e9iticus a "ifferent an" "ea"ly form of le$rosy is "escri e", in fact, there are three kin"s of le$rosy 1183. 5ee B)eca$olisC in A##e$(i@ *.. 1184. (ellett, B)eca$olis.C 1*@18-1-.
822 which are only riefly "escri e" here. 1hose with this con"ition were known as the Bli9in# "ea".C 11@2 1. Nodular or tubercular leprosy e#ins as Eoint $ains which are followe" y "iscolore" $atches on the ack. ?n those skin areas small $ink no"ules form which then turn rown. 1he $atches s$rea" an" e9entually the face ecomes "isfi#ure". 1he no"ules enlar#e an" emit a foul o"or an" the o"y ecomes increasin#ly cri$$le". After a out nine years of "ecline, life en"s with mental "ecay, a coma an" "eath. -. Anaesthetic leprosy is similar to the nodular leprosy in its early sta#es ut all sensation is lost in the infecte" area. 1he sufferer may not reali>e that he has contracte" the "isease until an inEury occurs of which he has no $ain. !n the course of the "isease, muscles waste away an" fin#ers an" toes ecome #rossly "istorte" an" e9entually a foot or han" may literally fall off. 1he "isease may take u$ to three "eca"es until "eath comes. /. 1he thir" kin" is a com ination of nodular an" anaesthetic leprosy. 1his may ha9e een the most common form of the "rea"e" "isease. 1he mystery of le$rosy is why Moses "e"icate" two entire cha$ters 7 &e9iticus 1/ an" 14 7 to it as well as the "eclaration of cleansin#, when no ,ewish $erson was e9er heale" of the "isease. As will e shown elow, $eo$le woul" ask their ra is this Auestion an" his res$onse woul" e that he "i" not know, ut when the messiah comes, he will know an" he will heal the le$ers. 11@3 !n the meantime, there were only two healin#s of le$ers recor"e" in the ?l" 1estament. 1. Miriam recei9e" her healin# efore Moses wrote the 1orah 11@7 an" -. 1he 5yrian military comman"er, :aaman, was not e9en a ,ew was heale" y the ,ewish $ro$het 4liEah ;- D#. 2*1=. 1185. htt$s*//mail.#oo#le.com/mail/u/8/Fsh9aI1Sin o%/1/3f@c/@-88c82""
A$ril -@, -81-. 1186. 1his is an ar#ument from silence an", therefore, weak. Howe9er, the fact remains that there is not a sin#le healin# of le$rosy recor"e" amon# the ,ewish $eo$le $rior to the a"9ent of ,esus. 1187. 5ome scholars ar#ue that Mariam was the only one heale" of le$rosy, since the !sraelites left 5inai in :um er 18*1- an" Miriam was heale" at Ha>eroth in :um ers 1-.
ut
0etrie9e"
823 5ince Miriam recei9e" her le$rosy as a result of a sin, it was elie9e" that anyone with the "isease recei9e" it for the same reason. 5ince no one was e9er heale" of le$rosy ;Miriam a $ossi le e%ce$tion=, y the first century it was elie9e" that the "isease was a 9isi le si#n of inner corru$tion that resulte" in Eu"#ment of Go". !t was also elie9e" that only the Messiah woul" e a le to heal anyone inflicte" with the "ea"ly "isease 7 a Messianic Miracle 11@@ or Messianic 5i#n.11@9 1herefore, when ,esus heale" the man an" tol" him to e e%amine" y the $riests, it cause" an imme"iate sensation throu#hout all reli#ious circles. Howe9er, there are two cases where $ersons with le$rosy are re$orte" to ha9e $erforme" normal "aily tasks, in s$ite of the "isease. :otice the followin#* 1. :aaman comman"e" the 5yrian army ;- D#. 2*1=. While he was heale" y the $ro$het 4liEah, the fact remains that he functione" as a comman"er an" was not isolate" from other $eo$le. -. Geha>i, with his le$rosy that ne9er shoul" talke" with the kin# of a$ostate !srael ;- D#. @*4-2=. e cleanse" ;- D#. 2*-7=
.oth sufferers of these a$$ear to ha9e een heale" while the "isease was in the early sta#es. 1he most common o$inion is that le$ers were not $ermitte" to enter towns or e in the com$any of other $eo$le. 1heirs was a life of misery an" loneliness. ,ust as the ,ews ha" se9ere restrictions on the social functions an" mo9ements of anyone with the "rea"e" "isease, so "i" the $eo$le of other cultures. Howe9er, some le$ers were $ermitte" to li9e in communities an" atten" the syna#o#ue ser9ices. ,ewish lea"ers constructe" a small cham er, calle" a
1188. 0esearch on the BMessianic MiraclesC is cre"ite" to )r. Arnol" +ruchten aum, a Messianic scholar an" "irector of Ariel Ministries of 5an Antonio, 1e%as. +or more information on his e%cellent scholarshi$, see htt$*//ariel.or#/. 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -3, -81/. 5ee the relate" 9i"eo .. 3. ,.F elow.
1189. 0ichar"son, BHeal, Healin#, Health.C 18/-84.
824 Mechitsah" within the syna#o#ue a out si% or ei#ht feet wi"e, so the le$ers coul" e $art of the ser9ice yet remain se$arate" from the crow". 1198
!n other cases, the le$er was consi"ere" to e as one who ha" "ie", an" as such was shut out of the community. 1191 1his law was so strictly enforce" that e9en Miriam, the sister of Moses, was not e%em$te" from it ;:um. 1-*1--14= as was Din# U>>iah. 119- !t was elie9e" that le$ers, alon# with others who were seriously ill, ha" their "isease ecause of sin in their li9es or in that of their $arents. 1his o$inion is foun" in the writin#s of a (ersian historian a out 4@4 ..'. The "itiGe$ 3ho has le#rosy or the 23hite si"9$ess5 1ay $ot "o1e i$to a to3$ or "o$sort 3ith other Persia$s. They say that he 3as so affli"te( be"a)se he has si$$e( i$ so1e 3ay a%ai$st the s)$ B%o(C.&&!3 Hero(ot)s+ *he )istories &.&3, After the heale" le$ers were 9erifie" y the tem$le $riests to e BcleanC ;meanin# heale"=, the 5a""ucees reali>e" they ha" to take ,esus an" His messa#e seriously. 1he cleansin# of this le$er came y the s$oken wor" of ,esus. 1he reli#ious lea"ers, howe9er, also ha" their so-calle" cleansin# metho", which at est is interestin# an" was har"ly effecti9e. 1he Mishnah has $reser9e" their unusual healin# formula, which a$$ears to ha9e some influences from nei#h orin# cultures*
1190. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*-97. 1191. &e9. 1/*43L :um. 2*--4L - D#. 7*/. 1192. - 'h. -3*-1L - D#. 12*2.
1193
. 1he (ersians, like the 4#y$tians, worshi$e" the sun #o".
825 Ho3 (i( they "lea$se the le#er> He bro)%ht a $e3 earthe$3are flas9 a$( #)t therei$ a =)arter-lo% of li8i$% 3ater4 a$( he bro)%ht t3o bir(s that ha( li8e( i$ free(o1. The #riest sla)%htere( o$e of the1 o8er the earthe$3are 8essel a$( o8er the li8i$% 3ater+ a$( ()% a hole a$( b)rie( it i$ his #rese$"e. He too9 "e(ar 3oo( a$( hysso# a$( s"arlet 3ool a$( bo)$( the1 to%ether 3ith the e$(s of the stri# Bof 3oolC4 a$( bro)%ht $ear to the1 the ti#s of the 3i$%s a$( the ti# of the tail of the se"o$( bir(4 a$( (i##e( the1 Bi$ the bloo( of the sla)%htere( bir(C a$( s#ri$9le( Bthe bloo(C se8e$ ti1es o$ the ba"9 of the le#er?s ba"94 a$( so1e say+ also o$ his forehea(. So li9e3ise they )se( to s#ri$9le the li$tel of the ho)se fro1 the o)tsi(e. He the$ "a1e to set free the li8i$% bir(. Mish$ah+ *ohoroth &/7&
&&!/
+or centuries $eo$le aske" their ra is why no one was e9er heale" of le$rosy, es$ecially since Moses ha" "e"icate" to cha$ters to the cleansin# of le$ers. 1he ra is "i" not know the answer ut sai" that when the messiah comes, he will heal them an" tell us why. 1192 Hence was orn one of the three Bmessianic miraclesC first century ,ews elie9e" the messiah woul" $erform. 1193 1he healin# $erforme" y ,esus not only "emonstrate" His "i9inity o9er "iseases, ut also "emonstrate" His $ower was far su$erior to the ,ewish su$erstition of ir"s, hysso$, scarlet wool an" whate9er else they "eeme" 1194. (arenthesis y )an yL 5ee also .a ylonian 1almu", Berakoth 2 . 1195. 1he :ew 1estament $lan of sal9ation was tau#ht y the He rew $ro$hets as outline"
in A##e$(i@ <.
1196. +or more information on the messianic miracles as well as the ,ewish roots of
'hristianity, see Arnol" +ruchten aum, Messianic Miracles. ;1ustin, 'A* Ariel Ministries, 19@/=L Alan 0ichar"son, BHeal, Healin#, Health.C 18/-84L 5ee also .. 3. ,.F ;Hi"eo=, .. &. 3 an" ,ohn 4*-2 as well as the com$arison of )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ments 4N-7@ an" 4N2-1 with &uke 4*13-/8 at .. *. *.
826 necessary to heal a $erson. 1he healin# y ,esus struck a $owerful low to their healin# theolo#y. Most certainly, they ha" to Auestion how a man ;,esus= coul" ha9e more $ower than their cultic ritual. Ancient $eo$le "i" not reali>e that "iseases an" illnesses #enerally occur ecause we li9e in a fallen worl". ,esus, y healin# the le$er, "emonstrate" un"er no uncertain terms, that He was the Messiah. When the le$ers went to the $riests to ha9e their cleansin# ;or healin#= 9erifie" the $riest ecame $ainfully aware that the Messiah ha" arri9e". When they hear" that the miracle-worker was ,esus, the ol"er $riests may ha9e remem ere" the twel9e year ol" oy who once came to the tem$le an" stunne" them with Auestions.
.. 3. ,A. EGE;T:N PAPE;US * F;AGMENTS. +ra#ments of the 4#erton (a$yrus -, "ate" to no later than A.). 128, are $ro a ly from a non-canonical #os$el an" contain $ortions of Matthew @*--/, Mark 1*48-4- an" &uke 2*1--1/. !t is e9i"ence of the early recor"e" e9ents of the life of ,esus. !t is consi"ere" to e neither BhereticalC nor BGnostic,C an" is $ro a ly the ol"est non-canonical te%t yet "isco9ere". (hoto#ra$h courtesy of the 1rustees of the .ritish Museum.
.. 3. ,.J& 0hy (i( for%i8e$ess of his si$s>
Jes)s
heal
the
1a$+
b)t
not
(e"lare
827 1his is a classic e%am$le where un"erstan"in# ra inic writin#s an" the ,ewish culture resol9es misun"erstan"in#s. &on#-term "iseases such as le$rosy, as well as chil"lessness, were consi"ere" to e "i9ine $unishment an" 9ictims an" chil"less cou$les li9e" their entire li9es with ho$elessness, elie9in# Go" ha" con"emne" them. 1197 'onseAuently, they usually recei9e" little or no $ity or comfort from the reli#ious esta lishment. When a le$er rou#ht his offerin# to the syna#o#ue or tem$le, he was not $ermitte" to enter it, ut someone ha" to $resent his #ift for him, which, accor"in# to the ?ral &aw, was a sin offerin#. 119@ 1herefore, when ,esus heale" the man of his le$rosy, e9eryone reali>e" that his sins must ha9e een for#i9en. ,esus "i" not ha9e to "eclare, BJour sins are for#i9en.C !t was 1199 un"erstoo". 1his un"erstan"in# was $art of the cultural conte%t in which ,esus ministere". An e%am$le has een $reser9e" in the 1almu". ;abbi Ale@a$(ri sai( i$ the $a1e of ;abbi Hiyya be$ Abba7 2A si"9 1a$ (oes $ot re"o8er fro1 his si"9$ess )$til all his si$s are for%i8e$ hi1+ as it is 3ritte$+ W0ho for%i8es all yo)r i$i=)ities4 3ho heals all yo)r (iseases?5 BPs. & 373C. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ +edarim /&a 1he relationshi$ etween illness an" the for#i9eness of sins was e9i"ently a firm elief amon# $a#an $eo$le as well. !n the secon" century ..'., Din# :a unai of .a ylon foun" himself with an ulcer an" he aske" a ,ew name" :a oni"us to $ray for his healin#. 1hese wor"s of the kin# after the $rayer of healin# were foun" on an ancient $a$yrus, an" are, in $art, as follows* I 3as affli"te( 3ith a$ e8il )l"er for se8e$ years...a$( a$ e@or"ist #ar(o$e( 1y si$s. He 3as a Je3 fro1 a1o$% the R"hil(re$ of the e@ile of J)(ah+ a$( he sai(S+ 2;e"o)$t this i$ 3riti$% to R%lorify a$( e@altS the $a1e of the Most Hi%h Go(.5 6ea( Sea S"roll+ *he Prayer of +abonidus /JPrNab 1197. .a ylonian 1almu", Berakoth 2 . 1198. Mishnah, Tohoroth 14*11. 1199. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . /41. 1200. .orin#, .er#er, an" 'ol$e, e"s. +ellenistic 'ommentary to the New Testament. 3/.
&*
828 Healin# was associate" with the for#i9eness of sins. 1he actions of ,esus were clearly un"erstoo" y all o ser9ers an" y those who hear" of these, miraculous accounts. 1o those le$ers known as the Bli9in# "ea",C an" to the witnesses of le$ers ein# heale", ,esus "emonstrate" that He ha" $ower o9er "eath. 2To)"he( hi1.5 1ouchin# a le$er was a 9iolation of the &aw. !t ma"e a $erson unclean an" reAuire" him to un"er#o ceremonial cleansin#. ,esus knew the &aw, yet He touche" an" heale" him. 1his is more si#nificant in the Greek lan#ua#e of &uke, who sai" the man was full of le$rosy, meanin# that he was near the en" of his life. 1here was no Auestion of his illness an" there was no Auestion that if there e9er was a time not to touch a le$er, it was then. Hence, this act was also a $rofoun" illustration that the s$irit of the law was etter than sacrifice. !n touchin# the untoucha le, ,esus tau#ht His "isci$les a lesson of ol"ness, faith, an" humility, an" that they were to "es$ise no one, ut e%ercise com$assion on e9eryone an" rin# healin# into their li9es. 2Say $othi$% to a$yo$e.5 1he $rimary challen#e ,esus ha" was to con9ince the ,ews He was their Messiah, ut He was ra"ically "ifferent from their $re-concei9e" i"eas of a messiah ;small BmC=. (ossi le reasons for instructin# the heale" $erson to kee$ silent are as follows. 1. 1o make a $u lic announcement at this time woul" ha9e resulte" in a reEection y the ,ews, as well as an imme"iate "eath y the 0omans. 1he ,ewish e%$ectation of a messiah was a $olitical lea"er who woul" come an" "eli9er them from 0oman o$$ression. ,esus tol" the heale" man not to tell anyone of the healin#, for He "i" not want the $eo$le to think He was that $olitical-messiah.1-81
1201. Wessel, BMark.C @*3/8.
829
-. :either "i" ,esus want to e known as a mystic or miracle worker, as was Honi in the $re9ious century. ,esus was far more intereste" in $reachin# the Din#"om of Go" than "oin# miracles, althou#h His miracles, com ine" with His teachin#s, $ointe" to His Messiahshi$ an" the kin#"om messa#e. /. 1he ,ewish lea"ers ha" their own mystical formulas for healin# 9arious kin"s of ailments. ,esus was not intereste" in #ettin# in9ol9e" in a "iscussion of healin# metho"olo#ies, ut only on $roclaimin# the Din#"om of Go". 4. ,esus "esire" the former le$er to follow $ro$er $rotocol. He "i" not want him to tell anyone until he first went to $resent himself to the $riest ;see elow=, that the $riest mi#ht ascertain if in"ee" the le$rosy was cleanse" accor"in# to the &aw of Moses ;&e9. 19*/=. His testimony in the tem$le woul" then e 9isi le $roof to the reli#ious lea"ers that a Messianic Miracle or 5i#n 1-8- ha" een $erforme", an" that the Messiah ha" arri9e". 2Sho3 yo)rself to the #riest+ a$( offer 3hat Moses #res"ribe( for yo)r "lea$si$%+ as a testi1o$y to the1.5 1his comman" to the heale" le$er was si#nificant for four reasons. 1. ,esus o eye" the ?l" 1estament laws ecause He li9e" to fulfill the ?l" 1estament co9enant. 1his co9enant reAuire" the former le$er to $resent himself to the $riest to e officially $ronounce" heale"L in essence, he was to follow the rules set forth y Moses. 1202. 0ichar"son, BHeal, Healin#, Health.C 18/-84.
830 -. .y ein# o e"ient to this Mosaic &aw, the $riests coul" not i#nore what ,esus was "oin# in the countrysi"e. 1he $riests an" 5anhe"rin coul" not i#nore this healin# ecause, as $riests, they were reAuire" to in9esti#ate the claim an" make a final "eclaration that the man was no lon#er a le$er. !t force" them to a"mit that ,esus ha" some ty$e of "i9ine stren#th an" authority, a thou#ht that was increasin#ly "ifficult for them to reckon. /. 1he heale" le$er ha" to ha9e incre"i le faith in his healin#, ecause, if he entere" the tem$le with the "isease, he woul" ha9e recei9e" the se9ere $unishment of Bforty lashes minus one.C 1-8/ 4. 1he $ur$ose of the Btesti1o$y to the1C was not only to "emonstrate to the reli#ious lea"ers that ,esus o eye" the He rew laws, ut that He was also the ?ne who coul" $erform the e%$ectant Bmessianic miracles.C Hictims of the "isease were social outcasts of the worst kin", usually sufferin# from con"emnation an", unless family hel$e" them, star9ation. 1-84 1he healin# not only sa9e" the life of the le$er ut also restore" his family<s re$utation. !n the meantime, the #oo" news of ,esus healin# the sick was s$rea"in# throu#hout the ancient Mi""le 4ast an" his $o$ularity was e%$lo"in#.
+inally, for nearly three centuries critics ha9e state" that Moses "i" not write the first fi9e ooks of the ?l" 1estament. 1hey ar#ue that multi$le writers com$ose" 9arious sections of the 1orah, which was later assem le" 1203. .a ylonian 1almu", Seder Mo0ed 4esahim 37a- . 1204. Wessel, BMark.C @*3/8.
831 y an unknown e"itor or e"itors in the si%th century ..'. 1his theory is known as )ocumentary +ypothesis ;see A##e$(i@ *.=. 'ritics who acce$t this theory also "iscre"it the miracles of ,esus, ecause ,esus at times referre" to Moses. While the wor"s an" work of ,esus are focuse" on rin#in# mankin", who ecame lost at the time of the ori#inal sin, ack unto Himself, the written account of this history e#an with Moses. 1herefore, acce$tin# the ori#inal authorshi$ of the 1orah is critical to acce$tin# the wor"s an" work of ,esus. .. 3. ,.J* 0hat 3ere the three 21essia$i" 1ira"les5 that first "e$t)ry Je3s belie8e( the Messiah 3o)l( #erfor1> 1-82 1he ra is were con9ince" that the messiah woul" $erform three kin"s of miracles that woul" confirm His messiahshi$. 1hose antici$ate" Bmessianic miraclesC were* 1. Healin# a le$er. Moses "e"icate" two cha$ters in &e9iticus ;1/, 14= to the healin# of a le$er, ut since then, not a sin#le ,ewish $erson was heale" of this "rea"e" "isease. As a result, the ra is sai" that when the messiah comes, he will heal them. Moses sai" that when a ,ewish $erson with le$rosy was heale", he or she is reAuire" to #o imme"iately to the tem$le $riests to e "eclare" Bclean.C !n this case, the ,ewish hi#h $riest was 'aia$has ut the name of the 5amaritan hi#h $riest is unknown. 0e#ar"less, the ten miracles, a $erfect num er as relate" to the 1en 'omman"ments, ma"e a $rofoun" im$act on the $eo$le an" reli#ious lea"ers. -. 1he castin# out of "emons of someone who coul" not s$eak. (rotocol of castin# out a "emon was to ask for his name, an" when he res$on"e", the ra is woul" comman" the "emon, y name, to lea9e the $erson. Howe9er, if the $erson was mute an" coul" not s$eak, there was no way anyone coul" cast out the e9il s$irit. 1herefore, it was conclu"e" that only the messiah woul" e a le to cast "emons out of a B"eaf an" "um C $erson, meanin# a $erson who coul" not s$eak or hear. 1205. Din"ly note, as $re9iously state", that the lower case BmC is sometimes use" for
BmessiahC ecause the ,ews "i" not elie9e the messiah woul" 0ichar"son, BHeal, Healin#, Health.C 18/-84. e "i9ine. 5ee also Alan
832 /. 0aisin# messiahshi$.1-83 the "ea" to life. 1his was the ultimate si#n of
,esus heale" many in or"er to re9eal He ha" $ower an" authority o9er "emons an" illnesses. 1his $ro9e" that He was no mere human, ut one who $erforme" many miracles, inclu"in# the e%$ectant Bmessianic miracles.C 1hese three ty$es of miracles "emonstrate" that He ha" the authority to for#i9e sins an" was their lon# e%$ecte" messiah. Howe9er, as was re$eate"ly "emonstrate", the $erformance of the messianic miracles also re9eale" the s$iritual lin"ness of so many. 1hrou#hout 5cri$ture sin is often "escri e" as moral lin"ness ;)eut. -@*-9L !sa. 29*18L ,o 1-*-2L Ke$h. 1*17= an" the "eli9erance from sin is "escri e" as a remo9al of this lin"ness ;!sa. 13*1@L 4/*@L 4$h. 1*@L Mt. 12*14=. 1o say that ,esus is the $ro9er ial Bli#ht of the worl"C has more to "o with s$iritual lin"ness than it "oes with $hysical lin"ness, althou#h He rin#s si#ht to the $hysical an" s$iritual realms.
4ideo Insert
/A)/0)/B)4 Re$) John MetFger of !ornerstone Bi+&e !o&&ege dis%usses the three Messiani% "ira%&es that the Je(s of the Inter Testa"enta& 1eriod +e&ie$ed the Messiah (ou&d +e a+&e to #erfor" 7.-2.08) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 1herefore, since the #eneral $o$ulous elie9e" the messiah woul" $erform these messianic miraclesL ,esus "i" not ha9e to tell them B! am the Messiah.C 1o make this statement woul" ha9e cause" a #reater contro9ersy an" such a "eclaration woul" also ha9e in9ite" a catastro$hic 0oman 1206. 0esearch on the BMessianic MiraclesC is cre"ite" to )r. Arnol" +ruchten aum, a
Messianic scholar an" "irector of Ariel Ministries of 5an Antonio, 1e%as. +or more information on his e%cellent scholarshi$, see htt$*//ariel.or#/. 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -3, -81/. 5ee also .. 3. ,.F ;Hi"eo=, .. &. 3 as well as the com$arison of )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ments 4N-7@ an" 4N2-1 with &uke 4*13-/8 at .. *. *.
833 res$onse. 0ather, He $ermitte" the $eo$le to reach that conclusion themsel9es. y
.. 3. ,.J3 0ho else+ besi(es the Je3ish #eo#le+ a$ti"i#ate( the "o1i$% 1essiah> 1he ,ewish $eo$le were not alone in their antici$ation. As $re9iously state", many $eo$le #rou$s throu#hout the ancient Mi""le 4ast were e%$ectin# a $olitical-military lea"er. 1he 5amaritans were e%$ectin# a messiah ;,n. 4=, as were the (arthians ;see the account of the ma#i=. 1he 4ssenes, "escen"ants of the Ka"okite $riesthoo", coul" not "istin#uish the "ifferences etween the He rew $ro$hecies of the hum le ser9ant messiah an" the one who woul" e a military lea"er. Hence, they conclu"e" there were two messiahs comin# 7 one who woul" e the son of )a9i" an" woul" o9erthrow the 0oman 4m$ire an" the other who woul" e the son of Aaron an" woul" cleanse the tem$le of its corru$te" reli#ious aristocrats. 1he only $eo$le who "i" not want a messiah were the tem$le elite an" 0omans, who e9ery few years were tormente" y a ,ewish fanatic who thou#ht he was the messiah.1-87 .ut no one in their wil"est ima#ination e9er "reame" the messiah woul" e like ,esus. Hence, He nee"e" time to teach the $eo$le a out the Din#"om of Go" an" slowly lea" an" instruct them to chan#e their $reconcei9e" i"eas. 1hey nee"e" time to think throu#h the miracles they witnesse" an", in essence, ,esus tol" them not to tell others what they saw, ut to think a out the e9ents. 1he entire issue of a $erson comin# with a messianic title or ein# i"entifie" y the $o$ulous as the Messiah/'hrist or Anointe" ?ne/5on of )a9i"/0e"eemer was consi"era ly com$le%, as e9i"ence" in the first century ..'. e%tra- i lical ook title" the 4salms of Solomon . !t is a ook of ei#hteen $salms reflecti9e of the ei#hteen ene"ictions an" was written after the 0omans ca$ture" ,erusalem in 3/ ..'. 1hese $rayers were calle" in He rew Amidah which means standing ecause they were $raye" while the 1207. (ossi ly the most famous messianic fanatic was 5imon
ar Doch a who was res$onsi le for the u$risin# of A.).1//-/2, which lea" to the secon" 0oman "estruction of ,erusalem an" "is$ersion of all ,ews from ,erusalem. Howe9er, there has always een a ,ewish $resence somewhere in the Holy &an" from the time of ,oshua until to"ay.
834 worshi$er was stan"in#. 1-8@ 1hese $salms ;or cha$ters= are con"emnin# ecause the $unishment of Go" ;as "emonstrate" y 0oman occu$ation= was the result of the sins ;acce$tance of Greek culture= y the sons an" "au#hters of ,erusalem. 1his is followe" y a $romise" 9ictory, restoration o9er the occu$yin# enemy. !t is a literary style ty$ical of some ?l" 1estament ooks. A co$y of the 4salms was most certainly in the han"s of the 0omans as they $ai" ,ewish s$ies han"somely for any information that mi#ht lea" to a re9olt. 1he 4salms was es$ecially trou lesome for the 0omans ecause it i"entifie" an" curse" them as the BGentile forei#nersC ;-*-=, the Blawless oneC ;17*11= an" $raye" to Go" to rin# forth a B5on of )a9i"C ;17*-1= to rule o9er !srael. Hence, the 0omans woul" ha9e associate" anyone with any of these titles as ein# worthy of imme"iate "eath, es$ecially since there were some thirteen re ellions a#ainst them etween the years 3/ ..'. an" A.). 78. 1he A.). 78 re ellion in which ,erusalem was "estroye" was followe" y the reconstruction of the Holy 'ity, another re ellion, an" total "estruction an" "is$ersion of the tra"itional an" messianic ,ews in A.). 1/-1/2. !n li#ht of the $olitical-social tensions, the followin# $assa#es clarify as to why ,esus often tol" $eo$le He heale", not to tell others of the miracle they recei9e"* Ge$tile forei%$ers 3e$t )# to yo)r #la"e of sa"rifi"e4 they arro%a$tly tra1#le( BitC 3ith their sa$(als. Ae"a)se the so$s of Jer)sale1 (efile( the sa$"t)ary of the Lor(+ they 3ere #rofa$i$% the offeri$%s of Go( 3ith la3less a"ts... The (a)%hters of Jer)sale1 3ere a8ailable to all+ a""or(i$% to yo)r H)(%1e$ts+ be"a)se they (efile( the1sel8es 3ith i1#ro#er i$ter"o)rse. Psalms of 3olomon *7*-3+ &&
&* !
1208. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 94L 5ee A##e$(i@ &<.
1209. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. -*32-.
835 The la3less o$e lai( 3aste o)r la$(+ so that $o o$e i$habite( it4 they 1assa"re( yo)$% a$( ol( a$( "hil(re$ at the sa1e ti1e... See+ Lor(+ a$( raise )# for the1 their 9i$%+ the So$ of 6a8i(+ to r)le o8er yo)r ser8a$t Israel i$ a ti1e 9$o3$ to yo)+ : Go(. U$(er %ir( hi1 3ith the stre$%th to (estroy the )$ri%hteo)s r)lers4 to #)r%e Jer)sale1 fro1 Ge$tiles 3ho tra1#le her to (estr)"tio$4 I$ 3is(o1 a$( i$ ri%hteo)s$ess to (ri8e o)t the si$$ers fro1 the i$herita$"e. To s1ash the arro%a$"e of si$$ers li9e a #otter?s Har4 To shatter all their s)bsta$"e 3ith a$ iro$ ro(4 to (estroy the )$la3f)l $atio$ 3ith the 3or( of his 1o)th At his 3ar$i$% the $atio$s 3ill flee fro1 his #rese$"e4 a$( he 3ill "o$(e1$ si$$ers by the tho)%hts of their hearts. Psalms of 3olomon &<7&&+ *&-*'
&*&
1hese 4salms are in a $oetic #enre of $arallelisms of re$eatin# i"eas for memori>ation. 1hey not only reflect the o$inions of the common $eo$le ut also of the (harisaic lea"ershi$ an" are the hi""en force ehin" se9eral con9ersations the (harisees ha" with ,esus. !n li#ht of this 4salms of Solomon" it can e easily un"erstoo" why the common $eo$le an" the (harisees aske" each other, BHa9e the authorities conclu"e" that he is the 'hristFC ;,n. 7*-3=. !t is also un"erstan"a le why ,esus re uke" them for shoutin# BJou are the son of Go"C ;&k. 4*41=. !n the (assion Week the ,ewish lea"ers were in terror when ,esus ro"e into ,erusalem an" they hear" the crow"s shoutin# BHosanna to the 5on of )a9i"C ;Mt. -1*9= an" B.lesse" is the kin# who comes in the name of the &or"C ;&k. 19*/@L ,n 1-*1/=. ,ohn a""s the $hrase B.lesse" is the Din# of !sraelC ;,n. 1-*1/=. 1he 0oman 4m$ire at this time enEoye" 4a( Romana ;0oman $eace=, e9en thou#h it was at the en" of the 0oman swor". Howe9er, in the little ,ewish 1210. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. -*333-37.
836 $ro9inces,1-11 there was constant threat of re ellion for free"om, es$ecially in ,erusalem. Many ha" their ho$es escalate" when they saw ,esus $erformin# miracles, elie9in# that anyone who coul" "o such won"erful acts of kin"ness coul" also rin# free"om to their nation. 1he 5a""ucees, on the other han", "isa#ree" an" "esire" to maintain a frien"shi$ with the 0omans, so as not to lose the wealth an" $ower which they attaine" y control of the tem$le. 2Jes)s "o)l( $o lo$%er e$ter a to3$ o#e$ly.5 1his "oes not mean that His "i9ine $ower was limite", ut "ifficulties stoo" in the way, es$ecially since His $o$ularity was #rowin# e%$onentially. .. 3. ! L9. '7&<4 M9. *7*-/a4 L9. '7&!-* ;5ee also Mt. 9*1--= Ca#er$a)1 THE PA;ALETIC IS HEALE6 L9. &< :$ o$e of those (ays 3hile He 3as tea"hi$%+ Pharisees a$( tea"hers of the la3 3ere sitti$% there 3ho ha( "o1e fro1 e8ery 8illa%e of Galilee a$( J)(ea+ a$( also fro1 Jer)sale1. A$( the Lor(?s #o3er to heal 3as i$ Hi1. M9. * So 1a$y #eo#le %athere( to%ether that there 3as $o 1ore roo1+ $ot e8e$ i$ the (oor3ay+ a$( He 3as s#ea9i$% the 1essa%e to the1. 3 The$ they "a1e to Hi1 bri$%i$% a #aralyti"+ "arrie( by fo)r 1e$. /a Si$"e they 3ere $ot able to bri$% hi1 to Jes)s be"a)se of the "ro3(. L9. &! Si$"e they "o)l( $ot fi$( a 3ay to bri$% hi1 i$ be"a)se of the "ro3(+ they 3e$t )# o$ the roof a$( lo3ere( hi1 o$ the 1at thro)%h the roof tiles i$to the 1i((le of the "ro3( before Jes)s. * Seei$% their faith He sai(+ 2Frie$(+ yo)r si$s are for%i8e$ yo).5 An o9erlooke" issue of this $assa#e is relate" to the "esi#n an" construction of a first century home is un"erstoo". 1he ty$ical home was so small that it woul" ha9e een ri"iculous to "i# a hole throu#h the roof for the $ur$ose of lowerin# a $araly>e" man. 1he a9era#e room was only 1211. 1he $ro9inces of (erea, Galilee, an" ,u"ah each ha" their own 0oman a$$ointee,
who ser9e" as a $u$$et monarch un"er 0ome.
837 a out 128 to -88 sAuare feet. 1herefore, there is an e%cellent $ro a ility that this miracle occurre" in a lar#er home of a wealthy family, who, sur$risin#ly, may not ha9e o Eecte" to the "ama#e ein# "one to their e%$ensi9e roof. 1his o$inion of wealth is im$lie" y &uke<s re$ort of the tile roofin# material, as this construction metho" ha" only recently een intro"uce" to this area y the 0omans in 3/ ..'. ;see Bthrou#h the roof tilesC elow= an" was rather e%$ensi9e. 2Pharisees a$( tea"hers of the la3 3ere sitti$% there 3ho ha( "o1e fro1 e8ery 8illa%e of Galilee a$( J)(ea+ a$( also fro1 Jer)sale1.5 .y this time ,esus "efinitely ha" the attention of e9eryone. 49ery reli#ious lea"er who ha" any influence in a local syna#o#ue came to hear ,esus. 1he (harisees an" teachers of the law who came li9e" in 9illa#es throu#hout the lan", not only in ,erusalem. Howe9er, accor"in# to ,ewish $rotocol of the time, the 5a""ucees an" aristocratic u$$er echelon of the (harisees of ,erusalem "i" not come. 0ather, they sent their emissaries to o ser9e ,esus. &ater they themsel9es woul" come. !t was well known that ,esus was an outstan"in# 1orah teacher. He was not only $o$ular with His clear messa#e an" $leasant $ersonality, ut He also $resente" new inter$retations or posek halakhah ;le#al Eu"#ments=.1-15ince He was not an aca"emically traine" ra i, accor"in# to ra inic rules, He ha" no authority to $resent new i"eas or inter$retations. Hence, they watche" His e9ery mo9e.
1212. 5tern, &ewish New Testament 'ommentary , @7.
838
.. 3. !A. TEPICAL :UTSI6E STEPS T: THE ;::F . 5te$s to the roof or secon" floor were #enerally $lace" alon# the outsi"e wall of the house. 0oofs were nearly flat an" were use" to collect water for cisterns "urin# the rainy season so the family coul" ha9e "rinkin# water "urin# the lon#, hot, "ry summer. 0oofs were also use" as a slee$in# area "urin# hot summer ni#hts. 1his 13th century house in ,affa is uilt u$on the tra"itional site of the home of 5imon the 1anner ;Acts 18*/-=. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1he healin# of the le$er ha" "efinitely cau#ht e9eryone<s attention. ,ewish lea"ers came from e9ery 9illa#e an" hamlet. 1hey ha" hear" of the incre"i le miracle that for centuries was attri ute" to the messiah. +urthermore, they elie9e" the ?ne who coul" heal coul" also for#i9e sins. 1hat B?neC was none other than ,esus, Who was $ro lematic for them.
839 Hence, when ,esus heale" an" for#a9e sins, He was "eclarin# that He was Go". 1hat statement horrifie" them. 2Thro)%h the roof tiles.5 0oofs of $easant homes were #enerally constructe" y one of two metho"s. 1. .ranches were lai" from the to$ of one wall to another, then co9ere" with $alm ranches, then co9ere" with mu", an" com$acte" with a roller. 1he com$acte" mu" was then $lastere" to make it water resistant. 1-1/ -. &ar#e stones were $lace" on the to$s of walls formin# an arch which were co9ere" with mu", com$acte" with a roller an" $lastere". 1he former ty$e was use" throu#hout !srael with the e%ce$tion of some communities in northern Galilee. .oth construction styles were $rone to water leaka#e an" constant maintenance. When the 0omans arri9e" in 3/ ..'., they intro"uce" ake" roofin# tiles, which were first use" on the more affluent homes.1-14 5uch tiles woul" ha9e een use" on roofs constructe" with tree ranches or tim ers rather than stone sla s. Houses with "resse" stone walls, $lastere" interior walls, an" tile roofs clearly reflecte" a family of hi#her economic status in life. 1-12
1213. 1o make $laster, the ancients urne" limestone for 7- hours until it ecame a hea9y "ust. 1hen they a""e" water an" $lace" it on the walls with a trowel. .ecause limestone is a out thirty $ercent water, the urnin# $rocess reAuire" consi"era le fuel. 1he result was that "urin# the 0oman $erio" many areas were "eforeste". 5?U0'4* !nter9iew with Arie ar )a9i", tour #ui"e an" lecturer in Au#ust, 1999. 1214. !n 199- a factory where tiles were $ro"uce" was foun" un"er the !nternational 'on9ention 'enter in ,erusalem, an" has een left Bin 5itu.C !srael AntiAuities Authority, ,une, 1@, 199@L B1enth 0oman &e#ion 1ile +actory ?$en.C Artifa(. 1-*/ ;5ummer, 199@= 4.
1215. &au#hlin, B'a$ernaum from ,esus< 1ime.C 2@.
840
.. 3. !A. ;:MAN ;::F TILE. 0oman roofin# tiles were intro"uce" to the ,ewish community y the 0omans in 3/ ..'. an" were commonly use" on the homes of affluent families. (hoto#ra$h y the author at the Haifa Museum.
841 .. 3. !C. F;T ;::F TILE 0ITH & th LEGI:N INSC;IPTI:N. A roken $ortion of a roof tile with the stam$ of the 1enth 0oman &e#ion. !t was $ro a ly ma"e y the sol"iers for a royal home or $u lic uil"in#. 'ourtesy of the !srael AntiAuities Authority. 2Their faith.5 1his miracle is one of uniAue illustration. While there is no mention of the faith of the sick $aralytic, the writers Matthew ;9*-=, Mark ;-*2=, an" &uke ;2*-8= s$ecifically mention that it was Btheir faithC that $rom$te" the healin#. 1his im$lies the $aralytic may not ha9e ha" faith for his own healin#, ut his four frien"s "i" an" he recei9e" the healin#. &ike the term belief" the wor" faith has two critical com$onents. 1. +aith means to acce$t the wor"s of ,esus literally, inclu"in# what He sai" a out Go" as eternal an" unchan#ea le truth. !t is a mental chan#e of thou#ht an" attitu"e ; elief system=, ut not necessarily feelin#-oriente". -. +aith is the commitment to $ut the elief system into action an" results in a 'hrist-like lifestyle ;see ,ames -*14=.
.. 3. !.J& Ho3 (i( the 1ere #hrase 2Eo)r si$s are for%i8e$+5 #ro"lai1 Jes)s as (eity> 2Eo)r si$s are for%i8e$ yo).5 1his statement is use" 1/ times in the He rew .i le, inclu"in# nine times in the 1orah. 1-13 !t shoul" e note" that the reli#ious lea"ers for#ot the "iscussion :athan ha" with Din# )a9i". After the kin# re$ente", :athan sai",
&3b
The L:;6 has ta9e$ a3ay yo)r si$4 yo) 3ill $ot (ie.
* Sa1)el &*7&3 !n this case, :athan "i" not for#i9e )a9i"<s sin, ut rather, con9eye" Go"<s for#i9eness an" assure" him of it. Howe9er, when ,esus for#a9e sin, He "i"
1216. &e9. 4*-8, -3, /1, /2L 2*18, 1/, 13, 1@L 3*7.
842 so y the authority an" $ower of Go" Almi#hty. 1his $hrase was reser9e" for Go" alone an" the (harisees were horrifie" when ,esus use" it. When Moses wrote &e9iticus cha$ters 4, 2 an" 3, he use" the $assi9e He rew 9oice. When ,esus s$oke these same wor"s, He use" the $assi9e He rew 9oice, a ol" self-$roclamation of "eity. 1-17 :onetheless, there must ha9e een some who Auestione", BWhere is the e9i"ence that His wor", Ryour sins are for#i9en,< is $ermitte" an" ratifie" in hea9enFC Anyone coul" ha9e sai", BJour sins are for#i9en.C ,esus atteste" His ri#ht an" $ower to "o that which, y its 9ery nature, lies outsi"e of the realm of 9isi le $roof. 1herefore, He $erforme" the miracle of healin# to con9ey to the au"ience that He "i", in fact, ha9e "i9ine $ower to $erform a messianic miracle. :o one ha" e9er $erforme" these kin"s of miracles, an" ,esus $erforme" all three kin"s of messianic miracles. 1hese "emonstrate" His "eity an" for this reason, the ,ewish lea"ers res$on"e" with, BHe<s las$hemin#ZC
5ince the ,ews e%$ecte" a $olitical-Messiah who woul" free them from 0oman o$$ression, they coul" not ima#ine a messiah who woul" heal the sick, raise the "ea", an" for#i9e sins. 1heir $reconcei9e" i"eas lin"e" them to the fulfillment of ?l" 1estament $ro$hecies a out the ministry of ,esus. !ronically, an interestin# 9erse from the .a ylonian 1almu" rea"s, This si"9 1a$ is $ot heale( U$til all his si$s are for%i8e$ hi1. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ +edar /&a
&*&,
1217. +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e 2, 5i"e .. 1218. 5ee 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . /41.
843 As $re9iously state", ,ews, Greeks an" 0omans also associate" illnesses with sin. 1here was an association etween those who were sick an" their $hysicianL the sick were to $attern their eha9ior after their healer. 1he ancient writer &ucian ;1-8-1@2 A.).= $reser9e" this interestin# account in which the sick are to #et well y not ecomin# an#ry or e%cite", which e9i"ently was seen as the Bsin.C He B6e1o$a@C $e8er 3as 9$o3$ to 1a9e a$ )#roar or e@"ite hi1self or %et a$%ry+ e8e$ if he ha( to reb)9e so1eo$e4 tho)%h he assaile( si$s+ he for%a8e si$$ers thi$9i$% that o$e sho)l( #atter$ after (o"tors 3ho heal si"9$esses b)t felt $o a$%er at the si"9. He "o$si(ere( that it is h)1a$ to err+ (i8i$e or all b)t (i8i$e to set ri%ht 3hat has %o$e a1iss. L)"ia$+ $emona6 <
&*&!
1his was in shar$ contrast to ,esus, who sim$ly heale" $eo$le an" tol" them not to continue in their sinful lifestyle. 5ome critics claim that ,esus "i" not un"erstan" His Messiahshi$ ecause he faile" to s$ecifically tell the $eo$le He was the Messiah. Unfortunately, these critics fail to reali>e that ,esus freAuently demonstrated His Messiahshi$. 1hrou#hout history there ha9e een many who claime" to e the Messiah, ut only ,esus "emonstrate" His callin#. .. 3.& M9. *7.-&* ;5ee also Mt. 9*/-@L &k. 2*-1--3= Ca#er$a)1
SC;IAES JUESTI:N AUTH:;ITE :F JESUS A)t so1e of the s"ribes 3ere sitti$% there+ thi$9i$% to the1sel8es7 < 20hy (oes He s#ea9 li9e this> He?s blas#he1i$%K 0ho "a$ for%i8e si$s b)t Go( alo$e>5
.
;i%ht a3ay Jes)s )$(erstoo( i$ His s#irit that they 3ere thi$9i$% li9e this 3ithi$ the1sel8es a$( sai( to the1+ 20hy ! are yo) thi$9i$% these thi$%s i$ yo)r hearts> 0hi"h is easier7 to say to the #aralyti"+ WEo)r si$s are for%i8e$+? or to say+ WGet )#+ #i"9 )# yo)r 1at+ a$( 3al9?> & A)t so yo) 1ay
,
1219. .orin#, .er#er, an" 'ol$e, e"s. +ellenistic 'ommentary to the New Testament. 32,
74.
844 9$o3 that the So$ of Ma$ has a)thority o$ earth to for%i8e si$s+5 He tol( the #aralyti"+ && 2I tell yo)7 %et )#+ #i"9 )# yo)r 1at+ a$( %o ho1e.5 I11e(iately he %ot )#+ #i"9e( )# the 1at+ a$( 3e$t o)t i$ fro$t of e8eryo$e. As a res)lt+ they 3ere all asto)$(e( a$( %a8e %lory to Go(+ sayi$%+ 20e ha8e $e8er see$ a$ythi$% li9e thisK5
&*
1here are se9eral interestin# o ser9ations in this $assa#e that are also reco#ni>a le elsewhere. 1. ,esus correctly "ia#nose" the $aralytic<s con"ition, -. He for#a9e his sins, an" /. He e%ercise" the #ift of "iscernment as to the e9il thou#hts of His critics. !t is interestin# that ,esus re$lie" to their thoughts with Auestions. 49i"ently, they "i" not Auestion how ,esus was a le to know their thou#hts. ?n occasion, it mi#ht ha9e een $ossi le to correctly #uess what they were thinkin#. ,esus, howe9er, use" this #ift often with $erfect accuracy. 1hat alone shoul" ha9e ma"e them reali>e His "i9ine nature. ,esus heale" the $aralytic, a miracle they ha" ne9er seen. +inally, the real issue in this "iscourse was the Auestion of who can for#i9e sins. !raneus answere" the Auestion with another Auestion* Ho3 "a$ si$s be ri%htly re1itte( )$less the 8ery :$e a%ai$st 3ho1 o$e has si$$e( %ra$ts the #ar(o$> Ira$e)s+ Against )eresies '.&< 2He?s blas#he1i$%K5 .las$hemin# ;Gk. blasphemia= is the act of insultin# the honor of Go" or re9ilin# an" a usi9e lan#ua#e towar"s Him, 1--8 the $enalty for which the offen"er was to e kille" y stonin#. 1--1 &ikewise, 1220. Her ert, B.las$heme.C /--//.
1221. &e9. -4*18-//L 1 D#. -1*9-14L Acts 3*11, 7*2@.
845 those who insult the $roclaimers of Go"<s Wor" are also #uilty of las$hemy,1--- ecause they insult the a#ents of Go" an", therefore, Go" Himself.1--/ 'on9ersely, those who less the messen#ers are lesse" ecause they less Go". 1he (harisees refuse" to elie9e the "i9inity of ,esus or that He coul" for#i9e sins. All sins were a 9iolation of ,esus. .ecause this was eyon" their reasonin#, y "eli erate "ecision or lack of com$rehension, they conclu"e" that He was las$hemin#. Anyone who insults Go" or the Holy 5$irit is in "an#er of eternal "amnation an" for that there is no for#i9eness or relief ;Mt. 1-*/-L Mk. /*-9=. Howe9er, if someone is concerne" a out ha9in# committe" this un$ar"ona le sin, that concern is self-e9i"ent that the un$ar"ona le sin was not committe". ?therwise, there woul" e no concern for re$entance. 20ho "a$ for%i8e si$s b)t Go( alo$e>5 1he Auestion im$lie" the uns$oken char#e of las$hemy. !t has the e%act counter char#e of ,ohn 2*1@ where they consi"ere" killin# ,esus. 1--4 .y o eyin# ,esus, the $aralytic "emonstrate" at this $oint that he ha" faith in ,esus to heal. ,esus, in turn, sai", BJour sins are for#i9en.C A#ain, the conce$ts of healin# an" for#i9eness are relate" ecause the ancients elie9e" that illness was rou#ht u$on someone ecause of sin in their life. ,esus claime" to ha9e the authority to for#i9e sin, authority that was reser9e" for Go" alone. 1he miracles $ro9e" He was not an im$oster. Anyone coul" say the wor"s, BJour sins are for#i9en,C thou#h they coul" not really for#i9e sins, any more than they coul" heal the sick, raise the "ea", cast out "emons, calm the storm, or walk on water. 1hese miracles "emonstrate" the $ower of ,esus, "eclarin# His "eity an", therefore, ri#ht to say, BJour sins are for#i9en,C an" His $ower to actually for#i9e sins. 20hi"h is easier7 to say to the #aralyti"+ WEo)r si$s are for%i8e$+? or to say+ WGet )#+ #i"9 )# yo)r 1at+ a$( 3al9?>5 !n this Auestion, ,esus offere" a choice of answers to His critics. !n true ,ewish style, He offere" the easier Auestion first an" the more "ifficult secon". !n ,ewish lo#ic, if one coul" answer the "ifficult Auestion, then he coul" o 9iously res$on" to the 1222. Archer, B'rimes an" (unishment.C 1*18/1-/-.
1223. Mt. 18*48L &k. 18*13L 1 'or. 1-*/L ,as -*7L 1 1im. 1-1/.
1224. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . /42.
846 easier one as well. Anyone coul" say that sins were for#i9en ecause there woul" e no $hysical e9i"ence. Howe9er, to tell a $araly>e" man to #et u$ an" #o home with his mat woul" first reAuire a $rofoun" healin#, a "emonstration of answerin# the more "ifficult Auestion. 1herefore, y healin# the man, ,esus likewise "emonstrate" He coul" for#i9e sin. +rom this $oint on, the ,ewish lea"ers challen#e" Him continuously. More im$ortantly, the a ility to for#i9e sins $ointe" "irectly to His "eity. 1hat was a maEor challen#e for the ,ews. 1hey elie9e" that man coul" not e a #o" or Go". 1he horrific memories of Antiochus, who claime" to e a #o" was fresh in ,ewish min"s. 49erythin# ,esus sai" an" "i" $ointe" to Himself as the Messiah, ut usually in"irectly. .. 3.&& M9. *7&3-&/ ;5ee also Mt. 9*9L &k. 2*-7--@= ;e%io$ of Galilee MATTHE0 BLEFIC IS CALLE6 The$ Jes)s 3e$t o)t a%ai$ besi(e the sea. The 3hole "ro3( 3as "o1i$% to Hi1+ a$( He ta)%ht the1. &/ The$+ 1o8i$% o$+ He sa3 Le8i the so$ of Al#hae)s sitti$% at the ta@ offi"e+ a$( He sai( to hi1+ 2Follo3 MeK5 So he %ot )# a$( follo3e( Hi1.
&3
.y now ,esus was teachin# in the o$en countrysi"e more freAuently then in the syna#o#ues. 1his was for two reasons. 1. 1he crow"s ecame hu#e while syna#o#ues coul" accommo"ate only a local con#re#ation. -. 1he wor"s of ,esus BJour sins are for#i9enC was more than some reli#ious lea"ers coul" han"le, an" therefore, an increasin# num er of syna#o#ues "oors were close" to Him. After teachin# the crow", ,esus in9ite" &e9i, etter known as Matthew, who was the son of Al$haeus, to e a "isci$le. His accountin# $rofession was one that was hate" y the ,ews as will e e%$laine" later. .ut first a "escri$tion of his $rofessional life. 1he 0omans contracte" ta%es with two kin"s of ta% collectors an" many kin"s of ta%es.1--2
1225. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/-9-/8.
847 1. 1he -abbai collecte" on real estate, income ;as from cro$s=, an" $oll ta%es, as follows. a. 1he #roun" ta% consiste" one-tenth of a farmer<s #rain an" one-fifth of his fruit. 1a% was $aya le in cash or kin" ;#rain or fruit=. . 1he income ta% which was one $ercent of one<s income. c. 1he $oll ta% which e9er male ha" to $ay etween the a#es of 14 to 32 an" e9ery female ha" to $ay who was etween the a#es of 1- an" 32. -. 1he Mockhes collecte" "uty on im$orts, as well as e%$ort tolls on roa"s, the use of ri"#es, an" shi$s that were anchore" in the har ors. 1here was also a ta% on wa#on an" cart wheels, on $ack animals. 1he im$ort / e%$ort "uty ran#e" from - _ to 1- _ $ercent on all #oo"s. Matthew was a Mockhes or customs official for the 0oman #o9ernment. His official $osition as the Mockhes was the su$erinten"ent of the customs house at 'a$ernaum. 1his was $ro a ly one of the most lucrati9e $ositions in the em$ire ecause multi$le cara9ans tra9ele" the 7ia Maris an" sto$$e" at 'a$ernaum, Ma#"ala, or other 5ea of Galilee 9illa#e for fresh su$$lies an" water. 5ince Hero" Anti$as controlle" the )istrict of Galilee, Matthew "eli9ere" all ta%es an" recor"s to Anti$as, who then $asse" them to his su$erior a"ministrator in )amascus, who then $asse" them on to 0ome. As a ty$ical collector, he woul" ha9e ha" a fi9e-year contract with the 0omans.1--3 5o when he "eci"e" to follow ,esus, there is no Auestion that he walke" away from a contract, that in mo"ern terms, was a #ol" mine. 1a% collectors were usually local men, functionin# within the occu$ie" community. As early as -1- ..'. the 0omans ha" esta lishe" a class of men
1226. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. 1*-79-@8L (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus
'hrist. 124-22L +or a stu"y on the customs-"uties of the 0oman :ear 4ast an" 4#y$t s$ecifically, see 5. &. Wallace, Ta(ation in 5gypt from Augustus to )iocletian . (rinceton, :,* (rincton U., 19/@. -22-73.
848 who contracte" with the #o9ernment to $erform 9arious tasks, inclu"in# the collection of tri ute or ta%es. Matthew an" Kacchaeus were in this classification. 1hey were hate" y their fellow ,ews for ein# Btraitors,C ecause they enhance" the wealth of the 0omans an" ecame $ersonally wealthy at the e%$ense of their own $eo$le as well as those who tra9ele" throu#h !srael.1--7 1a% collectors were consi"ere" the same or worse than $rostitutes, ut of the two ty$es of ta% collectors, the Mockhes was the worst. 1hey were not only arre" from the syna#o#ue, ut syna#o#ue lea"ers freAuently e%communicate" the Mockhes. He coul" not e9en e a witness in a ,ewish court. 1herefore, for ,esus to call such a man to His ministry was a $rofoun" statement concernin# the lo9e of Go" an" His a ility to chan#e the li9es of $eo$le, an" to the local $eo$le of 'a$ernaum.
1a%es $ai" y the local $easants were not collecte" y ta% collectors such as Matthew an" Kacchaeus, ut y -abbai. Howe9er, to the ty$ical ,ews, ta% collectors were a constant remin"er that Go" ha" forsaken His $eo$le an" His $romise of the lan" as an inheritance. 1hey were in "ee$ "es$air an" ha" immense itterness a#ainst oth the ta% a#ents an" 0omans. 1his may ha9e een a reason as to why ,esus chose the two of them to follow Him. As has een $re9iously state", ta% collectors were hate" y all ,ews. 1hey were known for their "ishonesty. Amon# the 9ictims, were the 9arious #o9ernment officials. 1a% collectors were known to acce$t ri es from the local rich an" famous merchants. 1he ta% collectors woul" then un"er re$ort income an" ta%es "ue. 'learly they were notoriously "ishonest, which is why they were often arre" from the local syna#o#ue an" con"emne" as ein# unclean y local syna#o#ue rulers ;&e9. -8*2=.
1227. Harro$, B1a% 'ollectorC /*12-8--1.
849 !n 4#y$t, where the 0oman a"ministration was similar, numerous recor"s written y ta% collectors ha9e een unco9ere". 5ince the 0omans streamline" all se#ments of #o9ernment, it woul" ha9e een the res$onsi ility of Matthew to collect the ta% an" write a "ocument similar to this first century 4#y$tian $a$yrus* 6io%e$es+ s)#eri$te$(e$t of the ")sto1s ho)se at So9$o#aio) Nesos for the Me1#hais harbor-ta@+ to the (esert %)ar(s7 6i(y1os #rese$te( o$e (o$9ey loa( ... t3o 1eas)res....of oil+ total t3o 1eas)res. Eear && of Tiberi)s Cla)(i)s Caesar A)%)st)s Ger1a$i")s I1#eratoro$ the *3 r( of the 1o$th Ne3 A)%)st)s. &**, A#ain ancient e%tra- i lical te%ts illuminate the un"erstan"in# of 5cri$ture for mo"ern rea"ers. Ama>in#ly, most of these "ocuments were unco9ere" in the $ast three centuries as the num er of .i le critics has e%$lo"e". !t a$$ears as if Go", in His merciful #race, has een su$$lyin# mountains of e9i"ence to not only confirm His wor", ut to a"" un"erstan"in# of it as well.
1228. Horsley, New )ocuments %llustrating 5arly 'hristianity. 1*@1.
850
851
U$it < :##ositio$ a%ai$st Jes)s Gro3s Cha#ter & Jes)s St)$s the Je3ish Lea(ershi#
<. &. A. JESUS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE. Art3or9 by Lillie A. Faris. 1he ,ewish $eo$le ha" $re-concei9e" i"eas of what the Messiah woul" e like, ut ,esus "i" not match any of their i"eas.
852 0ather, He $erforme" miracles an" tau#ht the $rinci$les of the Din#"om of Go", an" conseAuently create" an intense followin# an" intense o$$osition. <. &. & I$tro()"tio$ 1he $rimary reasons the elite ,ewish lea"ers o$$ose" ,esus was ecause they hel" their ?ral &aws ;B1ra"itions of the 4l"ersLC Mt. 12*1--= in hi#her $osition than the 1orah. +urthermore, they were also le#alistic an" ha" little or no com$assion for those who ha" ecome economic s to the 0omans. +ortunately, most (harisees, who controlle" the local syna#o#ues, were honora le, lo9in# an" kin" to their con#re#ationsYcom$letely "ifferent from there (harisee counter$arts in ,erusalem. ,esus always s$oke with com$assion to those who came to learn or to e heale", es$ecially to those who were reEecte" y the tem$le $riesthoo". ?n the other han", at times He confronte" His o$$onents in an#er. He ne9er o9erloa"e" his au"ience with $hiloso$hy, theolo#y, or e%cessi9e wor"s. !n fact, ,esus truste" His followers, such as the A$ostle (aul, to $ut to#ether His i"eas, theolo#y, ethics, an" #ui"elines for the church. He s$oke of 5cri$ture ;?l" 1estament= as re9elation that was self-authenticatin#, rather than a le#al co"e to e feare" or use" as a wea$on. Henceforth, He was at times seen with those whom the reli#ious elite "es$ise". <. &. * L9. '7*!-3 4 Mt. !7&*-&3 ;5ee also Mk. -*12-17= EATING 0ITH SINNE;S L9. *! The$ Le8i hoste( a %ra$( ba$=)et for Hi1 at his ho)se. No3 there 3as a lar%e "ro3( of ta@ "olle"tors a$( others 3ho 3ere %)ests 3ith the1. 3 A)t the Pharisees a$( their s"ribes 3ere "o1#lai$i$% to His (is"i#les+ 20hy (o yo) eat a$( (ri$9 3ith ta@ "olle"tors a$( si$$ers>5 Mt. &* A)t 3he$ He hear( this+ He sai(+ 2Those 3ho are 3ell (o$?t $ee( a (o"tor+ b)t the si"9 (o. &3 Go a$( lear$ 3hat this 1ea$s7 I (esire 1er"y a$( $ot sa"rifi"e BHosea .7.C. For I (i($?t "o1e to "all the ri%hteo)s+ b)t si$$ers.5
853 1he (harisees tau#ht that ritual $urity was essential in or"er to ha9e a close relationshi$ with Go". 1his was tau#ht from irth to the #ra9e. 1herefore, when ,esus came alon# an" tau#ht that the Din#"om of Go" was a con"ition of the heart, this i"ea ran contrary to their ritual law. !ronically, it was in a#reement with the teachin#s of some contem$orary ra is, some of whom were also (harisees. !n a""ition, the ?ral &aw tau#ht that B!f three ate to#ether, they must say 'ommon Grace.C 1--9 His critics coul" not un"erstan" how it was $ossi le for a ri#hteous man to $ray to the same Go" with unri#hteous men, an" then eat with them. 2The Pharisees a$( their s"ribes.5 :ot all teachers of the law elon#e" to the (harisees. 1he 5a""ucees, the 5chools of Hillel an" 5hammai, as well as the 4ssenes an" other #rou$s were well known for ha9in# their own faculty. 1heir "e"ication to Go" ran#e" from non-e%istent ;i.e. 5a""ucees= to fully "e"icate", ri#hteous, an" sincere. 20hy (o yo) eat a$( (ri$9 3ith ta@ "olle"tors a$( si$$ers>5 !t is interestin# that the reli#ious lea"ers aske" this Auestion to the "isci$les, ecause Matthew who was with ,esus was a former ta% collector 7 one "es$ise" y same these lea"ers. :onetheless, it was common $ractice to eat only with those who share" common 9alues an" a$$reciation. 1herefore, e9eryone a9oi"e" eatin# with ta% collectors an" Bsinners,C the latter ein# a eu$hemism for $rostitutes an" possibly for women who ha" their hair unco9ere" in $u lic.1-/8 !n fact, $rostitution was the only kin" of Boccu$ationC she coul" ha9e ha" that woul" ha9e #i9en her that social sti#ma. :o other kin" of acti9ity woul" ha9e $ro"uce" the title of Bsinner.C 1-/1 +urthermore, the ,ews elie9e" the Messiah woul" ne9er associate with such in"i9i"uals, ecause the association woul" "efile Him. !t was ra inic o$inion that if ,esus, as the Messiah, ha" any ri#hteousness at all, He woul" ne9er eat or e9en con9erse with ta% collectors. What they o9erlooke", howe9er, was that e9ery time ,esus ate with sinners, He re9eale" the Din#"om of Go". 1229. Mishnah, Barakoth 7.1. 1230. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. -49-21L 'om$are with ,ose$hus,
Anti3uities >.I.GD" an" the com$lete section of Mishnah, *etubbat" 3.3.
1231. .lom er#, B1he Authenticity an" 5i#nificance of ,esus< 1a le +ellowshi$ with 5inners.C -/-//.
854 1he classic e%am$le is the $ro$het )aniel<s refusal to eat with the kin# of .a ylon for two reasons* 1. 4atin# with someone carrie" a stron# im$lication of an a$$ro9al of their lifestyle an" what that $erson elie9e". )inin# was a form of fellowshi$. )enial of fellowshi$ meant "isa#reement with someone. 1his was "emonstrate" y )aniel when he refuse" to eat with his kin#, e9en thou#h he was a $risoner. 4atin# with the kin# meant )aniel was in a#reement with him on a wi"e ran#e of issues, inclu"in# those of reli#ious merit. -. 4atin# the kin#<s foo" woul" ha9e cause" )aniel to "efile himself ;)an. 1*@= ecause the foo" was not kosher. )aniel, o 9iously, remaine" stron# to his He rew faith. While he stu"ie" an" learne" of the .a ylonian ways, he "i" not acce$t or $ractice them. ,esus ate with sinners ecause it #a9e Him the o$$ortunity to in9ite them to His Din#"om of Go". !t was not that He acce$te" their lifestyle, ut rather, He was willin# to for#i9e them. 1herefore, He offere" them the Din#"om of Go".1-/- 1his is 9i9i"ly illustrate" in ,ohn<s re9elation of ,esus, As 1a$y as I lo8e+ I reb)9e a$( (is"i#li$e. So be "o11itte( a$( re#e$t. * Liste$K I sta$( at the (oor a$( 9$o"9. If a$yo$e hears My 8oi"e a$( o#e$s the (oor+ I 3ill "o1e i$ to hi1 a$( ha8e (i$$er 3ith hi1+ a$( he 3ith Me.
&!
;e8elatio$ 37&!-* 1he critics of ,esus ha" a similar min"-set as )aniel ha" centuries earlier. 1hey critici>e" Him for what a$$eare" as acce$tance an" a$$ro9al of a sinful lifestyle. !n their eyes, ,esus ha" "efile" himself y eatin# with them. !n reality, ,esus "i" not acce$t the sinful lifestyle, ut He efrien"e" the sinner to win him unto Himself an" ha9e him chan#e his lifestyle. His le#alistic critics, howe9er, coul" not see, or refuse" to see, His intent. While most 'hristians to"ay think of only one "efinition to the wor" sinner" the ,ewish $eo$le of the first century ha" two "efinitions.
1232. 5$an#ler an" 19er er#, Sitting at the #eet of Rabbi &esus. 1/9-114-.
855 1. A $erson who roke the moral laws of the written 5cri$tures. Nuite often the wor" is a eu$hemism for $rostitutes an" possibly for women who ha" their hair unco9ere" in $u lic. 1-// !n fact, $rostitution was the only kin" of Boccu$ationC she coul" ha9e ha" that woul" ha9e #i9en her that social sti#ma. :o other kin" of acti9ity woul" ha9e $ro"uce" the title of Bsinner.C 1-/4 -. A $erson who roke the ?ral &aws, also known as the 1ra"itions of the 4l"ers ;Mt. 12 1--=. 1o the lea"in# (harisees, one who committe" a"ultery was Eust as much of a sinner as the $erson who faile" to wash his han"s in a $articular fashion an" for the reAuire" num er of times $rior to eatin#. 2I (i($?t "o1e to "all the ri%hteo)s.5 )i" ,esus really "ie for e9eryone, inclu"in# these self-ri#hteous (hariseesF ?f course He "i". 1his comment was one of sarcasm, ecause the ri#hteousness of the (harisees was entirely a human effort. <. &. 3 L9. '733-3! ;5ee also Mt. 9*14-17L Mk. -*1@---= 6ISCIPLES N:T FASTING The$ they sai( to Hi1+ 2Joh$?s (is"i#les fast ofte$ a$( say #rayers+ a$( those of the Pharisees (o the sa1e+ b)t Eo)rs eat a$( (ri$9.5
33
Jes)s sai( to the1+ 2Eo) "a$?t 1a9e the 3e((i$% %)ests fast 3hile the %roo1 is 3ith the1+ "a$ yo)> 3' A)t the ti1e 3ill "o1e 3he$ the %roo1 3ill be ta9e$ a3ay fro1 the1 Q the$ they 3ill fast i$ those (ays.5
3/
1233. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. -49-21L 'om$are with ,ose$hus,
856 He also tol( the1 a #arable7 2No o$e tears a #at"h fro1 a $e3 %ar1e$t a$( #)ts it o$ a$ ol( %ar1e$t. :ther3ise+ $ot o$ly 3ill he tear the $e3+ b)t also the #ie"e fro1 the $e3 %ar1e$t 3ill $ot 1at"h the ol(. 3< A$( $o o$e #)ts $e3 3i$e i$to ol( 3i$es9i$s. :ther3ise+ the $e3 3i$e 3ill b)rst the s9i$s+ it 3ill s#ill+ a$( the s9i$s 3ill be r)i$e(. 3, A)t $e3 3i$e sho)l( be #)t i$to fresh 3i$es9i$s. 3! A$( $o o$e+ after (ri$9i$% ol( 3i$e+ 3a$ts $e3+ be"a)se he says+ WThe ol( is better.?5
3.
+astin# was $rescri e" in the 1orah ;&e9. -/*-7= for only one "ay in the year, the )ay of Atonement. 1he (harisees, howe9er, $ri"e" themsel9es on fastin# twice a week.1-/2 1he issue of fastin# illustrates the "ifference etween the le#alism of the (harisaic lea"ershi$ an" the con"ition of the heart ;moti9ation=. ,esus "i" not $reach a#ainst weekly fastin#L only the e9il attitu"e that went with it. +or this reason, the $ractice of fastin# two "ays a week continue" in the $rimiti9e ,ewish church. 1he )idache, an early church ook of instruction, states that elie9ers shoul" not fast on Mon"ays an" 1ues"ays as "o the hy$ocrites ;(harisees=, ut rather on We"nes"ays an" +ri"ays ;)idache @*1=. 1he ,ewish 'hristians "i" not want to e i"entifie" with their (harisaic counter$arts. 1his re9eals that first century 'hristian worshi$ was mol"e" in the ,ewish $attern. 2The %roo1 3ill be ta9e$ a3ay fro1 the1.5 1his was the first mention ,esus ma"e of His "eath. While !srael saw the Messiah as one who woul" "estroy her enemies, restore her fortunes, an" uil" her into an international su$er$ower, ,esus ha" a "ifferent $lan. He saw the "ee$er an" more im$ortant nee" of the for#i9eness of sin an" the restoration of humanity into the ima#e of Go" as was initially create". &ater, as the (assion Week a$$roache", His wor"s concernin# His "eath woul" e more "irect. 2Ne3 %ar1e$t . . . fresh B$e3C 3i$es9i$s.5 He "i" not challen#e the Mosaic &aws, ut challen#e" the tra"itions the reli#ious lea"ers ha" $lace" as on"a#e u$on the $eo$le. .y the use of this meta$hor of #arments an" wineskins, He #a9e a hint that He was a out to usher in a new work, a :ew 'o9enant. 1235. 4arle, B&ukeC -*79.
857 A maEor failure of 'hristian scholars is their un"erestimation of the $owerful influence of the ?ral &aw at this time. 1hey ha9e often state", an" continue to say, that the ima#ery of new #arments an" new wine is a reference to the :ew 'o9enant. Howe9er, ,esus sai" that one "oes not $atch an ol" #arment nor $lace new wine in an ol" wine skin. He was not referrin# to a :ew 'o9enant. 0ather, he was statin# he was not #oin# to Bfi%C the ?ral &aw. 1-/3 0a is ha" an o session to o ser9in# all of the ?ral &aws. As state" $re9iously, their oral tra"itions esta lishe" Ba fenceC aroun" the Written &aw, to insure they woul" ne9er reak them an" conseAuently, e thrown out of the country as ha$$ene" etween the years 382 an" 2@3 ..'., when the .a ylonians "ro9e them into e%ile.
1236. +or further stu"ies on this im$ortant su Eect, see the literature $ro"uce" y )r. Arnol" +ruchten aum of Ariel Ministries in 5an Antonio, 1e%as. )r. +ruchten aum e%$an"s u$on the ,ewish roots of 'hristianity an" the ,ewish ack#roun" of the #os$els.
858
<. &. 3A. AN :L6 0INESIIN. ,osiah, the author<s #ran"son, hol"s an ol" wineskin ma"e from a shee$ or #oat that was ty$ical of i lical times. After skins were use" for fermentin# #ra$e Euice into wine, they ser9e" as waterskins. 1hey maintaine" the sha$e of the animal from which they were ma"e. 1he leather staye" $lia le as lon# as it containe" a liAui", ut once it "rie", it "e9elo$e" small cracks an" ecame useless like this one. (hoto#ra$h y a $rou" #ran"$a. 2The ol( B3i$eC is better.5 When new #ra$e Euice was $lace" into a new wine skin, the skin woul" e%$an" as much as it coul" "urin# the fermentation $rocess of the wine. Howe9er, if the ol" wine was re$lace" with new wine in the same ol" skin, the skin woul" urst as the fermentation $rocess e#an. !n ,ewish thinkin#, the Bol" wineC sym oli>e" the Written &aw written y Moses an" Bnew wineC was sym olic of the ?ral &aw or Btra"itions of the el"ersC ;Mt. 12*1--=. 1herefore, when ,esus sai" the ol" wine was etter than the new, He meant that the ?l" 1estament was etter than the ?ral &aw.
859 Hence, Go"<s Wor" was to remain intact. 1-/7 1he $rimary reason why ,ewish lea"ers reEecte" ,esus was not ecause of His messa#e of the Din#"om of Go", ut ecause He reEecte" the le#alistic ?ral &aw that the lea"ers hel" in a $osition su$erior to the He rew 5cri$tures. As the clich^< states, the :ew 1estament is the ?l" 1estament re9eale".
<. &. / J$. '7&-&' Jer)sale1. The Se"o$( Passo8er SAAAATH HEALING AT P::L :F AETHES6A After this+ a Je3ish festi8al too9 #la"e+ a$( Jes)s 3e$t )# to Jer)sale1. * Ay the Shee# Gate i$ Jer)sale1 there is a #ool+ "alle( Aethes(a i$ Hebre3+ 3hi"h has fi8e "olo$$a(es. 3 0ithi$ these lay a lar%e $)1ber of the si"9 Q bli$(+ la1e+ a$( #aralyGe( RQ 3aiti$% for the 1o8i$% of the 3ater+ / be"a)se a$ a$%el 3o)l( %o (o3$ i$to the #ool fro1 ti1e to ti1e a$( stir )# the 3ater. The$ the first o$e 3ho %ot i$ after the 3ater 3as stirre( )# re"o8ere( fro1 3hate8er ail1e$t he ha(S.
&
:$e 1a$ 3as there 3ho ha( bee$ si"9 for 3, years. . 0he$ Jes)s sa3 hi1 lyi$% there a$( 9$e3 he ha( alrea(y bee$ there a lo$% ti1e+ He sai( to hi1+ 26o yo) 3a$t to %et 3ell>5
'
2Sir+5 the si"9 1a$ a$s3ere(+ 2I (o$?t ha8e a 1a$ to #)t 1e i$to the #ool 3he$ the 3ater is stirre( )#+ b)t 3hile I?1 "o1i$%+ so1eo$e %oes (o3$ ahea( of 1e.5
<
2Get )#+5 Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2#i"9 )# yo)r 1at a$( 3al9K5 ! I$sta$tly the 1a$ %ot 3ell+ #i"9e( )# his 1at+ a$( starte( to 3al9.
,
No3 that (ay 3as the Sabbath+ & so the Je3s sai( to the 1a$ 3ho ha( bee$ heale(+ 2This is the SabbathK It?s ille%al for yo) to #i"9 )# yo)r 1at.5 He re#lie(+ 2The 1a$ 3ho 1a(e 1e 3ell tol( 1e+ WPi"9 )# yo)r 1at a$( 3al9.?5
&&
1237. Joun#, B?l" Wine is .etterC /*2, /.
860 20ho is this 1a$ 3ho tol( yo)+ WPi"9 )# yo)r 1at a$( 3al9?>5 they as9e(. &3 A)t the 1a$ 3ho 3as ")re( (i( $ot 9$o3 3ho it 3as+ be"a)se Jes)s ha( sli##e( a3ay i$to the "ro3( that 3as there.
&*
After this+ Jes)s fo)$( hi1 i$ the te1#le "o1#le@ a$( sai( to hi1+ 2See+ yo) are 3ell. 6o $ot si$ a$y1ore+ so that so1ethi$% 3orse (oes$?t ha##e$ to yo).5 &' The 1a$ 3e$t a$( re#orte( to the Je3s that it 3as Jes)s 3ho ha( 1a(e hi1 3ell.
&/
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 &ist of 'haracters of ,ohn 2*1-9 Man +i9e $orches 1hirty-ei#ht years "esert 5tirrin# of the waters I I I I !srael +i9e ooks of the law 1ime s$ent wan"erin# .a$tism
in
the
5ome scholars ha9e su##este" that this account is an alle#ory. 1-/@ 1he $ro lem with this inter$retation is as follows* :ot all miracles ha" the alle#orical reflections as is this one. !n fact, the $ro lem with rea"in# this as an alle#orical story is that the rea"er may think it is sim$ly a story an" the e9ent ne9er occurre" 7 an" that is a maEor error. At times it is "ifficult to "etermine what has alle#orical si#nificance an" what "oesn<t. 'learly the cri$$le" man an" his thirty-ei#ht years is reflecti9e of !srael an" her Eourney, ut whether the fi9e colonna"es ;$orches= is reflecti9e of the fi9e ooks of the law is another matter of inter$retation. 'aution is recommen"e" a#ainst rea"in# anythin# into the te%t ecause this narrati9e has all the factual markin#s of an actual e9ent. 1his miracle is the thir" of se9en si#ns i"entifie" y ,ohn. Jet, this account has a uniAue mystery. Herses / -4 were omitte" from the :ew !nternational Hersion, $ro a ly ecause the translators "i" not un"erstan" the cultural 1238. ?n March 9, -81/, )r. ,ames H. 'harlesworth of (rinceton 5eminary, #a9e a re$ort in
,erusalem in which he outline" some of the archaeolo#ical fin"s that su$$ort the historical relia ility of the #os$el of ,ohn. 4ssentially, he sai" that ,ohn knew the "etails of ,erusalem as it was $rior to the A.). 78 "estruction, "etails that were unknown to archaeolo#ists only a "eca"e a#o. 5?U0'4* BGos$el of ,ohn .acke" y Archaeolo#y.C Artifa(. -@*/ ;5ummer, -81/=, 11-1-.
861 conte%t of the site. 1he reason these few wor"s ;9erses / -4= are "ifficult to un"erstan" is ecause this contest to o tain a healin# is out of character for Go". 5cholars an" translators elie9e that Go" "oes not tease the afflicte", nor "oes He create a contest in which only the winner is heale". 1herefore, they conclu"e" these 9erses were not $art of the ori#inal te%t. Howe9er, this writer elie9es that to correctly un"erstan" this $assa#e, two other issues nee" to e a""resse". 1hey are, 1. 1he #eolo#ical an" climatic issues of the area, an" -. 1he well-esta lishe" reli#ious cultic conte%t of this site. 1he #eolo#ical reason the water was Bstirre"C is that ,erusalem was uilt u$on a "olemite limestone mountain which "oes not retain water 9ery well.1-/9 5ince !srael has a rainy season ;winter= an" a "ry season ;summer=, in the winter the limestone is saturate" an" in the summer it is "ehy"rate". When winter rains e#in, the water that see$s throu#h the "ry aAuifers $ushes the air out an" into the $ool. Hence, the esca$in# air creates air u les an" the illusion of a Bstirrin# of the waters.C 1-48 5imilar u lin# $ools were foun" in .a ylon, where cuneiform inscri$tions calle" them Bholy wells.C1-41 1he i"ea that one coul" #et heale" when the waters were stirre" ori#inate" with $a#an reli#ions. 1hose who lai" in 9ain at the (ool of .ethes"a were so "es$erate for a healin# that they $lace" their faith in anythin# that mi#ht heal them.
1he reli#ious or cultic reason is this* 1he Greek reli#ions ecame e$i"emic after the conAuest y Ale%an"er the Great. !n the three centuries that
1239. !nter9iew with Arie ar )a9i", tour #ui"e an" lecturer in Au#ust, 1999.
1240. Mackowski, &erusalem 'ity of &esus. @/. 1241. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . /-1, n@.
862 $rece"e" ,esus, no one $romote" $a#an reli#ions more than "i" Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes "urin# the years 137-134 ..'. His rei#n of $a#anism an" terror le" to the Macca ean 0e9olt ;see 3. /.*&=. 49en after the ,ews won their free"om, those $a#an reli#ions were ne9er com$letely era"icate" from the lan". While all si#ns of $a#anism were remo9e" from within the Holy 'ity an" the tem$le, the ,ews were rather la% a out the remo9al of $a#an shrines outsi"e of the city walls, inclu"in# the (ool of .ethes"a. :ote the wor"s of an unknown secon" century ..'. writer. All the Ge$tiles a""e#te( the "o11a$( of the 9i$%. Ma$y e8e$ fro1 Israel %la(ly a(o#te( his reli%io$4 they sa"rifi"e( to i(ols a$( #rofa$e( the Sabbath. A$( the 9i$% se$t letters by 1esse$%ers to Jer)sale1 a$( the "ities of J)(ah4 he (ire"te( the1 to follo3 ")sto1s stra$%e to the la$(+ to forbi( b)r$t offeri$%s i$ the sa$"t)ary+ to (efile the sa$"t)ary a$( the #riests+ to b)il( altars a$( sa"re( #re"i$"ts a$( shri$es to i(ols... I Ma""abees &7/&-/< +rom the $en of ,ose$hus is the historical account that affirms the wi"es$rea" construction of $a#an shrines an" altars. He also "o1#elle( the1 to forsa9e their o3$ Go( a$( to a(ore those 3ho1 he too9 to be %o(s4 a$( 1a(e the1 Bthe Je3sC b)il( te1#les a$( raise i(ols i$ e8ery "ity a$( 8illa%e a$( offer s3i$e )#o$ the1 e8ery (ay. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &*.../ BSee also &*.'.&-/C As state" $re9iously, the actions of Antiochus le" to the Macca ean 0e9olt. After "efeatin# the Greek tyrant, the ,ews sanctifie" the tem$le ut faile" to $ur#e the nation from its lo9e of i"ols or era"icate all $a#an sites outsi"e of the Holy 'ity. &ater, Hero" the Great, who was also a "e9out $a#an, uilt a tem$le for em$eror worshi$ in 5amaria an" encoura#e" $a#an worshi$ outsi"e ,erusalem for the sole $ur$ose of stren#thenin# his $osition with 0ome. 1herefore, there is an e%cellent case to e ar#ue" that the $lace where ,esus $erforme" this miracle ha" a stron# $a#an history 7 an" "es$erate $eo$le will consi"er "es$erate measures to o tain their healin#.
863
1here is also a theolo#ical e%$lanation for this $assa#e. 1-4- An an#el stirrin# the water is out of character of Go", ase" on the i"ea that Go" "oes not tease anyone to o tain a healin#. 1he fact is, the i lical $assa#e states that the in9ali" belie ed it was an an#el of the &or" who stirre" the waters, when, in fact, it was merely air u lin# out of the "olemite limestone rocks. He ma"e reference to the Ban#el of the &or".C Howe9er, in those "ays, all #o"s were calle" B&or"C or y their name. 1his writer su##ests a "ifferent reason for the lame man e%$ectin# to o tain a healin# at this $ool. 1he in9ali" was waitin# for an an#el of an unknown #o", may e Ascle$ius, to heal him, ut it was ,esus who heale" him. Hisitors to"ay at the $ool will see archaeolo#ical e9i"ence an" a si#n in"icatin# that this $ool was at one time the 5anctuary of Ascle$ius ;also s$elle" BAescula$iusC=.1-4/
<. &. /A. ;UINS :F THE P::L :F AETHES6A . 1he (ool of .ethes"a has een i"entifie" y the foun"ations of the $ool an" its close $ro%imity to the 5hee$ Gate. Archaeolo#ists unco9ere" the ruins 1242. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 17/. 1243. +or a""itional information on the cult of Aescula$ius, see 4stee )9orEetski,BHealin#
Waters.C 13--7, 38.
864 of a sanctuary to the healin# #o" Ascle$ius uilt y Ha"rian ;A.). 1/-1/2=. 5ome scholars elie9e Ha"rian constructe" his sanctuary u$on the ruins of a $re9ious shrine uilt y Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies in the early -n" century ..'. !t is $ossi le that the site ha" a le#acy of healin# at the time of ,esus. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
!n Greek cities, any $lace that was sai" to e a site of healin# ecame a sanctuary to this #o", an" ecame a focal $oint for many in9ali"s an" tourists. +or e%am$le, archaeolo#ists in 'orinth ha9e unco9ere" a uil"in# com$le% "e"icate" to Ascle$ius with facilities for athin#, "inin#, e%ercise, an" slee$in# ;for "reams=.1-44 5ick $ersons woul" come an" a "e"ication of healin# was $raye" usin# a re$ro"uce" o"y $art ;such as an arm or le#=, which was ma"e from ron>e, mar le, or terra cotta. 1-42 Any healin# that was recei9e", e9en if y natural reco9ery, was accre"ite" to Ascle$ius.1-43 1herefore, when ,esus heale" the man, He "emonstrate" that He was #reater than Ascle$ius - the Greek #o" of healin#. (a#an worshi$ an" tra"itions institute" y Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes in the $re9ious century continue", to a limite" e%tent, into the "ays of ,esus. ?ne of the maEor social issues etween ortho"o% ,ews an" Hellenistic ,ews was that the latter honore" $a#an #o"s an" tra"itions. 4$i$hanies ha" "irecte" his men Bto uil" altars an" sacre" $recincts an" shrines for i"ols an" to sacrifice swine an" unclean animalsC ;1 Macc. 1*47=. 1-47 !ronically, the (ool of .ethes"a was uilt a out -88 ..'., Eust $rior to the >enith of Greek $a#anism in ,erusalem, for the $ur$ose of washin# shee$ that woul" e sacrifice" in the tem$le. Jet air u les comin# out of the limestone aAuifers were cre"ite" to e the stirrin# of an an#el of a $a#an lor" or "eity.
1244. +urnish, B'orinth in (aul<s 1ime* What can Archaeolo#y 1ell usFC -2. 1245. 5tillwell, BGreece - 1he .irth$lace of 5cience an" +ree 5$eech.C -28.
1246. Kon"er9an<s New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. -882. 1374.
1247. Met>#er, The New Testament. --/.
865
<. &. /A. THE INTE;I:; :F THE ;UINS :F THE P::L :F AETHES6A. 1he (ool of .ethes"a to"ay is a "ry an" "ormant archaeolo#ical site, an" rather "ee$. ?9er the centuries, "ue to the many "estructions of ,erusalem, the ele9ation of the city has een raise" creatin# the a$$earance that the $ool was much "ee$er than it really was. )urin# the secon" century ..'., hun"re"s of Helleni>e" ,ews, Greeks, an" 0omans, came to the $ool to recei9e a healin#, carin# little of which #o" or Go" heale" them.
866
<. &. /C. ASCLEPIUS A;TIFACTS F;:M THE P::L :F AETHES6A. Artifacts from the cult of Ascle$ius foun" at the (ool of .ethes"a. History an" archaeolo#y su##est that the $ool was a $a#an site for the Greek #o" of healin#, Ascle$ius. (hoto#ra$h y the author. !t is also a well-known fact that holy sites usually remaine" sacre" when one $eo$le #rou$ re$lace" another. !n this case, a holy site esta lishe" y the Greeks remaine" a holy site after the 0oman conAuest. Archaeolo#ical "isco9eries re9eal that the 0omans came to this site for healin# after the "estruction of ,erusalem in A.). 1/2.1-4@ +urthermore, em$erors an" rulers freAuently claime" to e #o"s as a metho" to stren#then their control on the #eneral $o$ulation. 5tories were create" in which they claime" to ha9e een orn of a 9ir#in or to ha9e "one miracles. &ikewise, $riests claime" $eo$le were heale" to encoura#e offerin#s. +or e%am$le, the followin# account is from a s$eech recor"e" in the secon" century ;A.).= re#ar"in# the healin# $owers of a water well at the 1em$le of Ascle$ius in 'orinth. A)t the %o( also )ses it i$ other 3ays li9e a$y other "o-3or9er a$( the 3ell has ofte$ assiste( 1a$y #eo#le i$ obtai$i$% fro1
1248. Kon"er9an<s New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. -882. 17-@.
867 the %o( 3hat they (esire(. For H)st as the so$s of (o"tors a$( 1a%i"ia$s ha8e bee$ trai$e( to ser8e the1 a$(+ 3hile they ai( the1 asto)$( s#e"tators a$( ")sto1ers+ so this 3ell is the (is"o8ery a$( #ossessio$ of the %reat 1a%i"ia$ 3ho (oes e8erythi$% for the safety of 1a$9i$(. It ai(s hi1 i$ e8erythi$% a$( for 1a$y 1e$ is li9e a (r)%. For 1a$y+ by bathi$% i$ it+ ha8e re"o8ere( their si%ht a$( 1a$y by (ri$9i$% it ha8e bee$ ")re( of "hest tro)ble a$( re%ai$e( the breath of life. It has ")re( o$e 1a$?s feet a$( a$other #art of the bo(y for so1eo$e else. :$"e so1eo$e (ra$9 it a$( s#o9e after bei$% 1)te+ H)st as those 3ho (ri$9 the forbi((e$ 3aters a$( ha8e be"o1e #ro#heti". For so1e 1erely (ra3i$% )# the 3ater has bee$ li9e a 1ea$s of safety. A$(+ th)s+ to the si"9 it is a$ a$ti(ote a$( a ")re a$( for those i$ health+ 3ho resi(e $earby+ it 1a9es the e1#loy1e$t of all other 3aters s)bHe"t to bla1e. Aeli)s Aristi(es+ 2;e%ar(i$% the As"le#i)s.5 3&eech 3!7&/-&'&*/! 0ell i$ the Te1#le of
1his tem$le, like other tem$les associate" with Ascle$ius, ser9e" as a hos$ital an" ha" an enormous encam$ment of sick $eo$le waitin# to e heale", while "octors $ractice" their craft. 1-28 Another secon" century ;A.).= writer recor"e" the account of a false $ro$het y the name of Ale%an"er, who e9i"ently was rather "ece$ti9e. Ale@a$(er ha( se"retly #re#are( a (e"e#tio$ by (e#ositi$% a$ e%%+ i$ 3hi"h he ha( #la"e( a s1all s$a9e+ at the base of the $e3ly "o$str)"te( te1#le+ 3hi"h he the$ 2fi$(s5 a$( #rese$ts as the %o( As"le#i)s. Aefore (oi$% this+ he asse1bles a "ro3( a$( s#ea9s of the i11i$e$t %oo( fort)$e of the "ity that 3as abo)t to re"ei8e the %o( i$ 8isible #rese$"e. The "ro3( al1ost the 3hole "ity+ i$"l)(i$% 3o1e$+ ol( 1e$+ a$( boys+ ha( "o1e r)$$i$% - 1ar8ele(+ #raye(+ a$( 1a(e obeisa$"e. Utteri$% a fe3 1ea$i$%less 3or(s li9e Hebre3 or Phoe$i"ia$+ 1249. .orin#, .er#er, an" 'ol$e, e"s. +ellenistic 'ommentary to the New Testament . -33. 1250. +or further stu"y on the ancient "escri$tions of the cult of Ascle$ius, see (ausanias,
)escription of -reece -.-7.-L 18./-.@L 7.-7.2L Aristo$hanes, 4lutus 418*32/ffL Wasps" 1--L 5tra o, -eography 14.1.44L (lautus, 'urculio. 1.1.31L -.1.
868 he (aGe( the "reat)res+ 3ho (i( $ot 9$o3 3hat he 3as sayi$% sa8e o$ly that he e8ery3here bro)%ht i$ A#ollo a$( As"le#i)s. L)"ia$ of Sa1osata+ Ale6ander the ;alse Pro&het &3
&*'&
1he writin#s of another healer, foun" in an inscri$tion "ate" A) 4@4, $reser9e" the elief that Ascle$ius was the healer of men. Howe9er, stories as this are much ol"er than the inscri$tion. 1he "ate of when the account ori#inate" is not as im$ortant as knowin# that such elief systems were wi"es$rea" in the ancient worl" ;see comment on Mt. @*-@-/4=. 1he followin# account concerns a man with a stomach ulcer* 0hile he sle#t+ he ha( a (rea1 Bi$ 3hi"hC &*'* the %o( a##eare( to hi1 a$( or(ere( his assista$ts to hol( hi1 so that the %o( "o)l( ")t o)t the affe"te( #art. The 1a$ trie( to es"a#e+ b)t he 3as seiGe( a$( faste$e( to the (oor. As"le#i)s the$ o#e$e( )# his sto1a"h+ ")t o)t the )l"er+ se3e( hi1 )# a%ai$+ a$( fi$ally release( hi1. The 1a$ a3o9e ")re( b)t the floor 3as "o8ere( 3ith bloo(. I$s"ri#tio$ of E#i(a)r)s
&*'3
!n the $ast century archaeolo#ists unco9ere" nearly si%ty inscri$tions an" $a$yri concernin# the healin# cult of Ascle$ius. 0ecor"s were foun" which in"icate $hysicians use" their $ersonal wealth to esta lish shrines an" altars to the Greek #o".1-24 &uke, a Gentile $hysician, was incre"i ly "etaile" concernin# the miracles he recor"e", attri utin# them to the $ower of ,esus. !n the stu"y of ,ohn 2*1-12, it is easy to $lace the focus of attention on the healin# or 5a ath 9iolation. .ut the real focus is on the le#alism of the (harisees. 1he ,ewish lea"ers were "ea" in their le#alism, which is e9i"ent y their com$lete lack of com$assion for anyone who was sick, lame, 1251. .orin#, .er#er, an" 'ol$e, e"s. +ellenistic 'ommentary to the New Testament . /18. 1252. (arenthesis for clarification are mine. 1253. Giannelli, The World of 'lassical Athens. -11. 1254. Horsley, New )ocuments %llustrating 5arly 'hristianity. -*18-11, -1--/L (hilli$s, Man" Myth"
and Magic. 2*1-4@.
869 cri$$le", or ha" another affliction. 1hese le#alists were o9ertly self-ri#hteous with a $owerful, con"emnin# attitu"e towar" anyone who "i" not a#ree with them. 1heir reli#ious ima#ery "i" not honor Go". 1hey e%alte" themsel9es with a "eman"in# set of B"o an" "on<tC re#ulations ;cf. 0om. 3L Gal. -*4= . 1hey coul" not e#in to un"erstan" the #race an" mercy that ,esus $reache" an" "emonstrate". !n their thinkin#, #race an" mercy were licenses to sin. +urthermore, the fact that the man was sick for years was $roof to them that either he or his family ha" sinne"L hence, there was no nee" for mercy for him. 1he i"ea that an acci"ent or illness coul" e the natural result of a fallen worl" ha" ne9er occurre" to them. .ut when he was heale", instea" of cele ratin#, they critici>e" him for 9iolatin# their 5a ath re#ulations. ,esus then tol" him to carry his mat ;a lanket=, which was another 5a ath 9iolation accor"in# to the ?ral &aw. Another e%am$le of the lin#erin# influence of the Greek culture in the ,ewish worl" is foun" in coins minte" merely a half century efore ,esus. 1-22 A coin of ,ohn Hyrcanus !!, the hi#h $riest ;3/-48 ..'.= has the name ,ehohanan on one si"e an" a "ou le cornuco$ia ;horn of $lenty= from Greek mytholo#y on the re9erse si"e. !n Greek mytholo#y, the cornuco$ia was sai" to in9ol9e the irth an" nurturance of the infant #o" Keus. Accor"in# to the myth, Keus was $rotecte" y a #oat who functione" as a nurturin# #o""ess, ut acci"ently roke off a horn when fee"in# the infant milk. Hence, the horn has ecome known as the Bhorn of $lenty.C
1255. Ancient coins are cleane" an" restore" y a $rocess known as the )ee$ (roton Acti9ation Analysis.
870 <. &. /6. C:INS :F J:HN HE;CANUS II. A coin of ,ohn Hyrcanus !!, the ,ewish hi#h $riest ;ser9e" 3/-48 ..'.=, has a "ou le cornuco$ia that was ase" u$on Greek mytholo#y. !t is another illustration to show that ,ewish lea"ers chose not to cleanse their lan" from Greek $a#anism. (hoto#ra$h y Wiki$e"ia 'ommons. 2A Je3ish festi8al.5 1he i"entity of this feast is not #i9en, ut scholars elie9e it was the +esti9al of (asso9er, Unlea9ene" .rea", an" +irst +ruits.1-23 1here were no other feasts at this time of year. !f this is correct, then ,ohn referre" to four (asso9ers ;-*1/L 2*1-13L 2*4 an" the &ast 5u$$er= makin# the len#th of the ministry etween three an" a half years an" four an" a half years. 2Ay the Shee# Gate.5 1echnically, this $hrase shoul" rea"* B:ow in ,erusalem, y the 5hee$ PGateQ, there is a $ool with a He rew name .ethes"a.C1-27 2I$ Jer)sale1 there is a #ool.5 1he $hrase rea"s is, not was, there y clearly in"icatin# the $ool e%iste" at the writin# of this #os$el. 1he $ool was "estroye" "urin# the 0oman sie#e in A.). 33-78. 1herefore, this a#ain is clear e9i"ence that this #os$el was written within four "eca"es after ,esus ut efore the "estruction of the tem$le an" ,erusalem. 2I$ Hebre3.5 5ome translators elie9e the wor" in this case was Aramaic. Howe9er, the more accurate translation is BHe rew.C :onetheless, Aramaic an" He rew are sister lan#ua#es, an" this issue is of little or no si#nificance ecause Aramaic was the lan#ua#e of the "ay, commonly use" in usiness an" other affairs of "aily life amon# the ,ews. He rew was s$oken in syna#o#ues, reli#ious e9ents, an" use" in le#al "ocuments. ,ewish scholars, howe9er, often s$oke only He rew as not to e associate" with the common $eo$le.1-2@
1256. 5ince the +easts of (asso9er, Unlea9ene" .rea", an" +irst +ruits were cele rate" within an ei#ht-"ay $erio", these were #enerally referre" to y the most im$ortant of the three feasts, (asso9er.
1257. Mackowski, &erusalem 'ity of &esus. 22.

871 1his is confirme" in the )ea" 5ea 5crolls, 9arious inscri$tions, an" other fra#ments written y the ,ews which are sel"om foun" to e in Aramaic, Greek, or &atin. At Masa"a, He rew writin#s were foun" on fourteen scrolls, 4,888 coins, an" 788 ostraca ;ink writin#s on roken $ottery $iecesL see A##e$(i@ *.=. He rew writin#s were more common than Aramaic writin#s y a ratio of nine to one. 1-29 Hence, there is a #rowin# o$inion in scholarshi$ that He rew was the common lan#ua#e in first century !srael. !t a$$ears that those who were ortho"o% in their faith "efinitely maintaine" the He rew lan#ua#e in worshi$ an" in social settin#s, a lifestyle not necessarily share" y Hellenistic ,ews. 2A$ a$%el 3o)l( %o (o3$.5 !t has een #enerally assume" that this an#el was an an#el of the Go" of A raham, !saac an" ,aco . Howe9er, the site ha" een a $a#an shrine for centuries efore an" after the time of ,esus. 5ince all "eities were res$ectfully honore" with the title B&or",C the $hrase Ban an#el of the &or"C may not always refer to an an#el of the Go" of A raham. !n this case, it $ro a ly was a "emonic an#el. 1-38 As $re9iously state", some .i les translators eliminate" 9erse 4 ecause scholars elie9e that Go" "oes not tease $eo$le, an" this narrati9e clearly a$$ears to e of a tease or lottery nature. 1-31 1herefore, they ha9e conclu"e" that it was not in the ori#inal manuscri$t. Howe9er, they ha9e not consi"ere" that in the ancient worl", all "eities were calle" Blor"C an" all "eities ha" their an#els. ?n the other han", to mention that Ban an#el of the &or"C is not a reference to Go" a$$ears to e totally out of character of the :ew 1estament.
1259. .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult Words. /7. 1260. ?ther i lical e%am$les are foun" in Mt. -2*41L ,u"e 3L - 'or. 11*1/-12L an" 0e9.
19*-8. 1261. 1he 19@4 e"ition of the :ew !nternational Hersion ;:!H= of the .i le "oes not ha9e this 9erse.
872
4ideo Insert
/-)/,)/3)4, ;r) 1au& Wright' 1resident of Jerusa&e" Uni$ersity !o&&ege' dis%usses the deity of the "an (ho (as an in$a&id for 0B years at the 1oo& of Bethesda 702?B8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) A Auestion that is almost ne9er aske" is this* BWhy was a ,ewish man tryin# to #et a healin# y the (ool of Ascle$ius ;.ethes"a=F 1he answer is that he, like most $eo$le of !srael, ha" left their Go" like so many of their forefathers. :otice the comments y (rofessor Gor"on +ran>.
4ideo Insert
/-)/,)/3)4. Dordon FranF' $isiting #rofessor of ar%haeo&ogy and author' dis%usses the "an (ho (as an in$a&id for 0B years as a ref&e%tion of the nation of Israe& 7,,23>8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) <. &. /.J& 0hat is the si%$ifi"a$"e of this i$8ali( 1a$ ha8i$% s)ffere( for thirty-ei%ht years> Many translators use the work Bin9ali"C rather than Bsick,C which su##ests that his $hysical con"ition e%iste" since irth. His life an" the li9es of others ha" een re"uce" to e##in# with no ho$e or $ur$ose for which to li9e. 1here were many who were ill an" it is unknown how many were heale". Most certainly all wante" to e heale" an" likewise ,esus, in lo9e an" com$assion, met their nee"s. .ut amon# them was one who was 2si"9 for 3, years.5 1he cause of this man<s illness is unknown. Go" ha" a $ur$ose for him ecause, not only woul" he tell others of the lo9e of ,esus, ut his illness was a reflection u$on the !sraelite $eo$le who wan"ere" in the
873 wil"erness from Da"esh- arnea to the Kere" .rook for thirty-ei#ht years. !t was only after nearly four "eca"es of life in the cri$$lin# hot "esert that they entere" into their (romise" &an". 1he im$otent man sym oli>e" the im$otent ,ewish nation. !t is ,esus who takes any $erson from a s$iritual wil"erness, re#ar"less of why, how lon#, or what the situation was, into the full enrichment of life y faith in Him. He came to #i9e life an" to #i9e it more a un"antly to anyone who "esires it ;,n. 18*18=.
26o yo) 3a$t to %et 3ell>5 Why woul" ,esus ask this AuestionF !t seems to e rather unkin". 1he Auestion was $ose" to "etermine if the man really "esire" #oo" health or if he $referre" to remain in his ho$eless state an" "well in self-$ity. 2Get )#+5 Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2#i"9 )# yo)r 1at a$( 3al9K5 ,esus "i" more than heal the manL He instantly restore" his a ility to walk. After thirtyei#ht years of ein# an in9ali", he was in no $hysical sha$e to walk, yet he ha" instant stren#th an" alance when ,esus s$oke. 1he reaction of the reli#ious lea"ers "emonstrate" they were $assionately concerne" a out their laws an" ha" no Eoy for the man who was Eust heale". 1he #rowin# $o$ularity of ,esus was seen as a threat y the (harisees to their sta ility an" reli#ious $ower. :ot only ha" ,esus heale" on the 5a ath, ut He also tol" the man to carry his mat an", in the $rocess, humiliate" the (harisees. 1his was a two-$oint 9iolation of their ?ral &aw. 5ome ?ral &aws $ermitte" carin# for the sick on the 5a ath, 1-3ut the lea"in# (harisees chose to i#nore them. 1herefore, any so-calle" B9iolationsC were merely those of their own choosin#. 1he ,or"an Halley has se9eral unusual s$rin#s where sick $eo$le came for centuries ho$in# to recei9e a healin#. 1he ancients elie9e" that, since the 1262. Mishnah, 5duyoth -.2L Mishnah, Sabbath 3./L Mishnah, Mekilta 5(odus . --.-L -/.1/.
874 hot water or mo9in# water was so unusual, a "i9ine healin# $ower must e $resent to cause the unnatural $henomena. 1here were hot s$rin#s in 1i erius, only a cou$le of miles south of 'a$ernaum. Another $o$ular site was the 5$rin# of Gihon in ,erusalem. +or centuries forei#ners came to these hot s$rin#s an" to ,erusalem to e heale". 1heir tra9els were in 9ain, until the Healer came. 1here was an international tra9elin# clientele of sick $eo$le to the ,ewish homelan" lon# efore ,esus arri9e". When He e#an His healin# ministry, the news tra9ele" far an" wi"e. 2This is the SabbathK5 !t was the common o$inion that failure to o ser9e the 5a ath woul" cause the ,ews to e e%ile" a#ain, Eust as failure to kee$ the 5a ath1-3/ in the $ast le" to their e%ile in .a ylon. +urthermore, it was elie9e" that, if all ,ews woul" honor the 5a ath only once, the messiah woul" come. ?rtho"o% an" ultra-ortho"o% ,ews elie9e the same to"ayL if they o ser9e the 5a ath only once an" kee$ it holy, their messiah ;whoe9er he is= will come. 1-34 2It?s ille%al for yo) to #i"9 )# yo)r 1at.5 1his law is not the written law of the .i le, ut is one of the many ?ral &aws that ,esus con"emne" an" referre" to as the Btra"itions of the el"ersC ;Mt. 12*-=. 1his is another case that reflects u$on the $re9ious $assa#es concernin# ol" an" new/fresh wineskins. 1he ra is ha" ar#ue" that any kin" of menial acti9ity was "efine" as work, which 9iolate" the term Sabbath that means rest. 1-32
<. &. /.J* 0hy (i( the i$8ali( 1a$ at the Pool of Aethes(a not $ee( faith to be heale(>
1263. An e%cellent resource for further 5a

5a ath 'ontro9ersies.C -78-@@.
ath stu"y is Ha#ner, B,esus an" the 5yno$tic
1264. +or more information, see B *. *.&, ?ral &aw,C B *. *.*
?ral 1ra"ition,C an" es$ecially ,u ilee 28*3-1/ at *. /. .. !n fact, "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt, since the ,ews refuse" to fi#ht on the 5a ath, the Greeks slau#htere" more than a thousan" men, women, an" chil"ren. 1hereafter they "eci"e" to "efen" themsel9es as not e remo9e" from the face of the earth ;1 Macc. -*/1-/@=. 1265. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1.1.1.
875 1his Auestion has een challen#in# throu#hout the centuries, es$ecially since the heale" man may ha9e elie9e" that his healin# was the result of the stirrin# of the waters. 1here ha9e een se9eral $ossi le reasons "e ate". 1. ,esus $erforme" the miracle to "emonstrate that He was, in fact, the ?ne who heals "iseases ;!sa. 2/=. -. ,esus challen#e" the (harisees on their 5a ath re#ulations an"
/. .efore hun"re"s of witnesses, ,esus "emonstrate" His $ower was su$erior to the healin# cult of Ascle$ius. 4. Howe9er, at this early $oint in His ministry He $erforme" a num er of miracles where no faith was reAuire". 1his was ecause ,esus wante" to 9ali"ate His ministry as a Healer 7 not only of the $hysical o"y, ut of the entire $erson. 1hese miracles esta lishe" $u lic awareness an" an au"ience to whom He tau#ht the $rinci$les of the kin#"om of Go" 7 the rule of Go" in their li9es. ?nce He was acce$te" as a Healer an" 1eacher, then faith was reAuire" to recei9e a miracle.
<. &. /.J3 6i( Jes)s (e1o$strate His #o3er o8er the Gree9 %o( As"le#i)s> 1his writer elie9es there may e a correlation etween the ten $la#ues of 4#y$t an" the se9en healin#s foun" in the Gos$el of ,ohn. !n the account of the $la#ues of 4#y$t, the Go" of Moses "emonstrate" His $ower o9er the #o"s of the 4#y$tians. !n a similar manner, it a$$ears that when ,ohn wrote his #os$el, he im$lie" that ,esus "emonstrate" His $ower, 1. 1o "emonstrate His "i9ine $ower an" authority. -. 1o "emonstrate His su$erior healin# $ower o9er the #o"s of the Greeks an" 0omans, /. 1o "emonstrate His su$erior healin# $ower o9er the mystical an" healin# su$erstitions of the ,ews.
876 1he influence of the Greek in9asion "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio" was ali9e an" well "urin# the ministry time of ,esus. +irst century ,u"aism e%$erience" a culture confrontation similar to, if not more intense than, what elie9ers face in the worl" to"ay. +or more information, see 3. '. ,, 5ummary !nfluence of Hellenistic 0eform ;//1-3/ ..'.=
<. &. /E. STATUETTES :F HEALING G:6S. &4+1* (ortion of a mar le statuette of the #o" Ascle$ius ;hei#ht -3 cmL 'ourtesy of the 5e"ot Jam Museum=. 0!GH1* (ortion of a statuette of his "au#hter, the #o""ess Hy#ieia ;hei#ht -4 cm. 'ourtesy of the !srael AntiAuities Authority=. .oth statuettes are of the first century an" from 'aesarea Maritima. !t was common $ractice amon# many cultures, that when a $erson was sick or inEure", he or she went to the tem$le to "iscuss the matter with a $riest. 1he $riest woul" either create a o"y $art out of clay or other material, or #et a o"y $art from a stora#e room where such $ieces were ke$t. 1he $erson in nee" of healin# an" the artificial o"y $art were then anointe" with $rayer. 1his $ractice was not restricte" to the Greeks. +irst 5amuel 3 recor"s the account of when the (hilistines ca$ture" the Ark of the &or" from the
877 !sraelites, they ecame sick with tumors an" rats in9a"e" their lan". !n res$onse the (hilistines aske" their $riests an" "i9iners what they shoul" "o. 1he answer was to return the Ark with mo"els of rats an" tumors ma"e of #ol" ;1 5am. 3*2=. 1hey "i" an" were heale".
<. &. ' J$. '7&.-3 ;ESU;;ECTI:N AN6 LIFE Therefore+ the Je3s be%a$ #erse")ti$% Jes)s be"a)se He 3as (oi$% these thi$%s o$ the Sabbath. &< A)t Jes)s res#o$(e( to the1+ 2My Father is still 3or9i$%+ a$( I a1 3or9i$% also.5 &, This is 3hy the Je3s be%a$ tryi$% all the 1ore to 9ill Hi17 Not o$ly 3as He brea9i$% the Sabbath+ b)t He 3as e8e$ "alli$% Go( His o3$ Father+ 1a9i$% Hi1self e=)al 3ith Go(.
&.
The$ Jes)s re#lie(+ 2I ass)re yo)7 The So$ is $ot able to (o a$ythi$% o$ His o3$+ b)t o$ly 3hat He sees the Father (oi$%. For 3hate8er the Father (oes+ the So$ also (oes these thi$%s i$ the sa1e 3ay. * For the Father lo8es the So$ a$( sho3s Hi1 e8erythi$% He is (oi$%+ a$( He 3ill sho3 Hi1 %reater 3or9s tha$ these so that yo) 3ill be a1aGe(. *& A$( H)st as the Father raises the (ea( a$( %i8es the1 life+ so the So$ also %i8es life to a$yo$e He 3a$ts to. ** The Father+ i$ fa"t+ H)(%es $o o$e b)t has %i8e$ all H)(%1e$t to the So$+ *3 so that all #eo#le 3ill ho$or the So$ H)st as they ho$or the Father. A$yo$e 3ho (oes $ot ho$or the So$ (oes $ot ho$or the Father 3ho se$t Hi1.
&!
2I ass)re yo)7 A$yo$e 3ho hears My 3or( a$( belie8es Hi1 3ho se$t Me has eter$al life a$( 3ill $ot "o1e )$(er H)(%1e$t b)t has #asse( fro1 (eath to life. *' 2I ass)re yo)7
*/
878 A$ ho)r is "o1i$%+ a$( is $o3 here+ 3he$ the (ea( 3ill hear the 8oi"e of the So$ of Go(+ a$( those 3ho hear 3ill li8e. For H)st as the Father has life i$ Hi1self+ so also He has %ra$te( to the So$ to ha8e life i$ Hi1self. *< A$( He has %ra$te( Hi1 the ri%ht to #ass H)(%1e$t+ be"a)se He is the So$ of Ma$.
*.
6o $ot be a1aGe( at this+ be"a)se a ti1e is "o1i$% 3he$ all 3ho are i$ the %ra8es 3ill hear His 8oi"e *! a$( "o1e o)t Q those 3ho ha8e (o$e %oo( thi$%s+ to the res)rre"tio$ of life+ b)t those 3ho ha8e (o$e 3i"9e( thi$%s+ to the res)rre"tio$ of H)(%1e$t.
*,
2I "a$ (o $othi$% o$ My o3$. I H)(%e o$ly as I hear+ a$( My H)(%1e$t is ri%hteo)s+ be"a)se I (o $ot see9 My o3$ 3ill+ b)t the 3ill of Hi1 3ho se$t Me.
3
!n this narrati9e, ,esus state" His eAuality with Go" the +ather. 1his was utterly un$rece"ente" in ,ewish an" $a#an history, an" "emonstrates the uniAue "i9ine character of ,esus. :o one who "esire" to e a messiah woul" e9er "ream of eAuatin# himself with Go" 7 es$ecially to the ,ewish $eo$le. Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies "i" this in the secon" century ..'., an" he was hate" y e9eryone, inclu"in# his own $eo$le.
2Je3s be%a$ #erse")ti$% Jes)s.5 1he $ersecution is o 9iously in reference to the ,ewish lea"ers, $rimarily, the u$$er echelon of (harisees an" the 5a""ucees. 1he irony is that while the lea"ers were reEectin# ,esus, His was #rowin#.
879 1he reli#ious le#alism ha" ecome the chokin# $oint of e9eryone<s s$iritual life.1-33 1heir ri#i" an" $ri"eful rules e%alte" themsel9es, not Go" ;&k. 1@*914=.1-37 1hey ha" create" thirty-nine cate#ories of acti9ities they calle" work, as well as a num er of other restrictions that were not $ermitte" to e $erforme" on the 5a ath. +or e%am$le* If a 1a$ re1o8e( his fi$%er $ails by 1ea$s of his $ails or teeth+ a$( so+ too+ if Rhe #)lle( o)tS the hair o$ his hea(+ or his 1)sta"he or his bear(4 a$( so+ too+ if a 3o1a$ (resse( her hair or #ai$te( her eyeli(s or re((e$e( Rher fa"eS+ s)"h a o$e ;abbi ElieGer (e"lares liable to a si$ offeri$%. Mish$ah+ 3habbath & .. 1he 5a""ucees an" (harisees ar#ue" constantly with each other, e%ce$t for those times when they unite" a#ainst ,esus. 1heir fury ha" two $rinci$al causes* 1. ,esus roke their 5a ath rules ;2*13, 1@= an",
-. ,esus claime" eAuality with His +ather ;2*17-1@=. 2My Father is still 3or9i$%.5 ,esus sai" that Go" the +ather works constantly u$hol"in# creation e9er since the "ay creation was com$lete". When ,esus sai" B! workC he claime" to e the 5on of Go" in the sense that He ha" the $ower an" ri#ht of workin# as Go" works. 1his statement, the ,ews thou#ht was las$hemy. :onetheless, the Auestion was not whether ,esus $ossesse" $ower to "o these thin#s, ut it was whether He e%ercise" His $ower a#reea ly to the will of the +ather or in o$$osition to Him. ,esus answere" them accor"in#ly. !n He rew thinkin#, the ol"est son was always consi"ere" to e eAual with his father. Hence, when ,esus referre" to BMy +ather,C ,esus was o 9iously not s$eakin# of His earthly father, who $ro a ly ha" $asse" away y this time, ut His hea9enly +ather. 1herefore, the ,ews un"erstoo" ,esus to say 1266. Wi#o"er, B.ethes"a.C 1267. +or references to #race an" free"om in 'hrist see ,n @*/-L 0om @*1-4L Gal. 2*1L 4$h.
-*4-9, as o$$ose" to social conformity mani$ulate" y laws, #uilt, an" on"a#e ;Gal. /=.
880 that He was eAual to Go" in hea9en. 1hen He state" that Go" is always at work to kee$ the uni9erse runnin# an" He, ,esus, is $art of that work. Gi9en this conte%t, it is easy to un"erstan" why they were so 9ehemently u$set with Him. 2The So$ is $ot able to (o a$ythi$% o$ His o3$.5 1he +ourth 49an#elist recor"e" these interestin# wor"s that reflect u$on the 5onshi$ an" mission of ,esus ;99. /8-47=. 1his statement is not inconsistent with His "eity, ut rather, there are fi9e main i"eas $resente" here* 1. 1he "e$en"ence of the 5on u$on the +ather ;9. 19=, -. 1he life-#i9in# mission of the 5on ;9. -1, -4--3, -@--9=, an" /. 1he Eu"#in# mission of the 5on ;9. --, -7=. 4. ,esus sees what the +ather is "oin#. 2. Whate9er the +ather "oes ,esus "oes, are ?ne. ecause He an" the +ather
1he 5onshi$ of ,esus is the "ominant theme ;99. 19-47= with a call to man to come to Him. :ote the witnesses* 1. 1he first witness of the 5onshi$ of ,esus is Go" Himself. 1he $hrase Bthere is anotherC ;,n. 2*/-= is none other than Go" Himself. -. 1he secon" witness is ,ohn the .a$tist ;99. //-/2=, who was the witness of the &i#ht, ut was not the &i#ht himself. /. 1he thir" witness is foun" in the works of ,esus, meanin# the entire ministry of teachin#, miracles, an" His life. 4. +inally, the fourth witness ;99. /7-/@= is the same as the first - that of Go" the +ather Himself.
881 Moses ha" #i9en the !sraelites the &aw in which they woul" ha9e foun" free"om, if they woul" ha9e acce$te" the 5$irit of the &aw. Howe9er, since they ha" ecome le#alistic, the &aw was to e their Eu"#e of con"emnation. 1hey worshi$e" the letter of the &aw of Moses, ut kille" the s$irit of that &aw e9en thou#h the ancient $atriarch s$oke of ,esus in )euteronomy 1@*12. 1his was confirme" y &uke in Acts /*1@. ,esus was es$ecially har" on the ,ews at this $oint, ecause if they coul" not $ercei9e an" acce$t the wor"s an" s$irit of Moses, how coul" they acce$t the wor"s an" 5$irit of ,esusF 1he le#alists coul" not acce$t ,esus or His wor"s ecause they were not willin# ;,n. 2*48=. 1hey woul" not recei9e His wor"s ;,n. 2*4/= an" they "i" not seek Go"<s #lory ;,n. 2*44=. 2The Father raises the (ea(.5 1he ,ews fully acce$te" the fact that Go", an" Go" alone, coul" raise men from the #ra9e. ,esus "emonstrate" His authority an" $ower to ha9e the same $rero#ati9e, an" there y state" that He was Go" in human form. 2So$ of Go( O So$ of Ma$.5 ,esus referre" to Himself with oth titles. 1he Son of Man" or Bar enosh in Aramaic,126 title was use" e%tensi9ely y the $ro$hets )aniel an" 4>ekiel in reference to men of the earth. ,esus was a Son of Man, in that He was orn of a human mother, ha" human emotions an" sufferin#s, as "o we. 1he 5on of Go" came to earth in human form. When ,esus s$oke to His fellow ,ews, He use" the $hrase Son of Man in reference to Himself, as this was acce$ta le to them. 1hey woul" ha9e o Eecte" to the $hrase Son of -od so stron#ly, that they woul" not ha9e hear" anythin# else ,esus sai". 1-39 1he $hrase Son of Man in the .ook of 4noch is a fi#ure, who is waitin# in hea9en until Go" sen"s him to earth where he woul" esta lish his kin#"om an" rule o9er it. 1his ook was common knowle"#e to the ,ewish $eo$le, so when ,esus use" the $hrase a out Himself, it was clearly claimin# to e the lon#-awaite" Messiah. 5ee the )ea" 5ea 5croll B5on of Go"C fra#ment at '. /. *A. 1he e%$ressions of B5on of ManC an" B5on of Go",C when use" of 'hrist, "o so to e%$ress His "eity.1-78
1268. WiEn#aar"s, +andbook to the -ospels. 44. 1269. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 131L Harrin#ton, BMan, 5on of.C
9*11@9. 1270. ,n. /*1/L 2*-7L 3*-7L cf. Mt.-3*3/-34L 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 182.
882 2He has %ra$te( Hi1 the ri%ht to #ass H)(%1e$t.5 ,esus "eclare" that Go" the +ather #a9e ,esus the authority to Eu"#e e9ery $erson on the )ay of ,u"#ment. 1his statement struck another fierce chor" of an#er in the reli#ious lea"ers, for they hear" Him say that He ;,esus=, one "ay woul" e Eu"#e o9er their eternity. Most certainly, they Auestione" how He "are" to s$eak such wor"s. Jet He "i" an" they were so true. 1he reason why men to"ay "o not recei9e the wor"s of ,esus an" treat them as true is ecause they "o not ha9e lo9e for Go" the +ather. !f the ,ewish lea"ers lo9e" the +ather, they woul" ha9e reco#ni>e" ,esus an" lo9e" Him as well. !n fact, in the course of time some mem ers of the 5anhe"rin an" other si#nificant ,ewish lea"ers "i" reco#ni>e ,esus an" "emonstrate" their lo9e for Him. <. &. . J$. '73&-/< 6ISCUSSI:N :F F:U; AUTH:;ITIES T 0ITNESSES T: JESUS 3& 2If I testify abo)t Myself+ My testi1o$y is $ot 8ali(. 3* There is A$other 3ho testifies abo)t Me+ a$( I 9$o3 that the testi1o$y He %i8es abo)t Me is 8ali(. 33 Eo) ha8e se$t 1esse$%ers to Joh$+ a$( he has testifie( to the tr)th. 3/ I (o$?t re"ei8e 1a$?s testi1o$y+ b)t I say these thi$%s so that yo) 1ay be sa8e(. 3' Joh$ 3as a b)r$i$% a$( shi$i$% la1#+ a$( for a ti1e yo) 3ere 3illi$% to e$Hoy his li%ht. 2A)t I ha8e a %reater testi1o$y tha$ Joh$?s be"a)se of the 3or9s that the Father has %i8e$ Me to a""o1#lish. These 8ery 3or9s I a1 (oi$% testify abo)t Me that the Father has se$t Me. 3< The Father 3ho se$t Me has Hi1self testifie( abo)t Me. Eo) ha8e $ot hear( His 8oi"e at a$y ti1e+ a$( yo) ha8e$?t see$ His for1. 3, Eo) (o$?t ha8e His 3or( li8i$% i$ yo)+ be"a)se yo) (o$?t belie8e the :$e He se$t. 3! Eo) #ore o8er the S"ri#t)res be"a)se yo) thi$9 yo) ha8e eter$al life i$ the1+ yet they / testify abo)t Me. A$( yo) are $ot 3illi$% to "o1e to Me so that yo) 1ay ha8e life.
3.
2I (o $ot a""e#t %lory fro1 1e$+ /* b)t I 9$o3 yo)Qthat yo) ha8e $o lo8e for Go( 3ithi$ yo). /3 I ha8e "o1e i$ My Father?s $a1e+ yet yo) (o$?t a""e#t Me. If so1eo$e else "o1es i$ his
/&
883 o3$ $a1e+ yo) 3ill a""e#t hi1. // Ho3 "a$ yo) belie8e> 0hile a""e#ti$% %lory fro1 o$e a$other+ yo) (o$?t see9 the %lory that "o1es fro1 the o$ly Go(. /' 6o $ot thi$9 that I 3ill a"")se yo) to the Father. Eo)r a"")ser is Moses+ o$ 3ho1 yo) ha8e set yo)r ho#e. /. For if yo) belie8e( Moses+ yo) 3o)l( belie8e Me+ be"a)se he 3rote abo)t Me. /< A)t if yo) (o$?t belie8e his 3riti$%s+ ho3 3ill yo) belie8e My 3or(s>5 !n this $assa#e ,esus informe" His challen#ers that* 1. 1hey "i" not ha9e the lo9e of Go" in their hearts. -. 1hey $ursue" honor from the crow"s an" from each other. /. .ecause they chose to honor each other, they likewise refuse" to honor Go". 2My testi1o$y is $ot 8ali( ... be"a)se he 3rote abo)t Me.5 Why woul" the testimony of ,esus not e 9ali"F He followe" the ?l" 1estament laws in e9ery "etail. !f He s$oke only of Himself, an" was the only witness to His wor"s an" works, then He woul" e in 9iolation of )euteronomy, that rea"s, The o$e "o$(e1$e( to (ie is to be e@e")te( o$ the testi1o$y of t3o or three 3it$esses. No o$e is to be e@e")te( o$ the testi1o$y of a si$%le 3it$ess.
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6e)tero$o1y &<7. A minimum of two witnesses was stan"ar" $ractice in ,ewish law. +or a ca$ital $unishment case, two witnesses were nee"e" to con"emn a man to "eath. 1o i"entify the e#innin# of the 5a ath, two or three me"ium-si>e" stars ha" to e seen in the sky to announce the en" of si%th "ay an" the e#innin# of the se9enth. 1-71 1he )euteronomy $assa#e was the stan"ar" of law for "ecision $rocesses in many as$ects of ,ewish society an" likewise for i lical inter$retation. +or this reason, ,esus ma"e a $oint to $resent
1271. 1he ,ewish $eo$le o ser9e" the i lical tra"ition that the "ay e#ins at sunset, not mi"ni#ht or sunrise.
884 witnesses on His ehalf. He $resente" four $oints, one more than was nee"e". 1he witnesses to His Messiahshi$ an" testimony were* 1. ,ohn the .a$tist ;,n. 2*//=, -. His works ;,n. 2*/3=, /. 1he +ather, Who ha" s$oken au"i ly at His .a$tism ;,n. 2*/7=, an" 4. 1he 5cri$tures $ro$hecies. ;,n. 2*/9= ecause He fulfille" the He rew
+urthermore, the ?ral &aw state" that a man was not to e elie9e" if he was s$eakin# a out himself. 49en the Greeks sai" that a $erson coul" not $resent e9i"ence that woul" su$$ort self-interest. 1272 2Joh$ 3as a b)r$i$% a$( shi$i$% la1#.5 1he $ast-tense of the statement is clear e9i"ence that the ministry of ,ohn the .a$tist to e the re9ealer of truth was o9er. !t is assume" that y now he was either in $rison or martyre". 2If yo) belie8e( Moses.5 1he statement o 9iously im$lies they "i" not o ey Moses, althou#h they claime" to "o so. !n ,ewish thinkin# B eliefC e%ists only when there is o e"ience to what is elie9e". 1rans$ose" to to"ay, if one says B! elie9e in ,esusC an" "oes not "o what ,esus says, he has ma"e a false statement. 1o B elie9eC or to Blo9eC ,esus carries the reAuirement to e o e"ient to His $rinci$les of life. B.eliefC an" Blo9eC when relate" to Go" are always associate" with o e"ience to Him.
1272. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*192.
885 1he fourth law of the )ecalo#ue is the law of the 5a ath. ?n this "ay, all ,ews were e%$ecte" to rest from their weekly acti9ities. .ecause the ?ral &aw essentially $lace" a $rotecti9e theolo#ical BfenceC aroun" the 1orah, it ha" many restrictions that woul" ha9e to e roken efore the comman"ment woul" e roken. !n A oth 1*1 there is an interestin# statement that clearly "efines the $ur$ose of the ?ral &aw. Moses re"ei8e( the Torah at Si$ai a$( ha$(e( it o$ to Josh)a+ Josh)a to el(ers+ a$( el(ers to #ro#hets. A$( the #ro#hets ha$(e( it o$ to the 1e$ of the Great Sy$a%o%)e. They sai( three thi$%s7 Ae #r)(e$t i$ H)(%1e$t. ;aise )# 1a$y (is"i#les. Ma9e a fe$"e aro)$( the Torah. Mish$ah+ Aboth &7& Howe9er, the le#alistic attitu"e cannot e totally attri ute" to the ,ewish lea"ershi$ ecause e9en Moses sai" that anyone who #athere" sticks for firewoo" on the 5a ath "eser9e" stonin# ;:um. 12*/--/3=. 1herefore, if #atherin# firewoo" on the 5a ath "eser9e" stonin#, why not for #atherin# some #rain for foo" or for some other reasonF As $re9iously state", they hel" the common o$inion that when they ha" roken the 5a ath laws in the $ast, Go" $ermitte" 5olomon<s tem$le to e "estroye" an" their forefathers taken into ca$ti9ity in .a ylon ;382-2@3 ..'.=. 1hey o 9iously "i" not want another occurrence of this $unishment ;'h. /3*-8--1=. +or this reason they were e%tremely "o#matic a out their ?ral &aws, which inclu"e" hi#hly restricti9e 5a ath rules. 1heir intent was that if anyone roke the ?ral &aws, or the Bfence,C that surroun"e" the Written &aw, the $erson coul" e $unishe" efore the 5a ath an" other Mosaic &aws were roken. 1herefore, the lan" woul" e sa9e" from Go"<s an#er. Althou#h the ma%imum $unishment of reakin# the 5a ath was "eath y stonin#, 1-7/ it was ne9er $ractice" or ,esus woul" ha9e een e%ecute" on these char#es. While the intent was #oo", its a$$lication ecame e%tremely o$$ressi9e an" i"olatrous. 1he maEor $ro lem was that ?ral &aws were hel" in hi#her authority than the Mosaic &aw, an" this le" to conflicts with ,esus.
1273. Mishnah, Sanhedrin 7.4.
886 'ou$le" with the e%treme intent to maintain the $ro9er ial BfenceC aroun" the 1orah, the reli#ious lea"ers ha" also ecome arro#ant, wealthy, an" smu# in their lifestyle. 1hey ecame lin" to the nee"s of the common $eo$le whom they ser9e". 1hey "i" reali>e that the sin#le issue of life was more im$ortant than 5a ath rules. !n the e9ent there was an ur#ency to sa9e a life, the 5a ath rules were set asi"e. 1hey ha" little "isa#reement on this matter, ut their attitu"e was com$letely "ifferent concernin# a sick or "isa le" $erson. !n such a case they elie9e" that the healer shoul" wait until sunset, when the 5a ath was o9er, an" $erform the healin#. When Go" create" the worl", He reste" on the se9enth "ay ;Gen. -*-=. 1his was a rest from His Bcreati9e work.C Howe9er, He ne9er reste" from His Bwork of $ro9i"ence,C meanin# work in the li9es of man, or maintainin# the creation on the 5a ath or any other "ay. !f Go" ha" reste" from His work of $ro9i"ence, the uni9erse woul" "issol9e into nothin#ness as it once was. 1herefore, it is #enerally a#ree" that the work of $ro9i"ence continues as an acti9ity of Go". 1-74 +inally, this stu"y is focuse" on the 9arious issues that sha$e" the ministry en9ironment of ,esus an", therefore, "oes not "well on the theolo#ical su Eects. Howe9er, some asic theolo#ical issues cannot e a9oi"e". !n the $assa#e ;,ohn 2= that follows, ,ohn sets forth the "i9ine nature an" office of ,esus in relation to Go" the +ather. +or a clearer un"erstan"in# of the #os$el writer<s messa#e, note the followin# "istinctions* 1. Go" is His +ather an" He is the 5on of Go" in such a hi#h an" incommunica le sense, that ,esus is eAual with the +ather in nature ;,n. 2*1@=L -. ,esus enEoys the +ather<s $erfect lo9e an" knows all His counsels ;,n. 2*-8=L /. ,esus $erforms all the works that His father $erforms ;,n. 2*19--1=L 4. ,esus has life in Himself as the +ather has it, an" #i9es it to whom He will ;,n. 2*-1, -3=
1274. .ruce, &esus 4ast. -@.
887 2. He claims eAual honor with the +ather ;,n. 2*-/= an" 3. He raises the "ea" an" Eu"#es them ;,n. 2*-1---L -4--9=. As the 5on of Go" on earth, ,esus always acts in su or"ination to the will of the +ather. 1. He has not come on His own accor", ut His +ather sent Him ;,n. 2*-/, ff=L -. 1he +ather has a$$ointe" Him to "o certain works an" miracles ;,n. 2*-8, --, -3= /. ,esus can "o nothin# y His own accor", ut must function in accor"ance to His +ather<s will ;,n. 2*19, /9= 4. 1he +ather, who sent ,esus, ears witness to Him y the works that He ;the +ather= has #i9en Him to "o ;,n. 2*/3= an" y the 5cri$tures of the ?l" 1estament ;,n. 2*/9, 42-47=. !t is as the 5on of man 7 the Wor" ma"e flesh 7 who not only re"eems, ut also Eu"#es men ;,n. 2*-7=. ,esus has T 1. 4Auality with the +ather in nature. -. 5u mission to the +ather in office, /. Union with human nature in the work of re"eemin# an" Eu"#in# men, 4. An" in all these $erfect, union with the +ather in counsel an" will. 1hese are the #reat "octrines that run throu#h the followin# "iscourses. :ot only "i" the ,ewish lea"ers reEect the Go" 7 ,esus relationshi$, ut the early church ha" stru##les with it, as well. Gentiles, comin# from 9arious $a#an reli#ions, were eAually challen#e".
U$it
<
888
:##ositio$ a%ai$st Jes)s %ro3s Cha#ter * The Sabbath Challe$%e
<. *. A. JESUS AN6 HIS 6ISCIPLES PLUCIING G;AIN. Artist )$9$o3$. <. *. & I$tro()"tio$
889 (rior to "iscussin# this to$ic, a rief re9iew of the first century 5a ath restrictions is necessary. Without Auestion, the $ious ,ews of the !nter1estamental (erio" an" at the time of ,esus were concerne" that they not offen" Go" an" a#ain e e9icte" from their lan". 1hey knew the reason their forefathers ha" een sent to .a ylon for se9enty years was ecause they faile" to honor the 5a ath. 1herefore, y the time ,esus came, o ser9in# the 5a ath ha" ecome a weekly ritual of un$rece"ente" im$ortance. Unfortunately, in the $rocess of "oin# so, the elite (harisee lea"ershi$ lost si#ht of their res$onsi ility to care for the con#re#ations. 1-72 ,ewish lea"ers elie9e" they ha" esta lishe" a series of ri#hteous acts that, when com$lete", woul" esta lish not only fa9or with Go", ut also essentially $ermit one to earn his sal9ation. .elow are sam$les of the ?ral &aw that limite" acti9ities for the 5a ath, an" for +ri"ay if it was a (re$aration )ay. Flesh a$( o$io$s a$( e%%s 1ay $ot be roaste( )$less there is ti1e for the1 to be roaste( the sa1e (ay+ $or "a$ brea( be #)t i$to the o8e$ 3he$ (ar9$ess is falli$%+ $or 1ay "a9es be #)t )#o$ "oals )$less there is ti1e for their to# s)rfa"e to for1 i$to "r)st. Mish$ah+ 3habbath &.& If a (o)ble sto8e ha( bee$ heate( 3ith st)bble or stra3+ "oo9e( foo( 1ay be set o$ it Bo$ the SabbathC4 b)t if 3ith #eat or 3oo(+ "oo9e( foo( 1ay $ot be set o$ it )$til it has bee$ s3e#t o)t or "o8ere( 3ith ashes. The S"hool of Sha11ai says7 2Hot 3ater b)t $ot "oo9e( foo( 1ay be set thereo$.5 The S"hool of Hillel says4 2Aoth hot 3ater a$( "oo9e( foo(.5 The S"hool of Sha11ai says+ 2They 1ay be re1o8e( Bo$ the SabbathC b)t $ot #)t ba"9.5 A$( the s"hool of Hillel says7 2They 1ay also be #)t ba"9.5 1275. +or more information, see B *. *.&, ?ral &aw,C B *. *.*
?ral 1ra"ition,C an" 5a ath re#ulations in ,u ilee 28*3-1/ at *. /. .. !n fact, "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt, since the ,ews refuse" to fi#ht on the 5a ath, the Greeks slau#htere" more than a thousan" men, women, an" chil"ren. 1hereafter they "eci"e" to "efen" themsel9es as not e remo9e" from the face of the earth ;1 Macc. -*/1-/@=.
890 Mish$ah+ 3habbath 3.&

&*<.
A$ e%% 1ay $ot be #)t i$si(e a 9ettle Bo$ the SabbathC so it shall %et "oo9e(+ $or 1ay it be "ra"9e( 3ithi$ BhotC 3ra##i$%s4 b)t ;abbi Jose #er1its this. Nor 1ay it be b)rie( i$ BhotC sa$( or i$ the ()st of the roa( so that it shall %et roaste(. Mish$ah+ 3habbath 3.3
&*<<
A 8essel 1ay $ot be #)t )$(er the la1# Bo$ the SabbathC to "olle"t the B(ri##i$%C oil4 b)t if it 3as #)t there before $i%htfall it is #er1itte(. Mish$ah+ 3habbath 3..
&*<,
;abbi Aha i$ the $a1e of ;abbi Ta$h)1 be$ ;abbi Hiaay sai(+ 2If Israel re#e$ts for o$e (ay+ forth3ith the so$ of 6a8i( 3ill "o1e.5 Sai( ;abbi Le8i+ 2If Israel 3o)l( 9ee# a si$%le Sabbath i$ the #ro#er 3ay+ forth3ith the so$ of 6a8i( 3ill "o1e.5 Jer)sale1 Tal1)(+ *annit &.& 5a ath re#ulations e9en $re9ente" mournin# the loss of a lo9e" one, "ue to a le#alistic re#ulation ase" on (ro9er s 18*-- that rea", B1he lessin# of the &or" rin#s wealth an" he a""s no trou le to it.C 1hey "istorte" the $ro9er s of life in an attem$t to e $ure an" holy efore Go". 1-79 Another rule for a"e women to look in a mirror on the 5a ath. 1-@8 ,esus was $assionately u$set o9er these restricti9e on"a#es.
1276. (arenthesis y )an y. 1277. (arenthesis y )an y. 1278. (arenthesis y )an y.
1279. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 218, 1843. 1280. .a ylonian 1almu", Shabbath 149aL 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the
Messiah . 9-.
891 <. *. * Mt. &*7&-<4 M9. *7*'-*, ;5ee also &k. 3*1-2= Galilee PLUCIING G;AIN :N THE SAAAATH Mt. & At that ti1e Jes)s #asse( thro)%h the %rai$ fiel(s o$ the Sabbath. His (is"i#les 3ere h)$%ry a$( be%a$ to #i"9 a$( eat so1e hea(s of %rai$. * A)t 3he$ the Pharisees sa3 it+ they sai( to Hi1+ 2Loo9+ Eo)r (is"i#les are (oi$% 3hat is $ot la3f)l to (o o$ the SabbathK5 M9. *' He sai( to the1+ 2Ha8e yo) $e8er rea( 3hat 6a8i( a$( those 3ho 3ere 3ith hi1 (i( 3he$ he 3as i$ $ee( a$( h)$%ry Q *. ho3 he e$tere( the ho)se of Go( i$ the ti1e of Abiathar the hi%h #riest a$( ate the sa"re( brea( Q3hi"h is $ot la3f)l for a$yo$e to eat e@"e#t the #riests Qa$( also %a8e so1e to his "o1#a$io$s>5 Mt. ' :r ha8e$?t yo) rea( i$ the La3 that o$ Sabbath (ays the #riests i$ the te1#le 8iolate the Sabbath a$( are i$$o"e$t> . A)t I tell yo) that so1ethi$% %reater tha$ the te1#le is hereK < If yo) ha( 9$o3$ 3hat this 1ea$s7 I (esire 1er"y a$( $ot sa"rifi"e+ yo) 3o)l( $ot ha8e "o$(e1$e( the i$$o"e$t. M9. *< The$ He tol( the1+ 2The Sabbath 3as 1a(e for 1a$ a$( $ot 1a$ for the Sabbath. *, Therefore+ the So$ of Ma$ is Lor( e8e$ of the Sabbath.5 Accor"in# to the 1ra"itions of the 4l"ers ;Mt. 12*1--= as is now recor"e" in the Mishnah, 1-@1 there were thirty-nine $rohi ite" cate#ories of acti9ities i"entifie" as Bwork.C 1hese cate#ories a#ain "emonstrate how the tra"itions ha" ecome so le#alistic as to cause "iscomfort an" sometimes harm to the $eo$le. Howe9er, the le#alistic attitu"e cannot e totally attri ute" to the ,ewish lea"ershi$ ecause e9en Moses sai" that anyone who #athere" sticks for firewoo" on the 5a ath "eser9e" stonin# ;:um. 12*/--/3=. 1herefore, if #atherin# firewoo" on the 5a ath "eser9e" stonin#, why not for #atherin# some #rain for foo" or for some other reasonF
1281. Mishnah, Shabbat 7*-.
892 &ittle "i" the ra is consi"er the acti9ity of )a9i" an" his men when they were in a $recarious situation 7 fleein# for their li9es from Din# 5aul ;1 5am. -1=. When they ecame e%tremely e%hauste" an" hun#ry, they entere" the holy sanctuary an" ate rea", Bloa9es of $resentation,C that were reser9e" for the $riests ;1 5am. -1*1-3L !sa. 2@*3-7=. A "o>en loa9es of rea" were $lace" on a 5anctuary ta le. At the en" of the week when they were Auite stale, they were re$lace". 1he stale rea" woul" normally ha9e een consume" y the $riests, ut this time it was eaten y )a9i" an" his men. 1here are two reasons for the Eustification of )a9i"<s action* 1. 1heir esca$e from 5aul le" to a life an" "eath situation. 1he $oint is that the 5a ath coul" e roken in times of crisis. 1-@- 1hey were e%tremely hun#ry an" thirsty in the "esert wil"erness. 1herefore, accor"in# to ra inic tra"ition, they coul" eat to sa9e human life. 1-@/ -. He was $ermitte" to eat ecause he ha" een anointe" to e the new kin# ;1 5am. 13*1/= an" this im$lies he ha" the authority to enter the ta ernacle.1-@4
<. *. *.J& 0ere there 2$o$-Sabbath5 Sabbath 6ays> Jes. 1here were certain weeks in the ,ewish reli#ious calen"ar when two 5a ath "ays were o ser9e". 1he 5a ath was the se9enth "ay of the week when all work acti9ities were set asi"e an" the $eo$le cele rate" their co9enant with the &or" of !srael. Howe9er, the term B5a athC was also a$$lie" to any other holy "ay that $rohi ite" work acti9ities. 1herefore, when ,ohn wrote of the B$re$aration "ayC for the 5a ath, 1-@2 neither he nor 1282. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 134-33. 1283. .a ylonian 1almu", Shabbath 1/-a. 1284. Gil rant, B&uke.C 139.
1285. ,n. 19*/1L cf. Mk. 12*4-L &k. -/*24.
893 the other #os$el writers ha" reference to the se9enth "ay, B5a athC "ay of (asso9er. 1-@3 ut the holy
!t shoul" e note" that in ,ewish history, the "ays of the weeks "i" not ha9e names, ut num ers. 1he se9enth "ay recei9e" its non-numerical name after much use of the 9er that "escri e" it. 1he name, Sabbath" meanin# Bto restC was ori#inally a 9er "escri$ti9e of the "ay. ?9er time, it ecame a $ro$er noun. 1herefore, when the $rimiti9e church in Acts "eci"e" to honor an" worshi$ Go" on the first "ay of the week, they sim$ly transferre" the 9er from the se9enth "ay to the first "ay, an" this was not in any 9iolation of i lical e%e#esis or 5cri$ture. At this time the 5a ath was not sim$ly a "ay to rest, as it ha" a much "ee$er meanin#. 1he $hrase Bwas ma"eC in the 5e$tua#int was translate" Bto createC an" was, therefore, associate" with the creation narrati9e of Genesis. !f this was the cultural un"erstan"in# of the time, then certainly there mi#ht e some written e9i"ence to su$$ort this inter$retation. A out a century after 'hrist a certain sa#e, 5imeon en Menasya, sai", B1he 5a ath was #i9en to you an" not you to the 5a ath.C 1he $oint is not that Menasya $ara$hrase" ,esus, ut that oth $resente" a common ,ewish thou#ht. 1-@7 1he 5a ath was create" for man an" focuse" on the enefit for man, so that man<s entire focus coul" e on his 'reator. 1his is far "ee$er than the mo"ern inter$retation of Ba "ay of rest,C which may or may not inclu"e an hour or two in church, followe" y leisure acti9ities. 1he mo"ern a$$lication is har"ly within the i lical framework.
2His (is"i#les 3ere h)$%ry a$( be%a$ to #i"9 a$( eat so1e hea(s of %rai$.5 As ,esus an" his "isci$les were walkin# alon# the roa", they 1286. 5al"arini, &esus and the 4asso er. 23. 1287. Joun#, B,esusC .a o )igest 1*/, /.
894 naturally ecame hun#ry an" chewe" on some kernels of wheat which were #rowin# in a near y fiel". 1his was not stealin# ecause the Mosaic &aw ;)eut. -/*-2= $ermitte" tra9elers an" the $oor to eat from the fiel"s. Howe9er, they coul" not har9est someone else<s cro$. When "isci$les were accuse" of $luckin# the #rain, ,esus came to their "efense an" ma"e the statement that the 5a ath was ma"e for man, not man for the 5a ath. !ronically, this same conce$t was in ra inic literature an" is "e ate" in mo"ern scholarshi$. 2Fo)r le8els of Pharisees5 to be 8erifie(
5ome scholars elie9e the two Auotations elow are reflecti9e of secon" or thir" century ;A.).= ra inic eliefs. Howe9er, since there were fo)r le8els of Pharisees, with the u$$er echelon ein# the ones who confronte" ,esus, other scholars to"ay elie9e that many or"inary ri#hteous ra is in local syna#o#ues elie9e" that the 5a ath was truly for the enefit of mankin". 2The #riests i$ the te1#le 8iolate the Sabbath.5 ,esus referre" to the Mosaic &aw in :um ers -@*9-18, 1@-19, in which the $riests ha" to reak the 5a ath laws as $art of their $riestly "uties. Here, the (harisees were remin"e" that they too roke the 5a ath laws as they functione" in the tem$le. 1he messa#e was o 9iousL if they roke the &aw in ser9ice to the chil"ren of A raham an" to Go", why were they o$$osin# ,esus, who was "oin# the sameF 1here were only two reasons for kee$in# the 5a ath.
1. As mentione" $re9iously, o ser9in# the 5a ath was to honor Go" which, ironically, the reli#ious lea"ers attem$te" to circum9ent in e9ery way $ossi le. -. Honorin# the 5a ath was their i"entity in a $a#an worl". 1his $lacement of reli#ious restriction on the se9enth "ay, alon# with circumcision an" kosher foo"s, $ro9i"e" the means to kee$ the ,ewish i"entity "istincti9e in an immoral worl". 1hese i"entity markers are foun" in ra inic writin#s, the )ea" 5ea 5crolls, an" in the works of historians such as ,ose$hus an" (hilo. While most of the (harisees an" 5a""ucees ha" little or no "esire to honor Go", they "i"
895 "esire to maintain their financial an" social $ositions that coul" only e accom$lishe" y $romotin# a social #rou$ se$arate from other nei#h orin# cultures. ,esus threatene" this i"entity an" their security to the 9ery core. An interestin# $oint of "iscussion to"ay is whether the church is to meet for cor$orate worshi$ on 5atur"ay or 5un"ay. 1he Mosaic &aw reAuires elie9ers to work si% "ays a week, rest on the 5a ath an" kee$ it holy. .y tra"ition, the ,ews also met for cor$orate worshi$ on the 5e9enth )ay, ut that was not a comman" in Go"<s law. 1echnically, ,ews an" 'hristians can #ather to worshi$ Go" any "ay of the week they choose, Eust as lon# as they #ather for worshi$ an" work si% "ays.
<. *. *.J* 6i( Mar9 1a9e a 1ista9e i$ *7*. 3he$ he 1a(e a histori" refere$"e to 2the (ays of Abiathar the hi%h #riest>5 !n this $assa#e, ,esus focuse" on the actions of )a9i" an" his men when they were e%tremely hun#ry. 1hey entere" the ta ernacle ;the tem$le ha" not een uilt= an" ate the consecrate" rea". 5ince there was no uniform calen"ar, this action was in"e%e" to the time when A iathar was the hi#h $riest. 1his is the $ro lem* When e%aminin# who was hi#h $riest a thousan" years $re9ious to ,esus, recor"s show that it was Ahimelech, the father of A iathar ;1 5am. -1*1-3L --*-8=, not A iathar. )i" the #os$el writer make a mistakeF 1o "isco9er a $ossi le answer, this research #oes three thousan" years into ancient history an" that alone will influence the outcome. 1here are two e%$lanations for this "ifficulty. 1. 1he most $o$ular e%$lanation is that ,esus referre" to those e9ents of )a9i" that occurre" "urin# the lifetime of A iathar. As a youn# chil" he woul" ha9e een #roome" an" $re$are" for the $osition in the tem$le. 49eryone knew, efore the chil" reali>e" it himself, that he woul" e the ne%t hi#h $riest. 0es$ect for this hi#h office $rece"e" an" followe" the actual ser9ice. 1his same "e#ree of res$ect is #i9en to Annas, who is i"entifie" as the hi#h $riest "urin# the trial of ,esus, when, in fact, he was officially retire" an" his son-in-law 'aia$has hel" the $osition. ;1he same "e#ree of res$ect is #i9en to American $ast $resi"ents, con#ressmen an" others who hel" hi#h $ositions of honor.
896 1hey retain their titles into retirement.= Annas carrie" the honore" title the remain"er of his life an", when necessary, functione" in the office. Annas recei9e" his $osition y a 0oman a$$ointment whereas A iathar inherite" his hi#h callin#. 1herefore, when ,esus calle" A iathar the hi#h $riest efore he actually was in office, He was s$eakin# in accor"ance with the custom of the time. When this 9erse is un"erstoo" in this cultural conte%t, the assume" i lical error "issi$ates. -. Another e%$lanation is that in the time of ,esus, the ancient hi#h $riest A iathar was etter known to the au"ience of ,esus than was his father. 1his follows the $attern of the #os$el writers who sometimes Auote" from two ?l" 1estament $ro$hets, ut recor"e" only the name of the senior $ro$het ;see author<s comments on Mk.1*- an" Mt. -7*9-18=. 1wo 9ery #oo" solutions ha9e een $resente" to answer this challen#e an" oth coul" e correct. 1he truth is we may ne9er know the $recise answer. 1his certainly "oes not "iminish the $ower or the effect of the Wor" of Go" or the life of ,esus. When reachin# into history three thousan" years, it shoul" not e sur$risin# a minute "etail may on occasion ecome clou"y. !n fact, it is a ceaseless en" of miracles that so much historical information is still a9aila le. :o other reli#ion, $hiloso$hy, or historical "ocument can make that claim. 2The Sabbath 3as 1a(e for 1a$.5 1his statement was Auite familiar to the ra is, who, $resuma ly, were concerne" a out $otential "an#er to human life. !n such cases they sai", The Sabbath is ha$(e( o8er to yo)4 Not+ yo) are ha$(e( o8er to the Sabbath. Me"hilt o$ E@o()s 3&.&3
&*,,
!t is most interestin# that the wor" of ,esus $ertainin# to the 5a ath ein# ma"e for man was also the un"erstan"in# of a 0a i 5imeon en Menasya. !n his commentary on 4%. /1*14, he sai" the followin#* 1288. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 214.
897 The Sabbath is (eli8ere( to yo)4 Eo) are $ot (eli8ere( o$ the Sabbath. ;abbi Si1eo$ be$ Me$asya <. *. 3 L9. .7.-<4 Mt. &*7& b-&*4 M9. 373-. THE MAN 0ITH THE PA;ALELE6 HAN6+ HEALE6 :N THE SAAAATH L9 . :$ a$other Sabbath He e$tere( the sy$a%o%)e a$( 3as tea"hi$%. A 1a$ 3as there 3hose ri%ht ha$( 3as #aralyGe(. < The s"ribes a$( Pharisees 3ere 3at"hi$% Hi1 "losely+ to see if He 3o)l( heal o$ the Sabbath+ so that they "o)l( fi$( a "har%e a%ai$st Hi1. Mt & b A$( i$ or(er to a"")se Hi1 they as9e( Hi1+ 2Is it la3f)l to heal o$ the Sabbath>5 && A)t He sai( to the1+ 20hat 1a$ a1o$% yo)+ if he ha( a shee# that fell i$to a #it o$ the Sabbath+ 3o)l($?t ta9e hol( of it a$( lift it o)t> &* A 1a$ is 3orth far 1ore tha$ a shee#+ so it is la3f)l to (o 3hat is %oo( o$ the Sabbath.5 M9 3 He tol( the 1a$ 3ith the #aralyGe( ha$(+ 2Sta$( before )s.5 / The$ He sai( to the1+ 2Is it la3f)l o$ the Sabbath to (o 3hat is %oo( or to (o 3hat is e8il+ to sa8e life or to 9ill>5 A)t they 3ere sile$t. ' After loo9i$% aro)$( at the1 3ith a$%er a$( sorro3 at the har($ess of their hearts+ He tol( the 1a$+ 2Stret"h o)t yo)r ha$(.5 So he stret"he( it o)t+ a$( his ha$( 3as restore(. . I11e(iately the Pharisees 3e$t o)t a$( starte( #lotti$% 3ith the Hero(ia$s a%ai$st Hi1+ ho3 they 1i%ht (estroy Hi1. ,esus was Auite em$hatic towar" the sick an" "emonically $ossess. +or Him it was etter to rin# healin# an" free"om than to e unmercifully le#alistic an" $ermit one to stay in misery. He "emonstrate" that the Din#"om of Go" is su$erior to the reli#ious 5a ath o ser9ances an" tem$le worshi$. 1289. Nuote" y Daiser, )a9i"s, .ruce, an" .rauch. +ard Sayings of the Bible. 41/.
&*,!
898 1he irony is that no one a$$eare" to reali>e that the miracle they witnesse" was a near "u$lication of the miracle that occurre" nearly a thousan" years earlier to Din# ,ero oam. ,ero oam ha" uilt a $a#an altar in .ethel to cele rate the +east of 1a ernacles an" "eclare" himself the actin# $riest. When a Bman of Go"C crie" out a#ainst the altar, ,ero oam stretche" out his ri#ht han" to sto$ him. Howe9er, the kin#<s han" ecame shri9ele" u$ Bso that he coul" not $ull it ackC ;1 D#. 1/*1-7=. At the same time the altar s$lit a$art an" the ashes $oure" out. As ,ose$hus sai", the kin# un"erstoo" that the $ro$het ha" "i9ine foreknowle"#e. 49i"ently ,ero oam re$ente" ecause he aske" the Bman of Go"C to interce"e to Go" for him that his ri#ht han" mi#ht e heale". !t was. 1-98 Another e%am$le of a 5a ath B9iolationC that was con9eniently o9erlooke" was the !sraelite se9en-"ay march aroun" ,ericho. ? 9iously one of those se9en "ays ha" to ha9e een a 5a ath "ay, an" the $rocessional march far e%cee"e" 5a ath "ay walkin# restrictions of the first century.
20hose ri%ht ha$( 3as #aralyGe(.5 1he result of the miracle re9eals the $rofoun" social im$lications it cause". 1o the ancients the ri#ht han" was the han" of lessin# an" authority an" is elie9e" to e the ori#in of the mo"ern han"shake. 1his elief was "eri9e" from the same attri utes assi#ne" to the ri#ht han" of Go". 'on9ersely, the left han" was the han" of cursin# an" $ersonal hy#iene. .ecause of this, ,ews were ri#ht-han"e" an" foo" was eaten from a common owl with the ri#ht han", whether at home or at social #atherin#s. 1he man with the shri9ele" ri#ht han" was, therefore, not welcome" at social functions since he ha" to ser9e himself with his left han". 1o make matters worse, it was thou#ht that his "isa ility was a curse of Go". 1he i"ea that an acci"ent or illness coul" e the natural result of fallen worl" ne9er occurre" to them. Hence, he was $re9ente" from worshi$in# Go" in the tem$le. He li9e" with constant con"emnation an"
1290. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. @.@.2.
899 was a social outcast. When ,esus heale" him, He also #a9e him free"om from con"emnation, free"om to e with others at social functions, free"om to ecome self-sufficient an" no lon#er a e##ar, an" free"om to worshi$ Go" anywhere he wante". At this time ,esus was "emonstratin# His Messiahshi$ throu#h teachin#s an" healin#s. Hence, He heale" selecte" in"i9i"uals who ha" no faith in Him as the Healer. 1he faith element woul" ecome si#nificant later. 1hose in atten"ance were force" to consi"er His Messianic claims in li#ht of their 5cri$tures. Hence, there was always a "e ate amon# o ser9ers where9er He tra9ele". ?ne of the interestin# le#en"s that mi#ht e true ;le#en"s are hi#hly limite" in this stu"y=, is the re$ort that claims the inEure" man was a stone mason. 1-91 1he account is as follows* 1-9I (as a stone "ason' see:ing "y &i$ing (ith "y hands) I #ray you' Jesus' to gi$e "e +a%: "y &i$ing (ith "y hands) The Dos#e& of the He+re(s 129! 2The s"ribes a$( Pharisees 3ere 3at"hi$% Hi1 T so that they "o)l( fi$( a "har%e a%ai$st Hi1.5 1his $hrase su##ests that the man with the $araly>e" or shri9ele" han" was $lace" in the au"ience so the critics coul" accuse ,esus of 9iolatin# the ?ral &aw ;res$onse elow=. 2To sa8e life.5 Acts of necessity, mercy, an" worshi$ were ne9er a 9iolation of the 5a ath. ,esus a#ain "emonstrate" the hy$ocrisy of the (harisees y $ointin# out that the (harisaic tra"ition hel" a hi#her 9alue on a shee$ in a $it than a man with a shri9ele" han". 1hey woul" hel$ an inEure" shee$, ut not one of their fellow ,ews. Here He allu"e" to the ra inical e%$ression that the (harisees themsel9es i#nore", ut one that was well known an" a $art of the ?ral &aw*
1291. 5ee A##e$(i@ ** an" htt$*//home.comcast.net/]Eo9ial/learn/ i le/Gos$elHe rews.htm. Au#ust 1, -81/. 1292. 1he rea"er is remin"e" that Auotations from non- i lical sources are not to un"erstoo" as ein# of eAual authority with the i lical narrati9es. 5ee &. *. /. 1293. .arclay, BMatthew.C -*/8-/1L 5ee also htt$*//www.earlychristianwritin#s.com/#os$elhe rews.html Au#ust 1, -81/. e
900 Therefore b)t a si$%le 1a$ 3as "reate( i$ the 3orl(+ to tea"h that if a$y 1a$ has "a)se( a si$%le so)l to #erish S"ri#t)re i1#)tes it to hi1 as tho)%h he ha( "a)se( the 3hole 3orl( to #erish4 a$( that if a$y 1a$ sa8es a life of a si$%le so)l S"ri#t)re i1#)tes it to hi1 as tho)%h he ha( sa8e( a 3hole 3orl(. Mish$ah+ 3anhedrin /7' Another law within the cate#ory of 5a ath restrictions is as if to say, B!f you are heale", what can we "o a out itFC 1here was also a rule a#ainst $lacin# a "islocate" foot or han" in col" water to #i9e comfort to the inEure" $erson. If a 1a$?s ha$( or foot is (islo"ate( he 1ay $ot #o)r "ol( 3ater o8er it+ b)t he 1ay 3ash it after his )s)al fashio$+ a$( if he be heale(+ he is heale(. Mish$ah+ 3abbath **..
1-94
2Loo9i$% aro)$( at the1 3ith a$%er.5 5el"om is it recor"e" that ,esus ecame an#ry. :ote carefully, howe9er, that He was an#ry with their selfish, stu orn attitu"e an" ecause they were failin# to meet the nee"s of the $eo$le. 1hey were anythin# ut kin" an" com$assionate. !t<s no won"er the $eo$le ecame weak in their faith an" reli#ious 9alues. 2Ho3 they 1i%ht (estroy Hi1.5 ,esus freAuently $resente" a counter$oint ar#ument to the accusations an" challen#es $resente" y the reli#ious elite. His counter-$oint was always stron#er, fuller, an" a clearer "eclaration of the truth. 1hese $u lic "iscussions rou#ht immense humiliation to the ,ewish lea"ers. 1he common $eo$le lo9e" ,esus, ecause, finally, someone was ol" enou#h to s$eak out a#ainst their corru$t lea"ers. Howe9er, since they re$eate"ly lost their theolo#ical ar#uments, the reli#ious elite $lanne" on numerous occasions to kill Him. 1294. +or a""itional 5a
ath re#ulations, see ,u ilee 28*3-1/ at *. /. .. !n fact, "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt, since the ,ews refuse" to fi#ht on the 5a ath, the Greeks slau#htere" more than a thousan" men, women, an" chil"ren. 1hereafter they "eci"e" to "efen" themsel9es as not e remo9e" from the face of the earth ;1 Macc. -*/1-/@=.
901 +inally, this miracle took $lace early in the ministry of ,esus when He $erforme" miracles without the nee" of faith of those who were sick. 1he $rimary reason is that at this $oint in time, the miracles were 9ali"atin# His $erson an" messa#e. ?nce the #eneral $u lic e#an to un"erstan" Him, He heale" only those who ha" faith in Him as the Healer.
U$it < :##ositio$ a%ai$st Jes)s Gro3s Cha#ter 3 Jes)s+ the Master Tea"her
902
<. 3. A. JESUS TEACHES THE C;:06S. Artist U$9$o3$. !n ty$ical ra inic style, ,esus is shown ein# seate" un"er a tree as he teaches the $rinci$les of the Din#"om of Go". <. 3. & I$tro()"tio$ ,esus has always een a"mire" for His teachin# techniAues. As was ty$ical of so many ra is, He res$on"e" to a Auestion with another Auestion an" other times He structure" a res$onse that $er$le%e" those who Auestione" Him. 1hat has left some scholars to ask the followin# Auestion*
903 <. 3. &.J& 6i( Jes)s? tea"hi$% 1etho(+ the (iale"ti" ar%)1e$t+ ori%i$ate 3ith So"rates> ,esus use" a metho" of reasonin#, analysis, an" lea"in# Auestions, known as the "ialectic ar#ument, to rin# forth an i"ea in the min"s of His "isci$les.1-92 0a is $ri"e" themsel9es on askin# $rofoun" Auestions that woul" create hours of "e ate. Hence, ,esus is often seen answerin# a Auestion with another Auestion, a teachin# metho" that y this time ha" ecome hi#hly 9alue" amon# the ,ews an" Greeks. Howe9er, was this metho"olo#y a forei#n conce$t or is there an historic recor" in ,ewish literatureF Mo"ern scholarshi$ has cre"ite" 5ocrates ;c. 478-/99 ..'.= with "e9elo$in# this metho" of Auestions an" answersL an" sometimes a Auestion is the res$onse to a challen#in# Auestion. 1he #oal was not to res$on" with a sim$le answer, ut rather to encoura#e self-e%amination an" self-criticism. 1his metho"olo#y le" to the Greek analysis of thou#ht $rocesses known as Blo#ic.C 1he $ur$ose of 5ocrates< Auestions was to e%$ose error an" unco9er truth. 1-93 'enturies efore the time of ,esus, the Greeks calle" this Bthe 5ocratic art.C 'ritics ha9e $ro$ose" that ,esus orrowe" His teachin# techniAues from the fame" Greek $hiloso$her. 1he 5ocratic art "i" flourish throu#hout the ancient :ear 4ast an" was well esta lishe" in ,u"aism y the first century, ut was the fame" Greek $hiloso$her the ori#inator of this hi#hly acclaime" teachin# techniAueF +rom the $a#es of the ?l" 1estament, there are se9eral encounters etween $ro$hets an" those to whom Go" "esire" to #i9e a messa#e. Un"ou te"ly, the most famous is the "iscussion etween :athan an" Din# )a9i" re#ar"in# the kin#<s affair with .athshe a an" the "eath of her hus an". 1he account in - 5amuel is as follows* So the Lor( se$t Natha$ to 6a8i(. 0he$ he arri8e(+ he sai( to hi17
&
1295. Horne, &esus9 The Master Teacher. 47. 1296. 0ee" an" (re9ost, A +istory of 'hristian 5ducation. -9-/8L .utts, The 5ducation of
the West. @@.
904 There 3ere t3o 1e$ i$ a "ertai$ "ity+ o$e ri"h a$( the other #oor. * The ri"h 1a$ ha( a lar%e $)1ber of shee# a$( "attle+ 3 b)t the #oor 1a$ ha( $othi$% e@"e#t o$e s1all e3e la1b that he ha( bo)%ht. He raise( it+ a$( it %re3 )#+ li8i$% 3ith hi1 a$( his "hil(re$. It share( his 1ea%er foo( a$( (ra$9 fro1 his ")#4 it sle#t i$ his ar1s+ a$( it 3as li9e a (a)%hter to hi1. / No3 a tra8eler "a1e to the ri"h 1a$+ b)t the ri"h 1a$ "o)l( $ot bri$% hi1self to ta9e o$e of his o3$ shee# or "attle to #re#are for the tra8eler 3ho ha( "o1e to hi1. I$stea(+ he too9 the #oor 1a$?s la1b a$( #re#are( it for his %)est. 6a8i( 3as i$f)riate( 3ith the 1a$ a$( sai( to Natha$7 2As the Lor( li8es+ the 1a$ 3ho (i( this (eser8es to (ieK . Ae"a)se he has (o$e this thi$% a$( sho3$ $o #ity+ he 1)st #ay fo)r la1bs for that la1b.5
' <
Natha$ re#lie( to 6a8i(+ 2Eo) are the 1a$K
* Sa1)el &*7&-<a !n this narrati9e, the "ialectic ar#ument was use" to lea" the kin# into self"isco9ery of his own sin. 1his woul" make one won"er if 5ocrates ha" not hear" of this techniAue from a He rew source. Without Auestion, the earliest e%am$le of "ialectic ar#ument is foun" in the ook of ,o , as this ook is sai" to e the ol"est in the ?l" 1estament. After the many a"9ersities ,o face", Go" s$oke to him with rhetorical Auestions that resem le "ialectic ar#ument. 0here 3ere yo) 3he$ I establishe( the earth> Tell Me+ if yo) ha8e )$(ersta$(i$%. 2 0ho fi@e( its (i1e$sio$s> Cerai$ly yo) 9$o3K 0ho stret"he( a 1eas)ri$% li$e a"ross it 3 0hat s)##orts its fo)$(atio$s> :r 3ho lai( its "or$ersto$e 7 0hile the 1or$i$% stars sa$% to%ether A$( all the so$s of Go( sho)te( for Hoy>
4
Job 3,7/-<
905 1he nature of the "ialo#ue woul" ha9e $rofoun" effects u$on the one who initiate" the Auestion. .elow are some e%am$les use" y ,esus* The$ Jes)s sai( to the1+ 2I as9 yo)7 Is it la3f)l o$ the Sabbath to (o 3hat is %oo( or to (o 3hat is e8il+ to sa8e life or to (estroy it>5
!
L)9e .7! As is freAuently note" in the .i le, the 5cri es, 5a""ucees, an" (harisees ha" s$ent consi"era le time o ser9in# ,esus an" accuse" Him of $erformin# miracles on the 5a ath. !n their min"s, the issue was not that it was #oo" to heal on the holy "ay, ut to "o anythin# e%ce$t to sa9e a life was consi"ere" a #ross sin. 1his issue of "oin# #oo" on the 5a ath surface" a#ain later an" is recor"e" in &uke 14. A$( to the1+ He sai(+ 20hi"h of yo) 3hose so$ or o@ falls i$to a 3ell+ 3ill $ot i11e(iately #)ll hi1 o)t o$ the Sabbath (ay>5 . To this they "o)l( fi$( $o a$s3er. L)9e &/7'-. &*!<
'
When the authority of ,esus was Auestione", He a#ain res$on"e" in "ialectic fashion. 1his $lace" His accusers in the $osition of self-entra$ment. 1he narrati9e is foun" in Matthew. 0he$ He e$tere( the te1#le "o1#le@+ the "hief #riests a$( the el(ers of the #eo#le "a1e )# to Hi1 as He 3as tea"hi$% a$( sai(+ 2Ay 3hat a)thority are Eo) (oi$% these thi$%s> 0ho %a8e Eo) this a)thority>5
*3
Jes)s a$s3ere( the1+ 2I 3ill also as9 yo) o$e =)estio$+ a$( if yo) a$s3er it for Me+ the$ I 3ill tell yo) by 3hat a)thority I (o these thi$%s. *' 0here (i( Joh$?s ba#tis1 "o1e fro1> Fro1 hea8e$ or fro1 1e$>5
*/
1297. 5ome 9ersions, such as the Din# ,ames Hersion, state B!f one of you has an ass ;"onkey= or an o% that falls into a wellTC
906 They be%a$ to ar%)e a1o$% the1sel8es+ 2If 3e say+ WFro1 hea8e$+? He 3ill say to )s+ WThe$ 3hy (i($?t yo) belie8e hi1>? *. A)t if 3e say+ WFro1 1e$+? 3e?re afrai( of the "ro3(+ be"a)se e8eryo$e tho)%ht Joh$ 3as a #ro#het.5 *< So they a$s3ere( Jes)s+ 20e (o$?t 9$o3.5 A$( He sai( to the1+ 2Neither 3ill I tell yo) by 3hat a)thority I (o these thi$%s. Matthe3 *&7*3-*< )i" the accusers know how to res$on"F (erha$s they "i" ut were afrai" to e%$ress their i"eas ecause the error of their thinkin# woul" e e%$ose". 1hey ha" een le" into self-e%amination an", therefore, ecame tra$$e" y their illo#ical le#alism. !t shoul" e note" that mo"erate (harisees were followers of the 5chool of Hillel. 1he strict (harisees an" most of those who challen#e" ,esus were followers of the 5chool of 5hammai. 1-9@ 1he stu"ents an" ra is of these two influential theolo#ical schools not only confronte" ,esus, ut they also confronte" each other in numerous $u lic "e ates an" "ialo#ues. !n the e%am$le elow, ,esus initiate" the Auestion to the (harisees concernin# the i"entity of the ancestry of the 5on, the 'hrist. 0hile the Pharisees 3ere to%ether+ Jes)s =)estio$e( the1+ 20hat (o yo) thi$9 abo)t the Messiah> 0hose So$ is He>5
/& /*
26a8i(?s+5 they tol( Hi1. /3 He as9e( the1+ 2Ho3 is it the$+ that 6a8i(+ i$s#ire( by the S#irit+ "alls Hi1 WLor(?7 // The Lor( (e"lare( to 1y Lor(+ WSit at My ri%ht ha$( )$til I #)t Eo)r e$e1ies )$(er Eo)r feet?> /' 2If 6a8i( "alls Hi1 WLor(+? ho3 the$ "a$ the Messiah be his So$>5 /. No o$e 3as able to a$s3er Hi1 at all+ a$( fro1 that (ay $o o$e (are( to =)estio$ Hi1 a$y1ore. Matthe3 **7/&-/. B=)oti$% Psal1 && 7&C 1298. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on &e9iticus -4*-8.
907
<. 3. &A. A SIGN :F M:6E;N :ASE;FANCE :F ANCIENT PU;ITE. A mo"ern warnin# si#n $oste" y the ultra-ortho"o% ,ews in their ,erusalem nei#h orhoo" reflects similar le#alistic concerns, much as the (harisees "i" in the time of 'hrist. 1his si#n in ,erusalem warns $e"estrians to wear mo"est clothin#. (hoto#ra$h y the author. !f His critical accusers were truly intereste" in learnin# more of Him, the con9ersation woul" ha9e continue". 1hey woul" ha9e een honest enou#h to reco#ni>e their own shortcomin#s. 5ince they ha" only their selfrewar"in# interests, ,esus "i" not res$on" with an answer. He knew His wor"s woul" not e acce$te" ;&k. --*37=. 1o"ay<s ultra-ortho"o% ,ews in !srael follow the same restricti9e le#alism, as "i" the echelon of first century (harisees. 5ocrates may ha9e "e9elo$e" the "ialectic ar#ument or he may ha9e orrowe" it from the ,ews. 1hat issue is not as im$ortant as the fact that this style of "e ate an" learnin# has history in the ,ewish culture centuries efore the fame" $hiloso$her.
908 <. 3. * M9. 37<-&*4 Mt. &*7&'-*& Aay of Parables $ear Ca#er$a)1 JESUS TEACHES F;:M PETE;?S A:AT M9. < Jes)s (e#arte( 3ith His (is"i#les to the sea+ a$( a lar%e "ro3( follo3e( fro1 Galilee+ J)(ea+ , Jer)sale1+ I()1ea+ beyo$( the Jor(a$+ a$( aro)$( Tyre a$( Si(o$. The lar%e "ro3( "a1e to Hi1 be"a)se they hear( abo)t e8erythi$% He 3as (oi$%. The$ He tol( His (is"i#les to ha8e a s1all boat rea(y for Hi1+ so the "ro3( 3o)l( $ot "r)sh Hi1. & Si$"e He ha( heale( 1a$y+ all 3ho ha( (iseases 3ere #ressi$% to3ar( Hi1 to to)"h Hi1. && 0he$e8er the )$"lea$ s#irits sa3 Hi1+ those #ossesse( fell (o3$ before Hi1 a$( "rie( o)t+ 2Eo) are the So$ of Go(K5 &* A$( He 3o)l( stro$%ly 3ar$ the1 $ot to 1a9e Hi1 9$o3$.
!
Mt. &' 0he$ Jes)s be"a1e a3are of this+ He 3ith(re3 fro1 there. H)%e "ro3(s follo3e( Hi1+ a$( He heale( the1 all. &. He 3ar$e( the1 $ot to 1a9e Hi1 9$o3$+ &< so that 3hat 3as s#o9e$ thro)%h the #ro#het Isaiah 1i%ht be f)lfille(7 Here is My Ser8a$t 3ho1 I ha8e "hose$+ My belo8e( i$ 3ho1 My so)l (eli%hts4 I 3ill #)t My S#irit o$ Hi1+ a$( He 3ill #ro"lai1 H)sti"e to the $atio$s. &! He 3ill $ot ar%)e or sho)t+ a$( $o o$e 3ill hear His 8oi"e i$ the streets. * He 3ill $ot brea9 a br)ise( ree(+ a$( He 3ill $ot #)t o)t a s1ol(eri$% 3i"9+ )$til He has le( H)sti"e to 8i"tory. *& The $atio$s 3ill #)t their ho#e i$ His $a1e BIsa. /*7&/C.
&,
909
<. 3. *A. THE AAE :F THE PA;AALES. 1he $lace where ,esus tau#ht from a oat is elie9e" to e imme"iately west of 'a$ernaum. +rom a oat anchore" in the mi""le of this ay, which is in the sha$e of natural semi-circular am$hitheater, ,esus coul" teach to thousan"s who woul" ha9e een seate" alon# the #rassy shore. Hisitors to"ay are astoun"e" at the natural acoustics of the area an" reali>e thousan"s coul" ha9e hear" His messa#e. (hoto#ra$h y the author. Multitu"es came from forei#n countries to hear this #entle (reacher an" watch Him $erform miracles, a fulfillment of !saiah 4-*1-4. He s$oke to them in #entleness, kin"ness, an" com$assion. &ittle won"er so many $lace" their faith in Him. 2Eo) are the So$ of Go(K5 1his is a most interestin# statement ecause the "emons reco#ni>e" who ,esus was efore the $eo$le "i". At this $oint, the man ;althou#h it was the "emon s$eakin# throu#h him= who ma"e this statement "i" think of ,esus as mo"ern 'hristians "o. 1he wor" Son is ca$itali>e" ecause the $hrase was a""resse" to ,esus, not ecause the man reco#ni>e" ,esus as &or" an" 5a9ior ;which the "emons "i"=. 1he term son of -od was in common usa#e throu#hout all ancient Mi""le 4astern cultures. 49en within the He rew .i le there are a num er of "escri$tions of the term.
910 1. 1he an#els are calle" the sons of Go" ;Gen. 3*-= an" in the ol"est ook of the .i le, the sons of Go" $resente" themsel9es efore the &or" ;,o 1*3=. !t a$$ears to ha9e een a common title for an#els. -. 1he nation of !srael is referre" to as a son of Go" ;Hosea 11*1L 4%. 4*--=. /. 1he kin# of the ,ewish nation is a son of Go" ;- 5am. 7*14= 4. Any #oo" man is a son of Go" 7 a comment written in the !nter1estamental (erio" ;5irach 4*18= Anyone who ma"e this statement of ,esus sai" so ecause ,esus was seen as a #oo" man. He was not seen as Go" !ncarnate as 'hristians "o to"ay. <. 3. 3 L9. .7&*-&. ;5ee also Mk. /*1/-19= Hills $ear the Sea JESUS APP:INTS &* 6ISCIPLES 6)ri$% those (ays He 3e$t o)t to the 1o)$tai$ to #ray a$( s#e$t all $i%ht i$ #rayer to Go(. &3 0he$ (ayli%ht "a1e+ He s)11o$e( His (is"i#les+ a$( He "hose &* of the1 Q He also $a1e( the1 a#ostles7
&*
Si1o$+ 3ho1 He also $a1e( Peter+ a$( A$(re3 his brother4 Ja1es a$( Joh$4 Phili# a$( Aartholo1e34 &' Matthe3 a$( Tho1as4 Ja1es the so$ of Al#hae)s+ a$( Si1o$ "alle( the Lealot4 &. J)(as the so$ of Ja1es+ a$( J)(as Is"ariot+ 3ho be"a1e a traitor.
&/
?nly ,esus coul" ha9e rou#ht to#ether such a "i9erse #rou$ of men an" transform them into a $owerful #rou$ of "isci$les. 1hey later ecame a$ostles with ,u"as !scariot ein# the e%ce$tion. (ossi ly the most e%treme e%am$les of $ersonalities, tem$erts an" moti9ational $assions were Matthew an" 5imon the Kealot. Matthew was a ta% a#ent for the 0omans while 5imon elon#e" to a ra"ical frin#e #rou$ of (harisees known as the Kealots who woul" ha9e like" to ha9e seen all 0omans "ea". 1he Kealots were known to ha9e cause" a num er of re ellions an" scores of them were crucifie" for 9arious crimes ;see *. &.**=. !n a similar manner 5aul, later
911 known as (aul, searche" for 'hristians to im$rison or kill them. Most certainly those who knew these two men an" listene" to ,esus teach an" heal the sick, saw the $ower of Go" transform the li9es of these men.
&ittle is known of .artholomew ; Bar/Tolmai" son of 1olmai= an" :athanael, yet in later years they ecame effecti9e a$ostles an" were martyre" for their faith an" ministry. Accor"in# to Mark ;/*17= ,esus calle" ,ohn an" ,ames, the two sons of Ke e"ee, B.oaner#es.C 1he term means Bsons of ra#eC or Bsons of thun"er.C 'learly, these two "isci$les were not amon# the Auiet an" timi" ones, ut lou", >ealous, with $ossi le nee" of $ri9ate instruction, an" ein# associate" with Matthew an" 5imon, the #rou$ was certainly a "i9erse one. 1-99 All of the "isci$les were from the Galilee area, with the e%ce$tion of ,u"as, the son of ,ames, who was $ro a ly from Derioch in ,u"ea, a town a out twenty miles south of ,erusalem. His name is not accor"in# to the customary formula* Pfirst nameQ son of Phis fatherQ. 0ather, it is .0hudah from *0riot" ,u"as from the town of Derioch ;or Deriot=, shortene" to ,u"as !scariot. 1/88 ,esus functione" as a $ro$het an" a ty$ical sa#e of His "ay. Most sa#es were not $rofessional aca"emics, ut ra is, who ha" a #rou$ of three, se9en, or twel9e "isci$les. 1hese "isci$les li9e" with the sa#e an" emulate" the one they calle" Blor"C or Bmaster.C ?ne was not $ermitte" to teach the 1orah for money, so ra is woul" teach chil"ren how to rea" an" write, for which they recei9e" $ayment. Many ra is an" sa#es were common workers, such as fishermen, "ay la orers, an" car$enters an", in 1299. Green, %nterlinear -reek/5nglish New TestamentF .erry, %nterlinear ,iteral
Translation of the -reek New Testament L htt$*//"ictionary.reference.com/ rowse/ oaner#es. 0etrie9e ?cto er 9, -81-. 1300. "tern, Jewish New Testament Commentary. ! .
912 such cases, the "isci$les worke" alon# with them in their secular em$loyment. A few were in"e$en"ently wealthy, such as :ico"emus. Many sa#es ori#inate" in the Galilee area ut e9entually en"e" u$ in ,erusalem, where they starte" schools for a"9ance" theolo#ical stu"ies.
<. 3. 3.J& 0hy (o the %os#els $ot a%ree o$ the $a1es of the (is"i#les> 'ritics ha9e lon# ar#ue" that the #os$el writers "i" not a#ree on the names of the "isci$les. 1he or"er of the twel9e names was not im$ortant to the #os$el authors, only their listin#. !n fact, the listin# in the #os$els is similar to listin#s foun" on other ,ewish writin#s. 1/81 ?n a si"e note, scholars ha9e "e ate" if there was any reason for selectin# twel9e, an" if so, what that $ur$ose mi#ht e. :o answer has een re9eale" y ,ewish or 'hristian scholars althou#h some ancient ra is were known to ha9e twel9e "isci$les. Mt. 18*- ff 5imon (eter Mk. /*13 ff &k. 3*14 ff. Acts 1*1/ ff
5imon (eter
An"rew ,ames, son of Ke e"ee ,ohn
,ames, son of Ke e"ee ,ohn An"rew ,ohn
5imon (eter 5imon (eter An"rew ,ames ,ames An"rew ,ohn
(hili$ .artholomew 1homas Matthew
(hili$
(hili$ .artholomew Matthew 1homas
Matthew 1homas
(hili$ .artholomew 1homas .artholomew Matthew
1301. Mishnah, Aboth -*@-14L .a ylonian 1almu", Sanhedrin 4/a.
913 ,ames, son of ,ames, son of ,ames, son of Al$haeus Al$haeus Al$haeus Al$haeus 1ha""aeus 1ha""aeus 5imon the Kealot 5imon the Kealot 5imon the Kealot 5imon the Kealot ,u"as, son of ,u"as, son of ,ames ,ames ,u"as !scariot ----,ames, son of
,u"as !scariot
,u"as !scariot
<. 3. 3A. CHA;T :F THE 6ISCIPLES ACC:;6ING T: THE G:SPEL A::IS As $re9iously state", it was common for $eo$le to ha9e more than one name* one Greek an" another He rew ut also first an" last names in He rew. 1herefore, if it is assume" that 1ha""aeus is the same as ,u"as, son of ,ames, the four lists are harmoni>e". Matthew an" Nathanael are oth ,ewish names an" oth mean the gift of -od. Bartholomew means son of Tholmai or 4tolemy" ut no one<s first name was e9er son of J which means that Bartholomew is a secon" name. !t is hi#hly $ro a le that Nathanael is the first name an" Bartholomew is the secon" name of the same $erson. 1!02 :ote howe9er, that when &uke wrote the ook of Acts, he recor"e" the e(isting a$ostles ut "i" not inclu"e ,u"as !scariot who he ha" alrea"y committe" suici"e.
<. 3. 3.J* 0as J)(as Is"ariot a Je3 or a$ I()1ea$> 5ome scholars ha9e Auestione" if ,u"as !scariot was a ,ew. 1heir reasonin# is ase" u$on the fact that the name B!scariotC is roote" in the 9illa#e name *erioth or *ireot" 1/8/ which was locate" near Ara" in the :e#e9 )esert. 1his 9illa#e was occu$ie" $re"ominantly y !"umeans 7 "escen"ants of 4sau.
1302. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*98, 9/-92.
1303. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*2@.
914 Howe9er, if, in fact, he was from Direot that "oes not mean that he was an !"umean. Many communities ha" oth ,ewish an" non-,ewish resi"ents. !n fact, most of the "isci$les were from communities occu$ie" y oth ,ews an" non-,ews. +or ,esus to ha9e selecte" a non-,ew to e one of His "isci$les #oes a#ainst all cultural $rotocols. <. 3. / L9. .7&<-&! G;EAT C;:06 GATHE;S. After "o1i$% (o3$ 3ith the1+ He stoo( o$ a le8el #la"e 3ith a lar%e "ro3( of His (is"i#les a$( a %reat $)1ber of #eo#le fro1 all J)(ea a$( Jer)sale1 a$( fro1 the sea"oast of Tyre a$( Si(o$. &, They "a1e to hear Hi1 a$( to be heale( of their (iseases4 a$( those tor1e$te( by )$"lea$ s#irits 3ere 1a(e 3ell. &! The 3hole "ro3( 3as tryi$% to to)"h Hi1+ be"a)se #o3er 3as "o1i$% o)t fro1 Hi1 a$( heali$% the1 all.
&<
<. 3. /A. A(( 1a# of ro)tes thr) a$( east of Sa1aria+ Galilee to Jer)sale1. ,esus, like e9eryone else, walke" a fast #ait where9er He "esire" to #o an", at times, it was o9er #reat "istances. 1he switch acks on stee$ hillsi"es an" the "etours aroun" cliffs an" wa"is ;"ry seasonal stream e"s= a""e" si#nificant "istance to the #ruelin# hike. 1he "irect "istance from ,erusalem to Galilee is in e%cess of ei#hty miles, mostly throu#h the central mountain re#ion. !t is "ifficult to rea" the i lical narrati9es an" un"erstan" this element of His life. !n essence, His ministry reAuire" #reat $hysical stamina. 1he 0oman roa"s were an im$ro9ement o9er earlier trails, ut, nonetheless, tra9elin# was always a "eman"in# task. +or e%am$le, in ,ohn -*1-1- ,esus $erforme" his first miracle at 'ana in Galilee where he turne" water into wine. !n the followin# section ;99. 1/-2=, he was in ,erusalem where he "ro9e out the moneychan#ers. 1hen ,ohn an" ,esus were a$ti>in# new elie9ers in the ,u"ean countrysi"e. 1hat was followe" y a return to Galilee ;4*1-/=. 5hortly thereafter, he met the at the well ;,ohn 4*4--3=, ut later returne" to Galilee ;99. 4/-42=. !t is not clear when he left. Hence, it can e seen that, with the e%ce$tion of &uke, it
915 was not the intent of the #os$el writers to #i9e a "etaile" chronolo#ical an" io#ra$hical account of the life of ,esus, ut to write His messa#e. :onetheless, He tra9ele" many miles on foot. <. 3. ' Mt. '7&-&* ;5ee also &k. 3*-8--/= 5$rin# A.). -@ Ca#er$a)1 THE SE;M:N :N THE M:UNT 0he$ He sa3 the "ro3(s+ He 3e$t )# o$ the 1o)$tai$+ a$( after He sat (o3$+ His (is"i#les "a1e to Hi1. * The$ He be%a$ to tea"h the1+ sayi$%7
&
2The #oor i$ s#irit are blesse(+ for the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is theirs. / Those 3ho 1o)r$ are blesse(+ for they 3ill be "o1forte(. ' The %e$tle are blesse(+ for they 3ill i$herit the earth. . Those 3ho h)$%er a$( thirst for ri%hteo)s$ess are blesse(+ for they 3ill be fille(. < The 1er"if)l are blesse(+ for they 3ill be sho3$ 1er"y. , The #)re i$ heart are blesse(+ for they 3ill see Go(. ! The #ea"e1a9ers are blesse(+ for they 3ill be "alle( so$s of Go(. & Those 3ho are #erse")te( for ri%hteo)s$ess are blesse(+ for the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is theirs.
3
2Eo) are blesse( 3he$ they i$s)lt a$( #erse")te yo) a$( falsely say e8ery 9i$( of e8il a%ai$st yo) be"a)se of Me. &* Ae %la( a$( reHoi"e+ be"a)se yo)r re3ar( is %reat i$ hea8e$. For that is ho3 they #erse")te( the #ro#hets 3ho 3ere before yo).
&&
1he .eatitu"es, also known as the 5ermon on the Mount, is un"ou te"ly the most famous sermon of ,esus. With this sermon, He affirme" many teachin#s foun" not only in the ?l" 1estament, ut also those tau#ht y
916 ri#hteous ra $oints. is of His time. 1/84 :onetheless, herein He accom$lishe" three
1. He challen#e" the (harisees an" 5a""ucees on their restricti9e laws. -. He su$$orte" ri#hteousness of the Mosaic &aw $ers$ecti9e, ut also /. Went $ast the &aw of Moses to clarify the $rinci$les of Go". !n essence, the $ur$ose of the 5ermon on the Mount is to encoura#e the $eo$le to seek the hi#her ri#hteousness of the Din#"om of Go" 7 the $rinci$les of Go". ,esus answere" the Auestion, BWhat kin" of life is worth li9in#FC 1he 5ermon com$rises the asic elements of what woul" ecome 'hristianity, or as ,esus woul" ha9e sai", the Din#"om of Go". 1he summary statement for the 5ermon is foun" in &uke 3*/--/3 encoura#in# men to e $erfect as the hea9enly +ather is $erfect. Howe9er, man cannot $ossi ly e $erfect, ut he can ha9e a Bholy attitu"eC of ecomin# $erfect an" that is what Go" e%$ects from him, in essence, to lo9e ,esus so much that the thou#ht of sin is re$u#nant. 1he 5ermon #i9es characteristics of what ,esus wants His followers to ecome.
Matthew 2*1-1/ "escri es the lesse" life that results from faith an" a lifestyle uilt u$on His teachin#s, which actually ha9e He raic roots. Here ,esus #a9e the elements of a ri#hteous man ;Mt. 2*/-13= followe" y His 1304. +or further stu"y see, Geor# 5trecker. The Sermon on the Mount9 An 5(egetical
'ommentary. 1rans ?.'. )ean, ,r. ;:ash9ille* A in#"on (ress, 19@@=L .ra" H. Joun#. The &ewish Background to the ,ord0s 4rayer . ;1ulsa, ?D* Gos$el 0esearch +oun"ation. 19@4=L an" Geral" &. 5te9ens. BUn"erstan"in# the 5ermon on the Mount* !ts 0a inic an" :ew 1estament 'onte%t.C The Theological 5ducator. 43 ;+all, 199-= @/-93.
917 con"emnation of the (harisaic inter$retation of the &aw ;Mt. 2*17-4@=. 1hen He "enounce" how the ?l" 1estament was ein# im$lemente" ;Mt. 3*1 7 7*3= an" "emonstrate" how the aristocrats ha" 9iolate" it themsel9es in their 9ain attem$t to o ser9e it. ,esus tau#ht the holiness of Go" to those who "esire" to enter His kin#"om ;Mt. 7*7--9=. He $romise" lessin#s to those who li9e" their li9es accor"in# to these "i9ine instructions, which was in shar$ contrast to the con"emnation of the (harisaic self-ri#hteousness. !n essence, elie9ers shoul" not re#ar" the statements of ,esus in Matthew 2*-@, /-, /4, /3, an" 44 as settin# asi"e the &aw, ut as reflectin# His authority y #i9in# $ro$er inter$retation of the &aw. Accor"in# to the ook of He rews, the laws $ertainin# to the sacrifices an" feasts in the ook of &e9iticus are a Bty$e an" sha"owC of what was to e the ministry of ,esus. +urthermore, the 1en 'omman"ments are reaffirme" in the 5ermon. 1/82 !n other wor"s, the 5ermon fulfills the asics of the 1orah. 1he &aw #i9en y Moses $ertaine" only to an act, whereas the &aw #i9en y ,esus $ertains to the moti9ation of a $erson<s heart that is ehin" the act. ,esus "i" not come to en" the &aw, ut to fulfill it. !n fact, it mi#ht more correctly e sai" that ,esus "i" not come to en" the law, ut to re eal it. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, the 'hurch has a"o$te" a 0oman 9iew of ,aw" that means restriction an" is therefore bad" while the He rew .i le 9iews ,aw as %nstruction an" #reedom" an" therefore good. 1herefore, He must e un"erstoo" as the messianic inter$reter of the intent of Go"<s Wor". 1his is not only seen here, ut throu#hout the entire life of ,esus. +or that reason, a #oo" un"erstan"in# of the He rew .i le is necessary efore attem$tin# to com$rehen" an in "e$th stu"y of the :ew 1estament. +or e%am$le, there are si% antithetical statements in Matthew 2*-1-47. 4ach one e#ins with, BJou ha9e hear" it sai"...C an" this is followe" y a 1orah te%t. 49ery time ,esus #a9e the reAuirements of the Mosaic &aw, it was followe" y the intent of Go". 1his astoun"e" His au"ience. Matthew teaches that, rather than ha9in# mankin" e "irecte" y e%ternal laws of the ?l" 'o9enant, Go" "esires to li9e within mankin" to "irect man to li9e #o"ly accor"in# to the :ew 'o9enant. 1hat is the "efinition of the BDin#"om of Go".C 1/83
1305. 5ee A##e$(i@ *..
918
!ma#ine what $eo$le must ha9e thou#ht when He tol" them lesse" were those who mourne" T those who are meek ... the merciful T an" the $eacemakers. He e#an to resha$e their $reconcei9e" i"eas of what Go" wante" for them. He certainly was not a "an#er to the 0oman 4m$ire, yet He struck a ner9e with e9ery listener. 1here was not a sin#le $erson unaffecte" y the economic sla9ery of the 0omans or the ethnic tensions amon# the Gentiles, ,ews, an" 5amaritans. !n a""ition, au"iences came e%$ectin# to hear how they coul" ha9e $eace an" free"om in the lan". !nstea", ,esus $reache" how they coul" ha9e $eace an" free"om with Go". 1his cause" #reat "e ate of who He was an" whether He coul" e the lon#awaite" messiah. +inally, the social-$olitical tensions of the time were constantly at the e%$losi9e $oint. 1he common $eo$le were ne9er sure what the 0omans woul" "o to them or if the (arthians to the east woul" in9a"e a#ain as they "i" in 48 ..'. 1he 0omans uilt more roa"s in !srael than in any other country, so they coul" mo9e troo$s Auickly if nee"e". 1hey wante" to $re9ent the (arthians from o tainin# access to the Me"iterranean 5ea. A re ellion in the ,ewish lan" coul" certainly in9ite the (arthians to in9a"e. 1herefore, the constantly sus$icious Hero"ians sent s$ies throu#hout the lan" to watch for si#ns of anyone who mi#ht ha9e an inclination to "eclare himself a messiah. 5ocial tensions were no "ifferentL there was ,ewish anti-5emitism etween 9arious ,ewish #rou$s, each of whom thou#ht the other was $re"estine" to eternal Eu"#ment there were tensions etween the 5a""ucees an" (harisees. 4ach trie" to control the tem$le. 1he 4ssenes felt the messiah woul" e a military Eu"#e who woul" "estroy the corru$te" reli#ious elite in ,erusalem, alon# with all of the Gentiles. 1he common $eo$le arely eke" out a li9in#. 1hey suffere" from 9arious inEustices, as well as $o9erty an" sicknesses. 1hose who say the life an" times of ,esus cannot e com$are"
919 to the challen#es of mo"ern life to"ay ha9e faile" to un"erstan" His social en9ironment. ?ften, it was worse. !n the mi"st of this human misery an" sufferin#, ,esus came to #i9e com$assion, mercy, sal9ation, an" a ri#ht future of ho$e. !n the 5ermon on the Mount, He sim$ly clarifie" many teachin#s of the He rew .i le that ma"e a $rofoun" "ifference in the li9es of thousan"s of $eo$le. 2The #oor i$ s#irit.5 1his $hrase means one reali>es his s$iritual con"ition is im$o9erishe" an", therefore, he must "e$en" on the #race an" mercy of Go". !t is the "irect o$$osite of $ri"e. 1he 4ssenes un"erstoo" that Bthe $oorC of !saiah -9*19 was not a reference to the economically "e$ri9e", ut to those who were s$iritually im$o9erishe". 1heir i"eas were e%$resse" in +yms of the 4oor" foun" in fra#ments 4N4/4 an" 4N4/3. Most certainly the 5ermon of the Mount ca$ture" their attention. 1/87 2Alesse(.5 1he term in He rew is baruk an" in Greek is makarious. 1/8@ 1he wor" means to $raise Go" with a sense of ha$$iness an" Eoy u$on man. 1/89 More s$ecifically, it refers to a Auality of s$irituality that is alrea"y $resent.1/18
4ideo Insert
/-)/0)/?)4, An unassigned theo&ogian dis%usses the differen%es +et(een O&d and *e( Testa"ent +&essings)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) <. 3. '.J& 0hat are the (iffere$"es bet3ee$ :l( a$( Ne3 Testa1e$t blessi$%s>
1307. .ailey, &esus throught Middle 5astern 5yes. 1/@L 4isenmann, 0o ert H. an" Michael Wise, The )ead Sea Scrolls $nco ered. 0ock$ort, Mass., 4lement. 199-. -/7. 1308. .ecker, B.lessin#, .lesse", Ha$$y.C 1*-83.
1309. Weasel, B.lesse".C 1*-81.

1310. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 33-3@L Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*/2-/3.
920 1here are, howe9er, two other terms that nee" to since oth 1estaments use the term B lesse".C e a""resse", es$ecially
1. 1he name B.eatitu"esC is commonly ascri e" to this $assa#e an" is "eri9e" from the &atin wor" B eatus,C meanin# B lesse".C 1/11 !t is not as s$ecific as the Greek an" He rew wor"s. -. 1here is another term to e consi"ere" esi"es the He rew wor" baruk ;Gk. makarious=. !t is the He rew wor" beraka ;Gk. eulogeo= that also means blessed. 1his term is use" in the ?l" 1estament, ut not in the 5ermon on the Mount. !t is the i"eal wor" to use" when askin# Go" to less the sick or someone who e%$erience" a misfortune. !t is use" in $rayer when the worshi$$er lesses Go" or the o Eect of his $rayer. 1/1- Howe9er, the wor" makarious affirms the 3uality of spirituality that is already present. 1/1/ 1he "ifference is that in the ?l" 1estament the #oo"ness within a $erson rou#ht forth Go"<s lessin#s an" in the :ew 1estament the "i9ine lessin#s are $resent for the elie9er. 1/14
!n this sermon ,esus $resente" His new kin#"om ;Mt 2*1-13= an" then $rocee"e" to contrast in relation to the &aw of Moses ;Mt 2*17-1@=. ,ust as Go" ha" #i9en the &aw to Moses on a mountain, now ,esus e%$laine" the $rinci$les of the Din#"om of Go", u$on a mountain. 1his was followe" y the characteristics of a new life in the kin#"om, inclu"in# its "e9otion, "uties, an" "an#ers. 1311. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 487.
1312. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 37. 1313. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 33-37.
1314. 0ichar"s, The Bible Reader0s 'ompanion . 2/@.
921 2Ii$%(o1 of hea8e$.5 1his was the main theme of the ministry of ,esus, which was eAual to the Din#"om of Go" in e9ery "etail ;cf. Mt. 2*/ with &k. 3*-8=. Matthew<s #os$el was written to a ,ewish au"ience, who #a9e such hi#h res$ect to Go"<s name that they "i" not mention it in con9ersation. 1his is still true in many ortho"o% ,ewish communities to"ay. ?ther #os$el writers use the $hrase BDin#"om of Go"C to mean the same thin#. 1he Greek wor" for 29i$%(o15 more s$ecifically, means dominion" as o$$ose" to a lar#e e%$anse or territory of lan". 1o"ay "ominion an" kin#"om can e synonyms, ut the "istinctions were not as close in the first century. 1he wor" dominion shoul" ha9e alerte" e9eryone that ,esus was not intereste" in ein# a military-messiah. 1/12 2Those 3ho 1o)r$ are blesse(.5 1he $hrase si#nifies #rief that is too "ee$ for concealment. 1/13 ,esus sai" they are lesse" ecause they will e comforte". Matthew<s $hrase is an a re9iation, meanin# B$oor an" cri$$le" in s$irit.C 1hese $eo$le are those who are s$iritually B"own an" out,C to use a mo"ern term. 1/17 2The #)re i$ heart.5 1his $hrase refers to the moti9es of the heart. 1hrou#hout history $eo$le ha9e stru##le" with their sinful "esires an" trie" to maintain self-control to o ey the i lical comman"s. 1his "oes not refer to a sinless life, ut rather to a heart after Go", seekin# His for#i9eness when nee"e".1/1@ 1hat is, $urity ;Greek katharos = "efine" within the realm of $hysical, reli#ious, an" ethical $urityL a term that has oth fi#urati9e an" literal reAuirements of eha9ior. 1/19 1hose who ha9e that "esire to e o e"ient are sai" to e B$ure in heart.C
1315. 1o e%chan#e a noun for another or erlate" noun is not uncommon in the He rew the &aw. !t makes little "ifference whether the writer wrote in Greek or He rew, e cause his thinkin# $rocess was still He raic. 5ee also .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 2@8.
1316. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*/3-/7. 1317. .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult Words. @1-@-. 1318. 5ee also ,er. 17*9L (s. -4*/-4L /-*1-2L 119*184L 1/9*-/--4. 1319 . &ink an" 5chattenmann. B(ure, 'lean.C /*18--8/.
922 2The #ea"e1a9ers are blesse(.5 1his was a $owerful statement since Galilee was Eust elow the 9illa#es of Gischala an" Gamla, two stron#hol"s of anti-0oman sentiment an" ,ewish nationalism. 49eryone listenin# knew ,esus ma"e a reference to the history of social-$olitical stru##les that $la#ue" them for more than a century, as well as the Kealots 7 the #uerilla fi#hters who encoura#e" ,ews not to $ay ta%es to 0ome. +rom the time the 0omans conAuere" ,erusalem in 3/ ..'. an" when they "estroye" the city an" its tem$le in A.). 78, there were 1/ re9olts an" many minor skirmishes. ,esus came an" ministere" in the mi""le of this chaotic $erio".1/-8 Howe9er, the wor"s of ,esus went eyon" a ty$e of nationalistic $eaceL He s$oke of $eace within the heart when the worl" seems to e fallin# a$art. !n He rew, peace means far more than the a sence of war. !t hol"s a roa"er conce$t which inclu"es one<s wellein#, wholeness, health, an" s$iritual life. :o "ou t, ,esus reflecte" u$on the oral tra"ition of Aaron, who not only lo9e" $eace, ut also $ursue" $eace. Hence, He was truly a $eacemaker. 1he $eacemaker is one who is willin# to $ay a $rice to attain $eace, either for himself or for someone else. 1his may e why Go" #a9e Aaron the ene"iction lessin# of :um ers 3*-/--3 an", hence, he was known as one who "ee$ly "esire" $eace as "efine" a o9e. Aaron was a $riest an", as such, functione" as a re$resentati9e of the $eo$le efore Go" to o tain for#i9eness of their sins an" rin# $eace an" wholeness into their li9es, althou#h ,esus is the ultimate $eacemaker. (eace was consi"ere" to e a #ift of Go" for the stu"y of the 1orah ;!sa. 24*1/L Mishnah, Aboth 1*1-=. 1he entire "iscussion of B lesse" are the merciful...$eacemakersC is a reflection u$on the si%th comman"ment as it $ertains to mur"er. ,esus was not talkin# a out ca$ital cases, military action, or the "ifferences etween $reme"itate" mur"er an" in9oluntary mur"er. 1/-1 :either "i" He "iscuss $unishment as a "eterrent. 0ather, He tau#ht the $rinci$les of "aily ri#hteous li9in#. He was concerne" with remo9in# the moti9ation of 1320. 5ee Aarabbas for a listin# of false $ro$hets who ha" messianic e%$ectations an"
A##e$(i@ *' for a $artial listin# of re9olts an" social "istur ances. 1321. Mishnah, Makkoth 1*9--*@.
923 9iolence, which woul" otherwise lea" to military action, mur"er, etc. ,ust as the (harisees ha" esta lishe" a Bfence aroun" the 1orahC with their ?ral &aw, so ,esus esta lishe" a Bfence aroun" the 1en 'omman"mentsC with His 5ermon. 1his conce$t of a fence can also e seen in His instruction concernin# a"ultery, to which He essentially sai", B)on<t e9en think a out it.C ;cf. Mt. 2*@L (s. /7*1@=. 1here is no nee" for $risons an" ca$ital $unishment for those who li9e in for#i9eness an" are merciful $eacemakers.1/-+inally, the 9olatile issue of the Kealots e9i"ently influence" the A$ostle (aul. 1wice ,erome mentione" that (aul<s $arents once li9e" in a small town in northern Galilee. 1herefore, the A$ostle as a youn# chil" must certainly ha9e ha" $ersonal e%$erience with military tension an" conflict, which, no "ou t, sha$e" his attitu"e towar" the 0omans an" his fellow ,ews. 1hat ancient 9illa#e is elie9e" to e the town of ,ish to"ay. 1/-/ Pa)l+ for1erly Sa)l+ a$ a#ostle o)tsi(e the T3el8e+ "a1e fro1 the tribe of Ae$Ha1i$ a$( the J)(ea$ to3$ of Gis"hala. He 3as "a#t)re( by the ;o1a$s a$( "a1e 3ith his #are$ts to Tars)s i$ Cili"ia. Jero1e+ $e #iris Illustribus BPL *3+./.C #a%e <. It is re#orte( that the #are$ts of the a#ostle Pa)l "a1e fro1 the J)(ea$ re%io$ of Gis"hala. 0he$ the 3hole #ro8i$"e 3as (estroye( by the ;o1a$s a$( the Je3s 3ere (is#erse( o8er the 3orl(+ they 3ere ta9e$ off to Tars)s+ 3hile the yo)$% Pa)l follo3e( his #are$ts i$ their fate. Jero1e+ 2ommentary on Philemon BPL *3+./'-.C Accor"in# to ,ose$hus, the 9illa#e of Gischala was a hot e" of Kealot acti9ity, which is why the 0omans "estroye" it at the e#innin# of the 5econ" 0e9olt in A.). 33. 1/-4 !f ,erome<s account is true, then some rather 1322. 'harry, By the Renewing of .our Minds. 7/. 1323. (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee. 77. 1324. ,ose$hus, Wars. 4./.@-14.
924 interestin# e9ents must ha9e occurre" that woul" ena le the father of 5aul ;later known as (aul= to recei9e 0oman citi>enshi$. ,ose$hus ma"e no mention of the a$ostle, only that the 0omans "estroye" the 9illa#e.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 <. 3. 'H& Nat)ral E@#ressio$s by Jes)s 3itho)t J)otatio$s 1he $hrase Bnatural e%$ressionC refers to the natural way $eo$le s$eak. ,esus ma"e se9eral natural e%$ressions from the He rew .i le without #i9in# the intent of a Auotation. His choice of wor"s was roa"er than a $ara$hrase, illustratin# a conce$t with the inten"e" sense $reser9e". 1/-2 .elow are se9eral e%am$les from a out forty of His Auotations* Mt. '7/ 2Those 3ho 1o)r$ are blesse(+ for they 3ill be "o1forte(. 1his is $arallel to* Isa. .&7* 2He se$t 1e to bi$( )# the bro9e$hearte( O5 Mt. '7' 2The %e$tle are blesse(+ for they 3ill i$herit the earth.5 1his is $arallel to* Ps. 3<7&& 2A)t the 1ee9 3ill i$herit the la$( a$( e$Hoy %reat #ea"e.5 Mt. '7, 2The #)re i$ heart are blesse(+ for they 3ill see Go(..5 1his is $arallel to* Ps. */7/ 2He 3ho has "lea$ ha$(s a$( a #)re heart.5 Mt. '73/-3' 2A)t I tell yo)+ (o$?t ta9e a$ oath at all7 either by hea8e$+ be"a)se it is Go(?s thro$e4 3' or by the earth+ be"a)se it is His footstool4 or by Jer)sale1+ be"a)se it is the "ity of the %reat Ii$%..5 1his is $arallel to* Isa. ..7& 2Hea8e$ is 1y thro$e a$( the earth is 1y footstool O.5 1325. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . 7@4-@2. 1326. 5ee also ,er. 17*9L (s. 119*184L /-*1-2.
&3*.
925 Mt. <7< 2Iee# as9i$%+ a$( it 3ill be %i8e$ to yo). Iee# sear"hi$%+ a$( yo) 3ill fi$(. Iee# 9$o"9i$%+ a$( the (oor 3ill be o#e$e( to yo).5 1his is $arallel to* I Ch. *,7! 2If yo) see9 Hi1+ He 3ill be fo)$( by yo).5 <. 3. 'A. CHA;T :F SAMPLE NATU;AL EPP;ESSI:NS 0ITH:UT JU:TATI:NS. <. 3. '.J* Ho3 (oes o$e e@#lai$ the a##are$t Ser1o$ o$ the Mo)$t (isa%ree1e$t bet3ee$ Matthe3 '7& a$( L)9e .7* > When "escri in# the location of this teachin#, Matthew sai" ,esus, Bwent u$ on a mountainsi"e an" sat "ownC ;2*1=, while &uke recor"e" that He sim$ly Bstoo" on a le9el $laceC ;3*17=. 1o sol9e this a$$arent $ro lem one nee"s only to tra9el to the site an" see the lay of the lan" with its rollin# hills. 1here are le9el areas on the si"e of the lar#e hill that Matthew referre" to as a mountainsi"e. ,esus no "ou t mo9e" amon# the $eo$le for all to hear as He tau#ht an" heale" them. A 9isit to the Galilee area will re9eal that there are occasional le9el areas on the si"es of hills. +urthermore, a 9isit there will im$ress the 9isitor as to how well soun" tra9els. He clearly was easily hear" in an area where the hillsi"es create a natural am$hitheater. 1here is no $ro lem with the te%t, ut it must e un"erstoo" that each author #a9e a syno$sis of a much lon#er sermon. What was inclu"e" in the #os$el was at the "iscretion of the author an" ins$iration of the Holy 5$irit. Matthew recor"e" the 5ermon ;'h. 2-7=, ut his account has some uniAue "ifferences from an" similarities to the sermon recor"e" y &uke ;3*-8-49=. +rom Au#ustine until the 0eformation, the church ha" always consi"ere" these to e two se$arate e9ents an" sermons. 5ince the 0eformation, these narrati9es were consi"ere" to e the o$inions of two #os$el writers recor"in# a sin#le "iscourse. 1/-7 Howe9er, there is a #rowin# interest in recent scholarshi$ to return to the Au#ustinian o$inion. 5ome scholars ha9e conclu"e" that the &ucan narrati9e has sufficient "ifferences that it shoul" e calle" the 5ermon on the (lain. What all scholars ha9e a#ree" u$on is that these two narrati9es are only a small $ortion of His many teachin#s. 1327. 'arson, BMatthew.C @*1-2.
926 1he key $oint is that ,esus $reache" the same theme re$eate"ly an" the "ifference etween the two sermons is sim$ly that it was most likely $resente" to two "ifferent au"iences. !t woul" only e natural for a 9ariation of wor"in#, e9en if the theme remaine" the same. He was an itinerant $reacher, who tra9ele" throu#hout the three ,ewish $ro9inces of ,u"ea, (erea, an" Galilee, as well as in the Gentile areas of 5i"on, 5amaria, an" the )eca$olis cities. :o one knows how many times He $reache" His sim$le messa#e of the Din#"om of Hea9en/Go". Whether the two sermons are of the same e9ent is har"ly the $oint. !t is the messa#e that is si#nificant. All recor"e" teachin#s, miracles, an" e9ents of ,esus arely a"" u$ to one hun"re" "ays of His life, so He $ro a ly $reache" this su Eect numerous other times as well. 1his writer follows the Au#ustinian teachin#, treatin# the two narrati9es as two se$arate e9ents.
<. 3. 'A. THE P:PULA; SITE :F THE SE;M:N :N THE M:UNT. ?n the Auiet rollin# hills alon# the 5ea of Galilee, one can easily ima#ine ,esus teachin# His "isci$les an" others who "esire" to listen. !t is not the actual site where ,esus #a9e His famous 5ermon, ut it commemorates the e9ent. 1his 9isitor<s site was fun"e" y the !talian )ictator .enito Mussolini an" selecte" for the ease of mo"ern tourists. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
927 While the a o9e site is the most $o$ular site for where ,esus tau#ht the eatitu"es, it certainly is not the actual location. 1he hillsi"e location was selecte" as a tourism center in 19/7 an" the !talian "ictator .enito Mussolini $ai" for its construction. !ronically, the location of the actual site was $reser9e" y a 5$anish (il#rim in the year /@4 an", hence, is consi"ere" the authentic location y scholars.
<. 3. 'C. THE ACTUAL SITE :F THE SE;M:N :N THE M:UNT. 1he 5$anish (il#rim 4#eria i"entifie" the ca9e an" the to$ of this hill in A.). /@4 as the $lace where ,esus #a9e His 5ermon on the Mount as recor"e" in Matthew. 1he site is a"Eacent to the international hi#hway, the 7ia Maris" an" can easily accommo"ate hun"re"s of $eo$le. &ike the $o$ular site ;shown a o9e=, the slo$e of the lan" an" atmos$here $ro9i"e i"eal con"itions for one<s 9oice to e hear" easily at #reat "istances. 1he ca9e, that can accommo"ate u$ to a "o>en $eo$le, is where, accor"in# to tra"ition, ,esus staye" with His "isci$les. 'a9es were commonly use" for shelters throu#hout history in this $art of the worl". (hoto#ra$h y the author. A out the year /@4, the 5$anish (il#rim 4#eria an" her entoura#e tra9ele" throu#hout the Holy &an" for three years 9isitin# 9arious sites. Accor"in# to the (il#rim, the $lace where ,esus tau#ht is only a cou$le hun"re" feet from the $o$ular international hi#hway, the 7ia Maris. 1his #a9e locals an"
928 tra9elers easy access to hear Him $reach. 1he hill is truly a BmountC an" not a mountain as the 'rusa"ers later claime". !t is locate" etween 'a$ernaum an" Ma#"ala at the northwest corner of the 5ea of Galilee, har"ly a hun"re" yar"s from the hi#hway. 1his settin# makes $erfect sense, as ,esus woul" not ha9e e%hauste" $eo$le y makin# them clim a "istant an" remote mountain to hear Him $reach at to"ay<s $o$ular site. 1he (il#rim 4#eria left this 9alua le recor" of her 9isit to the 'a$ernaum area. I$ Ca#er$a)1+ a "h)r"h 3as 1a(e o)t of the ho)se of the #ri$"e of the A#ostles+ the 3alls of 3hi"h are sta$(i$% to this (ay H)st as they 3ere. That is 3here the Lor( heale( the Paralyti" B"f. M9. *7*-&*C.... The sy$a%o%)e is also there i$ 3hi"h the Lor( heale( the #ossesse( 1a$ B"f. M9. &7*3-*.C.... The 8isitor "li1bs )# to it by se8eral ste#s4 this sy$a%o%)e is b)ilt o)t of s=)are blo"9s of 1aso$ry. Not far fro1 there+ the sto$e ste#s "a$ be see$ o$ 3hi"h the Lor( stoo( B"f. J$. *&7/C.... Abo8e the la9e there is also a fiel( of %rass 3ith 1)"h hay a$( se8eral #al1s. Ay it are the se8e$ s#ri$%s+ &3*, ea"h of 3hi"h s)##lies a h)%e =)a$tity of 3ater. I$ the fiel( the Lor( fe( the #eo#le 3ith fi8e loa8es of Area( B"f. M9. .73&-//C.... The sto$e o$ 3hi"h the Lor( #la"e( the brea( has bee$ 1a(e i$to a$ altar. Fisitors ta9e s1all #ie"es of ro"9 fro1 this sto$e for their 3elfare a$( it bri$%s be$efit to e8eryo$e.... Alo$% the 3alls of the "h)r"h r)$s a #)bli" hi%h3ay 3here the a#ostle Matthe3 sat to "olle"t ta@es B"f. M9. *7&3-&/C.... :$ the hill 3hi"h rises $earby is a %rotto+ )#o$ 3hi"h the Lor( as"e$(e( 3he$ he ta)%ht the Aeatit)(es B"f. Mt. '7&C. S#a$ish Pil%ri1 E%eria
&3*!
!srael has no shorta#e of so-calle" tra"itional sites. A thir" location for the site of the 5ermon on the Mount is the to$ of a mountain known as the
1328. 1he 5e9en 5$rin#s to"ay is known as 1a #ha, which is a corru$te" of He$ta$e#on which means Bse9en s$rin#s.C !t is locate" one an" a half miles west of 'a$ernaum. ,ose$hus calle" the lar#est of these Bthe well of 'a$ernaumC ; Wars. /.18.@=.
1329. 1he letter is in the $ossession of the .ene"ictine &i rary of Monte 'assino. 1he
contents of ori#inal $arts that were lost ha9e Through -alilee. /3. een $reser9e" y co$ies. (i%ner, With &esus
929 Horns of Hattin, an e%tinct 9olcano that is near the ancient roa" etween :a>areth an" 1i erius. 1//8 1his, an" many other so-calle" tra"itional holy sites were create" so $il#rims coul" tra9el from one site to with relati9e ease in a small #eo#ra$hical area. Howe9er, neither the Horns of Hattin nor the actual site are conten"ers for the historical title "ue to Mussolini<s #ift. 1he irony is that Eust as some tra"itional sites were chosen for the ease of 9isitin# $il#rims, so was the current an" $o$ular site of the Mount of the .eatitu"es. ?f all the $laces ,esus coul" ha9e chosen to $reach this short sermon, He chose a hillto$. (erha$s the hillto$ is a BreflectionC of when Moses #a9e the laws of Go" to his $eo$le. !ts close $ro%imity to the 7ia Maris" arely a hun"re" meters away, was close enou#h to attract tra9elin# Gentiles. Moses "efine" how $eo$le were to li9e while ,esus "eclare" the heart of Go". 1he 5ermon a"a$ts an" e%ten"s scri$tural conce$ts into the issues of e9ery"ay life an" was not inten"e" to e a form of "octrine. While the ?ral &aw an" the (harisees were e%tremely le#alistic an" restricti9e, ,esus #a9e free"om an" li erty. 1he ?ral &aw was thou#ht to $ro"uce the i"eal "isci$le of A raham. ,esus #a9e instruction that woul" $ro"uce the i"eal "isci$le of Go". 1he 5ermon on the Mount illustrate" how the Din#"om of Go" will chan#e in"i9i"uals an" the worl". 1//1 His sermon was followe" y a series of mi#hty si#ns an" won"ers.
Cha#ter & 0ar$i$% the ;eli%io)s Lea(ers
1330. Gil rant, B&uke.C 179. 1331. 'harry, By the Renewing of .our Minds. 34-32.
930
,. &. A. JESUS 0A;NS THE JE0ISH LEA6E;S. Ill)stratio$ by Go(frey 6)ra$(+ &,!.. While the ,ewish lea"ers reEecte" ,esus, those who knew Him from chil"hoo" also reEecte" Him. ?thers wei#he" carefully His wor"s an" actions in relation to the $ro$hecies #i9en in centuries $ast y the $ro$hets, as well as the $o$ular $ercei9e" three messianic miracles they e%$ecte" the messiah to $erform. ,. &. & I$tro()"tio$ ,esus warne" the reli#ious esta lishment that their sins woul" e9entually cost them. !n fact, they were so incre"i ly wicke", that, as will e shown later, e9en the ,ewish writers con"emne" them. ,. &. * L9. .7*/-*. 0:ES P;:N:UNCE6
931 A)t 3oe to yo) 3ho are ri"h+ for yo) ha8e re"ei8e( yo)r "o1fort. *' 0oe to yo) 3ho are $o3 f)ll+ for yo) 3ill be h)$%ry. 0oe to yo) 3ho are $o3 la)%hi$%+ for yo) 3ill 1o)r$ a$( 3ee#. *. 0oe to yo) 3he$ all #eo#le s#ea9 3ell of yo)+ for this is the 3ay their a$"estors )se( to treat the false #ro#hets
*/
.oth &uke an" Matthew #a9e "ire warnin#s to those who faile" to $lace their full trust in Go". 1hey $lace" their messa#e in a sli#htly "ifferent or"er, ut the styles are ama>in#ly similar. !t is im$ortant to notice" that all too often these BwoeC $assa#es are sai" to ha9e een "irecte" to the (harisees ;Mt. -/*1-1-=, when in reality, these were a$$lie" to wealthy an" a$athetic ,ews who consi"ere" themsel9es to e ri#hteous.
,. &. 3 Mt. '7&3-&. SALT AN6 LIGHT :F AELIEFE;S 2Eo) are the salt of the earth. A)t if the salt sho)l( lose its taste+ ho3 "a$ it be 1a(e salty> It?s $o lo$%er %oo( for a$ythi$% b)t to be thro3$ o)t a$( tra1#le( o$ by 1e$.
&3
2Eo) are the li%ht of the 3orl(. A "ity sit)ate( o$ a hill "a$$ot be hi((e$. &' No o$e li%hts a la1# a$( #)ts it )$(er a bas9et+ b)t rather o$ a la1#sta$(+ a$( it %i8es li%ht for all 3ho are i$ the ho)se. &. I$ the sa1e 3ay+ let yo)r li%ht shi$e
&/
932 before 1e$+ so that they 1ay see yo)r %oo( 3or9s a$( %i8e %lory to yo)r Father i$ hea8e$. 2Eo) are the salt of the earth.5 5alt was always essential to li9e, es$ecially in the "esert re#ions east an" south of ,erusalem. ,esus sai" His "isci$les are to e like salt to the culture 7 ein# a life-#i9in# $reser9in# a#ent. .y the south-western shores of the )ea" 5ea is a ten mile lon# salt mountain, an" is where the )ea" 5ea o tains its slatiness. !t was also from where salt shi$$e" to mo"ern-"ay 4lat in the south an" to 1a #tha an" Ma#"ala in the north ;see 4>ek. 47*11=. ,ose$hus calle" the 9illa#e of Ma#"ala Taricheaea" which means Bsalte" fishC in Greek. 1//- +or centuries, cara9ans $urchase" salt that is 9@V $ure an" shi$$e" it to "istant markets. ,u"aea ha" een the salt of the earth $hysically, ut now ,esus was s$eakin# in a s$iritual "imension. !n these two fishin# 9illa#es, fish were salte" an" shi$$e" throu#hout the eastern 0oman an" western (arthian 4m$ires. !n that sense, many in His au"ience were literally the Bsalt of the earth.C 1he 5ea of Galilee was the $rimary fresh water lake for fish, which was the meat of choice oth for tra9elers an" local $eo$le. ?n a more #eneral note, salt was use" to season foo" ;,o 3*3= an" to season meat offerin#s ;&e9. -*1/= an" in mo"erate amounts was eaten in hos$itality with others. 1he ancients knew that without this $recious mineral they woul" ecome weak an" coul" "ie in the ari" an" semi-ari" climates of the Mi""le 4ast. !t was consi"ere" so 9alua le to the maintenance of life that it was e9en mi%e" with fee" for cattle ;!sa. /8*-4=. 'ontracts etween two in"i9i"uals were seale" with an e%chan#e of salt an" were known as a B'o9enant of 5altC ;:um. 1@*19L - 'h. 1/*2=. 'learly, it was the essence of life, $articularly "urin# the hot "ry summer months in or near the "esert wil"erness. !t was not consi"ere" so much a source of seasonin#, ut one of stren#th an" life. Hence, it ecame sym olic of life, stren#th, an" truthfulness from the li$s of ,esus. 1/// 1o e BsaltC to men is
1332. Ma#"ala ha" an Aramaic nickname )almanutha" which means Bthe har orC ecause it was where fishermen rou#ht their fish to e salte" an" where fish houses ha" small in"oor $ools to kee$ the fish ali9e until $urchase" y local resi"ents.
1333. Gil rant, BMatthew.C 79.
933 similar to ein# the Bli#ht to the worl",< in that a $erson "emonstrates to others how to li9e a #o"ly life. 1his was in "irect o$$osition to the (harisees an" 5a""ucees who saw no nee" for ri#hteousness eyon" themsel9es. +inally, one of the reasons ,u"aea was im$ortant to the 0omans was ecause this tiny ,ewish nation ha" an ine%hausti le su$$ly of salt. 5o much so that ta%es were often $ai" with salt. !t was shi$$e" 9ia camel cara9ans to all $arts of the eastern section of the 0oman 4m$ire. 1//4 As salt was essential to the 0oman 4m$ire, so the BsaltC of the elie9ers is essential to the lost $eo$le of the worl".
,. &. 3A. THE 6EA6 SEA SALT M:UNTAIN . 1he so-calle" B&ot<s wifeC $illar stan"s ato$ a ten-mile lon# mountain of salt at the south-western en" of the )ea" 5ea. !t is from this mountain that the water attains its saltiness. 1he mountain is 9@ $ercent $ure salt an" the remainin# two $ercent #i9e it color. 1//2 +or 1334. (etroleum- ase" tars were har9este" from the )ea" 5ea an" shi$$e" internationally
an" use" in oat construction, me"icines, an" other uses.. +or centuries the 4#y$tians also use" )ea" 5ea tar to $reser9e an" seal the wra$$in#s of mummies. 1335. :otley, &ecture notes at ,erusalem Uni9ersity 'olle#e. Au#ust, 1999.
934 centuries salt was taken from this mountain an" trans$orte" y cara9an to the 5ea of Galilee where it was use" to salt fish. (hoto#ra$h y (ai9i Heinrich. 2A "ity sit)ate( o$ a hill "a$$ot be hi((e$.5 ,esus a#ain use" ima#ery with which e9eryone was familiar, althou#h the ima#ery coul" ha9e referre" to more than one $articular $lace. 1hrou#hout ,u"aea there were 9illa#es "esi#nate" as Bwarnin# cities.C 1hese were hillto$ 9illa#es who woul" #i9e warnin# si#nals to other "esi#nate" hillto$ 9illa#es of an encroachin# enemy. Also, when the ra is at the tem$le "etermine" the moment the 5a ath ha" e#un, the trum$ets woul" low an" a fire si#nal was #i9en at the $innacle of the tem$le. 1he si#nal was seen an" re$eate" at the nearest Bwarnin# cityC so the ne%t hillto$ 9illa#e coul" relay it. !n a matter of secon"s of the announcement in ,erusalem, the ,ews of the Galilee knew the 5a ath ha" e#un. ,esus $erha$s was referrin# to such a Bwarnin# city.C Howe9er, on the eastern si"e of the 5ea of Galilee there was a city, Hi$$os ;5ussita=, locate" ato$ a mountain an" well known to e9eryone. !t was one of the ten Greek cities known as the )eca$olis an" ha" a si#nificant ,ewish $o$ulation. ,esus coul" ha9e referre" to it ecause a small li#ht shown there coul" e seen for miles.
935 ,. &. 3A. A CITE UP:N A HILL. 1he city u$on a hill which ,esus mentione" was $ossi ly Hi$$os on the to$ of Mount 5ussita alon# the eastern shore of the 5ea of Galilee. !t was one of the )eca$olis cities an" 9isi le from #reat "istances. His illustrations were always $icturesAue an" real to life issues. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
,. &. 3H& E@a1#les of 1eta#hors )se( by Jes)s ,esus use" this meta$hor of life-#i9in# salt to un"erscore the si#nificant im$act His followers ha9e u$on the earth, meanin# that they hel$ sustain the life of all humanity. A meta$hor affirms one conce$t y usin# another, a "escri$tion of s$eech where an o Eect is "escri e" as if it were another. 1he secon" conce$t is always "irectly relate" to the first an" #i9es it "efinition. 1//3 !t is est e%$laine" with the e%am$les elow* 2Eo) are the salt of the earth.5 Matthe3 '7&3 2This is My bo(y.5 Matthe3 *.7*. 2The Lor( Go( is a s)$ a$( shiel(.5 Psal1 ,/7&& 2BHeC is 1y ref)%e a$( 1y fortress.5 Psal1 !&7* 2I a1 the brea( of life.5 Joh$ .73' 2I a1 the (oor.5 Joh$ & 7< 2I a1 the 3ay+ the tr)th+ a$( the life.5 Joh$ &/7. 2I a1 the tr)e 8i$e.5 Joh$ &'7& 2I a1 the %oo( she#her(.5 Joh$ & 7&&
1herefore, a meta$hor cannot e factual, ut it "oes con9ey the meanin# to a more accurate "e#ree. 1he classic e%am$le is the (ara le of the 5ower ;Mt. 1/*1@--/, /7-4/=, which also has an inter$retation. 5e9eral illustrations are elow* 8. 3< 2The :$e 3ho so3s the %oo( see( is Bi.e.+ re#rese$tsC the So$ of Ma$.5 8.3,a 2The fiel( is Bi.e.+ re#rese$tsC the 3orl(.5 8.3,b 2The %oo( see( sta$(s for Bi.e.+ re#rese$tsC the so$s of the 9i$%(o1.5
1336. &ockyer, All the 4arables of the Bible . 12.
936 ,. &. / Mt. '7&<-* LA0 AN6 G:SPEL 26o$?t ass)1e that I "a1e to (estroy the La3 or the Pro#hets. I (i( $ot "o1e to (estroy b)t to f)lfill. &, For I ass)re yo)7 U$til hea8e$ a$( earth #ass a3ay+ $ot the s1allest letter or o$e stro9e of a letter 3ill #ass fro1 the la3 )$til all thi$%s are a""o1#lishe(. &! Therefore+ 3hoe8er brea9s o$e of the least of these "o11a$(s a$( tea"hes #eo#le to (o so 3ill be "alle( least i$ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$. A)t 3hoe8er #ra"ti"es a$( tea"hes these "o11a$(s 3ill be "alle( %reat i$ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$. * For I tell yo)+ )$less yo)r ri%hteo)s$ess s)r#asses that of the s"ribes a$( Pharisees+ yo) 3ill $e8er e$ter the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$.
&<
!f there was one thin# ,ews enEoye" "oin#, it was ha9in# theolo#ical "e ates an" e%chan#in# i"eas. !t encoura#e" learnin# an" memory. ,esus was a 1orah-o ser9ant ,ew whose "isa#reements with the (harisees are 9ery much in the s$irit of the $erennial intra-,ewish "e ates so characteristic of ra inic literature. &ittle won"er then, that ,esus in Matthew 2*17--8 clarifie" His $osition on the 1orah. !ronically, ,esus em o"ies the $ara"o% of unitin# ,ews with 'hristians an" se$aratin# ,ews from 'hristians. 1he 1orah, written a out 1428 ..'., was a Bty$e an" sha"owC ;see A##e$(i@ *.= of ,esus who was to come at some future $oint in time. While the &aw "i" not rin# anyone to sal9ation, #ettin# ri" of it, likewise, "i" not rin# sal9ation. 1he &aw in"icates the lifestyle a $erson must li9e to reflect the character of Go" an" the #race of Go" throu#h 'hrist ,esus ma"e it $ossi le. ,ust as ,esus was a human ein#, the &aw was a foresha"owin# of ,esus. ,ust as a sha"ow resem les a $erson, a Bforesha"owCre$resents a $erson efore he arri9es on the scene. 1//7 ,esus "i" not come to "estroy the &aw of Moses or the writin#s of the (ro$hets, ut to fulfill them. ?f the fo)r le8els of Pharisees , the lowest ;local= le9el consiste" of men who were truly concerne" a out the $eo$le in their con#re#ations an" ein# 1337. .rown, :ur +ands are Stained with Blood . @-.
937 ri#ht efore Go". Howe9er, the u$$er echelon consiste" of those who maintaine" their social-economic le9el, ha" no concern a out ri#hteousness, an" constantly challen#e" ,esus. 1here were a few e%ce$tions, such as :ico"emus. Across the entire ,ewish s$ectrum there was a misun"erstan"in# of the intent of the &aw, which ma"e it 9ery "ifficult for them to recei9e the teachin#s of ,esus. 1his was illustrate" when :ico"emus met ,esus at ni#ht an" he ha" "ifficulty un"erstan"in# the conce$ts $resente" y ,esus. 2The La3 or the Pro#hets.5 ,ewish scholars "i9i"e" their .i le into three classifications* the &aw, the (ro$hets, an" the Writin#s. 1. 1he B&awC consiste" of the fi9e ooks written y Moses, known as the Mosaic &aw. !n He rew these ooks were known as the Torah" ut in Greek they were calle" The 4entateuch" which means The #i e Rolls. 1//@ -. 1he B(ro$hets,C which is a classification of ooks consistin# of the later $ro$hets ;!saiah, ,eremiah, an" 4>ekiel=, an" the former $ro$hets ;,oshua, ,u"#es, 5amuel, an" Din#s=, as well as the twel9e minor $ro$hets. A collection of writin#s from men who ha" "i9ine insi#ht of current and future e9ents, an" were $roclaimers of Go"<s messa#e, each was a prophetes.1//9 /. All other ooks were classifie" as the BWritin#s.C 1/48 !t shoul" e note" that ,esus always ase" His teachin#s an" ar#uments u$on the entire 5cri$ture of the He rew .i le. +urthermore, (aul un"erscore" the wor"s of ,esus when he sai" that the &aw woul" ne9er e nullifie", ut rather, nee"s to e u$hel" ;0om. /*/1=. When ,esus sai" He "i" not come to a olish the &aw or the (ro$hets, He use" a fi#ure of s$eech to refer to the entire He rew .i le, e9en thou#h He "i" not s$ecifically mention the Writin#s.
1338. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1-7.
1339. .rown, B(ro$het.C /*74-9-. 1340. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on Mt. 2*17.
938 A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 2Not the s1allest letter or o$e stro9e of a letter.5 5ome sources translate this $hrase as Bnot one Eot or tittle.C 1he smallest He rew letter is a yod an" the smallest stroke ; tittle= of the $en refers to the minute "etails that "istin#uish letters from each other. 1/41 1o"ay the tittle is also known as the serif. 1/4- 1he $ro lem with a literal translation is that the al$ha et has een in constant chan#e. 49eryone un"erstoo" that the sli#htest chan#e in the writin# of a letter woul" chan#e the wor" an" its meanin#. An inaccurate inter$retation of 5cri$ture was sai" to e an Ba olishmentC an" an accurate inter$retation of the 5cri$ture was sai" to e a Bfulfillment of the law.C When the scri es were writin#, it was critical that not one small letter ;the yod= or stroke of the $en was misse" or the meanin# woul" chan#e. &ikewise, Go"<s Wor" remains unchan#e".
An e%am$le is foun" in the recor"e" "e ate of two ra is at the en" of the first century ;A.).=, after the tem$le ha" een "estroye" some three "eca"es earlier. 0a i 4lie>er an" 0a i Aki a were ar#uin# a out sacrifices an" sin offerin#s, when 0a i 4lie>er toute", 0o)l( yo) )#root 3hat is 3ritte$ i$ the la3> Mish$ah+ Pesahim .7* 1he wor" Bu$rootC that the ra i use" meant to Ba olishC what was written in the Mosaic &aw. :o ra i woul" e9er consi"er such a thou#ht.
1341. 5$an#ler an" 19er er#, Sitting at the #eet of Rabbi &esus. 132-33L .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1-7. 1342. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1-7.
939 When ,esus s$oke of 2the s1allest letter or o$e stro9e of a letter+5 or as the Din# ,ames Hersion rea"s, e9ery BEot an" tittle,C He referre" to what the (harisees consi"ere" the most insi#nificant law that Go" ha" #i9en to Moses.1/4/ 1he $ro lem of mo"ern inter$retation is that this is a case where an i"iom is lost, which can lea" to $ossi le misun"erstan"in# of the te%t. !"ioms are fi#ures of s$eech that are uniAue to the the &aw. +or e%am$le, when A"am knew his wife 49e ;Gen. 4*1=, it refers to a se%ual relationshi$, not that he finally met her an" #ot to know who she was. Here ,esus was s$eakin# of the a solute necessity of "i9ine truth an" ri#hteousness comin# to its com$letion, as inten"e" y e9ery BEot an" tittle,C an" His wor"s were not forms of le#alism sometimes associate" with lin#uistics. 1/44 0ather it confirms the $ermanence an" firmness of the Wor" of Go". 1here are many similar statements throu#hout ra inic commentaries, such as* Sho)l( all the $atio$s of the 3orl( )$ite to )#root o$e 3or( of the Torah+ they 3o)l( be )$able to (o it. Le8iti")s+ /abbah &!7* 1he (harisees were intereste" in the minute "etails of their own laws an" tra"itions, ut ,esus sim$ly a$$lie" their metho" of inter$retation to the Written &aw. He assure" them that He was not recommen"in# an a an"onment of the ?l" 1estament, ut was rin#in# a "ee$er an" fuller un"erstan"in# of its true meanin# an" $ur$ose. (aul confirms this when he sai"* 6o 3e the$ "a$"el the la3 thro)%h faith> Absol)tely $otK :$ the "o$trary+ 3e )#hol( the la3.
3&
;o1a$s 373& 1he ra is tau#ht that the entire 1orah nee"e" to e tau#ht in the same manner that mo"ern $reachers $roclaim the whole counsel of -od. 1o "o
1343. Gil rant, BMatthew.C @/. 1344. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . /48L .i9in an" .li>>ar",
$nderstanding the )ifficult Words. 24-23L New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnotes on Matthew 2*1@--8L :a9eh, :rigins of the Alphabets. -1-//.
940 otherwise was consi"ere" an a omination. 1he 1almu" #i9es some insi#ht into the meanin# of the wor"s of ,esus. Aaraitha ta)%ht7 2Ae"a)se he has (es#ise( the 3or( of the Lor(5 - this refers to hi1 3ho 1ai$tai$s that the Torah is $ot fro1 Hea8e$. A$( e8e$ if he asserts that the 3hole Torah is fro1 Hea8e$+ e@"e#t a #arti")lar 8erse+ 3hi"h he 1ai$tai$s 3as $ot )ttere( by Go( b)t by Moses hi1self+ he is i$"l)(e( i$ 2be"a)se he has (es#ise( the 3or( of the Lor(.5 A$( e8e$ if he a(1its that the 3hole Torah is fro1 Hea8e$+ e@"e#ti$% a si$%le #oi$t+ a #arti")lar ad ma<us (e()"tio$ or a "ertai$ ge:erah shawah + he is still i$"l)(e( i$ 2be"a)se he has (es#ise( the 3or( of the Lor(.5 Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 3anhedrin !!a 1o e inclu"e" in the $hrase B ecause he has "es$ise" the wor" of the &or"C was a con"emnation ecause the sacre" writ was com$romise". :ote that in this statement, the name BHea9enC is ca$itali>e" ecause it is a synonym for BGo".C 1his is a ty$ical ,ewish e%$ression to"ay, Eust as it was -888 years a#o. 2U$less yo)r ri%hteo)s$ess s)r#asses that of the s"ribes a$( Pharisees.5 1his is another case where the literal translation $resents "ifficulty, unless the $hrase is un"erstoo" as an i"iom. Most certainly it seems im$ossi le that the ri#hteousness of elie9ers is to e%cee" that of the (harisees an" scri es, whom ,esus con"emne". 1hese men were full of hy$ocritical self-ri#hteousness. 1he elie9er is not to e like the corru$t reli#ious elitist, ut e%cee"in#ly more ri#hteous an" holy unto Go" than the #oo" an" honor-worthy (harisees who ser9e" in the local syna#o#ues. 1/42 1o"ay, the thou#ht of o ser9in# the &aw is consi"ere" a ne#ati9e $oint amon# many 'hristians. !n Acts the Auestion arose as to whether Gentile con9erts were reAuire" to o ser9e Bthe &awC, meanin# the entire 1orah
1345. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . /48L .i9in an" .li>>ar",
$nderstanding the )ifficult Words. 24-23.
941 ;Acts 12*1, 2=.1/43 1he "iscussion was centere" on what kind of laws were to e o ser9e", an" the syno$sis is as follows* 1. ,esus was the ultimate sacrifice an", therefore, all laws $ertainin# to sacrifices of any kin" are terminate". 'eremonial laws were clearly terminate", althou#h the tem$le still stoo" when the ook of Acts was written, there y #i9in# rise to the "iscussion. -. 0eli#ious laws, such as kosher foo"s, were #i9en to the ,ews ecause they were to remain a "istincti9e $eo$le an" not ecome intermarrie" with local $a#ans. 1hey can chose to o ser9e them if they wish. /. +inally, there are "i9ine laws such as the 1en 'omman"ments, which $ertain to all humanity an" are still in force. !ronically, history re$eats itself, althou#h in re9erse. !n the ook of Acts, some elie9e" that Gentiles ha" to ecome ,ews first, so they coul" ecome elie9ers in ,esus. 1o"ay, some 'hristians elie9e ,ews ha9e to #i9e u$ their ,ewishness an" ecome like Gentiles to fin" sal9ation.
As $re9iously state", o ser9in# the &aw "i" not rin# sal9ation, ut neither "i" its remo9al. After the A$ostle (aul was con9erte" on his tri$ to )amascus, Ananias, a "e9out 'hristian ,ew who o ser9e" all the &aws, ministere" to him ;Acts --*1-=. !t is nearly im$ossi le for 'hristians to"ay to think of a law-o ser9in# ;all of them= ,ew as one who is also free in 'hrist. Jet Ananias was $recisely such a fi#ure. &uke recor"s that faith in ,esus 1346. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, the 'hurch has a"o$te" a 0oman 9iew of law" that
means restriction an" is therefore bad" while the He rew .i le 9iews law as instruction an" freedom" an" is therefore good.
942 e%$lo"e", resultin# in thousan"s of ,ews ecomin# followers of the Messiah, an" all of them were >ealous for the &aw ;Acts -1*-8=. After this (aul $u licly $reache" that elie9in# ,ews shoul" not turn away from the o ser9ation ;Acts -1*-1--2=. 1he &aw was consi"ere" y (aul to e holy, ri#hteous, #oo", an" e9en s$iritual ;0om. 7*1-, 14=. .ecause of the sacrifice of ,esus, the ,ewish o ser9ation of circumcision ha" ecome meanin#less, ut likewise, ein# uncircumcise", which ha" $rofoun" si#nificance in ancient times, was now also meanin#less. 1he im$ortant issue was the circumcision of the heart an" a life of lo9e ;Gal. 3*12L 2*2L 1 'or.7*1@, -8=. 1he conclusion was "istincti9e. !t was (aul<s "esire that ,ews, who came to faith in 'hrist ,esus shoul", ut were not reAuire" to, continue li9in# like ,ews. (aul, who sai" that he o ser9e" the &aw, also state" that he "i" not li9e un"er the laws, meanin# that the reAuirement of o ser9ation was remo9e". ,. &. ' Mt. '7*&-*. THE SIPTH C:MMAN6MENT 2Eo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai( to o)r a$"estors+ 6o $ot 1)r(er+ a$( 3hoe8er 1)r(ers 3ill be s)bHe"t to H)(%1e$t BE@. * 7&3C. ** A)t I tell yo)+ e8eryo$e 3ho is a$%ry 3ith his brother 3ill be s)bHe"t to H)(%1e$t. A$( 3hoe8er says to his brother+ WFoolK? 3ill be s)bHe"t to the Sa$he(ri$. A)t 3hoe8er says+ WEo) 1oro$K? 3ill be s)bHe"t to hellfire.
*&
So if yo) are re1e1ber that lea8e yo)r %ift re"o$"ile( 3ith %ift.
*3 *'
offeri$% yo)r %ift o$ the altar+ a$( there yo) yo)r brother has so1ethi$% a%ai$st yo)+ */ there i$ fro$t of the altar. First %o a$( be yo)r brother+ a$( the$ "o1e a$( offer yo)r
;ea"h a settle1e$t =)i"9ly 3ith yo)r a(8ersary 3hile yo)?re o$ the 3ay 3ith hi1+ or yo)r a(8ersary 3ill ha$( yo) o8er to the H)(%e+ the H)(%e to the offi"er+ a$( yo) 3ill be thro3$ i$to #riso$. *. I ass)re yo)7 Eo) 3ill $e8er %et o)t of there )$til yo) ha8e #ai( the last #e$$yK
943 2Eo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai( to o)r a$"estors.5 1o the ,ewish min", nothin# was 9ali" unless it was han"e" "own from #reat ra is of the $ast. 1herefore, a new theolo#ical conce$t from ,esus was in9ali". Howe9er, new rules for inter$retin# the 5cri$tures were esta lishe" y Hillel an" acce$te" y many, ecause these reAuire" a more le#alistic o ser9ance of the 1orah in the #rowin# influence of the Greek culture. 1/47 1he $hrase 2Eo) ha8e hear(5 is often a reference to the ?ral &aw. !f ,esus was s$eakin# to a ,ewish crow" at lar#e, then this $hrase coul" ha9e inclu"e" the Written &aw or 1orah ecause it was rea" $u lically in the syna#o#ue. 2J)(%1e$t ... Sa$he(ri$ ... hellfire.5 1/4@ ,esus use" a literary "e9ice to uil" an escalation of the final Eu"#ment. He e#an with the local Eu"icial court, then mo9e" to the su$reme court of the lan", an" en"e" with eternal "amnation. 1he Master 1eacher use" a teachin# techniAue in9ol9in# cause an" effect an" uilt it to a clima%. His wor"s ca$ture" e9eryone<s attention, ecause they knew that mur"er le" to "amnation in hell ;literally, the hell of fire=,1/49 ut ,esus a""e" that e9en those who s$oke a usi9ely without ri#hteous cause 1/28 woul" e inclu"e". ?ne of the ima#es of hell is BGehenna,C which is the Greek re$resentation of the He rew wor" -e/+innom or 7alley of +innom. !t is a "ee$ narrow 9alley on the southern si"e of to"ay<s ?l" 'ity of ,erusalem. 1/21 !n i lical times this 9alley was where two a$ostate kin#s sacrifice" li9e infants to the fire#o" Molach 7 1. Din# Aha> ;rei#ne" c. 7-@ ..'.L name shortene" from ,ehoaha>= also consulte" wi>ar"s an" nectomancers ;- 'hron. -@*----2L !sa. @*19= an",
1347. Herfor", 'hristianity in Talmud and Midrash. @-18. 1348. 5ee also &*. &. *.J* What are the "ifferences amon# the terms BHell, Ha"es,C an"
BGehennaFC 1349. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*48. 1350. cf. Mt. -/*17L Mk. /*2 for $ro$er re uke.
1351 . Wuest, Wuest0s Word Studies. 44.
944 -. Din# Manasseh ;rei#ne" c. 393 7 341 ..'.=, like Aha>, re9i9e" ancient $a#an worshi$ in ,erusalem ;- D#. -/*18=. His was the lon#est rei#n ;22 years= of all the kin#s of ,u"ea an" the most immoral one ;D#s. -/*-3--7=. 49en thou#h he remente" in his later years, his corru$tion e9entually le" to the colla$se of the southern kin#"om ;tri al areas of .enEamine an" ,u"ah=. !n their cultic rites, a ies were $lace" on a $latter an" were urne" ali9e. !n this inferno $arents watche" their chil" urn in this inferno while they worshi$e" Moloch. 1he $ro$het ,eremiah calle" Gehenna the BHalley of 5lau#hterC ;,er.7*/1L 19*2-3=. 1his rou#ht re$roach u$on the ,ewish $eo$le. Jears later, ,osiah ;cf. - D#. -/= ha" the reli#ious artifacts of this $a#an cult urne" outsi"e the city, alon# with the ones of those who were in9ol9e" in this heinous $ractice. Gehenna has a history of a man-ma"e hell that has the ima#ery of infants "yin# in a#ony as well as the a$ostasy of Aha> an" Manasseh. 1/2Accor"in# to the :ew 1estament, hell is a real $lace of unAuencha le fire ;Mt. 2*--L Mk. 9*4/-47= an" Go" will con"emn the wicke" to it ;Mt. 18*-@L &k. 1-*2=. While the actual location is unknown, many elie9e it is in the center of the earth. Hell is the $lace of constant $ain, as e9i"ence" y the wailin# an" #nashin# of teeth ;Mt. 1/*28=. !t is full of fire as well as "arkness ;Mt. @*1-=. 1he ima#ery of Gehenna ;Mt. 11*-/L 13*1@= is the eternal hell, 1/2/ whereas Ha"es is the a o"e of the "ea" "urin# the ?l" 1estament an" !nter-1estament (erio"s. Ha"es was also in the earth an" it is where ,esus went to rin# Bthe ca$ti9ity ca$ti9e,C ;those who "ie" #enerations efore Him, waite" for His work to e finishe" on the cross, an" went to hea9en with Him=. 1herefore, Ha"es was not the lake of fire. 1/24 Unfortunately, confusion is a""e" to the su Eect ecause in the first century, the terms of Bha"esC an" BhellC were at times interchan#ea le ;see Glossary.= ,ose$hus "escri es ha"es as a Bcertain $lace set a$art, as a lake of unAuencha le fire,C $re$are" y Go" for those who ha9e een
1352 . .arclay, B,ohnC -*/2L Wuest, Wuest0s Word Studies. 44-47. 1353. 'arson, BMatthew.C @*149. 1354. +ine#an, Myth and Mystery. 113-17.
945 "iso e"ient, unEust, an" who worshi$e" i"ols, etc.1/22 Howe9er, re#ar"less, of the name, ,ews elie9e", Eust as ,esus tau#ht, that there was a lake of fire for the un#o"ly. 1he eternal $unishment of sinful men, with its infinite horrors in hell, is inten"e" to e a 9i9i" "emonstration of the infinite 9alue of the #race an" #lory of Go" Almi#hty. ?n the other han", the term sheol has incorrectly een translate" as hell. 1he ?l" 1estament conce$t of sheol is not a $lace of torment, uy a lan" of sha"es, sha"owy, an" Eoyless #hostly $lace. 1he :ew 1estament un"erstan"in# of hea9en an" hell is not relate" to sheol" an" there is har"ly any conce$t to eternal life in the He rew .i le. 1/23 2A)t I tell yo).5 5i% times ,esus sai" this ecause the (harisees elie9e" that a thou#ht "i" not ecome a sin until it was an action. ,esus intro"uce" a ra"ical chan#e when he sai" that a sinful thou#ht or attitu"e was also sin. He sai" that to e ri#hteous, one ha" to e ri#hteous as He ;,esus= is $erfect. 5uch ri#hteousness is im$ossi le for man to attain without the inter9ention of 'hrist Himself an", therefore, there is the nee" for a $ersonal relationshi$. With s$eech $atterns like this, He clearly "emonstrate" that He $lace" himself eAual with Go" an" the 1orah. 1hrou#hout most of His ministry, He use" in"irect metho"s such as this to announce His "eity. 1/27 1o make an outri#ht statement woul" ha9e een consi"ere" las$hemous, $ri"eful, an" arro#ant, so ,esus s$oke in an in"irect manner. 1hose who acce$te" Him as their Messiah also acce$te" Him as Go". 1he (harisees an" 5a""ucees, on the other han", reco#ni>e" this fi#ure of s$eech imme"iately an" were infuriate". 2Eo) 1oro$K5 &iterally, ,esus use" the Aramaic wor" raca" which is e%tremely "ifficult to translate ecause the tone of 9oice carries more meanin# than the wor" itself. !t has se9eal closely relate" meanin#s such as empety headed" fool" idiot" or ignorant. !t is associate" with one ha9in# bitter hatred an" contempt. :either moron nor the wor" fool #i9e Eustice to its "efinition. !t reflecte" an#er an" animosity an" was associate" with the 1355. ,ose$hus, )iscourse to the -reeks 'oncerning +ades.
1356. .arclay, B,ohn.C -*91-9-.
1357. ,ohnson, The Writings of the New Testament. -8/.
946 greatest insult one coul" #i9e, an" that is the key $oint. 1/2@ !t was es$ecially si#nificant, ecause, in this culture, #reat 9alue was #i9en to hos$itality an" honorin# others within one<s clan or tri e. 1he ,ews elie9e" there were three sins that coul" "amn one to hell. While ,esus "i" not a#ree with the entire tra"ition, He "i", in fact, a#ree stron#ly on the se9erity of these sins. Accor"in# to the .a ylonian 1almu", these were, 1. 1o commit a"ultery, -. 1o $u licly $ut a nei#h or to shame, an" /. 1o insult a nei#h or. 1/29 !n essence, ,esus sai" that anyone who "estroys the name an" re$utation of another rother ; elie9er= is su Eect to the se9erest $unishment in the fire of hell. 1hat is ecause a B rother in the faithC is a reflection of the character an" ima#e of Go". Jet ,esus calle" the corru$t reli#ious lea"ers B lin" foolsC ;Mt. -/*17=. How can such stron# lan#ua#e e Eustifie" when ,esus, Himself, use" itF !t was sel"om use" amon# the ra is an" sa#es an", hence, when it was s$oken it ha" a $rofoun" effect. A rare e%am$le in the Mishnah rea"s, A foolish sai$t a$( a ")$$i$% 9$a8e a$( a 3o1a$ that is a hy#o"rite a$( the 3o)$(s of the Pharisees+ these 3ear o)t the 3orl(. Mish$ah+ 3otah 3./ !n this culture the statement reflecte" an outwar" sym$tom of "ee$-roote" an#er. !t is the an#er ;lack of for#i9eness= that is the con"emnin# element an" the $hrase sim$ly re9eals what is in the heart. 1/38 Why "i" ,esus call the reli#ious hy$ocrites B lin" foolsFC 1here are three reasons why ,esus use" such stron# lan#ua#e.
1358. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1/9-48.
1359. .a ylonian 1almu", Ba a Mesia 2@ . 1360. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . /71.
947 1. !t shoul" re9eal to us the "ee$-roote" ri#hteous an#er ,esus ha" a#ainst those who were in reli#ious authority an" who "eli erately use" their hi#h office for their own financial rewar", with no concern whatsoe9er for the common $eo$le for whom they were s$iritually res$onsi le. -. !n the i lical sense of the wor", to e a fool 9irtually means to e an a$ostate or amon# the "amne". As such, ,esus #a9e a $ro$hetic $re"iction of where His critics woul" s$en" eternity. 1/31 /. ,esus is the ultimate Eu"#e an" authority. ,esus use" the $hrase in reference to the foolish uil"er ;Mt. 7*-3= an" a out the foolish 9ir#ins ;-2*--/, @=. (aul use" its eAui9alent in re ukin# the Galatians ;Gal. /*1=. 1herefore, there are a$$ro$riate times to use it an" other times when its use is a sin. 1he ima#ery of hell or hellfire is often associate" with Gehenna, 1/3- a $lace in the Halley of the 5ons of Hinnom, also known as the Hinnom Halley. 'hurch tra"itions ha9e two inaccurate le#en"s associate" with the Halley. 1. 1he Hinnom Halley was where the city resi"ents urne" their trash an" #ar a#e. 1his, unfortunately, is a #ross misun"erstan"in# of the culture, ecause city resi"ents "i" not ha9e a "um$ in the Hinnom Halley. !n fact, B#ar a#eC is a relati9ely mo"ern in9ention. 1he ancients use" all com usti le material for fuel, inclu"in# "rie" "un# scra$e" off the city streets, so they woul" not ha9e ha" anythin# to urn in a city "um$. +urthermore, there has no archaeolo#ical e9i"ence, such as ashes an" urne" fra#ments, "isco9ere" that woul" i"entify a "um$ site. -. Another inaccurate ima#e of the Hinnom Halley is that it was where $ottery kilns were locate" an" they were the source of constant fires, an ima#e of hell ;literally, the hell of fire =.1/3/ Howe9er, there ne9er were any kilns of any kin" in the Hinnom Halley. 1361. 0ichar"son, B+olly, +ool.C @4-@2.
1362. 5ee Mt. 2*--, -9-/8L 18*-@L 1@*9L -/*12L Mk. 9*4/, 42, 47L &k. 1-*2L ,am. /*3. 1363. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*48.
948 1he reason these two tra"itions are false is sim$le* 1he $re9ailin# win"s are from the west an" woul" ha9e lown the smoke an" stench eastwar"ly into the $alace of Hero" the Great an" o9er the city. He most certainly woul" ha9e o Eecte" to the foul o"ors, as woul" ha9e the 5a""ucees, who "e"icate" themsel9es to li9es with e9ery ima#ina le comfort an" $leasure. 2Eo) 3ill $e8er %et o)t of there )$til yo) ha8e #ai( the last #e$$y.5 1here is the $ossi ility that the meanin# in this i"iom will e misse", rather than misun"erstoo". ,esus is s$eakin# of the certainty of )i9ine Eustice, which all will encounter some"ay. 1/34 ,. &. . Mt. '7*<-3 THE SEFENTH C:MMAN6MENT 2Eo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai(+ 6o $ot "o11it a()ltery BE@. * 7&/C. *, A)t I tell yo)+ e8eryo$e 3ho loo9s at a 3o1a$ to l)st for her has alrea(y "o11itte( a()ltery 3ith her i$ his heart. *! If yo)r ri%ht eye "a)ses yo) to si$+ %o)%e it o)t a$( thro3 it a3ay. For it is better that yo) lose o$e of the #arts of yo)r bo(y tha$ for yo)r 3hole bo(y to be thro3$ i$to hell. 3 A$( if yo)r ri%ht ha$( "a)ses yo) to si$+ ")t it off a$( thro3 it a3ay. For it is better that yo) lose o$e of the #arts of yo)r bo(y tha$ for yo)r 3hole bo(y to %o i$to hellK
*<
0i#hteousness is roken efore a sinful act is committe". Marria#e was ori#inally "esi#ne" y Go" to sym oli>e the relationshi$ etween Himself an" the elie9er. ,ust as a hus an" an" wife are unite" for life, ,esus an" His elie9ers are eternally unite". 1he ori#inal $lan of Go" has not chan#e", ut men ha9e challen#e" oth the relationshi$ with Go" an" the marria#e co9enant sym olic of the s$iritual union. 1herefore, any lust or action outsi"e marria#e is consi"ere" sin. 1o insure $urity of heart, ,esus went on to "emonstrate that "rastic action nee"e" to e taken. He e%$laine" it as follows*
1364. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . /48.
949 2If yo)r ri%ht eye "a)ses yo) to si$+ %o)%e it o)t a$( thro3 it a3ay.5 1his $assa#e is "ifficult to un"erstan" for the mo"ern stu"ent, ecause in ancient ,ewish thinkin#, there were two sta#es of sin. .efore anyone committe" a maEor sin, it was elie9e" that there was first a small sin or a series of small sins. 0a inic law state" that it was etter to resol9e the sin $ro lem while it was small, rather than wait until it consume" an entire life. Hence, when there was a Bsmall sin,C it was etter to remo9e the eye or han" as o$$ose" to losin# life as the result of the final B i# sin.C 1/32 1he $hrase concernin# the eye was, in fact, a common e%$ression amon# 1orah stu"ents. While ,esus use" it in reference to sin, the &aw use" a similar scenario of for#i9eness after a sin was committe". 1he He rew .i le, ?ral &aw, an" 1almu" ma"e these o ser9ations res$ecti9ely* E8e$ tho)%h a 1a$ #ays Bhi1 that s)ffers the i$(i%$ityC+ it is $ot for%i8e$ hi1 )$til he see9s for%i8e$ess fro1 hi1+ for it is 3ritte$+ 2No3 therefore restore the 1a$?s 3ife . . . Ba$( he shall #ray for yo).5 RGe$. * 7<SC. If a 1a$ sai(+ 2Ali$( 1y eye+5 1y foot+5 he Bthat (oes soC is he sai(C+ o$ the "o$(itio$ a""o)$table+ he is BstillC %)ilty or 2C)t off 1y ha$(+5 or 2Area9 %)ilty a$( a""o)$table4 Be8e$ if that yo) are $ot %)ilty a$( a$( a""o)$table.
Mish$ah+ +e:i!in 7aba -amma ,.< Tooth a$( eye are o$ly o$e li1b of the 1a$+ a$( still Bif they are h)rtC+ the obtai$s thereby his free(o1. Ho3 1)"h 1ore so 3ith #ai$f)l s)fferi$%s 3hi"h tor1e$t the 3hole bo(y of a Ma$K Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 7era!oth 'a ,esus essentially sai" that elie9ers shoul" take ra"ical ste$s to #et sin out of their li9es. 1he ,ews un"erstoo" this was not to e consi"ere" literallyL it was an e%$ression of sincerity to e holy efore Go". Gentile elie9ers ha9e "ifficulty with this $assa#e ecause they "o not un"erstan" the cultural
1365. Moseley, .eshua. -3.
950 min"set an" some think it was to e taken literally. 1/33 As state" $re9iously, elie9ers shoul" not re#ar" the statements of ,esus in Matthew 2*-@, /-, /4, /3, an" 44 as settin# asi"e the &aw, ut as reflectin# His authority y #i9in# $ro$er inter$retation of the &aw.
U$it , To#i"al Iss)es Cha#ter * Marria%e+ 6i8or"e+ :aths+ a$( For%i8e$ess
1366. Amon# the early church fathers who inter$rete" Mt. 2*-9 literally, was ?ri#in. 5ince
he claime" to ha9e lustful attitu"es towar" youn# women, he castrate" himself. Howe9er, in his later years he reali>e" the error of his inter$retation.
951
,. *. Ai(a. &,, .
A. JESUS TEACHES ;IGHTE:USNESS. Ill)stratio$ by
,. *. & I$tro()"tio$ 1o li9e a ri#hteous life within one<s own family is at times most challen#in#. When it fails re$eate"ly, relationshi$s an" marria#es en". !t is as true to"ay as it has een throu#hout history. )i9orce an" remarria#e was "e ate" as much in the first century as it is to"ay, althou#h "i9orces were not as $re9alent then. ,esus a""resse" the $ro lem y statin# that marria#e was an institution initiate" y Go", yet He reco#ni>e" the challen#es men an" women may face. While the reasons for a "i9orce are a"ultery,1/37 lea9in# the faith ;1 'or. 7*12=, an" emotional an" $hysical a use ; ase" u$on numerous 9erses=, for the $ur$ose of this stu"y, only the issue of a"ultery as "iscusse" y ,esus an" the o$inions common in His "ay are a""resse" here.
1367. Mt. 2*/-L 19*9L Mk. 18*--1-.
952 When a youn# man an" woman $lanne" to #et marrie", y either familyarran#e" or y their own choosin#, a marria#e contract was $re$are". 1he Datu9ah ;see A##e$(i@ -3= was a le#al in"in# contract that "escri e" the o li#ations of the ri"e an" ri"e#room an", therefore, only a "i9orce or "eath coul" terminate it. 1here were of three kin"s of marria#e contracts* 1. A Datu9ah future hus an"=. ase" on a "owry ;the $rice the ri"e<s family $ays the
-. A Datu9ah ase" on the to his ri"e<s family=. /. A Datu9ah with on the ri"e $rice.
ri"e $rice ;the $rice the
ri"e#room $ays
oth elements of the a o9e
ut with an em$hasis
1he ,ewish un"erstan"in# of a home was where a hus an", wife, an" chil"ren li9e". 1he home ser9e" as a sanctuary. 1he ta le ser9e" as the altar, where rea" was eaten to nurture an" sustain the o"y an" where the family $raye" an" share" i lical stories to nurture an" sustain the soul. 1he hus an"-father ser9e" as $riest of the family. !t was his res$onsi ility to insure the s$iritual wellein# of e9eryone un"er his care. 1he family was seen as ein# so sacre" that it was sel"om roken. 1his family unit was such an incre"i ly stron# societal uil"in# lock that reakin# it woul" cause irre$ara le harm, not only to the family mem ers, ut also to the syna#o#ue an" community. Unfortunately, the #rowin# influence of Hellenism an" its $a#an influences ma"e for a #rowin# "i9orce rate in the first century. 1herefore, it was more of an issue in the "ays of ,esus than it was "urin# the time of Moses ;)eut. -4*1-4=. !n fact, it ha" ecome of such #reat concern that one first century ra i su##este" "au#hters e e"ucate" in this area of law, so they woul" not e taken a"9anta#e of in the e9ent of a "i9orce in later life. 1he Mishnah recor"s the followin#* Ae$ AGGai says7 A 1a$ o)%ht to %i8e his (a)%hter 9$o3le(%e of the La3 so that if she 1)st (ri$9 Rthe bitter 3aterS she 1ay 9$o3 that the 1erit Rthat she has a"=)ire(S 3ill hol( her #)$ish1e$t i$ s)s#e$se.
953 Mish$ah+ +ashim 3otah 3./

&3.,
,esus reco#ni>e" that "ue to the sin nature of man, "i9orces woul" continue to occur an" the innocent s$ouse shoul" not e su Eect to con"emnation. He, therefore, "i" not $rohi it the $ractice, ut He "i" set limits on it. He focuse" his comment on hus an"s. Men were su$$ose" to ser9e as the $riest of the home, althou#h they were #enerally the ones who initiate" the reaku$. An outlan"ish case is the account of Hero" Anti$as an" Hero"ias. .efore #oin# into the issues of marria#e an" "i9orce amon# the ,ews, it is im$ortant to riefly e%amine the Greek 9iew of the su Eect. 1he $rimary reason is that when e%aminin# the o$inions of two lea"in# ,ewish schools of theolo#y, the 5chool of Hillel an" the 5chool of 5hammai, it ecomes a$$arent that oth of them may ha9e een influence" y Hellenism. 1he 9iew of marria#e hel" y the Greeks, which was a"o$te" y the 0omans, was an incre"i le $ara"o%. !n a nutshell, the wife was to e a su missi9e home-kee$er who was se%ually $ure while the hus an" ha" no se%ual restrictions outsi"e the home. A woman of hi#h res$ect li9e" at home, in solitu"e with a hi#hly limite" social life, if any. 5he was not $ermitte" to e on the street y herself. Her $rimary res$onsi ility was to raise the chil"ren, e the i"eal home-maker, an" esta lish security in the home. ?n the other han", the hus an", ha" free license to ha9e any relationshi$ ;$rostitute= outsi"e of marria#e that he "esire" 7 an" as many as he coul" affor". 1he Greeks in 'orinth uilt the tem$le of A$hro"ite an" em$loye" a thousan" $riestesses who were calle" temple irgins" ut in fact, were $rofessional $rostitutes. When the men of Athens "isco9ere" how much money these women #enerate", they esta lishe" the tem$le of A$hro"ite, the #o""ess of lo9e. !ronically, the entire structure was fun"e" y re9enue #enerate" y $rostitutes. 1here was no Auestion aske" if a man "eci"e" to 9isit one of these two tem$les, or any other Greek tem$le. !nterestin#ly, in the course of time, a s$ecial class of women immer#e" known as the hetairai.1/39 1hey were the mistresses of si#nificant $oliticians, $hiloso$hers, an" usinessmen. 'learly they were in a hi#h class of their own who functione" as a Bsecon" wife.C 'onseAuently, in the Greek culture, a social system of relationshi$s outsi"e of marria#e was esta lishe" which
1368. .rackete" clarification y )an y. 1369. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*12/-22.
954 was consi"ere" to e normal an" natural. 1here was nothin# a wife coul" "o a out her wan"erin# hus an", ecause if she com$laine", he coul" sim$ly "i9orce her. An" "i9orce "i" not reAuire any le#al action. 0ather, the hus an" sim$ly ha" to acAuire two witnesses an" tell her that she was "ismisse". He "i", howe9er, ha9e to return her "owry. 1he $ractice of the Greeks concernin# marria#e an" "i9orce is incre"i ly similar to the teachin#s $romote" y the 5chool of Hillel. 1herefore, it is a$$arent that Hillel ;see elow= a"a$te" the Hellenistic mo"el of marria#e an" wra$$e" it with ,ewish theolo#y an" e%$lanations.
1here was a time when 0oman life was foun"e" sAuarely on patria potestas" the father<s $ower. 1/78 He ha" a solute $ower an" authority o9er all family issues. Jet within this authoritati9e househol", the wife ha" more free"om than "i" her Greek counter$art. !n the early "ays of the 0oman 0e$u lic, "i9orce was unhear" of. !n fact, it is sai" that the first "i9orce was -/4 ..'. y a 5$urius 'ar9ilius, who "i9orce" his wife ecause she was arren. 1/71 (rostitutes were hel" in contem$t an" the men who 9isite" them were counte" amon# the "ishonora le. 1hen came the Greeks an", as state", the 0omans orrowe" the 9alues from them. 1he 0oman culture ha" "e#enerate" to that of the Greeks, an" y the time of 'hrist, many men an" women ha" serial marria#es 7 one ri#ht after another. :ote the comments y the followin# contem$orary 0oman writers of the time. &ucius Annaeus 5eneca, often known as 5eneca the Joun#er or sim$ly 5eneca ;ca. 4 ..'. 7 A.). 32= was a 0oman (hiloso$her an" statesman. He sai" that some women were marrie" to e "i9orce" while others were "i9orce" to e marrie". 1/71370. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*123. 1371. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*123. 1372. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1/.
955 )ecimus !u9enalis ;ca. A.). 22-1-7=, more commonly known as ,u9enal, writin# in the en" of the first century ;A.).=, s$oke of a woman who ha" ei#ht hus an"s in fi9e years. He authore" si%teen satires in which he ruthlessly critici>e" the moral 9ices an" corru$tion of 0oman society to the $oint that his $ro$erty was sei>e" an" he was anishe" to southern 4#y$t, $ossi ly to the frontier town of 5yene, now Aswan. 1/7/ 1he 0oman orator Metillus :umi"icus sai", If ;o1a$s+ it 3ere #ossible to lo8e 3itho)t 3i8es+ 3e 3o)l( be free of tro)ble4 b)t si$"e it is the la3 of $at)re that 3e "a$ $either li8e #leasa$tly 3ith the1+ $or at all 3itho)t the1+ 3e 1)st ta9e tho)%ht for the "o$ti$)a$"e of the ra"e rather tha$ for o)r o3$ brief #leas)re .1/74 1he influences of the 0oman an" Greek cultures u$on the ,ewish $eo$le an" their lea"ers ha" a "irect affect on issues of marria#e an" "i9orce. !nto this social Aua#mire ,esus clearly an" lo9in#ly $resente" the intent of Go" without e%cuses or e%ce$tions.
,. *. * L9. &.7&/-&, PHA;ISEES SC:FF AT PA;AALE4 6IF:;CE ISSUES The Pharisees+ 3ho 3ere lo8ers of 1o$ey+ 3ere liste$i$% to all these thi$%s a$( s"offi$% at Hi1. &' A$( He tol( the17
&/
2Eo) are the o$es 3ho H)stify yo)rsel8es i$ the si%ht of others+ b)t Go( 9$o3s yo)r hearts. For 3hat is hi%hly a(1ire( by #eo#le is re8olti$% i$ Go(?s si%ht. 1373. htt$*//www. ritannica.com/4.checke"/to$ic//8@974/,u9enal ,uly /8, -81/.
1374. Nuote" y .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*123-27.
956 2The La3 a$( the Pro#hets 3ere )$til Joh$4 si$"e the$+ the %oo( $e3s of the 9i$%(o1 of Go( has bee$ #ro"lai1e(+ a$( e8eryo$e is stro$%ly )r%e( to e$ter it. &< A)t it is easier for hea8e$ a$( earth to #ass a3ay tha$ for o$e stro9e of a letter i$ the La3 to (ro# o)t.
&. &,
2E8eryo$e 3ho (i8or"es his 3ife a$( 1arries a$other 3o1a$ "o11its a()ltery+
a$( e8eryo$e 3ho 1arries a 3o1a$ (i8or"e( fro1 her h)sba$( "o11its a()ltery. ? 9iously the (harisees un"erstoo" this $ara le, or they woul" not ha9e scoffe" at Him. ,esus then referre" to the $ermanence of the "i9ine laws of Go". 1hese laws will last fore9er, not chan#e with the stroke of a $en as "i" the tra"itions of the reli#ious aristocrats. He then reflecte" momentarily u$on the "i9orce rate of the ,ewish $eo$le. 1he tra"ition of the (harisees was another e%am$le of how Go"<s law ha" ecome $er9erte". 2E8eryo$e 3ho (i8or"es his 3ife a$( 1arries a$other 3o1a$ "o11its a()ltery+ a$( e8eryo$e 3ho 1arries a 3o1a$ (i8or"e( fro1 her h)sba$( "o11its a()ltery.5 1his $assa#e has, without Auestion, een $ro lematic for many. !t $laces a se9ere restriction on the innocent $erson whose mate ori#inate" the "i9orce an" a$$ears to e uncharacteristic of ,esus for at least three reasons* 1. 1his $assa#e $uts ,esus in conflict with the 1orah, since Go", throu#h Moses, ma"e a $ro9ision for "i9orce in )euteronomy -4*1. While "i9orce is "etesta le to the &or", where is Go"<s con"emnation to the 9ictim of "i9orce, the $artner who "oes not want a "i9orceF 1here is none. -. 1o inter$ret the $assa#e as an uncon"itional in"ictment without consi"erin# the circumstances or moti9ation is (harisaic le#alism, somethin# that ,esus totally o$$ose". His em$hasis was to focus on the Bs$iritC of the &aw rather than the BletterC of the &aw.
957 /. 1his $assa#e in &uke 13*1@ a$$ears to contra"ict Matthew 19*- in which He makes an e%ce$tion for "i9orce. 1he core issue lies in translation of the small wor" Ban",C as foun" in the $hrase, BT an" marries another TC !n Greek the wor" for Ban"C is koi" ut ,esus sel"om s$oke Greek. He s$oke in He rew an" its sister lan#ua#e, Aramaic. !n He rew the wor" for Ban"C is a " which has a roa"er meanin# inclu"in# the $hrase, Bin or"er toC or Bso that.C An ?l" 1estament e%am$le is foun" in 4%o"us* 2Let 1y #eo#le %o so that they 1ay ser8e Me i$ the 3il(er$ess.5 2Let 1y #eo#le %o and they 1ay ser8e Me i$ the 3il(er$ess.5 1he $hrases Bin or"er toC an" Bso thatC oth reflect intent or the $ur$ose of a "i9orce, whereas the wor" Ban"C "oes not. 1his $assa#e is reflecti9e of Hero" Anti$as an" Hero"ias, where Hero" "i9orce" his wife so that he coul" marry another man<s wife. When ,ose$hus wrote of this, he state" that the illicit romantic entan#lement etween Anti$as an" his half- rother<s wife, Hero"ias, le" them to "i9orce their s$ouses in order to marry each other. ,ohn the .a$tist clearly con"emne" this action, an" ,esus "i" likewise. A si#nificant $oint is that the "i9orce certificate was always written for the $rotection of the woman. !t was a le#al "ocument with terms an" con"itions that ha" to e honore", an" $ermitte" oth $arties to remarry. +inally, consi"erin# the Bs$iritC of the i lical comman"s in li#ht of what ,esus sai", there are three reasons for a i lical "i9orce. 1. ,esus sai" that "i9orce was not $ermitte" with the e(ception of a"ultery ;Mt. 2*/-L 19*9L Mk. 18*--1-=. -. Howe9er, the A$ostle (aul sai" that the only reason for "i9orce was if the $artner left the faith ;1 'or. 7*12=.
958 /. A thir" reason is that of $hysical or emotional a use. 1his is ase" on a B i lical constructC foun"ation ecause the a usi9e s$ouse has roken $romises to lo9e, $rotect an" honor their mate. !t shoul" e note", howe9er, to"ay, as in the time of ,esus, most "i9orces were cause" selfishness rather than one of the three reasons liste" a o9e. 1he ?ral &aw sai" that a woman who ha" an illicit lo9er was unclean ecause of the a"ulterous relationshi$ an", ein# unclean, meant that she coul" not marry him. 1/72 !f she was marrie" an" if, "urin# that marital relationshi$ she "e9elo$e" another relationshi$ outsi"e of her marital co9enant that was sin. ,esus essentially sai" the same messa#e to the hus an". A careful rea"in# of the ori#inal lan#ua#e translates as follows* E8eryo$e 3ho (i8or"es his 3ife Ri$ or(erS to 1arry a$other.
&3<.
1he writin#s of the Mishnah were in oral form when (aul learne" them oth as a chil" in the syna#o#ue an" later from 0a i Gamaliel, the #ran"son of ,erusalem<s famous Hillel. 1he A$ostle was well aware of the "i9orce laws when he $enne" 0omans 7*1-3 that restate" what ,esus sai" years earlier. 1he meanin# of a"ultery is restricte" to the in"i9i"ual who "esires a "i9orce to marry another, a result of a sinful attitu"e an" $ossi le actions. 5uch a new relationshi$ is an a"ulterous one. 1he secon" $art of this 9erse is focuse" on another in"i9i"ual, who "esires to enter the secon" marria#e, knowin# that the first co9enant was "eli erately 9iolate". Ancient "i9orce "ecrees $ermitte" women to remarry, ecause a sin#le woman ha" no means of su$$ort an" woul" ecome a "estitute e##ar, unless a family within her clan $ro9i"e" for her. !t has een #enerally elie9e" that a "i9orce coul" only e initiate" y the hus an" while the wife ha" no ri#hts to o tain a "i9orce. 1his assum$tion has een seriously challen#e" in recent "eca"es "ue to the "isco9ery of the early secon" century A.). (a$yrus 5e<elim 1/. 1his "i9orce "ecree, written in He rew, was initiate" y a wife a#ainst her hus an" an" rea"s as follows*
1375. Mishnah, Sotah 2*1. 1376. Joun#, B)i9orce an" A"ultery.C 4*/, 3, 7.
959 I+ Shela1Gio$+ (a)%hter of Jose#h Jebsha$ of Ei$ Ge(i+ 3ith yo)+ EleaGar so$ of Ha$a$iah 3ho ha( bee$ the h)sba$( before this ti1e+ that this is fro1 1e to yo) a bill of (i8or"e a$( release. Pa#yr)s Se?eli1 &3+ li$es /-<
&3<<
Whether the "ocument was $ersonally written y the wife or a scri e on her ehalf is har"ly im$ortant. 0ather, this o$ens an entirely new 9ista in"icatin# women may ha9e ha" more ri#hts than has tra"itionally een elie9e". ,. *. 3 Mt. '73&-3* ;5ee also Mt. 19*9L Mk. 18*1-= 6IF:;CE ISSUES 2It 3as also sai(+ 0hoe8er (i8or"es his 3ife 1)st %i8e her a 3ritte$ $oti"e of (i8or"e B6e)t. */7&C. 3* A)t I tell yo)+ e8eryo$e 3ho (i8or"es his 3ife+ e@"e#t i$ a "ase of se@)al i11orality+ "a)ses her to "o11it a()ltery. A$( 3hoe8er 1arries a (i8or"e( 3o1a$ "o11its a()ltery.
3&
,esus for i"s "i9orce, ut not on the Mosaic re#ulations of "i9orce, ut on the $ur$ose of Go" institutin# marria#e. !n "oin# so He eliminate" all the ar#uments of the schools of Hillel an" 5hammai who su$$orte" "i9orce for 9arious con"itions. 49en thou#h ,u"aism esteeme" women hi#her than in most nei#h orin# cultures, women were confronte" with four maEor "isa"9anta#es. 1. ?ften, ut clearly not always, they were looke" u$on as an o Eect of $ossession rather than a $erson of worth. 1here are numerous writin#s that su$$ort oth 9iew$oints on this su Eect. -. ? tainin# an e%it out of a rutal marria#e was far more "ifficult, althou#h not im$ossi le, for a woman. 1377. .rewer, B,ewish Women )i9orcin# 1heir Hus an"s in 4arly ,u"aism* 1he .ack#roun"
to (a$yrus 5e<elim 1/.C /49-28.
960 /. 1he acAuisition of a "i9orce y a man was far too easy ;see elow=. 5uch "i9orces were ase" on a 9ery roa" inter$retation of )euteronomy -4*1. 4. ?nce a woman was "i9orce", em$loyment o$$ortunities were almost non-e%istent. 5in#le women, such as wi"ows, often li9e" in $o9erty. 1he "i9orce "ecree $rotecte" the ri#hts of the woman so that she coul" remarry an" her chil"ren woul" not e consi"ere" ille#itimate. 1/7@ 1he $osition hel" y ,esus is similar to that of the ortho"o% ra inical 5chool of 5hammai, as recor"e" in the Mishnah ;Gittin 9*18=. 1his school hel" that the $hrase B ecause he foun" some uncleanness in herC from )euteronomy -4*1, was a fi#ure of s$eech meanin# she was #uilty of a"ultery. 1/79 All are re=)ire( to 3rite a bill of (i8or"e+ e8e$ a (eaf 1)te+ a$ i1be"ile+ or a 1i$or. A 3o1a$ 1ay 3rite her o3$ bill of (i8or"e a$( a 1a$ 1ay 3rite his o3$ =)itta$"e+ si$"e the 8ali(ity of the 3rit (e#e$(s o$ the1 that si%$ it. Mish$ah+ +ashim .ittin *.' No bill of (i8or"e is 8ali( that is $ot 3ritte$ e@#ressly for the 3o1a$. Mish$ah+ +ashim .ittin 3.&
1378. Mishnah, -ittim 9.4L Amon# the two maEor theolo#ical schools in ,erusalem, the
5chool of 5hammai was 9ery strict while the 5chool of Hillel was 9ery rela%e" ;i.e. Bno-faultC "i9orce $ermitte"= concernin# the issuance of a "i9orce "ecree.
1379. Wi#o"er, B)i9orceLC 5ee also ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 4.@.-/.
961
,. *. 3A. A FI;ST CENTU;E AILL :F 6IF:;CE. 1his ill or certificate of "i9orce, written in Aramaic on $a$yrus, was "isco9ere" in one of the ca9es in the ,u"ean hills. 1his ty$e of le#al "ocument was to $rotect the woman when the marria#e en"e" ;see translation elow=.
962 )i9orce "ocuments "escri e" any future $ayments that were "ue y the hus an", althou#h terms 9arie" "e$en"in# u$on the cause. !f a "i9orce "ocument "i" not $rotect the wife, it was not a le#al contract. 1he first century ill of "i9orce rea"s, in $art, as follows, &ines 1-11* :$ the first of Rthe 1o$th of S Marhesh8a$+ year si@+ at Masa(a. I+ Eehosef RJose#hS so$ of Na9sa$ fro1 R Sh+ li8i$% at Masa(a+ of 1y o3$ free 3ill+ (o this (ay release a$( se$( yo) a3ay+ Miria1 (a)%hter of Eeho$a$ta$ RJo$atha$S fro1 Nablata+ li8i$% at Masa(a+ 3ho ha8e+ )$til $o3+ bee$ 1y 3ife+ so that yo) are free o$ yo)r #art to be"o1e the 3ife of a$y Je3ish 1a$ yo) 1ay 3ish. Here yo) ha8e fro1 1e Rliterally+ fro1 1y ha$(S a bill of (i8or"e a$( a 3rit of release. Li9e3ise+ I %i8e ba"9 Rto yo) the 3hole (o3ryS+ a$( if there are a$y r)i$e( or (a1a%e( %oo(s or R S$+ I 3ill rei1b)rse yo) fo)rfol(+ a""or(i$% to the ")rre$t #ri"e. F)rther1ore+ )#o$ yo)r re=)est+ Rif lostS+ I 3ill re#la"e this (o")1e$t for yo)+ as is a##ro#riate. &ines 1---2* RA re#etitio$ of the te@t is al1ost i(e$ti"al 3or(i$%.S &ines -3--9* XSi%$e(Y Eehosef so$ of Na9sa$+ by his o3$ ha$( ElieGer+ so$ of Mal9ah+ 3it$ess Eehosef+ so$ of Mal9ah+ 3it$ess EleaGar+ so$ of Ha$a$ah+ 3it$ess 6i8or"e 6e"ree BCo)rtesy of the Shri$e of the Aoo9+ Israel M)se)1C. &3, ,ose$hus has a rather e%tensi9e commentary on marria#e an" "i9orce in his ook, Anti3uities ;4.@.-/=. He not only confirme" the hi#h freAuency of 1380. War", Daari, e". &esus and +is Times. 0ea"er<s )i#est* :ew Jork, 19@7, 73.L
1ranslation y Biblical Archaeology Re iew --*1 ;,an/+e , 1993= 17. +or a further stu"y, see ,.1. Milik in )isco eries in the &udean )esert. (. .enoit, ,. 1. Milik an" 0. )e Hau%, e"s. P?%for"* ?%for" Uni9ersity (ress, 1931Q, -*1-4-189, $lates /8-/1.
963 "i9orces, ut also that the action was for the $rotection of the wife, so she coul" remarry. He state" that, He that (esires to be (i8or"e( fro1 his 3ife for a$y "a)se 3hatsoe8er Ba$( 1a$y s)"h "ases ha##e$ a1o$% 1e$C+ let hi1 i$ 3riti$% %i8e ass)ra$"e that he 3ill $e8er )se her as his 3ife a$y1ore4 for by this 1ea$s she 1ay be at liberty to 1arry a$other h)sba$(. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities /.,.*3 2E@"e#t i$ a "ase of se@)al i11orality.5 1wice in his ook, Matthew refers ;2*/- an" 19*9= to a reason for which "i9orce is $ermissi le. Men #enerally ha" the ri#ht to sue for a "i9orce. Howe9er, only in rare cases were women #rante" that $ri9ile#e. 1/@1 !t is interestin# to note in Mark 18*-1-, that only the $erson initiatin# the "i9orce an" su seAuently remarryin# is char#e" y ,esus as committin# a"ultery. While Go" con"emns "i9orce, ,esus shows that the &aw is a "emonstration of Go"<s willin#ness to accommo"ate Himself to human frailty an" failure. !n com$lete contrast to oth ,ewish an" 0oman society, the 4ssenes elie9e" "i9orce was consi"ere" illicit un"er all circumstances. 1/@- ,ews in #eneral a$$ear to ha9e een "i9i"e" on the issue ecause the two schools of 1orah inter$retation ar#ue" a#ainst each other. 1he entire issue of "i9orce an" remarria#e was a hotly "e ate" issue in the first century. 5ome "esire" a strict a"herence to the Mosaic &aw ;)eut. -4*1-2=, while others elie9e" that such strictness, at times, was too harsh. !nto this reli#ious en9ironment entere" the influences of Hellenistic culture resultin# in a ottomless Aua#mire. 1he "e ates often centere" on the meanin# of the wor" Bin"ecentC use" y Moses ;)eut. -4*1-2=, as its "efinition, e9i"ently, was thou#ht to ha9e chan#e" in the fourteen centuries that ha" trans$ire" from the time of Moses to that of ,esus. 1he 5chool of Hillel sai" that a man coul" consi"er a "i9orce Bfor any "is#ust, which he felt towar" her.C 1his essentially was the first century eAui9alent of no-fault "i9orce. ?$$osin# this 9iew was the 5chool of 5hammai, which state" that 1381. 'harry, By the Renewing of .our Minds. 74. 1382. )ea" 5ea 5crolls* ') 4*-1L 11N 1em$le 27*17-19.
964 "i9orce coul" take $lace only in cases of o 9ious unfaithfulness. 5tonin# was not "iscusse". 1o make matters worse, accor"in# to ,ewish writin#s ;5if. :um. 99= Moses, himself, was "i9orce". He ha" marrie" Ki$$orah ;4%. -*-1=, ut Bsent her away,C ;meanin# a "i9orce= to her father ;4%. 1@*-= an" then marrie" a 'ushite ; lack African from 4thio$ia= woman ;:um. 1-*1=. 1his secon" marria#e Auickly ecame the su Eect of itter "iscussions etween Miriam an" Aaron ;:um. 1-*1=. 1/@/ 1hose itter "iscussions concernin# "i9orce continue" to the time of ,esus. 1he ra is of the 5chool of Hillel were morally ri#ht, ut e%e#etically wron#, while those of 5hammai were morally wron#, ut e%e#etically ri#ht. 5hammai actually reco#ni>e" the Bs$iritC of the Mosaic &aw, while Hillel was ri#ht only in that an o$enin# for "i9orce was $ermitte". 1/@4 5ince marria#e is a co9enant, there is little won"er then that ,esus went from the marria#e issue "irectly to honesty without swearin# or the takin# of oaths.
,. *. 3.J& 6i( #oly%a1y e@ist i$ the first "e$t)ry> .e#innin# with the $erio" of the ,u"#es, the $ractice of $oly#amy "ecrease", althou#h the three famous kin#s ;5aul, )a9i", an" 5olomon= may not e the est e%am$le of that tren". .y the !nter-1estamental $erio", the ook of 1o ias refers only to a hus an"-wife family, a $attern well esta lishe" y the ?l" 1estament $ro$hets. 1/@2 1he $ro$het 4>ekiel $ortraye" the hus an"-wife relationshi$ as ein# similar to !srael-Go" in the alle#ory of 4>ekiel 13. .y the first century, $oly#amy was rare, ut not unhear" of. Men, not women, ha" the a$$ro9al of historic tra"ition to ha9e more than one s$ouse at any #i9en time. 1his was $ractice" throu#hout the 1almu"ic (erio" until it was officially anne" in A.). 1-48. 1/@3 49i"ently it was common enou#h that ,ose$hus a""resse" it.
1383. 5ome scholars who "o not a#ree with this inter$retation state that Ki$$orah an" the 'ushite woman were one an" the same $erson.
1384. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. /83-87.

1385. 1rut>a, BMarria#e.C 4*9-.
1386. B.i#amy an" (oly#amyC 5ncyclopedia &udaica ')-0?M 1977.
965 If a$yo$e has t3o 3i8es+ a$( if he %reatly res#e"ts a$( be 9i$( to o$e of the1+ either o)t of his affe"tio$ to her+ or for her bea)ty+ or for so1e other reaso$ 3hile the other is of less estee1 3ith hi1+ a$( if the so$ of her that is belo8e( by the yo)$%er by birth tha$ a$other bor$ of the other 3ife+ b)t e$(eabors to obtai$ the ri%ht of #ri1o%e$it)re fro1 his father?s 9i$($ess to his 1other+ a$( 3o)l( thereby obtai$ a (o)ble #ortio$ of his father?s s)bsta$"e Bi$herita$"eC+ for that (o)ble #ortio$ is 3hat I ha8e allotte( hi1 i$ the la3s. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities /.,.*3 ,ose$hus then continues is section 4.@.-/ with the com$le%ities of marria#e an" "i9orce. He woul" ne9er ha9e a""resse" this issue if it "i" not e%ist. As for him, his first wife was kille" at the sie#e of ,ota$ata, his secon" wife "eserte" him, an" after he retire" in 0ome $ursue a literary career, he marrie" his thir" wife. 1/@7 :onetheless, $oly#amy continue" an" in some !slamic countries, such as Jemen in the 17 th century, $ersecution from Muslims was so se9ere that ,ewish men ha" to take on multi$le wi9es to kee$ the ,ewish race ali9e an" $re9ent ,ewish women from ecomin# homeless outcasts. Howe9er, "urin# the 5econ" 1em$le (erio" the $ractice was "iscoura#e", unless Bthe hus an" was ca$a le of $ro$erly fulfillin# his marital "uties towar" each of his wi9es.C Howe9er, local customs 9arie" an" many katu9ah ;marria#e "ee"s= for a"e a future secon" wife. 1/@@ 0a inic writin#s recor" one interestin# inci"ent of a ra i, of all $eo$le, who ha" two wi9es. 1he ,erusalem 1almu" ;.e amot 1/*-= has the account of a certain 0a i 4lie>er en Hyrcanus who marrie" his niece in his later years.1/@9 1he .a ylonian 1almu" $reser9e" the same account ; Sanhedrin 3@A= an" i"entifies 0a i Hyrcanus< wife as !mma 5halom, the "au#hter of 0a i 5imeon en Gamaliel, who outli9e" her i#amist hus an". 1his ra i ha" two wi9es at the same time, one of whom was also his niece, an" for 1387. Wilkins, B(eter<s )eclaration concernin# ,esus< !"entity in 'aesarea (hili$$i.C /27. 1388. +alk, &esus the 4harisee. @@-@9, 99, 183-87.
1389. A9ot )<0a i :athan, 'h. 13.
966 this he was e%communicate".1/98 Howe9er, his actions "i" not a$$ear to conflict with the 5chool of 5hammai, 1/91 ut the social "iscor" this cause" e9i"ently "iscoura#e" others from the $ractice, as there is no further written e9i"ence of 1almu"ic sa#es who en#a#e" in this $ractice. 1/91he church fathers, 'yril of ,erusalem an" ,erome, ma"e these comments concernin# secon" marria#es* A$( those 3ho are o$"e 1arrie( - let the1 $ot hol( i$ "o$te1#t those 3ho ha8e a""o11o(ate( the1sel8es to a se"o$( 1arria%e. Co$ti$e$"e is a %oo( a$( 3o$(erf)l thi$%4 b)t still+ it is #er1issible to e$ter )#o$ a se"o$( 1arria%e+ lest the 3ea9 1i%ht fall i$to for$i"atio$. Cyril of Jer)sale1+ 2atechetical 'ectures
&3!3
0hat the$> 6o 3e "o$(e1$ se"o$( 1arria%e> Not at all4 b)t 3e #raise first 1arria%es. 6o 3e e@#el bi%a1ists fro1 the Ch)r"h> Far fro1 it4 b)t 3e )r%e the o$"e-1arrie( to "o$ti$e$"e. Jero1e+ 'etter to Pammachius
&3!/
,ose$hus recor"e" the account of Din# !>ates of A"ia ene ;reine" A.). /238= in the ancient .a ylonian re#ion, who foun" himself etween two massi9e an" o$$ressi9e em$ires. When he felt his kin#"om was threatene" y the (arthians, he $lace" ashes on his forehea" an" tol" his wi9es an" chil"ren to call u$on Go" for hel$. 1he $lacement of ashes is in"icati9e that he was either ,ewish or a ,ewish-'hristian. 1he account rea"s as follows*
1390. .a ylonian 1almu", Ba a Me=ia 29.L Jet it is interestin# that "ue to hea9y $ersecution y Muslims, ,ewish men in Jemen, as late as the19th century, ha" to take more than one wife ecause so many men were mur"ere". !n this case, $oly#amy $reser9e" the ,ewish race. 1391. ,erusalem 1almu", Betsah 1*4
1392. +alk, &esus the 4harisee. 2/, 188-8-. 1393. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 172. 1394. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 172.
967 He BIGatesC 9$e3 the 9i$% of Parthia?s #o3er 3as 1)"h %reater tha$ his o3$4 b)t that he 9$e3 also that Go( 3as 1)"h 1ore #o3erf)l tha$ all 1e$. A$( 3he$ he ha( ret)r$e( hi1 this a$s3er+ he betoo9 hi1self to 1a9e s)##li"atio$ to Go(+ a$( thre3 hi1self o$ the %ro)$(+ a$( #)t ashes )#o$ his hea(+ i$ testi1o$y of his "o$f)sio$+ a$( faste( to%ether 3ith his 3i8es a$( "hil(re$. The$ he "alle( )#o$ Go(... Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities * ./.* 49i"ently, the &or" hear" an" answere" his $rayer for hel$ an" mercy, ecause he remaine" un"efeate". When he "ie", he ha" 4@ sons an" "au#hters, ut the num er of wi9es is unknown. 1/92 Another first century fi#ure, who ha" two wi9es, was none other than the famous historian +la9ius ,ose$hus. He marrie" a $risoner of war after the sie#e of ,ota$ata. Howe9er, he "i9orce" her when he was in Ale%an"ria, 4#y$t so he coul" marry another woman from that city. !n the year 33, he attem$te" to create a truce etween the re ellious ,ewish Kealots an" the 0omans. As a rewar", he was #i9en the o$$ortunity to li9e in 0ome where he was #rante" citi>enshi$, a $ension, a home, an" he took on the family name of +la9ius in honor of his "onor. 1hen he marrie" a wealthy woman from 'rete. 1he historian, who always claime" $ri"e in his (harisaic herita#e, ha" two wi9es who #a9e him fi9e sons. 1/93 1hese accounts may $ro"uce a new insi#ht into (aul<s counsel to 1imothy comman"in# an o9erseer to e the hus an" of one wife ;1 1im. /*-=. Mo"ern 'hristianity often assumes that i#amy was none- e%istent in the "ays of the early church. 1his is har"ly correct, as there were occasional cases of i#amy or $oly#amy.
1395. 5chalit, B!>ates !!.C 5ncyclopedia &udaica ') 0?M. 1396. Grant, The Ancient +istorians. -2/.
968
+inally, an interestin# e9ent occurre" in the early nineteenth century, which challen#es con9entional 'hristian o$inions that mono#amy was the stan"ar" $ractice of the ,ews in the first century. When :a$oleon conAuere" 4uro$e, the ,ews were encoura#e" to re-esta lish their ancient court system, the 5anhe"rin. .ecause of this "ecree, in 1@83 ,ews assem le" to "iscuss a num er of $ressin# $ro lems within their reli#ious or"er. ?f the many Auestions "iscusse", the first one was, B!s it lawful for ,ews to marry more than one wifeFC While the answer was ne#ati9e, the e%$lanation "i" mention that se9eral in"i9i"uals "i" in"ul#e in the $ractice in the ele9enth century, in Worms, Germany. 1he ,ews in Worms con9ene" a syno" an" the $ractice was con"emne". 1/97 1herefore, the $ractice of $oly#amy may not ha9e een $o$ular in first century ,u"aism, ut it clearly e%iste" an" continue" to some small "e#ree for centuries afterwar"s. ,. *. / Mt. &!7&b-& ;5ee also Mk. 18*--9= J)(ea a"ross the Jor(a$
PHA;ISEES JUESTI:N 6IF:;CE He (e#arte( fro1 Galilee a$( 3e$t to the re%io$ of J)(ea a"ross the Jor(a$. * Lar%e "ro3(s follo3e( Hi1+ a$( He heale( the1 there. 3 So1e Pharisees a##roa"he( Hi1 to test Hi1. They as9e(+ 2Is it la3f)l for a 1a$ to (i8or"e his 3ife o$ a$y %ro)$(s>5
&b
2Ha8e$?t yo) rea(+5 He re#lie(+ 2that He 3ho "reate( the1 i$ the be%i$$i$% 1a(e the1 1ale a$( fe1ale+5 ' a$( He also sai(7
/
1397. !saacs an" ?lit>ky, 'ritical )ocuments of &ewish +istory9 1@4.
969 2For this reaso$ a 1a$ 3ill lea8e his father a$( 1other a$( be Hoi$e( to his 3ife+ a$( the t3o 3ill be"o1e o$e flesh> So they are $o lo$%er t3o+ Therefore+ 3hat Go( has Hoi$e( to%ether+ 1a$ 1)st $ot se#arate.5
.
20hy the$+5 they as9e( Hi1+ 2(i( Moses "o11a$( )s to %i8e (i8or"e #a#ers a$( to se$( her a3ay>5
<
He tol( the1+ 2Moses #er1itte( yo) to (i8or"e yo)r 3i8es be"a)se of the har($ess of yo)r hearts. A)t it 3as $ot li9e that fro1 the be%i$$i$%. ! A$( I tell yo)+ 3hoe8er (i8or"es his 3ife+ e@"e#t for se@)al i11orality+ a$( 1arries a$other+ "o11its a()ltery.5
,
The (is"i#les sai( to hi1+ 2If this is the sit)atio$ bet3ee$ a h)sba$( a$( 3ife+ it is better $ot to 1arry.5
&
1his theolo#ical "e ate was an on#oin# "iscussion etween two $o$ular (harisaic schools of theolo#y. 1he 5chool of Hillel $ermitte" "i9orce for any reason ;eAual to mo"ern no-fault "i9orce=, which e9i"ently ha" sufficient im$act u$on the culture that ,ose$hus mentione" it a o9e ; Anti3uities" 4.@.-/=. 1he 5chool of 5hammai $ermitte" "i9orce ut only for the reason of a"ultery. 1he (harisees a$$roache" ,esus to ask which school was correct. 0ather than #i9in# them their "esire" answer, ,esus referre" to the ori#inal $ur$ose of Go" at the time of 'reation. )i9orce was #rante" only ecause of man<s e9il heart. !n the ,ewish law, a"ultery was always etween an unmarrie" woman an" a marrie" man, who was not her hus an", ut not so for a marrie" man an" a marrie" woman, who was not his wife. !n that case he woul" ha9e committe" a"ultery a#ainst her hus an". 1his was o 9iously an unEust system that ,esus o$$ose". .oth schools of theolo#y ha" lost si#ht of the fact that marria#e is not a two-way, ut a three-way co9enant inclu"in# Go", man, an" woman. Hence, while Go" hates "i9orce, it is $ermissi le, ut only on His terms.
970 Howe9er, there was another im$ortant as$ect to this "iscussion. !t "emonstrate" how cunnin# the (harisees were. 49eryone was aware that ,ohn the .a$tist con"emne" the "i9orce an" remarria#e of Hero" Anti$as an" Hero"ias. 1his e9entually le" to his im$risonment an" e%ecution. :ow that ,esus was out of the Galilee area an" #ettin# into Hero"<s territory, the (harisees $lanne" to snare ,esus, ho$in# Hero" woul" ha9e a reason to im$rison Him as well. 1/9@ As $re9iously state", there were four reasons in the ?ral &aw that $ermitte" a man to "i9orce his wife. 1he last of these state" that a hus an" coul" essentially $ut his wife away ;"i9orce= for any reason whatsoe9er. ,esus for a"e "i9orce, not on the Mosaic re#ulations, ut on the #roun"s that Go" institute" marria#e. !n "oin# so, ,esus eliminate" all the aca"emic ar#uments of the 5chools of Hillel an" 5hammai an" rou#ht to their attention the $ur$ose of Go". 49i"ently, this may ha9e een a new conce$t for them. 1ake $articular notice of Matthew 19*/ in li#ht of the ?ral &aw<s fourth reason, as recor"e" in the Mishnah y the 5chool of Hillel* So1e Pharisees a##roa"he( Hi1 to test Hi1. They as9e(+ 2Is it la3f)l for a 1a$ to (i8or"e his 3ife o$ a$y %ro)$(s>5
3
Matthe3 &!73
BIf a 1a$ sai(C 2Io$a1K If I 1arry the )%ly 3o1a$ s)"h-a-o$e+ tho)%h she 3as i$(ee( bea)tif)l4 or the bla"9 3o1a$ s)"h-ao$e+ tho)%h she 3as i$(ee( 3hite4 or the short 3o1a$ s)"h-ao$e+ tho)%h she 3as i$(ee( tall4 she is ByetC #er1itte( to hi1 $ot be"a)se she 3as )%ly a$( be"a1e bea)tif)l+ or bla"9 a$( be"a1e 3hite+ or short a$( be"a1e tall+ b)t be"a)se it 3as a 8o3 1a(e i$ error.5 Mish$ah+ -etuboth +edarim !.& Matthew 19*/ is o 9iously a "irect reference to the teachin#s of the 5chool of Hillel, which inter$rete" the "i9orce 5cri$tures 9ery li erally, whereas the 5chool of 5hammai, in this case, inter$rete" them as written y Moses 1398. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on Mark 18*-.
971 ;)eut. -4*1-4=. !t was the o Eecti9e of the (harisees to ensnare ,esus into an on#oin# ar#ument etween these two schools an" $ossi ly #et Him em roile" with Hero" Anti$as. 5ince Hero" ha" e%ecute" ,ohn the .a$tist, the (harisees were ho$in# he woul" "o the same to ,esus. 1he (harisees an" the 5chool of Hillel 9iewe" marria#e as a social institution, #o9erne" y the laws of men an" for their con9enience. ,esus an" the 5chool of 5hammai reco#ni>e" marria#e as a "i9ine institution an" #o9erne" y Go". Unfortunately, in most i lical inter$retation, the 5chool of 5hammai was Eust as le#alistic as the 5a""ucees an" (harisees an" "i" not a#ree with ,esus. 1he irony of these laws was that "urin# a cou$le<s etrothal $erio" ;a out one year=, the only reason for a "i9orce was immorality. After marria#e, howe9er, a man coul" "i9orce his wife for any reason. +inally, marria#e is the most intimate of all human relationshi$s. !t is s$iritual, $hysical, emotional, an" a union of "ee$est lo9e an" $ermanence. !t is also sym olic of the relationshi$ Go" "esires with e9ery $erson. +or this reason, "i9orce an" any kin" of se%ual union outsi"e of marria#e is of the hi#hest a omination efore Go". ,. *. ' M9. & 7& -&*4 Mt. &!7& -&* 6ISCIPLES JUESTI:N JESUS M9. & No3 i$ the ho)se the (is"i#les =)estio$e( Hi1 a%ai$ abo)t this 1atter. && A$( He sai( to the1+ 20hoe8er (i8or"es his 3ife a$( 1arries a$other "o11its a()ltery a%ai$st her.
&*
Also+ if she (i8or"es her h)sba$( a$( 1arries a$other+ she "o11its a()ltery.5
Mt. & His (is"i#les sai( to Hi1+ 2If the relatio$shi# of a 1a$ 3ith his 3ife is li9e this+ it?s better $ot to 1arryK5 A)t He tol( the1+ 2Not e8eryo$e "a$ a""e#t this sayi$%+ b)t o$ly those it has bee$ %i8e$ to. &* For there are e)$)"hs 3ho
&&
972 3ere bor$ that 3ay fro1 their 1other?s 3o1b+ there are e)$)"hs 3ho 3ere 1a(e by 1e$+ a$( there are e)$)"hs 3ho ha8e 1a(e the1sel8es that 3ay be"a)se of the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$. Let a$yo$e a""e#t this 3ho "a$.5 2If she (i8or"es her h)sba$(.5 1his statement #i9es cre"ence to the 9iew that women ha" the ri#ht to "i9orce their hus an"s. 1his statement woul" ne9er ha9e een ma"e if women were not $ermitte" to o tain a "i9orce. 2For so1e are e)$)"hs.5 1he first two sections of this $assa#e can easily e un"erstoo". 5ome men were orn eunuchs, while others were castrate" in infancy for their inten"e" ser9ice to the royal court in later life was the custom in the ancient :ear 4ast. Howe9er, that is not what is ein# sai" in this te%t. !t means that those who ha9e the #ift of celi acy shoul" a$$ly their ener#ies for the Din#"om of Go". (aul also referre" to celi acy as a #ift ;1 'or. 7*-, 7=. A similar i"iom was s$oken y ,esus when He sai" that if an eye or han" woul" offen" the elie9er, it ou#ht to e remo9e". 1he early 'hurch father, 4use ius, re$orte" that ?ri#en un"erstoo" this te%t was to e taken literally an" castrate" himself. &ater in life, ?ri#en un"erstoo" that this $hrase was not to e taken literally an" that wise counsel in his youn#er years woul" ha9e een hel$ful in $re9entin# the lifechan#in# e9ent.1/99 'lement of Ale%an"ria, howe9er, may ha9e ha" the most accurate inter$retation of the i lical $assa#e* A tr)e e)$)"h is $ot o$e 3ho is )$able+ b)t o$e 3ho is )$3illi$% to i$()l%e i$ #leas)re. Cle1e$t of Ale@a$(ria+ *he Instructor ,. *. . Mt. '733-3<
&/
H:NESTE 0ITH:UT S0EA;ING :; :ATHS. 2A%ai$+ yo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai( to o)r a$"estors+ Eo) 1)st $ot brea9 yo)r oath+ b)t yo) 1)st 9ee# yo)r oaths
33
1399. 4use ius, 5cclesiastical +istory. 3.@.-. 1400. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). -37.
973 to the Lor(. 3/ A)t I tell yo)+ (o$?t ta9e a$ oath at all7 either by hea8e$+ be"a)se it is Go(?s thro$e4 3' or by the earth+ be"a)se it is His footstool4 or by Jer)sale1+ be"a)se it is the "ity of the %reat Ii$%. 3. Neither sho)l( yo) s3ear by yo)r hea(+ be"a)se yo) "a$$ot 1a9e a si$%le hair 3hite or bla"9. 3< A)t let yo)r 3or( Wyes? be Wyes+? a$( yo)r W$o? be W$o.? A$ythi$% 1ore tha$ this is fro1 the e8il o$e. 1he wor"s of ,esus are rather strai#ht forwar", which mi#ht make the mo"ern stu"ent won"er why the matter was a""resse" in the first $lace. 1he reason is that at this time, there were three kin"s of swearin# 7 somethin# that a$$ears to e rather ri"iculous to"ay. 1. 1here was the fri9olous swearin#, that is, takin# an oath when none was nee"e". -. 1here was an oath that inclu"e" the name of Go" which was a solutely in"in#. /. 1here was the oath that "i" not inclu"e the name of Go" an", therefore, was not re#ar"e" as in"in#. With three $ossi le way to affirm a commitment, little won"er that ,esus sim$ly wante" to sim$lify the matter with the wor"s, 2Let yo)r 3or( WEes? be WEes.?5 Anyone who makes an oath ;Greek* homologeo = makes a treaty with a "eity, so that to lie un"er oath is to lie to one<s "eity. 1481 When ,esus #a9e this teachin#, He most certainly was aware that when His (assion Week woul" come He woul" e on trial si% times an", on at least one occasion, He woul" e un"er oath to "eclare whether He was the 'hrist, the 5on of Go" ;Mt. -3*3/=. +urthermore, He was $lace" un"er oath to a $a#an 0oman "eity. 148- His $rimary concern was for the hori>ontal relationshi$s etween $eo$le. ,esus raise" the le9el of $ersonal inte#rity an" a""e" clarity to the meanin# of Bri#hteousnessC that it is a matter of 1401 . +urst, B'onfess.C 1*/44L &ink an" 1uente. B5wear, ?ath.C /*7/7-4/.
148. 1o $lace one un"er oath always ment a relationshi$ with a "eity of the one who a"ministere" the oath.
974 the heart ;cf. Mt. 2*3=. 148/ !t shoul" e note" that 5cri$ture clearly in"icates that Go" swore y Himself ;Gen. --*13L (s. 118*4L !sa. 42*-/=. 1here were 9ery few a#reements etween the 4ssenes an" ,esus, yet on this issue, they were close. ,ose$hus recor"e" their strict moral co"e re#ar"in# s$eakin# only the truth* They are e1i$e$t for fi(elity+ a$( are the 1i$isters of #ea"e4 3hatsoe8er they say also is fir1er tha$ a$ oath4 b)t s3eari$% is a8oi(e( by the1 a$( they estee1 it 3orse tha$ #erH)ry. For they say that he 3ho "a$$ot be belie8e( 3itho)t Bs3eari$% byC Go( is alrea(y "o$(e1$e(. Jose#h)s+ %ars *.,.. While ,esus su$$orte" the Mosaic &aw, He "i" not refer to it ut to the $rinci$les of Go". Moses sai" that one shoul" not swear falsely y the name of Go" ecause it woul" $rofane the )i9ine :ame ;4%. -8*7L )eut. 2*11=. .ut ,esus sai" that a ByesC or BnoC of an honest man was far more cre"i le that a sworn name y someone with Auestiona le character. +ollowers of His were to ha9e unAuestiona le character. A ri#hteous man has no nee" to swear ecause e9ery wor" he utters is truthful an" the sinful man has no res$ect for any hi#her authority an", therefore, swearin# to him is meanin#less. A#ain, ,esus "i" not refer to the Mosaic &aw, ut to the $rinci$les of Go". 1here is a $rohi ition a#ainst $erEury in &e9iticus 19*1-, which states that one shoul" not swear y the name of Go" falsely, as this woul" $rofane the "i9ine name ;cf. 4%. -8*7L )eut. 2*11=. ,esus was a#ainst the swearin# of oaths ecause oaths were use" to conceal "ishonest intentions. !t was elie9e" that whoe9er nee"e" to swear to the truth was afrai" an" whoe9er swore a out a falsehoo" was a "ecei9er an" traitor. 1he first elie9e" that the $ower e9oke" coul" $unish him an" the other is an im$oster who $rofite" y the faith of others. !n oth cases swearin# is wron#. At the time of ,esus the ,ewish $eo$le were un"er such hea9y 0oman economic on"a#e that swearin# to a falsehoo", such as to a ta% collector, 1403 . .rown, B0i#hteousness, ,ustification.C /*/2--24.
975 ha" ecome $ermissi le y the ra is. 'onseAuently, the ?ral &aw ha" many ways to reak an oath. Jet in res$onse, ,esus sai" that one<s wor" is to e on". 1ruthfulness is essential to ri#hteousness. 1akin# an oath was $ro lematic for two reasons* 1. !t was a failure of honesty, a characteristic concernin# the ima#e of Go" an", -. A maEor o Eection to the takin# of oaths is relate" to the ci9il court system. ,ews who were calle" to testify were reAuire" to swear u$on a $a#an #o", an action that 9iolate" their law. 1484 1o forei#ners it ma"e little "ifference as to which #o" one woul" swear an oath, ut to a ri#hteous ,ew or 'hristian, this was of $aramount im$ortance ;cf. 1 'or. 3*2-@=.
1he ra inic writin#s where the ra is "etermine" there was a "ifference etween 9ali" an" in9ali" oaths. Most certainly, ,esus was sayin# that the ByesC or RnoC of an honest man was far more relia le than the sworn statement of one with Auestiona le character. Here ,esus sim$lifie" a list of re#ulations, which ha" ecome incre"i ly cum ersome an", at times, unfair. 1he reli#ious lea"ers ha" laws that $ermitte" one to reak a 9ow an" "isre#ar" the commitment com$letely. .elow are two e%am$les, the secon" of which also refers to "i9orce* Fo)r 9i$(s of 8o3s the Sa%es ha8e (e"lare( $ot to be bi$(i$%7 8o3s of i$"ite1e$t+ 8o3s of e@a%%eratio$+ 8o3s 1a(e i$ error+ a$( 8o3s Bthat "a$$ot be f)lfille( by reaso$C of restrai$t. 1404 . &ink an" 1uente. B5wear, ?ath.C /*7/7-4/.
976 Mish$ah+ -etuboth +edarim 3.& BIf a 1a$ sai(C 2If I 1arry the )%ly 3o1a$ s)"h-a-o$e+ tho)%h she 3as i$(ee( bea)tif)l4 or the bla"9 3o1a$ s)"h-a-o$e+ tho)%h she 3as i$(ee( 3hite4 or the short 3o1a$ s)"h-a-o$e+ tho)%h she 3as i$(ee( tall4 she is ByetC #er1itte( to hi1 $ot be"a)se she 3as )%ly a$( be"a1e bea)tif)l+ or bla"9 a$( be"a1e 3hite+ or short a$( be"a1e tall+ b)t be"a)se it 3as a 8o3 1a(e i$ error.5 Mish$ah+ -etuboth +edarim !.& 1he issue of "i9orce is closely relate" to reakin# a 9ow or an oath. 1he a o9e re#ulation concernin# "i9orce essentially in"icates that a man coul" "i9orce his wife for any reason whatsoe9er. !n essence, this was no-fault "i9orce similar to what is foun" in most Western countries to"ay. While it was much more $re9alent in Gentile communities, the ,ews were also sufferin# from a reak"own of the family unit. Jet 9ows coul" e roken for the ri#ht reasons. Me$ 1ay 8o3 to 1)r(erers+ robbers+ or ta@ "olle"tors that 3hat they ha8e is hea8e-offeri$% e8e$ tho)%h it is $ot hea8e-offeri$%4 or that they belo$% to the 9i$%?s ho)sehol( e8e$ tho)%h they (o $ot belo$% to the 9i$%?s ho)sehol(. The S"hool of Sha11ai say7 2They 1ay so 8o3 i$ a$y for1 of 3or(s e@"e#t i$ the for1 of a$ oath.5 I$ a((itio$+ the S"hool of Hillel says7 2E8e$ i$ the for1 of a$ oath.5 Mish$ah+ +ashim +edarim 3./ No$e 1ay ta9e "ha$%e for 1o$ey fro1 the "o)$ter of e@"ise 1e$ or fro1 the 3allet of ta@ "olle"tors+ or ta9e a$y al1s fro1 the14 b)t it 1ay be ta9e$ fro1 the1 at their o3$ ho)se or i$ the 1ar9et. If ta@ "olle"tors too9 a 1a$?s (o$9ey a$( %a8e hi1 a$other+ of if robbers robbe( a 1a$ of his "oat a$( %a8e hi1 a$other+ they be"a1e his o3$+ si$"e the o3$er "herishes $o ho#e of re"o8eri$% the1.
977 Mish$ah+ +e:i!in 7aba -amma & .&b - *a If ta@ "olle"tors e$tere( a ho)se Ball that is 3ithi$ itC be"o1es )$"lea$. E8e$ if a Ge$tile 3as 3ith the1 they 1ay be belie8e( if they say+ 20e (i( $ot e$ter+5 b)t they 1ay $ot be belie8e( if they say+ 20e e$tere( b)t to)"he( $othi$%.5 If thie8es e$tere( a ho)se+ o$ly that #art is )$"lea$ that 3as tro((e$ by the feet of the thie8es. 0hat (o they re$(er )$"lea$> Foo(st)ffs a$( li=)i(s a$( o#e$ earthe$3are 8essels4 b)t "o)"hes a$( seats a$( earthe$3are 8essels ha8i$% a ti%htly sto##e(-)# "o8er re1ai$ "lea$. If a Ge$tile or a 3o1a$ 3as 3ith the1 all be"o1es )$"lea$. Mish$ah+ *ohoroth *ohoroth <..a 'learly, this 9olume of ra inic writin#s concernin# the e%ce$tions of honesty of character, while maintainin# so-calle" ri#hteousness, is in"icati9e of the e%tent that "ishonesty ha" $ermeate" ,ewish society. Au#ustine ma"e this comment a out oaths* S3ear $ot at all4 3or(s+ 3hi"h 3ere i$ 1y o#i$io$ s#o9e$+ $ot be"a)se it is a si$ to s3ear a tr)e oath+ b)t be"a)se it is a hei$o)s si$ to fores3ear o$es? self. A)%)sti$e+ *o Publicola
&/ '
At this $oint there is some "ifficulty in un"erstan"in# the first century ,ewish min"-set concernin# 9ows an" oaths. While the Mishnah is seen as encoura#in# the makin# of 9ows, yet the .a ylonian 1almu" a"9ise" #reat care in makin# solemn $romises ;i.e. Nedar 9aL --a=. 1he followin# e%am$le is in reference to a 9ow ma"e for an offerin#* For it 3as ta)%ht+ 2better it is that yo) (o $ot 8o3+ tha$ that yo) 8o3 a$( $ot #ay5 BE""l. '7/C. Aetter tha$ both is $ot to 8o3 at all.
1405. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 191.
978 Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ +edar !a 'oncernin# the "ifferences, the followin# e%$lanation is su##este"* 1he Mishnah was recor"e" in the secon" century, while the more e%hausti9e 1almu" was com$lete" aroun" the year 288. 1he Mishnah is #enerally consi"ere" the more relia le, while the .a ylonian 1almu" may reflect a more i"ealistic 9iew. )ifferences also e%ist ecause not all ra is were in a#reement on this matter.
,. *. ..J& 0hat 3as a (iffere$"e bet3ee$ the 8o3+ the oath+ a$( a ba$> An oath was a solute while the 9ow was #enerally con"itional. 1he latter ha" con"itional $hrases attache" such as Bif !...C or Bthat if.C Anythin# that was anne" was restricte" from common use an" assi#ne" to the tem$le $riesthoo". 1483 ,. *. < Mt. '73,-/*4 L9. .73& ;EGA;6ING ;ETALIATI:N Mt. 3, Eo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai(, 2A$ Eye for a$ eye+ a$( a tooth for a tooth5BE@. *&7*/4 Le8. */7* 4 6e)t. &!7*&C. 3! A)t I tell yo)+ 26o$?t resist a$ e8il(oer.5 :$ the "o$trary+ if so1eo$e sla#s yo) o$ yo)r ri%ht "hee9+ t)r$ the other to hi1 also. / As for the o$e 3ho 3a$ts to s)e yo) a$( ta9e a3ay yo)r shirt+ let hi1 ha8e yo)r "oat as 3ell. /& A$( if a$yo$e for"es yo) to %o o$e 1ile+ %o 3ith hi1 t3o.
/*
Gi8e to the o$e 3ho as9s yo)+
1406. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 4@7-@@.
979 a$( (o$?t t)r$ a3ay fro1 the o$e 3ho 3a$ts to borro3 fro1 yo). L9. 3& J)st as yo) 3a$t others to (o for yo)+ (o the sa1e for the1. When ,esus tol" them not to retaliate, not to resist an e9il $erson ;a 0oman= an", walk a secon" mile when so "eman"e" ;an occasional reAuest y 0oman sol"iers=, they were #reatly $er$le%e". When ,esus sai", 2A$ eye for a$ eye+ a$( a tooth for a tooth+5 He use" a fi#ure of s$eech to say that the $unishment must fit the crime, a law that $re"ate" the written ?l" 1estament an" ha" numerous counter$arts in the ?ral &aw. !t was known amon# the 0omans as ,e( Talionis. 1487 1here were four im$ortant elements of ,e( Talionis that e%iste" for centuries efore the 0omans #a9e it this &atin name. 1. 1he name ,e( Talionis was the e#innin# of mercy, an act to esta lish Eustice without 9en#eance ;&e9. 19*1@=. -. 1his law was ne9er a"ministere" ;see. )eut. 19*1@=. y an in"i9i"ual, ut y a court
/. 49en in semi-ci9ili>e" soceities, this law was ne9er carrie" out literally. 0ather, com$ensation was reAuire" for the followin#* a. !nEury . (ain suffere" c. Healin# ". &ost time of wa#es lost e. +or in"i#nity suffere".
1407. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*13/-32.
980 4. While He rew -2*-1=. Talionis" this law "oes call for Eustice, it is not the em o"iement of the .i le. ?ther sections call for fee"in# one<s enemy ;(ro9. +urthermore, (ro9er s -4*-9 a$$ears to contra"ict ,e(" which only affirms the mercy element of this fi#ure of s$eech.
1he ancient law that a$$ears to ha9e een so incre"i ly ruthless was, in fact, the forerunner of mo"ern lia ility law. :onetheless, to make sure there woul" e no misun"erstan"in# of this law, ,esus remo9e" the retaliation element of it. :either Moses nor ,esus e9er "enie" mercy, ut the reli#ious lea"ers of the (harisees an" 5a""ucees were not as kin". 1he $ro lem is that a few laws of Moses are nearly i"entical to those of Hammura i which were writte/n centuries earlier. 1he resultin# contro9ersies challen#e the "i9ine ins$iration of 5cri$ture if the He rew 'o"e is "e$en"ent u$on the ol"er Hammura i<s 'o"e. 1o a""ress this issue, an e%am$le of each law #i9er is $resente" as well as the comment y ,esus in Matthew 2*1@. 'ritics, howe9er, ha9e ha" a fiel" "ay with this ?l" 1estament $assa#e ;alon# with se9eral others=. 1herefore, the Auestion is,
,. *. <.J& 6i( Moses =)ote Ha11)rabi+ a$( if so+ ho3 (oes this affe"t the 3or(s of Jes)s i$ Matthe3 '7&,> 1his to$ic is eyon" the sco$e of this $a$er. Howe9er, a rief re9iew is warrante" since ,esus ma"e reference to a &aw of Moses that a$$ears to ha9e ori#inate" with Hammura i. !f one assumes that ,esus referre" to the Mosaic &aw an" not to the ?ral &aw, then, critics say, He le#itimi>e" the ?l" 1estament $assa#es. ?n the other han", if one assumes that the Auotation y ,esus ori#inate" y Hammura i, then the ins$iration of 5cri$ture is challen#e". 1o e%$lain this issue, it is im$ortant to riefly ste$ into archaeolo#ical history. An archaeolo#ical "isco9ery that cause" $henomenal contro9ersies occurre" at the close of 1981 an" at the e#innin# of 198-. A +rench archaeolo#ical team, e%ca9atin# at the acro$olis of 5usa ;or B5hushan the $alaceC in the ook of 4sther=, unearthe" a se9en-foot four-inch tall stele with one of the lon#est cuneiform inscri$tions e9er "isco9ere". !t was the le#al co"e of Din# Hammura i ;179- -1728 ..'.=, the si%th monarch of the first .a ylonian "ynasty. He e%$an"e" the .a ylonian 4m$ire that inclu"e" numerous
981 9assal states. 1o #o9ern $ro$erly, he esta lishe" a set of -@- laws that were uniform throu#hout the 4m$ire an" ecame known as the 'o"e of Hammura i, or 'o"e% Hammura i. 1hese laws were inscri e" on the lack "iorite stele, an" scholars elie9e that co$ies were ma"e an" "istri ute". 1he 'o"e ecame the stan"ar" of con"uct an" culture throu#hout the 9ast section of western Asia. 5ome of these re#ulations e%iste" $rior to Hammura i an" are known as co"e% is the 'o"e of Ur-:ammu. 148@ Hammura i selecte" those laws he felt woul" ser9e his $eo$le est an" $ro9i"e uniformity to le#al an" social issues. A raham ;c. -888 ..'.=, the father of the ,ewish $eo$le, came from Ur, a city within ancient country of 5umer ;the i lical 5hinar=. While he $re"ate" Hammura i, many laws of the 'o"e% e%iste" in A raham<s time. He was followe" y Moses some fi9e centuries later who wrote the first fi9e ooks of the He rew .i le. As state" $re9iously, the maEor $ro lem is that a few laws written y Hammura i are nearly i"entical to those #i9en centuries later y Moses an" ,esus. :ote the followin#* If a 1a$ has 9$o"9e( o)t the tooth of a 1a$ 3ho is his e=)al+ they shall 9$o"9 o)t his tooth. La3 No. *
**
+ Co(e@ Ha11)rabi
20he$ 1e$ %et i$ a fi%ht a$( hit a #re%$a$t 3o1a$ so that her "hil(re$ are bor$ #re1at)rely b)t there is $o i$H)ry+ the o$e 3ho hit her 1)st be fi$e( as the 3o1a$?s h)sba$( (e1a$(s fro1 hi1+ a$( he 1)st #ay a""or(i$% to H)(i"ial assess1e$t. *3 If there is a$ i$H)ry+ the$ yo) 1)st %i8e life for life+ */ eye for eye+ tooth for tooth+ ha$( for ha$(+ foot for foot+ *' b)r$ for b)r$+ br)ise for br)ise+ 3o)$( for 3o)$(. E@o()s *&7**-*/ 1408. 1he ol"est known co"e of law is a shorter le#al co"e% known as the 'o"e of Ur:ammu of ancient Ur. !t is of the same #eo#ra$hical area, $re"ates Hammura i y three centuries ;-188--828 ..'.=, an" has only /- laws written in the 5umerian the &aw. &aw num er -- rea"s, B!f a man knocks out a tooth of another man, he shall $ay two shekels of sil9er.C
982 Eo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai(+ WA$ eye for a$ eye+ a$( a tooth for a tooth.
3,
Matthe3 '73, .oth the Hammura i an" Ur-:ammu ;see footnote a o9e= co"es are arran#e" in casuistic form, meanin#, the law e#ins with a statement similar to B!f a manTC after which the $unishe" is "escri e". +or many of the -@- laws of Hammura i, the $unishment for a 9iolation was "eath, e9en in matters thou#ht of as ein# tri9ial to"ay. !t is unknown if Hammura i<s Eu"#es enforce" all laws to their ma%imum $unishment. Howe9er, the Mosaic 'o"e, which is often critici>e", restraine" re9en#e an" essentially states that $unishment must fit the crime. While there are some similarities, there are some "istinct "ifferences etween the Mosaic 'o"e an" other ancient co"es. Amon# the He rews, all $eo$le ha" eAual ri#hts, e9en s. Howe9er, in the .a ylonian culture were three "istinct societal le9els* 1. 1he aristocrats, #entlemen, free citi>ens, $rofessionals, officers, an" tra"esmen. -. 1he $oor an" freemen who $re9iously were sla9es. /. 5la9es.
1489
&e#islation 9arie" for each le9el. A "istinct "ifference from the Mosaic 'o"e is that the 'o"e% Hammura i "eals with outwar" e%$ressions an" actions ut a9oi"s issues of reli#ion an" matters of the heart. 1418 Many Greek an" 0oman laws were Auite similar. Howe9er, the Mosaic &aw is thus far su$erior as it has oth outwar" e%$ressions as well as issues of the heart. 1he latter is illustrate" as follows, &. 2A$( yo) shall be holy 1e$ to 1e5 BE@. **73&C
1409. 'lay, ,ight on the :ld Testament. -87-8@. 1410. A"ams, Ancient Records. 32.
983 *. 2Eo) shall be holy for I a1 holy5 BLe8. &&7/'C 3. 2Eo) shall be holy+ for I a1 the Lor(5 BLe8. &!7*C 1hese three e%am$les are a keynote of the Mosaic &awL that men shoul" e holy in "ee" an" action efore Go", an" this is the messa#e that was reinforce" y ,esus. +urthermore, when ,esus sai", BJou ha9e hear" that it was sai",C He s$oke to e9eryone 7 ,ew an" Gentile alike. He #a9e instructions that one shoul" not retaliate with an#er, ut res$on" with lo9e. !t is the o$inion of this writer, that Go" or"aine" some $arts of the 'o"e to e co$ie" into the .i le ecause, at that time, they were $art of the uni9ersal co"e of con"uct.
!f an inEury an" "eath occurre", e9en if it was acci"ental, a mem er of an inEure" clan or tri e ha" the "uty to rin# Eustice to the #uilty $arty. 1he ?l" 1estament $hrase s$ecifically state" this to kee$ an#ere" Eustice from ecomin# a 9in"icti9e loo" feu". All too often, the $unishment far e%cee"e" the crime an" any sense of Eustice. !n the tra9els of this author throu#hout the Mi""le 4ast, he "isco9ere" that this ancient tri al law is still o ser9e" in many Muslim countries, es$ecially in the rural areas. His frien", !ma", in ,or"an ha" an e%$erience as follows* !ma" is an aca"emic an" y nature, is a 9ery careful an" o ser9ant in"i9i"ual. ?ne "ay while "ri9in# in Amman, a $e"estrian "arte" out in front of his car. 1his cause" an una9oi"a le acci"ent an" the !ma" was clearly the innocent. Jet the $olice $lace" him in $rison to $rotect his life, until the family of the inEure" $e"estrian sai" that their "eman"s were met. ?nly then was he release" from $rison. 49en thou#h !ma" was com$letely innocent, he ha" to $ay for the "ama#es to his car, the hos$ital ill of the
984 inEure" $erson who cause" the acci"ent, an" the lost wa#es of the inEure". !nsurance "oes not co9er acci"ents of this nature. Hammura i<s &aw 'o"e was not limite" to ancient .a ylon, ecause many surroun"in# $eo$le #rou$s e9entually a"o$te" it or some form of it. 1411 !n -818 !sraeli archaeolo#ists "i##in# at a site in Ha>or "isco9ere" two fra#ments of a clay ta let written in Akka"ian cuneiform that $arallels $ortions of Hammura i<s "ecrees. 1he fra#ments containe" the Btooth for a toothC $ro9ision that a$$ears to e $arallel to the ?l" 1estament $assa#e Beye for an eye an" a tooth for a tooth.C 141- 1he wor" from ,esus is that it was time to lay asi"e the tri al laws an" li9e with com$assion an" mercy. Why "i" Moses co$y $art of the Hammura i<s 'o"eF 'ritics ha9e assume" that he "i". Howe9er, it was ecause Go" or"aine" some $arts of the 'o"e to e co$ie" into the .i le ecause, at that time, they were $art of Go"<s uni9ersal co"e of con"uct that $re-e%iste" Moses. +or e%am$le, when :oah uilt the ark, he acknowle"#e" the "ifferences etween clean an" unclean animals 7 centuries efore Moses wrote them into the Mosaic 'o"e. 26o$?t resist a$ e8il(oer.5 !t har"ly seems ri#ht that one shoul" not resist e9il. 1he wor" BresistC is a He raism that also rea"s, B)o not a#ree with an e9il $erson,C or B"o not fi#ht an e9il $erson.C 141/ While the wor" is translate" correctly, its meanin# is more encom$assin# an" inclu"es (salm /7*1, @ an" (ro9er s -4*19. 2If so1eo$e sla#s yo) o$ yo)r ri%ht "hee9.5 1his $hrase has nothin# to "o with $hysical 9iolence, ut has e9erythin# to "o with insults. :otice that the sla$ is on the ri#ht cheek, not left. +or one to sla$ another $erson on the ri#ht cheek, he woul" nee" to use his left han". +or centuries the ri#ht han" was sym olic of authority an" lessin#s while the left han" was for $ersonal hy#ene an" curses. !n this $hrase, the cursin# han" was use" to sla$ someone. +urthermore, to sla$ someone with the ack of the han" was consi"ere" twice as insultin# as if he was hit with the $alm of the han". 1411. (acker, 1enney, an" White. The Bible Almanac. /@8-93.
1412. !srael :ational :ews, ,uly -3, -818, re$rinte" in BHammura i-like &aw 'o"e +oun" at Ha>or.C Artifa( -2*4 ;Autumn -818=. @.
1413. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 41-.
985 2T)r$ the other to hi1 also.5 1he reason ,esus sai" to turn the cheek was not to acce$t a""itional $hysical 9iolence, ut y "oin# so the 9ictim "isarms the in"i9i"ual who initiate" the insult. )isarmin# the 9er al assault with lo9e is the $referre" solution to returnin# insult with insult. 2For the o$e 3ho 3a$ts to s)e yo).5 1he ,ews ha" a 9illa#e court where the Magista ser9e" as a Eu"#e. Howe9er, if a case came efore the )awar" there was an oath im$ose" u$on the witness. 1414 While there was a Eu"icial system, the 1almu" was hi#hly critical of the ,ew who took another to court, es$ecially in a heathen court where the oath was $ronounce" in honor of a $a#an #o". 2Shirt+ let hi1 ha8e yo)r "oat as 3ell.5 1he tunic, also known as a cetoneth, was the ancient out #arment. :ot wearin# a BcoatC or tunic was consi"ere" Bnake"C ;see &'. *. !.J&=. (oetic $arallelism was a#ain use" y ,esus to em$hasi>e the $oint of ein# Go"ly. 1his literary style, a memory tool con"emnin# 9en#eance an" 9in"icti9eness, is also foun" in the !nter-1estamental ook of the 1estament of .enEamin. 1412 See the$+ 1y "hil(re$+ 3hat is the %oal of the %oo( 1a$> Ae i1itators of hi1 i$ his %oo($ess be"a)se of his "o1#assio$+ i$ or(er that yo) 1ay 3ear "ro3$s of %lory. For a %oo( 1a$ (oes $ot ha8e a bli$( eye+ b)t is 1er"if)l to all+ e8e$ tho)%h they 1ay be si$$ers. A$( e8e$ if #erso$s #lot a%ai$st hi1 for e8il e$(s+ by (oi$% %oo( this 1a$ "o$=)ers e8il+ bei$% 3at"he( o8er by Go(. He lo8es those 3ho 3ro$% hi1 as he lo8es his o3$ life. If a$yo$e %lorifies hi1self+ he hol(s $o e$8y. 1414. .a ylonian 1almu", Baba *amma 11/ .
986 If a$yo$e be"o1e ri"h+ he is $ot Healo)s. If a$yo$e is bra8e+ he #raises hi1. He lo8es the 1o(erate #erso$4 he sho3s 1er"y to the i1#o8erishe(4 To the ill he sho3s "o1#assio$4 he fears Go(. He lo8es the #erso$ 3ho has the %ift of a %oo( s#irit as he lo8es his o3$ life. Testa1e$t of Ae$Ha1i$ /7&-' &/&. 2A$( if a$yo$e for"es yo) to %o o$e 1ile+ %o 3ith hi1 t3o.5 1he (ersians authori>e" their couriers to force anyone into ser9ice for them, if assistance was nee"e". 1his $ractice was later a"o$te" y the 0omans. 1417 !n the 0oman worl", a sol"ier coul" comman" any $easant into ser9ice imme"iately an" he woul" ha9e to carry whate9er loa" the sol"ier "eman"e". Howe9er, to $rotect the citi>en from military a use, the sol"ier coul" "eman" that the loa" e carrie" only one mile. 141@ Jet this is $recisely what ha$$ene" to 5imon of 'yrene when a 0oman sol"ier com$elle" him to carry the cross for ,esus to 'al9ary. ,esus state" that the #enerosity of His followers shoul" $erform the task to a #reater measure than that which was $ermitte" or reAueste". 1herein woul" the #racious lo9e an" kin"ness of Go" flow throu#h the faithful elie9er an" e re9eale" to the lost sinner. ,. *. <.J3 0ho "halle$%e( Jes)s i$ 8ario)s #)bli" (is")ssio$s> 5cholars elie9e mo"erate (harisees were followers of the 5chool of Hillel an" strict (harisees, ut those who challen#e" ,esus were. 1. Wealthy (harisee lea"ers, -. 5$ies for the Hero"ian families ;Hero"ians= an" 1416. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. -*@-3. 1417. Gil rant, BMatthew.C 99L .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*13@. 1418. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 41-L (entecost, The Words
and Word of &esus 'hrist. 1@1.
987 /. +ollowers of the 5chool of 5hammai. 1419 While the total num er of (harisees was only si% thousan", they were Auite influential in sha$in# the reli#ious structure of the culture. 14-8 While mo"ern stu"ents often con"emn the (harisees as ein# hy$ocritical, ,esus sai" this only the lea"ers of the sect. 1he common (harisees who rule" the local syna#o#ues were kin" an" carin# men who $erforme" their "uties as est as they coul". ,. *. , Mt. '7/3-/<4 L9. .73/-3.4 Mt. '7/, L:FE F:; ENEMIES Mt. 2Eo) ha8e hear( that it 3as sai(+ 2Lo8e yo)r $ei%hbor a$( hate yo)r e$e1y.5 // A)t I tell yo)+ lo8e yo)r e$e1ies a$( #ray for those 3ho #erse")te yo)+
/3 /'
so that yo) 1ay be so$s of yo)r Father i$ hea8e$.
For He "a)ses His s)$ to rise o$ the e8il a$( the %oo(+ a$( se$(s rai$ o$ the ri%hteo)s a$( the )$ri%hteo)s.
/.
For if yo) lo8e those 3ho lo8e yo)+ 3hat re3ar( 3ill yo) ha8e> 6o$?t e8e$ the ta@ "olle"tors (o the sa1e> A$( if yo) %reet o$ly yo)r brothers+ 3hat are yo) (oi$% o)t of the or(i$ary> 6o$?t e8e$ the Ge$tiles (o the sa1e>
3/
/<
L9.
A$( if yo) le$( to those fro1 3ho1 yo) e@#e"t to re"ei8e+ 3hat "re(it is that to yo)>
1419. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le note on &e9iticus -4*-8. 1420. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.-.4.
988 E8e$ si$$ers le$( to si$$ers to be re#ai( i$ f)ll.

3'
A)t lo8e yo)r e$e1ies (o 3hat is %oo(+ a$( le$(+ e@#e"ti$% $othi$% i$ ret)r$.
The$ yo)r re3ar( 3ill be %reat+ a$( yo) 3ill be so$s of the Most Hi%h+ be"a)se he is 9i$( to the )$%ratef)l a$( 3i"9e(. 3. Ae 1er"if)l+ H)st as yo)r Father also is 1er"if)l. Mt.
/,
Ae #erfe"t+ therefore+ as yo)r hea8e$ly Father is #erfe"t.
2Lo8e yo)r $ei%hbor a$( hate yo)r e$e1y.5 ,esus was referrin# to oth the written an" oral laws. 1he first $art was recor"e" in &e9iticus 19*1@, while the other was in the ?ral &aw an" reflecte" the $o$ular thinkin# of the elite concernin# non-,ews ;cf. &e9. 19*//-/4L 4%. -/*4-2= . :on-,ews were consi"ere" oth enemies as well as sinners. 1hese wor"s of ,esus were not only "irecte" to these elitists, ut also to the 4ssene mo9ement, which e%$licitly comman"e" its mem ers to lo9e each other an" hate all outsi"ers, inclu"in# other ,ews.14-1 Jet this conce$t was not a BnewC i"ea, ut was a common teachin# in ,ewish history an" a$$eare" in some $re-'hristian writin#s.14--
2Lo8e yo)r e$e1ies.5 1his comman" is "istincti9ely "ifferent from many other comman"s in ra inic writin#s. 1he lo9e es$ouse" y ,esus is a hallmark of "i9ine si#nificance. !t was alrea"y un"erstoo" that Go" "esire" His $eo$le to lo9e their nei#h ors ;&e9. 19*1@=. 1he wor" Bnei#h ors,C howe9er, ha" a narrow "efinition. 1he ,ews "esire" an e%$lanation to which ,esus res$on"e" with the (ara le of the Goo" 5amaritan ;&k. 18*-2ff=. Accor"in# to ,esus, true lo9e will cause the elie9er to $ray for his enemy an" $ersecutor an", there y, reflect the lo9in# character of Go" Himself. Here ,esus reaks all oun"aries of the tra"itional conce$t of who nee"e" to 1421. 5ee the )ea" 5ea 5crolls 1N5 1*4,18L -*4-9L 1NM 4*1--L 12*3L 1NH 2*4.
1422. 1wo e%am$les are foun" within three ooks of The Testament of the Twel e 4atriarchs. 1hey are The Testament of )an 2*/L The Testament of !ebulon 2*1L an" The Testament of %ssachar 7*3.
989 e lo9e" an" who woul" e reEecte". 1he early church fathers ha" an interestin# $arallel to this in the early secon" century* A$ythi$% yo) (o $ot 3a$t to ha##e$ to yo)+ (o $ot to a$other. $idache &7* !t is unknown why they $lace" this teachin# in a ne#ati9e format, ut some scholars elie9e it is ecause the 1en 'omman"ments were also written ne#ati9ely. 2Ae #erfe"t+ therefore+ as yo)r hea8e$ly Father is #erfe"t.5 1his is the summary statement of the 5ermon on the MountZ !t is "ifficult for anyone to reali>e that ,esus woul" reAuire $erfection from His "isci$les. 1he $erfection reAuire" y ,esus is the attitude towar" #o"ly $erfection that in turn "etermines actions. :o one can achie9e it on his own efforts. ?nly y the #race an" for#i9eness of Go" is $erfection acAuire". !t is a lifestyle of humility, knowin# who we are efore a $erfect Go", an" a lifestyle of faith, knowin# that a lo9in# Go" "esires to e an inte#ral $art of our li9es.
990
U$it , To#i"al Iss)es Cha#ter 3 ;i%hteo)s$ess+ Prayer+ a$( Fasti$%
991 ,. 3. A. JESUS TEACHES P;INCIPLES :F LIFE. Ill)strate( by Aer$ar(o StroGGi. &,<,. ,. 3. & I$tro()"tio$ As has alrea"y een note" in this te%t, a num er of ,ewish writin#s ha9e een $resente" to hel$ illustrate the thou#hts an" o$inions of some ra is at the time of ,esus. 1here is a ten"ency amon# some scholars to"ay to conclu"e that these ra is co$ie" the teachin#s of ,esus without #i9in# Him cre"it. Howe9er, these scholars fail to reco#ni>e that many ri#hteous ra is li9e" at the time of ,esus, an" like ,esus, they too, were intereste" in li9in# li9es honora le to Go". :aturally, they woul" ha9e ma"e comments similar to those of ,esus, since they an" He ase" their instructions on the He rew .i le.
,. 3. &.J& Are all rabbi$i" 3riti$%s refle"ti8e of the ti1e of Jes)s> 'learly the answer is Bno,C an" that makes "iscernment of those writin#s all the more challen#in#. 'ritics ha9e often state" that the Mishnah an" Talmud were written centuries after ,esus an", therefore, are not trustworthy sources for two reasons* 14-/ 1. 1hese writin#s ideali=e what first century ,u"aism shoul" ha9e een like an", therefore, are historically inaccurate. -. 5ome eliefs of the ,ews chan#e" o9er time towar" a 'hristian $ers$ecti9e, an" therefore, these two writin#s are historically inaccurate. What critics fail to acknowle"#e is that many of the ,ewish teachin#s were tau#ht centuries efore they were recor"e", as these were $asse" "own orally from #eneration to #eneration. !n fact, some ori#inate" efore the time of ,esus. 1he $ortrait of the ,ewish $eo$le has so often een sti#mati>e" in a ne#ati9e manner, that the 9ery i"ea some ,ews were ri#hteous an" sincere a out Go" seems to e forei#n to some scholars. Mary an" ,ose$h were ri#hteous not only when ,esus was orn, ut throu#hout their entire li9es an" were faithful to ?l" 1estament teachin#s. An" so were
1423. While there is an element of truth to this statement, for the most $art, oth 9iews are inaccurate $erce$tions.
992 many others, inclu"in# ra is. 1herefore, it shoul" not some :ew 1estament an" ,ewish writin#s are similar. ,. 3. * Mt. .7& P;INCIPLES :F ;IGHTE:USNESS Ae "aref)l $ot to #ra"ti"e yo)r ri%hteo)s$ess i$ fro$t of #eo#le+ to be see$ by the1. :ther3ise+ yo) 3ill ha8e $o re3ar( fro1 yo)r Father i$ hea8e$.
&
e sur$risin# that
!f the 5a""ucees an" (harisees woul" ha9e followe" their own rules, they woul" not ha9e ha" so many conflicts with ,esus. Accor"in# to their own tra"itions in the ?ral &aw, alms#i9in# was to e strictly $ri9ate. !n fact, such monies were to e $lace" in the 'ham er of 5ecrets or in the 'ham er of Utensils, oth of which were locate" within the tem$le. 1heir actions un"erscore" the reason why ,esus calle" them hypocrites. 2Pra"ti"e yo)r ri%hteo)s$ess.5 ,esus $resente" the three acts of life, at times known as three $illars of faith that "emonstrate" whether one was ri#hteous. 1hese were common knowle"#e, are foun" in 9arious ra inic writin#s, reinforce" the ?l" 1estament co"e of ri#hteousness, an" were consi"ere" the fruit of a holy lifestyle. 1hese three acts were, 1. Gi9in# to others ;Mt. 3*--4= -. (rayer ;Mt. 3*2-12=, an" /. 1he secret $ersonal "isci$line of fastin# ;Mt. 3*13-1@= 1he ,ewish lea"ers elie9e" that they woul" ha9e eternal life sim$ly ecause they were Go"<s chosen $eo$le, ut still nee"e" to "emonstrate the three acts of ri#hteousness. 1o $ro9e they were ri#hteous, the hi#h $riest reAuire" them to $ractice their acts. 'onseAuently, these ecame su Eects of $u lic "is$lay ;see also Mt. 3*--4 elow=. 1wo ooks written in the secon" century ..'. illustrate the act of alms#i9in# an" there is an im$lication that sins coul" e $ar"one" with a B$urchaseC of alms#i9in#. 1hese accounts ha9e een $reser9e" in a collection of ooks known as the A$ocry$ha. :ote the followin# e%am$les*
993 Gi8e al1s fro1 yo)r #ossessio$s to all 3ho li8e )#ri%htly+ a$( (o $ot let yo)r eye be%r)(%e the %ift 3he$ yo) 1a9e it. 6o $ot t)r$ yo)r fa"e a3ay fro1 a$y #oor 1a$+ a$( the fa"e of Go( 3ill $ot be t)r$e( a3ay fro1 yo). If yo) ha8e 1a$y #ossessio$s+ 1a9e yo)r %ift fro1 the1 i$ #ro#ortio$4 if fe3+ (o $ot be afrai( to %i8e a""or(i$% to the little yo) ha8e. So yo) 3ill be layi$% )# a %oo( treas)re for yo)rself a%ai$st the (ay of $e"essity. For "harity (eli8ers fro1 (eath a$( 9ee#s yo) fro1 e$teri$% the (ar9$ess4 a$( for all 3ho #ra"ti"e it "harity is a$ e@"elle$t offeri$% i$ the #rese$"e of the Most Hi%h. Tobit /7<-&&
0ater e@ti$%)ishes a blaGi$% fire so al1s%i8i$% ato$es for si$. Sira"h 373
6o $ot %rie8e the o$e 3ho is h)$%ry $or a$%er the 1a$ i$ 3a$t 6o $ot a(( to the tro)bles of a$ a$%ry 1i$( $or (elay yo)r %ift to the be%%ar. 6o $ot reHe"t a$ affli"te( s)##lia$t $or t)r$ yo)r fa"e fro1 the #oor 6o $ot a8ert yo)r eye fro1 the $ee(y+ $or %i8e a 1a$ o""asio$ to ")rse yo). Sira"h /7*-'
6o $ot be fai$thearte( i$ yo)r #rayer $or $e%le"t to %i8e al1s. Sira"h <7&
994 Store )# al1s%i8i$% i$ yo)r treas)ry a$( it 3ill res")e yo) fro1 all affli"tio$s. Sira"h *!7&* It is better to %i8e al1s tha$ to lay )# %ol(4 al1s%i8i$% (eli8ers o$e fro1 (eath a$( it #)r%es a3ay all si$. Tobit &*7, Gi9in# to the $oor was an esta lishe" $rinci$le in the Mosaic laws of ein# merciful an" was reinforce" "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio". .y the first century some consi"ere" alms#i9in# as a sacre" "uty eAual to ri#hteousness. (ossi ly the reason for this is that the He rew wor" t=edakah has een translate" to mean oth almsgi ing an" righteousness. 14-4 ,esus "i" not challen#e the i"ea that alms#i9in# woul" e a cre"it to one<s "i9ine account, ut He "i" state that it shoul" e "one in Go"<s si#ht without the $raise an" cre"it of men. 1he cultural meanin# of righteousness has always een to hol" the i lical co"e of ethics, such as #i9in# to the $oor or e%$ressin# kin"ness, es$ecially in situations when it woul" not e e%$ecte". .ut ,esus intro"uce" a new "efinition of righteousness 7 that is to ha9e an ongoing relationship with Go".
,. 3. 3 Mt. .7*-/ THE P;INCIPLE :F GIFING ALMS So 3he$e8er yo) %i8e to the #oor+ (o$?t so)$( a tr)1#et before yo)+ as the hy#o"rites (o i$ the sy$a%o%)es a$( o$ the streets+ to be a##la)(e( by #eo#le. I ass)re yo)7 They?8e %ot their re3ar(K 3 A)t 3he$ yo) %i8e to the #oor+ (o$?t let yo)r left ha$( 9$o3 3hat yo)r ri%ht ha$( is (oi$%+ / so that yo)r %i8i$% 1ay be i$ se"ret. A$( yo)r Father 3ho sees i$ se"ret 3ill re3ar( yo).
*
1424. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1@7.
995 ,. 3. 3.J& 0hy is$?t there a stro$% tea"hi$% o$ tithi$% i$ the Ne3 Testa1e$t> 1his "octrine was a well-esta lishe" reli#ious an" cultural tra"ition that "i" not nee" to e e%$laine", Eust as the nee" for #i9in# alms was not a""resse". 0a is tau#ht that the first Auestion e9ery man ha" to ask himself on the e9e of the 5a ath is, BHa9e ! tithe"FC 14-2 :o one woul" think of #oin# to the syna#o#ue, if he ha" not $re$are" his first tithe. !n &uke 11*4-, for e%am$le, ,esus state" that the (harisees carefully tithe" 9arious #ar"en s$ices, ut ne#lecte" the Eustice an" lo9e of Go". !n the section of the Mishnah known as the Maaseroth ;meanin# BtithesC= is an e%tensi9e list of re#ulations of what to tithe an" the Btithin# seasonC of 9arious cro$s.14-3 1he ,ewish community was e9i"ently in com$liance with this i lical reAuirement. +urthermore, this is followe" in the Mishnah with a section known as the Maaser Sheni ;meanin# Bsecon" titheC=. 14-7 1his, in turn, is followe" y other offerin#s that were #i9en on select festi9al "ays throu#hout the year. Accor"in# to ,esus, lo9e woul" ask, BHow much can ! #i9eFC &e#alism woul" ask, BHow little can ! #i9eFC 1his can e further "emonstrate" in the wor"s, BWe make a li9in# y what we #et, ut make a life y what we #i9e.C :ote the wor"s from the ?ral &aw* A 1a$ says 3ithi$ his ho)se 3he$ (ar9$ess is falli$% o$ the e8e of Shabbath4 2Ha8e yo) tithe(>5 Mish$ah+ Moed 3habbath /.< 1he $hrase, 26o$?t so)$( a tr)1#et+5 is an interestin# "ou le $lay on wor"s. Accor"in# to the Mishnah, 14-@ alms#i9in# was to e a strictly $ri9ate affair, so much so that these monies were to e $lace" into the 'ham er of 5ecrets or in the 'ham er of Utensils, oth of which were in the tem$le. 1he (harisees, who $ara"e" their alms#i9in#, were 9iolatin# their own rules of ri#hteousness. 1425. Mishnah, Moed Shabbath -.7. 1426. Mishnah, MaaserothF +or tithin# reasons see Mishnah, Maaseroth 1.2. 1427. Mishnah, Maaser Sheni. 1428. Mishnah, Shekalim 2*3.
996
1. !n the 'ourt of the Women at the tem$le there were thirteen trum$et-sha$e" 9essels in which financial #ifts were $lace".14-9 When a num er of coins were "ro$$e" at the same time, the clan#in# soun" ecame known as Bthe announcementC or Bsoun"in# of the trum$etC ecause the 9essels were in the sha$e of a trum$et an" ma"e of co$$er. 14/8 -. 1he $hrase "oes not a$$ear in ra inic writin#s. 1herefore, scholars elie9e it is reflecti9e of the Greek culture. As such, in Greek theaters, the lea"in# actor was intro"uce" to the au"ience with the soun" of trum$ets. 5uch characters were as $o$ular then as they are to"ay. !n this statement ,esus eAuate" the (harisees< #i9in# of alms for the $oor with the actors of a Greek theater, since the soun" of trum$ets was not $ermitte" in the syna#o#ues when alms were #i9en. 14/1 1here is no e9i"ence to su##est the (harisees walke" aroun" the city carryin# trum$ets that were lown when they $lace" money in the collection 9essels. As state" $re9iously in Matthew 3, ,esus s$oke of the three $illars of faith* #i9in# alms an" tithin#, $rayer, an" fastin#. !n the Mishnah A ot, 0a i 5imon ha 5a"eek ;5imon the 0i#hteous=, also s$oke of three $illars of faith. 1hese were 1. 1em$le ser9ice, -. Acts of worshi$, an" /. )ee"s of lo9e an" kin"ness.
1429. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 1/7. 1430. Moseley, .eshua. -@. 1431. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 41--1/.
997 :otice the similarities. 1em$le ser9ice was not only $hysical work aroun" the facility, ut also worshi$. ,esus refocuse" these an" then a""e" that alms are to e #i9en in secret. +urthermore, He state" that meanin#less re$etition was not a $art of worshi$. Ama>in#ly, while the $rinci$le of tithin# was unAuestione", wealthy $riests were "etermine" to o tain whate9er tithes were "ue to them. 5o they sent out arme" ser9ants to the threshin# floors in or"er to take the $riestly tithes y force. 1he (harisaic lea"ers an" teachers in the local syna#o#ues were amon# the $oor, Eust as were the common $easants. &ocal (harisees suffere" as much from their (harisaic lea"ers as "i" nearly e9eryone else.14/- 1he "ifference etween #i9in# a tithe ecause it is a "i9ine $rinci$le, an" the "eman"s y wicke" reli#ious lea"ers for tithe $ayments, coul" not ha9e een more $rofoun".
,. 3. / Mt. .7'-&' THE P;INCIPLE :F A M:6EL P;AEE; 20he$e8er yo) #ray+ yo) 1)st $ot be li9e the hy#o"rites+ be"a)se they lo8e to #ray sta$(i$% i$ the sy$a%o%)es a$( o$ the street "or$ers to be see$ by #eo#le. I ass)re yo)7 They?8e %ot their re3ar(K . A)t 3he$ yo) #ray+ %o i$to yo)r #ri8ate roo1+ sh)t yo)r (oor+ a$( #ray to yo)r Father 3ho is i$ se"ret. A$( yo)r Father 3ho sees i$ se"ret 3ill re3ar( yo). < 0he$ yo) #ray+ (o$?t babble li9e the i(olaters+ si$"e they i1a%i$e they?ll be hear( for their 1a$y 3or(s.
'
1432. Golu , %n the )ays. -7--7/.
998 6o$?t be li9e the1+ be"a)se yo)r Father 9$o3s the thi$%s yo) $ee( before yo) as9 Hi1.
,
2Therefore+ yo) sho)l( #ray li9e this7 :)r Father i$ hea8e$+ Eo)r $a1e be ho$ore( as holy. & Eo)r 9i$%(o1 "o1e+ Eo)r 3ill be (o$e o$ earth as it is i$ hea8e$. && Gi8e )s to(ay o)r (aily brea( . &* A$( for%i8e )s o)r (ebts+ as 3e also ha8e for%i8e$ o)r (ebtors. &3 A$( (o $ot bri$% )s i$to te1#tatio$+ b)t (eli8er )s fro1 the e8il o$e. RFor Eo)rs is the 9i$%(o1 a$( the #o3er a$( the %lory fore8er. .S
2For if yo) for%i8e #eo#le their 3ro$%(oi$%+ yo)r hea8e$ly Father 3ill for%i8e yo) as 3ell. &' A)t if yo) (o$?t for%i8e #eo#le+ yo)r Father 3ill $ot for%i8e yo)r 3ro$%(oi$%.
&/
1he elements of this mo"el $rayer tell as much a out oursel9es as a out Go". !t is commonly calle" the B&or"<s (rayer,C ut actually it is the )isci$le<s (rayer. Hirtually e9ery element of the &or"<s (rayer has a connection with ,ewish $rayer tra"ition. 14// !t has een use" to esta lish the $attern of all $rayers throu#hout church history. 1here are two forms of it ;Mt. 3*9-1/L &k. 11*--4= an" the early church fathers ha" a written 9ersion in the late first century ook known as the )idache 'ha$ter @.14/4 All three 9ersions of this $rayer are sim$le, to the $oint, an" are reflecti9e of the $rayers foun" in the rich ,ewish tra"itions. ,esus "esire" to ha9e His "isci$les continue the im$ortant $oints of the ,ewish faith, while eliminatin# the "ea" tra"itional elements. 1he mo"el $rayer was com$ose" entirely of
1433. +or a collection of ,ewish tra"itions connecte" with the &or"<s (rayer, see Geor# 5trecker, The Sermon on the Mount9 An 5(egetical 'ommentary. 1rans ?.'. )ean, ,r. ;:ash9ille* A in#"on (ress, 19@@= 18@-89.
1434. 5ee *. *. , for a""itional information on the )idache.
999 selections of 9arious litur#ical $rayers alrea"y in use" in "aily life. 1his is o$$osite to the s$ontaneous $rayers often elie9e" to"ay to e the only ones hear" y Go". 1he mo"el $rayer was $raye" three times e9ery "ay y the first ,ewish elie9ers.14/2 +or centuries it was the custom to $ray three times a "ay, Eust as o ser9ant Muslims to"ay $ray fi9e times a "ay when they face Mecca. )a9i" $raye" three times a "ay ;(s. 22*17= an" )aniel "i" likewise, facin# ,erusalem ;)an. 3*18=, while in .a ylon. (rayer was a "e"icate" feature of ortho"o% ,u"aism. 1he trum$ets lew at the tem$le for the three formal times of $rayer. 1hey were as follows* 1. 1he mornin# $rayers, calle" the Shacharit" at 9*88 o<clock, occurre" at the time of the mornin# sacrifice in the tem$le. !t was at this time of $rayer that the Holy 5$irit fell on the "ay of (entecost ;Acts -*12=. -. 1he 1-*88 o<clock noon $rayer was known as the Mincha, also known as the Bsi%th hour, Bwhen (eter $raye" ;Acts 18*9=. 14/3 /. 1he afternoon ;also known as the Be9enin#C= $rayer was the Maari at /*88 o<clock, known as the Bninth hour.C 14/7 (eter an" ,ohn went to $ray in the tem$le at the Maari . !t was also at this time that the BGo"-fearin#C Greek 'ornelius $raye" when he saw his 9ision ;Acts 18*/-2=. :otice that ,esus ne9er commente" a out $rayers at s$ecific times, as was the ,ewish custom. He "i" not for i" nor "iscoura#e s$ecific $rayer times. 1he custom of or#ani>e" $rayers at set times has le" some mo"ern stu"ents to conclu"e that $ri9ate $rayers were minimal. 1hat was har"ly the case. !n ,u"aism, there was an em$hasis on "aily $ri9ate an" family $rayers. 1he "isci$les certainly knew how to $ray $ri9ately ecause "urin# chil"hoo", they learne" to $ray for the "aily nee"s of life as well as the litur#ical 1435. )idache" @./. 1436. )e Hries, BHour.C -*327. 1437. Garr, Restoring :ur ,ost ,egacy. 1/7-/@.
1000 $rayers for the syna#o#ue. 1hey aske" ,esus this Auestion ecause they saw the "ynamic results of $rayer in His life an" "esire" the same results. 1here are a num er of $oints that ,esus tau#ht them. 1. All $rayers are to #o to Go" the +ather, not to ,esus or the Holy 5$irit. -. (rayer is to honor Go" an" /. (rayers are to e $raye" on ehalf of those workin# in the Din#"om of Go" ;missionaries, $astors, etc.=. 4. 1here are $rayers for one<s own nee"s as well as 2. 1he for#i9eness of sins an" s$iritual welfare. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, when the A$ostle (aul "irecte" his followers to $ray Bwithout ceasin#,C Bcontinually,C or Balways,C he "i" not mean uninterru$te" $rayer, ut to o ser9e the re#ular hours of $rayer as ha" een the ,ewish custom. 1he early church recite" the Shema mornin# an" e9enin# alon# with their mornin# an" e9enin# $rayer 7 that was the &or"<s (rayer alon# with anythin# else that concerne" them. At noon they $raye" a#ain ut "i" not necessarily recite the Shema. 1his was not a le#alistic issue, ut one that ri#hteous ,ewish elie9ers wante" to "o. !n a""ition to the &or"<s (rayer, they $raye" for whate9er else concerne" them. 14/@
2Eo) 1)st $ot be li9e the hy#o"rites.5 ,esus reflecte" u$on the Greek theater where $lays were $o$ular. 1he Greek wor" hypokrites meanin# actor i"entifies the $erson who is not his real self, ut $ortrays himself "ifferently for the a$$ro9al of the au"ience. 14/9 1he key $oint is that ,esus wants His followers to $ray with honesty an" sincerely, so $rayers can e answere".1448 ,erusalem ha" a theater, much to the cha#rin of ortho"o% reli#ious lea"ers an", therefore, e9eryone un"erstoo" the role actors 1438. ,eremias, The 4rayers of &esus. 7--7/. 1439. Her ert, BHy$ocrite.C 189-18.
1001 $laye".1441 1he lea"in# (harisees an" the entire class of 5a""ucees $laye" an im$ortant $art of the ministry en9ironment of ,esus, an" He hate" their hy$ocritical attitu"es. He calle" them Bhy$ocritesC nearly two "o>en times, $rimarily for the followin# four reasons* 1. 1he core issue was that they $reten"e" to e reli#ious when they were not. 1hey eAuate" le#alism with ri#hteousness in the way some $eo$le to"ay eAuate reli#ious conser9atism with a relationshi$ with ,esus. -. 0eli#ious lea"ers whose li9es are fille" with hy$ocrisy "o incre"i le harm to others who look to their lea"ers as a role mo"el of life ;Mt. -/*1/-12=. /. 1hey were arro#ant an" $ri"eful 7 the same sin that $rom$te" the "ownfall of 5atan ;!sa. 14*1--12=. 1his attitu"e $laces one<s self a o9e the nee"s an" authority of Go". 4. Hy$ocrisy with its arro#ance is in o$$osition to the character an" $ur$ose of Go" ;Mt. --*-9-//=. Go" calls the sinner to re$entance while hy$ocrites con"emn sinners, ut then $erform sins of their own ehin" close" "oors. 1he reli#ious lea"ers lo9e" to $ray in $u lic where e9eryone coul" a"mire their fine s$eech an" sense of holiness. :ote that ,esus $artici$ate" in $u lic $rayers which was common in the syna#o#ues an" continue" in the early church ;Mt. 1@*19--8L Acts 1*-4L /*1L 4*-4-/8=. B0he$ yo) #ray+ %o i$to yo)r #ri8ate roo1.5 ,esus em$hasi>e" $ri9ate $rayer to "e9elo$ a $ri9ate relationshi$ with Go". 5ome translations use the wor" BclosetC in $lace of Broom.C 'losets "i" not e%ist in homes at this timeL in fact, they "i" not e%ist until the early twentieth century. ,esus sim$ly in"icate" that when you $ray you shoul" e in a seclu"e" area. !t was commonly elie9e" that when a man $raye", he went to a $ri9ate area, wra$$e" his $rayer shawl aroun" his hea", there y shuttin# out the worl"
1440. Hin"rances to answere" $rayers are lack of honesty an" sincerity ;a o9e=, unconfesse" sin ;(s. 33*1@=L carnal moti9es ;,am. 4*/=L un elief ;,am. 1*2-3=L 5atanic acti9ities ;)an. 18*18-1/=L )omestic $ro lems ;1 (et. /*7=L (ri"e ;&k. 1@*18-14=L ro in# Go" 7 failure to $ay tithes ;Mal. /*@-18=L )iso e"ience ;(ro9. 1*-4--@L -@*9L Kech. 7*11-14=. 1441. 1he location of the theater in ,erusalem has not een foun" as of this writin#, ut se9eral seat tokens ha9e een unco9ere" y archaeolo#ists.
1002 an" $raye". )urin# His ministry, He woul" at times retreat to a $ri9ate area on a mountain where He coul" e away from the crow"s to $ray. 1his tra"ition is centuries ol", when the ,ews, then known as the 'hil"ren of !srael, wan"ere" in the "esert, they ha" a lar#e ta ernacle that functione" as their tem$le. 5ince not all the men coul" enter the ta ernacle tent to $ray, each man co9ere" his hea" with a $rayer shawl, creatin# his own $ri9ate Bta ernacle,C in which he coul" $ray to Go". 1herefore, when ,esus sai" one shoul" #o to his BroomC to $ray, the cultural conte%t means he co9ere" his hea" with his $rayer shawl an" $ri9ately con9erse" with Go".
When $eo$le $ray, Eust as in worshi$, they are to $ray in s$irit an" in truth. Go", who sees $eo$le as they really are, "esires to ha9e them come to Him in $rayer so He can transform them into His ima#e. He ne9er inten"e" to tell His "isci$les what to $ray, ut how to $ray. 1o teach them how to $ray, He reflecte" u$on some $rayers with which they were alrea"y familiar. 26o$?t babble li9e the i(olaters.5 1his was reflecti9e of the worshi$$ers of .aal on Mount 'armel ;1 D#. @*/3= an" the worshi$$ers of )iana in the am$hitheater at 4$hesus who yelle" an" screame" for two hours ;Acts 19*/4=. 1he $hrase also has im$lications of rehearse" lines s$oken y theater actors in ,erusalem. 5ome scholars ha9e su##este" the $hrase B a lin#C was s$eakin# in ton#ues to "emonic s$irits. 2:)r Father i$ hea8e$+ Eo)r $a1e be ho$ore( as holy. Eo)r 9i$%(o1 "o1e.5 1here is little Auestion that it was astoun"in# to the au"ience when ,esus use" the Aramaic wor" Abba for #ather. !t can est e translate" as )addy. !t #oes eyon" formalities an" a""s a $ersonal an" affectionate element to one<s $rayer life. .y the time of the a$ostles, 0a i ,onathan en Kakkai who tau#ht etween the eyars A.). 28 7 @8, use" the
1003 $hrase.144- Another ra is also affectionately referre" to Go" as )addy" as seen in this short note in the 1almu". Abba Ha$a$ sai( i$ the $a1e of ;abbi EleaGer7 2Ae"a)se they (o $ot (o it o)t of lo8e+ b)t fear.5 :thers sai(7 2Ae"a)se they (elaye( their )$(er the 3i$%s of the She"hi$ah.5 Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 9ebamoth /,b-/!a Howe9er, to a""ress Go" in hea9en in this manner was a new conce$t. A stan"ar" intro"uction to a ,ewish $rayer always e#an with, B:)r Father i$ hea8e$.C 1his is to reco#ni>e our $ersonal worshi$ful relationshi$ to a holy Go". 1his $hrase was reflecti9e of another $rayer known as the *addish, which e#an, BMa#nifie" an" hallowe" e His #reat name in the worl" T. An" may He esta lish His kin#"om in your lifetime an" in your "ays T Auickly an" soon.C 144/ 1he $hrase, BEo)r 9i$%(o1 "o1e.C is not a comman", ut rather, it has the connotation of Bmay it eC or Blet it e.C 1he same He rew e%$ression, foun" in 1 'hronicles -@*4-2 is relati9e to the )a9i"ic Din#"om when rule" y his son 5olomon an" the $hrase is translate" Bto cause to rei#n.C 1444 2Eo)r $a1e be ho$ore( as holy.5 !n the ?l" 1estament there are two ways that Go"<s name is sanctifie". 1. 1he first is y the lifestyle of a community of elie9ers an" -. .y the way Go" res$on"s to $eo$le. 1his $hrase is an a$$eal that Go"<s name woul" e re9ere" re#ar"less of what we "o. +inally, the $hrase, BHallowe" e your name,C ;D,H= is a $oetic $arallel to Byour kin#"om come, your will e "one on earth,C ecause Go"<s name is hallowe" when His will is "one. Another translation is, BMay you sanctify
1442. ,eremias, The 4rayers of &esus. 13. +or an e%tensi9e stu"y on the wor" Abba" see
,oachim ,eremias, The 4rayers of &esus 11-32.
1443. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 414. 1444. Joun#, The &ewish Background. 11.
1004 your name y the way ! o ey your will an" in the way ! su mit myself to your kin#"om an" comman"ments.C 1he location of the $hrase in"icates the Bkin#"omC is marke" y acknowle"#in# an" referencin# the holiness of Go" with "oin# His will an" ser9ice. 1he clause that follows $oints to the $erfection which we are to attain, that ein# to "o the $erfect will of Go" as He woul" ha9e it "one in hea9en. 1his has at times een construe" to mean that anythin# other than the B$erfect willC is sin. 1his is har"ly the case, as the #race of Go" works with us to "o His will. !t was ne9er inten"e" to e a $araly>in# comman". 1his kin#"om is within the elie9er an" reflects the attitu"e we are to ha9e that honors Go" an" our "esire to e in com$lete o e"ience to him.
2Eo)r 3ill be (o$e o$ earth as it is i$ hea8e$.5 ?ur su mission to Him is our confession. :ear the en" of the first century, 0a i 4lie>er was note" for recitin# a $rayer that state", B)o your will in hea9en a o9e an" #i9e $eace to those who fear you elow.C 1442 1here was also a common elief that when !srael "i" the will of Go", His name woul" e sanctifie" efore the nations. 'on9ersely, when !srael "i" not "o the will of Go", His :ame was $rofane" amon# the Gentile nations. :otice that ,esus "i" not tell his "isci$les to $ray, B!f it e your will.C 0ather, He tau#ht them to think an" $ray i lically an" to a$$ly the 5cri$ture to their li9es. ,esus knew that whate9er was to e "one on earth was first accom$lishe" in hea9en. 1he $rime e%am$le of this occurre" when He was in the Gar"en of Gethsemane when "eath was only a few hours away. !t was then He $raye" that His incre"i le sacrifice woul" e accom$lishe" as was foreor"aine" in hea9en ;&k. --*4-=.
1445. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 414, Auotin# the .a ylonian
1almu", Berakoth .
1005 2Gi8e )s to(ay o)r (aily brea(.5 ?ur $etition is to Go", an" our faith is in Go", who $ro9i"es for all of our nee"s. 1his statement is an echo of the mealtime $rayer as follows* Alesse( are yo)+ : Lor( o)r Go(+ Ii$% of the )$i8erse+ 3ho fee(s the 3hole 3orl( 3ith yo)r %oo($ess . . . yo) %i8e foo( to all 1a$9i$(. Thro)%h yo)r %oo($ess+ foo( has $e8er faile( )s7 : 1ay it $e8er fail )s fore8er a$( fore8er. Mealti1e #rayer &//. 1he term bread refers to the followin#* 1447 1. !t is synonymous for all foo", not Eust ake" rea". -. !t is re$resentati9e of ,esus Himself. /. !t is re$resentati9e of 5cri$ture 1o $ray the )isci$le<s (rayer is to in9oke these three meanin#s into one<s $rayer life. 2A$( for%i8e )s o)r (ebts+ as 3e also ha8e for%i8e$ o)r (ebtors.5 ?ur confession an" His #race are sufficient to for#i9e us, as we are o e"ient an" com$assionate to for#i9e others. Another way of sayin# this is Bfor#i9e us of our sins ;"e ts= in $ro$ortion that we for#i9e the sins of others.C 1his $ortion of the &or"<s (rayer is reflecti9e of the si%th ene"iction of the 4i#hteen .ene"ictions, or Shemoneh Aesreh"144@ ;see A##e$(i@ &<= ,ews commonly $raye". !t state", B+or#i9e us, our +ather, for we ha9e sinne" a#ainst youL lot out our trans#ressions from efore your eyes. .lesse" are you, ? &or".C 1449 1he $hrase, Bfor#i9e our "e torsC is an echo of a common teachin# as foun" in 5irach. 1428 1446. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 41/-14.
1447. 'ranefiel", B.rea".C /7. 1448. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*19-.
1449. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 412.
1006 2For%i8e the 3ro$% of yo)r $ei%hbor+ a$( the$ yo)r si$s 3ill be for%i8e$ 3he$ yo) #ray.5 Ae$ Sira"h *,7* Matthew use" the He rew wor" debts while &uke, writin# in Greek, use" the wor" sins. 1he "ifference is insi#nificant. 1he 4n#lish wor"s sins an" debts are oth translate" from the Aramaic wor" hoba. 1herefore when ,esus, who s$oke Aramaic, referre" to of sinners He is also referre" to "e tors. 1421 !t shoul" e remem ere" that each #os$el writer wrote to a "ifferent au"ience. 1he ,ews un"erstoo" that the wor" debts ha" a s$iritual si#nificance, which nee"e" "i9ine inter9ention in the form of for#i9eness. 1421he Greeks, to whom &uke was writin#, woul" not ha9e un"erstoo" debts in that conte%t, ut they "i" un"erstan" the meanin# of sins.142/ A out the year 178 ..'., the ,ews, who were un"er the cruel "ictatorshi$ of Antiochus !H 4$i$hanes, suffere" se9ere $ersecution with $ossi le e%termination ;see 3. /.&<=. !t was a time when some ,ews hate" other ,ews ;,ewish anti-5emitism= ecause they etraye" their faith in or"er to esca$e $ersecution an" "eath. Go" inter9ene" in a miraculous manner throu#h the Macca ean 0e9olt. .ut in the mi"st of their sufferin# there was a ri#hteous ,ew commonly referre" to as , who wrote a ma#nificent $assa#e on for#i9eness. A $ortion of his wor"s is as follows* He that ta9es 8e$%ea$"e 3ill s)ffer 8e$%ea$"e fro1 the Lor(+ a$( he 3ill fir1ly establish his si$s. For%i8e yo)r $ei%hbor the 3ro$% he has (o$e+ a$( the$ yo)r si$s 3ill be #ar(o$e( 3he$ yo) #ray. 6oes a 1a$ harbor a$%er a%ai$st a$other+ a$( yet see9 for heali$% fro1 the Lor(> 6oes he ha8e $o 1er"y to3ar( a 1a$ li9e hi1self+ a$( yet #ray for his o3$ si$s>
1450. 1he ook is known y se9eral 9ariations of en 5irach, such as as ,esus en 5irach, or 5irach.
1451. .ailey, &esus through 5astern 5yes. -2-.

1452. 1aylor, B)e t, )e tor.C 31-3-.
1453. Joun#, The &ewish Background. /8.
1007 If he hi1self+ bei$% flesh+ 1ai$tai$s 3rath+ 3ho 3ill 1a9e e@#iatio$ for his si$s> ;e1e1ber the e$( of yo)r life a$( "ease fro1 e$1ity+ re1e1ber (estr)"tio$ a$( (eath a$( be tr)e to the "o11a$(1e$ts. ;e1e1ber the "o11a$(1e$ts+ a$( (o $ot be a$%ry 3ith yo)r $ei%hbor4 Ae$ Sira"h *,7&-.
&/'/
1he teachin# similarities etween the son ;.en= of 5irach an" ,esus of :a>areth are at times $rofoun". 1422 1hese are ecause ,esus came to fulfill the teachin#s an" co9enant of the He rew .i le, an" the instruction of .en 5irach was ase" u$on the same ?l" 1estament 5cri$tures. 5t. Au#ustine ma"e this insi#htful comment a out this $hrase* For%i8e )s o)r tres#asses+ as 3e for%i8e those 3ho tres#ass a%ai$st )s. 0hat if Go( sho)l( a$s3er+ 20hy (o yo) as9 1e to (o 3hat I #ro1ise(+ 3he$ yo) ref)se to (o 3hat I ha8e "o11a$(e(>5 A)%)sti$e+ *he 'ord,s Prayer (6&lained
&/'.
,. 3. /.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s #ray+ 2(o $ot bri$% )s i$to te1#tatio$+5 BMt. .7&3C 3he$ Ja1es sai( that Go( (oes$?t te1#t )s BJa1es. &7&3&/C> 2A$( (o $ot bri$% )s i$to te1#tatio$+ b)t (eli8er )s fro1 the e8il o$e.5 1he "ifficulty with this $hrase is o 9ious* Why woul" a holy an" lo9in# Go" want to lea" anyone into sin, es$ecially when ,ames 1*1/-14 assures us that Go" will not tem$t anyone with e9ilF 1his is another e%am$le of how the so-calle" "ifficulty is the result of translation. 1he wor" Btem$tationC woul" etter e translate" as Btestin#C or Bchallen#in# situations,C when 1454. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 412.
1455. 1he framework of a $rayer in ,u ilee 1-*19--8, written in the secon" century ..'., is strikin#ly similar to the &or"<s (rayer.
1456. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 183.
1008 one "eci"es to $ass or fail the test or situation that he or she faces. 1427 Another inter$retation of this statement is B)o not $ermit us to #o.C 142@ 1he 4n#lish wor" tempt always su##ests a seduction to commit e il , ut this is wron#. 1he wor" "oes not mean a surrender to e il, ut it means a trial or test of any kin" without a reference to moral Auality. 1429 1he su$$ort for this inter$retation is that the Greek wor" peira=ein is etter translate" as test. 1438 1he testin#s of life are not inten"e" to make anyone fall, ut to stren#then them. An e%am$le is where Go" tested or tempted A raham ;Gen --*1=. 'learly, Go" "esires our "e$en"ence to e totally on Him. 1he $hrase ,esus use" was orrowe" from litur#ical mornin# an" e9enin# $rayers that sai", B'ause me not to #o into the han"s of sin, an" not into the han"s of the trans#ression, an" not into the han"s of tem$tation, an" not into the han"s of "ishonor.C 1431 A $arallel $assa#e in the .a ylonian 1almu" rea"s as follows, Ari$% 1e $ot i$to si$+ or i$to i$i=)ity+ or i$to te1#tatio$+ or i$to "o$te1#t. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 7era!oth . b. 1he same conce$t of Btestin#C was a$$lie" to the &or"<s (rayer. A etter translation is, B)o not allow me to #o T.C 1he ultimate choice is ours an" the $rayer is to ask Go" to inter9ene on our ehalf when we make "ecisions. 1o surren"er to the tem$tation an" commit sin is to succum to the $ressure of the test or trial. !n the $rayer of our &or" we are to ask Go" to kee$ us from failin# an" kee$ us stron#. &uke "i" not recor" the first $hrase. Matthew #a9e us the secon" $hrase, which is a restatement of the first, for Go" to "eli9er us from the e9il one or to "eli9er us from what is e9il. 1457. 'arson, BMatthewC @*17--7/L Joun#, The &ewish Background. /1-/-L 5ee also
Mishnah, A ot 2*/. 1458. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 1/1.
1459. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*4/-44.

1460. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*--4.
1461. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 412.
1009 1he fact that the conce$t is state" twice is a He rew metho" of "eclarin# its im$ortance. 1he same theme is foun" re$eate" in Matthew -3*41 an" $arallels, where one is to watch an" $ray to our hea9enly +ather that one "oes not fall un"er the $ressure an" trials of life. An ol" ,ewish $rayer sai", BDee$ falsehoo" an" lies far from meL #i9e me neither $o9erty nor riches, ut #i9e me only my "aily rea"C ;cf. (ro9. /8*@=. 1he He raic wor" for rea" ;lehem= coul" also e translate" Bfoo",C an", in the cultural conte%t, it means Ball of man<s $ro9isions.C 143- ,esus usually tau#ht in Aramaic while the #os$els were e9entually written in Greek. Mo"ern stu"ents may "isco9er that the He rew i"ioms, which $resent a richer an" "ee$er meanin#, are at times missin# from the Greek translations. 1his is a classic e%am$le of the im$ortance of un"erstan"in# the ,ewish roots of 'hristianity. !n this case, when ,esus s$oke of B rea",C He ha" reference to all the necessities of life. 1he teachin#s of ,esus $oint to the "esire of Go" to ha9e $eo$le li9e li9es of holiness. 1his $rinci$le is tau#ht throu#hout the ?l" 1estament 5cri$tures an" was "emonstrate" y ,esus. .y the $ower of the Holy 5$irit, elie9ers are a le to o ey the Wor" of Go" an" not ha9e sin "ominate their li9es. 143/ 1his has ecome known as the "octrine of sanctification. !n fact, the $hrase Bkin#"om of Go",C means that Go" rules in one<s life. 1he "aily sins that one commits are remo9e" y the loo" of ,esus. 1hat accom$lishes holiness.
,. 3. /.J* Is the #rayer of Matthe3 .7!-&3 the sa1e as i$ L)9e &&7*-/> 1hese two $rayers are similar, yet "ifferent. !t must e remem ere" that ,esus tau#ht His $rinci$les at many "ifferent settin#s. +urthermore, He wante" His followers to $ray issues of the heart rather than memori>e" litur#ical $rayers that can easily ecome rote an" meanin#less. Althou#h the wor"s may e sli#htly "ifferent from one location to another, the messa#e remains the same. 4ach #os$el writer woul" Auote the same teachin# from a "ifferent settin#, so the Auotations may not e i"entical. 1462. Joun#, The &ewish Background. -4. 1463. +or a""itional references on the "octrine of sanctification, see He . 1-*14L 1 (et.
1*14-13L 1 1hess. 2*-/--4L ! ,n. -*3L 0om. @*/.
1010 ;5ee also ,. 3. /.J/ B!$sissima Her aC an" B!$sissima Ho%C elow.= :ote the followin#*
Matthe3 .7!-&3 BNIF &!,/C
This+ the$+ is ho3 yo) sho)l( #ray. :)r Father i$ hea8e$+ Hallo3e( be yo)r $a1e. Eo)r 9i$%(o1 "o1e. Eo)r 3ill be (o$e o$ earth as it is i$ hea8e$. Gi8e )s this (ay o)r (aily brea(.
L)9e &&7*-/ BNIF &!,/C He sai( to the1+ 20he$ yo) #ray+ say7 Father+ Hallo3e( be yo)r $a1e Eo)r 9i$%(o1 "o1e.
Gi8e )s ea"h (ay o)r (aily brea( A$( for%i8e )s o)r (ebts A$( for%i8e )s o)r si$s As 3e also ha8e for%i8e$ o)r (ebtors. for 3e also for%i8e a$yo$e 3ho si$s a%ai$st )s. A$( lea( )s $ot i$to te1#tatio$ A$( lea( )s $ot i$to te1#tatio$. A)t (eli8er )s fro1 the e8il o$e. Another e%am$le of Auotations not ein# i"entical is foun" in the followin#* Mt. &.7&. 2Eo) are the Messiah+ the So$ of the li8i$% Go(K5 M9. ,7*! 2Eo) are the MessiahK5 L9. !7* 2Go(?s MessiahK5 !ronically an" unfortunately, while ,esus "i" not want this $rayer to ecome litur#ical, that is $recisely what ha$$ene" an" has continue" for centuries. 1he mo"el $rayer was imme"iately a"o$te" y His faithful followers. !t ecame a $art of the messianic ,ewish syna#o#ue litur#y an", y the en" of the first century, it was incor$orate" in cha$ter @ of the )idache" also known
1011 as The Teaching of the Twel e Apostles. 1his instructional to meet the nee"s of the early #rowin# church. 1434 ook was written
5ince &uke wrote to a Gentile au"ience, he $ro a ly omitte" the e%$ression Bwho is in hea9enC ecause the Gentiles elie9e" the #o" Keus ?lym$us resi"e" in hea9en. 1432 1he #os$el writer woul" not ha9e wante" to confuse the Go" of the ,ews with Keus ?lym$us. Mo"ern stu"ents are sel"om aware of the stron# influences of Greek reli#ions u$on the ,ewish culture. 1he "isci$les ne9er attacke" other reli#ions, ut sim$ly "emonstrate" that faith in ,esus was su$erior to other elief systems.
,. 3. /.J3 Ho3 "a$ the Ii$%(o1 of Go( be a f)t)re e8e$t if it has alrea(y arri8e(> 1his is more of a theolo#ical Auestion than a historical-cultural Auestion an" has two elements* $resent an" future. 1. 1he $resent Din#"om of Go"* 1he Din#"om of Go" is esta lishe" in one<s life as ,esus transformes that $erson into the ima#e of Go". 1hat is known as sanctification an", since Go" rei#ns within that $erson, the Din#"om has arri9e". -. 1he future Din#"om of Go"* ?n the other han", the Din#"om of Go" will come at a future time when ,esus rules an" rei#ns all nations from His throne in ,erusalem.1433 1herefore, the Din#"om of Go" was $resent in those who ha9e committe" themsel9es to ,esus, an" yet is comin# in a future time as a $olitical entity.
1464. Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. /2. 1465. Joun#, The &ewish Background. 4. 1466. 0ichar"son, BDin#"om of Go".C 119--1.
1012
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 ,. 3. /.J/ 0hat is the si%$ifi"a$"e 2i#sissi1a 8erba5 a$( 2i#sissi1a 8o@>5
of
8erbal
state1e$ts+
1here were two common ways of accurately repeating what someone sai" in ancient times. :ote the em$hasis on Baccurately re$eatin#.C 1437 1. 1he &atin $hrase Bi$sissima 9er aC ;i$`sis`si`ma 9er` a= means the Be%act wor"s 9er atim,C that were s$oken. -. ?n the other han", Bi$sissima 9o%C means the Be%act 9oice.C 1his $hrase may not e a 9er atim statement ut the i"ea or theme that was s$oken is $recise. 1he Bi$sissima 9o%C it is more $recise than the mo"ern B$ara$hrase.C 1here is no 4n#lish counter$art to this &atin $hrase. 1herefore any "ifference in wor"in# "oes not un"ermine the essential theme or messa#e, ecause two $eo$le mi#ht naturally con9ey an same i"ea "ifferently. 143@ Ancient writers ha" no "ifficulty in consi"erin# these two kin"s of 9er al e%$ressions as i"entical, e9en thou#h this metho" of inter$retation is "eeme" as rather stran#e to mo"ern rational thinkers. 1he #os$el writers were not necessarily intereste" in recor"in# the e(act words of 'hrist, ut they always recor"e" the e(act oice of ,esus. 1469 1his 9iew or 1467. ,eremias, The 4rayers of &esus. A$$en"i%. 1468. Ha#ner, B,esus an" the 5yno$tic 5a
ath 'ontro9ersies.C -78. A classic e%am$le are the "escri$tions of ,esus that were written on the titulus" which was then carrie" efore Him as He was le" to the crucifi%ion site. 1hese "escri$tions are "iscusse" later in this e- ook.
1469. .arclay, &esus. -4/L Ha#ner, B,esus an" the 5yno$tic 5a
ath 'ontro9ersies.C -3@.
1013 un"erstan"in# of the #os$el writers is consistent with the Greek historian 1hucy"i"es, who ma"e the followin# comments a out re$eatin# the e%act su stance of s$eeches* It 3as (iffi")lt for 1e to re1e1ber the e@a"t s)bsta$"e of the s#ee"hes I 1yself hear( a$( for others to re1e1ber those they hear( else3here a$( tol( 1e of O I ha8e %i8e$ the s#ee"hes i$ the 1a$$er i$ 3hi"h it see1e( to 1e that ea"h of the s#ea9ers 3o)l( best e@#ress 3hat 3as $ee(e( to be sai( abo)t the e8er-#re8aili$% sit)atio$+ b)t I ha8e 9e#t as "lose as #ossible to the total o#i$io$ e@#resse( by the a"t)al 3or(s. Th)"y(i(es+ )istory of the Pelo&onnesian %ar+ &.**.&
&/<
!t is e9i"ent from ancient Greek writers that it was $ermissi le to recor" the $rimary theme or e(act oice ;9o%= faithfully, rather than o tain an e%act Auotation or e(act words ;9er a=. 5cholars a#ree that the accuracy of the #os$el messa#e "oes not "eman" 9er al $recision. 1471 An e%am$le of ,ewish writers con9eyin# i"eas without e%act wor"in# was "isco9ere" in a )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ment 4N2-1, which is e%$laine" in this author<s commentary on &uke 7*1@--/ ;see ,. '. /=. +inally, ri#hteous ,ews of the time, who were lower le9el (harisees, ha" a $rayer similar to what ,esus ha" su##este" as a mo"el $rayer. :ote the similarity* May yo)r 3ill be (o$e i$ hea8e$ abo8e+ a$( %ra$t #ea"e a$( "o$te$t1e$t to those 3ho fear Eo)+ a$( (o 3hate8er see1s best to Eo). Mish$ah+ *osefta 7erachoth 37< May it be Eo)r 3ill+ : Lor( 1y Go(+ to 1a9e 1e fa1iliar 3ith yo)r La3+ a$( "a)se 1e to a(here to yo)r "o11a$(1e$ts.
1470. .ock, &esus in 'onte(t. 7/-99. 1471. 1hese scholars hol" to the 0eforme" )octrine of .i lical !ns$iration on the conce$t
of %psissima 7o( * 5tonehouse, :rigins of the Synoptic -ospels. 189-18L Murray, 'al in on Scripture and )e ine So ereignty. /8L Ho"#e an" Warfiel", B!ns$iration.C -/@.
1014 6o $ot lea( 1e i$to si$+ $or i$to i$i=)ity+ $or i$to te1#tatio$+ $or i$to (isho$or. Co1#el 1y i1#)lses to ser8e Eo)+ a$( 9ee# 1e far fro1 a$ e8il 1a$ or e8il te1#tatio$s. Gi8e 1e %oo( (esires a$( %oo( "o1#a$io$s i$ this life. A$( let 1e this (ay a$( e8ery (ay fi$( %ra"e+ fa8or a$( 1er"y i$ Eo)r eyes a$( i$ all the eyes 3ho see 1e+ a$( %ra$t 1e Eo)r best blessi$%s. Alesse( are Eo)+ : Lor(+ 3ho %ra$ts Eo)r best blessi$%s to Eo)r #eo#le+ Israel. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 7erachoth . b Another e%am$le is the 0oman titulus" the si#n on the cross that i"entifie" ,esus, where each of the four #os$el writers wrote the same theme ut use" "ifferent wor"in#. +inally, the im$ortant si#nificance of this com$arison is that ,esus was not teachin# a ra"ical new theolo#y. 1he ,ews ha" alrea"y hear" the essence of His teachin#s. He was sim$ly rin#in# to them the Bfullness,C as $romise" in their He rew .i le an" a$$lie" to His messa#e of the Din#"om of Go" an" sal9ation.
4ideo Insert
/B)/0)/3)4 ;r) Joe Wehrer of Mount Cion S%hoo& of Ministry dis%usses the signifi%an%e of <I#sissi"a 4er+a= and <I#sissi"a 4o6= 7,,20-8) !&i%: here)
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) ,. 3. ' Mt. .7&.-&,
1015 THE P;INCIPLE :F FASTING 20he$e8er yo) fast+ (o$?t be sa(-fa"e( li9e the hy#o"rites. For they 1a9e their fa"es )$attra"ti8e so their fasti$% is ob8io)s to #eo#le. I ass)re yo)7 They?8e %ot their re3ar(K &< A)t 3he$ yo) fast+ #)t oil o$ yo)r hea(+ a$( 3ash yo)r fa"e+ &, so that yo) (o$?t sho3 yo)r fasti$% to #eo#le b)t to yo)r Father 3ho is i$ se"ret. A$( yo)r Father 3ho sees i$ se"ret 3ill re3ar( yo).
&.
+astin# ori#inate" as a sin#le "ay e9ent 7 the )ay of Atonement 7 as written y Moses. 1hese are a few of his wor"s* 2This is to be a #er1a$e$t stat)te for yo)7 I$ the se8e$th 1o$th+ o$ the te$th (ay of the 1o$th yo) are to #ra"ti"e self(e$ial a$( (o $o 3or9+ both the $ati8e a$( the forei%$er 3ho resi(es a1o$% yo). 3 Ato$e1e$t 3ill be 1a(e for yo) o$ this (ay to "lea$se yo)+ a$( yo) 3ill be "lea$ fro1 all yo)r si$s before the L:;6. 3& It is a Sabbath of "o1#lete rest for yo)+ a$( yo) 1)st #ra"ti"e self-(e$ial4 it is a #er1a$e$t stat)te.
*!
Le8iti")s &.7*!-3& (rior to the e%ile in .a ylon, the ,ews were reAuire" to fast only on the )ay of Atonement ;&e9. 13*-9-/1L -/*-7-/-L :um. -9*7=. Howe9er, "urin# the e%ilic $erio", re#ular fasts were intro"uce" ;Kech. 7*/-2L @*19=. !n oth the He rew .i le an" :ew 1estament, fastin# is associate" with a s$ecific $ur$ose, such as the confession of sin. 147- 1he (harisees faste" re#ularly, twice a week ;&k. 1@*1-=, on Mon"ays an" 1hurs"ays. 147/ Mem ers of the 5anhe"rin were to $ray an" fast for the court "ecisions they were to ren"er. 1he $ur$ose of $rayer an" fastin# has always een to $assionately ask for Go"<s #ui"ance an" lessin# with thanks#i9in#. 20he$e8er yo) fast.5 +astin# is the "enial of foo" for a $erio" of time "urin# which the elie9er is in $ursuit of a "ee$er relationshi$ with Go" ;4%. /4*-@L 1 5am. 7*3L 1 D#. 19*@=. 1his $ursuit is to e in the $ri9acy of one<s 1472. :eh. 9*1--L (s. /2*1/L !sa. 2@*/, 2L )an. 9*---8L 18*--/L ,on. /*2L Acts 9*9. 1473. Mishnah, Taanith 1*4-7L 5ee also )idache @*1.
1016 home or a seclu"e" area. (rayer an" fastin# not only rin#s one closer to Go", ut shoul" also reinforce a sense of holinessL it is to rin# one in a closer relationshi$ with Go" as e9i"ence" y a chan#e" life or "iscernment concernin# a $articular situation. 'enturies earlier, "urin# the "ays of !saiah, Go" re uke" the !sraelites, ecause they faste" without a chan#e" life ;!sa. /@*1-7L cf. Mt. 3*13-1@=. 1he (harisees, unfortunately, ha" a "istorte" 9iew of fastin#. !n this $assa#e, ,esus a$$lie" the ima#ery of the theater to the actions of the (harisees who were anythin# ut $ri9ate with their fastin#. 1he (harisees "i" not literally $aint their faces when fastin#, ut they #a9e the a$$earance they were sufferin# an" in se9ere "iscomfort. As they walke" throu#hout the city in are feet, un- athe", an" with ashes s$rinkle" on their hea"sL their $rocession was similar to actors of the Greek theater. Actors $ainte" an" "isfi#ure" their faces to $ortray the characters they $laye". ,esus o$$ose" this an" "esire" $rayer an" worshi$ to e in s$irit an" truth an", therefore, in secret rather than in any form of $u lic "is$lay. 2P)t oil o$ yo)r hea(+ a$( 3ash yo)r fa"e.5 ,esus sai" the tra"ition of ashes, a$$earance of sorrow an" "iscomfort shoul" e set asi"e an" a moo" of Eoy shoul" accom$any the one fastin#. 1he $lacement of oil on the hea" an" the face washin# were social in"icators of Eoyful e9ents. 1474 +inally, e9er since Moses wrote his $assa#e in &e9iticus, fastin# has institute" for other reasons as follows. 1472 een
1. +astin# was connecte" with the mournin# when a lo9e" on $asse" on.1473 -. 1he ,ewish $eo$le faste" after e9eryone suffere" from the results of a ci9il war ;,u". -8*-3=. 1474. New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on Mt. 3*17.
1475. As is shown elsewhere in this stu"y, the lea"in# (harisees faste" on Mon"ays an" 1hurs"ays which were the market "ays in ,erusalem. 1his $ermitte" e9eryone to see that they were fastin#, which was little more than a $u lic "is$lay of self-ri#hteousness that ,esus con"emne". 1476. 4%am$les are foun" in these e%tra- i lical ooks* 0eu en in The Testament of Reuben 1*18L 5imeon in The Testimony of Simeon /*4L an" ,u"ah in The Testament of &udah 12*4. 1hese are foun" in a lar#er literary work known as The Testaments of the Twel e 4atriarchs. 5ee A##e$(i@ ** for further information.
1017 /. 1he $ro$het 5amuel reAuire" a fast of re$entance ecause the $eo$le straye" from their Go" an" worshi$$e" .aal ;1 5am. 7*3= 4. :ehemiah calle" for a fast of confession of sin, re$entance, an" ask for for#i9eness ;:eh. 9*1=. 2. +astin# "raws the attention of Go" to the one who is afflictin# himself 3. +astin# is $roof that re$entance is real, ut the $otential $ro lem is that fastin# can ecome a su stitute for re$entance. Ultimately, the $roof of re$entance is a chan#e" attitu"e an" lifestyle. 7. +astin# can e 9icarious, meanin# that it is not for the enefit of the one $etitionin# Go", ut for the enefit of another $erson, church, or nation. @. +astin# increases s$iritual awareness which results in one<s a ility to hear from Go". 1he fast is a $hysical e%$ression of a heart-felt sorrow. A true fast must e "one with a honest an" $ure heart. :ote the wor"s of an !nter-1estamental writer. The 1a$ 3ho fasts to %et ri( of his si$s+ a$( %oes a%ai$ a$( (oes the sa1e thi$% D 3ho 3ill liste$ to his #rayer+ a$( 3hat #rofit is there i$ his h)1bli$% hi1self> E""lesiasti")s 3&73
U$it , To#i"al Iss)es Cha#ter /
1018
Co$"er$s of this Life
,. /. A. JESUS CHALLENGES Ill)stratio$ by Ai(a. &,, s.
;ELIGI:US
LEA6E;.
,. /. & Mt. .7&!-*/ SPI;ITUAL T;EASU;ES.

&!
6o$?t "olle"t for yo)rsel8es treas)res o$ earth+ 3here 1oth a$( r)st (estroy+
1019 a$( 3here thie8es brea9 i$ a$( steal.

*
A)t store )# for yo)rsel8es treas)res i$ hea8e$+ 3here $either 1oth a$( r)st (estroys+ a$( 3here thie8es (o$?t brea9 i$ a$( steal. For 3here yo)r treas)re is+ there yo)r heart 3ill be also. 2The eye is the la1# of the bo(y. If yo)r eye is %oo(+ yo)r 3hole bo(y 3ill be f)ll of li%ht. *3 A)t if yo)r eye is ba(+ yo)r 3hole bo(y 3ill be f)ll of (ar9$ess.
*&
**
So if the li%ht 3ithi$ yo) is (ar9$essQ ho3 (ee# is that (ar9$ess> If the$ the li%ht 3ithi$ yo) is (ar9$ess+ ho3 %reat is that (ar9$essK 2No o$e "a$ be a of t3o 1asters. Si$"e either he 3ill hate the o$e a$( lo8e the other+ or be (e8ote( to o$e a$( (es#ise the other. Eo) "a$$ot be s of Go( a$( of 1o$ey.
*/
2Moth a$( r)st (estroy.5 1here was no so$histicate" ankin# system as is common to"ay. Hence, wealth was often hel" in the form of e%$ensi9e #arments, #ol", or sil9er which were sometimes urie" or store" in the tem$le. (re9entin# loss was a maEor concern ecause these o Eects of 9alue were easily stolen or su Eect to "eterioration. 1477 2Eye is %oo( ... eye is ba(.5 1his i"iom of the eyes was not only $o$ular in the ancient ,ewish cultures, ut in nei#h orin# cultures as well. A 1477. 'arson, BMatthewC @*177
1020 mo"ifie" 9ersion continues on to"ay. 1he $hrase, B#oo" eyeC meant one was #i9in# an" #enerous, while to"ay it has the meanin# of #oo" luck or #oo" fortune. ?n the other han", the $hrase B a" eye,C meant that one was #ree"yL althou#h the $hrase has een chan#e" to mean Be9il eye.C 147@ 2So if the li%ht 3ithi$ yo) is (ar9$essQho3 (ee# is that (ar9$ess>5 How can li#ht ;Greek* phos= e "arkness ;Greek* skotos=F 1479 1his statement is one of se9eral o%ymorons 14@8 use" in 5cri$ture. !t is inten"e" to com ine wor"s that are naturally o$$osite, ut, when use" in this manner, enhances the meanin# of the s$eaker. !n this case, if a small amount of li#ht is consi"ere" to e "arkness, how much more "arkness woul" there e if there was a solutely no li#ht whatsoe9erF 2Eo) "a$$ot be s of Go( a$( of 1o$ey.5 1he wor" BmoneyC is a #eneral Aramaic wor" meanin# Bwealth.C Wealth often comman"e" an" $ossesse" a man<s alle#iance an", thus, ecame his #o". When a man has financial security, he sel"om nee"s "i9ine security, an" has no nee" to trust Go" for his "aily $ro9isions. 1herefore, he cannot ser9e oth Go" an" his financial security. ,esus was often Auick to con"emn those who ha" #reat wealth, not ecause they were wealthy, ut ecause He knew that their wealth was their security 7 a su stitute for Go" Himself. 1he $ro$er use of wealth is to hel$ e%$an" the Din#"om of Go". ,. /. * Mt. .7*'-3/ AF:I6ING ANPIETE 2This is 3hy I tell yo)7 6o$?t 3orry abo)t yo)r life+ 3hat yo) 3ill eat or 3hat yo) 3ill (ri$94 or abo)t yo)r bo(y+ 3hat yo) 3ill 3ear. Is$?t life 1ore tha$ foo( a$( the bo(y 1ore tha$ "lothi$%> *. Loo9 at the bir(s of the s9y7 They (o$?t so3 or rea# or %ather i$to bar$s+ yet yo)r hea8e$ly Father fee(s the1. Are$?t yo) 3orth 1ore tha$ they> *< Ca$ a$y of yo) a(( a si$%le ")bit to his hei%ht by 3orryi$%>
*'
1478. Moseley, .eshua. -@--9L 5ee &k. 11*/4L !. *. &4 &*. 3.& .
1479. .arclay, &esus. -34.
1480. .ullin#er, #igures of Speech $sed in the Bible . @13-1@. 5ee A##e$(i@ *. for
"efinition.
1021 A$( 3hy (o yo) 3orry abo)t "lothes> Lear$ ho3 the 3il(flo3ers of the fiel( %ro37 they (o$?t labor or s#i$ threa(. *! Eet I tell yo) that $ot e8e$ Solo1o$ i$ all his s#le$(or 3as a(or$e( li9e o$e of theseK 3 If that?s ho3 Go( "lothes the %rass of the fiel(+ 3hi"h is here to(ay a$( thro3$ i$to the f)r$a"e to1orro3+ 3o$?t He (o 1)"h 1ore for yo)Qyo) of little faith> 3& So (o$?t 3orry+ sayi$%+ W0hat 3ill 3e eat>? or W0hat 3ill 3e (ri$9>? or W0hat 3ill 3e 3ear>?
*,
For the i(olaters ea%erly see9 all these thi$%s+ a$( yo)r hea8e$ly Father 9$o3s that yo) $ee( the1. 33 A)t see9 first the 9i$%(o1 of Go( a$( His ri%hteo)s$ess+ a$( all these thi$%s 3ill be #ro8i(e( for yo). 3/ Therefore (o$?t 3orry abo)t to1orro3+ be"a)se to1orro3 3ill 3orry abo)t itself. Ea"h (ay has e$o)%h tro)ble of its o3$.
3*
1here are certain key wor"s an" $hrases that stan" out in the #os$els. ?ne of them is B$ray,C ecause ,esus often went somewhere to e alone to $ray. Another is the term B"on<t worry.C 1his term not only su##ests His own stren#th an" $oise, ut is also an encoura#ement of faith of His followers. ?9er an" o9er a#ain ,esus tol" His "isci$les not to worryL not to waste their li9es worryin# a out non-essentials. 1here is only one su$reme concern an" that is, the thin#s of the 5$irit. !t is a ste$ of s$iritual maturity when one can sto$ worryin# an" face the challen#es in faith. .ut that "oes not ne#ate concern, ut the cri$$lin# effect of worry reflects lack of faith. 1he ne%t ste$ in maturity is to seek first the kin#"om of Go" ;Mt. 3*//=, that is, to $ray a out an" accom$lish the tasks assi#ne" in uil"in# the kin#"om of Go". 26o$?t 3orry abo)t yo)r life.5 At first these wor"s must ha9e soun"e" like some kin" of humor ecause, at this time, there was e%$losi9e tension etween the 0omans an" ,ews. !n the mi"st of 0oman occu$ation, hi#h ta%ation, an" economic stress ,esus commente" on the essential elements of life, which Go" continues to $ro9i"e for His own. 1he ,ews, an" es$ecially ,esus, were constantly un"er the watchful eye of the 0omans, as well as the Hero"ian s$ies. !n this e%$losi9e social settin#, ,esus essentially sai", B)o not worry a out your life, Go" will take care of you.C 1he conce$t is sim$ly an e%tension of His wor"s on the fulfillment of the &aw ;Mt. 2*1-4@L cf. 3*19,
1022 -4=, where $hrases such as Blay u$ treasures in hea9enC an" Bser9e Go",C are in close conte%t with this teachin#. ?n the other han", this statement "oes not ne#ate the curse of ein# la>y, a$athetic, or in"ifferent. !t means that elie9ers ou#ht to focus their faith in an" "e9otion to Go", while workin# towar" the necessities of life an" family. :either "oes it mean that one shoul" not $lan for the future. :oah $lanne" to uil" a oat ut "i" not worry a out it e9en when un"er tremen"ous social $ressure an" ri"icule. 1he A$ostle (aul $lanne" mission tri$s, ut "i" not worry a out his tra9els. &ikewise, we are to make #o"ly $lans, ut are not to worry a out them. .ein# o9erly concerne" for one<s welfare was not uniAue to the time of ,esus. ?ne of the early church fathers ma"e this comment a out the attention #i9en to the $hysical o"ies at the e%$ense of #o"ly matters* There are 1a$y #eo#le 3ho e@ert %reater "are for their bo(ies tha$ they (o for their so)l. A)t they sho)l( (e8ote a %reater soli"it)(e for their so)ls+ 3here the i1a%e of Go( is. 0he$ the flesh+ 3hi"h they lo8e so 1)"h+ be%i$s to be (e8o)re( by 3or1s i$ the %ra8e+ the so)l is #rese$te( to Go( by the a$%els i$ hea8e$. Caesar of Arles+ 3ermons
&/,&
2Loo9 at the bir(s of the s9y.5 Here the Master 1eacher connecte" His teachin# with the ountiful eauty of nature. 1he Holy &an" lies etween the eastern shore of the Me"iterranean 5ea an" what was then known as the Ara ian )esert ;to"ay<s ,or"an= an" is the lan" ri"#e that connects the continents of Africa, 4uro$e an" Asia. 1his small $arcel of fertile lan" is in the fli#ht $ath of one-thir" of all mi#ratory ir"s, an estimate" fi9e hun"re" million that fly o9er it in March an" a#ain in :o9em er as they mi#rate from one continent to another. 14@2The 3il(flo3ers of the fiel(.5 !srael is a massi9e lanket of wil" flowers in the s$rin# of the year is secon" only to 5wit>erlan". !srael<s eauty is 1481. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). -3-L :ote*
the term B'aesarC was a family name, ut it ecame the title of the em$eror who ha" the same family name. 1his 'aesar was not affiliate" with the 0oman monarchy.
1482. Horo9it>, B5tarlin# 4%$ress.C 2.
1023 $henomenal y the time the winter rains en". Howe9er, y late A$ril an" early May the hot, "ry 5irocco win"s from the eastern "esert rin# a Auick en" to the flowers. 1he withere" $lants were har9este" an" use" for fuel in home cookin# an" $ottery kilns ;cf. (s. 18/ an" !sa. 48=.
,. /. *A. 0IL6 FL:0E;S :F IS;AEL . !srael has more wil" flowers than any other nation e%ce$t 5wit>erlan". A out the time the winter rains en" an" tem$eratures rise ;March an" A$ril= the lan" is a car$et of wil" flowers. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1024
,. /. *A. A TEPICAL CLAE :FEN. A clay o9en, such as this one is arely -4 inches hi#h. !t was use" "aily for asic B akin#C $i>>asha$e" rea", which was lai" u$on its outer surface to ake. !ts fuel was anythin# that woul" urn ut "rie" #rass an" manure was the most common fuel. :otice the han#in# fryin# $an, a rare item in the first century. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2Solo1o$ i$ all his s#le$(or.5 1he e%treme wealth an" $ower of Din# 5olomon was $ro9er ial. 14@/ (eo$le s$oke of him as they "i" of his le#en"ary father Din# )a9i" an" the #reat international em$ire he esta lishe". ,. /. 3 L9. .73<-/* ;5ee also Mt. 7*1-2= HEP:C;ITICAL JU6GING 26o $ot H)(%e+ a$( yo) 3ill $ot be H)(%e(. 6o $ot "o$(e1$+ a$( yo) 3ill $ot be "o$(e1$e(. For%i8e+ a$( yo) 3ill be for%i8e$.
3<
1483. 1 D#. /*1--1/L 4*-1-/4L - 'h. 9*1/--@.
1025
3,
Gi8e+ a$( it 3ill be %i8e$ to yo)4 A %oo( 1eas)re D #resse( (o3$+ sha9e$ to%ether a$( r)$$i$% o8er D 3ill be #o)re( i$to yo)r la#.
For 3ith the 1eas)re yo) )se+ it 3ill be 1eas)re( ba"9 to yo). He also tol( the1 a #arable7 2Ca$ the bli$( %)i(e the bli$(> 0o$?t they both fall i$to a #it> / A (is"i#le is $ot abo8e his tea"her+ b)t e8eryo$e 3ho is f)lly trai$e( 3ill be li9e his tea"her.
3!
20hy (o yo) loo9 at the s#e"9 i$ yo)r brother?s eye+ b)t (o$?t $oti"e the lo% i$ yo)r o3$ eye> /* :r ho3 "a$ yo) say to yo)r brother+ WArother+ let 1e ta9e o)t the s#e"9 that is i$ yo)r eye+? 3he$ yo) yo)rself (o$?t see the lo% i$ yo)r eye> Hy#o"riteK First ta9e the lo% o)t of yo)r eye+ a$( the$ yo) 3ill see "learly to ta9e o)t the s#e"9 i$ yo)r brother?s eye.
/&
26o $ot H)(%e.5 .y "efinition, ;Gk. katadika=ete= it means Bshar$ unEust criticism.C14@4 5ince all of humanity is a fallen race, no one has the ri#ht to con"emn another or to e a Bfaultfin"er.C !n fact, Go" will either Eu"#e us or ha9e mercy on us, "e$en"in# on how we either Eu"#e or ha9e mercy on others. 1he He raic $oetry in this $assa#e sets the $arameters of the meanin# of the wor" BEu"#e.C 1his meanin# is restricte" to this use an" "oes not ha9e reference to "iscernment or #eneral "ecisions in human affairs.14@2 ,esus "i" not for i" the "iscernment etween truth an" error in "octrine or in the life of another, nor "i" he for i" them to "iscern the "ifference etween #oo" an" e9il. ,esus meant one shoul" not Eu"#e others self-ri#hteously or con"emnin#ly ;cf Mt. -/*1/-/9L 0om. -*1=. 0ather, one is to e of #oo" character an" then one can ser9e as a Eu"#e. 1484. 0o ertson, Word 4ictures in the New Testament. 38. 1485. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@92.
1026 !n a""ition, 5cri$ture as a whole "irects elie9ers to carefully "iscern false or real $ro$hets, as well as the fruitfulness of others. .ase" on careful Eu"#ment ;meanin# "iscernment=, there are se9eral situations were Eu"#ment is comman"e"* 1. 'oncernin# those who are se%ually immoral ;1 'or. 2*9=, -. 'oncernin# those who masAuera"e as $ur9eyors of truth ;- 'or. 11*14=, /. 'oncernin# those who $reach a false #os$el ;(hili$. /*-=, an" 4. 'oncernin# those who are false $ro$hets ;1 ,n. 4*1= (ersons who reflect one or more of these characteristics or eha9iors are to e a9oi"e" an", in some cases, they are to e e%communicate" from the local church. 1his ty$e of Eu"#ment or "iscernment was not what ,esus tau#ht in this $assa#e. He was s$ecifically s$eakin# of unEust criticism. 2Gi8e a$( it 3ill be %i8e$ to yo).5 1his $assa#e is freAuently use" in terms of tithin# to the church. Howe9er, note that the conte%t is a "iscussion on for#i9eness, not tithin#. ,esus sai" if we for#i9e much, He will for#i9e us a un"antly. 1his same $rinci$le of #i9in# for#i9eness can e a$$lie" to other areas of life such as #i9in# tithes, offerin#s, an" alms. 20ill be #o)re( i$to yo)r la#.5 Men<s clothin# at the time were loose like women<s "resses are to"ay. 5ince a elt was worn aroun" the waist, the #arment coul" e fol"e" to create a lar#e front $ocket. 1his $ocket coul" e use" to carry a hu#e amount of #oo"s, such as #rain. 1he lessin# of Go" that woul" e Brunnin# o9er,C is $otentially far more than what coul" ha9e een $lace" on one<s la$ or $ocket. 2First+ ta9e the lo% o)t of yo)r eye.5 1his is a humorous He raic illustration in9ol9in# a wor" $lay of Bs$eckC an" Blo#/$lank.C 14@3 1he $hrase is a hy$er ole, a ri"iculous contrast, a statement of o9er-em$hasis to "ramati>e a $oint. !n essence, ,esus sai" that we shoul" take a tree or lar#e $iece of tim er out of our own eye efore takin# a tooth$ick or s$linter out of the eye of another, meanin# that efore attem$tin# to hel$ someone 1486. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@92.
1027 else, one ha" to clean u$ his own life. :o one has the ri#ht to Eu"#e another<s con"uct or moti9e until his own life has een cleane" u$, then ri#hteous men an" women are to use "iscernment in their Eu"#ments. 1herefore, there are times when Eu"#ment, accor"in# to "i9ine $rinci$les, are in or"er. ,. /. / Mt. <7. INAPP;:P;IATE C:NCE;N 6o$?t %i8e 3hat is holy to (o%s :r toss yo)r #earls before #i%s+ :r the 3ill tra1#le the1 3ith their feet+ t)r$+ a$( tear yo) to #ie"es.
.
26o$?t %i8e 3hat is holy to (o%s.5 1he wor" B"o#C was a "e#ra"in# term use" y ,ews when s$eakin# of a non-,ewish $erson. 14@7 1o"ay the $hrase, B#oin# to the "o#sC means, Bto ruinC an" comes from this herita#e. More "e#ra"in# than the wor" B"o#,C was an association with $i#s. 1he ,ews consi"ere" $i#s the most unclean animal an" it was on their list of for i""en foo"s.14@@ What is sacre" is, of course, of #reat 9alue an" in this $ara le is com$are" to the hi#h 9alue of $earls. 1he $oetic $arallel form is o 9ious. 1he analo#y is that the #oo" thin#s of Go" shoul" not e taken li#htly. 1he $ro lem with this 9erse is that it a$$ears to "eman" a le9el of e%clusi9eness e9en thou#h the work of ,esus is for e9eryone. 1he first century church inter$rete" it in two ways* 1. 5ome elie9e" this $assa#e was written for the ,ews, since the term dogs was elie9e" to refer to Gentiles. 1herefore, if a Gentile "esire" to ecome a elie9er, first he ha" to ecome a ,ew, acce$t the &aw, an" e circumcise". ?nly then coul" he e acce$te" as a elie9er. ?f course o$inion the e9entually ecame a su Eect of "iscussion at the first church counsel in ,erusalem. -. Many elie9e", since followers of ,esus were un"er constant threat of $ersecution from in"i9i"uals outsi"e an" within the church. 1487. 4%. --*/1L 1 Din#s -1*-/L (s. --*13, -8L 29*14L 3@*-/L ,er. 12*/L Mt. 12*-3--7L Mk.
7*-7--@L &k. 13*-1L (hil. /*-L 0e9. --*12.
1488. &e9. 11*7L !sa. 32*4L 33*/, 17L &k. 12*12-13.
1028 .ecause of $ersecution an" the loss of key lea"ers to martyr"om, $astors were force" to 1. 4%amine new con9erts carefully to insure that they were #enuine con9erts an" -. Ma"e sure all who $rofesse" to ortho"o% "octrines of faith. e elie9ers still hel" to the
Matthew 7*3 Auickly ecame a si#nificant #ui"e$ost for a"mittin# some an" $rohi itin# others from atten"in# the &or"<s 1a le, that is, the 4ucharist. 'hurch #rowth was e%$lo"in# an" many false teachers entere" 9arious con#re#ations causin# chaos an" confusion. 1ertullian com$laine" that $o$ular false teachers an" heretics $ermitte" e9eryone to the &or"<s 1a le, similar to B?$en 'ommunionC $ractice" y many churches to"ay. He sai", That 3hi"h is holy they 3ill "ast to the (o%s+ a$( #earls to s3i$e. Tert)llia$+ $e Praescri&tione /& 1he early church not only un"erscore" the e%clusi9eness of the &or"<s 1a le, ut also ma"e a reference to Matthew 7*3 as follows. Let $o3 o$e eat a$( (ri$9 fro1 yo)r E)"harist b)t those ba#tiGe( i$ the $a1e of the Lor(7 to this+ too+ the sayi$% of the Lor( is a##li"able+ 26o $ot %i8e to (o%s 3hat is sa"re(.5 6i(a"he !7' 1he #os$el messa#e was a9aila le to e9eryone. Howe9er, to ecome a $art of the inner-circle of elie9ers an" $artake of the 'ommunion 1a le, one ha" to show e9i"ence of a chan#e" an" consecrate" life. !t has een sai" that the challen#es that the first century face" imme"iately after ,esus returne" to hea9en will e the same imme"iately efore He returns. !f so, then church lea"ers to"ay may nee" to re-e9aluate their o$en communion $olicies. ,. /. ' Mt. <7<-&* PE;SISTANCE :F P;AEE;
<
2Iee# as9i$%
1029 a$( it 3ill be %i8e$ to yo)4 9ee# sear"hi$% a$( yo) 3ill fi$(4 9ee# 9$o"9i$%+ yo). a$( the (oor 3ill be o#e$e( to , For e8eryo$e 3ho as9s re"ei8es+ a$( the o$e 3ho sear"hes fi$(s+ a$( to the o$e hi1 3ho 9$o"9s+ the (oor 3ill be o#e$e(. 0hat 1a$ a1o$% yo)+ if his so$ as9s hi1 for brea(+ 3ill %i8e hi1 a sto$e> & :r if he as9s for a fish+ he %i8e hi1 a s$a9e>
!
If yo) the$+ 3ho are e8il+ 9$o3 ho3 to %i8e %oo( %ifts to yo)r "hil(re$+ ho3 1)"h 1ore 3ill yo)r Father i$ hea8e$ %i8e %oo( %ifts to those 3ho as9 hi1K
&&
Therefore+ 3hate8er yo) 3a$t others to (o for yo)+ (o also the sa1e for the1 Q this is the La3 a$( the Pro#hets.
&*
2If his so$ as9s hi1 for brea(+ 3ill %i8e hi1 a sto$e> & :r if he as9s for a fish+ 3ill %i8e hi1 a s$a9e>5 1he $oint of the messa#e is that a father woul" ne9er #i9e his son a stone or snake when he nee"s foo". .ut why woul" ,esus ask such rhetorical AuestionsF !n ancient times, rea" was not ake" in o lon# $ans that forme" thick loa9es, as is "one to"ay. 5ome ha9e mistakenly sai" loa9es were in the same sha$e as stones an", therefore, ,esus ma"e a 9isual connection. Jet this author has tra9ele" all o9er !srael an" ne9er foun" an e%am$le of this $ro$ose" similarity. 0esi"ents of !srael a#ree that stones sim$ly "o not look like the thin $ancake-sha$e" loa9es of rea".
1030 ?nce when teachin# in !srael, one of the author<s stu"ents informe" him that rocks were first $lace" in an o$en fire to e heate". 1hey were then remo9e" an" the flat "ou#h was s$rea" o9er the stones to ake. 1he stu"ent also showe" the author a #as-fire" o9en line" with rocks. 1hin atches of "ou#h were $lace" on the $re-heate" rocks clearly "emonstratin# that the ol" tra"ition was a"a$te" to the -1st century.
,. /. 'A. T;A6ITI:NAL A;EA6. Many ake sho$s in ,erusalem an" other communities to"ay ake rea" as was "one in i lical times. 1he rea" is similar to a $ancake an" is lai" on the flat surface of the o9en, hot rock, or to"ay, on the outer e"#e of a 22-#allon steel "rum. (hoto#ra$h y the author. When ,esus was teachin# alon# the shore of the 5ea of Galilee, He was near the small fishin# 9illa#e of 1a #ha. A short "istance into the water is se9en hot s$rin#s that are fa9orite ha itat areas for fish an" snakes "urin# the col"er winter months.14@9 1his fi#ure of s$eech was use" ecause snakes occasionally were cau#ht in the nets of fishermen an" were mentione" y the 9isitin# 5$anish (il#rim 4#eria ;c. /@/= an" y 1heo"osius ;c. 2/8=. 1498 1489. 1he ,or"an 0i9er Halley is "otte" with locations where hot s$rin#s still e%ist. 1he
most $o$ular for tourists to"ay are the hot s$rin#s resort in 1i erius an" the family $ark of the Hamat Ga"er 0oman .aths at the southeast en" of the 5ea of Galilee.
1490. Dane, B'a$ernaum.C 1*-43.
1031 Here, an" a#ain in Matthew --*/9, ,esus ma"e an a$$eal to elie9ers to ask their hea9enly +ather for what they nee", an" He will $ro9i"e. &ikewise, we are to treat others in the same manner as we "esire to e treate" oursel9es. 1his is a reinforcement of the Mosaic &aw that in recent times has ecome known as the BGol"en 0ule.C !t re$hrases what Moses sai" fifteen centuries earlier. 6o $ot ta9e re8e$%e or bear a %r)(%e a%ai$st 1e1bers of yo)r "o11)$ity+ b)t lo8e yo)r $ei%hbor as yo)rself4 I a1 Eah3eh.
&,
Le8iti")s &!7&, 1he Gol"en 0ule ;Matthew 7*1-= is foun" in ne#ati9e form in Hin"uism, .u""hism, an" 'onfucianism, as well as in the ra inic writin#s. Hariations ha9e also een foun" in Greek an" 0oman ethical teachin#s. 1his su##ests two thin#s* 1. 49en those who ne9er hear" of the Wor" of Go" ha9e consciousness, an awareness of ri#ht an" wron# as "efine" y Go". y
-. 1he moral, social, an" ethical co"es of con"uct from :oah<s $ostfloo" "ay continue" to e honore" until the time of 'hrist. Almost two centuries efore 'hrist, a ,ewish scri e y the name of ,esus, son of 5irach, wrote a te%t known as 5cclesiasticus. 1his e%tra- i lical ook has an interestin# reflection on the writin#s of Moses. 1he followin# wor"s in"icate that the ,ews were close to un"erstan"in# the Din#"om of Go"* For%i8e yo)r $ei%hbor the 3ro$% he has (o$e+ a$( yo)r si$s 3ill be #ar(o$e( 3he$ yo) #ray. 6oes a$yo$e harbor a$%er a%ai$st a$other+ A$( e@#e"t heali$% fro1 the Lor(> If o$e has $o 1er"y to3ar( a$other li9e hi1self+
1032 Ca$ he the$ see9 #ar(o$ for his o3$ si$s> Sira"h *,7*-/ 1he comman"ments of lo9e e%iste" lon# efore ,esus. Many ,ews ha" alrea"y $ut into $ractice what ,esus was teachin#. ?ne ,ewish scholar, )a9i" +lusser of He rew Uni9ersity in ,erusalem, went so far as to say that, B+rom ancient ,ewish writin#s, we coul" easily construct a whole Gos$el without usin# a sin#le wor" that ori#inate" with ,esus. 1his coul" only e "one, howe9er, ecause we "o, in fact, $ossess the Gos$els.C 1491 20hate8er yo) 3a$t others to (o for yo)+ (o also the sa1e for the1.5 A#ain, ,esus reflecte" u$on the ri#hteous teachin#s of some lea"in# ra is who ha" an accurate $erce$tion that the &aw was not to le#ali>e or restrict, ut to $oint the way the heart shoul" e #ui"e". 1wo ra is ma"e these comments that are incre"i ly similar to Matthew 7*1-. 0a i 4lie>er sai", Let the ho$or of yo)r o3$ fello3 1a$ be as (ear to yo) as yo)r o3$. Mish$ah+ Avoth *7& An" 0a i Jose sai",
Let the #ossessio$s B1a11o$C of yo)r fello3 1a$ be as (ear to yo) as yo)r o3$. Mish$ah+ Avoth *7&* 2This is the La3 a$( the Pro#hets.5 Herse 1- is a summary statement. ,esus a#ain clarifie" that He "i" not come to re$lace the ?l" 1estament, ut to fulfill it. He "i" not re$lace the &aw per se, ut instructe" His "isci$les to fulfill the intent of the &aw. !n intent of the &aw, as well as un"erstan"in# the character of Go", has een e%$laine" y more than one $reacher in the followin# manner* ? eyin# the ?l" 1estament &aw I shallow un"erstan"in# 1491. +lusser, &esus. 98.
1033 ? eyin# the ?l" 1estament &aw with #race I "ee$er un"erstan"in# 1o say that the ?l" 1estament is in9ali" is correct only in terms of the sacrificial system, as ,esus re$lace" that system with His o"y at 'al9ary. !t is si#nificant that all other $ortions of the Written &aw are to e honore" as reflecte" in o e"ience. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, the 'hurch has a"o$te" a 0oman 9iew of ,aw" that means restriction an" is therefore bad" while the He rew .i le 9iews ,aw as %nstruction an" #reedom" an" therefore good. An encounter was recor"e" in the 1almu" etween 0a i Hillel an" 0a i 5hammai, two $rominent an" ri9al scholars of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio". .oth li9e" Eust $rior to the irth of ,esus an" "urin# His youn# manhoo". 1he story is that of a $a#an who aske" oth scholars to teach him the core issue of the 1orah. 1he res$onse reflects an interestin# insi#ht of oth ra is. A #a%a$ "a1e before Sha11ai a$( sai( to hi1+ 2Ma9e 1e a #roselyte+ b)t o$ the "o$(itio$ that yo) tea"h 1e the e$tire Torah 3hile I a1 sta$(i$% o$ o$e footK5 Sha11ai (ro8e hi1 off 3ith the b)il(er?s 1eas)ri$% ro( 3hi"h he ha( i$ his ha$(. 0he$ he Bthe #a%a$C a##eare( before Hillel+ the latter tol( hi1+ 20hat is hatef)l to yo)+ (o $ot to yo)r $ei%hbor. That is the 3hole Torah+ 3hile the rest is "o11e$tary4 %o a$( lear$.5 Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 3habbath 3 b
&/!*
Many of the teachin#s of ,esus confirme" what ri#hteous ,ews alrea"y knew. 1hose who o$$ose" Him "i" so on the #roun"s that they hel" the ?ral &aw in a $osition su$erior to the He rew .i le. &ikewise, they refuse" to reco#ni>e Him as their Messiah.
1492. 5ee also .a ylonian 1almu", Shabbath /1a.
1034
,. /. . Mt. <7&3-&/ NA;;:0 AN6 0I6E GATES :F LIFE

&3
2E$ter thro)%h the $arro3 %ate.
For the %ate is 3i(e a$( The roa( is broa( that lea(s to (estr)"tio$+ a$( there are 1a$y 3ho %o thro)%h it.
&/
Ho3 $arro3 is the %ate a$( (iffi")lt the roa( that lea(s to life+ a$( fe3 fi$( it.
1he meta$hors Bthe #ateC an" Bthe roa"C are reflecti9e of the "ecisions of life. ,esus s$oke of the lifestyle that is #roun"e" in His Wor" an" com$are" it to the $o$ular Hellenistic i"eas an" $hiloso$hies. 1he Hellenism of the first century was no "ifferent than the humanism of to"ay. 1here are still two "estinies from which one must choose. ?ne lea"s to life an" the other to "estruction ;Greek* phthora =. 149! !n essence, "ecisions "etermine "estiny. 1he He rew .i le has some "efinite "irecti9es on makin# the ri#ht "ecisions concernin# worshi$ an" o e"ience to Go". 1. ,oshua tol" his $eo$le to "eci"e to"ay whom they will ser9e ;,osh. -4*12=. -. Moses tol" his $eo$le to chose life so their "escen"ants mi#ht li9e ;)eut. /8*12--8=.
1493. .arclay, &esus. -34.
1035 /. ,eremiah tol" his $eo$le that Go" tol" him that He sent efore them a way of life an" a way of "eath ;,er. -1*@=. +urthermore, ,ewish literature, an" es$ecially $oetry, was a un"ant with contrastin# i"eas, ecause it was an inte#ral $art of the first century ,ewish thou#ht $rocess. 1hemes such as Bli#htC an" B"arkness,C or Bwise menC an" Bfoolish menC are foun" throu#hout oth 1estaments, e%tra-canonical ooks, an" the )ea" 5ea 5crolls. 1494 1hese writin#s "emonstrate that from Moses to ,esus, there were always those who were concerne" with makin# #o"ly "ecisions in life. ,esus un"erstoo" 9ery well that "ecisions "etermine" "estiny.
,. /. < Mt. <7&'-* 4 L9. .7/'4 Mt. <7*&-*3 TESTING ;ELIGI:US LEA6E;S Mt. &' 2Ae3are of false #ro#hets 3ho "o1e to yo) i$ shee#?s "lothi$% b)t i$3ar(ly are ra8a%i$% 3ol8es. &. Eo)?ll re"o%$iGe the1 by their fr)it. Are %ra#es %athere( fro1 thor$ b)shes+ or fi%s fro1 thistles> I$ the sa1e 3ay+ e8ery %oo( tree #ro()"es %oo( fr)it+ b)t a ba( tree #ro()"es ba( fr)it.
&<
A %oo( tree "a$?t #ro()"e ba( fr)it4 $either "a$ a ba( tree #ro()"e %oo( fr)it.
&,
1494. 1he two ways of life "escri e" with the meta$hor of a narrow an" wi"e #ate are also foun" in )euteronomy /8*19L (salm 1L ,eremiah -1*@L 4cclesiasticus -1*11-14L - 4s"ras 7*3-14L 1estament of Asher 1*/-2L an" )ea" 5ea 5croll 1N5 /*-8ff.
1036
&!
E8ery tree that (oes$?t Pro()"e %oo( fr)it is ")t (o3$ a$( thro3$ i$to the fire. So yo)?ll re"o%$iGe the1 by their fr)it.
L9. /' A %oo( 1a$ #ro()"es %oo( o)t of the %oo( storeroo1 of his heart. A$ e8il 1a$ #ro()"es e8il o)t of the e8il storeroo1+ for his 1o)th s#ea9s fro1 the o8erflo3 of the heart. Mt. *& 2Not e8eryo$e 3ho says to Me+ WLor(+ Lor(K? 3ill e$ter the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$+ b)t o$ly the o$e 3ho (oes the 3ill of My Father i$ hea8e$. ** :$ that (ay 1a$y 3ill say to Me+ WLor(+ Lor(+ (i($?t 3e #ro#hesy i$ Eo)r $a1e+ (ri8e o)t (e1o$s i$ Eo)r $a1e+ a$( (o 1a$y 1ira"les i$ Eo)r $a1e>? *3 The$ I 3ill a$$o)$"e to the1+ WI $e8er 9$e3 yo)K 6e#art fro1 Me+ yo) la3brea9ersK? 2False #ro#hets.5 1hrou#hout i lical history there were always warnin#s of false $ro$hets an" the relate" "ece$tions, such as .alaam who functione" only for $ersonal #ain. When ,esus $reache" His ?li9et )iscourse ;Mt. -4= an" "escri e" the e9ents that woul" occur near the en" of the a#e, His first warnin# was to e aware of "ece$tions. 1his was es$ecially nee"e" "ue to the num er of "ece$ti9e writin#s of !nter-1estamental $erio" that ha" ecome $o$ular an" ha9e continue" e9er since then. 2:$ly the o$e 3ho (oes the 3ill of My Father i$ hea8e$.5 Many of the wor"s s$oken y ,esus were common knowle"#e. 1492 An e%am$le of a ,ewish sayin# is elow. :ote the similarity with the su Eect $hrase ;Mt. 7*-1 = an" the &or"<s (rayer in Matthew 3*18. 6o His 3ill Bthe 3ill of Go(C as if it 3as yo)r 3ill that He 1ay (o yo)r 3ill as if it 3as His 3ill. Ma9e yo)r 3ill of $o$e effe"t before his 3ill+ that He 1ay 1a9e the 3ill of others of $o$e effe"t before yo)r 3ill. Mish$ah+ Aboth *./ 1495. .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult Words. 4/.
1037 ,esus was often in a#reement with the theolo#y of the (harisees, ut not with how they li9e" their li9es. He was concerne" with the corru$t reli#ious elite an" the theolo#ical confusion that ha" esta lishe" itself with the influ% of Hellenism.
2Lor(+ Lor(+ (i($?t 3e #ro#hesy i$ Eo)r $a1e+ (ri8e o)t (e1o$s i$ Eo)r $a1e+ a$( (o 1a$y 1ira"les i$ Eo)r $a1e>5 1his $assa#e has een one of the most contro9ersial $assa#es throu#hout the centuries. 1he $rimary $oint of "ifficulty is that someone who $rofesse" to e%ercise the $ower of ,esus is unknown to Him. Jet a historical e%$lanation is necessary for this $assa#e. 4%orcists often calle" u$on the names of se9eral "eities for com ine" su$ernatural $owers to cast out a "emon or "emons. Archaeolo#ists unco9ere" two im$ortant "ocuments that rin# clarification to this issue. 1he first is an e%orcism in9okin# the names of Din# 5olomon an" Jahweh a#ainst .elial an" the &iliths ;"e9ils=. 5olomon was mentione" ecause 5cri$ture re$orte" him to e the wisest of all men an", therefore, He woul" ha9e the #ift of "iscernment. .y the first century, su$ernatural $owers were attri ute" to him as well. RTe@t 1issi$%S of 6a8i(. Co$"er$i$% the 3or(s of the s#ell i$ the $a1e of EH0H Rte@t 1issi$%S of Solo1o$+ a$( he 3ill i$8o9e the $a1e of EH0H to set hi1 free fro1 e8ery affli"tio$ of the s#irits+ of the (e8ils+ liliths+ o3ls a$( Ha"9als. These are the (e8ils+ a$( the #ri$"e of e$1ity is Aelial 3ho r)les o8er the abyss of (ar9$ess Rte@t 1issi$%S to Rte@t 1issi$%S a$( to 1a%$ify the Go( of 3o$(ers... the so$s of his #eo#le ha8e "o1#lete( the ")re Rte@t 1issi$%S those 3ho ha8e relie( o$
1038 yo)r $a1e. I$8o9e Rte@t 1issi$%S %)ar(i$% of Israel. Lea$ o$ EH0H+ the Go( of %o(s+ he 3ho 1a(e the hea8e$s+ a$( the earth a$( all that is i$ the1+ 3ho se#arate( li%ht fro1 (ar9$ess. 6ea( Sea S"roll+ A&ocry&hal Psalm R&&JPsA#aSC+ Col. &+ Li$es &-&3.&/!. of (6orcism B&&J&&
1his manuscri$t o 9iously in"icates that some first century ,ews ha" a functional knowle"#e of usin# the name an" authority of Go" to cast out "emons. 1he name of 5olomon a$$ears ecause it was elie9e", that since he was the wisest kin# who e9er li9e", he ha" $ower an" wis"om to cast out "emons. 1he secon" e%am$le is a thir" century A.). "ocument foun" in 4#y$t that was written y a ,ew who calle" u$on more "eities than Go" alon#. A lar#e $ortion of the te%t was omitte", in which the s$irits were re$eate"ly a"Eure". !t shoul" e note" that the wor"s B! a"Eure youC is a comman" that means Bto cast out.C 1he a re9iate" form is as follows, For those #ossesse( by (e1o$s+ Rhere isS a$ a##ro8e( "har1 by Pibe"his. Ta9e oil 1a(e of )$ri#e oli8es+ to%ether 3ith the #la$t Masti%ia a$( lot)s #ith+ a$( boil it 3ith 1arHora1 B8ery "olorlessC+ Sayi$%+ 2Joel+ :ssarthio1i+ E1ori 1497...Co1e o)t of s)"h-a-o$e.5149@ A)t 3rite o$ the #hyla"tery... 2Jaeo+ 1499 Abraothio"h+ Phtha ...a$( ha$% it aro)$( the s)fferer7 it is of e8ery (e1o$ a thi$% to be tre1ble( at+ 1288 3hi"h he fears. Sta$(i$% o##osite+ a(H)re hi1. The a(H)ratio$ is this7 2I 1281 a(H)re yo) by the %o( of the Hebre3s Jes)+ 128- Jaba...yo) that a##ear i$ fire+ yo) that are i$ the 1i(st of the earth a$( 1496. Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated . /73.
1497. 1he meanin# of these names is unknown. 1498. A common e%$ression or formula for the e%orcism of "emons. 5ee. &k. 4*/2L cf. Mk. 1*-2, 2*@, an" 9*-2. 1499. (htha is the name of an 4#y$tian "eity. 1500. 1he $hrase BA thin# to e trem le" atC has a similar rea"in# in ,ames -*19.
1039 s$o3 a$( 8a#or+ ta$$etis7 let yo)r a$%el (es"e$(+ i1#la"able o$e+ a$( let hi1 (ra3 i$to "a#ti8ity the (e1o$ as he flies aro)$( this "reat)re 3hi"h Go( for1e( i$ his holy #ara(ise.5 1he ma#ical formula closes with the followin#* I a(H)re yo) by hi1 3ho a##eare( )$to yo) : Israel i$ the #illar of li%ht a$( i$ the "lo)( by (ay+ a$( (eli8ere( his 3or( fro1 the tas9 3or9 of Pharaoh a$( bro)%ht )#o$ Pharaoh the te$ #la%)es be"a)se he (i( $ot liste$. I a(H)re yo)+ e8ery (e1o$i" s#irit+ 3hoe8er yo) are...I a(H)re yo) by Go( the li%ht-bri$%er+ i$8i$"ible+ 3ho 9$o3s 3hat is i$ the heart of all life+ 3ho fro1 ()st for1e( the ra"e of 1e$... I a(H)re yo) by the %reat Go( Sabaoth thro)%h 3ho1 the Jor(a$ ;i8er flo3e( ba"93ar(+ the ;e( Sea also+ 3hi"h Israel Ho)r$eye( o8er a$( it 3as i1#assable. I a(H)re yo) -- e8ery (e1o$i" s#irit -- by Hi1 that loo9s (o3$ o$ the earth a$( 1a9es the fo)$(atio$s tre1ble thereof+ a$( 1a(e all thi$%s o)t of thi$%s 3hi"h 3ere $ot i$to bei$%. A)t I a(H)re yo)+ yo) 3ho see the a(H)ratio$7 the flesh of s3i$e yo) 1)st $ot eat+ a$( there shall be s)bHe"t to yo) e8ery s#irit a$( (e1o$+ 3hate8er he 1ay be. A)t 3he$ yo) a(H)rest+ blo3 se$(i$% Ryo)rS breath fro1 abo8e Rto the feetS+ a$( fro1 the feet to the fa"e+ a$( he Rthe (e1o$S 3ill be (ra3$ i$to "a#ti8ity. Ae #)re a$( 9ee# it. For the se$te$"e is Hebre3 a$( 9e#t by 1e$ that are #)re. Sele"tio$s fro1 the li$es 3+ Pa&yrus of 5ewish =rigins. 128/ <-,' of the Paris Magical
1501. 1he $hrase B! a"Eure youC is another e%$ression or formula to cast out a "emon, ut is always followe" y the "eity ;Go" of the He rews, ,esus=who has the #reater $ower an" authority. 1502. !t is ama>in# that this ,ewish e%orcist referre" to the B#o" of the He rewsC as B,esuC ut faile" to write out the full name of B,esus.C 5ince a ty$ical ,ew woul" not use the name B,esus,C the ,ewish author a re9iate" B,esusC to B,esu,C yet still acknowle"#e the "eity of the He rews as ein# 'hrist.
1503. .arrett, The New Testament Background. /4-/7L 5ee also )eissmann, ,ight from the
Ancient 5ast" -28-38.
1040 2I $e8er 9$e3 yo).5 1his $rofoun" statement is not one of an aca"emic or casual knowle"#e, ut the wor" BknewC refers to the knowle"#e of $ersonal e%$erience, as in a close $ersonal frien"shi$. 1he $hrase ha" s$ecific reference to those who were not committe" to Him, yet "emonstrate" incre"i le si#ns an" won"ers, $ossi ly y "emonic $owers. :o "ou t ,u"as !scariot was amon# the first to e in this cate#ory.
,. /. <.J& 0hat 3as the 8erbal for1)la e@or"ists )se( i$ "asti$% o)t (e1o$s> !t is not the intent to teach "emonic formulas or ancient witchcraft, 1284 ut rather to $resent e9i"ence that e%orcism was $re9alent in ancient times amon# other reli#ions that woul" call u$on the name of Go" an"/or ,esus. As $re9iously state", the ty$ical formula of e%orcism use" y the ,ews an" Greeks ha" essentially the same elements. Generally there was the in9ocation of the names of "eities, the use of ma#ical names, the use of a reli#ious o Eect ;#em or $iece of lea"=, an" some form of a reli#ious rite. 1282 ,esus, in contrast, sim$ly comman"e" the "emons to lea9e their 9ictim. His "isci$les were tol" to "o the same, ut to a"" the authoritati9e $hrase, Bin the name of ,esusC ;Mt. 18*1L &k. 18*19=. 1283
1504. Witchcraft of any kin" is strictly for i""en in the .i le. )eut. 1@*18-11L 4%. --*1@L
&e9. -8*-7L 1 5am. -@*9 an" !sa. -*3L 5ee also Archer, B'rimes an" (unishment.C 1*18/1/-.
1505. Arnol", 4owers of )arkness. 7@.

1506. +or further stu"y, see 'ly"e 4. .illin#ton. BAncient 4%orcists, )emons, an" the :ame of ,esus. (art 1. Artifa(. 5ummer -818. 12--1.
1041 1he comman" Bcome outC is the same wor" use" y ,esus in &uke 4*/2 ;cf. Mk. 1*-2, 2*@, 9*-2= an" was a common formula use" in e%orcisms. B(hthaC was the name of an 4#y$tian #o". BA"EureC is a formula to comman" a s$irit to act an" the name B,esuC is the a re9iate" name of ,esus, the $ower source use" to cast out the "emon. ,ews ha" a hi#h re#ar" for the name of Go". 49en to"ay many will s$ell the name of )eity as BG-".C &ikewise any ,ew who consi"ere" the "eity of ,esus s$elle" His name BJeshuaC in He rew or B,esuC in Greek. A few scholars elie9e that some ,ewish e%orcists who "i" not elie9e in the "i9inity of ,esus, still use" His name to $erform e%orcisms ecause ,esus ha" literally cast "emons out of $eo$le 7 somethin# the ,ewish lea"ers ne9er "enie". Another column of the same scroll re$eats the theme of communicatin# a comman", in the name of Go", ;He . BJHWHC= to a s$irit. Rte@t 1issi$%S * 3hi"h Rte@t 1issi$%S 3 the 8ol)$teers of yo)r trR)th+ 3he$ ;aS#hael heals the1. / :f 6a8i(. Co$R"er$i$% the 3or(s of the s#eSll i$ the $a1e of EH0H. RCall o$S ' the hea8e$s Rat aS$y ti1e. R0he$S AeliRal "o1es )#o$ yo)+ Ryo)S shall say to hi17 . 20ho are yo)+ Ra"")rse( a1o$%stS 1e$ a$( a1o$%st the see( of the holy o$es> Eo)r fa"e is a fa"e < of f)tility+ a$( yo)r hor$s are hor$s of a 3reRt"hS. Eo) are (ar9$ess a$( $ot li%ht+ , RsSi$ a$( $ot H)sti"e. RA%ai$st yo)+S the "hief of the ar1y+ EH0H 3ill Rsh)tS yo) ! Ri$ theS (ee#est SheRolS+ he 3ill sh)tS the t3o bro$Ge %ates thro)%h 3hi"h $o & li%ht R#e$etrates.S R:$ yo) there shallS $ot Rshi$e the li%ht of theS s)$+ 3hi"h RrisesS && R)#o$ theS H)st 1a$ Rto ill)1i$ate his fa"e.S5 Eo) shall say to hi14 2Is there $ot #erha#s Ra$ a$%elS &* 3ith the H)st 1a$+ to %o Rto H)(%1e$t 3he$S SaRta$S 1istreats hi1>5 RA$( he 3ill be free(S fro1 (ar9R$ess byS &3 Rthe s#irit of tr)Sth+ Rbe"a)se H)sSti"e is 3ith hi1 Rto )#hol( hi1 at the H)(%1e$t. &/ Rte@t 1issi$%S $ot Rte@t 1issi$%S.
&
A#o"ry#hal Psal1 of E@or"is1 B&&J&&R&&JPsA#aSC+ Col. /+ Li$es &-&/ &' <
1507. Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated . /77. Wor"s an" letters within rackets
are missin# from the ori#inal te%t, ut inserte" y Martine>.
1042 1hese manuscri$ts clearly in"icate that first century ,ews ha" a functional knowle"#e of usin# the name an" authority of Go" to cast out "emons. !n the e#innin# of the thir" century, in 4#y$t, the followin# len#thy te%t was written y a ,ew who calle" u$on more than the Go" of his forefathers. A lar#e $ortion of the te%t was omitte" wherein the s$irits were re$eate"ly calle" u$on. .etween the first an" fourth centuries A.). the works of se9eral 'hristian writers were collecte" an" ecame known as the Apocalypse of 5li6ah. 128@ 1he authors were e9i"ently familiar with the :ew 1estament writin#s as they use" $hrases ;-*41L /*1= such as Bman of lawlessnessC a common motif in - 1hessalonians while 4*1/ff a$$ears to e "e$en"ent u$on 0e9elation 11*@ff. !nterestin#ly, in the thir" cha$ter are the works of the anti-'hrist which essentially re$licate all the works that 'hrist "i" with the e%ce$tion of raisin# the "ea" to life. 1289 'learly, since these miracles inclu"e healin#s an" e%orcisms, the authority of loosenin# an" in"in# was not only a le#islati9e matter, ut also a$$lie" to the s$iritual realm. !n fact, throu#hout all antiAuity is the i"ea that a $erson can e B oun"C y "emonic forces, is foun" in Greek, 5yrian, ,ewish, Man"aean, an" !n"ian e%orcisim te%ts. 1218 1here are two "istinct metho"s of inter$retin# the term B in"in# an" loosenin#,C 1211 an" scholars continue to "e ate these terms to"ay. 1512 1. .in"in# an" loosenin# as un"erstoo" in $unishin# or a sol9in# men in the syna#o#ue relati9e to reli#ious law. -. .in"in# an" loosenin# is un"erstoo" as in a s$iritual conte%t, that is, to in" an" loose the s$irits that moti9ate, mani$ulate, or control $eo$le. What it "oes not mean is that the "isci$les, nor the church, ha9e the $ower to for#i9e sins or to sen" anyone to hea9en or hell. 1508. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. 1*7-1. 1509. Apocalypse of 5li6ah /*3-18L es$. /*1-.
1510. )eissmann, ,ight from he Ancient 5ast. /84.
1511. 5ee a""itional comments on & . &.*! B.in" on earth T loose on earthC an"
&&. *. ! on B.in"in# an" &osin#.C 1512. .arclay, BMatthew.C -*--9.
1043 Matthew 7*-- refers to in"i9i"uals who functione" with the $ower of in"in# an" loosenin#, yet were not $ermitte" to enter hea9en. 1he $assa#e rea"s, BLor(+ Lor(+ (i($?t 3e #ro#hesy i$ Eo)r $a1e+ (ri8e o)t (e1o$s i$ Eo)r $a1e+ a$( (o 1a$y 1ira"les i$ Eo)r $a1e>? 1he res$onse from the 5a9ior will e B! ne9er knew you.C At issue is the fact that a $ersonal relationshi$ with ,esus is reAuire", an" this is certainly more im$ortant than ha9in# the a ility to cast out "emons. Jet those who $erform e%orcisms in the name of ,esus consistently state that a close relationshi$ with 'hrist is essential in this kin" of ministry. ?ne of the earliest church fathers who acknowle"#e" this "i9ine $ower was ,ustin Martyr, who li9e" in 5amaria a out a century after ,esus. He state" that, 0e RareS belie8ers i$ Jes)s o)r Lor(+ 3ho 3as "r)"ifie( )$(er Po$ti)s Pilate+ "ast o)t all (e8ils a$( other e8il s#irits a$( th)s ha8e the1 i$ o)r #o3er. J)sti$ Martyr+ $ialog .7*.!. !n the early thir" century, 1ertullian constantly an" a##ressi9ely attacke" $a#an $hiloso$hies an" their accom$anyin# lifestyles. !n stark contrast, he s$oke of the Eoys of ein# a follower of 'hrist an" state" that as a 'hristian, what coul" e etter... Tha$ to fi$( yo)rself tra1#li$% )$(erfoot the %o(s of the Ge$tiles+ e@#elli$% (e1o$s+ effe"ti$% ")res+ see9i$% re8elatio$s+ li8i$% to Go(> These are the #leas)res+ the s#e"ta"les of Christia$s+ holy+ eter$al+ a$( free(. Tert)llia$+ $e 3&ectaculis *!.
&'&3
?ri#en was another church father of the early thir" century who recor"e" the si#ns an" won"ers of the Holy 5$irit in the li9es of 'hristians. !n one of his a$olo#etic writin#s of the $ower of Go" an" ,esus, he state", Ay these Rthe $a1es of Go( a$( Jes)sS 3e also ha8e see$ 1a$y (eli8ere( fro1 serio)s ail1e$ts+ a$( fro1 1e$tal
1513. Dy"", +ealing. -1L 1ertullian, Apology. -92, -97.
1044 (istra"tio$s a$( 1a($ess+ a$( "o)$tless other (iseases+ 3hi"h $either 1e$ $or (e1o$s ha( ")re(. :ri%e$+ 2ontra 2elsum 3.*/. 1here were also those who use" "emonic $owers. 'lement of Ale%an"ria, is one who warne" a#ainst such use an", in fact, he freAuently e%orcise" "emons in 4$hesus. He sai" this, A%ai$st 3ho1 (oes Hera"leit)s of E#hes)s #ro#he"y> A%ai$st $i%ht-roa1ers+ 1a%i"ia$s+ Le$aea$ re8elers a$( (e8otees of the 1ysteries. Cle1e$t of Ale@a$(ria+ (6hortation *.&!.
&'&/
)tter this Aa""ha$ts+
1he 0oman-Greco worl" elie9e" the s$irit worl" ha" an o9erri"in# influence on e9ery as$ect of the "aily affairs of men. 1herefore, when one $raye", he comman"e" the #o"s to a $articular action an", of course, e%$ecte" the reAueste" results.1212 !n his letters to the 4$hesian an" 'olossian churches, the A$ostle (aul referre" to the $ower of ,esus ein# 9ictorious o9er "emonic $owers.1213 !t was normal to e%$ect results from $rayers an" e%orcisms.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 ,. /. <.J* 0hy (i( Jes)s tea"h 3ith #arables> Accor"in# to Matthew 1/*1/, ,esus s$oke in $ara les ecause not e9eryone un"erstoo" Him clearly. After all, reli#ious i"eas ten" to e rather a stract. 1here are a num er of reasons why He chose to communicate with $ara les, yet at times His o$$onents were lin"e" to the messa#e He was teachin#. :ote the followin#*
1514. Arnol", 4ower and Magic. 12. 1515. 5ee ?ri#en, 'ontra 'elsum. 3.41L 7.4L Arnol", 4ower and Magic. 9.
1516. cf. 4$h. 1*-1L 'or. -*1--12L (hil. -*9.
1045 1. (ara les connect a stract i"eas with real life e9entsL short narrati9es that make a s$iritual $oint. 1hey uil" u$ to a clima% an", as ,esus use" them, were concise an" to the $oint. 1hey are structure" from the concrete to the a stractL from the sim$le to the com$le%L from e9ery"ay o Eects to sym ols or relations. 1hey were use" to re$resent a theolo#ical $oint, a mirror of s$iritual truth, an ima#e orrowe" from the 9isi le worl" to reflect the truth of the in9isi le worl". 1217 !n other wor"s, a $ara le is a com$arison etween a familiar fact an" a s$iritual truth. -. ?ne of the most im$ortant features is that the use of $ara les $ermitte" ,esus to s$eak "irectly a#ainst His critics without makin# a frontal attack. 1hat seams like an o%ymoron ;two o$$osites=, ut in a culture were hos$itality was nearly a sacre" "uty, confrontin# an a"9ersary $olitely was "eeme" a si#n of ri#hteousness. 121@ /. ?ne the other han", His critics who ha" an a#en"a of their own, often "i" not un"erstan" the $ara les ecause they ha" lin"e" themsel9es to the truth ;Mt. 1/*9-11=. 4. 0ea"in# material was almost non-e%istent an" 9ery e%$ensi9e. .i lical ,u"aism was a culture of learnin# y hearin# an" remem erin# an" less y rea"in#, althou#h nearly all men an" some women ha" elementary rea"in# skills. (eo$le remem ere" stories such as $ara les, es$ecially when #i9en in a $oetic format. 2. (ara les are s$oken in a $oetic format, $ara les consiste" of a sin#le theme, so they coul" e easily remem ere". 0ather than ha9in# rhymin# lines, $ara les ha" either re$eatin# or contrastin# i"eas an" were usually in $ictorial "escri$tion. &ines or $hrases coul" e of fi#urati9e lan#ua#e, such as similitu"es, com$arisons, $ro9er s, alle#ories, fa les, common sayin#s, etc.1219 1his "efinition of a $ara le was formulate" $rimarily "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio", as 1517. &ockyer, All the 4arables of the Bible . 11-1-. 1518. 1he cultural meanin# of righteousness has always een to hol" the i lical co"e of
ethics, such as #i9in# to the $oor or e%$ressin# kin"ness, es$ecially in situations when it woul" not e e%$ecte". .ut ,esus intro"uce" a new "efinition of righteousness 7 that is to ha9e an ongoing relationship with Go".
1519. &ockyer, All the 4arables of the Bible . 18-11.
1046 e9i"ence" in A$ocry$ha ooks, such as the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach" 1st 5noch ;es$. 'h. /7-71=, an" others. 12-8 3. Accor"in# to this "efinition, it can e un"erstoo" that some $ara les, ut not all, were historical e9ents "rawn from real life situations. ?ne of the a stract conce$ts ,esus use" is the Din#"om of Go" or, as Matthew recor"e" it, the Din#"om of Hea9en. 1o hel$ $eo$le un"erstan" the Din#"om, ,esus use" ei#ht $ara les, "rawn mostly from farmin# an" fishin# occu$ations. 12-1 !n His later ministry, He use" si%teen $ara les, all "rawn from the "aily li9es of or"inary $eo$le.12-7. !n a num er of cases, ,esus en"e" His $ara le with a Auestion to the listener which reAuire" a Eu"#ment of the situationL then He ma"e further comments ;i.e. (ara le of the 1wo 5onsL Mt. -1*-@-/-=. As $ara les were #i9en, listeners foun" themsel9es entan#le" in the $lot. +or e%am$le, the $ara les of &uke 12 are lessons of sin an" #race. 1he lost shee$, lost coin, an" two lost sons are su Eects of concern, crossin# all social an" economic strata of society. 49eryone coul" i"entify with them. ,esus $ointe" out that sin crosse" all social lines an" #race was a9aila le to e9ery soul who "esire" sal9ation. 1he sim$le the &aw re9eale" "i9ine #race. @. 1here are 2@ $ara les in the ?l" 1estament an" many more in ra inic writin#s that $re"ate ,esus. 5o when He e#an usin# $ara les as a teachin# tool, it was a well esta lishe" teachin# metho" in the culture. Master tea"her @@
1520. .lom er#, B(ara le.C /*323L &owry, B(ara le.C /*328-2-. 1521. 1he ei#ht $ara les are the sower, the wheat an" tares, the #rain of mustar", the
secret #rowth of a see", the lea9en, the hi""en treasure, the $earl of #reat $rice, an" the "ra#net.
1522. 1he si%teen $ara les are the two "e tors, the two insol9ent "e tors, the #oo"
5amaritan, the three loa9es, the rich man<s me"itation, the watchin# househol"er, the arren fi# tree, the marria#e su$$er, the lost shee$, the lost $iece of sil9er, the $ro"i#al son, the unri#hteous stewar", the rich man an" &a>arus, the im$ortunate wi"ow, the (harisee an" the ta% collector, an" the la orers in the 9ineyar".
1047 ?n a si"e note, $ara les were not use" in the ook of Acts or y early church fathers. 5ome $oems, $articularly from the writin#s of (aul, are sai" to ha9e een use" in early church hymns. 12-/
,. /. , L9. .7/.4 Mt. <7*/-*< 0ISE AN6 F::LISH AUIL6E;S. L9. /. 20hy (o yo) "all Me WLor(+ Lor(+? a$( (o$?t (o the thi$%s I say> Mt. */ 2Therefore+ e8eryo$e 3ho hears these 3or(s of Mi$e a$( a"ts o$ the1 3ill be li9e a se$sible 1a$ 3ho b)ilt his ho)se o$ the ro"9.
*'
The rai$ fell+ the ri8ers rose+ a$( the 3i$(s ble3 a$( #o)$(e( that ho)se. Eet it (i($?t "olla#se+ be"a)se its fo)$(atio$ 3as o$ the ro"9.
*.
A)t e8eryo$e 3ho hears these 3or(s of Mi$e a$( (oes$?t a"t o$ the1 3ill be li9e a foolish 1a$ 3ho b)ilt his ho)se o$ the sa$(.
*<
The rai$ fell+ the ri8ers rose the ri8ers rose+ a$( the 3i$(s ble3 a$( #o)$(e( that ho)se+ a$( it "olla#se(. A$( its "olla#se 3as %reatK&'*/
1523. (acker an" 1enney, %llustrated Manners and 'ustoms. /7@L 5ee also (acker, 1enney,
an" White. Nelson0s %llustrated 5ncyclopedia of Bible #acts. 1524. +lemin#, The 4arables of &esus. 2@.
1048
,. /. ,A. ALACI AASALT SAN6 :F THE SEA :F GALILEE ;EGI:N. 1he lack asalt san" ;from 9olcanic rock= alon# the shoreline of the 5ea of Galilee is not at all like or"inary san". !t is lar#e an" coarse an" only a few feet elow is soli" e"rock. 1he #ra9ely san" is shown in contrast with a Unite" 5tates Auarter coin. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he $oem was written with two sets of three ste$ $arallelisms. 1. 1he first ste$ in each section ;furtherest to the left= refers to hearin# ;or the failure to hear=. -. 1he secon" ste$ $ertains to uil"in# the house /. 1he thir" ste$ is the floo" an" the results of a #oo" or $oor foun"ation. 1here is "ark allu9ial san" in many areas aroun" Galilee. !t is unlike or"inary ei#e-colore" san" which is foun" in a "esert or alon# any seashore. 1he allu9ial san" "e9elo$s a firm har" surface in the "ry summer months, Eust the o$$osite of coastal san" an" a$$ears to e soli" #roun", ut o 9iously isn<t. !n the winter when it rains or a ri9er floo"s, the allu9ial san" will wash away like or"inary san". Howe9er, Eust a few feet elow the surface is a firm e"rock. !f one wante" to uil" a house, the uil"er woul"
1049 ha9e to take the time an" effort to "i# throu#h the san" an" uil" u$on the firm rock foun"ation. When ,esus s$oke of the Bwise man who uilt his house on the rock,C he was not s$eakin# of where to uil", ut how to uil". 1he $oint of the story is to take the time an" effort to uil" a stron# house. &ikewise, we are to take the time an" effort to uil" a stron# character 7 or foun"ation 7 in 'hrist. 1o the first century ,ews, the inter$retation was to see the rock as the wor" of 'hrist an" the san" as the teachin# of the (harisees. 12-2 !t is noteworthy that ,esus sai" storms will come into e9ery o"y<s life, whether a elie9er or not. How one sur9i9es those storms is not only "e$en"ent u$on one<s faith, ut also u$on how stron# their s$iritual foun"ation is. !n essence, ,esus was teachin# ri#ht li9in# to His $eo$le an" tellin# them to choose etween "eath an" life ;cf. )eut. /8*12--8=. He "i" this many other times as well, inclu"in# at the en" of His 5ermon on the Mount. 1he A$ostle (aul later ma"e a reference to uil"in# a foun"ation u$on the teachin# of 'hrist ;1 'or. /*1812=. !ronically, Hero" the Great, one of the su$reme architects an" uil"ers of the ancient worl", constructe" an artificial har or at the Me"iterranean sea$ort city of 'aesarea, a city that he also uilt. 1o create his ha or, it is elie9e" that he took ar#es, fille" them with hy"rolic concrete $ow"er, floate" them to the "esire" locations, an" sank them. Water sea water mi%e" with the $ow"ere" concrete an" artificial stones, or concrete locks were create". Howe9er, sunken ar#es settle" u$on the san"y sea floor an", after a few centuries, he har or walls "isa$$eare" elow the waterline.
12-3
Houses were uilt etween early s$rin# an" late fall, with the e%ce$tion of the hot afternoons of Au#ust. 'onstruction was not suita le in the winter when the col" wet weather was the norm. 1his was two or three "ays of cool or col" clou"y weather followe" y two or three "ays of rain, an" the cycle re$eate".12-7 1he key $oint ,esus tau#ht was that a house with a foun"ation will sur9i9e the storms of lifeL a life with ,esus will sur9i9e the storms of life. 1525. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B.C=. 1526. 5ee
information. 1527. !srael has fi9e "istinct climate >ones, therefore, the i"eal time for construction 9arie" from area to area. 3. '.*< an" the B'onstruction of the 5ea$ort 'ity of 'aesareaC for more
1050 +urthermore, His o9erall messa#e was that now is the time to uil" the ri#ht foun"ation. 1he Bfoun"ationC ima#ery of the messiah was not a new conce$t for them. 1he $ro$het !saiah s$oke of it an" the local ra is knew those wor"s concerne" the messiah. :ote the messianic $ro$hecy* Therefore hear the 3or( of the L:;6+ yo) 1o"9ers 3ho r)le this #eo#le i$ Jer)sale1. &' For yo) sai(+ 20e ha8e ")t a (eal 3ith 6eath+ a$( 3e ha8e 1a(e a$ a%ree1e$t 3ith Sheol4 3he$ the o8er3hel1i$% s"o)r%e #asses thro)%h+ t 3ill $ot to)"h )s+ be"a)se 3e ha8e 1a(e falsehoo( o)r ref)%e a$( ha8e hi((e$ behi$( trea"hery.5
&/
Therefore the Lor( G:6 sai(7 2Loo9+ I ha8e lai( a sto$e i$ Lio$+ a teste( sto$e+ a #re"io)s "or$ersto$e+ a s)re fo)$(atio$4 the o$e 3ho belie8es 3ill be )$sha9able.
&.
A$( I 3ill 1a9e H)sti"e the 1eas)ri$% li$e a$( ri%hteo)s$ess the 1aso$?s le8el.5 Hail 3ill s3ee# a3ay the false ref)%e+ a$( 3ater 3ill floo( yo)r hi(i$% #la"e. &, Eo)r (eal 3ith 6eath 3ill be (issol8e(+ a$( yo)r a%ree1e$t 3ith Sheol 3ill $ot last. 0he$ the o8er3hel1i$% s"o)r%e #asses thro)%h+ yo) 3ill be tra1#le(.
&<
Isaiah *,7&/-&, 1he ra is elie9e" that 9erse 13 clearly in"icate" that the stone is not an or"inary stone, ut a )i9ine .ein# of some kin". 1hey were con9ince" the Bteste" stoneC an" Bsure foun"ationC coul" not e a $erson which is a reason they reEecte" ,esus. +rom the collection of the )ea" 5ea 5crolls is one known as the Rule of the 'ommunity. :ote the followin# $hrase that has an incre"i le reference to a foun"ation I$ the Co)$"il of the REsse$eS &'*, Co11)$ity there shall be t3el8e 1e$ a$( three #riests+ #erfe"tly 8erse( i$ all that is re8eale( of the La3+ 3hose 3or9s shall be tr)th+ ri%hteo)s$ess+ H)sti"e+ lo8i$% 9i$($ess+ a$( h)1ility O. 0he$ these are i$ Israel+ it shall be that trie( 3all+ that #re"io)s
1528. !nsert y the author of clarification.
1051 "or$ersto$e+ 3hose fo)$(atio$ shall $either ro"9 $or s3ay i$ their #la"e. The Co11)$ity ;)le
&'*!
1he o$inions of the 4ssenes were certainly not acce$te" or e9en known y most of the ,ewish $eo$le, ut they clearly elie9e" in the Bessential foun"ationC conce$t.
U$it , To#i"al Iss)es Cha#ter ' Asto$ishi$% Po3er a$( A)thority
1529. 'ite" y .ailey, &esus Through Middle 5astern 5yes" /-1 in Hermes, B1he 'ommunity 0ule.C in The )ead Sea Scrolls in 5nglish. @2.
1052
,. '. A. JESUS 0ITH F;IEN6S IN THE H:USE :F SIM:N. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. ,esus is illustrate" ein# seate" in the home of 5imon, the (harisee. ,esus an" other #uests are accurately shown "inin# as was the custom in the first century. He acce$te" the in9itation of a wealthy (harisee an", while con9ersin# with him, a Bsinful woman,C a eu$hemism for a $rostitute, came an" anointe" His feet. When ,esus tol" her that her sins were for#i9en, those $resent reali>e" that He eAuate" Himself with Go", for only Go" coul" for#i9e sins. 5ee &k. 7*/3/@.
1053 ,. '. & Mt. <7*,-*! C;:06 IS AST:NISHE6 *, 0he$ Jes)s ha( fi$ishe( this ser1o$+ the "ro3(s 3ere asto$ishe( at His tea"hi$%+ *! be"a)se He 3as tea"hi$% the1 li9e o$e 3ho ha( a)thority+ a$( $ot li9e their s"ribes. 1he central focus of His teachin# an" $reachin# was Himself. He containe" within Himself a new era* He not only announce" it, ut create" it. His 9ery soul an" life was focuse" on usherin# in the kin#"om of Go", which woul" not e com$lete" until He arose on the thir" "ay. !n the meantime, He share" His life with all who woul" listen. 20he$ Jes)s ha( fi$ishe( this ser1o$.5 1his $hrase reflects not only what ,esus "i", ut also Matthew<s literary style. His #os$el was written in fi9e "istinct teachin# sections an" each one en"s with a statement similar to this $hrase. 1his was $rimarily ecause at this time time, there were no cha$ter hea"in#s or "i9isions, neither were there 9erse "i9isions. 1he four other Ben"in#sC are in 11*1L 1/*2/L 19*1 an" -3*1.
2:$e 3ho ha( a)thority.5 !n "ays of ol" $ro$hets woul" use the $hrase, B1hus says the &or" your Go".C 1hey claime" to ha9e their authority "irectly from Go". .y the first century ra is "i" not use this $hrase, ut woul" Auote other ra is as well as the $ro$hets, to un"erscore their messa#e. ,esus "i" not Auote anyone, ut rather, He s$oke with confi"ence in a coura#eous manner an" without hesitation. His authority was unlike anythin# they ha" e9er seen or hear". He woul" say, B! say to you,C ecause He "i"n<t nee" to refer to any $ro$hets or other ra is. 49ery 5a ath the (harisees rea" the 5cri$tures, ut intertwine" their tra"itions into the inter$retation an" messa#e. 1his $ractice ha" ecome so wi"es$rea" that it ma"e the .i le of no effect. Howe9er, ,esus focuse" only on the .i le an" eliminate" the restrictin# tra"itions of the (harisees. ,. '. * L9. <7&-!4 Mt. ,7&&-&34 L9. <7& Ca#er$a)1
1054 CENTU;I:N?S HEALE6 L9. & 0he$ He ha( "o$"l)(e( all His sayi$%s i$ the heari$% of the #eo#le+ He e$tere( Ca#er$a)1. * A "e$t)rio$?s + 3ho 3as hi%hly 8al)e( by hi1+ 3as si"9 a$( abo)t to (ie. 3 0he$ the "e$t)rio$ hear( abo)t Jes)s+ he se$t so1e Je3ish el(ers to Hi1+ re=)esti$% Hi1 to "o1e a$( sa8e the life of his . / 0he$ they rea"he( Jes)s+ they #lea(e( 3ith Hi1 ear$estly+ sayi$%+ 2He is 3orthy for Eo) to %ra$t this+ ' be"a)se he lo8es o)r $atio$ a$( has b)ilt )s a sy$a%o%)e.5 . Jes)s 3e$t 3ith the1+ a$( 3he$ He 3as $ot far fro1 the ho)se+ the "e$t)rio$ se$t frie$(s to tell Hi1+ 2Lor(+ (o$?t tro)ble Eo)rself+ si$"e I a1 $ot 3orthy to ha8e Eo) "o1e )$(er 1y roof. < That is 3hy I (i($?t e8e$ "o$si(er 1yself 3orthy to "o1e to Eo). A)t say the 3or(+ a$( 1y ser8a$t 3ill be ")re(. , For I too a1 a 1a$ #la"e( )$(er a)thority+ ha8i$% sol(iers )$(er 1y "o11a$(. I say to this o$e+ WGoK? a$( he %oes4 a$( to a$other+ WCo1eK? a$( he "o1es4 a$( to 1y + W6o thisK? a$( he (oes it.5 Jes)s hear( this a$( 3as a1aGe( at hi1+ a$( t)r$i$% to the "ro3( follo3i$% Hi1+ He sai(+ 2I tell yo)+ I ha8e $ot fo)$( so %reat a faith e8e$ i$ IsraelK5
!
Mt. && I tell yo) that 1a$y 3ill "o1e fro1 east a$( 3est+ a$( re"li$e at the table 3ith Abraha1+ Isaa"+ a$( Ja"ob i$ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$. &* A)t the so$s of the 9i$%(o1 3ill be thro3$ i$to the o)ter (ar9$ess. I$ that #la"e there 3ill be 3ee#i$% a$( %$ashi$% of teeth.5 &3 The$ Jes)s tol( the "e$t)rio$+ 2Go. As yo) ha8e belie8e(+ let it be (o$e for yo).5 A$( his ser8a$t 3as ")re( that 8ery 1o1e$t. L9. & 0he$ those 3ho ha( bee$ se$t ret)r$e( to the ho)se+ they fo)$( the i$ %oo( health. 'a$ernaum was an im$ortant #arrison town. A 0oman military unit was statione" there an" the centurion an" his forei#n sol"iers were un"er the comman" of Hero" Anti$as. 'enturions were the ack- one of the 0oman military 7 res$onsi le for e%ecutin# or"ers, crushin# re9olts, maintainin# the $eace. +or their success in comman" they were well $ai". Any mistakes
1055 woul" #enerally cost them their li9es. 1he centurion in 'a$ernaum was $art of a lar#er unit statione" in )amascus, 5yria. When consi"erin# the economic sla9ery the 0omans $lace" u$on the ,ewish $eo$le, centurions are re$resente" in a fa9ora le li#ht in the :ew 1estament. 12/8 Whene9er Gentiles rule" the ,ewish lan"s, )amascus was the ca$ital city. When General (om$ey in9a"e" Galilee an" ,u"ea in 3/ .', they marche" "own from )amascus. While the ,ews hate" most 0omans, e9i"ently, this $articular centurion was well res$ecte" y those un"er him an" he, in turn, finance" the construction of their syna#o#ue in 'a$ernaum. :inety men forme" a Bcentury,C si% centuries ;248 men= forme" a cohort, an" ten cohorts ;2488 men= forme" a le#ion. 12/1 1he stren#th of an army was #enerally a out /8 le#ions. A le#ion<s officers were si%ty centurions, si% military tri unes, an" a le#ate of senatorial rank, who comman"e" the entire le#ion. !n a""ition, there were s$ecial forces such as the (raetorian Guar", Ur an 'ohorts an" the igils" who acte" as $olice an" fire ri#a"e. 12/-
1his $assa#e a#ain "emonstrates the interestin# com$arison etween ,ews an" Gentiles. While the ma#i were the first Gentiles to honor ,esus, the ,ews in ,erusalem "i" not e9en care to see who was orn in .ethlehem. &ikewise the centurion honore" ,esus with his faith, while many ,ews in 'a$ernaum faile" to reco#ni>e Him in s$ite of this incre"i le miracle.
1530. &k. -/*47L Acts 18*--L --*-3L -/*17, -/--4L -4*-/L -7*4/. 1531. A cohort at full stren#th consiste" of 388 sol"iers, althou#h the wor" was also use" for a maniple" that is a "etachment of -88 sol"iers. 5ee Harrison, A Short ,ife of 'hrist. 199.
1532. 1oyn ee, The 'rucible" 1/4-/2.
1056 1here were two occasions when ,esus was im$resse" Gentiles, es$ecially in contrast to his fellow ,ews. y the faith of the
1. 1he 0oman centurion ;Mt. @*18=, who was in a rulin# $osition o9er Galilee, an" -. 1he 5yro-(hoenician woman ;Mt. 12*-@=, $lace" their faith in the ,ewish messiah. 'on9ersely, ,esus was eAually affecte" y the un elief of the sons of A raham ;Mk. 3*3=.
,. '. *A. ;UINS :F THE ;:MAN AATH H:USE IN CAPE;NAUM. 1hese o9er#rown ruins of a first century 0oman ath house in 'a$ernaum are situate" near to what is to"ay the 0ussian ?rtho"o% 'hurch. 1hey confirm the $resence of a 0oman #arrison an", $ossi ly, a centurion, as mentione" y the #os$el writers. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2He is 3orthy for Eo) to %ra$t this+ be"a)se he lo8es o)r $atio$ a$( has b)ilt )s a sy$a%o%)e.5 1he te%t im$lies that, ecause the 'enturion was e%tremely kin" to the ,ews, ,esus heale" his ser9ant. .ut the 'enturion was also e%tremely kin" to his ser9ant, as ser9ants, also known as s, were consi"ere" to e merely li9in# tools.
1057 1his is not to im$ly a healin# coul" mo9e" y his kin"ness and faith. e $urchase", ut rather ,esus was
2I a1 $ot 3orthy to ha8e Eo) "o1e )$(er 1y roof.5 1his was an ama>in# comment for a 0oman centurion to say to a ,ew. He stoo" in shar$ contrast to most 0omans, who consi"ere" ,ews worse than le$ers, $i#s, or "o#s. 1he ,ews were a ca$ti9e $eo$le, re"uce" to $easant ser9itu"e. 1he centurion was aware that he, a Gentile, was consi"ere" unclean in their eyes. !n fact, accor"in# to ra inic ?ral &aw, his entire house an" e9erythin# he owne" was "eeme" unclean. 1herefore, any ,ew who woul" ha9e entere" a 0oman was consi"ere" "efile" an", therefore, coul" not worshi$ in the tem$le, $artici$ate in sacrifices, an" woul" ha9e to #o throu#h ritual cleansin# in a mik9ah. 1he 0oman centurion ha" such #reat res$ect an" faith in ,esus that he "i" not want ,esus to ecome im$ure y enterin# his home. 1his account is an e%cellent e%am$le of social $rotocol. Accor"in# to the $assa#e, the centurion sent a "ele#ation to meet ,esus an" make his reAuest known. 1he reason the "ele#ation was sent was that, if y any chance, ,esus woul" ha9e "enie" their reAuest, the centurion woul" not ha9e een em arrasse" as he woul" ha9e een ha" he met ,esus $ersonally. +urthermore, to insure success in a $ossi le meetin# with ,esus, the "ele#ation consiste" of ,ewish el"ers who re9eale" that a frien"shi$ e%iste" etween the 0omans an" ,ews in 'a$ernaum. 1his was o 9iously in stark contrast to the ,ewish-0oman relationshi$ in ,erusalem. 1he 'a$ernaum ,ews con9ince" ,esus to 9isit the 'enturion<s house an", as they were tra9elin#, they were met y a secon" "ele#ation consistin# of frien"s of the 0oman comman"er. 1he secon" "ele#ation $lea"e" for ,esus not to enter his home, ut Eust to #i9e the comman" to heal. Most im$ortant in un"erstan"in# this social custom is that these frien"s s$oke as if the 0oman himself was s$eakin#. &uke recor"e" that the 0oman comman"er ha" such a hi#h res$ect for ,esus that he aske" him not to enter his house ecause the ,ews elie9e" that enterin# the home of a Gentile woul" cause "efilement. Whether or not ,esus woul" ha9e a#ree" with that, or if that woul" ha9e ke$t him out of the house is not the issue. 1he $oint is that the centurion reco#ni>e" ,esus as a 9ery im$ortant $erson, more im$ortant than himself. 1he $rotocol that was "emonstrate" was Eust as si#nificant as the centurion<s faith.
1058
2I tell yo) that 1a$y 3ill "o1e fro1 east a$( 3est+ a$( re"li$e at the table 3ith Abraha1+ Isaa"+ a$( Ja"ob i$ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$.5 1his was a shockin# statement. 1he ,ews knew that, the Assyrians relocate" the ten northern tri es to the east an" that Din# :e ucha"ne>>ar relocate" the tri es of .enEamin an" ,u"ah to .a ylon. ?nly a few esca$e" to the west an" settle" in 5$ain an" in northern Africa. 5o o 9iously, ,esus was referrin# to the Gentiles. 1he ?l" 1estament has $ro$hetic lessin#s for the Gentiles ;Gen. 1-*/L !sa. 38*/L Amos 9*1-= an" now ,esus in"icate" this $romise was a out to e fulfille". 1he messa#e was not well recei9e". ?n a si"e note, to Brecline at the ta leC was a si#n of wealth an" free"om 7 free"om from ein# im$o9erishe" an" on"e" to sin. 2There 3ill be 3ee#i$% a$( %$ashi$% of teeth.5 ,esus left a solutely no "ou t that there will come a time when the unre$entant will e cast into the eternal fires of hell. !t will e a $lace of unAuencha le $ain, an eternal "eath that has no en", no relief. 12//
,. '. *.J& 0ho 1et Jes)s+ the "e$t)rio$ or his ser8a$t> 1his narrati9e seems rather innocent, yet it is fille" with cultural im$lications. 1he accounts of Matthew an" &uke are similar in a num er of $oints, althou#h the Greek wor" for Bser9antC is "ifferent. 1he wor" use" y Matthew coul" also e translate" to mean Bchil",C as well as a Bser9ant.C Matthew re$orte" that the ser9ant was in e%tremely $oor health, B$araly>e" an" sufferin# terri lyC ;@*3=, while &uke sai" he was in a near terminal con"ition, Bsick an" a out to "ieC ;7*-=. ? 9iously, there is no "isa#reement here, only sli#htly "ifferent o$inion on a #ra9ely ill $erson. 1533. ?ther references are &k. 1/*-@L Mt. @*1-L 1/*4-, 28L --*1/L -4*21L -2*/8.
1059 1he "ifference etween the #os$el writers is that Matthew says the centurion came to see ,esus an" &uke re$orte" that first some ,ewish el"ers came on ehalf of the centurion. 1hey were followe" y frien"s of the centurion, who came to meet with ,esus. 1he cultural conte%t is that there is no "ifference etween an official an" the a#ent who re$resents him. .ut the most im$ortant "ifference is the $assa#e in Matthew which is not in &uke. 1hese wor"s of ,esus rea" as follows, I say to yo) that 1a$y 3ill "o1e fro1 the east a$( the 3est+ a$( 3ill ta9e their #la"es at the feast 3ith Abraha1+ Isaa" a$( Ja"ob i$ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$. &* A)t the s)bHe"ts of the 9i$%(o1 3ill be thro3$ o)tsi(e+ i$to the (ar9$ess+ 3here there 3ill be 3ee#i$% a$( %$ashi$% of teeth.5
&&
Matthe3 ,7&&-&* BNIFC At this $oint, it is im$ortant to recall the reci$ients of each of the #os$els. Matthew was written for a ,ewish au"ience while &uke was written for Gentiles. 1he cultural an" reli#ious "ifferences were tremen"ous. Matthew inclu"e" the 9erses 11 an" 1- a o9e ecause these wor"s of ,esus woul" e most si#nificant to ,ews who i"entifie" themsel9es with the $atriarchs of their faith while this $assa#e woul" e meanin#less to &uke<s Gentile rea"ers. Matthew structure" the centurion<s comments ecause they woul" e of s$ecial interest to a ,ewish au"ience. &uke "emonstrate" similar res$ect, ut for a Gentile<s interest. 'learly, the #os$el writers were mostly intereste" in $resentin# the full meanin# of the e9ent to their s$ecific au"ience. !nformation that woul" e consi"ere" hel$ful to us to"ay is missin#. 1herefore, it is "ifficult to reconcile the two narrati9es. :ormally, one coul" state that an a#ent for the centurion woul" e the same as the centurion himself. Howe9er, the "etails of the con9ersation eliminate this inter$retation. 1herefore, the Auestion $ersists* )i" the centurion actually meet with ,esusF 1he con9ersation recor"e" y Matthew woul" certainly in"icate this, ut the "etails may ne9er e known. What is known is that the centurionT 1. Was e%tremely wealthy
1060 -. &o9e" an" res$ecte" the ,ewish $eo$le, enou#h to finance their syna#o#ue, /. De$t law an" or"er in the Galilee re#ion that was the hot e" of Kealot acti9ity 4. Hi#hly 9alue" his ser9ant at a time in history when s ;ser9ants= were consi"ere" to e "is$osa le $eo$le. 2. )emonstrate" res$ect an" faith in ,esus. !t is remarka le, that e9en thou#h the 0omans were the occu$yin# $ower, all of the centurions recor"e" in 5cri$ture are mentione" honora ly. Amon# them were the centurion who witnesse" the "eath of ,esus sai", B1ruly this was the 5on of Go"C ;Mt. -7*24L &k. -/*47=, an" ,ulius who courteously entreate" (aul on his way to 0ome ;Acts -7*/, 4/=. As in the account of the centurion in 'a$ernaum, ,esus s$oke hi#hly of them an" ne9er hinte" ne#ati9ely of their military "uties. ,. '. 3 L9. <7&&-&< :ain A.). -@ 0I6:0?S :NLE S:N ;AISE6 F;:M 6EATH. Soo$ after3ar( He 3as o$ His 3ay to a to3$ "alle( Nai$. His (is"i#les a$( a lar%e "ro3( 3ere tra8eli$% 3ith Hi1. &* J)st as He $eare( the %ate of the to3$+ a (ea( 1a$ 3as bei$% "arrie( o)t. He 3as his 1other?s o$ly so$+ a$( she 3as a 3i(o3. A lar%e "ro3( fro1 the "ity 3as also 3ith her. &3 0he$ the Lor( sa3 her+ He ha( "o1#assio$ o$ her a$( sai(+ 26o$?t "ry.5 &/ The$ He "a1e )# a$( to)"he( the o#e$ "offi$+ a$( the #allbearers sto##e(. A$( He sai(+ 2Eo)$% 1a$+ I tell yo)+ %et )#K5
&&
The (ea( 1a$ sat )# a$( be%a$ to s#ea9+ a$( Jes)s %a8e hi1 to his 1other. &. The$ fear "a1e o8er e8eryo$e+ a$( they %lorifie( Go(+ sayi$%+ 2A %reat #ro#het has rise$ a1o$% )s+5 a$( 2Go( has 8isite( His #eo#le.5 &< This re#ort abo)t Hi1 3e$t thro)%ho)t J)(ea a$( all the 8i"i$ity.
&'
1061 1he occasion for the wi"ow was es$ecially "e9astatin# for two reasons. 1. 1he "eath of her only son meant that she woul" li9e the rest of her life in "ire $o9erty. -. More si#nificant than that was the e%tinction of her family. 1he raisin# of a youn# man to life, as $rofoun" as that was, was insi#nificant in com$arison to the restoration of a first century family. 1he continuation of a family in the ?l" 1estament, as well as in the times of 'hrist, was consi"ere" nearly sacre". 1he si#nificance an" the sacre"ness of the family as $ortraye" in the ?l" an" :ew 1estaments a$$ear to e without $arallel in mo"ern 4n#lish or in Western culture. !t was for this reason that, when a youn# man was marrie", he was e%em$t from military o li#ations in his first year of marria#e. He was #i9en the o$$ortunity to see his first orn an", hence, the continuation of his family. 1herefore, this miracle not only touche" u$on the core of a roken heart in the most "ire of times, ut also u$on the most sacre" of all institutions, the family. 1he 9illa#e of :ain is locate" on the northern slo$e of Mount Moreh, or"erin# the ,e>reel Halley. :ews of the $rofoun" miracle s$rea" like wil"fire an" Auickly ca$ture" the attention of e9eryone throu#hout the lan", inclu"in# the tem$le elite. !t was the first of three "eath-to-life miracles. 1he other two were the "au#hter of ,airus efore her funeral ;Mk. 2*/2-4/=, an" in .ethany when ,esus raise" &a>arus four "ays after his funeral ;,n. 11*11-44=. When ,esus saw the funeral $rocession, as was the custom, they e%$ecte" Him to Eoin in mournin# with the family. Accor"in# to the 1almu", ;ahaba sai( i$ the $a1e of ;abbi J)(ah7 20hoe8er sees a "or#se o$ the 3ay to b)rial a$( (oes $ot a""o1#a$y it "o1es )$(er the hea( of he that 1o"9s the #oor blas#he1es his Ma9er5 B"f. Pro8. &!7&<C. Aabylo$ia$ Tal1)(+ 3eder 3era,im 7era!oth &,a-b
1062 ,esus share" the sorrow of the family. (ro$er $rotocol reAuire" a $asser- y to Eoin the #rie9in# family in their loss, e9en if they were unknown to him. 1herefore, culturally s$eakin#, for ,esus to ha9e a9oi"e" the #rie9in# $rocession woul" ha9e een consi"ere" a su$reme insult. .ut He was not a out to see the son #et urie" or a family "estroye". 2Gate of the to3$.5 5ome stu"ents ha9e conclu"e" that ecause there was a #ate, there must ha9e een a city wall. :ot so. 1he $hrase also means the entrance of the 9illa#e. An e%am$le is foun" in )euteronomy --*----4. 1he conte%t of the Mosaic $assa#e $ertains to the $unishment of an a"ulterous cou$le where 9erse -4 states they must e stone" to "eath at the town #ate. At the time Moses wrote this $assa#e, the He rew chil"ren ;later calle" B,ewsC= were wan"erin# noma"s li9in# in tents an" o 9iously "i" not ha9e fortifie" stone walls aroun" their cam$s. +urthermore, no archaeolo#ical e9i"ence of a $rotecti9e wall has e9er een foun" at this archaeolo#ical site. 1herefore, o 9iously &uke referre" to the entrance of the 9illa#e. 2To)"he( the o#e$ "offi$.5 1he B ierC or Bcoffin,C was not a close" woo"en o% as is common in western culture to"ay, ut a litter ;similar to a $latform= u$on which the shrou"e" o"y was lai". 12/4 1his custom has not chan#e". !n the (alestinian Ara communities to"ay this custom continues an" has een occasionally shown on Western tele9ision. ,ews in the first century ha" 9ery strict laws concernin# ritual $urity. At the time of ,esus, if anyone touche" the litter ;coffin=, that $erson woul" ha9e een consi"ere" "efile" an" woul" ha9e ha" to un"er#o the ritual $urification. 12/2 Howe9er, ,esus came alon#, touche" the coffin, an" was not "efile". 1he irony is that the touch "i" not "efile the Healer, ut heale" the "efile" an" the "ea" oy returne" to life. ,esus "emonstrate" His authority o9er "eath an" life. 12/3 1his miracle in :ain ha" a clear resem lance to the miracle of 4liEah ;1 D#. 17*17--4=, who raise" the son of a 5hutamite woman from the "ea". 1he miracle of ,esus may e all the more "ramatic, if, as some scholars elie9e, :ain was uilt u$on the hill of Moreh two miles from the site of ancient 1534. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@99. 1535. Halakah, 5.D 1*479ff. 5ee A##e$(i@ *.. 1536. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B'C=.
1063 5hutam, where 4liEah $erforme" the miracle. ?thers elie9e it was not the same site, ut in the same #eneral location. 0e#ar"less, the ima#ery most certainly was notice" y e9ery o"y. +urthermore, ,esus $erforme" miracles far #reater than "i" the $ro$het 4liEah. 12/7 1here is an o ser9ation to e consi"ere" concernin# the miracles of centuries $ast an" those of ,esus. 1he $ro$hets of ol" were instruments of Go"<s miracles only after a#onies of su$$lication, wrestlin# in $rayer, an" finally, layin# $rostrate u$on the "ea" o"y. ,esus, in contrast, calmly an" with authority s$oke only a few wor"s. 1his miracle woul" i"entify ,esus as ein# the Messiah an" the account woul" e tol" to ,ohn the .a$tist. !t is interestin# to note that, while the .a$tist was functionin# as 4liEah, he "i" not raise anyone from the "ea". ,esus "i", howe9er, an" "i" so with a reflection u$on 4liEah<s miracle an" with unhear" of $ower unlike anyone else in ,ewish history. 'oul" these $eo$le Eu"#e for themsel9es that BGo" ha" 9isite" His $eo$leFC 2A %reat #ro#het has rise$ a1o$% )s+5 &ess than two miles from :ain was the ol" 9illa#e of 5hunem where the $ro$het 4lisha "i" the same ty$e of miracle. 1herefore, what the crow" really meant to say was BA #reat $ro$het has again risen amon# us.C :ews of this e9ent s$rea" like wil"fire $rom$tin# $eo$le to rin# their sick to e heale" y ,esus. 1his in turn #a9e o$$ortunity for ,esus to teach them in the ways of the kin#"om of Go" 7 that is, Go"<s rule in their li9es. Howe9er, the term 2%reat #ro#het5 has a much #reater im$lication than its literal translation, im$lyin# ,esus was one of the #reatest $ro$hets or $ossi ly the #reatest $ro$het, a ;Greek prophetes= who come after four centuries of "i9ine silence. 12/@ 1he ,ewish $eo$le ha" lon# een waitin# for a messiah, an" it was elie9e" that he woul" i"entify himself y the $erformance of three kin"s of miracles that elu"e" the ra is o9er the centuries. 12/9 1hese ecame known as Bmessianic miracles.C 1248 When these were first $erforme" y ,esus, the $eo$le were stunne" an" referre" 1537. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@99. 1538. .rown, B(ro$het.C /*74-9-. 1539. +or a "escri$tion of the three messianic miracles, see .. 3. ,.J&+ .. 3. ,.J*+
.. &. 3+ ,ohn 4*-2 as well as the relate" 9i"eo link .. 3. ,.F.
1064 to him as a B#reat $ro$het,C as they coul" not elie9e that their e%$ectation ha" een fulfille". +urthermore, ,esus looke" like an or"inary $erson an" "i" not match their $reconcei9e" i"ea of what the messiah woul" look like.
,. '. / L9. <7&,-*3 ;5ee also Mt. 11*--3= JUESTI:NS AE J:HN THE AAPTIST. The$ Joh$?s (is"i#les tol( hi1 abo)t all these thi$%s. So Joh$ s)11o$e( t3o of his (is"i#les &! a$( se$t the1 to the Lor(+ as9i$%+ 2Are Eo) the :$e 3ho is to "o1e+ or sho)l( 3e loo9 for so1eo$e else>5
&,
0he$ the 1e$ rea"he( Hi1+ they sai(+ 2Joh$ the Aa#tist se$t )s to as9 Eo)+ WAre Eo) the :$e 3ho is to "o1e+ or sho)l( 3e loo9 for so1eo$e else>?5
*
At that ti1e Jes)s heale( 1a$y #eo#le of (iseases+ #la%)es+ a$( e8il s#irits+ a$( He %ra$te( si%ht to 1a$y bli$( #eo#le. ** He re#lie( to the1+ 2Go a$( re#ort to Joh$ the thi$%s yo) ha8e see$ a$( hear(7 The bli$( re"ei8e their si%ht+ the la1e 3al9+ those 3ith s9i$ (iseases are heale(+ the (eaf hear+ the (ea( are raise(+ a$( the #oor are tol( the %oo( $e3s. *3 A$( a$yo$e 3ho is $ot offe$(e( be"a)se of Me is blesse(.5
*&
Hero" Anti$as ha" arreste" ,ohn the .a$ti>er, who was now sittin# in $rison won"erin# if he woul" e9er e release" or face martyr"om. He ha" een certain that ,esus was that Messiah, ut now he was in the "un#eon of the Machaerus +ortress with no en" in si#ht. Un"erstan"a ly, he was e#innin# to Auestion if his $erce$tion of ,esus was correct. He ne9er hesitate" on $reachin# the truthL his was the $ro9er ial Bfire an" rimstoneC messa#e, ut there was a serious $ro lem. His wor"s were not ein# confirme" y 1540. 0esearch on the BMessianic MiraclesC is cre"ite" to )r. Arnol" +ruchten aum, a
Messianic scholar an" "irector of Ariel Ministries of 5an Antonio, 1e%as. +or more information on his e%cellent scholarshi$, see htt$*//ariel.or#/. 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -3, -81/. 5ee also .. 3. ,.F ;Hi"eo=, .. &. 3 as well as the com$arison of )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ments 4N-7@ an" 4N2-1 with &uke 4*13-/8 at .. *. *
1065 ,esus, which ma"e him Auestion if ,esus really was the Messiah or if he ha" een wron#.1241 1herefore, it is un"erstan"a le that he ha" secon" thou#hts a out the $eaceful 'hrist. He knew that his life an" ministry was to announce the comin# of the MessiahL that he, ,ohn, was a Bty$e an" sha"owC of 4liEah. When he a$ti>e" ,esus, he hear" the lessin# of Go" s$oken u$on ,esus an" saw a white "o9e "escen" u$on Him. 1hereafter ,ohn hear" of the many miracles ,esus $erforme". At some $oint after ,esus ha" $erforme" many miracles an" chose His "isci$les, se9eral of ,ohn<s "isci$les came to ask him a Auestion* 2:r sho)l( 3e e@#e"t so1eo$e else>5 1he .a$tist, like most $eo$le of to"ay, woul" ha9e a$$reciate" a sim$le ByesC or BnoC answer. !nstea", the Master 1eacher res$on"e" in such a manner where y the $ro$het ha" to think throu#h the answer for himself. +or more than four centuries, the $eo$le of !srael ha" een e%$ectin# their $olitical-messiah who woul" restore their national $ri"e in the form of an em$ire like Din# )a9i" ha". A maEor theme of ,ohn was, B0e$ent, Eu"#ment is near.C ,esus was e%tremely com$assionate towar" the $oor, the cri$$le", the common folk of the lan", an" e9en to the common (harisee lea"ers of the community syna#o#ues. He was, howe9er, e%tremely Eu"#mental of the corru$t reli#ious lea"ers of the tem$le in ,erusalem. 5ince the antici$ate" ima#e of the Messiah "i" not reconcile with the $erson ,esus, ,ohn essentially aske", BAre you the Messiah who was to come, or shoul" we e%$ect someone elseFC 124- 1he $oint isn<t that ,ohn was wron# in his statements, ut that his $ers$ecti9e of time was confuse". 1he a$ocaly$tic an" Eu"#ment $ro$hecies that ,ohn was e%$ectin# will occur in their fulfille" time when 'hrist returns, a $oint that ,ohn may not ha9e un"erstoo" 9ery well. 1he Auestion raise" y ,ohn clearly re9eals that ,esus "i" not fit the $icture of the Messiah he was e%$ectin#. While it was o 9iously true that ,esus was healin# the sick an" raisin# the "ea", it was also eAually true that He was not intereste" in o9erthrowin# the 0oman 4m$ire. (ossi ly, the most si#nificant Auestion that ,ohn ha" was that if ,esus was truly the Messiah, why was he sittin# in Eail when !saiah 31*1 clearly state" that the Messiah
1541. 1he $ro9er ial Bfire an" rimstoneC ima#ery,C was not fulfille" comin#, ut will e u$on His return. y ,esus in His first
1542. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B'C=.
1066 woul" release all ca$ti9es ;$risoners=F +urthermore, ,ohn knew he was not an or"inary $risonerZ He knew from his chil"hoo" that he ha" a "i9ine a$$ointment to call the ,ewish $eo$le to re$entance for the comin# of the Messiah. He was faithfully e%ecutin# his "uty an" e%$ectin# the true Messiah to ha9e him release" from his $rison chains. 5o if ,esus was the Messiah, why was ,ohn in $risonF ,esus answere" y i"entifyin# si% si#ns that the Messiah woul" "emonstrate, that are as follows* 1. He will make the lin" see ;!sa. -9*1@L /2*2= -. He will make the lame walk ;!sa. /2*3L 31*1= /. He will cleanse the le$ers ;!sa. 31*1= 4. He woul" make the "eaf hear ;!sa. -9*1@L /2*2= 2. He woul" raise the "ea" ;im$lie" in !sa. 11*1--, althou#h not s$ecific= 3. He woul" e9an#eli>e the $oor ;!sa. 31*1--= 4ssentially what ,esus tol" the "isci$les of ,ohn was, B)on<t tell him what ! am sayin#, ut tell him what ! am "oin#.C ,esus was not a out to make a $u lic or $ri9ate statement to the ,ewish community in"icatin# that He was the Messiah. 0ather, He sim$ly fulfille" the $ro$hetic wor"s of !saiah. 1he answer ,esus $ro$ose" was essentially this* B&isten to what ! say an" "o, then you "eci"e.C What ,ohn $assionately wante" to hear, ,esus "i" not mention. 0he$ To #ro"lai1 liberty to the "a#ti8es a$( free(o1 to the #riso$ers.
&b
Isaiah .&7&b ?ne can only ima#ine what ,ohn thou#ht of when his "isci$les tol" to him the res$onse y ,esus, an" that the $ortion of !saiah<s $ro$hecy a out ein# a release" $risoner was not mentione".
1067 2The bli$( re"ei8e their si%ht O those 3ith s9i$ (iseases are heale( O the (ea( are raise(.5 :ot only "i" ,esus refer to His a ility to fulfill $ro$hecies a out Himself, ut He s$ecifically $ointe" to the messianic miracles that first century ,ewish $eo$le e%$ecte" that their Messiah woul" e a le to $erform. 1herefore, He clearly ut in"irectly sai" that He was their Messiah. 124/
,. '. /.J& 0hat is the 1ira"le or 1ystery of 6ea( Sea S"roll /J'*&> A#ain there is literary e9i"ence that the 4ssenes elie9e" that an anointe" fi#ure or $erson woul" come an" rin# si#ht to the lin". 1244 1here were hun"re"s of scroll fra#ments foun" in ca9e 4 of which one is most intersestin#. +ra#ment no. 2-1 ;4N2-1=, often calle" the Messianic Apocalypse" has a rea"in# that is similar to, ut not i"entical to, !saiah 31*12.1242 .oth the wor"s of ,esus an" those recor"e" on the 4N2-1 fra#ment contain an insertion of one $hrase not foun" in !saiah 7 that is that the "ea" shall e raise" to life. 1he mystery of 4N2-1 is how "i" the 4ssenes know that woul" ha$$enF What was their source of informationF !n oth ,esus\ teachin# an" 4N2-1 this statement is imme"iately efore the reference to $reachin# #oo" news to the $oor. 5cholars elie9e this scroll fra#ment is a clear in"ication that the 4ssene community claime" this anointin# as a future $romise that was soon to come. 1243
1543. +or a "escri$tion of the three messianic miracles, see .. 3. ,.J&+ .. 3. ,.J*+
.. &. 3+ ,ohn 4*-2 as well as the relate" 9i"eo link .. 3. ,.F an" .. &. 3. 5ee also the com$arison of )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ments 4N-7@ an" 4N2-1 with &uke 4*13-/8 at .. *. *. 1544. .ailey, &esus throught Middle 5astern 5yes. 131/@L 4isenmann, 0o ert H. an" Michael Wise, The )ead Sea Scrolls $nco ered. 0ock$ort, Mass., 4lement. 199-. -/7.
1545. Wilkins, B(eter<s )eclaration concernin# ,esus< !"entity in 'aesarea (hili$$i.C /-2.
1546. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 123.
1068
,. '. /A. 6EA6 SEA SC;:LL /J'*& 0ITH PH;ASE 2THE AN:INTE6 :NE5 A recor" of the first century ..'. era of !saiah 31, $ro9i"es am$le e9i"ence that some first century ,ews, the 4ssenes, un"erstoo" this to e a Messianic $assa#e. (hoto#ra$h courtesy of the !srael Museum. When ,esus res$on"e" to ,ohn<s "isci$les, he com ine" se#ments from two $assa#es written y the $ro$het !saiah* 9erses 31*1 an" /2*2-3. Ama>in#ly, the e(act com ination was foun" in the )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ment 4N2-1, which has ecome known as the B4 N Messianic A$ocaly$seC fra#ment. !t clearly "emonstrates the 4ssene writers "i" not Auote the i lical te%t, ut
1069 wrote to "eclare that this $ro$hetic $assa#e woul" e a messianic miracle.1247 1hey un"erstoo" the messiah woul" raise the "ea", e9en thou#h this was not in the !saiah $assa#e.124@ !t is a classic e%am$le of %psissima erba an" %psissima o( that was $re9iously "escri e" ;see ,. 3. /.J/=. 1his fra#ment was written a out three "eca"es before the irth of ,esus an", therefore, is worth citin#. !t e#ins y announcin# the comin# of Bthe anointe" one,C meanin# the Messiah. Rfor the hea8Se$s a$( the earth 3ill liste$ to his Messiah+ * Ra$( allS that is i$ the1 3ill $ot t)r$ a3ay fro1 the holy #re"e#ts. 3 Ae e$"o)ra%e(+ yo) 3ho are see9i$% the Lor( i$ his ser8i"eK BAla$9 s#a"eC / 0ill yo) $ot+ #erha#s+ e$"o)$ter the Lor( i$ it+ all those 3ho ho#e i$ their heart> ' For the Lor( 3ill obser8e the (e8o)t+ a$( "all the H)st by$a1e+ . a$( )#o$ the #oor he 3ill #la"e his s#irit+ a$( the faithf)l he 3ill re$e3 3ith his stre$%th. < For he 3ill ho$or the (e8o)t )#o$ the thro$e of eter$al royalty+ , freei$% #riso$ers+ %i8i$% si%ht to the bli$(+ strai%hte$i$% o)t the t3iste(. ! E8er shall I "li$% to those 3ho ho#e. I$ his 1er"y he 3ill H)(R%e+S & a$( fro1 o$o$e shall the fr)it RofS %oo( R(ee(sS be (elaye(+ &&a$( the Lor( shall #erfor1 1ar8elo)s a"ts s)"h as ha8e $ot e@iste(+ H)st as he saRi(S &*for he 3ill heal the ba(ly 3o)$(e( a$( 3ill 1a9e the (ea( li8e+ he 3ill #ro"lai1 %oo( $e3s to the 1ee9+ &3 %i8e la8ishly Rto the $ee(Sy+ lea( the e@ile( a$( e$ri"h the h)$%ry.
&
6ea( Sea S"roll /J'*&.&-&3
&'/!
1he wor"s of the 4ssene writer ;a o9e= an" the wor"s of ,esus were "rawn from two $assa#es from the $ro$het !saiah.
1547. Miller, B1he War of the 5crolls.C 44L Wilkins, B(eter<s )eclaration concernin# ,esus<
!"entity in 'aesarea (hili$$i.C /-4-/-3. 1548. !t is im$ortant to note that the 4ssenes ha" #reat "ifficulty reconcilin# the $ro$hetic $assa#e of the sufferin# ser9ant with the $ro$hetic $assa#es of the 9ictorius kin#. 1herefore, they conclu"e" there woul" e two messiahs. 1549. Martine>. The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated. /94. &etters within the sAuare rackets are either unrea"a le or missin# in the ori#inal scroll.
1070 The S#irit of the Lor( Go( is o$ Me+ be"a)se the Lor( has a$oi$te( Me to bri$% %oo( $e3s to the #oor. He has se$t Me to heal the bro9e$hearte(+ to #ro"lai1 liberty to the "a#ti8es a$( free(o1 to the #riso$ers.
&
Isaiah .&7& The$ the eyes of the bli$( 3ill be o#e$e(+ a$( the ears of the (eaf )$sto##e(. . The$ the la1e 3ill lea# li9e a (eer+ a$( the to$%)e of the 1)te 3ill si$% for Hoy+ for 3ater 3ill %)sh i$ the 3il(er$ess+ a$( strea1s i$ the (esert.
'
Isaiah 3'7'-. ,esus res$on"e" to ,ohn y statin#, in essence, messianic thin#s ;liste" in !sa. 31= are ha$$enin# here an" now. !n all likelihoo" since ,ohn was 9ery familiar with the 4ssenes near )amascus an" those li9in# on the e"#e of the )ea" 5ea ;Numran=, he was familiar with this inter$retation of !saiah 31. 0ecall that his $arents were of the same clan as the 4ssenes, an" those near )amascus most likely raise" him after his $arents $asse" on. 1228 When he $reache" in the ,u"ean Wil"erness an" ate the $ro9er ial Bhoney an" locust,C he was in 4ssene territory. +inally, the $erce$tion that ,ohn the .a$tist ha" was limite" to the callin# that was u$on his life. He ha" no conce$t of the crossL that ,esus woul" "ie an" rise a#ainL an" that throu#h Him all humanity coul" fin" sal9ation an" eternal life. 1he irony is that ,ohn $ointe" men to the li#ht which he himself "i" not see.
1550. 5ee section on the .irth of ,ohn the .a$tist.
1071
,. '. ' L9. <7*/-*,L Mt. &&7&*-&'4 L9. <7*!-3 JESUS P;AISES J:HN L9. */ After Joh$?s 1esse$%ers left+ He be%a$ to s#ea9 to the "ro3(s abo)t Joh$7 20hat (i( yo) %o o)t i$to the 3il(er$ess to see> A ree( s3ayi$% i$ the 3i$(> *' 0hat the$ (i( yo) %o o)t to see> A 1a$ (resse( i$ soft robes> Loo9+ those 3ho are s#le$(i(ly (resse( a$( li8e i$ l)@)ry are i$ royal #ala"es. *. 0hat the$ (i( yo) %o o)t to see> A #ro#het> Ees+ I tell yo)+ a$( far 1ore tha$ a #ro#het. *< This is the o$e it is 3ritte$ abo)t7 Loo9+ I a1 se$(i$% My 1esse$%er ahea( of Eo)4 he 3ill #re#are Eo)r 3ay before Eo). BMal. 37&C I tell yo)+ a1o$% those bor$ of 3o1e$ $o o$e is %reater tha$ Joh$+ b)t the least i$ the 9i$%(o1 of Go( is %reater tha$ he.5
*,
Mt. &* Fro1 the (ays of Joh$ the Aa#tist )$til $o3+ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ has bee$ s)fferi$% 8iole$"e+ a$( the 8iole$t ha8e bee$ seiGi$% it by for"e. &3 For all the #ro#hets a$( the La3 #ro#hesie( )$til Joh$4 &/ if yo)?re 3illi$% to a""e#t it+ he is the EliHah 3ho is to "o1e. &' A$yo$e 3ho has ears sho)l( liste$K L9 *! BA$( 3he$ all the #eo#le+ i$"l)(i$% the ta@ "olle"tors+ hear( this+ they a"9$o3le(%e( Go(?s 3ay of ri%hteo)s$ess+ be"a)se they ha( bee$ ba#tiGe( 3ith Joh$?s ba#tis1. 3 A)t si$"e the Pharisees a$( e@#erts i$ the la3 ha( $ot bee$
1072 ba#tiGe( by the1sel8es.C hi1+ they reHe"te( the #la$ of Go( for
2The 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ has bee$ s)fferi$% 8iole$"e+ a$( the 8iole$t ha8e bee$ seiGi$% it by for"e.5 !t seems "ifficult to elie9e that men of 9iolence woul" conAuer the $eaceful messa#e of 'hrist an" His kin#"om. 1he $hrase Bsei>in# it y forceC literally means, to snatch away or to carry off. 1221 1his $assa#e is one that un"ou te"ly has challen#e" scholars for centuries an" three inter$retations are $resente". 1. !t has een su##este" these men of 9iolence are i"entifie" as such in their a solute "etermination to ri" themsel9es of sin, satanic $owers, an" influences of the $a#an culture. 122-. Another su##estion is that now is the time for coura#eous souls to e forceful an" take hol" of the Din#"om of Go". 122/ /. Jet another inter$retation is ase" u$on an ol" ra inic inter$retation of Micah -*1--1/ in the Midrash. :ote the followin#, I 3ill s)rely %ather all of yo)+ : Ja"ob4 I 3ill s)rely bri$% to%ether the re1$a$t of Israel. I 3ill bri$% the1 to%ether li9e shee# i$ a #e$4 li9e a flo"9 i$ its #ast)re+ the #la"e 3ill thro$% 3ith #eo#le. :$e 3ho brea9s o#e$ the 3ay 3ill %o )# before the14 They 3ill brea9 thro)%h the %ate a$( %o o)t. Their 9i$% 3ill #ass thro)%h before the1+ the Lor( at their hea(.
1551. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*34. 1552. )ake, +ootnote on Mt. 11*1-. 1553. 'arson, BMatthew.C @*-37.
1073 Mi(rash o$ Micah *7&*-&3 !n this $assa#e, the shee$ were #athere" in a shee$fol" for the ni#ht. !t was a common $ractice that many her"s were sheltere" in a community $en o9er ni#ht. (ens #enerally walls of mu" ricks or stones that face" a cliff or ca9e as this $ro9i"e" a""e" $rotection. 1224 &ar#e arns "i" nt e%ist at this time. !n the mornin#, when the she$her"s come, the shee$ antici$ate free"om to #ra>e in the #rassy fiel"s. As the #ate is o$ene" they Eum$ forth an" B reak throu#h the #ate an" #o outC to free"om. 1he He rew wor" for B reak throu#hC has the same $arallel meanin# as Bforcefully a"9ancin#C in Matthew<s #os$el.1222 Dee$ in min" that the House of !srael was B#athere"C when the ,ews returne" to !srael after the .a ylonian e%ile, a return that lin#ere" in "uration for se9eral centuries. !n the secon" stan>a, the she$her" lea"s the shee$ out in the mornin#, ut after ein# $enne" u$ all ni#ht, they forcefully esca$e to free"om to enEoy the #reen #rass with the mornin# "ew. &ikewise, when ,esus sai" that forceful men layin# hol" on it take the Din#"om of Go", He was referrin# to all the lessin#s that await them. 1hey are "etermine" to li9e an" function in co9enant to honor HimL He is the chief she$her". Howe9er, in A.). 78 an" 1/2, they woul" e scattere" throu#hout the worl". 1hese $assa#es also "emonstrate that ,ohn was a historical, transitional fi#ure, who has a foot in oth the ol" an" new a#es. !t is his $roclamation of the comin# kin# an" kin#"om that ser9es as a ri"#e etween the ?l" 1estament (erio" of sal9ation history an" the fulfillment inau#urate" y the 'hrist e9ent. Another an" more $o$ular inter$retation of this $assa#e is that it testifies that the messa#e of ,ohn an" ,esus woul" not e acce$te" an" 9iolent men within !srael woul" assault it. 1223 5t. ,ohn 'assian ;/38-4/2= an" 5t. Au#ustine ;/24-4/8= ma"e these comments concernin# this inter$retation*
1554. 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 18@-89.
1555. .i9in an" .li>>ar", authors of $nderstanding the )ifficult Words ;@2-@7= cre"it the
late (rofessor )a9i" +lusser of He rew Uni9ersity for this inter$retation.
1556. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. 199.
1074 The Ii$%(o1 of Hea8e$ s)ffers 8iole$"e a$( the 8iole$t ta9e it by for"e....0ho the$ are the 8iole$t> S)rely+ they are those 3ho sho3 s#le$(i( 8iole$"e $ot to others+ b)t to their o3$ so)l+ 3ho by a la)(able for"e (e#ri8e it of all (eli%hts i$ the thi$%s #rese$t+ a$( are (e"lare( by the Lor(?s 1o)th to be s#le$(i( #l)$(erers+ a$( by ra#i$e of this 9i$(+ 8iole$tly seiGe )#o$ the Ii$%(o1 of Hea8e$. Joh$ Cassia$+ 2onference of Abbot Abraham
&''<
The #)bli"a$s a$( the harlots %o i$to the Ii$%(o1 of Go( before yo). They %o before be"a)se they (o 8iole$"e4 they #)sh their 3ay by faith+ a$( to faith a 3ay is 1a(e or "a$ a$y resist+ si$"e they 3ho are 8iole$t ta9e it by for"e. A)%)sti$e+ Psalms
&'',
E1bra"e the lo8e of Go( a$( by lo8e e1bra"e Go(. A)%)sti$e+ =n the *rinity
&''!
4ideo Insert
/B)/?)/?)4 An unassigned theo&ogian e6#&ains Matthe( ,,2,.' <The :ingdo" of hea$en has +een suffering $io&en%e' and the $io&ent ha$e +een seiFing it +y for%e)=
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 1he lea"in# (harisees calle" ,ohn<s asceticism ma"ness an" the socia ility of ,esus, a "ecline of morals. 'ritics will always critici>e.
1557. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 124. 1558. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 124-22. 1559. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 13/.
1075 ,. '. '.J& I$ Matthe3 &&7&& a$( L)9e <7*,+ 3hat is 1ea$t by the =)estio$+ 2There is $o$e %reater tha$ Joh$>5 What woul" a$$ear to e a $ro lem with this $hrase is actually easily resol9e", when $lace" into $ers$ecti9e in relation to the ministries of ,ohn an" ,esus. ,ohn was the last of the ?l" 1estament era $ro$hets. He was makin# the "eclaration of the comin# Messiah an" the new a#e in history which was a out to "awn. 0e#ar"less of ,ohn<s stature an" im$ortance in his #eneration, he woul" e amon# the least si#nificant, when com$are" to the :ew 1estament elie9ers who woul" e the ri"e of 'hrist ;4$h. 2*-2--7, /-=. ,. '. . L9. <73&-3' ;5ee also Mt. 11*13-19= JESUS ;EP;:FES ;EJECTI:N 2To 3hat the$ sho)l( I "o1#are the #eo#le of this %e$eratio$+ a$( 3hat are they li9e> 3* They are li9e "hil(re$ sitti$% i$ the 1ar9et#la"e a$( "alli$% to ea"h other7
3&
A A A? A
33
0e #laye( the fl)te for yo)+ a$( yo) (i($?t (a$"e4 3e sa$% a la1e$t+ a$( yo) (i($?t 3ee#.
For Joh$ the Aa#tist (i( $ot "o1e eati$% brea( or (ri$9i$% 3i$e+ a$( yo) say+ WHe has a (e1o$K? 3/ The So$ of Ma$ has "o1e eati$% a$( (ri$9i$%+ a$( yo) say+ WLoo9+ a %l)tto$ a$( a (r)$9ar(+ a frie$( of ta@ "olle"tors a$( si$$ersK? 3' Eet 3is(o1 is 8i$(i"ate( by all her "hil(re$.5 1his short $oem ;note similarities of lines A an" A< an" . an" .<=, is essentially a com$arison of the a"ults of Bthis #enerationC an" chil"ren who follow the $atterns of life esta lishe" y their $arents. 20e #laye( the fl)te for yo)+ a$( yo) (i($?t (a$"e4 3e sa$% a la1e$t+ a$( yo) (i($?t 3ee#.5 1he e%$lanation of this uniAue cultural $hrase is a follows* +lute $layers were common at we""in#s, funerals, an" other festi9e occasions. !n fact,
1076 there were usually se9eral flute $layers at we""in#s an" e9eryone "ance" an" cele rate" the creation of a new family. When there was a funeral, there were also two or three flute $layers who $laye" son#s of lt as family an" frien"s mourne" their loss. 1his cultural $ractice was not only amon# the ,ewish $eo$le, ut in nei#h orin# cultures as well where mournin# is e%$resse" lou"ly in $u lic with the eatin# of the chest. 1238 +or e%am$le, in the 0oman worl", when 4m$eror 'lau"ius "ie", the wailin# of the flute $layers an" $rofessional mourners were so lou" that 5eneca sai" that the em$eror, althou#h "ea", $ro a ly hear" them. 1231 1his writer has hear" the eerie soun"s of uncontrolla le wailin# an" emotionally char#e" shrieks y $rofessional mourners. 1his hysterical atmos$here will ne9er e for#otten. When mothers went sho$$in#, they usually took their chil"ren alon#. 5omewhere alon# the 'ar"o Ma%imus 123- or in the market$lace there #enerally was a flute $layer, a musician who often ha" a mat on which $assers y woul" toss a coin or two. As soon as he $laye" his flute, the chil"ren "ance" an" $laye" as chil"ren normally "o. Whether at funerals, we""in#s, or other cele rations, the chil"ren imitate" their $arents y "ancin# an" $layactin#. .y human nature chil"ren imitate what they learn from their $arents an" ,esus use" this social $attern for His lesson, ut in a ne#ati9e conte%t. 1he historian ,ose$hus recor"e" an account of how $eo$le e%$resse" their sorrow o9er the loss of a elo9e" lea"er. !n the year A.). 3@ the 0omans conAuere" the city of ,ota$ata. )urin# the conflict, rumors s$rea" that the city<s lea"er, also name" ,ose$hus, was kille". When the news of the tra#e"y reache" ,erusalem, the $eo$le mourne" for him. 1he historian recor"e" the followin#. A)t all 1o)r$e( for Jose#h)s+ i$so1)"h that the la1e$tatio$ (i( $ot "ease i$ the "ity before the thirtieth (ay+ a$( a %reat 1a$y hire( 1o)r$ers+ 3ith their #i#es Bfl)tesC + 3ho sho)l( be%i$ the 1ela$"holy (itties Bso$% a$( (a$"eC for the1. Jose#h)s+ %ars 3.!.'
&'.3

1561. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/44. 1562. 1he main street of a 0oman city that ha" sho$s on either si"e. 1563. !nserts y this writer for clarification.
1077 What ,ose$hus re$orte" was the $attern of lifeL it was what $eo$le were e%$ecte" to "o at such times. Howe9er, this #eneration, ,esus sai", is not followin# the $attern of lifeL this #eneration of lea"ers has their own reli#ious a#en"a. 1herefore, they are like "iso e"ient chil"ren who "o not "ance an" $lay in the market $lace, who "o not mourn an" lement at a funeral, who "o not wee$ an" comfort families who ha9e lost a lo9e" one. ,esus sai" that the (harisees re elle" like "iso e"ient s$oile" little chil"ren.1234
2He has a (e1o$K5 1he ancients elie9e" that one of the three $laces where e9il s$irits li9e" was in the "esert. 5ince ,ohn o 9iously "i" not li9e an or"inary lifestyle ut came from a remote area of the ,u"ean "esert, some conclu"e" that he ha" ecome "emon $ossesse". 1232 ,esus utterly shattere" the $re9ailin# o$inions of how holy an" ri#hteous men ou#ht to act. &ea"in# (harisees an" 5a""ucees elie9e" there was no $lace for ta% collectors in hea9en, ecause they were ,ews who etraye" their own $eo$le y ecomin# a#ents of the hate" 0omans. 1here was a solutely no lo9e lost on ta% collectors. !n fact, the ?ral &aw $ermitte" the common $eo$le to lie to them. Me$ 1ay 8o3 to 1)r(erers+ robbers+ or ta@ "olle"tors that 3hat they ha8e is hea8e offeri$% e8e$ tho)%h it is $ot hea8e offeri$%4 or that they belo$% to the 9i$%?s ho)sehol( e8e$ tho)%h they (o $ot belo$% to the 9i$%?s ho)sehol(. The S"hool of Sha11ai says7 2They 1ay so 8o3 i$ a$y for1 of 3or(s e@"e#t i$ the for1 of a$ oath.5 A$( the S"hool of Hillel says7 2E8e$ i$ the for1 of a$ oath.5 Mish$ah+ +ashim +edarim 3./ No$e 1ay ta9e "ha$%e for 1o$ey fro1 the "o)$ter of e@"ise 1e$ or fro1 the 3allet of ta@ "olle"tors+ or ta9e a$y al1s fro1
1564. +ruchten aum, ,ife of the Messiah. 1a$e 7, 5i"e A.
1565. &iefel", B&uke.C @*@24.
1078 the14 b)t it 1ay be ta9e$ fro1 the1 at their o3$ ho)se or i$ the 1ar9et. If ta@ "olle"tors too9 a 1a$?s (o$9ey a$( %a8e hi1 a$other+ or if robbers robbe( a 1a$ of his "oat a$( %a8e hi1 a$other+ they be"a1e his o3$+ si$"e the o3$er "herishes $o ho#e of re"o8eri$% the1. Mish$ah+ +e:i!in 7aba -amma & .&b - *a If ta@ "olle"tors e$tere( a ho)se Rall that is 3ithi$ itS &'.. be"o1es )$"lea$+ e8e$ if a Ge$tile 3as 3ith the1 they 1ay be belie8e( if they say R20e (i( $ot e$ter+5 b)t they 1ay $ot be belie8e( if they say7S &'.< 20e e$tere( b)t to)"he( $othi$%.5 If thie8es e$tere( a ho)se+ o$ly that #art is )$"lea$ that 3as tro((e$ by the feet of the thie8es. 0hat (o they re$(er )$"lea$> Foo(st)ffs a$( li=)i(s a$( o#e$ earthe$3are 8essels4 b)t "o)"hes a$( seats a$( earthe$3are 8essels ha8i$% a ti%htly sto##e(-)# "o8er re1ai$ "lea$. If a Ge$tile or a 3o1a$ 3as 3ith the1 all be"o1es )$"lea$. Mish$ah+ *ohoroth *ohoroth <..a 2A frie$( of ta@ "olle"tors a$( si$$ersK5 While these wor"s were sai" sarcastically, they were in fact, amon# the most accurate an" com$assionate "escri$tions of Him. ,. '. < L9. <73.-' AN:INTING AE A SINFUL 0:MAN The$ o$e of the Pharisees i$8ite( Hi1 to eat 3ith hi1. He e$tere( the Pharisee?s ho)se a$( re"li$e( at the table. 3< A$( a 3o1a$ i$ the to3$ 3ho 3as a si$$er fo)$( o)t that Jes)s 3as re"li$i$% at the table i$ the Pharisee?s ho)se. She bro)%ht a$ alabaster Har of fra%ra$t oil 3, a$( stoo( behi$( Hi1 at His feet+ 3ee#i$%+ a$( be%a$ to 3ash His feet 3ith her tears. She 3i#e(
3.
1566. 'larification in rackets y )an y. 1567. :ot all ancient te%ts contain the rackete" $hrase.
1079 His feet 3ith the hair of her hea(+ 9issi$% the1 a$( a$oi$ti$% the1 3ith the fra%ra$t oil. 0he$ the Pharisee 3ho ha( i$8ite( Hi1 sa3 this+ he sai( to hi1self+ 2This 1a$+ if He 3ere a #ro#het+ 3o)l( 9$o3 3ho a$( 3hat 9i$( of 3o1a$ this is 3ho is to)"hi$% Hi1Qshe?s a si$$erK5
3!
Jes)s re#lie( to hi1+ 2Si1o$+ I ha8e so1ethi$% to say to yo).5

/
2Tea"her+5 he sai(+ 2say it.5 /& 2A "re(itor ha( t3o (ebtors. :$e o3e( ' (e$arii+ a$( the /* other ' . Si$"e they "o)l( $ot #ay it ba"9+ he %ra"io)sly for%a8e the1 both. So+ 3hi"h of the1 3ill lo8e hi1 1ore>5
/3
Si1o$ a$s3ere(+ 2I s)##ose the o$e he for%a8e 1ore.5
2Eo) ha8e H)(%e( "orre"tly+5 He tol( hi1. // T)r$i$% to the 3o1a$+ He sai( to Si1o$+ 26o yo) see this 3o1a$> I e$tere( yo)r ho)se4 yo) %a8e Me $o 3ater for My feet+ b)t she+ 3ith her tears+ has 3ashe( My feet a$( 3i#e( the1 3ith her hair. /' Eo) %a8e Me $o 9iss+ b)t she has$?t sto##e( 9issi$% My feet si$"e I "a1e i$. /. Eo) (i($?t a$oi$t My hea( 3ith oli8e oil+ b)t she has a$oi$te( My feet 3ith fra%ra$t oil. /< Therefore I tell yo)+ her 1a$y si$s ha8e bee$ for%i8e$4 that?s 3hy she lo8e( 1)"h. A)t the o$e 3ho is for%i8e$ little+ lo8es little.5 /, The$ He sai( to her+ 2Eo)r si$s are for%i8e$.5 Those 3ho 3ere at the table 3ith Hi1 be%a$ to say a1o$% the1sel8es+ 20ho is this 1a$ 3ho e8e$ for%i8es si$s>5
/!
A$( He sai( to the 3o1a$+ 2Eo)r faith has sa8e( yo). Go i$ #ea"e.5
'
2He e$tere( the Pharisee?s ho)se a$( re"li$e( at the table.5 When ,esus entere" the home of the (harisee, He recline" at the ta le to eat with His host. When $eo$le Brecline",C they "i" so at a BUC sha$e" ta le known as a Triclinium. !t is the same ty$e of ta le ,esus an" the "isci$les sat at
1080 "urin# their &ast 5u$$er ;(asso9er=. Howe9er, as will e shown elow, when ,esus recline" the room wsa full of tension. 2A 3o1a$ i$ the to3$ 3ho 3as a si$$er.5 1he $hrase 2si$$er+5 when a$$lie" to a woman, is a eu$hemism meanin# that she was a $rostitute or possibly someone who ha" her hair unco9ere" in $u lic. 123@ !n fact, $rostitution was the only kin" of Boccu$ationC she coul" ha9e ha" that woul" ha9e #i9en her that social sti#ma. :o other kin" of acti9ity woul" ha9e $ro"uce" the title of Bsinner.C 1239 1he earliest tra"ition i"entifies her to ha9e een Mary Ma#"alene from the 9illa#e of Ma#"ala, locate" alon# the western shore of the 5ea of Galilee. Ama>in#ly, the self-ri#hteous (harisee, who ma"e certain that no one woul" e9er see him with an im$ure $erson or $erform an im$ure act, ne9er o Eecte" to the $rostitute ein# in his house. 0ather, he was focuse" on ,esus. 1hat o$ens the $ossi ility that she may ha9e een in9ite", not y ,esus, ut y the (harisee so he coul" con"emn ,esusL in essence, she was a set-u$. Ma#"ala was an im$ortant fishin# 9illa#e where commercial fishermen ha" their catch salte" an" sol" to tra9elin# cara9ans. 5ome also elie9e that it was a home of a first century syna#o#ue-church, ut that o$inion is ase" more on scholar<s s$eculation than archaeolo#ical or literary e9i"ence
1568. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. -49-21L 'om$are with ,ose$hus,
1081
,. '. <A. THE ;UINS :F MAG6ALA B&!!,C. 1he 9illa#e ruins, south of 'a$ernaum, as seen in 199@, has een sus$ecte" to e Ma#"ala, the 9illa#e home of Mary Ma#"alene ;meanin# Mary from Ma#"ala=. 1he He rew name for Ma#"ala is Migdol" meanin# Btower,C an" the ancient tower still stan"s. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1082 ,. '. <A. THE ;UINS :F MAG6ALA B* & C. .y -818 archaeolo#ists confirme" this site to e the i lical 9illa#e of Ma#"ala. At one time it was known for its fishin# in"ustry an" sellin# salte" fish to tra9elin# cara9ans that came y. 1he 9illa#e ha" the Aramaic nickname of )almanutha" which means Bthe har orC ecause it was where fishermen rou#ht their fish to e salte". (hoto#ra$h y the author.
,. '. <C>>>. ;UINS :F THE MAG6ALA FISH MA;IET. Archaeolo#ists unco9ere" three uil"in#s in which they claim were masonry tu s which functione" as an aAuarium. &i9e fish were in these fish tanks an" customers coul" then select an" uy a fish for "inner.
1083
,. '. <6>>>. FI;ST CENTU;E SENAG:GUE ST:NE. !n -889 archaeolo#ists unco9ere" a small ut ornate syna#o#ue near the en"#e of Ma#a"ala with a most unusual stone that has car9in#s reflecti9e of the tem$le "esi#n. !t $ur$ose remains unknown. !t is also a mystery as to why the syna#o#ue was uilt for only a out 188 $eo$le when se9eral thousan" li9e" in the community. (hoto y the author. 1he (harisees sent their s$ies out to see if they coul" entra$ ,esus. 0arely "i" a (harisee in9ite ,esus to his home, ut when such an in9itation was #i9en, ,esus acce$te". !t was at the anAuet ta le, 1278 where the #uests recline" aroun" a low Greco-0oman ta le to eat. 1hen a woman of Blow re$utationC a$$eare" in this $ious househol" an" met with ,esus. An early tra"ition of the church i"entifie" her as ein# Mary Ma#"alene. 2Alabaster Har of fra%ra$t oil.5 Ala aster ;technically, car onate of calcium= is also known as 4#y$tian ala aster or ?riental ala aster. Ala aster
1570. 5ee &/. *. 3C. A recreate" triclinium ta le.
1084 Ears an" 9essels were manufacture" in 4#y$t, shi$$e" y oat across the sea an", y cara9an shi$$e" to the !n"us 0i9er Halley an" mountains in northern !n"ia. !t was there that s$ikenar" $erfume ;oil= was ma"e from rare $lants, $lace" in ala aster 9essels, an" returne" to the western !n"ian coast to e shi$$e" throu#hout the worl". Hence, it was e%tremely e%$ensi9e an" was often $asse" from #eneration to #eneration. 1he woman in this $assa#e, who was restore" to Go", #a9e her most $recious an" e%$ensi9e $ossession, !n"ian s$ikenar", an" anointe" ,esus with it. 1271 !t was the est she coul" offer him. Hisitors an" tourists who $urchase Bs$ikenar" $erfumeC in !srael to"ay "o not $urchase the authentic $erfume, ut a synthetic imitation. 1he fact that she anointe" the feet of ,esus s$eaks 9olumes of her lo9e. As state" $re9iously, throu#hout the Mi""le 4ast, in ancient times an" to"ay, feet are consi"ere" "efile". 127- 1he reason is that roa"s an" walkways are "irty an" "usty. 1hrou#hout most of history, where9er anyone walke", li9estock "i" likewise an", therefore, ste$$in# into animal "un# was una9oi"a le. 5an"als an" shoes were an" still are always remo9e" when enterin# a home an" feet are washe". ?nly the lowest of ser9ants or s untie" san"als for 9isitors, an" if there were no ser9ants or s, then it was the woman\s res$onsi ility to "o so. 1he anointin# of freAuance oil was more than than the cultural washin# of the feet 7 it was the most she coul" "o.
1571. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 1/7.

1572. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. -43 n 13.
1085
,. '. <C. A FI;ST CENTU;E ALAAASTE; A:TTLE. Ala aster is stone that was mine" an" scul$ture" in 4#y$t, then shi$$e" to !n"ia where the 9essel was fille" with $erfume, an" then shi$$e" throu#hout the known worl", inclu"in# !srael. Artifact an" $hoto#ra$h y the author. 2Iissi$% the1.5 Hos$itality was a sacre" "uty in the ancient Mi""le 4ast. Whene9er a tra9eler entere" a 9illa#e, it was not his res$onsi ility to fin" a $lace to stay, ut it was the "uty of the 9illa#ers to in9ite him for the ni#ht. 1he kin"est an" most #racious #ift of hos$itality can har"ly match that of the i lical $erio" 7 a social "ynamic that is "ifficult for Westerners to"ay to com$rehen". !t was customary, that when enterin# the $resence of a $erson of im$ortance, to kneel efore him an" kiss his feet. 1herefore, when ,esus arri9e" at the house of the (harisee, he "i" not e%ten" the three customary si#ns of hos$itality to ,esus. 1. :o water was #i9en for His feet. -. ,esus was not #reete" with the customary kiss.
1086 /. :o oil was $lace" u$on His hea". Worse that these three social failures, essentially, the (harisee Bset ,esus u$C to e insulte" an" humiliate". 1he ?ral &aw so stron#ly con"emne" these acts of cultural hos$itality 9iolations, that it state" it was one of the three reasons a ,ew coul" e con"emne" to hell. 127/ 1hen came the sinful woman, a eu$hemism for a $rostitute, an" honore" ,esus. Her actions were these, 1. 5he she" her tears on His feet, kisse" them, an" -. 5he $oure" her e%$ensi9e $erfume instea" of oil on Him. /. ;!t woul" ha9e "i"n<t.= een ina$$ro$riate for her to kiss ,esus, an" she
1he (harisee ha" not "emonstrate" any reli#ious or cultural courtesies, yet this woman, who $re9iously ha" roken e9ery reli#ious an" cultural rule, "is$laye" re$entance an" courtesies. 'learly, in this mo9in# scene there was a #reat $olari>ation etween the re$entant woman an" the insultin# (harisee. ,esus, howe9er, for#a9e the woman of her $ast sins an" remaine" calm with His insulter. 1274 ,esus is not a res$ecter of $ersons, ut a res$ecter of attitu"es an" moti9es. Men<s o$inion of women was not always 9ery #oo". ?n the $ositi9e si"e, the ook of (ro9er s has the well-known "escri$tion of a wife of no le character ;/1*18-/1=. !n a ook of the A$ocry$ha, the $osition of a #oo" wife is honore". :otice the He raic $oetry* Ha##y is the h)sba$( of a %oo( 3ife+ the $)1ber of his (ays 3ill be (o)ble(. A loyal 3ife reHoi"es her h)sba$(+ a$( he 3ill "o1#lete his years i$ #ea"e. A %oo( 3ife is a %reat blessi$%+ 1573. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 284. 1574. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. -8/.
1087 she 3ill be %ra$te( a1o$% the blessi$%s of the 1a$ 3ho fears the Lor( 0hether ri"h or #oor+ his heart 3ill be %la(+ a$( at all ti1es his fa"e is "heerf)l. Sira"h *.7&-/
&'<'
?n the ne#ati9e si"e, there are se9eral writin#s concernin# the e9ilness of womanhoo". 1hese refer to women in #eneral, not sinful women such as ,esus encountere". ,ose$hus refuse" to a"mit the testimony of a woman, ecause of the ol"ness of her se%. 1273 !n the ?ral &aw, women were at times consi"ere" to ha9e the same status as s an" minors. 1277 1heir curiosity was consi"ere" e9il an" therefore unclean. 127@ 5e9eral other writin#s are eAually ne#ati9e as a #eneral attitu"e. :ote the followin# from the ?ral &aw* He that tal9s 1)"h 3ith 3o1a$9i$( bri$%s e8il )#o$ hi1self a$( $e%le"ts the st)(y of the La3 a$( at last 3ill i$herit Gehe$$a. Mish$ah+ +e:i!in Aboth &.' ?ne can only conclu"e that if this were the $re9ailin# o$inion, how much worse it woul" ha9e een for a woman who was known to li9e a sinful lifestyle. With the reli#ious community an" the common $eo$le reEectin# her, she coul" easily ha9e totally #i9en u$ on any kin" of reconciliation with Go". 2If He 3ere a #ro#het.5 1he (harisees were so an#ry that they faile" to think lo#ically. 1hey Auestione" if ,esus was really a $ro$het, ut faile" to reali>e that as a $ro$het, He coul" rea" 5imon<s min"s.
1575. Met>#er, The Apocrypha of the :ld Testament. 131. 1576. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 4.@.12. 1577. Mishnah, !eraim Berakoth 7.-. 1578. Mishnah, Tohoroth Tohoroth 7.9
1088 2Eo) ha8e H)(%e( "orre"tly.5 1his was one of the hi#hest com$liments any ra i coul" recei9e. !t was always a challen#e to correctly a$$ly 5cri$ture to the "aily e9ents of life. 20ashe( My feet a$( 3i#e( the1 3ith her hair.5 1his $hrase is one of the most misun"erstoo" an" therefore, o9erlooke", $hrases in the #os$els. 1he fact that this woman took her hea" co9erin# off an" wi$e" the feet of ,esus with her hair is a solutely stunnin#. !t was a#ainst all cultural courtesies, which reflects her $assionate lo9e of ,esus. 1o $ro$erly un"erstan" the cultural conte%t ehin" her action, a rief stu"y of a woman<s hair an" her hea" co9erin# is warrante". (ious women always ha" their hair co9ere" in the ancient Mi""le 4ast. 1hat cultural tra"ition was si#nificant in many cultures. 49en to"ay in Muslim communities, women ha9e their hea"s co9ere" 7 a tra"ition that "ates ack to the ?l" 1estament (erio". 1hose women who "i" not co9er their hea"s in $u lic were often "eeme" to e $rostitutes or Btem$le 9ir#insC in $a#an tem$les ;also known as clerical $rostitutes=. Howe9er, in some Greco0oman cities the cultural ta oo was "ro$$e". 1his may e why the A$ostle (aul, who wrote to the church in the 9ery se%ually $romiscuous city of 'orinth, that a woman shoul" ha9e her hea" co9ere" ;1 'or. 11*2-3=. !n he ,ewish community, a 9ir#in ha" her hair co9ere" an" her soon-to- e hus an" "i" not see her hair until their we""in# ni#ht. 5ome "i" not e9en ha9e their hea"s unco9ere" at home. +or a ,ewish woman to #o out in $u lic with her hair unco9ere" was one of se9eral reasons for "i9orce. 1279 Accor"in# to the Mishnah if she went out, 0ith her hair )$bo)$(+ or s#i$s i$ the street+ or s#ea9s to a$y 1a$. Mish$ah+ -etubbat" ... !n li#ht of the cultural re#ulations an" tra"itions, when Mary un oun" her hair to wi$e the feet of ,esus, this action was not misse" y anyone. 1he term BsinnerC was a$$lie" to a woman who was a $rostitute or possibly ha" 1579. +or relate" "i9orce issues, see ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 4.@.-/.
1089 her hair unco9ere" in $u lic. 12@8 !n fact, $rostitution was the only kin" of Boccu$ationC she coul" ha9e ha" that woul" ha9e #i9en her that social sti#ma. :o other kin" of acti9ity woul" ha9e $ro"uce" the title of Bsinner.C 12@1 5ince a ri"e "i" this only on her we""in# ni#ht, Mary<s action clearly un"erscore" her lo9e for ,esus. :o #reater contrast of the lea"in# (harisee<s eha9ior coul" ha9e een #i9en. .y the fact that ,esus acce$te" an" com$limente" Mary, an" that this e9ent was recor"e" in the .i le, hel$e" ele9ate the status of women in the churc, an" e9entually in Western ci9ili>ation.
2Eo)r si$s are for%i8e$.5 With this statement ,esus "eclare" that He was Go". 5ince the ,ews elie9e" only Go" coul" for#i9e sins, they were face" with the "ecision of what to "o with ,esus. 'learly, He set Himself as eAual with Go" y this action. Jet ,esus, the $erfect human life who ne9er nee"e" to e for#i9en, for#a9e more $eo$le than anyone who ha" e9er li9e". +urthermore, He not only for#a9e others as a man, ut also as ein# Go". 1his account is full of interestin# irony. 1he (harisee in9ite" ,esus into his home to insult Him an" $ro9e that He was not a $ro$het, while the woman walke" in the "oor unin9ite" an" honore" ,esus an" worshi$e" Him as &or". 1he har"-hearte" (harisee, no "ou t, ne9er saw the irony, nor "i" he want to. Howe9er, e9eryone there clearly hear" the claim of ,esus to for#i9e sin. 1he messa#e that was clearly s$oken was that oth those who faithfully ke$t the law an" those who "i"n<t, are in nee" of for#i9eness.
,. '. , L9. ,7&-3 Galilee 1580. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. -49-21L 'om$are with ,ose$hus,
1090 0:MEN P;:FI6E SUPP:;T After this+ Jes)s tra8ele( abo)t fro1 o$e to3$ a$( 8illa%e to a$other+ #ro"lai1i$% the %oo( $e3s of the Ii$%(o1 of Go(. The T3el8e 3ere 3ith hi1+ a$( also so1e 3o1e$ 3ho ha( bee$ ")re( of e8il s#irits a$( (iseases7 Mary B"alle( Ma%(ale$eC fro1 3ho1 se8e$ (e1o$s ha( "o1e o)t4 Joa$$a the 3ife of C)Ga+ the 1a$a%er of Hero(? ho)sehol(4 S)sa$$a4 a$( 1a$y others. These 3o1e$ 3ere hel#i$% to s)##ort the1 o)t of their o3$ 1ea$s. When it came to ministry to women, ,esus i#nore" centuries of reli#ious hatre" the ,ews ha" with the 5amaritans, i#nore" many of the cultural ta oos, an" $olitely $resente" the Din#"om of Go". His wor"s an" action woul" ele9ate the status of women in centuries to come. 2Hero(?s ste3ar( O a$( 1a$y others 3ho 3ere s)##orti$% the1.5 !t is most interestin# irony that wealthy women from the househol" of Hero" Anti$as, inclu"in# his chief financial officer ;stewar"=, were su$$ortin# ,esus y #i9in# of their own $ersonal finances. !t was Hero"<s father, Hero" the Great, who ha" attem$te" to kill the 'hrist 'hil". :ow financial su$$ort was flowin# from Hero"<s "escen"ants an" their ser9ants. At this time, Hero" Anti$as li9e" in 5e$$horis, the re#ional ca$ital of Galilee. 1herefore, he was close to the areas where ,esus was ministerin#. +urthermore, the women<s li9es were a testimony to the $ower of Go" that ha" "eli9ere" them from the on"a#e of sin an" into the free"om of the Din#"om of Go". All this lea"s to Auestions of mystery. )i" Anti$as elie9e ,esus was the a e of .ethlehem who esca$e" his father<s swor"F 'oul" his father<s horrific action haunt the min"s of his sonsF !n li#ht of his knowle"#e of ,esus, why "i"n<t Anti$as take a $roacti9e role in sa9in# the life of ,esus "urin# the (assion WeekF 5ome Auestions remain mysteries.
1091
1092
U$it , To#i"al Iss)es Cha#ter . :f Nat)re+ 6e1o$s+ a$( Heali$%

1
1093 ,. .. A. JESUS C:MMAN6S THE 0IN6S AN6 THE 0AFES. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. 1he win"s, either from the eastern Ara ian )esert, or from the west, can Auickly chan#e. When they "o, they low forcefully "own throu#h the stee$ 9alleys of the Golan Hei#hts on the eastern si"e or the Halley of the )o9es on the west. 0e#ar"less, anyone in a fishin# oat will feel his life threatene". 5ee &uke @*----2. ,. .. & I$tro()"tio$ !n this se#ment of His ministry, ,esus ministere" to the Greeks. +or a ,ew to heal a $a#an was unima#ina le to the reli#ious esta lishment in ,erusalem. Jet e9erythin# He "i" "emonstrate" that He was the true Anointe" ?ne 7 the ?ne !srael ha" een waitin# for. ,. .. * M9. /73'-/& ;5ee also Mt. @*-/--7L &k. @*----2= The Sea of Galilee JESUS CALMS THE SEA :$ that (ay+ 3he$ e8e$i$% ha( "o1e+ He tol( the1+ 2Let?s "ross o8er to the other si(e of the sea.5 3. So they left the "ro3( a$( too9 Hi1 alo$% si$"e He 3as alrea(y i$ the boat. A$( other boats 3ere 3ith Hi1. 3< A fier"e 3i$( arose+ a$( the 3a8es 3ere brea9i$% o8er the boat+ so that the boat 3as 3, alrea(y bei$% s3a1#e(. A)t He 3as i$ the ster$+ slee#i$% o$ the ")shio$. So they 3o9e Hi1 )# a$( sai( to Hi1+ 2Tea"herK 6o$?t Eo) "are that 3e?re %oi$% to (ie>5
3'
He %ot )#+ reb)9e( the 3i$(+ a$( sai( to the sea+ 2Sile$"eK Ae stillK5 The 3i$( "ease(+ a$( there 3as a %reat "al1. / The$ He sai( to the1+ 20hy are yo) fearf)l> 6o yo) still ha8e $o faith>5
3!
A$( they 3ere terrifie( a$( as9e( o$e a$other+ 20ho the$ is this> E8e$ the 3i$( a$( the sea obey Hi1K5
/&
?ne of the to$ics that has often een "iscusse" is how much control 5atan has o9er elements of the earth, such as weather. He certainly "oes not ha9e unlimite" $ower an" cannot $lace the $eo$le of Go" in $hysical Eeo$ar"y.
1094 Jet He "i" sen" fire or li#htnin# to "estroy ,o <s flocks ;,o 1*1-, 13= followe" y a hu#e storm that "estroye" the home where ,o <s chil"ren were enEoyin# a anAuet ;,o 1*1@-19=. 5atan faile" to se"uce ,esus with three tem$tations an" a$$ears now to ha9e attem$te" to sink Him an" the "isci$les while they were in route on the 5ea of Galilee to "eli9er a man from "emonic on"a#e ;see ne%t section ,. .. 3=.
1hat .i le stu"ents often associate with this narrati9e is one of ,esus an" His "isci$les in a small fishin# oat as illustrate" in the $icture a o9e ; ,. .. A=. Howe9er, there are some "istinct $ro lems with that ima#e. 1. )ue to the small si>e of a stan"ar" fishin# oat, thirteen $eo$le in it woul" e enou#h to sink it in a calm sea, not to mention a stormy tem$est. All three #os$el writers sai" that water swe$t o9er the oat or that it was a out to e swam$e". 1he first century era fishin# oat, commonly known as the B,esus oat,C "isco9ere" in 19@3, is such a 9essel. 1hat oat su##ests that a lar#er 9essel was use" for this 9oya#e. -. ,esus was in the stern ;rear= of the oat, Bslee$in# on a cushionC ;Mk. 4*/@=. !f He was slee$in# in a fishin# oat, then o 9iously the water comin# in o9er the si"es woul" ha9e awakene" Him. .ut the "isci$les awakene" Him, not the s$lashin# wa9es. 5o He must ha9e ha" some ty$e of $hysical $rotection that ke$t Him "ry. 1he "escri$tion of the stormy tem$est an" the oat with its occu$ants lea"s this writer to conclu"e that the 9essel was consi"era ly lar#er than an or"inary fishin# oat.
1095 !t is well known that there were many kin"s of oats on the 5ea of Galilee. !t was a commercial area an" natural resource that $ermitte" a wi"e 9ariety of occu$ations to flourish. .esi"es fishin# an" saltin# fish, local craftsmen ma"e #lassware, #rin"in# stones, an" numerous im$lements. 1he Greek resi"ents of Ga"ara, a few miles east of the 5ea, were the maEor su$$liers for the 0oman 1enth &e#ion. !n a""ition to raisin# $i#s, they ha" one of the est #rowin# areas for wheat which was shi$$e" throu#hout the eastern 0oman 4m$ire. 1herefore, a 9ariety of 9essels was nee"e" for the trans$ort of #oo"s an" $assen#ers across the 5ea. 1he ty$e of 9essel ,esus an" His "isci$les use" is unknown, ut it $ro a ly was one similar to the illustration elow that ha" a $rotecti9e shiel" at the stern.
,. .. *A. A M:6EL :F A HE;:6IAN G;AIN SHIP. 1his mo"el of a Hero"ian #rain shi$ was uilt accor"in# to a tom #raffiti "esi#n "isco9ere" in Masa"a. :otice that the stern en" has a $artial co9erin# so someone coul" slee$ an" e $rotecte" from the weather. 1his 9essel, thou#ht to e at least twice the len#th of a fishin# oat, is elie9e" to ha9e een use" in the 5ea of Galilee as well as the Me"iterranean 5ea. (hoto#ra$he" at the )a#on Grain Museum, Haifa, y the author.
,. .. *.J& 6i( Jes)s e@#erie$"e a$ earth=)a9e>
1096 2A fier"e 3i$(.5 Many .i le translators ha9e use" the term storm in $lace of s3uall as the e9ent was clearly "ifficult to "escri e. Mark an" &uke use" the Greek wor" ,ailapa" meanin# a storm with hea9y clou"s, rains, "arkness, an" whirlwin". 12@- Howe9er, Matthew use" the wor" seismos" which means earth3uake,12@/ an" he use" it a#ain in Matthew -4*7 when ,esus s$oke of the earthAuakes that woul" occur at the en" of the a#e. 1hat lea"s to an interestin# Auestion* )i" ,esus e%$erience an earthAuakeF When consi"erin# that all three syno$tic #os$el writers "escri e" the same e9ent, it is o 9ious that He not only e%$erience" an earthAuake, ut "i" so "urin# an intense win" storm. !t may or may not ha9e een accom$anie" with "ark clou"s an" hea9y rains. 1his 5ea of Galilee is uniAue su""en an" une%$ecte" win" storms that low from the west, ut more commonly from the east. 1he 5ea of Galilee is a out 3@8 feet elow sea le9el while the e%tinct 9olcanic $lateau of the Golan Hei#hts are a out -788 feet a o9e sea le9el. Where the 5ea an" the Hei#hts meet, there are numerous "ee$ mountain ra9ines that funnel the sin"s across the lake with incre"i le intensity. Whether from the hei#hts of Hauran,12@4 from the eastern $lateau of 1rachonitis 12@2 or Ara ian )esert, 12@3 or from the south, the win" rin#s fine "esert "ust an" sometimes a "ust storm. Win"s from the west can e eAually challen#in#, ein# funnele" "own throu#h the Halley of the )o9es alon# the si"e of Mount Ar el. 12@7 1hese win" storms in the winter can rin# rain, ut not in the summer.
1582. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3-9. Green, %nterlinear -reek/5nglish New Testament" Mt. @*-4L -4*7L .erry, %nterlinear ,iteral Translation of the -reek New Testament. Mt. @*-4L -4*7.
1583. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/13-17L Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*2/.
1584. &ocate" in mo"ern southwestern 5yria an" northwestern ,or"an. Mentione" in 4>ek. 47*12-1@. 1585. &ocate" a"Eacent to hei#hts of Hauran an" was un"er the "omination of Hero" (hilli$ "urin# the life of ,esus. 1586. Ancient ma$s i"entifie" the #reater $art of mo"ern ,or"an as northern ti$ of the Ara ian )esert. 1587. Mount Ar el is locate" a short "istance northwest of 1i erias. ein# $art of the
1097 Ama>in#ly, from where9er the storm comes, at times it "oes so without a clou" in the sky. When there is a a chan#e of win" "irection or intensity, the ra9ines funnel the win" an" it lows across the 5ea of Galilee with incre"i le intensity 7 sometimes without a clou" in the sky. How interestin# it is that imme"iately after this e9ent, ,esus encountere" the "emoniac on the eastern si"e of Galilee. Jet note the wor"s of ,o in this $assa#e* He sha9es the earth fro1 its #la"e so that its #illars tre1ble. < He "o11a$(s the s)$ $ot to shi$e a$( seals off the stars. , He alo$e stret"hes o)t the hea8e$s a$( trea(s o$ the 3a8es of the sea.
.
Job !7.-, 2Sile$"eK Ae stillK5 ,esus use" the same wor"s to re uke the sea as He "i" to re uke the fe9er in &uke 4*/9 an" the "emons in the man of Mark 9*-2. 1he si#nificance of these wor"s was that the ,ews knew that ,eho9ah also re uke" the sea in (salm 32*7L 183*9 an" :ahum 1*4. More remarka le, howe9er, are the followin# $assa#es from the ooks of (salm an" (ro9er s*
!
Eo) r)le the ra%i$% sea4 3he$ its 3a8es s)r%e+ Eo) still the1.
Psal1 ,!7!
:thers 3e$t to sea i$ shi#s+ "o$()"ti$% tra(e o$ the 8ast 3aters. */ They sa3 the Lor(?s 3or9s+ His 3o$(erf)l 3or9s i$ the (ee#. *' He s#o9e a$( raise( a te1#est that stirre( )# the 3a8es of the sea.
*3
1098 ;isi$% )# to the s9y+ si$9i$% (o3$ to the (e#ths+ their "o)ra%e 1elti$% a3ay i$ a$%)ish+ *< they reele( a$( sta%%ere( li9e (r)$9e$ 1e$+ a$( all their s9ill 3as )seless. *, The$ they "rie( o)t to the Lor( i$ their tro)ble+ a$( He bro)%ht the1 o)t of their (istress. *! He stille( the to a 1)r1)r+ a$( the 3a8es of the sea 3ere h)she(. 3 They reHoi"e( 3he$ the 3a8es %re3 =)iet. The$ He %)i(e( the1 to the harbor they lo$%e( for.
*.
Psal1 & <7*3-3 0ho has %o$e )# to hea8e$ a$( "o1e (o3$> 0ho has %athere( the 3i$( i$ His ha$(s> 0ho has bo)$( )# the 3aters i$ a "loa9> 0ho has establishe( all the e$(s of the earth> 0hat is His $a1e+ a$( 3hat is the $a1e of His So$Q if yo) 9$o3>
/
Pro8erbs 3 7/ 1he answer to T BWho then, is thisFC 1he "isci$les were Auite knowle"#ea le of their He rew .i le, as were all ,ewish men. 1hey most certainly ha" "ifficulty reconcilin# these $assa#es with what they ha" Eust e%$erience".
1099
,. .. *A. C;:SS0IN6 0A;NING SIGN. A roa" si#n warnin# of $ossi le crosswin"s for mo"ern-"ay tra9elers. 1he win"s threatene" the safety of ,esus an" His "isci$les on the 5ea of Galilee. 1o"ay, these win"s sur$rise unsus$ectin# motorists tra9elin# alon# the eastern si"e of the lake, as e9i"ence" y this warnin# si#n. (hoto#ra$h y the author. Without sayin# a wor" of His "i9inity, ,esus oth "eclare" an" "emonstrate" that He was the Go" of the He rew $ro$hets who wrote the 5cri$tures. He res$on"e" to the situation sim$ly y tellin# the storm to e still. 1his miracle "emonstrate" His "i9inity o9er the natural forces of nature. ?n the eastern si"e of the 5ea of Galilee, is a mountain $lateau known to"ay as the Golan Hei#hts within a hun"re" yar"s from the shore. !t is in e%cess of -,888 feet a o9e sea le9el. Gi9en that the 5ea is 388 feet elow sea le9el, this creates a si#nificant 9ariation in ele9ation. 1o com$oun" matters, there are se9eral east-west ra9ines in the Hei#hts. When the eastern "esert win"s shift from ,or"an that throu#hout history ;e.#., ,er. 4*11= was known as the u$$er $art of the Ara ian )esert, a 9iolent "own"raft comes throu#h these ra9ines an" across the waters causin# an instant storm. 12@@ A uniAue feature of these storms, known as the Beastern sirocco win"s,C is that they can a$$ear without warnin# or a clou" in the sky. !n fact, at times, these win"s rin# san" an" the sky ecomes a yellow- ron>e color. 'onseAuently,
1588. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3//.
1100 a fisherman may fin" himself in the mi""le of the sea on a Auiet, clear, an" calm "ay when su""enly there is a last of easterly win" that lows 9iolently "own from the Golan Hei#hts. 1he most likely occasion is in the late afternoon. 1herefore, su""en "esert win" ursts may rin# hot air or e9en san", ut sel"om rain. 1his is what the $ro$het ,eremiah ha" reference to when he sai", 2A seari$% 3i$( blo3s fro1 the barre$ hei%hts i$ the 3il(er$ess o$ the 3ay to My (ear #eo#le. It "o1es $ot to 3i$$o3 or to sift4 &*a a 3i$( too stro$% for this "o1es at My "all.5
&&b
Jere1iah /7&&b-&*a 1he southern win"s can also e rutally challen#in#. 1his win" is known as the Samum or Simoom , which lows north from the African "eserts, across the 5inai an" :e#e9 )eserts an" rin#s an o9er$owerin# heat. Win"s from the west rin# clou"s an" rain from the Me"iterranean 5ea. Howe9er, this was also a "emonstration of "i9ine $ower an" authority o9er ,ewish an" Greek myths. 1he ancient ,ews consi"ere" the ottom of the 5ea of Galilee to e the a yss, a $lace where "emons li9e". 1he Greeks, who li9e" alon# the eastern shore, elie9e" that the #o" Keus rule" the sky an" (osei"on rule" the sea an" earthAuakes. 12@9 1herefore, when ,esus tol" the win" an" the wa9es to e still, the "emons an" Greek #o"s familiar to oth cultures were su Eect to Him. !t was a $rofoun" "emonstration of His $ower far eyon" the matter of win" an" wa9es. 5torms re$resente" the e9il forces of this worl". !n the min"s of oth ,ews an" Greeks, only "i9ine $ower coul" control the sea.1298 ,esus "emonstrate" that He ha" com$lete $ower o9er the laws of nature an" o9er the heathen #o"s. At the "awn of creation, He s$oke the worl" into e%istenceL now His wor" controlle" it. A similar e9ent, a$$arently not as se9ere since ,esus "i" not calm the win", occurre" when He walke" across the stormy waters to His "isci$les in a oat
1589. .utler, e". The %liad of +omer and the :dyssey. --2. 1590. ,o /@*@-11L (s. -9*/-4,18-11L 32*2-7L @9*@-9L 187*-/-/-L !sa. 21*9-18.
1101 ;Mt. 14*----/L Mk. 2*1--1L ,n. 3*12--1=. the a solute $ower inherent in 'hrist. 1he stillin# of the "emonstrate"
1he $hrase, 26o yo) still ha8e $o faith>5 woul" e etter translate" as, Byou of little faith,C an" occurs fi9e times in the :ew 1estament an" is always in reference to the "isci$les. 1291 1he $rimary Auestion, whether "irectly or in"irectly, was in reference to where they $lace" their faith. He challen#e" them to $lace their faith in His $erson an" wor". 1o those who truste" in their wealth or la or for a safe an" secure future, ,esus sai" that it woul" e easier for the $ro9er ial camel to #o throu#h the eye of a nee"le. When He challen#e" the rich man to #i9e all he ha" to the $oor, which was sym olic of his con9ersion, the rich man sa"ly went away, not ecause he was wealthy ut ecause his security was in his wealth. 5t. Au#ustine ha" an interestin# comment concernin# faith* There are three 9i$(s of "re(ible thi$%s. First+ there are those 3hi"h are al3ays belie8e( a$( $e8er )$(erstoo(. A$ e@a1#le of s)"h is history.... Se"o$(+ there are those thi$%s 3hi"h first are )$(erstoo(+ so that they "a$ be belie8e(. :f this "lass are all h)1a$ reaso$i$%s ... The thir( "lass is of those thi$%s+ 3hi"h are belie8e( first a$( )$(erstoo( after3ar(s. :f s)"h 9i$( as this are the as#e"ts of (i8i$e thi$%s+ 3hi"h "a$$ot be )$(erstoo( e@"e#t by those 3ho are #)re i$ heart. St. A)%)sti$e+ (ighty>*hree $iverse ?uestions
&'!*
,. .. 3 M9. '7&-* Ga(ara
;5ee also Mt. @*-@-/4L &k. @*-3-/9= Gerasa i$
6EM:N-P:SSESSE6 GE;ASENE The$ they "a1e to the other si(e of the sea+ to the re%io$ of the Gerase$es. * As soo$ as He %ot o)t of the boat+ a 1a$ 3ith a$ )$"lea$ s#irit "a1e o)t of the to1bs a$( 1et Hi1. 3 He
&
1591. Mt. 3*/8L @*-3L 14*/1L 13*@L &k. 1-*-@. 1592. 1homas, The -olden Treasury of 4atristic <uotations9 #rom H2 8 EH2 A.). 93.
1102 li8e( i$ the to1bs. No o$e 3as able to restrai$ hi1 a$y1ore Q e8e$ 3ith "hai$s Q / be"a)se he ofte$ ha( bee$ bo)$( 3ith sha"9les a$( "hai$s+ b)t ha( s$a##e( off the "hai$s a$( s1ashe( the sha"9les. No o$e 3as stro$% e$o)%h to s)b()e hi1. ' A$( al3ays+ $i%ht a$( (ay+ he 3as "ryi$% o)t a1o$% the to1bs a$( i$ the 1o)$tai$s a$( ")tti$% hi1self 3ith sto$es. 0he$ he sa3 Jes)s fro1 a (ista$"e+ he ra$ a$( 9$elt (o3$ before Hi1. < A$( he "rie( o)t 3ith a lo)( 8oi"e+ 20hat (o Eo) ha8e to (o 3ith 1e+ Jes)s+ So$ of the Most Hi%h Go(> I be% Eo) before Go(+ (o$?t tor1e$t 1eK5 , For He ha( tol( hi1+ 2Co1e o)t of the 1a$+ yo) )$"lea$ s#iritK5
. !
20hat is yo)r $a1e>5 He as9e( hi1.
2My $a1e is Le%io$+5 he a$s3ere( Hi1+ 2be"a)se 3e are 1a$y.5& A$( he 9e#t be%%i$% Hi1 $ot to se$( the1 o)t of the re%io$. No3 a lar%e her( of #i%s 3as there+ fee(i$% o$ the hillsi(e. &* The (e1o$s be%%e( Hi1+ 2Se$( )s to the #i%s+ so 3e 1ay e$ter the1.5 &3 A$( He %a8e the1 #er1issio$. The$ the )$"lea$ s#irits "a1e o)t a$( e$tere( the #i%s+ a$( the her( of abo)t *+ r)she( (o3$ the stee# ba$9 i$to the sea a$( (ro3$e( there. &/ The 1e$ 3ho te$(e( the1 ra$ off a$( re#orte( it i$ the to3$ a$( the "o)$trysi(e+ a$( #eo#le 3e$t to see 3hat ha( ha##e$e(. &' They "a1e to Jes)s a$( sa3 the 1a$ 3ho ha( bee$ (e1o$-#ossesse( by the le%io$+ sitti$% there+ (resse( a$( i$ his ri%ht 1i$(4 a$( they 3ere afrai(. &. The eye3it$esses (es"ribe( to the1 3hat ha( ha##e$e( to the (e1o$-#ossesse( 1a$ a$( tol( abo)t the #i%s. &< The$ they be%a$ to be% Hi1 to lea8e their re%io$.
&&
As He 3as %etti$% i$to the boat+ the 1a$ 3ho ha( bee$ (e1o$-#ossesse( 9e#t be%%i$% Hi1 to be 3ith Hi1. &! A)t He 3o)l( $ot let hi14 i$stea(+ He tol( hi1+ 2Go ba"9 ho1e to yo)r o3$ #eo#le+ a$( re#ort to the1 ho3 1)"h the Lor( has (o$e for yo) a$( ho3 He has ha( 1er"y o$ yo).5 * So he 3e$t o)t
&,
1103 a$( be%a$ to #ro"lai1 i$ the 6e"a#olis ho3 1)"h Jes)s ha( (o$e for hi1+ a$( they 3ere all a1aGe(. ,esus an" His "isci$les saile" across the 5ea of Galilee to the eastern si"e. 1here, efore them, were the rocky ca9ern-tom s of the Wa"i 5emakh. As was so often "one until recent times, since the ca9erns are cool in the o$$ressi9e summer heat an" warm in the col" winter, they are use" as homes or for the ack room of homes. A 9isitor to this re#ion in the 1@98s re$orte" that as many as two hun"re" Ara s li9e" in ca9es an" former tom s alon# this wa"i ;a "ry seasonal ri9er e"=. 5maller ca9es were use" as tom s, ut lar#er su terranean "wellin# $laces coul" accommo"ate twenty to thirty $eo$le. Many of these earthly ca9erns, which were ori#inally smaller ca9es an" tom s, were enlar#e" since the soft limestone was easy to remo9e. 129/ 1he fact that a "eran#e" man li9e" in a ca9ern was not unusualL ut that he chose to li9e in a ca9ern that was use" as a tom , was unusual. 1hose who atten"e" to the hear" of $i#s were $ro a ly also ca9ern "wellers, althou#h the "escri$tion of these "emon-$ossesse" in"i9i"ual woul" in"icate he "i" not a$$reciate close nei#h ors. (re9ious attem$ts to in" or control him ha" faile". 'learly his eha9ior su##ests that his su$er-human stren#th was of a "emonic source. 5u""enly a oatloa" of 9isitors arri9e" on the shore an" the fri#htful, nake", an" homici"al maniac came forth to #reet them. A secon" "emoniac also arri9e", ut a$$arently staye" some "istance away an" $laye" no $art in the narrati9e. 1he first "emoniac imme"iately reco#ni>e" ,esus an" came to Him. 1o fully un"erstan" an" a$$reciate the narrati9e, a rief historical ack#roun" is nee"e". 1he resi"ents of Ger#esa were, for the most $art, em$loye" in su$$lyin# the 0oman 18th &e#ion with "aily su$$lies of foo" an" other necessities. 5ince $ork was the $rimary meat sta$le of the 0omans, raisin# a hu#e her" of two thousan" swine is un"erstan"a le. 5ome scholars elie9e that $i#s were raise" in the city $ro$er an" the her" ran the "istance of si% to ei#ht miles to ten miles into the 5ea of Galilee. 1here are 1593. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3-9L Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.
1*2/.
1104 se9eral reasons for this not to near the sea itself. e the case. 0ather, the $i#s were raise"
1. (i#s "o not ha9e sweat #lan"s, so they must always e near water or mu" to cool themsel9es. 1his is es$ecially true in the Galilee area where the summers are rather hot, an" without $ro$er coolin#, they "ie Auickly. -. While wil" $i#s, known as oars, are e%tremely 9icious an" ha9e a #reat ca$acity to run, "omesticate" ones ha9e limite" $hysical en"urance. 1herefore, they coul" not ha9e run the hu#e "istance from the city to the sea. /. (i#s $ro"uce $un#ent o"ors. 1wo thousan" of them, e9en in an o$en s$ace, woul" $ro"uce an un eara le fra#rance that e9en the ancients coul" not tolerate. 1hey woul" not e welcome" #uests in any community. Jet $i#s were a $rimary meat sta$le throu#hout history in other non-,ewish cultures as well. 1hey were a Auick su$$ly of meat, as the time reAuire" from irth to slau#hter is only a out si% or se9en months. !ronically, the 18 th &e#ion ha" the ima#e of a wil" oar on its military stan"ar". 1he effi#y "i" not re$resent their fa9orite "elicacy, ut the 9iciousness, s$ee", an" tenacity that a wil" oar e%hi ite" when fi#htin#. !n a""ition to su$$lyin# meat, the city resi"ents also su$$lie" wheat for rea" an" arley for horses. &ocal craftsmen uilt an" re$aire" necessary military su$$lies that not only ser9e" the re#iments in the imme"iate area, ut were also shi$$e" to )amascus an" other 0oman 18 th &e#ion $osts. 5u$$lies were shi$$e" y camel cara9ans to $oints north, east, an" west. +or west- oun" su$$lies, Ger#esa ha" the lar#est artificial $ort alon# the 5ea of Galilee. 5u$$lies were loa"e" on frei#ht shi$s that saile" to the western shore from which cara9ans transferre" the car#o to the Me"iterranean 5ea for o9erseas "estinations. As to the i lical $assa#e, ,esus encountere" an outcast who li9e" in the tom s. He cast out "emons ecause e9il s$irits are real, not always the result of su$erstitions. &uke recor"e" that the se9en sons of 5ce9a use" the name of ,esus as if it were a ma#ical formula for e%orcism ;Acts 19*1/-13=
1105 an" they ha" no "esire" results. 1he Greeks sacrifice" $i#s to a$$ease the #o"s, ut ,esus not only "emonstrate" that He is the only atonement for sin, ut that He ha" com$lete authority an" $ower o9er e9ery "emonic s$irit.
,. .. 3A. HILL :F THE S0INE. 1his is one of two stee$ hillsi"es alon# the eastern shore of the 5ea of Galilee where this miracle coul" ha9e taken $lace. 1he area was inha ite" y Greeks, who raise" sacrificial $i#s for the worshi$ of Keus in the near y city of Ga"ara. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1he location of the miracle is "e ate" amon# scholars, as there are two $ossi le locations. 1. 5ome elie9e the miracle took $lace alon# the eastern shore of the 5ea of Galilee at a $lace known to"ay as Dursi. Nueen Helena, who, in the early fourth century, uilt a .y>antine cha$el near y, $reser9e" the site. Howe9er, the site was a an"one" after a "e9astatin# earthAuake in 743/747, an" was for#otten until acci"entally "isco9ere" an" i"entifie" in 1978. 1294 !t is a short "istance from a stee$ hillsi"e, the only one in this $art of the lake, that fits the "escri$tion of where the $i#s coul" ha9e rushe" "own into the water
1594. 1>aferis, BA (il#rima#e to the 5ite of the 5wine Miracle.C 47.
1106 ;@*/-=. Howe9er, there is no har or at this location, an" the shoreline is too rocky to lan" a oat without causin# "ama#e to it. -. 1he secon" $ossi le site of the miracle is the har or of Ga"ara. Har ors are #enerally $art of a 9illa#e or city with consi"era le commercial acti9ity. Howe9er, at this har or, to "ate archaeolo#ist ha9e not unco9ere" any e9i"ence of human occu$ation an" Ga"ara is a out si% miles to the southeast ;in mo"ern ,or"an=. !ronically, of the fifteen har ors alon# the $erimeter of the 5ea of Galilee, the Ga"ara har or is the lar#est 7 some -88 meters ;388 feetM= lon#.
Ga"ara was an im$ortant )eca$olis city 1292 y the time of ,esus as it was a maEor su$$lier of #oo"s to the 1enth 0oman &e#ion. !t<s har or alon# the 5ea of Galilee was not only the lar#est on the lake, ut coul" accommo"ate the 9ariety of shi$s, es$ecially the lar#er #rain shi$s ;see ,. .. *A=. 'oins ha9e een foun" with the wor" B:aumachiaC featurin# mock na9al attles in their fishin# har or. 1293 ? 9iously this was not an or"inary 9illa#e. !t was one of the many B ack onesC for the 1enth &e#ion ; ,egio )ecima= su -units of the 0oman army, as most of its citi>ens were em$loye" to $ro"uce su$$lies. 5cholars elie9e that many sections of the town were constructe" y 0oman sol"iers, who uilt roa"s an" $u lic uil"in#s when not en#a#e" in attle. 1he Greek $oet Melea#er was orn in Ga"ara an" sai" the city was known as the 5yrian Athens ecause of its many tem$les an" shrines. 'learly then, y e9en Greek confession, the city was stee$e" in $a#an $ractices.1297 A similar comment was ma"e y ,ose$hus, who sai" Ga"ara was a Greek city. 129@ Ga"ara was a famous fortifie" city that some ancients sai" was as Hellenistic as Athens. !t was the ca$ital of (erea an" minte" its own currency. Ale%an"er ,annaeus lai" sie#e a#ainst it for ten months, finally
1595. (liny, Natural +istory 2.74L ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.11.4.
1596. +ran>, BAncient Har ors of the 5ea of Galilee.C /2-/3. 1597. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 4-.
1598. ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 17.-.4.
1107 "estroyin# it.1299 !t was re uilt y General (om$ey. !t elon#e" the Din#"om of Hero" the Great, ut u$on his "eath the 0oman senate ma"e it $art of 5yria. 1388
To be obtai$e(
,. .. 3A. Ga(ara C:IN 3ith 3or( Na)1a"hia. Ga"ara ha" the lar#est har or on the eastern si"e of the 5ea of Galilee, an" it was use" at times for mock na9al attles which entertaine" the crow"s.
,. .. 3C. FILLAGE ;UINS :F GA6A;A . 1he mo"ern 9illa#e of Umm Nuas was known in the "ays of ,esus as Ga"ara, home of the $i# her"ers. 4%ca9ations unco9ere" a thir" century church which commemorate" the miracle of "eli9erance of the "emoniac. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1599. +or more "etails, rea" ,ose$hus, Anti3uities" 1/.1/./ throu#h 14.2.4. 1600. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3-@--9.
1108
,. .. 36. A M:SAIC FL::; IN THE ;UINS :F A 6ECAP:LIS CHU;CH. A mosaic foun" in a .y>antine church in ,erash. !t is one of 12 churches unco9ere" after e%tensi9e archaeolo#ical e%ca9ation. Accor"in# to tra"ition, the "emoniac foun"e" a church in one of the )eca$olis cities, althou#h there is no e9i"ence to su$$ort that tra"ition. 1he city of Gerasa in Mark 2*1-18 is known to"ay as ,erash, in mo"ern ,or"an.
,. .. 3.J& 0as Gerasa really the ho1e of the #i% far1ers> 'ritics ha9e sai" that since Gerasa more than ten miles from the miracle site, the i lical account cannot e seriously consi"ere" as true ecause "omesticate" $i#s cannot tra9el that far. +urthermore, since $i#s "o not ha9e sweat #lan"s, nee" a cool en9ironment, $refera ly wet or mu""y, to re#ulate o"y tem$erature. ?therwise, in this re#ion they woul" "ie Auickly in the summer heat. 1heir reasons are correct. Howe9er, it was the $i# owners who li9e" in Gerasa, not the $i#s. )ue to the incre"i ly un$leasant fra#rance swine $ro"uce, es$ecially two thousan" of them, they were maintaine" far outsi"e an" "ownwin" of 9illa#es. 1heir nee" for water to in a semi-ari" climate meant they were close to the 5ea of Galilee or to one of the small streams that flows into it. 1herefore, the i lical narrati9e stan"s.
1109 At this $oint, it is im$ortant to recall the ori#ins of the ten cities of the )eca$olis. 5ome fourteen centuries earlier when ,oshua entere" the lan", he "ro9e out the se9en $a#an tri es of the 'anaanites, Hittites, Hi9ites, (eri>>ites, Gir#ashites, Amorites, an" ,e usites ;,os. /*18=. !saiah referre" to the 'anaanites when they sacrifice" $i#s on mountainto$ altars ;32*4-@= an" their "escen"ants at the time of ,esus continue" the $ractice. 1hey were not the only ones who consi"ere" $i#s to e sacrificial animals, as the 0omans "i" likewise. !n fact, the em lem of one of the 0oman le#ions, the )ecima #retensis, was the $i#. 1381 (i#s were in im$ortant source of foo" an" si#nificant in reli#ious worshi$. 1herefore, it is not sur$risin# that the "escen"ants of the ancient 'anaanites, now a sor e" into the Greek culture, elie9e" that $i#s nee"e" to e sacrifice" to their #o"s. 1he followin# is from an inscri$tion written y 4$i"aurus in the late 4 th century A.)., ut reflects the elief of the !nter-1estamental (erio". 0eli#ions an" social 9alues such as these chan#e" little in the course of time. The ")re affe"te( by A#ollo a$( As"le#i)s. A1brosia of Athe$s 3as bli$( i$ o$e eye. She "a1e 3ith s)##li"atio$s to the %o( a$( as she 3al9e( aro)$( the te1#le she s1ile( at the a""o)$ts of so1e of the ")res 3hi"h she fo)$( i$"re(ible a$( i1#ossible+ a""o)$ts 3hi"h relate( ho3 the la1e a$( bli$( ha( bee$ ")re( by a 8isio$ 3hi"h "a1e to the1 i$ a (rea1. She fell aslee# a$( ha( a 8isio$. BI$ the 8isio$C the %o( a##eare( before her+ telli$% her that she 3o)l( be ")re( a$( that she ha( to (e(i"ate i$ the sa$"t)ary a #i% 1a(e of sil8er as a to9e$ of her i%$ora$"e. Ha8i$% sai( this he Bthe %o(C &. * ")t o)t the ba( eye a$( i11erse( it i$ a 1e(i"i$e. She a3o9e at (a3$+ ")re(. I$s"ri#tio$s fro1 E#i(a)r)s
&. 3
1601. (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee. 4/. 1602. (arenthesis for clarification are mine. 1603. .orin#, .er#er, an" 'ol$e, e"s. +ellenistic 'ommentary to the New Testament. 32L
Giannelli, The World of 'lassical Athens. -11.
1110 When ,esus arri9e" on the eastern shores of the 5ea of Galilee, He was met with a "emon-$ossesse" man who was from one of the near y )eca$olis cities. When ,esus s$oke to him, he res$on"e" y in"icatin# he ha" a Ble#ionC of "emons. A le#ion was a military unit of 3,888 men. ,esus sin#lehan"e"ly "emonstrate" his $ower o9er a su$erior num er of "emonic forces with His s$oken wor". He ma"e no reference to any incarnations, a hi#her authority, or to Go". ,esus "emonstrate" not only his $ower o9er "emons ut also the reco#nition an" o e"ience of those "emons. 1hey knew their own "estinyL they woul" e torture" an" reEecte" fore9er. 1384 1his was no "ou t awesome to the "isci$lesZ
,. .. 3.J* 0hat is si%$ifi"a$t abo)t the (e1o$s e$teri$% the #i%s> (i#s were consi"ere" unclean animals y the ,ewish $eo$le from the "awn of history an" they ha9e a9oi"e" them. !n fact, when archaeolo#ists work at a 9illa#e "i# site to"ay an" no $i# ones are foun", that is an in"icator that the 9illa#e may ha9e een a ,ewish one, while in 0oman or Greek 9illa#es there is almost always a "isco9ery of $i# ones. !n a""ition to the ,ews consi"erin# the $i#s to e unclean an" unholy, the Greeks felt Eust the o$$osite. 1o them, as well as other ancient $eo$le #rou$s, $i#s were sacrificial animals. At this $oint in the i lical narrati9e, the e9il s$irits entere" the $i#s, which was another "emonstration of the #reatness of ,esus an" the failure of the $a#an #o"s. 1he $i#s, which were most unha$$y an" misera le with "emons in them, ran "own the em ankment an" into the 5ea of Galilee where they "rowne" y suici"e. !ronically, the Greeks elie9e" that the A yss was at the ottom of the 5ea ;cf 0e9. 9*1L 11*7= an" that was where the "emons li9e". 1o the Greeks, ,esus not only "emonstrate" that His $ower was su$erior to their #o"s, ut He also sent the e9il s$irits ack to their Bhome,C an" in the $rocess kille" a her" of their sacrificial animals. ,ust as Go" "emonstrate" His $ower a#ainst the 4#y$tian #o"s throu#h Moses an" Aaron, so likewise ,esus "emonstrate" His $ower a#ainst the Greek 1604. ,u"e 3L 0e9. -8*18L cf. 1 4noch 13*1L ,u . 18*@-9L 1estament of &e9i 1@*1-L 1N5 /*-4-2L 4*1@--8.
1111 #o"s. &ittle won"er that the Greeks aske" Him to lea9e. 1he 4#y$tians "i" the same to Moses. Howe9er, Go"<s #race "i" not en" there.
,. .. 3E. A ;ELIEF :F SAC;IFICIAL ANIMALS+ INCLU6ING A PIG. A ceremony in 0ome known as the su etaurilia" is the sacrifice of a ull, ram an" a $i# to the #o" Mars. While this relief is elie9e" to ha9e ori#inate" from the era of 4m$eror )omitian ;rei#ne" A.). @193=, the cultic $ractice was alrea"y well esta lishe" for centuries. When the man free" of "emons aske" ,esus if he coul" Eourney with Him, the reAuest was "enie". 0ather, ,esus tol" him to return to his home an" tell others of what ha" ha$$ene" to him. He "i" so an" e9i"ently $re$are" the way for ,esus< 9isit later ;Mk. 7*/1=. .y the secon" century the city of Gerasa was home to se9eral churches, an" y the fourth century, it was the seat of one of the most im$ortant isho$s in the early church. ?ne ne9er can un"erestimate the $ower of Go" to transform a life an" make it si#nificant for future #enerations. 1382 'hristianity s$rea" Auickly an" the isho$ from the near y city of Hi$$os was $resent at the first 'hurch 'ouncils of :icea an" 'onstantino$le. 1his is in"icati9e of how Auickly 'hristianity took root in the Greek cities. 1383 1o un"erscore this, when this 1605. Draelin#, -erasa9 'ity of the )ecapolis. -23, /11-1/. 1606. (i%ner, With &esus Through -alilee. 43.
1112 writer 9isite" the ruins of Umm Nas in the summer of -888, archaeolo#ists ha" Eust unco9ere" the ruins of a .y>antine church that commemorate" the e9ent. 1he tra"ition of its location is secure to the thir" or fourth century, an" is most certainly accurate.
,. .. 3F. ;UINS :F THE :;IGINAL IU;SI MEM:;IAL . A trail #oes u$ a stee$ hillsi"e to the ruins of a 4 th century memorial that commemorate" the miracle of the "emoniac a out fi9e miles from Umm Nas. Dursi is the site of the i lical Ger#esa. 5cholars elie9e it was "estroye" y an earthAuake. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
1113
,. .. 3G. THE ;UINS :F THE . TH CENTU;E AELANTINE M:NAST;E AT IU;SI BANCIENT GE;GESAC. 1he author stan"s in a 3th century church a"Eacent to the $re9ious memorial ;a o9e= that commemorates the miracle of the "emoniac. As with the ori#inal memorial, it too was "estroye" y an earthAuake. (hoto#ra$h y (ai9i Heinrich. 1he #os$el ha" taken root so well in this community that in the first centuries of the early church, whene9er there was a church council or #atherin# to "iscuss "octrine, $olicy, or other church usiness, there was always a re$resentati9e from Gerasa. 1his is "ynamic e9i"ence a#ain that Go" "esires to use e9ery willin# $erson, e9en one who was $ossesse" y "emons, to s$rea" His #oo" news, re#ar"less of $ast e9ents.
,. .. 3.J3 0hy BGa(are$esC>
are
there
$a1e
8ariatio$s
for
this
re%io$
1he area south-east of the 5ea Ga"ara, an" Ger#esa. 1here has BGa"arenes.C 'ritics ha9e sai" it an" &uke that recor" the town
of Galilee has three communities* Gerasa, een much "iscussion concernin# the name "oes not a#ree with $arallel 9erses in Mark as Bthe re#ion of Gerasa.C 1here is no
1114 conflict, howe9er, as the latter was the ca$ital of the $olitical "istrict. 0e#ions were often calle" y the name of their ca$ital cities or y a maEor city. Ga"ara was the ca$ital city of the to$archy. 1387 1he re#ion was known y all three names. 138@ +urthermore, the name -ergesa is He rew while the other two names are Greek. 5o the #os$el writer writin# to the ,ewish $eo$le woul" use the name Ger#esa while those writin# to a Gentile au"ience woul" use the Gentile names. 1389
4ideo Insert
,. .. 3.F& Gor(o$ Fra$G of Asso"iates for Aibli"al ;esear"h (is")sses the i$teresti$% iss)es of Ga(ara+ i$"l)(i$% the "larifi"atio$ of $a1es+ the first e8a$%elist to the Ge$tiles i$ this re%io$+ a$( the Sea of Galilee?s lar%est harbor B.7'*C. Cli"9 here.
4ideo Insert
,. .. 3.F* Joel be$ Eosef of Iibb)tG Ei$ Ge8 (is")sses the )$i=)e 1ystery of the harbor of Ga(ara. I$tro()"tio$ by 6r. Aill Hei$ri"h B/7 *NC. Cli"9 here.
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 1607. 5herwin-White, Roman Society and Roman ,aw in the New Testament. 1-@.
1608. 5tern, &ewish New Testament 'ommentary. 98. 1609. ,. .. 3.F&.
1115 As state" $re9iously, $eo$le an" $laces often ha" two names. (lace names often chan#e" whene9er a new forei#n $ower or kin# rule" the re#ion. +or e%am$le, in the years followin# ,esus\ resurrection, Hero" A#ri$$a !! rename" the city 'aesarea (hili$$i to :eronias in honor of 4m$eror :ero. Howe9er, after :ero committe" suici"e, the name was Auickly chan#e" to (aneas, the ori#inal name $rior to 'aesarea (hili$$i. ?ther names of this city are .anias, .anyas, .aniyas, (aneas, (anias, (aneias, (aneion, an" (anium. 1herefore, confusion of the name of Ga"ara an" its re#ions aroun" it confirm that this i lical $assa#e is authentic to flui" chan#es of first century life in the Holy &an". 1318 2E8e$ 3ith "hai$s.5 1he encounter ,esus ha" with the "emoniac most certainly ha" a $rofoun" influence on the ,ewish $eo$le, as they reflecte" u$on the story of the ancient su$er-stron# man name" 5amson. He was chaine" chaine" to a (hilistine $illar until Go" restore" his stren#th an" he mo9e" the $illar causin# the tem$le to colla$se. :ow ,esus confronte" a man who a$$arently was ston#er than 5amson 7 as no chains coul" hol" him, an" ,esus free" him of "emonic $owers an" heale" him.
2C)tti$% hi1self 3ith sto$es.5 1he fact that the "emon $ossesse" man was cuttin# himself, su##est, that he was afflicte" y, what some call, Bsuici"al s$irits.C 5atan an" his "emons not only attem$t to thwart the $lan of Go", ut also seek to kill an" "estroy $eo$le ecause they were create" in Go"<s ima#e. &ittle won"er then, that the suici"al "emons entere" a hear" of $i#s who imme"iately committe" suici"e. 2I be% Eo) before Go(+ (o$?t tor1e$t 1eK5 1he "e9ilish s$irit s$oke out. 1his statement was not ma"e y the $ossesse" man, ut was ma"e y a "emon s$eakin# throu#h him. ,esus woul" not torture anyone, ut the "emons know that one "ay they will e thrown into an e9erlastin# lake of fire ;0e9. -8*18=. All 5cri$tures a#ree that Eu"#ment of the an#els is yet to come ;1 'or. 3*/=L they will e in chains an" "arkness until their final Eu"#ment "ay ;,u"e 3=.
1610. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3-@-/8.
1116 20hat is yo)r $a1e>5 1he Auestion is one of authority an" not a reAuest for information. ,esus always took imme"iate comman" of a situation an" the "emons o eye". !t seems ironic that the res$onse to the Auestion was B&e#ion.C 1he man "i" not #i9e the name his $arents #a9e him, ut rather, he i"entifie" himself with the "emons. Ga"ara was the home for the the famous ,egio K #retensis" etter known as the 1enth 0oman &e#ion. 1311 )i" the "emons ha9e a s$iritual connection with the $a#an 0oman sol"iers statione" at Ga"araF 49ery 0oman military unit tra9ele" with its $a#an $riests who $raye" an" offere" sacrifices on ehalf of the troo$s. 131- 'learly there a$$ears to ha9e een a s$iritual connection to not only the &e#ion, ut also to the area of Ga"ara. 2A$( he 9e#t be%%i$% Hi1 $ot to se$( the1 o)t of the re%io$.5 Why woul" the "emons e# ,esus not to sen" them out of the areaF Accor"in# to ,ewish tra"ition, some e9il s$irits were assi#ne" to 9arious re#ions. Hence, they ha9e ecome known as Bterritorial "emons.C 131/ 2The 1a$ 3ho ha( bee$ (e1o$-#ossesse(.5 1hose who are "emon$ossesse" often lose their a ility to se$arate their own consciousness an" i"eas from that of "emonic influence. 1he $erson<s i"entity is len"e" into that of a "emon an" the "emon has some control of the in"i9i"ual<s min" an" o"y.1314 !n se9ere cases, the "emon has com$lete control. ,esus always s$oke of "emoniacs, not as $ersons with mental "isor"ers, ut as those who ha" alien s$irits. ,esus a""resses the e9il s$irit as "istinct from the man ;"emoniac=, when He comman"e" the s$irit to come out of him. 1he elief in "emons was so common, alon# with the num er of $eo$le who claime" to e e%corists, that y the year /48 the church esta lishe" the ?r"er of 4%orcists, to $ro$erly control those who claime" to ha9e the $ower of $erformin# such acts.1312 1o this "ay the 0oman 'atholic 'hurch as well 1611. 1here were four le#ions statione" in the $ro9ince of 5yria.
consi"ere" $art of 5yria, it ha" a num er of military units 0oman 4%amination an" 'rucifi%ion of ,esus.C 7-2. While ,u"aea was ut no le#ions. We , B1he
1612. (a#an $riests $rayin# an" offerin# sacrifices on ehalf of 0oman sol"iers is $ortraye" 9ery well in the mo9ie Masada" starrin# (eter ?<1ool. 1613 1rench, Notes on the Miracles of :ur ,ord. 1//.
1614. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 419.
1615. .arclay, BMark.C 38.
1117 as many other "enominations ha9e traine" in"i9i"uals who $erform e%orcisms.1313 2;e#ort to the1 ho3 1)"h the Lor( has (o$e for yo).5 1his instruction is in shar$ contrast to the $re9ious comman" of silence ,esus #a9e to the ,ews whom He heale" ;i.e. Mk. 1*48-42L 2*4/=. A "ifference etween the Greeks an" ,ews was that the Greeks "i" not ha9e any $ro lems li9in# in a "eca"ent culture an" elie9in# in a Messiah who coul" "eli9er themL the e%orcism "i" not challen#e their reli#ious tra"itions. 0hat ha##e$e( to the for1er (e1o$ia"> History has for#otten as to what ha$$ene" to him $ersonally, ut e9i"ently he ecame a si#nificant fi#ure in the )eca$olis re#ion. &ater, when ,esus returne" to the eastern si"e of the 5ea of Galilee, He fe" thousan"s y a miracle of rea" an" fish an" ha" se9en lar#e askets fille" with lefto9ers. A hun"re" years later a si#nificant church was esta lishe" in Ga"ara that "e9elo$e" into a isho$ric. .t /-2, the church of Ga"ara sent a isho$ to the hi#hly esteeme" 'ouncil of :icea.1317 1he "emoniac must ha9e ecome an im$ortant an" outstan"in# a$ostle an" e9an#elist. ,. .. 3.J/ 0ere there o$e or t3o (e1o$ia"s> ?ne of the challen#es scholars ha9e ha", has een to reconcile the "ifferences of these $assa#es. 'ritics ha9e sai" these narrati9es were create" in the secon" or thir" centuries y church lea"ers. !f what the critics say is true, then the $hantom church writers ma"e hu#e errors ecause anyone fa ricatin# an e9ent woul" not "eli erately write a narrati9e with $ro lems. Why, then, "i" the #os$el writers recor" the o 9ious "ifferencesF 4ach #os$el writer wrote from his $ers$ecti9e. Matthew state" that the e9ent took $lace in the re#ion of Ga"arenes ;9. -@=, which was one of the ten ta%ation "istricts of the )eca$olis. 5ince Matthew was a former ta% collector, it woul" ha9e een natural for him to refer to a re#ion of the le#al ta% "istrict. More s$ecifically, the ancient 9illa#e known as Ga"ara is now calle" Umm Nas. !t is a out fi9e miles southeast of the 5ea of Galilee in the "istrict of Gerasa. 5ince Matthew @*/4 states that the whole town came to $lea" with ,esus to lea9e, it can safely e assume" they came from this city.
1616. htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/4%orcist. Au#ust 18, -81/. 1617. 'o%, BGa"ara, Ga"arenes.C -*/72-73.
1118 Matthew refers to two "emoniacs as ein# heale" while Mark an" &uke state only one was heale". 'ritics ha9e state" that this reflects Matthew<s e%a##eration of the story to make a theolo#ical statement. +urthermore, they state that the $oint of the #os$els is not to #i9e a chronolo#ical account of the life of 'hrist, ut to construct an inter$retati9e $ortrait of a man with a reli#ious a#en"a. 1hey assume that the scri e writin# the $ortrait was ne9er intereste" in factual historical e9ents, ut only in the messa#e of the in"i9i"ual who is $ortraye". !n the narrati9e, when ,esus came close to the "emoniacs, they $lace" themsel9es on the #roun" efore Him, in"icatin# they reco#ni>e" who He was an" willin#ly su mitte" themsel9es to Him. )emons will always reco#ni>e the authority of ,esus an" the fact that He is their Eu"#e. 1he $recise reason why Mark an" &uke recor"e" only one in"i9i"ual may ne9er e known. We can only conclu"e that Matthew re$orte" that there were two, an" the fact that the other writers re$orte" only one "oes not mean that a secon" in"i9i"ual was not $resent. Mark an" &uke oth note" that after the man was heale", he was "resse", in his ri#ht min", an" listenin# to ,esus. 5u##estions for the "ifferences etween Matthew an" the two other accounts are as follows* 1. Mark recor"e" that one "emoniac met ,esus as He #ot out of the oat. 1he entire "iscourse a$$ears to ha9e een etween ,esus an" this sin#le "emon-$ossesse" man. !f a secon" "emoniac staye" in the ack#roun", it woul" e normal for Mark an" &uke to refer only to the one ,esus encountere". 131@ -. ?ne "emoniac was more nota le to the community than the other /. 5ince only one a$$ears to ha9e een set free of his e9il hosts, the secon" "emoniac may ha9e retreate" into a tom , or at least, "i" not offer himself to e set free. Hence, his account "i" not ecome $art of the i lical recor". :otice that one of the two "emoniacs was 9ery 9ocal an" ma"e some $rofoun" statements. Mark an" &uke sai" that the "emon-$ossesse" man 1618. Archer, 5ncyclopedia of Biblical )ifficulties. !25.
1119 reco#ni>e" ,esus y callin# Him B5on of the Most Hi#h Go",C an" when ,esus took control of the con9ersation y askin# him his name, he answere", B&e#ion.C 1he focus of the i lical narrati9e is not on the num er of in"i9i"uals who were heale", ut on how ,esus took comman" of the most serious situation. 1he "emons o eye" Him. Matthew was a (harisee an" certainly knew the Mosaic &aw. He Auote" )euteronomy 19*12 ;Mt. 1@*13= to say that all matters are to e settle" with two or three witnesses ;)eut. 17*3=. 5ince he was conscious of the function of the law, he ma"e certain that his rea"ers un"erstoo" that there were two men who were heale" an" were witnesses of the "i9ine $ower of ,esus. Mark an" &uke a$$ear not to ha9e an eAual concern to reflect this law. A$$arently, they felt that ecause of the "i9ine maEesty of 'hrist, they "i" not ha9e to un"erscore the e9ent with a recor" of a secon" witness. !t is im$ortant to remem er that the ancient min"-set was "ifferent from western thou#ht an" lo#ic. 5ome elements of an e9ent that are consi"ere" critical to"ay were consi"ere" unim$ortant in the first century. 1he $ers$ecti9e from which Mark an" &uke wrote their accounts is actually rather easy to un"erstan". 1he author recalls a class of 0ussian stu"ents in !srael in which two women were not only 9ery 9ocal ut also 9ery intelli#ent an" knowle"#ea le of 5cri$ture. U$on reflection of the class of ei#ht or ten stu"ents, he can only remem er these two women ecause they ma"e a lastin# im$ression. &ikewise, clearly one of these two "emoniacs ma"e a lastin# im$ression on Mark an" &uke.
,. .. 3M
Ma# of Ga(ara to be obtai$e(
,. .. 3.J' If Jes)s ")rse( Ca#er$a)1+ ChoriGi1+ a$( Aethsai(a+ 3hy (i($?t He ")rse Ga(ara> When consi"erin# that the three 9illa#es of the Be9an#elical trian#le,C were curse" y ,esus for their reEection of Him, the Auestion arises as to why ,esus "i"n<t "o likewise to the Greek city of Ga"ara. 49i"ently it a$$ears that He may ha9e "one so, althou#h it is not recor"e" in 5cri$ture or any other te%ts. 1his is es$ecially si#nificant when the communities are in contrast*
1120 the ,ewish $eo$le $olitely reEecte" ,esus while the Greeks of Ga"ara literally shoute" at Him to lea9e. History recor"s that not only "i" Ga"ara fall to the 0omans, ut it was the first Greek city to fall. ,ose$hus recor"e" that when the +irst 0e9olt starte" ;37 A.).=, all its youth were kille" an" other resi"ents were sol" in the markets. He wrote* So Fes#asia$ 1ar"he( to the "ity Ga(ara a$( too9 it )#o$ the first o$set+ be"a)se he fo)$( it (estit)te of a$y "o$si(erable $)1ber of 1e$ %ro3$ )# a$( fit for 3ar. He "a1e the$ i$to it a$( sle3 all the yo)th+ the ;o1a$s ha8i$% $o 1er"y o$ a$y a%e 3hatsoe8er4 a$( this 3as (o$e o)t of hatre( they bore the $atio$ ... He also set fire+ $ot o$ly to the "ity itself+ b)t to all the 8illas a$( s1all "ities that 3ere ro)$( abo)t it4 so1e of the1 3ere =)ite (estit)te of i$habita$ts a$( o)t of so1e of the1 he "arrie( the i$habita$ts as s i$to "a#ti8ity. Jose#h)s+ %ar 3.<.& Bsee also /.<.3C A$$arently ,esus "i" curse the city an" the "estruction came efore it came to 'a$ernaum, 'hori>im, an" .ethsai"a. 1he Ga"ara resi"ents were witnesses to the #reat an" mi#hty miracles an" most certainly were aware of His ministry only a short "istance across the lake. ,esus #rante" them a$$ro%imately forty years to re$ent, ut e9i"ently they chose not to an" their city was "estroye". 1he sur9i9ors of the 0oman massacre who esca$e" the carna#e re uilt Ga"ara, ut it was "estroye" a#ain in 743/747 y an earthAuake. !t was ne9er re uilt althou#h with the mi#ration of Ara s, a new 9illa#e was esta lishe" near y. ,esus "emonstrate" His com$assion for those who were "emonically $ossesse". .ut rather than acce$tin# Him, they were fearful. !n fact, they were more fearful of ,esus then of the "emoniac efore he was heale", not to mention their concern for their lost $i#s. 5ome scholars, es$ecially those with an interest in i lical $ro$hecy, ha9e note" that the site of the miracles is a"Eacent to what may some"ay e calle" a Halley of ,u"#ment, also known as the Halley of Hammon Go#. 4>ekiel $ro$hesie" ;/9*11= that an a$ocaly$tic attle of the armies of Go# an" Ma#o# will one "ay fi#ht !srael an" the in9a"ers will e urie" in a 9alley east of the 5ea of Galilee. 1he Halley of Hammon Go# ;Hamon-#o#=,
1121 also known to"ay as the Wa"i 5emakh, est fits the #eo#ra$hical "escri$tion an" it is at the western e"#e of this wa"i that these miracles occurre". 1he $ro$hecy is No3 o$ that (ay I 3ill %i8e Go% a b)rial #la"e there i$ IsraelQ the Falley of the Tra8elers east of the Sea. It 3ill blo"9 those 3ho tra8el thro)%h+ for Go% a$( all his hor(es 3ill be b)rie( there. So it 3ill be "alle( the Falley of Ha1o$-%o%.
&&
EGe9iel 3!7&& ,esus returne" to His home in 'a$ernaum, sa""ene", ut not in an#er. 1heir reEection was strikin#ly similar to that of the (harisees. .ut now there was one soul sa9e" an" heale" who was #oin# throu#h 9arious )eca$olis cities $roclaimin# the ra"ical chan#e ,esus $erforme" in His life. History woul" re9eal the fruitfulness of his work. ,. .. / M9. '7*&-*/a ;5ee also Mt. 9*1@-19L &k. @*48-4-= Ca#er$a)1 JAI;US AEGS JESUS T: HEAL 0he$ Jes)s ha( "rosse( o8er a%ai$ by boat to the other si(e+ a lar%e "ro3( %athere( aro)$( Hi1 3hile He 3as by the sea. ** :$e of the sy$a%o%)e lea(ers+ $a1e( Jair)s+ "a1e+ a$( 3he$ he sa3 Jes)s+ he fell at His feet *3 a$( 9e#t be%%i$% Hi1+ 2My little (a)%hter is at (eath?s (oor. Co1e a$( lay Eo)r ha$(s o$ her so she "a$ %et 3ell a$( li8e.5 */a So Jes)s 3e$t 3ith hi1.
*&
1he miracle of ,airus< "au#hter in 'a$ernaum was the first raisin# of the "ea". When ,esus arri9e", He was met y ,airus, the a"ministrator ;'ha==an= of the local syna#o#ue. 1619 As the syna#o#ue ruler or $resi"ent he maintaine" the facility an" controlle" the reli#ious ser9ices. 13-8 Most likely he was a low-le9el (harisee. (re9iously, it was his res$onsi ility to re$resent the 0oman centurion to ,esus when the centurion<s ser9ant was sick. Most certainly, they were #oo" frien"s since the centurion was a Gentile of fine
1619. .arclay, BMark.C /8-/1. 1620. His res$onsi ilities as $resi"ent of the syna#o#ue are liste" at *. 3.&&.
1122 character an" $ersonally $ai" for the construction of the syna#o#ue. 1herefore, he was $ro a ly well acAuainte" with the healin# ministry of ,esus, an", since he was not un"er the control of the ,erusalem 5anhe"rin, he ha" consi"era ly more free"oms than "i" some of his counter$arts. He most certainly ha" seen ,esus cast a "emon out of someone who was 9isitin# the syna#o#ue $re9iously, an" secon"ly, he in9ite" ,esus in s$ite of $otential o Eections from other ra is. Howe9er, in li#ht of the #ra9e situation of his "au#hter, he most likely woul" ha9e come to ,esus in s$ite of any o Eections. 1hen, while in $ursuit of a miracle, a woman who also nee"e" healin# interru$te" the occasion. +or an unknown reason, the #os$el writers interru$t the account of the ,airus< "au#hter with that of the woman who suffere" from the $ro9er ial Bissue of loo",C an" then return to account of the youn# #irl. ,. .. ' M9. '7*/b-3/ ;5ee also Mt. 9*-8---L &k. @*4/-4@= Ca#er$a)1 0:MAN T:UCHES GA;MENT So Jes)s 3e$t 3ith hi1+ a$( a lar%e "ro3( 3as follo3i$% a$( #ressi$% a%ai$st Hi1. *' A 3o1a$ s)fferi$% fro1 blee(i$% for &* years *. ha( e$()re( 1)"h )$(er 1a$y (o"tors. She ha( s#e$t e8erythi$% she ha( a$( 3as $ot hel#e( at all. :$ the "o$trary+ she be"a1e 3orse. *< Ha8i$% hear( abo)t Jes)s+ she "a1e behi$( Hi1 i$ the "ro3( a$( to)"he( His robe. *, For she sai(+ 2If I "a$ H)st to)"h His robes+ I?ll be 1a(e 3ellK5 *! I$sta$tly her flo3 of bloo( "ease(+ a$( she se$se( i$ her bo(y that she 3as ")re( of her affli"tio$.
*/b
At o$"e Jes)s realiGe( i$ Hi1self that #o3er ha( %o$e o)t fro1 Hi1. He t)r$e( aro)$( i$ the "ro3( a$( sai(+ 20ho to)"he( My robes>5
3
His (is"i#les sai( to Hi1+ 2Eo) see the "ro3( #ressi$% a%ai$st Eo)+ a$( Eo) say+ W0ho to)"he( Me>?5
3&
So He 3as loo9i$% aro)$( to see 3ho ha( (o$e this. 33 The$ the 3o1a$+ 9$o3i$% 3hat ha( ha##e$e( to her+ "a1e 3ith fear a$( tre1bli$%+ fell (o3$ before Hi1+ a$( tol( Hi1 the
3*
1123 3hole tr)th. 3/ 26a)%hter+5 He sai( to her+ 2yo)r faith has 1a(e yo) 3ell. Go i$ #ea"e a$( be free fro1 yo)r affli"tio$.5 ?ne 'hurch tra"ition re$orts that this woman was a Gentile y the name of &y"ia. Howe9er, this is im$ossi le since ,esus referre" to her as B"au#hter.C 1his title woul" ha9e een #i9en only to a ,ewish woman, an" her i"entity re9eals the social "ifficulties that she en"ure". As a ,ewish woman, she woul" ne9er ha9e een in $u lic with such a health $ro lem knowin# that she woul" make others "efile". 13-1 Her lee"in# an" rules of feminine mo"esty ren"ere" her untoucha le ;&e9. 12*19-/8= an", in essence, she was a social outcast. 5he ha" s$ent all her resources on "octors, an" Mark im$lies that she suffere" also from the reme"ies $rescri e" y her "octors. 0e#ar"less of her illness, she was "es$erate enou#h to $ut asi"e her reli#ious restrictions, risk $unishment from the local ra is, an" $ursue her healin#. !t is "ifficult to know if she suffere" more from the illness or the social sti#ma that resulte" from it. When she hear" of a healer name" ,esus, she elie9e" that if she coul" #et close enou#h sim$ly to touch His $rayer shawl, she woul" e heale". 13-2If I "a$ H)st to)"h His robes.5 1he term robes is not the most accurate translation, ut neither is the wor" hem as foun" in most .i les. 1he ori#inal Greek wor" is kraspeda or kraspedon" which in He rew is =i=ith" meanin# tassel of twisted wool.13-/ 1hese tassels an" their knots were a comman" of Go" throu#h Moses for all men to wear ;:um. 12*/7-41L )eut. --*1-= an" remin"e" them of the 31/ comman"ments Go" ha" #i9en them. 1he tra"ition of wearin# tassels is still o ser9e" amon# ortho"o% ,ews to"ay, who are Auick to cite :um. 12*/--41 for the asis of their elief. 4ach of the frin#es consiste" of ei#ht threa"s, of which one was woun" aroun" the othersL first se9en times with a "ou le knot, then ei#ht times with a "ou le knot, then ele9en times with a "ou le knot, an" finally thirteen time. 5ince He rew letters ha9e numeric 9alues, the num ers s$ell &eho ah :ne. 13-4 !t was &eho ah :ne that the woman touche". 5he not only touche" ,esus ut 1621. Mishnah, Shabbath 3.1 - 9.1. 1622. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. --/--4.
1623. Moseley, .eshua. -1L .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/43-47, -*-@3-@7.
1124 she also touche" ,u"aism, a most si#nificant $oint ; ecause sal9ation an" healin# comes from the ,ews=. 5he was instantly heale" an", y this miracle, ,airus was a le to see a#ain the $ower of faith in ,esus. 1he name was consi"ere" so sacre" that it was ne9er s$oken. 13-2 .ein# an ortho"o% ,ew, ,esus wore tassels that hun# from His elt as $rescri e" in the 1orah. ?ne "istincti9e feature of ,esus that is "ifficult for mo"ern stu"ents to acce$t is that ,esus "resse" an" acte" like an ortho"o% ra i. .ecause of this, some translations refer to the woman<s touchin# of the Bhem of his #arment.C 1assels of the $rayer shawl ;He , tallit= were the sacre" sym olic #arment worn y e ery a"ult male ,ew. 1assels were the lue an" white wool threa"s worn at each corner. 4ach tassel has fi9e knots, re$resentin# the 1orah. When the woman with the lee"in# "isease ;Mt. 9*-8L &k. @*44= touche" His clothin#, her $oint of contact was not only the tassels of His #arment, ut she also reache" across cultural ta oos in or"er to touch the ?ne who woul" rin# her sal9ation. A woman in her con"ition woul" ne9er ha9e "one anythin# like this, e%ce$t in her case, she was "es$erate. Jet ama>in#ly, it is easier for mo"ern stu"ents to un"erstan" the actions of the woman than it is to reali>e that ,esus li9e" an" functione" as a ,ewish ra i at the en" of the ?l" 1estament (erio".
1625. MaEor, Manson, an" Wri#ht, The Mission and Message of &esus . 7@.
1125
To be obtai$e( --
"o$te1#orary Je3ish %ar1e$t 3ith tassels
,. .. 'A. JE0ISH GA;MENT 0ITH TASSELS. ?rtho"o% men still wear the tassels as they ha9e for centuries. !t was these tassels that ,esus was wearin# which were touche" y the ill ,ewish woman. (hoto#ra$h y the author.
5ome messianic scholars ha9e su##este" that she touche" the corner or or"er of His $rayer shawl ;:um. 12*/@= is known as in He rew as the kanaph. 1his wor" has een translate" some se9enty-si% times as Bwin#sC in the ?l" 1estament. +or e%am$le, (salms 91*1-4 states we are to e hi""en Bun"er His win#sC is a $lay on wor"s that means to hi"e un"er a $rayer shawl. 1his woman of faith who was heale" y touchin# the tassels that were on His $rayer shawl an", therefore, she was literally a fulfillment of the $ro$hecy in Malachi 4*- that rea"s of Bhealin# in His win#s.C 13-3 When she reache" out to ,esus, she touche" the name of Go". .y faith she was heale", while other $eo$le in a crow"e" street sim$ly um$e" or rushe" y Him with no res$onse. 1he miracle was re$eate" later in Matthew 14*/3 when many others were heale". 13-7 !ronically, accor"in# to the Mosaic &aw ;&e9. 12*19-/8=, "ue to her lee"in#, she woul" ha9e ma"e ,esus unclean y touchin# Him, ut instea" He ma"e her clean. 1he crow" then reali>e", without a s$oken wor", that the $ower of ,esus was su$erior to the $ower of the &aws of Moses. 1his was most "ifficult for them to com$rehen" an" rationali>e without conclu"in# that, in some manner unknown to them, it was ,esus who create" the Mosaic &aw.
1626. Moseley, .eshua. -1---. 1627. +arrar, ,ife of 'hrist. 134-32. Accor"in# to Green, %nterlinear -reek/5nglish New
TestamentF .erry, %nterlinear ,iteral Translation of the -reek New Testament. Mt. 14*/3=, others e##e" to touch the frin#e of His Garment.
1126 ?n an interestin# si"e note, "i" the A$ostle (aul really su$$ort himself financially y makin# tentsF 1hree-Auarters of the one hun"re" references to tents are in the first se9en ooks of the .i le. When Moses wrote the 1orah, the He rew chil"ren li9e" in tents an" o9er the centuries they #ra"ually mo9e" into $ermanent "wellin#s. .y the :ew 1estament $erio", the only $eo$le li9in# in tents were Ara s an" .e"ouins. 'oul" it $ossi le that the a$ostle ma"e tents for a noma"ic $eo$le who "i" not li9e anywhere close to himF 1hat is hi#hly "ou tful, yet mo"ern translators an" $reachers insist he was a Btentmaker.C (aul was a (harisee of (harisees an" a scholar of scholars. He stu"ie" un"er the fame" Gamiel, the #ran"son of Hillel, one of the two most honore" ra is of the 5econ" 1em$le (erio". !s it $ossi le that a "octor of ,ewish stu"ies woul" make tentsF Har"ly, he ma"e $rayer shawls. When a ,ewish man "esire" to e alone with Go", he woul" $lace his $rayer shawl aroun" his hea" to create a Btent.C !n li#ht of that, is it $ossi le that the a$ostle, who $reache" the #os$el to rin# men closer to Go" an" wrote most of the :ew 1estament letters, woul" wea9e $rayer shawls so ,ewish men woul" #et closer to Go"F Jou "eci"e.
1o e o taine" $hoto contem$orary ,ewish #arment with $rayer shawl
,. .. 'A. JE0ISH MAN 0ITH P;AEE; SHA0L. ?rtho"o% men wear $rayer shawls at reli#ious ser9ices as they ha9e for centuries. 5ome elie9e" the woman with the loo" issue touche" tassels as these that ,esus was wearin#. !t shoul" e note", inci"entally, that ,esus "i" not critici>e anyone for wearin# tassels, ut He critici>e" the (harisees for makin# their $hylacteries wi"e an" tassels lon# ;Mt. -/*1-1-=. ,esus li9e" an" functione" as a ,ewish ra i at the en" of the ?l" 1estament (erio".
1127 20ho to)"he( My robes>5 ,esus "i" not ask the Auestion ecause He was unaware of her i"entity, ut ecause her confession woul" e an e%$ression of her faith. 13-@ Was it $ossi le for healin# $ower to #o forth from Him without the full consent of His willF !f she woul" ha9e een successful in attainin# her healin# in secret, woul" it ha9e een stolenF ,esus wante" to know who she was so He coul" freely #i9e her the #ift she so "es$erately "esire". ?nly in com$lete honesty can one enEoy the #ifts of the 5a9ior. He then lesse" her with the wor"s, B#o in $eace.C 2Eo)r faith has 1a(e yo) 3ell.5 1his is one of se9eral accounts ;see Mk. 18*2-L &k. 7*28L 17*19L 1@*4-= where we rea" that the healin# came as a result of the faith ;or trust= of the sick $erson. 1here are also accounts where the healin# came as a result of the faith of others ;Mk. -*2= an" accounts where ,esus coul" "o no miracles ecause of lack of faith ;Mt. 1/*2@L Mk. 3*3 i.e., :a>areth=. !t shoul" e note" that in He rew an" Aramaic there is no "istinction etween B o"yC an" Bsoul.C 1herefore, ,esus always heale" the whole $erson. +or that reason, when He heale" $eo$le of $hysical "iseases, He ma"e comments such as BJour faith has sa9e" you,C or BGo in $eace,C ;i.e. Mk. 18*2-L &k. 7*28=. 13-9 ,. .. . M9. '73'-/3 ;5ee also Mt. 9*-/--3L &k. @*49-23= Ca#er$a)1 JAI;US? 6AUGHTE; ;AISE6 0hile He 3as still s#ea9i$%+ #eo#le "a1e fro1 the sy$a%o%)e lea(er?s ho)se a$( sai(+ 2Eo)r (a)%hter is (ea(. 0hy bother the Tea"her a$y1ore>5
3'
A)t 3he$ Jes)s o8erhear( 3hat 3as sai(+ He tol( the sy$a%o%)e lea(er+ 26o$?t be afrai(. :$ly belie8e.5 3< He (i( $ot let a$yo$e a""o1#a$y Hi1 e@"e#t Peter+ Ja1es+ a$( Joh$+ Ja1es?s brother. 3, They "a1e to the lea(er?s ho)se+ a$( He sa3 a "o11otio$ Q#eo#le 3ee#i$% a$( 3aili$% lo)(ly. 3! He 3e$t i$ a$( sai( to the1+ 20hy are yo) 1a9i$% a "o11otio$ a$( 3ee#i$%> The "hil( is $ot (ea( b)t aslee#.5
3.
1628. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 4/-. 1629. 5ee *. /.& .
1128 They starte( la)%hi$% at Hi1+ b)t He #)t the1 all o)tsi(e. He too9 the "hil(?s father+ 1other+ a$( those 3ho 3ere 3ith Hi1+ a$( e$tere( the #la"e 3here the "hil( 3as. /& The$ He too9 the "hil( by the ha$( a$( sai( to her+ *alitha !oum@ B3hi"h is tra$slate(+ 2Little %irl+ I say to yo)+ %et )#K5 C. /* I11e(iately the %irl %ot )# a$( be%a$ to 3al9. BShe 3as &* years ol(.C At this they 3ere )tterly asto)$(e(. /3 The$ He %a8e the1 stri"t or(ers that $o o$e sho)l( 9$o3 abo)t this a$( sai( that she sho)l( be %i8e$ so1ethi$% to eat.
/
,. .. ..J& 0as the (a)%hter of Jair)s (ea( or aslee#> 1he Auestion arises not ecause there is a conflict in the 5yno$tics, ut ecause 5cri$ture recor"e" that it was the o$inion of the $eo$le that she was "ea". While the wor" Bslee$C is often use" as a meta$hor for "eath, this inter$retation was clearly eliminate" here y ,esus Himself. Howe9er, it can e assume" that the youn# #irl was unconscious, in a coma, or near "eath. ,esus woul" ha9e un"erstoo" that she was not "ea", ut the $eo$le ha" no conce$t of someone ein# in unconscious or a coma. 1he $assa#es rea" as follows* M9. '73' M9. '73! Mt. !7*/ L9. ,7'* 2Eo)r (a)%hter is (ea(.5 2The "hil( is $ot (ea(+ b)t aslee#.5 2The %irl is$?t (ea(+ b)t slee#i$%.5 2She is $ot (ea( b)t aslee#.5
Mark 2*/2 reflects the o$inion of se9eral men who $resume" she was "ea". 1he other references in"icate that the #irl was either unconscious or in a coma. !f she was merely slee$in#, no one woul" ha9e calle" ,esus to wake her u$. Whether the #irl was clinically "ea" is har"ly the AuestionL rather, she ha" all a$$earances of "eath an" was e9i"ently close to it.
1129 Matthew use" the Greek wor" katheudein" which usually means natural slee$.13/8 Howe9er, the #irl may ha9e suffere" a case of catale$sy, which is a me"ical con"ition in which the $erson<s o"y ecomes stiff, ri"#e", an" sto$s mo9in#. 1he $erson remains ri#i" in whate9er $osture he or she was in at the time of sufferin# catale$sy an" the the a ility to communicate is lost. 13/1 !t has all the si#ns of "eath, ut is either in a coma or close to ein# in a coma.13/- 1hrou#hout history, an" e9en to"ay, in most areas of the Mi""le 4ast a $erson was urie" on the "ay of "eath without em almin#. 5ome e%ca9ate" tom s ha9e re9eale" that the urie" $erson $ro a ly suffere" from catale$sy, then woke u$ only to fin" no esca$e from the tom . ,esus $erforme" an incre"i le healin# in the youn# chil" much to the astonishment of the $eo$le an" the lea"er of the local syna#o#ue. :onetheless, there are three $oints to consi"er* 1. 1o s$eak of "eath as a slee$ is an ima#e common to all the &aws an" cultures. 1herefore, the reality of "eath in this case cannot e "enie". -. )eath is followe" awakenin#. y a resurrection Eust as slee$ is followe" y an
/. ,esus use" the e%act same the &aw when "escri in# &a>arus in ,ohn 11*11. (ossi ly, to Him, oth she an" &a>arus were merely slee$in#, since in Him there is no "eath. ,airus was a syna#o#ue ruler in 'a$ernaum, a $osition that woul" ha9e een com$ara le to to"ay<s $osition of a senior $astor or ra i. Most 9illa#e an" country syna#o#ue ra is honestly an" sincerely care" for the s$iritual wellein# of their $eo$le. Unfortunately, while ,airus elie9e" in ,esus, his fellow 9illa#ers were "ou tful, for which reason ,esus e9entually curse" the 9illa#e.
1630. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/42. 1631. htt$*//catale$sy.ask"efine.com/. Au#ust 1, -81/. 1632. htt$*//"ictionary.cam ri"#e.or#/"ictionary/ ritish/catale$sy. Au#ust 1, -81/.
1130 2Peter+ Ja1es+ a$( Joh$.5 While ,esus ha" twel9e "isci$les, He ha" an inner-circle of three who were $articularly close to Him 7 (eter, ,ames an" his rother ,ohn. 1here is no reason #i9en as to why they were chosen, ut the three times when ,esus calle" them asi"e are as follows* 1. With ,esus when the "au#hter of ,airus was raise" to life -. At the 1ransfi#uration /. )urin# His a#ony in the #ar"en 1he close relationshi$ ,esus ha" with them, $articularly with (eter, ma"e (eter<s "enial "urin# the (assion Week all the more "ramatic. 2A "o11otio$ Q #eo#le 3ee#i$% a$( 3aili$% lo)(ly.5 Grief is still o$enly e%$resse" with out ursts of cryin# an" wailin#. (rofessional mourners were often a $art of such an e9ent. As state" $re9iously ; ,. '. .=, when there was a funeral, there were also two or three flute $layers who $laye" son#s of lt as family an" frien"s mourne" their loss. 1his cultural $ractice was not only amon# the ,ewish $eo$le, ut in nei#h orin# cultures as well. +or e%am$le, in the 0oman worl", when 4m$eror 'lau"ius "ie", the wailin# of the flute $layers an" $rofessional mourners were so lou" that 5eneca sai" that the em$eror, althou#h "ea", $ro a ly hear" them. 13// 1he eerie soun"s of uncontrolla le wailin# an" emotionally char#e" shrieks y $rofessional mourners will ne9er e for#otten y any Westerner who hears them, inclu"in# this writer. 2She 3as &* years ol(.5 1his was an im$ortant year in the life of a ,ewish #irl an" her family. 1he a#e of 1- was the a#e of e%amination $rior to ecomin# a "au#hter of the comman"ment at the a#e of 1/ years an" one "ay. 1hen she woul" e a can"i"ate for marria#e an" a new family. 1he family an" 9illa#e not only mourne" the loss of the youn# life, ut also of the future family ecause she was a out to ecome of marria#ea le a#e. 13/4 2No o$e sho)l( 9$o3 abo)t this.5 1his is an utterly ama>in# statement y ,esus. (icture this* 1here is a crow" of $eo$le in the house of the
1633. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*/44.
1634. Gli rant, B&uke.C -32.
1131 $resi"ent of the syna#o#ue 7 $ossi ly the most im$ortant $erson in the community. 1he ra i<s 1--year ol" "au#hter is in e" either "ea" or "yin# when ,esus an" His "isci$les arri9e. 49eryone is concerne" an" $rayin# for a miracle. 1he air is tense with an e%$ectation of somethin# incre"i ly $rofoun" is a out to ha$$en. ,esus enters the room with the #irl<s $arents an" His three inner-most "isci$les 7 (eter, ,ames an" ,ohn, an" the followin# ste$s occur* 1. U$on enterin# the room He Auiete" e9eryone an" sai" that #irl was slee$in#. -. He remo9e" the $rofessional mourners an" all those who ri"icule" Him. /. He then uttere" two Aramaic wor"s Talitha koumL; meanin#, B&ittle #irl, ! say to you, #et u$ZC 5he res$on"s an" #et u$, com$letely heale". 4. 1he family $resente" the #irl to the waitin# au"ience who cheer an" e%$ress oth e%citement an" Eoyful "is elief. 1he re$utation of ,esus tra9ele" far an" wi"e. 1hen ,esus e%its the room an" tells the family, B:o one shoul" know a out thisZC Who was He ki""in#F How coul" anyone $ossi ly e Auiet a out this incre"i le miracleF Why "i" He make this statementF ,esus ha" a continual serious $ro lem* How coul" He communicate to the ,ewish $eo$le that He was their Messiah without ha9in# them misinter$ret Him an" conclu"e that He was a $olitical-messiahF 1hat "ilemma "i" not e%ist in Greek communities ;i.e. Mk. 2*1--8=. 1his miracle $u licly "emonstrate" that ,esus ha" $ower o9er life an" "eath. !n their min"s, only the Messiah coul" "o such #reat works, so they were force" to $on"er if ,esus really was the Messiah. He o 9iously challen#e" their $reconcei9e" i"eas that the Messiah woul" "estroy the 0omans.
1132
Howe9er, the $eo$le wante" the tyranny of 0oman o$$ression to e en" an" !srael e restore" to its #lory "ays of Din# )a9i". 1hey woul" naturally e%$ect that anyone who ha" $ower o9er life an" "eath woul" most certainly also e a le to rin# !srael to international su$er$ower status. Howe9er, clearly that was not the intent of ,esus. He tol" them not to tell others of this #reat feat. When consi"erin# the #reat Eoy the $eo$le ha" o9er the secon" life of the twel9e-year-ol" #irl, an" that ,esus coul" $ossi ly e the one to rin# !srael to its $romise" #reatness, one must won"er why ,esus e9en othere" to tell these $eo$le to e Auiet. !n a culture where Bne%t-tonothin#C rou#ht e%citement, they were now ecstatic . 1he &i9in# Wor" who once s$oke the worl" into e%istence, forme" man into the ima#e of Go", an" reathe" life into him, now restore" life into the youn# #irl. 1here were three "istinctly "ifferent reactions to this miracleL reactions that were re$eate" time an" time a#ain. 'learly the inter$retation of what was seen an" e%$erience" is ultimately "efine" y the con"ition of the heart. 1. 1he crow"s were ama>e" an" won"ere" what kin" of man the ,esus coul" e. -. 1he lea"in# (harisees were an#ere" with #reat $assion. 1hey o 9iously coul" not "eny the $owers that ,esus ha", so they attri ute" them to "emonic forces. /. Another #rou$ of in"i9i"uals sim$ly coul" not reconcile their conce$tion of what the messiah woul" e like to the wor"s an" actions of ,esus. :early e9eryone was e%$ectin# a military messiah who woul" restore the )a9i"ic 4m$ire of the ancient $ast, yet this ,esus "i" meet all of the messianic $ro$hecies of 5cri$ture. Makin# a "ecision was clearly "ifficult for some.
1133 +inally, the Auestion arises of how ,airus may ha9e then interacte" with his $eers in other syna#o#ues. 49eryone ha" hear" of the ,ewish ,esus healin# the Gentile centurion<s ser9ant an" the son of Hero"<s court official. 5o why "i" ,airus wait until his "au#hter was near "eath to call ,esusF Was he worrie" a out $ossi le criticisms from the u$$er echelon (hariseesF 1his is a 9ery stron# $ossi ility. Howe9er, when he reali>e" he was a out to lose a "au#hter, he was "es$erate enou#h to #o to ,esus for hel$ .
,. .. < Mt. !7*<-3& T0: ALIN6 MEN HEALE6 As Jes)s 3e$t o$ fro1 there+ t3o bli$( 1e$ follo3e( Hi1+ sho)ti$%+ 2Ha8e 1er"y o$ )s+ So$ of 6a8i(K5
*<
0he$ He e$tere( the ho)se+ the bli$( 1e$ a##roa"he( Hi1+ a$( Jes)s sai( to the1+ 26o yo) belie8e that I "a$ (o this>5
*,
2Ees+ Lor(+5 they a$s3ere( Hi1. The$ He to)"he( their eyes+ sayi$%+ 2Let it be (o$e for yo) a""or(i$% to yo)r faithK5 3 A$( their eyes 3ere o#e$e(. The$ Jes)s 3ar$e( the1 ster$ly+ 2Ae s)re that $o o$e fi$(s o)tK5 3& A)t they 3e$t o)t a$( s#rea( the $e3s abo)t Hi1 thro)%ho)t that 3hole area.
*!
1his is the first of many healin#s of the lin" recor"e" ;Mt. 1-*--L -8*/8L -1*14L ,n. 9= or allu"e" to ;Mt. 11*2= in the #os$els. 4ach of them was a literal fulfillment of the $ro$hetic wor" of !saiah concernin# the future Messiah. 1he ancient $ro$het sai",
'
The$ the eyes of the bli$( 3ill be o#e$e(+ a$( the ears of the (eaf )$sto##e(.
Isaiah 3'7'
1134 While healin# a lin" $erson who was mute, or B"um ,C was consi"ere" to e a messianic miracle, the healin# of an or"inary lin" $erson wasn<t. 13/2 Jet here were two lin" men that the ra is "i" not or coul" not heal. 1he $erformance of such an incre"i le healin# also re9eals the s$iritual lin"ness of so many reli#ious lea"ers. 1hrou#hout 5cri$ture sin is often "escri e" as moral lin"ness ;)eut. -@*-9L !sa. 29*18L ,o 1-*-2L Ke$h. 1*17= an" the "eli9erance from sin is "escri e" as a remo9al of this lin"ness ;!sa. 13*1@L 4/*@L 4$h. 1*@L Mt. 12*14=. 1o say that ,esus is the $ro9er ial Bli#ht of the worl"C has more to "o with s$iritual lin"ness than it "oes with $hysical lin"ness, althou#h He rin#s si#ht to the $hysical an" s$iritual realms. At times ,esus heale" y sim$ly touchin# the $erson ;Mt. -8*/4=. ?n another occasion he use" clay min#le" with s$ittle ;,n. 9*3-7=, an" on another He use" moisture from His mouth ;Mk. @*-/=. .ut nowhere "i" He sim$ly s$eak healin# to the lin". 1he reason for the 9ariations remains a "i9ine secret. ,. .. , Mt. !73*-3/ MUTE MAN HEALE6 J)st as they 3ere %oi$% o)t+ a (e1o$-#ossesse( 1a$ 3ho 3as )$able to s#ea9 3as bro)%ht to Hi1. 33 0he$ the (e1o$ ha( bee$ (ri8e$ o)t+ the 1a$ s#o9e. A$( the "ro3(s 3ere a1aGe(+ sayi$%+ 2Nothi$% li9e this has e8er bee$ see$ i$ IsraelK5
3*
A)t the Pharisees sai(+ 2He (ri8es o)t (e1o$s by the r)ler of the (e1o$sK5
3/
!t was common o$inion that those who were lin" an"/or mute were in this con"ition ecause Go" curse" them. 0e#ar"less of how #oo" an" ri#hteous the han"ica$$e" $erson an" his family were, the social curse coul" not e
1635. +or a "escri$tion of the three messianic miracles, see .. 3. ,.J&+ .. 3. ,.J*+
.. &. 3+ ,ohn 4*-2 as well as the relate" 9i"eo link .. 3. ,.F. 5ee also the com$arison of )ea" 5ea 5croll fra#ments 4N-7@ an" 4N2-1 with &uke 4*13-/8 at .. *. *.
1135 remo9e". 1he i"ea that an acci"ent or illness coul" e the natural result of fallen worl" ne9er occurre" to them. Hence, the tra"ition ha" arisen that only the Messiah woul" e a le to make the lin" see, an" healin# of the lin" ecame known as a BMessianic Miracle.C !t was ase" on the $ro$het !saiah, who sai" that the Messiah woul" rin# 9ision to the eyes of the lin" an" that the ears of the "eaf woul" e o$ene" ;!sa. /2*2-3=. 1his is $recisely what ,esus "i" to "emonstrate His Messianic authority. ?nce He ca$ture" $eo$le<s attention, He tau#ht them of the Din#"om of Go". 2U$able to s#ea9.5 1he Greek wor" kophos in all #rammar forms refers to a "eaf mute, in"icatin# that the man coul" neither s$eak nor hear. 1hese two ailments were commonly linke" to#ether. 13/3
1636. 'arson, BMathewC @*-/4.
1136
U$it ! T)r$i$% Poi$t of the Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter & ;eHe"tio$ of Jes)s a$( His Messa%e
!. &. A. JESUS 0A;NS THE JE0ISH LEA6E;S. Ill)stratio$ by Go(frey 6)ra$(+ &,!.. While the ,ewish lea"ers reEecte" ,esus, those who knew Him from chil"hoo" also reEecte" Him. ?thers wei#he" carefully His wor"s an" actions in relation to the $ro$hecies #i9en in centuries $ast y the $ro$hets.
1137
!. &. & I$tro()"tio$ Until this time, the (harisees were e%tremely an%ious a out ,esus ecause He o 9iously "i" not fit into their $reconcei9e" i"eas of their antici$ate" $olitical-messiah. +urthermore, He freAuently challen#e" their theolo#ical an" "octrinal ar#uments which they constantly lost an" cause" them to look foolish to ystan"ers. !f the tren" continue", they knew it woul" e only a matter of time until their honor, social status, an" affluent lifestyle woul" e lost. 1hey $ro a ly won"ere" if He $lanne" to take o9er one of their $ositions in the syna#o#ues an" tem$le. +urthermore, since He $erforme" so many miracles, He ha" immense $o$ularity an" o 9iously the $ower to "o whate9er He wante" to "o. 1herefore, they o ser9e" e9ery mo9e He ma"e to "etermine how they coul" est eliminate Him. !. &. * M9. 37* 4 Mt. &*7**-*/ ;5ee also &k. 11*14--/= Ca#er$a)1 IS JESUS A 6EM:N :; S:N :F 6AFI6> M9. * The$ He 3e$t ho1e+ a$( the "ro3( %athere( a%ai$ so that they 3ere $ot e8e$ able to eat. Mt. ** The$ a (e1o$-#ossesse( 1a$ 3ho 3as bli$( a$( )$able to s#ea9 3as bro)%ht to Hi1. He heale( hi1+ so that the 1a$ "o)l( both s#ea9 a$( see. *3 A$( all the "ro3(s 3ere asto)$(e( a$( sai(+ 2Co)l( this be the So$ of 6a8i(K5 0he$ the Pharisees hear( this+ they sai(+ 2The 1a$ (ri8es o)t (e1o$s o$ly by AeelGeb)l+ the r)ler of the (e1o$s.5
*/
,ust as there are many "enominations in 'hristianity to"ay, so likewise there were a 9ariety of sects in first century ,u"aism. Amon# the (harisees there was a charismatic #rou$ known as the +asidim" meanin#, the godly people" who $erforme" healin#s, an" e%orcisms ;see ,n. 1-*-7L Ac. 19*1/=. 13/7 !t is elie9e" that they use" a 9ariety of chants an" 9er al formulas that were ama>in#ly similar to chants an" 9er al formulas of nei#h orin# $a#an
1637. .ruce, New Testament +istory. 32-37.
1138 cultures. 13/@ 1hey ha" the #ift of e%orcism an" they cast out "emons Bin the name of JahwehC ;He . BGo"C=, or more commonly Bin the name of Jahweh, an" the seal of 5olomon.C ,esus "emonstrate" He ha" su$erior $ower o9er all other sources, an act that, no "ou t, challen#e" the Hasi"im. 2Co)l( this be the So$ of 6a8i(>5 1hey ha" Eust witnesse" a messianic miracle. 1herefore, they were askin# if He coul" e the e(pectant son of )a9i", ecause if He was, then he woul" e their messiah. 13/9 ,esus ha" $re9iously heale" a le$er an" now He $erforme" a miracle that the ,ews sai" was one of the Bmessianic miracles,C the healin# of a "emon-$ossesse" man who was una le to s$eak. .ut they ha" a serious $ro lem* 1heir e%$ectation of the comin# Son of )a id was as a military 9ictor who woul" lea" them to $olitical in"e$en"ence an" economic $ros$erity, an" esta lish an international su$er$ower, as Din# )a9i" ha" "one a thousan" years earlier. 1his was the "escri$tion they rea" in the 4salms of Solomon , a recent first century ..'. ook. .ut when the $eo$le saw ,esus heal the "emon-$ossesse" man, they reali>e" this was not anythin# Din# )a9i" ha" "one. !n fact, the terms Son of Man"1348 or Bar 5nosh in Aramaic,1641 an" Son of )a id ecame synonyms for Messiah y the first century. 134- 1he e%$ectations were that this B5onC woul" e%cel )a9i"<s trium$hs. 134/ 5o they Auestione" if He really was from the house of )a9i". !t was not the mission of ,esus at this time to re uil" the )a9i"ic 4m$ire, ut to rin# "eli9erance an" sal9ation to e9ery soul afflicte" y sin an", there y, usher in the Din#"om of Go" into their life.
1638. 5ee 4%. 7*--L @*7L Mt. -4*-4L ,n. 1-*-7L Ac. 19*1/. 1639. !t must e note" that the ,ewish $eo$le "i" not elie9e that their messiah was "eity, therefore, in their thinkin# messiah is s$elle" with a lower case letter Bm.C !n terms of ,esus as Him functionin# in His role, Messiah is s$elle" with an u$$er case letter BM.C 1640. 1he $hrase Son of Man in the .ook of 4noch is a fi#ure, who is waitin# in hea9en until Go" sen"s him to earth where he woul" esta lish his kin#"om an" rule o9er it. 1his ook was common knowle"#e to the ,ewish $eo$le, so when ,esus use" the $hrase a out Himself, it was clearly claimin# to e the lon#-awaite" Messiah. 5ee .ruce, New testament +istory. 137L 1enney, The -ospel of &ohn. 182.
1641. WiEn#aar"s, +andbook to the -ospels. 44. 1642. 0ichar"son, B)a9i".C 29-38.
1643. 4salm of Solomon 17L 4cclesiasticus 47*11L 1 Macc. -*27.
1139
1he lea"in# (harisees ;not the Hasi"im= elie9e" that, if a "emon ha" een cast out of a $erson, this coul" ha9e een "one only y a more $owerful "emon. More s$ecifically, it coul" only ha9e een accom$lishe" y .eel>e u , the $rince of "emons who or"ere" one of his su Eects out of this man. 1herefore, they conclu"e" that ,esus was $ossesse" y .eel>e u an", therefore, ha" to "ie. ,esus, knowin# their thou#hts, turne" the issue aroun" so they woul" ha9e to reali>e that if He cast out the "emon y the 5$irit of Go" ;an" He "i"=, then they ha" a $ro lem of how to "eal with the Din#"om of Go" which was now confrontin# them. .ut this con9ersation cause" another $ro lem* How coul" ,esus ha9e known their thou#hts unless He was a $ro$het of Go"F )emons "o not ha9e this #ift. 2AeelGeb)l+ the r)ler of the (e1o$s.5 1his $hrase was well known an" a$$ears in the 1estament of 5olomon. ,ewish writin#s ha" numerous references to e%orcisms I a1 AeelGeb)l+ the r)ler of (e1o$s. Test1e$t of Solo1o$ 37.
1344
1he ancients elie9e" the (hilistine #o" .eel>e ul ;- D#. 1*-=, was the chief "emon who li9e" in the A yss that was locate" at the ottom of the 5ea of Galilee.1342 1his "emon was also known as .aal-Ke ul, .aal-Ku u , or .aalKe u . 1he name meant B&or" of the hea9enly "wellin#,C or B&or" of the 1644. Nuote" y /van#, ,/0orci#m# and the 1ingdom.. 16 n! . 1645. ?r any sea, ,on. -*--/.
1140 royal $alace,C in the ancient (hilistine law. Howe9er, y a sli#ht alteration of letters, the ,ews chan#e" the name to mean the BGo" of "un#,C or the BGo" of flies.C !n 5yria, it meant B&or" of the manure $ile.C 1343 Wor" $lays like this were common an" it clearly reflects their offensi9e attitu"e towar" their Gentile nei#h ors.1347 .aal-Ku u was also a #o" of the (hoenicians that ,esus i"entifie" as 5atan when He sai", B!f 5atan "ri9es out 5atan.C 5atan was elie9e" to ha9e his e9il work accom$lishe" y su or"inate "emons. (lease note* 1he "irecti9es relate" to e%orcisms as esta lishe" y Din# 5olomon, as "escri e" y the first century historian ,ose$hus ; Anti3uities @.-.2=, are Auote" a few $a#es elow at !. &. '. 1he historian sai" that the metho"s written y 5olomon were still ein# use" y ,ews in his "ay as witnesse" y him. 5ee also & . &. ..
!. &. 3 Mt. &*7*'-*,L L9. &&7* 4 Mt. &*7*!-3* THE UNPA;6:NAALE SIN Mt. *' I$o3i$% their tho)%hts+ He tol( the17 2E8ery 9i$%(o1 (i8i(e( a%ai$st itself is hea(e( for (estr)"tio$+ a$( $o "ity or ho)se (i8i(e( a%ai$st itself 3ill sta$(. *. If Sata$ (ri8es o)t Sata$+ he is (i8i(e( a%ai$st hi1self. Ho3 the$ 3ill his 9i$%(o1 *< sta$(> A$( if I (ri8e o)t (e1o$s by AeelGeb)l+ 3ho is it yo)r so$s (ri8e the1 o)t by> For this reaso$ they 3ill be yo)r H)(%es. *, If I (ri8e o)t (e1o$s by the S#irit of Go(+ the$ the 9i$%(o1 of Go( has "o1e to yo). L9. * If I (ri8e o)t (e1o$s by the fi$%er of Go(+ the$ the 9i$%(o1 of Go( has "o1e to yo). Mt. *! Ho3 "a$ so1eo$e e$ter a stro$% 1a$?s ho)se a$( steal his #ossessio$s )$less he first ties )# the stro$% 1a$> The$ he "a$ rob his ho)se. 3 A$yo$e 3ho is $ot 3ith Me is a%ai$st Me+ a$( a$yo$e 3ho (oes $ot %ather 3ith Me s"atters. 1646. Gil rant, B&uke.C /2/. 1647. MaEor, Manson, an" Wri#ht, The Mission and Message of &esus . 34.
1141 Ae"a)se of this+ I tell yo)+ #eo#le 3ill be for%i8e$ e8ery si$ a$( blas#he1y+ b)t the blas#he1y a%ai$st the S#irit 3ill $ot be for%i8e$. 3* 0hoe8er s#ea9s a 3or( a%ai$st the So$ of Ma$+ it 3ill be for%i8e$ hi1. A)t 3hoe8er s#ea9s a%ai$st the Holy S#irit+ it 3ill $ot be for%i8e$ hi1+ either i$ this a%e or i$ the o$e to "o1e.
3&
1he (harisees "i" not "eny that ,esus $erforme" mi#hty miraclesL rather, they conclu"e" that He was usin# "emonic $owers to $erform them. 1herefore, He offere" them three $roofs to 9erify that His i"entity was not of a "emonic nature* 1. His first ar#ument was that if He was of 5atan an" use" His $ower a#ainst the e9il one, He woul" in effect e usin# His $ower a#ainst himself. 5atan is o 9iously not suici"al. -. 1he ,ews ha" always reco#ni>e" that certain in"i9i"uals functione" with a "i9ine #ift to cast out "emons. 1o this situation ,esus sai" that since He s$oke of the Din#"om of Go", then He too was functionin# with the "i9ine #ift to cast out "emons. 'on9ersely, if ,esus really was of 5atan, He woul" not e teachin# an" $reachin# the Din#"om of Go". 1herefore, He must e who He sai" He was. /. +inally, ,esus $resente" an alle#ory of a ro er who "esires to ro someone of his $ossessions. 'learly the ro er woul" ha9e to first o9er$ower the #uar" ;stron# man= an" tie him u$ efore he coul" e#in his theft. 1he inference here is that ,esus entere" the "emonic "omain an" free" $eo$le who were un"er 5atan<s on"a#e an" control. ,esus is o 9iously stron#er than 5atan since ,esus "escri e" Himself as the ro er who tie" u$ the #uar" ;5atan= an" free" ca$ture" $eo$le. 2If Sata$ (ri8es o)t Sata$.5 1o"ay there is a contro9ersy y some theolo#ians concernin# the a ility of non-'hristians an" non-,ews who $erforme" e%orcisms* How "i" they accom$lish it without the $ower of 'hristF !s it $ossi le to cast out "emons with an authority other than the $ower of ,esusF 1his is a theolo#ical issue that is eyon" the sco$e of this writin#. Howe9er, a rief res$onse is that some non- elie9ers think they
1142 ha9e the $ower to cast out "emonic forces. !t has een su##este" that in some cases, "emons are not cast out, ut they sim$ly relocate or remain Auiet, there y #i9in# the illusion of ha9in# een remo9e". 49il men #i9in# the a$$earance of castin# out "emons will e amon# the B#reat si#ns an" won"ersC of Matthew -4*-4. !t is only y the sacrificial "eath an" resurrection of ,esus 'hrist that one can effecti9ely an" $ermanently "eal with "emonic forces. ?n the other han", at the three tem$tations, ,esus ha" 9ictory o9er 5atan y citin# only ?l" 1estament 5cri$tures. 1he Auestion then is why ,ewish e%orcists not successful in castin# out "emons usin# only the name of Go"F 20ho is it yo)r so$s (ri8e the1 o)t by>5 1his Auestion clearly in"icates that ,esus knew the (harisees were successful in their e%orcisms. 1he ,ewish $roce"ure was to* 1. 'ommunicate with the "emon, -. )etermine his name, an" /. 'ast him out of his 9ictim. Howe9er, the source of $ower the ,ews use" is Auestiona le. ,esus su##ests that it was y the $ower of .eel>e ul. 5atanic miracles an" healin#s were $ossi le an" le" many astray ;4%. 7*--L @*7L Mt. -4*-4=. 2Fi$%er of Go(.5 1he same $hrase was use" y Matthew as Bthe 5$irit of Go"C in the $arallel 9erse. 49eryone was aware how weak a sin#le fin#er is an" &uke use" this fi#ure of s$eech to "emonstrate the stren#th of Go". He state" that Go" is so $owerful that "emons were e%$elle" y His fin#er an", furthermore, the Din#"om of Go" was now in their $resence meanin# the He rew $ro$hecies of the Messiah were ein# fulfille" in their $resence.
134@
Howe9er, there is another as$ect to this $assa#e. 1he fact that ,esus referre" to the fin#er of Go" also is reflecti9e of the har"ness of heart the (haraoh ha" at the time of the 4%o"us. 1he ,ewish lea"ers woul" ha9e 1648. .il rant, B&uke.C /27.
1143 clearly un"erstoo" that ,esus was connectin# the (haraoh<s attitu"e with theirs.1349 &ittle won"er then, that they #rew increasin#ly an#ry at Him. 2Ii$%(o1 of Go(.5 1his $hrase is synonymous with BDin#"om of Hea9en,C an" oth terms ha9e three elements of "efinition. 1. A kin# rei#ns o9er the realm. -. !t is the $eo$le o9er which He rei#ns, as in 0e9elation 2*18 where the $eo$le are clearly the kin#"om. !n fact, in this $assa#e, &uke 1/*-9 an" 0e9elation 1*3 the $eo$le share the rei#n. /. 1he actual rei#n itself is oth in a $resent state an" in one of the future. ,esus offere" the kin#"om first to national ,u"aea ;!srael= ecause the ,ewish $eo$le were the ri#htful heirs to the $romises of Go" ;Mt. @*1-=. Howe9er, the reli#ious lea"ers reEecte" Him an" encoura#e" others to "o likewise ;Mt. -/*1/=. At the same time many ,ews, inclu"in# the "estitute of society, acce$te" the wor"s of ,esus an" ecame the first century church. .ut the nation was "oome" to "estruction ecause of the reEection of ,esus y her lea"ers an" those who followe" them. !n a future sense, the kin#"om will e intro"uce" when 'hrist returns to rei#n o9er the worl". 1328 1he $hrase ha" come into common usa#e in the two centuries $rece"in# ,esus as e9i"ent in the A$ocry$ha an" (seu"e$i#ra$ha. 1321 Howe9er, the $o$ular ,ewish un"erstan"in# of this kin#"om was "ifferent for ,esus< i"ea, as the $eo$le an" their ra is elie9e" the followin#, 1. 1he tiny nation of !srael woul" trium$h o9er her enemies with the hel$ of the Messiah, an" 1649. 49ans, B4%orcisms an" the Din#"om.C 171-7/. 1328
. &a"", BDin#"om of Go".C 9*11-/--4. 1321 . Nuotations from the A$ocry$ha are from the :ew 0e9ise" 5tan"ar" Hersion, .ruce M. Met>#er, e". Nuotations from the 4seudepigrapha , ,ames A. 'harlesworth, e".
1144 -. 1he kin#"om was one of ethics an" wis"om, clearly the influence of Hellenism in the latter $art. /. +inally, the un"erstan"in# of the kin#"om was one of uni9ersal e%$anse, not Eust control of the nation of !srael. 1he BDin#"om of Go"C issue was the most im$ortant teachin# of ,esus, with an em$hasis much #reater in the #os$els than in the ?l" 1estament, e%trai lical ooks, or in the alance of the :ew 1estament. 1he kin#"om is often the su Eect of $ara les ecause ,esus not only ha" to teach what the kin#"om was a out, ut He also ha" to teach what it wasn<t. He ha" to chan#e their conce$t of His kin#"om ecause He certainly was not #oin# to o9erthrow the 0oman 4m$ire. 1his $ara"i#matic shift was accom$lishe", in $art, y His "emonstration of miracles, teachin#, an" e%$licit fulfillment of the ?l" 1estament $ro$hecies.132A"" to the theolo#ical chaotic mi% the i"eas $romote" y those with a nationalistic $assion, an" the challen#es ,esus face" ecome clearer. 1he re9olutionary Kealots followe" the Macca ean tra"ition an" elie9e" that the kin#"om woul" come throu#h their heroic en"ea9ors an" military mi#ht. 1hey e%$ecte" Go" to fi#ht for them as He "i" "urin# the Macca ean 0e9olt. 1hey elie9e" at some $oint "urin# this free"om fi#ht a#ainst 0ome, the Messiah woul" a$$ear an" lea" them to 9ictory. ?n the other han", there were the a$ocaly$tists who elie9e" the $resent a#e was a out to en", they tau#ht that the kin#"om woul" come in accor"ance with Go"<s timin#, an" the 0omans woul" e "estroye" y thousan"s of an#els an" archan#els ;i.e. .ook of 5noch=. 1he (harisees, 4ssenes, an" A$ocaly$tic writers hel" to this $osition. !ronically, they "i" not elie9e the kin#"om woul" e won y human inter9ention, ut y the son of man, that is, a Bson of manC accor"in# to their "efinition of the $hrase.132/
1652. 5aucy, BMiracles an" ,esus (roclamation of the Din#"om of Go".C -@2.
1653. !t a$$ears that the term B5on of Man,C was elie9e" to e a hea9enly ein# of some kin", ut not necessarily a ein# associate" with )eity. 1herefore, the $hrase is not ca$itali>e".
1145
!. &. 3A. A PEACEFUL SEA :F GALILEE AT SUNSET. 1he natural lake was a maEor source for fish an" fresh water throu#hout history. 1o ancient $a#ans it was also a mystical o"y of water ecause of the su""en storms. 1hey elie9e" that ;1= only the #o"s coul" control the win"s an" wa9es, ;-= that "emons li9e" in its "e$ths, an" ;/= the ottom of the lake was one of the three entrances to hell. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 2Ho3 "a$ so1eo$e e$ter a stro$% 1a$?s ho)se>5 1his $hrase is $ro lematic to to"ay<s rea"ers ecause it su##ests that ,esus a$$ro9es the enterin# of someone<s home for the $ur$ose of theft. He s$ecifically sai" that one must o9ercome an" tie u$ the owner, meanin# the stron# man, an" only then can the theft e successful as state" in the ne%t sentence. Howe9er, the conte%t of this statement is that the owner, or Bstron# man,C is none other than 5atan himself. All that the e9il one has was stolen from others. 1herefore, ,esus sai" that in s$iritual warfare, one must B in" u$C u$ 5atan an" then the stolen #oo"s can e returne" to their ri#htful owners.1324
1654. 5ee a""itional comments on & . &.*! B.in" on earth T loose on earthC an"
&&. *. ! on B.in"in# an" &osin#.C
1146 At this $oint it is #oo" to ha9e a rief un"erstan"in# of houses. 1hey ha" essentially three areas, one of which was the e"room where e9eryone sle$t on a mat, usually o9er a e" of hay. 1he hus an"/father of the family sle$t y the "oor, so if anyone entere", they woul" ha9e to stru##le with him first efore "oin# any har" to the family. 1his is further e%$laine" in the 9i"eo filme" at the :a>areth Hilla#e*
4ideo Insert
!. &. 3.F MaH( Sh)fa$i+ a %)i(e at the re"o$str)"te( first "e$t)ry NaGareth Filla%e+ e@#lai$s the first "e$t)ry ho1e i$ li%ht of the ter1s 2stro$% 1a$5 BMt. &*7*!C a$( 2)##er roo15 BL9. **7&*C B37 !C. Cli"9 here.
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) 2A$yo$e 3ho is $ot 3ith Me is a%ai$st Me.5 With ,esus, there is no mi""le #roun". ?ne must "eci"e whether to follow Him. !n the min" of ,esus, either one is totally committe" to Him, or one is a#ainst Him, ut there is no room for in"ifference to His messa#e. Here ,esus calle" u$on His listeners to make a "ecision to e either for or a#ainst Him. 1hose who reEecte" Him an" chose to si"e with the (harisees e9entually suffere" horri le conseAuences. 1hey ne9er chan#e" their min"s as to where ,esus o taine" His $ower to cast out "emons. 1hey elie9e" He was "emonically $ossesse" an", therefore, they reEecte" of the work of the Holy 5$irit in their hearts. 2A)t 3hoe8er s#ea9s a%ai$st the Holy S#irit.5 1he wor" +oly Spirit" is "eri9e" from the Greek 4araclete" an" 4arakletos means someone who stands by to help.1655 1his is a classic e%am$le of where the $assa#e must e un"erstoo" in the ,ewish cultural conte%t, an" not with a 'hristian un"erstan"in# of the Holy 5$irit ;which is much roa"er=. 1. 1he Holy 5$irit enli#htens mankin" to Go"<s truth.
1655. .arclay, B&uke.C 13-.
1147 -. 1he Holy 5$irit ena les mankin" to reco#ni>e an" un"erstan" )i9ine truth. 1herefore, the reason the wor"s of ,esus were so $owerfully con"emnin# of the lea"in# (harisees an" their cohorts, is that they clearly reco#ni>e" an" un"erstoo" ,esus, His ministry, an" His messa#e. 1he Holy 5$irit enli#htene" them, yet they reEecte" Him an" the Din#"om of Go". Until this time, the reli#ious lea"ers ha" hear" numerous sermons y ,esusL they inter9iew a num er of $eo$le who recei9e" miraculous healin#sL they witnesse" many miracles an" more im$ortantly, they reali>e" that ,esus was the (erson "escri e" in the messianic $ro$hecies of their He rew .i le. 1here comes a time, after multi$le reEections of Go"<s callin# to re$entance, that Go" essentially says, B4nou#h is enou#h.C When a $erson reaches that $oint in life, re$entance is im$ossi le an" Go" #i9es him whate9er he "esires 7 ut the ultimate en" is always "eath. As state" $re9iously, the (harisees willfully "eci"e" that ,esus was "emonically $ossesse" an", therefore, they reEecte" of the work of the Holy 5$irit in their hearts. 1hat was the un$ar"ona le sin. Howe9er, #enerally s$eakin#, throu#hout history all men an" women ha9e s$oken out a#ainst Go" at some $oint in their li9es. Jet Go", in His "i9ine #race an" mercy, is $atient with His human su Eects until re$entance comes y the call of the Holy 5$irit. Unfortunately, there are many in"i9i"uals who constantly reEect that call an" the "ay finally comes when Go" "eci"es that they ha" sufficient o$$ortunity to acce$t ,esus an" that "oor of o$$ortunity is close". 1hat final reEection is known as the Bun$ar"ona le sin.C !t is the sin of refusin# the #ift of sal9ation so freAuently that it is no lon#er offere". 5ometimes $eo$le $on"er if they are #uilty of this sin. 1he answer lies in the sim$le fact that they are worrie" a out it. 1he fact that there is a concern for ha9in# committe" the un$ar"ona le sin is inherent $roof that it was not committe". ?nce the Holy 5$irit has een #rie9e" numerous times an" no lon#er in9ites one to sal9ation, all concern of committin# sin is #one an" the truly re$ro ate $erson feels no remorse. 1hose who "esire for#i9eness from Go" will always fin" it ;!sa. 42*--L Mt. 11*-@L ,n. /*13=. Howe9er, for those who reEect the final callin# of the Holy 5$irit to come to
1148 'hrist, there will e no for#i9eness. 1323 1hey are the ones who ha9e no concern for any kin" of sin an" Go", who is #racious, will #i9e them what they want 7 a life of sin 7 ut the final conseAuence will e theirs as well.
!. &. / Mt. &*733-3<4 M9. 37* -*& 0:;6S ;EFLECT THE HEA;T Mt. 33 2Either 1a9e the tree %oo( a$( its fr)it %oo(+ or 1a9e the tree ba( a$( its fr)it ba(4 for a tree is 9$o3$ by its fr)it. 3/ Aroo( of 8i#ersK Ho3 "a$ yo) s#ea9 %oo( thi$%s 3he$ yo) are e8il> For the 1o)th s#ea9s fro1 the o8erflo3 of the heart. 3' A %oo( 1a$ #ro()"es %oo( thi$%s fro1 his storeroo1 of %oo(+ a$( a$ e8il 1a$ #ro()"es e8il thi$%s fro1 his storeroo1 of e8il. 3. I tell yo) that o$ the (ay of H)(%1e$t #eo#le 3ill ha8e to a""o)$t for e8ery "areless 3or( they s#ea9. 3< For by yo)r 3or(s yo) 3ill be a"=)itte(+ a$( by yo)r 3or(s yo) 3ill be "o$(e1$e(.5 M9. * The$ He 3e$t ho1e+ a$( the "ro3( %athere( a%ai$ so that they 3ere $ot e8e$ able to eat. *& 0he$ His fa1ily hear( this+ they set o)t to restrai$ Hi1+ be"a)se they sai(+ 2He?s o)t of His 1i$(.5 1he con"ition of a $erseon<s heart can e reco#ni>e" y the wor"s he s$eaks. 1hat was clearly e9i"ent in this case an" ,esus reco#ni>e" it. 1he accusation of las$hemy arose y the (harisees, an" it consists of the followin#* 1. 1o insult or "e#ra"e Go". -. 1o willfully "eny Go" an"/or the #os$el when the Holy 5$irit has clearly re9eale" its truth to someone. /. 1o attri ute the work of the Holy 5$irit to 5atan or his "emons. 1656. ,enney, B1he Holy 5$irit an" 5anctification.C 41/L (entecost, The Words and Word of
&esus 'hrist. -87.
1149 1hese three $oints were the accusations a#ainst ,esus. While the reli#ious lea"ers were $assin# Eu"#ment on ,esus, in reality, Eu"#ment woul" fall u$on them.1327 2E8ery "areless 3or( they s#ea9.5 ,esus was s$eakin# of careless wor"s s$oken a#ainst Go" ;an" the Holy 5$irit=. 1he He rew wor" lashshaw means to uselessness or to no good purpose. 132@ 1o s$eak in this manner a out another $erson is one matter, ut to "irect such comments towar" Go" is a #ra9e error.
!. &. ' Mt. &*73,-/*4 ;5ee also &k. 11*-9-/-= THE SIGN :F J:NAH4 ;EFLECTI:NS UP:N IING MANASSEH AN6 IA6ESH-AA;NEA The$ so1e of the s"ribes a$( Pharisees sai( to Hi1+ 2Tea"her+ 3e 3a$t to see a si%$ fro1 Eo).5
3,
A)t He a$s3ere( the1+ 2A$ e8il a$( a()ltero)s %e$eratio$ (e1a$(s a si%$+ b)t $o si%$ 3ill be %i8e$ to it e@"e#t the si%$ of the #ro#het Jo$ah. / For as Jo$ah 3as i$ the belly of the h)%e fish three (ays a$( three $i%hts+ so the So$ of Ma$ 3ill be i$ the heart of the earth three (ays a$( three $i%hts. /& The 1e$ of Ni$e8eh 3ill sta$( )# at the H)(%1e$t 3ith this %e$eratio$ a$( "o$(e1$ it+ be"a)se they re#e$te( at Jo$ah?s #ro"la1atio$4 a$( loo9Qso1ethi$% %reater tha$ Jo$ah is hereK /* The =)ee$ of the so)th 3ill rise )# at the H)(%1e$t 3ith this %e$eratio$ a$( "o$(e1$ it+ be"a)se she "a1e fro1 the e$(s of the earth to hear the 3is(o1 of Solo1o$4 a$( loo9Q so1ethi$% %reater tha$ Solo1o$ is hereK
3!
!t is interestin# that ,esus ma"e a reference to ,onah ecause this $ro$het was a weak, stu orn, an" "iso e"ient in"i9i"ual who e%$erience" a 1657. Archer, B'rimes an" (unishment.C 1*18/-. 1658. Archer, B'rimes an" (unishment.C 1*18/-.
1150 $rofoun" theolo#ical an" attitu"inal a"Eustment. With a new Go"-#i9en outlook on life, he com$lete" the $lan Go" to rin# re$entance to the Assyrian royal court in :ine9eh. ,onah is not only sym olic of the resurrection, ut his ook sets forth the entire story of sal9ation ecause it $ro$hetically foresha"ows Go"<s relationshi$ with man, from the first a"9ent of ,esus to His return. 1his may e why he is the only $ro$het with whom ,esus "irectly com$ares Himself.
!. &. '.J& 0hat 3as the si%$ of Jo$ah> ,esus mentione" the si#n of ,onah, ut "i" not say what it was. He "i"n<t nee" to, ecause e9eryone un"erstoo" what He was s$eakin# a out. 1he si#n was relate" to oth time an" resurrection. !n fact, there are four features or as$ects to the si#n* 1. ,ust as ,onah was entom e" in the elly of the #reat fish for the $ro9er ial Bthree "ays an" three ni#hts,C so likewise ,esus was entom e" in the earth for the same time. ;5ee the use of this fi#ure of s$eech in !. &. '.J& elow=. -. 1he ancients elie9e" the ottom of oth the Me"iterranean 5ea an" the 5ea of Galilee was the a yss or $lace for the "ea". 5ome elie9e" it was also the entrance to hell. !n the lo#ic of first century listeners, Eust as ,onah went "own to the $lace of the "ea", ,esus "i" likewise #oin# to the entrance of hell. /. ,ust as ,onah was resurrecte" to life when the mi#hty fish re#ur#itate" him on the shore, so ,esus was resurrecte" to life from the tom ;see Acts 1*7=. 1329 !n fact, the entire ook of ,onah is a story of sal9ation that $ro$hetically foresha"ows Go"<s "ealin# with man 7 from the first comin# of ,esus to His return. 4. ,ust as ,onah $reache" in :ine9eh for forty "ays concernin# the comin# Eu"#ment, so likewise the #os$el was $reache" to the ,ews for forty years efore Eu"#ment fell. 1he "estruction of ,erusalem an" the
1659. Garr, Restoring :ur ,ost ,egacy. 29-38.
1151 tem$le occurre" e%actly forty years after the "eath an" resurrection of ,esus. 1hose forty years were a $ro ationary $erio" for the nation of !srael an" its lea"ershi$, a B$ro$hetic ty$e of ,onah,C which ,esus sai" woul" e a si#n to 9ali"ate His Messiahshi$.
20e 3a$t to see a si%$ fro1 Eo).5 1his was an incre"i le reAuest ecause ,esus ha" alrea"y $erforme" so many miracles, inclu"in# messianic miracles. Howe9er, y statin# that they were a wicke" an" a"ulterous generation that was lookin# for a si#n, He "i" not mean e9eryone, ut only those who ha" seen Him $erform si#ns an" won"ers ut still refuse" to elie9e. :ow they ha" the au"acity to make this reAuest. What woul" another miracle $ro9eF When the reli#ious lea"ers reEecte" ,esus, in effect, Bnational !sraelC reEecte" Him, an" in res$onse ,esus was #oin# to reEect national !srael. As such, He e#an a new $hase of His ministry focuse" solely on those who $ut their faith in Him. 1338 !n the course of time, the 5a""ucees an" (harisees res$on"e" y $resentin# three si#ns that they reEecte" the Bsi#n of ,onah.C 1. 1hey reEecte" the resurrection of &a>arus from the #ra9e ;,n. 11=. -. 1hey reEecte" the resurrection of ,esus ;Acts 1*7=. /. 1hey martyre" 5te$hen 5ince ,onah is sym olic of a resurrecte" life, the reEection of the Bsi#n of ,onah,C therefore, le" to them to reEect the messa#e of sal9ation as 1660. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. -8@-18.
1152 $resente" y the $ro$het as well as the kin#"om of Go" messa#e offere" y ,esus. 1he reEection of ,esus y ,ewish lea"ers was a national "ecision an" the nation woul" suffer ecause of it. 2A$ e8il a$( a()ltero)s %e$eratio$.5 !n this $assa#e the wor" 1331 adulterous means apostate. +urthermore, ,esus "i" not refer to the entire #eneration of ,ews, ut only the #eneration of reli#ious lea"ers who were "eman"in# that har"workin#, honest ,ewish $eo$le kee$ laws ne9er en"orse" y Go". 1he 5a""ucees an" (harisees ha" roken the co9enant ;marria#e tie= etween ,eho9ah Go" an" His $eo$le. 1he term Ba"ulteryC was freAuently use" y the $ro$hets to "escri e the s$iritual $rostitution of !srael<s lea"ers. 133- With this $hrase, ,esus a$$lie" all the wor"s of con"emnation s$oken y the $ro$hets to the reli#ious elite. 1hey were fully aware of His $ower an" "i" not nee" to see another si#n, ut nee"e" to re$ent. 1hey ha" ecome so arro#ant, that, in their thinkin#, they coul" "o no wron# if they followe" their own moral reli#ious co"e. Howe9er, Go" inten"e" them to e a chosen $eo$le to ser9e Him, a mission in which they faile" misera ly. .oth ,esus an" ,onah were "eli9ere" from "eath. 1he reason why the men of :ine9eh will some"ay stan" in Eu"#ment a#ainst unre$entant !srael, is ecause :ine9eh "i" re$ent, ut national !srael "i" not.133/ 1he $hrase #reatly an#ere" them ecause it connecte" them to horrific e9ents in their historyL se9eral $erio"s of cultural an" s$iritual "eca"ence when their forefathers were an Be9il an" a"ulterous #eneration.C 1wo e%am$les are* 1. !n the si%teenth century ..'., shortly after Moses le" the !sraelites out of the 4#y$t, they arri9e" at Da"esh-.arnea. +rom there he sent twel9e s$ies to a$$raise the lan" of 'anaan. 1heir mission was not to "etermine if they coul" "efeat the 'anaanites, ut how to $lan a military strate#y. As the story #oes, they went on a forty "ay mission an" u$on their return, only 'ale an" ,oshua re$orte" the lan" coul"
1661. .arclay, BMatthew.C -*49.
1662. cf. !sa 27*/ffL 3-*2L 4>ek. -/*-7L ,ames 4*4L !sa. 28*1L 27*/L ,er. /*@L 1/*-7L /1*/-L
4>ek. 13*12, /-, /2-4-L Hos -*1-7, /*1, et. al.
1663. 'arson, BMatthew.C @*-97.
1153 e conAuere" ;:um. 1/*1/-//=. 1he other ten con9ince" the !sraelites that conAuest was im$ossi le. !n essence, 'ale an" ,oshua ha" faith that Go" woul" hel$ them, ut the others "i" not. 'onseAuently, the !sraelites worrie" they woul" e "efeate" if they confronte" the 'anaanites, so they murmure" an" com$laine" a#ainst Moses an" Go". +or that reason Go" sent them ack into the "esert for forty years until that Bwicke" an" a"ulterousC #eneration $asse" away ;:um. 14=. 1herefore, when ,esus use" the $hrase Ba wicke" an" a"ulterous #eneration,C He connecte" to the sins of their forefathers who were sent ack into the "esert. 1he statement ha" $rofoun" ramifications. -. ,esus also eAuate" the reli#ious lea"ers with Din# Manasseh who, for fifty-fi9e years, le" the ,ewish $eo$le into i"olatry ;- D#. -1L - 'h. -@=. Accor"in# to the American 5tan"ar" Hersion, Manasseh B$ractice" au#ury, an" use" enchantments, an" "ealt with them that ha" familiar s$irits an" with wi>ar"sC ;- D#. -1*3=. Au#ury was the ancient $ractice of "eterminin# the will of the #o"s y stu"yin# the soun"s an" fli#ht $atterns of ir"s. His own son an" many other chil"ren were urne" ali9e as an offerin# to their #o" Molach in the Hinnom Halley. 1he ,ewish $eo$le at the time of ,esus consi"ere" the #eneration of Din# Manasseh as Ba wicke" an" a"ulterous #eneration.C Howe9er, the im$lications of the $hrase "i" not en" with Manasseh.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 !. &. '.J* Is the #hrase 2three (ays a$( three $i%hts5 to be i$ter#rete( literally+ or is it a fi%)re of s#ee"h> 1his $hrase has een use" y critics to illustrate errors in the .i le. Howe9er, an e%amination of the He raic use of the term clarifies the mystery. 2For as Jo$ah 3as i$ the belly of the h)%e fish three (ays a$( three $i%hts.5 While this $assa#e is a reference to the time $erio" that ,onah an" ,esus woul" e entom e", He raic scholars say that the focus is not on the num er of "ays in the entom ment ;,on. 1*/, 17=, ut on his resurrection
1154 that followe". .elow are three e%am$les of the $hrase Bthree "ays an" three ni#hts,C use" as a fi#ure of s$eech an" not to e literally inter$rete". 1. 0eho oam tol" the $eo$le to see him after three "ays ;- 'h. 18*2, D,H=, ut in fact, he met with them on the thir" "ay ;- 'h. 18*1-, D,H=. 1he "ifference etween the wor"s BafterC an" BonC is si#nificant. Unfortunately, at times the fine "etails of meanin# are lost in translations. -. 4sther faste" three "ays an" ni#hts ;4sther 4*13=, ut on the thir" "ay she went to meet her kin# ;2*1=. 5he "i" not see him after fastin# three com$lete "ays an" ni#hts. 1he $hrase, Bthree "ays an" three ni#htsC is a fi#ure of s$eech si#nifyin# i"eal time rather than a literal time. 1he num er three means Bi"ealC when use" in He raisms, as is e9i"ence" y the freAuency a conce$t is mentione". &ikewise when a wor" is re$orte" three times, such as Bholy, holy, holy,C it is #i9en the hi#hest He raic si#nificance $ossi le. 0arely is anythin# re$eate" three times in the .i le, as it was not use" li#htly. 1334 /. !n the )euterocanical ook of 1o it ;/*18-1-=, a woman y the name of 5ara $rays for three "ays an" three ni#hts, ut on the thir" "ay ;9. 1-=, she en"s her $rayer. ? 9iously the ,ewish au"ience un"erstoo" that the time frame was not a literal three "ay an" three ni#ht T se9enty-two hour T $erio".
1he em$hasis shoul" not e on the num er three, ut on the resurrection since that is the main $oint of the com$arison. 1he $ro lem arises when mo"ern stu"ents rea" that Matthew also sai" that ,esus was raise" to life Bon the thir" "ayC ;Mt. 13*-1, 17*-/, -8*19= an" Bafter three "aysC ;-7*3/=. !t is "ifficult to elie9e that Matthew, who was at one time em$loye" as a
1664. ,effrey, $n eiling Mysteries of the Bible. 1@1-@4.
1155 ta% collector an" skille" ookkee$er, woul" make such an error. 1herefore, it is the challen#e of the mo"ern rea"er to com$rehen" the te%t from the ancient author\s $oint of 9iew. ,ust as 4sther "i" not fast for three literal "ays an" ni#hts, neither was ,esus in the tom for three literal "ays an" ni#hts. Howe9er, oth ,onah an" ,esus were resurrecte" on Rthe thir" "ayC accor"in# to ,ewish reckonin#.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 2The 1e$ of Ni$e8eh O the =)ee$ of the So)th.5 When ,onah went to the Assyrian city to $reach the messa#e of re$entance, the men of :ine9eh reco#ni>e" him as a $ro$het of Go", acce$te" his messa#e, an" re$ente". &ikewise, the Nueen of 5he a reco#ni>e" that the "i9ine wis"om $ossesse" y 5olomon was of Go". ,esus was now efore the ,ewish lea"ers, the $rou" "escen"ants of A raham who were assure" of their reli#ious knowle"#e, ut faile" to reco#ni>e who was stan"in# efore them. ,esus, in essence, sai" that the Nueen of the 5outh tra9ele" a #reat "istance to hear 5olomon ut the (harisees were not at all intereste" in hearin# anythin# of the Din#"om of Go". !n the first century the Din#"om of 5he a no lon#er e%iste" an", therefore, ,esus use" the He rew wor" for BsouthC ; teman=. !t is from this wor" that the mo"ern name of BJemenC is "eri9e", a country in the southern corner of the Ara ian (eninsula. 1he reason ,esus "i" not use the name B5he a,C is ecause He continually inter$rete" an" clarifie" 5cri$ture. All sa#es an" ra is "i" this, an" the stu"ent of i lical history must e aware of this hermeneutic. 1his metho" of first century clarification e%$lains some of the so-calle" errors that critics i"entify in 5cri$ture. 1332 2So1ethi$% %reater tha$ Solo1o$ is here.5 A etter translation is B?ne #reater than 5olomon is here,C ecause ,esus was referrin# to Himself. 1333 1his was a $rofoun" statement. 5olomon ha" immeasura le wis"om, $ower, an" wealth, ut what ,esus offere" sur$asse" that of the former kin#. 1he historical conte%t of this $assa#e is that first century ,ews relie" u$on 5olomon<s wis"om for the "iscernment nee"e" concernin# "emons, as well as his $ower to cast them out.
1665. .i9in, B1he Nueen of 1eman.C .a o )igest. -*/, 19.

1333 . (erkins, BGreater than 5olomon.C -87-17.
1156 !t is Auite si#nificant that wis"om was not consi"ere" a miraculous si#n y the ancients. When ,esus was twel9e years ol" He sat on the tem$le ste$s an" "um foun"e" the $riests with His su$erior wis"om an" knowle"#e, yet this was not consi"ere" a miracle. His first miracle occurre" later when He turne" the water into wine in 'ana. He re$eate"ly awe" the au"ience with His insi#hts, knowle"#e, wis"om, an" at no time were any of these con9ersations consi"ere" miracles. When the (harisees reAueste" a miraculous si#n from ,esus, they "i" not want to hear another comment a out His wis"om. 49ery time they attem$te" to tra$ Him with a trick Auestion, He turne" it aroun" an" ma"e them look foolish. 1hey wante" a Bsi#n,C meanin# a miracle such as a healin# or e%orcism, ut not Bwis"om.C 1herefore, most certainly one who ha" recei9e" such "i9ine lessin# of wis"om woul" know how to successfully cast out "emons. 49i"ently, He "i" $recisely that as is "emonstrate" elow. ,esus ha" Eust heale" a "emon-$ossesse" man ;Mt. 1-*---/8= an" the con9ersation continue" in that $articular theme. 1herefore, the "iscussion of one who is #reater than 5olomon is actually uilt u$on the "iscussion of e%orcism, an" it is here that ancient writers $reser9e" a un"ant clues to enhance this inter$retation. +urthermore, they $reser9e" the nature of 5olomon<s wis"om as it was un"erstoo" in the first an" secon" centuries, oth ..'. an" A.). Amon# these writers, ,ose$hus not only $reser9e" the e%tra- i lical e9i"ence of historical e%orcism, ut also recor"e" that he $ersonally witnesse" a successful e%orcism y one calle" 4lea>ar usin# the name of 5olomon as his source of $ower. 1he historian<s un"erstan"in# of 5olomon e%$lains why 4leasar an" others calle" u$on the name of 5olomon for wis"om an" $ower to cast out "emons. He also "o1#ose( boo9s of o(es a$( so$%s D a tho)sa$( a$( fi8e4 of #arables a$( si1ilit)(es D three tho)sa$(4 for he s#o9e a #arable )#o$ e8ery sort of tree fro1 the hysso# to the "e(ar4 a$( i$ li9e 1a$$er also abo)t beasts+ abo)t all sorts of li8i$% "reat)res+ 3hether )#o$ the earth+ or i$ the air4 for he 3as $ot )$a"=)ai$te( 3ith their $at)res+ $or o1itte( i$=)iries abo)t the1+ b)t (es"ribe( the1 all li9e a #hiloso#her+ a$( (e1o$strate( he ha( e@=)isite 9$o3le(%e of their se8eral #ro#erties. Go( also e$able( hi1 to lear$ the s9ill 3hi"h e@#els (e1o$s+ 3hi"h is a s"ie$"e )sef)l a$( sa$ati8e to 1e$.
1157 He "o1#ose( s)"h i$"a$tatio$s also by 3hi"h (iste1#ers are alle8iate(. A$( he left behi$( hi1 the 1a$$er of )si$% e@or"is1s+ by 3hi"h they (ri8e a3ay (e1o$s+ so that they $e8er ret)r$. Go( also e$able( hi1 to lear$ that s9ill 3hi"h e@#els (e1o$s+ 3hi"h is a s"ie$"e )sef)l a$( sa$ati8e Bheali$%C to 1e$. He "o1#ose( s)"h i$"ar$atio$s also by 3hi"h (iste1#ers are alle8iate(. A$( he left behi$( hi1 the 1a$$er of )si$% e@or"is1s by 3hi"h they (ri8e a3ay (e1o$s so that they $e8er ret)r$ a$( the 1etho( of ")re is of %reat for"e )$to this (ay4 for I ha8e see$ a "ertai$ 1a$ of 1y o3$ "o)$try 3hose $a1e 3as EleaGar+ releasi$% #eo#le that 3ere (e1o$ia"al i$ the #rese$"e of Fes#asia$+ a$( his so$s+ a$( his "a#tai$s+ a$( the 3hole 1)ltit)(e of sol(iers. The 1a$$er of ")re 3as this7 He #)t a ri$% that ha( a root of o$e of those sorts 1e$tio$e( by Solo1o$ to the $ostrils of the (e1o$ia"+ after 3hi"h he (re3 o)t the (e1o$ thro)%h his $ostrils4 a$( 3he$ the 1a$ fell (o3$ i11e(iately+ he a(H)re( hi1 to ret)r$ i$to hi1 $o 1ore+ 1a9i$% still 1e$tio$ of Solo1o$+ a$( re"iti$% the i$"ar$atio$s 3hi"h he "o1#ose(. A$( 3he$ EleaGar 3o)l( #ers)a(e a$( (e1o$strate to the s#e"tators that he ha( s)"h #o3er+ he set a little 3ay off a ")# or basi$ f)ll of 3ater a$( "o11a$(e( the (e1o$+ as he 3e$t o)t of the 1a$+ to o8ert)r$ it a$( thereby let the s#e"tators 9$o3 that he ha( left the 1a$. A$( 3he$ this 3as (o$e+ the s9ill a$( 3is(o1 of Solo1o$ 3as sho3$ 1a$ifestly4 for 3hi"h reaso$ it is+ that all 1e$ 1ay 9$o3 that 8ast$ess of Solo1o$?s abilities a$( ho3 he 3as belo8e( of Go(+ a$( that e@traor(i$ary 8irt)es of e8ery 9i$( 3ith 3hi"h this 9i$% 3as e$(o3e( 1a$y $ot be )$9$o3$ to a$y #eo#le )$(er the s)$4 for this reaso$+ I say+ it is that 3e #ro"ee( to s#ea9 so lar%ely of these 1atters. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities ,.*.' ,ose$hus clearly elie9e" that 5olomon ha" the "i9ine knowle"#e an" $ower to cast out "emons, an" that his $ower was transferre" to future #enerations to continue the same. His wi"e ran#e of wis"om an" e%$ertise was connecte" with e9ery known science an" $hiloso$hy y the secon"
1158 century ..'. +urthermore, he linke" the creation of effecti9e castin# rituals an" incarnations to 5olomon. ,ose$hus "i" not elie9e this acti9ity was a form of mytholo#y, ut a serious e9ent in one<s life. Another author of the e%tra- i lical ook title", Wisdom of Solomon , "escri e" the reflections an" a functional knowle"#e of 5olomon<s wis"om.1337 !n the $assa#e elow, note the $hrase in He raic $oetry Bthe 9iolent force of s$irits,C an" that it is associate" with the Breasonin# of men.C 1his ook is in a class of writin#s that com$rise the A$ocry$ha, an" was written in the first $erson. 133@ For both 3e a$( o)r 3or(s are i$ his ha$(+ as are all )$(ersta$(i$% a$( s9ill i$ "rafts. For it is he 3ho %a8e 1e )$erri$% 9$o3le(%e of 3hat e@ists+ To 9$o3 the str)"t)re of the 3orl( a$( the a"ti8ity of the ele1e$ts4 The be%i$$i$% a$( e$( a$( 1i((le of ti1es+ The alteratio$s of the solsti"es a$( the "ha$%es of the seaso$s+ The "y"les of the year a$( the "o$stellatio$s of the stars+ That $at)res of a$i1als a$( the te1#ers of 3il( beasts+ The #o3ers of s#irits a$( reaso$i$%s of 1e$+ The 8arieties of #la$ts a$( the 8irt)es of roots4 I lear$e( both 3hat is se"ret a$( that is 1a$ifest+ For 3is(o1+ the fashio$er of all thi$%s+ ta)%ht 1e. %isdom of 3olomon+ ,7&<-**
&..!
1667. 1he Wisdom of Solomon was written in the first century ..'. 5ee A##e$(i@ ** for more information. 1668. 1he rea"er is remin"e" that Auotations from non- i lical sources are not to un"erstoo" as ein# of eAual authority with the i lical narrati9es. 5ee &. *. /. e
1669
1159 When rea"in# the Wisdom of Solomon , the rea"er may conclu"e that the author enhance" the ima#e of the ancient kin#. Jet 5cri$ture $recisely in"icates that Din# 5olomon was, in fact, the wisest man u$on the earth an" no other woul" e9er e like him ;1 D#. /*1-=. 1herefore, is it $ossi le that mo"ern scholars ha9e faile" to consi"er that 5olomon ha" the knowle"#e to e%$el "emonsF 1here is a #rowin# o"y of scholars who, after rea"in# ancient "ocuments, elie9e that 5olomon was freAuently referre" to as a $owerful authority in e%orcisms an" incantations. 1378 Another source is the Testament of Solomon which is in a class of ooks known as the (seu"e$i#ra$ha an" was written sometime etween the first an" thir" centuries A.). While this is a late "ate, it reflects the thinkin# common "urin# the life of 'hrist as well as that of the 4ssene community, as note" in their )ea" 5ea 5crolls. 1he Testament is a folktale a out 5olomon<s uil"in# acti9ity concernin# the tem$le, as well as ancient lore concernin# ma#ic, "emonolo#y, an" $rimiti9e me"icine. .elow is an e%am$le concernin# e%orcism. !t is noteworthy that the source of s$iritual $ower an" authority is Go" followe" y the secon"ary source, 5olomon. When ,esus sai" He was #reater than 5olomon, He was $lacin# Himself eAual with Go". Testa1e$t of Solo1o$+ So$ of 6a8i(+ 3ho rei%$e( i$ Jer)sale1 a$( s)b()e( all the s#irits B(e1o$sC of the air+ of the earth+ a$( )$(er the earth4 thro)%h the1 he also a""o1#lishe( all the 1a%$ifi"e$t 3or9s of the te1#le4 3hat their a)thorities are a%ai$st 1e$+ a$( by 3hat a$%els these (e1o$s are th3arte(. Alesse( are yo)+ Lor( Go(+ 3ho has %i8e$ this a)thority to Solo1o$. Glory a$( #o3er to yo) fore8er. . The Testa1e$t of Solo1o$+ Prolo%)e&.<&
. Met>#er, The Apocrypha of the :ld Testament. 118. 1378 . (erkins, BGreater than 5olomon.C -11.
1671. 'harlesworth, The :ld Testament 4seudepigraphia. 1*938.
1160
Accor"in# to the )ea" 5ea 5crolls, $owers to mani$ulate "emonic s$irits an" create s$ells are first cre"ite" to Go", then to 5olomon. 1his $riority of authori>e" $ower an" authority ;i.e., Go" first= is also foun" in a ma#ical $a$yrus "ocument "ate" etween secon" century ..'. an" A.). 78. !t is similar to the $ortion of a much later "ate foun" in the Apocryphal 4salms. :ote the followin# rea"in#* :f 6a8i(. Co$"er$i$% the 3or(s of the s#ell i$ the $a1e of EH0H...of Solo1o$+ a$( he 3ill i$8o9e the $a1e of EH0H to set hi1 free fro1 e8ery affli"tio$ of the s#irits+ of the (e8ils+ Liliths+ o3ls a$( Ha"9als. These are the (e8ils+ a$( the #riR$"e of e$1Sity is Aelial+ 3ho r)les o8er the abyss. RTe@t 1issi$%S to Rte@t 1issi$%S a$( to 1a%$ify the Go( of 3o$(ers Rte@t 1issi$%S ... the so$s of his #eo#le ha8e "o1#lete( the ")re+ ... Rthose 3hoS... ha8e relie( o$ yo)r $a1e. I$8o9e ... %)ar(i$% of Israel. Lea$ o$ EH0H+ the Go( of %o(s+ he 3ho 1a(e the hea8e$s a$( the earth a$( all that is i$ the1+ 3ho se#arate( li%ht fro1 (ar9$ess.... &&J A#o"ry#hal Psal1s B&&J&&R&&JPsA#aSC+ Col)1$ *7*-&*&.<*
1672. Martine>, The )ead Sea Scrolls Translated . /73.
1161
!. &. 'A. THE ANCIENT SEAL :F S:L:M:N CA;FE6 IN ST:NE. 0!GH1* 1he 5eal of 5olomon is an encircle" fi9e-$ointe" star, like this one at 'a$ernaum. !t is elie9e" to ha9e ori#inate" in Greek art an" ecame known as the 5tar of 5olomon. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1his is clear e9i"ence that e%orcism was common in the "ays of ,esus, an" the s$iritual $ower was attri ute" to JHWH ;Go"= an" the ancient kin#. :ow ,esus stoo" efore them an" ol"ly state" that, 2So1ethi$% Bor :$eC %reater tha$ Solo1o$ is here.5 1his ha" a $rofoun" effect as He ha" cast out "emons without any s$ecial incantations, root or her al reme"ies, or reference to 5olomon, ut sim$ly y the authority of His s$oken wor". 1herefore, ,esus "emonstrate" that He was #reater than 5olomon. 137/ !t shoul" e note" that ma#ic was also a common $ractice in ,u"aism "urin# the Greco-0oman era. 1he ori#inal source of ma#ic is elie9e" to ha9e ori#inate" in .a ylon, ut in the first century it a$$ears to ha9e een taken from Gnosticism, althou#h Greek an" $a#an s$iritualists were certainly within their communities. 1o what "e#ree this may ha9e influence" the early church is Auestiona le. Howe9er, to oth ,esus an" (aul, s$iritual
1673. :either 5olomon or Moses left any writin#s on how to "eal with "emonically $ossesse" in"i9i"uals. .eliefs an" su$erstitutions relate" to 5olomon ori#inate" with ra is, not the famous kin#.
1162 warfare was a 9ery real conflict. &uke mentione" the se9en sons of 5ce9a in the ook of Acts an" the 4le$hantine $a$yri ha9e many ,ewish ma#ical formulas. 1he A$ostle (aul ma"e a reference to s$iritual warfare in 4$hesians 3, in"icatin# that this kin" of conflict was not to e taken li#htly.
!. &. . Mt. &*7/3-/'4 L9. &&7*<-*, NEE6 F:; M:;AL ;EF:;M Mt. /3 20he$ a$ )$"lea$ s#irit "o1es o)t of a 1a$+ it roa1s thro)%h 3aterless #la"es loo9i$% for rest b)t (oes$?t fi$( a$y. // The$ it says+ WI?ll %o ba"9 to 1y ho)se that I "a1e fro1.? A$( ret)r$i$%+ it fi$(s the ho)se 8a"a$t+ s3e#t+ a$( #)t i$ or(er. /' The$ off it %oes a$( bri$%s 3ith it se8e$ other s#irits 1ore e8il tha$ itself+ a$( they e$ter a$( settle (o3$ there. As a res)lt+ that 1a$?s last "o$(itio$ is 3orse tha$ the first. That?s ho3 it 3ill also be 3ith this e8il %e$eratio$.5 L9. *< As He 3as sayi$% these thi$%s+ a 3o1a$ fro1 the "ro3( raise( her 8oi"e a$( sai( to Hi1+ 2The 3o1b that bore Eo) a$( the o$e 3ho $)rse( Eo) are blesse(K5 He sai(+ 2E8e$ 1ore+ those 3ho hear the 3or( of Go( a$( 9ee# it are blesse(K5
*,
2Se8e$ other s#irits.5 !n all $ro a ility ,esus "i" not mean se9en literal s$irits. 1he num er se9en ha" a meanin# of B$erfectionC an" Bcom$letenessC in issues that relate" to oth Go" an" 5atan throu#hout all ancient :ear 4astern cultures. Go" #i9es $erfect an" com$lete $eace, comfort, an" Eoy while 5atan #i9es $erfect an" com$lete "ece$tion an" "eath. 1hose in9ol9e" in "emonic worshi$ also use the $hrase. +or e%am$le, in 'alcutta, !n"ia, is the statue of Dali that "e$icts the #o""ess of "eath who has se9en arms with each han" she is hol"in# a human hea". Worshi$ers of this #o""ess e# with utter fear for mercy from "eath. ,esus $ro a ly referre" to se9en s$irits ecause of the com$lete control they ha" o9er this man, which woul" ha9e een a worse situation than he $re9iously ha" e%$erience".
1163 2This e8il %e$eratio$.5 1he #eneration that reEecte" ,esus was #i9en forty years to re$ent. 1hey not only refuse", ut instea", they $ersecute" the church. 'onseAuently, forty years later the 5a""ucean lea"ershi$ an" the tem$le were oth "estroye". !. &. < Mt. &*7/.-' ;5ee also Mk. /*/1-/2L &k. @*19--1=
JESUS TELLS T;UE IINSHIP /. He 3as still s#ea9i$% to the "ro3(s 3he$ s)((e$ly His 1other a$( brothers 3ere sta$(i$% o)tsi(e 3a$ti$% to s#ea9 to Hi1. /< So1eo$e tol( Hi1+ 2Loo9+ Eo)r 1other a$( Eo)r brothers are sta$(i$% o)tsi(e+ 3a$ti$% to s#ea9 to Eo).5 /, A)t He re#lie( to the o$e 3ho tol( Hi1+ 20ho is My 1other a$( 3ho are My brothers>5 /! A$( stret"hi$% o)t His ha$( to3ar( His (is"i#les+ He sai(+ 2Here are My 1other a$( My brothersK ' For 3hoe8er (oes the 3ill of My Father i$ hea8e$+ that #erso$ is My brother a$( sister a$( 1other.5 20ho is My 1other+ a$( 3ho are My brothers>5 1his statement woul" almost im$ly that ,esus s$itefully roke the comman"ments concernin# com$assion an" honor "ue His $arents, not to mention His a$$arent loss of res$ect for His half- rothers. 1374 :e9ertheless, such was not the caseL He was 9ery res$ectful. He was not s$eakin# of His earthly family ut of the lar#er family of Go". He i"entifie" Himself with His Bfamily of elie9ersLC those who "o the will of His +ather in hea9en are His BmotherC an" B rothers.C 1his eliminates those who say they are elie9ers ut their li9es "o not reflect any "esire to li9e accor"in# to i lical $rinci$les.
1674. 'oncernin# the num er of rothers an" sisters ,esus ha", see & . &. *, Ban" the
rother of ,ames, ,osesTC
1164
U$it ! T)r$i$% Poi$t of the Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter * Jes)s A$$o)$"es 0oes4 Lea(ers Atte1#t E$tra#1e$t
1165
!. *. A. JESUS 6ISCUSSES THE LA0 0ITH THE PHA;ISEES. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. ,esus challen#es the reli#ious lea"ers on the issues of their ?ral &aw an" their hy$ocrisy. 5uch "iscourses were usually in a $u lic forum, which a""e" to the humiliation of the lea"ers. !. *. & L9. &&733-3. INNE; ;IGHTE:USNESS
1166 2No o$e li%hts a la1# a$( #)ts it i$ the "ellar or )$(er a bas9et+ b)t o$ a la1#sta$(+ so that those 3ho "o1e i$ 1ay see its li%ht. 3/ Eo)r eye is the la1# of the bo(y. 0he$ yo)r eye is %oo(+ yo)r 3hole bo(y is also f)ll of li%ht. A)t 3he$ it is ba(+ yo)r bo(y is also f)ll of (ar9$ess. 3' Ta9e "are the$+ that the li%ht i$ yo) is $ot (ar9$ess. 3. If+ therefore+ yo)r 3hole bo(y is f)ll of li%ht+ 3ith $o #art of it i$ (ar9$ess+ it 3ill be e$tirely ill)1i$ate(+ as 3he$ a la1# shi$es its li%ht o$ yo).5
33
20he$ yo)r eye is %oo( O A)t 3he$ it is ba(.5 1hese two $hrases are e%am$les of colloAuialism, with meanin#s similar to those of nei#h orin# cultures. A $erson with B#oo" eyesC is a #enerous $erson an" one with B a" eyesC is stin#y. ;5ee Mt. 3*19--4L ,. /. &4 &*. 3.& =
!. *. * L9. &&73<-'* SIP 0:ES7 HEP:C;ISE C:N6EMNE6 As He 3as s#ea9i$%+ a Pharisee as9e( Hi1 to (i$e 3ith hi1. So He 3e$t i$ a$( re"li$e( at the table. 3, 0he$ the Pharisee sa3 this+ he 3as a1aGe( that He (i( $ot first #erfor1 the rit)al 3ashi$% before (i$$er. 3! A)t the Lor( sai( to hi17 2No3 yo) Pharisees "lea$ the o)tsi(e of the ")# a$( (ish+ b)t i$si(e yo) are f)ll of %ree( a$( e8il. / FoolsK 6i($?t He 3ho 1a(e the o)tsi(e 1a9e the i$si(e too> /& A)t %i8e fro1 3hat is 3ithi$ to the #oor+ a$( the$ e8erythi$% is "lea$ for yo).
3<
2A)t 3oe to yo) PhariseesK Eo) %i8e a te$th of 1i$t+ r)e+ a$( e8ery 9i$( of herb+ a$( yo) by#ass H)sti"e a$( lo8e for Go(.
/*
1167 These thi$%s yo) sho)l( ha8e (o$e 3itho)t $e%le"ti$% the others. 20oe to yo) PhariseesK Eo) lo8e the fro$t seat i$ the sy$a%o%)es a$( %reeti$%s i$ the 1ar9et#la"es.
/3
20oe to yo)K Eo) are li9e )$1ar9e( %ra8es4 the #eo#le 3ho 3al9 o8er the1 (o$?t 9$o3 it.5 /' :$e of the e@#erts i$ the La3 a$s3ere( Hi1+ 2Tea"her+ 3he$ Eo) say these thi$%s Eo) i$s)lt )s too.5
//
The$ He sai(7 20oe also to yo) e@#erts i$ the la3K Eo) loa( #eo#le 3ith b)r(e$s that are har( to "arry+ yet yo) yo)rsel8es (o$?t to)"h these b)r(e$s 3ith o$e of yo)r fi$%ers. /< 20oe to yo)K Eo) b)il( 1o$)1e$ts to the #ro#hets+ a$( yo)r fathers 9ille( the1. /, Therefore+ yo) are 3it$esses that yo) a##ro8e the (ee(s of yo)r fathers+ for they 9ille( the1+ a$( yo) b)il( their 1o$)1e$ts. /! Ae"a)se of this+ the 3is(o1 of Go( sai(+ WI 3ill se$( the1 #ro#hets a$( a#ostles+ a$( so1e of the1 they 3ill 9ill a$( #erse")te+? ' so that this %e$eratio$ 1ay be hel( res#o$sible for the bloo( of all the #ro#hets she( si$"e the fo)$(atio$ of the 3orl( Q '& fro1 the bloo( of Abel to the bloo( of Le"hariah+ 3ho #erishe( bet3ee$ the altar a$( the sa$"t)ary.
/.
2Ees+ I tell yo)+ this %e$eratio$ 3ill be hel( res#o$sible. '* 20oe to yo) e@#erts i$ the la3K Eo) ha8e ta9e$ a3ay the 9ey of 9$o3le(%eK Eo) (i($?t %o i$ yo)rsel8es+ a$( yo) hi$(ere( those 3ho 3ere %oi$% i$.5 1he lea"in# (harisees who re$eate"ly confronte" ,esus were e%treme le#alists who ha" no care for the common $eo$le, ut only "esire" to $ro9i"e for their own lucrati9e welfare. 1hey were the aristocrats who re$eate"ly $lotte" assassination attem$ts a#ainst ,esus. Howe9er, many other (harisees "esire" to ha9e a s$iritual renewal amon# the $eo$le. 1hey $reache" this messa#e an" there is little Auestion they were a maEor influence for the o9erwhelmin# $ositi9e res$onse ,ohn the .a$tist ha" in his ministry. !t is always a challen#e to remem er these two e%tremes of the
1168 (harisees. 1hey were not a homo#eneous #rou$, ut rather, there was a #rou$ of corru$t aristocrats on one en" of the s$ectrum while at the other there was the maEority who ha" a true concern for the s$iritual welfare of the $eo$le un"er their char#e. 26i( $ot first #erfor1 the rit)al 3ashi$% before (i$$er.5 1he (harisees ha" "isa#reements amon# themsel9es concernin# the a$$lication of 9arious oral laws an" re#ulations to "aily life. 1hese were su Eects of "e ate etween the two maEor schools of reli#ious inter$retation at this time* the 5chool of Hillel an" the 5chool of 5hammai. 1he Mishnah recor"s the $hiloso$hy of each as it $ertaine" to the issue of washin# efore meals, which in the first century was a hotly "e ate" su Eect. These are the thi$%s 3herei$ the S"hool of Sha11ai a$( the s"hool of Hillel (iffer i$ 3hat "o$"er$s a 1eal. The S"hool of Sha11ai says7 2B:$ the Sabbath or a Festi8al-(ayC they say the Ae$e(i"tio$ first o8er the (ay a$( the$ o8er the 3i$e.5 A$( the S"hool of Hillel says7 2They say the Ae$e(i"tio$ first o8er the 3i$e a$( the$ o8er the (ay.5 The S"hool of Sha11ai says7 2They 3ash the ha$(s a$( the$ 1i@ the ")#.5 A$( the S"hool of Hillel says7 2They 1i@ the ")# a$( the$ 3ash the ha$(s.5 The S"hool of Sha11ai says7 2A 1a$ 3i#es his ha$(s 3ith a $a#9i$ a$( lays it o$ the table.5 A$( the S"hool of Hillel says7 ABHe lays itC o$ the ")shio$.5 The S"hool of Sha11ai says7 2They s3ee# )# the roo1 a$( the$ 3ash the ha$(s.5 The S"hool of Hillel says7 2They 3ash the ha$(s a$( the$ s3ee# )# the roo1.5 Mish$ah+ 8eraim 7era!oth ,.& - ,./&.<'
1675
. )an y, The Mishnah. @-9L +or more information see the Mishnah, Tohoroth .adaim , )an y, The Mishnah. 77@-@1.
1169 'learly ,esus was not $ersua"e" y their meanin#less rituals an" "iscussions. !t is interestin# thou#h, that the issue of cleanliness has continue" for us to"ay in the form of a common clich^, B'leanliness is ne%t to Go"liness.C ,ust as the (harisaic theolo#y of cleanliness faile" to make them holy efore Go", the mo"ern e%$ression has the same non-effect. 2U$1ar9e( %ra8es4 the #eo#le 3ho 3al9 o8er the1 (o$?t 9$o3 it. ?ne of the reasons for whitewashin# tom s was that these coul" easily e i"entifie" y tra9elers an" e a9oi"e". !f one walke" near a tom or touche" a "ea" o"y, he woul" e ceremonially "efile" an" coul" not $artici$ate in the reli#ious cele rations such as (asso9er .1373 1his was es$ecially im$ortant for the $riests ;cohenims= who ser9e" in the tem$le. 1herefore, two weeks $rior to (asso9er, families woul" white-wash them. 2Eo) b)il( their 1o$)1e$ts.5 &iterally* BJou uil" their tom s.C 1377 1he Auestion raise" y scholars has een in reference to what tom s or monuments "i" ,esus refer to in this $assa#eF 1he 5a""ucees were Helleni>e" ,ews, as were their Hasmonean forefathers, who lo9e" $ower an" wealth. !f they were not in $ower they were close consorts with those who were. At one time they were close Hero" the Great, an" after his "eath they were close to his son Archelaus until he was remo9e" y 0ome. Most (harisees, on the other han", were not close to the 0omans an" were constantly offen"e" y the cultural inroa"s that resulte" from the Hellenistic 5a""ucees an" 0omans. Many ,ewish lea"ers of the ?l" 1estament era ha" een 9iolent a#ainst Go"<s $ro$hets. &ikewise in the !nter-1estamental era, oth the lea"in# (harisees an" 5a""ucees were 9iolent a#ainst those who $reache" ri#hteousness. 'onseAuently, since they were #uilty of mur"er, an" since Hero" the Great wante" to a$$ease them, some scholars elie9e this situation is the reason as to why the kin# constructe" the Mach$elah, etter known as the 'a9e or 1om of (atriarchs. 137@ ,esus sai" that the ,ews, as well as the lea"ers of oth reli#ious $arties, trie" to a$$ease their 1676. +reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 287.
1677. Green, %nterlinear -reek/5nglish New TestamentF .erry, %nterlinear ,iteral Translation of the -reek New Testament. 1678. .urie" there are A raham, !saac, ,aco , 5arah, 0e ecca, an" &eah. Missin# is 0achel who "ie" in chil" irth near .ethlehem, where she was urie".
1170 #uilt y the construction of memorial tom ;the Mach$elah= to honor those whom they "i" not res$ect ;see 3. '.*.A=.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry her1e$e)ti"s7 !. *. *.J& 0hy (i( Jes)s refer to #assa%es i$ the Aible that (o $ot e@ist> Are$?t these errors> 2Ae"a)se of this+ the 3is(o1 of Go( sai(.5 ?ne of the "ifficulties in i lical stu"ies $ertains to $hrases like this one in &uke 11*49. !t was referre" to y ,esus ut there are no clear references to his Auotation. 'ritics ha9e hi#hli#hte" such $assa#es as $roof of numerous errors in the .i le. 1he a$$ro$riate res$onse is foun" in the conte%t of the He raic min"set. With $hrases like this one, ,esus s$oke to ,ews who un"erstoo" the conte(t of the con9ersation, meanin# they un"erstoo" what ,esus was sayin# in the roa" sco$e of 5cri$ture an" reli#ious trainin#. ? 9iously if the conte%t was not un"erstoo", those in His au"ience as well as the (harisees woul" ha9e een Auick to i"entify the error that has een toute" y mo"ern critics. A $artial list of other $ro lematic $assa#es is elow* &k. 11*49 ;,esus s$eakin#= 2Ae"a)se of this+ the 3is(o1 of Go( sai(+ WI 3ill se$( the1 #ro#hets a$( a#ostles+ a$( so1e of the1 they 3ill 9ill a$( #erse")te.?5 ;Where is the wis"om of Go" writtenF= 1his is not a reflection of ?l" 1estament 5cri$ture, ut $ro$hetic. 1his statement may e Go" s$eakin# throu#h ,esus or $ossi ly a Auotation from Go" knowin# His $ro$hets an" a$ostles will e kille" an" $ersecute" .1379 Mt. -3*-4a ;,esus s$eakin#= 2The So$ of Ma$ 3ill %o H)st as it is 3ritte$ abo)t Hi1.5 ;Written whereF !s this a reference to the sufferin# ser9ant of !saiah 2/F=
1679
. 5ee New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i le footnote on &uke 11*49.
1171 Mt. -3*24, 23 ;,esus s$eakin#= '/ 2Ho3+ the$+ 3o)l( the S"ri#t)res be f)lfille( that say it 1)st ha##e$ this 3ay>5 ;,esus s$eakin#= '. 2A)t all this has ha##e$e( so that the #ro#heti" S"ri#t)res 3o)l( be f)lfille(. The$ all the (is"i#les (eserte( Hi1 a$( ra$ a3ay.5 ;What 5cri$tureF Writin#sF (ossi ly Kechariah 1/*7=. Mk. 9*1/ ;,esus s$eakin#= 2A)t I tell yo) that EliHah really has "o1e+ a$( they (i( 3hate8er they #lease( to hi1+ H)st as it is 3ritte$ abo)t hi1.5 ;Written whereF= 4liEah was a ninth century ..'. $ro$het who was known for his miracles, his stru##le a#ainst the $ro$hets of .aal, his criticism of the kin# of !srael, an" as the eschatolo#ical forerunner of the comin# )ay of the &or". 1he $ro$het Malachi ;late fifth century ..'.= sai" 4liEah woul" come efore the B#reat an" "rea"ful "ay of the &or"C ;Mal. 4*2=. 4liEah is seen as a Bty$e an" sha"owC ;see A##e$(i@ *.= of ,ohn the .a$tist ecause the .a$tist constantly warne" his $eo$le of im$en"in# Eu"#ment. While ,ohn "enie" ein# 4liEah ;,n. 1*-1= he "i" function in a similar role as one who heral"e" the comin# of the Messiah. 1he threats that Nueen ,e>e el $ronounce" u$on 4liEah were fulfille" in the sufferin# ,ohn recei9e" un"er Hero"ias. :otice that what was sai" a out 4liEah also ha$$ene" to ,ohn the .a$tist.13@8 &k. -1*-;,esus s$eakin#= 2Ae"a)se these are (ays of 8e$%ea$"e to f)lfill all the thi$%s that are 3ritte$...5 ;Written whereF (ossi ly !saiah 3/*4L ,eremiah 2*-9=
13@8 . 5ee footnote of Mk. 9*1/ in the New %nternational 7ersion 5tu"y .i leL 5>iks>ai, B4liEah the (ro$het.C -*@@-98L )eHries, B4liEah.C -*-@4.
1172 ,n. 7*/@ ;,esus s$eakin#= 20hoe8er belie8es i$ 1e+ as the S"ri#t)res ha8e sai(+ strea1s of li8i$% 3ater 3ill flo3 fro1 3ithi$ hi1.5 ;5ai" whereF (ossi ly !sa. 1-*/L 4>ek. 47*1, !sa. 22*1= ;,esus s$eakin#= 20hile I 3as 3ith the1+ I #rote"te( the1 a$( 9e#t the1 safe by that $a1e yo) %a8e 1e. No$e has bee$ lost e@"e#t the o$e (oo1e( to (estr)"tio$ so that S"ri#t)re 3o)l( be f)lfille(.5 ;What 5cri$tureF (ossi ly a (salm.= 1he 5cri$ture source is unknown, yet - 1hessalonians -*/ she"s li#ht u$on this, e9en thou#h it was not written at this time. ?ne may consi"er the $ossi ility that ,esus was referrin# to the #eneral tenor an" s$irit of the 5cri$tures, rather than a s$ecific 9erse. !. *. *A CHA;T :F SAMPLE ALLUSI:NS JESUS MA6E :F 0HAT THE AIALE SAES+ AUT 0ITH N: JU:TATI:NS.
,n. 17*1-
,esus referre" to the 5cri$tures of the ?l" 1estament in three ways* "irectly, in"irectly, an" in a roa" #eneral manner. !t must e un"erstoo" that the a9era#e ,ewish $erson of his "ay was well #roun"e" in oth the ?l" 1estament an" ?ral 1ra"ition. 1herefore, it was easy for ,esus to make roa" o9er-#enerali>ations, as in ,ohn 17*1- an" His listeners un"erstoo" Him. 1o"ay, some -,888 years later, scholars must reconstruct the settin# an" conte%t of the e9ent. Jet while the historical connections at times are "ifficult to $ut to#ether, the theolo#ical meanin# remains secure. 2This %e$eratio$ 3ill be hel( res#o$sible.5 1his $hrase is a statement of $romise" Eu"#ment, yet Go" in His mercy #a9e the reli#ious lea"ers the time of an entire #eneration to re$ent efore Eu"#ment woul" e e%ecute". 1his $hrase also hel" $rofoun" im$lications for the (assion Week when ,esus "ie" u$on the cross.
1173 A B#enerationC is #enerally reco#ni>e" as a 48-year $erio" e9en thou#h women were marrie" an" e#an ha9in# chil"ren while in their mi"-teen years. 1hey were often #ran"mothers y their early thirties. 1he com$assion of ,esus to withhol" Eu"#ment a#ainst the reli#ious lea"ers who knew an" tau#ht the ?l" 1estament $ro$hecies is Auite e9i"ent. 1herefore, they were entirely res$onsi le for what they knew an" what they reEecte"* 1. 1he ministry an" messa#e of ,ohn the .a$tist -. 1he ministry, miracles, an" messa#e of ,esus /. 1he miracles of nature at His "eath 4. 1he resurrection an" a$$earances of more than fi9e hun"re" $eo$le 2. His ascension 3. 1he work of the Holy 5$irit after the resurrection, namely on (entecost 7. 1he messa#e an" miracles of the a$ostles @. 1he testimonies of the first ,ewish 'hristians Go" #a9e them 48 years to re$ent, Eust as Go" ha" #i9en the !sraelites 48 years of $unishment in the "esert. A#ain, His mercy was "emonstrate". Howe9er, this Eu"#ment was not Eust for the sake of ,esus ut also for the other $ro$hets Go" sent who were reEecte" an" kille". While $re9ious ,ews were $unishe" y anishment an" natural "isasters, this time the $unishment woul" e as no other in their history. 1he "iscussion wherein ,esus con"emne" the hy$ocrisy of the (harisees was the turnin# $oint for His ministry. 1he Din#"om of Go" was lost to them until the future Millennial 0ei#n comes, ut now His focus woul" e u$on the soon-to-come Gentile church. Until now ,esus often heale" multitu"es without faith, ut as His focuse" chan#e" He reAuire" faith on the $art of those who "esire" healin#. !n the
1174 meantime, some of His "isci$les were e#innin# to reali>e that He was, in fact, the Messiah. Dnowin# this ,esus tol" them not to "eclare His Messiahshi$. &ikewise His teachin# style was a out to chan#e. 0ather than #i9in# clear teachin#s He e#an to teach in $ara les ;i.e. Mt. 1/ ff.=, lea9in# His accusers more confuse" than an#ry.
!. *. *A. THE T:MA :F LECHA;IAH. 1ra"ition says that the ornate tom , locate" in the Di"ron Halley etween the Mount of ?li9es an" ,erusalem<s eastern #ate, was uilt for Kechariah as a recom$ense for his mur"er. Howe9er, the tom reflects the architecture of two $a#an cultures, Greek an" 4#y$tian that Kechariah re$u"iate". 1his ornate tom is of an anonymous $erson who was a wealthy an" $rominent ,erusalemite, ut not for Kechariah. (hoto#ra$h y the author. !. *. 3 L9. &&7'3-'/
1175 LEA6E;S T;E T: T;AP JESUS 0he$ He left there+ the s"ribes a$( the Pharisees be%a$ to o##ose Hi1 fier"ely a$( to "ross-e@a1i$e Hi1 abo)t 1a$y thi$%s4 '/ they 3ere lyi$% i$ 3ait for Hi1 to tra# Hi1 i$ so1ethi$% He sai(.
'3
!. *. / L9. &*7&-&* 0A;NING AGAINST HEP:C;ISE I$ these "ir")1sta$"es+ a "ro3( of 1a$y tho)sa$(s "a1e to%ether+ so that they 3ere tra1#li$% o$ o$e a$other. He be%a$ to say to His (is"i#les first7 2Ae o$ yo)r %)ar( a%ai$st the yeast of the Pharisees+ 3hi"h is hy#o"risy. * There is $othi$% "o8ere( that 3o$?t be )$"o8ere(+ $othi$% hi((e$ that 3o$?t be 1a(e 9$o3$. 3 Therefore+ 3hate8er yo) ha8e sai( i$ the (ar9 3ill be hear( i$ the li%ht+ a$( 3hat yo) ha8e 3his#ere( i$ a$ ear i$ #ri8ate roo1s 3ill be #ro"lai1e( o$ the ho)seto#s.
&
2A$( I say to yo)+ My frie$(s+ (o$?t fear those 3ho 9ill the bo(y+ a$( after that "a$ (o $othi$% 1ore. ' A)t I 3ill sho3 yo) the :$e to fear7 Fear Hi1 3ho has a)thority to thro3 #eo#le i$to hell after (eath. Ees+ I say to yo)+ this is the :$e to fearK . Are$?t fi8e s#arro3s sol( for t3o #e$$ies> Eet $ot o$e of the1 is for%otte$ i$ Go(?s si%ht. < I$(ee(+ the hairs of yo)r hea( are all "o)$te(. 6o$?t be afrai(4 yo) are 3orth 1ore tha$ 1a$y s#arro3sK
/
2A$( I say to yo)+ a$yo$e 3ho a"9$o3le(%es Me before 1e$+ the So$ of Ma$ 3ill also a"9$o3le(%e hi1 before the a$%els of Go(+ ! b)t 3hoe8er (e$ies Me before 1e$ 3ill be (e$ie( before the a$%els of Go(. & A$yo$e 3ho s#ea9s a 3or( a%ai$st the So$ of Ma$ 3ill be for%i8e$+ b)t the o$e 3ho blas#he1es a%ai$st the Holy S#irit 3ill $ot be for%i8e$.
,
1176 0he$e8er they bri$% yo) before sy$a%o%)es a$( r)lers a$( a)thorities+ (o$?t 3orry abo)t ho3 yo) sho)l( (efe$( yo)rsel8es or 3hat yo) sho)l( say. &* For the Holy S#irit 3ill tea"h yo) at that 8ery ho)r 3hat 1)st be sai(.5
&&
Hy$ocrisy is always an attem$t to hi"e the truth of one<s life. Hence, the hy$ocrite has within himself a life of falsehoo"s which cannot co-e%ist with the elie9er who is to worshi$ Go" in s$irit an" truth. 1ruthfulness an" hy$ocrisy are the fruit of two "ifferent s$iritual worl"s. ,esus reali>e" that the common $easants 7 the multitu"es 7 were in a "ifficult $osition. 1hey ha" to "eci"e whether to listen to their lea"ers an" stay within their reli#ious system or follow Him. 1he maEor $oint of "ifference was that the lea"ers focuse" on their oral laws while ,esus focuse" on the Din#"om of Go" as the fulfillment of the ?l" 1estament 'o9enant. 1his was a most "ifficult $rocess an" the (harisees threatene" those who consi"ere" lea9in#. 1he more who left the ranks of tra"itional ,u"aism, the weaker the (harisees ecame. 2Fear Hi1 3ho has a)thority to thro3 #eo#le i$to hell after (eath.5 1he wor" BhellC clearly means the $lace of eternal fire of the "amne" ;literally, the hell of fire =.13@1 ,eremiah use" the $hrase as the $lace of a future Eu"#ment ;&k. 7*/-, 19*3=. 2Are$?t fi8e s#arro3s sol( for t3o #e$$ies>5 !n ancient times, as in many areas of the Mi""le 4ast to"ay, an o Eect for sale ha" no set $rice. An intereste" uyer ha" to ne#otiate a $urchase $rice. 1herefore, there is no conflict with two "ifferent ut similar $rices in the #os$els. !nci"entally, B$enniesC are 4n#lish coins use" in this $assa#e for the smallest unit of currency, not coins associate" with antiAuity. 2The Holy S#irit 3ill tea"h yo).5 1he $hrase is etter translate", B1he Holy 5$irit will re9eal to you,C or B"irect you.C 1his $hrase has on occasion een inter$rete" to mean that there is no nee" for "ee$ i lical stu"y, for that the Holy 5$irit will im$art whate9er knowle"#e is nee"e" at the time. 1his is har"ly the meanin# as the e"ucational system of the ,ews continue" in the early church. 1he "isci$les ha" een with ,esus for more than three
1177 years an" ha" recei9e" the est e"ucation $ossi le. ,esus meant that from their 9ast foun"ational knowle"#e an" e%$eriences, the Holy 5$irit woul" "irect them as to what to say when ein# confronte" y 9arious authorities. &ikewise to"ay stu"ents are to stu"y the Wor" to o tain a foun"ational knowle"#e so they can make a$$ro$riate Eu"#ments with the hel$ of the Holy 5$irit to #ui"e them in that $rocess.
U$it ! T)r$i$% Poi$t i$ the Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter 3
1178
Pro#heti" Parables a$( A"tio$s
!. 3. A. JESUS TEACHES AS A S:0E; S:0S. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. ,esus is "e$icte" teachin# alon# the 5ea of Galilee as a sower throws his see"s. ,esus often use" real-life illustrations to re9eal unseen s$iritual truths. 5ee Mark 4*1.
1179 !. 3. & I$tro()"tio$ 1he wor"s of ,esus were not $ro$hetic, as is commonly thou#ht of to"ay in terms of the $ro9er ial Ben" times,C ut rather, these were $ro$hetic relati9e to the future of those who "o not follow Him. !n essence, any other way than His will e9entually lea" to "estruction. 1hat messa#e is re$eate" constantly, ut with the lo9e an" com$assion of callin# $eo$le to Himself. !. 3. * L9. &*7&3-*& FAITH :F THE F::LISH ;ICH MAN So1eo$e fro1 the "ro3( sai( to Hi1+ 2Tea"her+ tell 1y brother to (i8i(e the i$herita$"e 3ith 1e.5
&3
2Frie$(+5 He sai( to hi1+ 23ho a##oi$te( Me a H)(%e or arbitrator o8er yo)>5 &' He the$ tol( the1+ 20at"h o)t a$( be o$ %)ar( a%ai$st all %ree( be"a)se o$e?s life is $ot i$ the ab)$(a$"e of his #ossessio$s.5
&/
The$ He tol( the1 a #arable7 2A ri"h 1a$?s la$( 0as 8ery #ro()"ti8e.
&.
He tho)%ht to hi1self+ 0hat shall I (o+ si$"e I (o$?t ha8e a$y3here to store 1y "ro#s>5
&<
I 3ill (o this+? he sai(. WI?ll tear (o3$ 1y bar$s a$( b)il( bi%%er o$es+ a$( store all 1y %rai$ a$( 1y %oo(s there.
&, &!
A?
The$ I?ll say to 1yself+ 2Eo) ha8e 1a$y %oo(s store( )# for 1a$y years. Ta9e it easy4 eat+ (ri$9+ a$( e$Hoy yo)rself.5? 2A)t Go( sai( to hi1+ WEo) foolK This 8ery $i%ht yo)r life is (e1a$(e( of yo). A$( the thi$%s yo) ha8e #re#are( Q 3hose 3ill they be>?
*
A?
1180 2That?s ho3 it is 3ith the o$e 3ho stores )# treas)re for hi1self a$( is $ot ri"h to3ar( Go(.5
*&
Literary Style. 13@- 1he $oetic $arallelism re9eals matchin# i"eas. !n stan>a A, the rich man s$oke to himself an" in A< Go" s$oke to him. !n the same stan>as, cro$s are acAuire" in A, while in A< these are left ehin" u$on the man<s "eath. !n stan>a ., this rich fool "escri es his $ro lem while in .< he elie9es he has the $erfect solution to it. 1he theme or focus is stan>a ', where he is uil"in# to secure his life for the future, ut Go" conclu"es with the #eneral $rinci$le that #atherin# earthly treasures is not #atherin# treasures in hea9en. !n this "iscussion of inheritance, ,esus refuse" to #et in9ol9e" ecause oth men were worshi$ers of the same Go", mem ers of the same family, ut were se$arate" ecause of a "is$ute o9er a $iece of $ro$erty. 1hey were "ominate" y their self-interests, which cri$$le" their a ility to see the $rinci$les of Go" that $ertaine" to their li9es. A court Eu"#e or ra i was not what was nee"e", ut a reali>ation of the #ree" that was e9i"ent in their family. 1he narrati9e re9eals how well social Eustice was "e9elo$e" at this time. 26i8i(e the i$herita$"e.5 !t was not uncommon for $eo$le to take their $ro lems an" conflicts to a res$ecte" ra i. ?n the other han", it was a common $ractice for itinerant ra is to tra9el from 9illa#e to 9illa#e where they woul" ser9e in a Eu"icial ca$acity an" ren"er "ecisions on ci9il an" reli#ious matters. 1he 0omans ha" #i9en the ,ews sufficient autonomy concernin# Eu"icial matters with the authority to enforce com$liance to a "ecision if necessary. !n this case, a man reAueste" ,esus to act as Eu"#e in a family matter of inheritance. ,esus refuse" to ren"er a "ecision, not ecause He was unAualifie" or unconcerne" + ut ecause He focuse" on those who ha9e no ri#ht to Eu"#e.
1682. .ailey, 4oet and 4easant. (art !!, 27L +lemin#, The 4arables of &esus. 73.
1181
2Eo) foolK5 1his man faile" to think wisely. When security for the future is $lace" in material $ossessions, ,esus calls the man a Bfool.C 1he (harisees, scri es, an" 5a""ucees ha" their confi"ence for a secure future $lace" in 9arious assets. ,esus con"emne" them for this an" warne" the "isci$les not to "o likewise. 5ince this is a $ara le an" not an actual e9ent, ,esus hei#htene" the e%$ression to make a $oint. A Bfool,C in an ?l" 1estament sense, is one who reEecte" the knowle"#e of Go" an", therefore, is "amne" to Hell. Wealth shoul" not e a #o" ut a tool to e use" wisely to e%$an" the Din#"om of Go". !n He rew, the most common wor" for oth ri#hteous an" charity is t=edakah. 1he acts of charity in the #i9in# of offerin#s an" alms, in a""ition to the re#ular tithes, are consi"ere" as ri#hteous. +urthermore, one was not consi"ere" ri#hteous if he faile" to "emonstrate charity ;#i9in# offerin# an" alms=. +or this reason, when ,esus reco#ni>e" a true heart for charity, He i"entifie" the in"i9i"ual as ri#hteous an" that sal9ation was rou#ht to him. 1he issue of whether or not to #i9e tithes was ne9er a AuestionL it was "one without Auestion. !. 3. 3 L9. &*7**-3/ T;USTING G:6?S P;:FI6ENCE The$ He sai( to His (is"i#les7 2Therefore I tell yo)+ (o$?t 3orry abo)t yo)r life+ 3hat yo) 3ill eat4 or abo)t the bo(y+ 3hat yo) 3ill 3ear. *3 For life is 1ore tha$ foo( a$( the bo(y 1ore tha$ "lothi$%. */ Co$si(er the ra8e$s7 They (o$?t so3 or rea#4 they (o$?t ha8e a storeroo1 or a bar$4 yet Go( fee(s the1. Are$?t yo) 3orth 1)"h 1ore tha$ the bir(s> *' Ca$ a$y of yo) a(( a ")bit to his hei%ht by 3orryi$%> *. If the$ yo)?re $ot able to (o e8e$ a little thi$%+ 3hy 3orry abo)t the rest>
**
1182 2Co$si(er ho3 the 3il(flo3ers %ro37 They (o$?t labor or s#i$ threa(. Eet I tell yo)+ $ot e8e$ Solo1o$ i$ all his s#le$(or 3as a(or$e( li9e o$e of theseK *, If that?s ho3 Go( "lothes the %rass+ 3hi"h is i$ the fiel( to(ay a$( is thro3$ i$to the f)r$a"e to1orro3+ ho3 1)"h 1ore 3ill He (o for yo) Q yo) of little faith> *! 6o$?t 9ee# stri8i$% for 3hat yo) sho)l( eat a$( 3hat yo) sho)l( (ri$9+ a$( (o$?t be a$@io)s. 3 For the Ge$tile 3orl( ea%erly see9s all these thi$%s+ a$( yo)r Father 9$o3s that yo) $ee( the1.
*<
2A)t see9 His 9i$%(o1+ a$( these thi$%s 3ill be #ro8i(e( for yo). 3* 6o$?t be afrai(+ little flo"9+ be"a)se yo)r Father (eli%hts to %i8e yo) the 9i$%(o1. 33 Sell yo)r #ossessio$s a$( %i8e to the #oor. Ma9e 1o$ey-ba%s for yo)rsel8es that 3o$?t %ro3 ol(+ a$ i$e@ha)stible treas)re i$ hea8e$+ 3here $o thief "o1es $ear a$( $o 1oth (estroys. 3/ For 3here yo)r treas)re is+ there yo)r heart 3ill be also.
3&
2Co$si(er the ra8e$s.5 :o one e9er consi"ere" ra9ens as o Eects of Go"<s concern ecause these ir"s of $rey were consi"ere" unclean. Jet this coul" ha9e een a reflection u$on (salm 147*9 an" ,o /@*41 where youn# ra9ens are the su Eect of Go"<s care. !n essence ,esus sai" that if Go" nurtures such ra$acious, unclean ir"s, then how much more will He nurture youF ,esus then closes His "iscussion with two rhetorical Auestions ;99. -2--3=* Who of you y worryin# can a"" a sin#le hour to his lifeF 5ince you cannot "o this 9ery little thin#, why "o you worry a out the restF 5uch Auestions were $o$ular in the first centuries ;..'. an" A.).= etween the sa#es an" ra is. 2No 1oth (estroys.5 ?ne metho" of hol"in# wealth in ancient times was in the form of e%$ensi9e fa rics an" clothin#, ut these were su Eect to moth "estruction. !. 3. / L9. &*73'-/ PA;AALE :F 0ATCHFUL SE;FANTS 2Ae rea(y for ser8i"e a$( ha8e yo)r la1#s lit. 3. Eo) 1)st be li9e #eo#le 3aiti$% for their 1aster to ret)r$ fro1 the 3e((i$%
3'
1183 ba$=)et so that 3he$ he "o1es a$( 9$o"9s+ they "a$ o#e$ the (oor for hi1 at o$"e. 3< Those s the 1aster 3ill fi$( alert 3he$ he "o1es 3ill be blesse(. I ass)re yo)7 He 3ill %et rea(y+ ha8e the1 re"li$e at the table+ the$ "o1e a$( ser8e the1. 3, If he "o1es i$ the 1i((le of the $i%ht+ or e8e$ $ear (a3$+ a$( fi$(s the1 alert+ those s are blesse(. 3! A)t 9$o3 this7 If the ho1eo3$er ha( 9$o3$ at 3hat ho)r the thief 3as "o1i$%+ he 3o)l( $ot ha8e let his ho)se be bro9e$ i$to. / Eo) also be rea(y+ be"a)se the So$ of Ma$ is "o1i$% at a$ ho)r that yo) (o $ot e@#e"t.5 1he $ara le of &uke 1-*/2-4@ is similar to this one. !t is the same theme that that has two $oints was $ro a ly #i9en to a "ifferent au"ience. 1he $oints are* 1. 1he return or 5econ" 'omin# of ,esus, an" -. 4ncoura#in# $eo$le to e $re$are" to meet their Go". :ational !srael ha" reEecte" the messa#e an" there y $ost$one" the hea9enly we""in# anAuet inten"e" for ,esus an" the chil"ren of A raham to whom it was $romise" in the ancient co9enant. :ow ,esus was #oin# to inclu"e the Gentile nations as we""in# #uests, ut first He was #oin# to lea9e, without in"icatin# when He will return. When He "oes return, there will e a we""in# feast for all those who $lace" their faith in Him. +or more information on we""in# customs, see /. 3. ,.J&. 1o illustrate this teachin# ,esus use" the ty$ical first century we""in# feast. 1he #uests ha" to e "resse" an" ha9e their lam$s lit ecause the ri"e#room normally came to the ri"e<s home to BstealC his ri"e. 1he ri"al $arty ne9er knew for certain when the ri"e#room woul" a$$ear, so they ha" to e rea"y to lea9e at a moment<s notice. 1his was #enerally a time of #reat cele ration. ,esus also illustrate" this lesson with the story of a homeowner who shoul" ha9e watche" his home from an antici$ate" thief. !f the owner ha" een watchful, he woul" not ha9e een ro e"L if the ri"al $arty is watchful, they will not miss the ri"e#room. 1he focus of the story is that ,esus wants His followers to e watchful for His return. 1here can e little Auestion that
1184 the we""in# anAuet narrati9es #i9e hints of the comin# messianic anAuet in which ,esus will e the central fi#ure an" His saints will e the #uests.
4ideo Insert
/>)/0)/3)4 Unassigned des%ri#tion of a ty#i%a& first %entury (edding) 7Intro to in%&ude Bi&&Ls e6#erien%e of a (edding in Haifa in the su""er of .///)8
1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e) !. 3. ' L9. &*7/&-/, EPH:;TATI:N T: 0ATCHFULNESS. 2Lor(+5 Peter as9e(+ 2are Eo) telli$% this #arable to )s or to e8eryo$e>5
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The Lor( sai(7 20ho the$ is the faithf)l a$( se$sible 1a$a%er his 1aster 3ill #)t i$ "har%e of his ho)sehol( ser8a$ts to %i8e the1 their allotte( foo( at the #ro#er ti1e> /3 That 3hose 1aster fi$(s hi1 3or9i$% 3he$ he "o1es 3ill be re3ar(e(. // I tell yo) the tr)th7 He 3ill #)t hi1 i$ "har%e of all his #ossessio$s. /' A)t if that says i$ his heart+ WMy 1aster is (elayi$% his "o1i$%+? a$( starts to beat the 1ale a$( fe1ale s+ a$( to eat a$( (ri$9 a$( %et (r)$9+ /. that ?s 1aster 3ill "o1e o$ a (ay he (oes $ot e@#e"t hi1 a$( at a$ ho)r he (oes $ot 9$o3. He 3ill ")t hi1 to #ie"es a$( assi%$ hi1 a #la"e 3ith the )$belie8ers. /< A$( that 3ho 9$e3 his 1aster?s 3ill a$( (i($?t #re#are hi1self or (o it 3ill be se8erely beate$. /, A)t the o$e 3ho (i( $ot 9$o3 a$( (i( thi$%s (eser8i$% of blo3s 3ill be beate$ li%htly. M)"h 3ill be re=)ire( of e8eryo$e 3ho has bee$ %i8e$ 1)"h. A$( e8e$ 1ore 3ill be e@#e"te( of the o$e 3ho has bee$ e$tr)ste( 3ith 1ore.
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1his is an illustration of a wealthy home owner who ha" ser9ants mana#e his househol". !f a mana#er "emonstrate" faithfulness an" res$onsi ility, he woul" e truste" with #reater res$onsi ilities ;&k. 1-*44=. !f he faile" to
1185 function as e%$ecte", he woul" e $unishe"L likewise with the ser9ants of 'hrist. 1hose who are faithful to their task will e rewar"e" an" those who fail will e $unishe". 2M)"h 3ill be re=)ire( of e8eryo$e 3ho has bee$ %i8e$ 1)"h.5 ,esus clearly state" that the more one has 7 money, knowle"#e ;of the .i le=, authority, 7 the more he is res$onsi le efore Go". 1herefore $astors, teachers, an" life-lon# 'hristians will one "ay e hel" to a hi#h accounta ility efore Go". 1his $assa#e ou#ht to e hum lin# an" so erin# to all who are calle" to the ministry. !. 3. . L9. &*7/!-'3 6IFISI:N P;E6ICTE6 . 2I "a1e to bri$% fire o$ the earth+ a$( ho3 I 3ish it 3ere alrea(y set ablaGeK ' A)t I ha8e a ba#tis1 to be ba#tiGe( 3ith+ a$( ho3 it "o$s)1es Me )$til it is fi$ishe(K
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6o yo) thi$9 that I "a1e here to %i8e #ea"e to the earth> No+ I tell yo)+ b)t rather (i8isio$K '* Fro1 $o3 o$+ fi8e i$ o$e ho)sehol( 3ill be (i8i(e(7 three a%ai$st t3o+ a$( t3o a%ai$st three.
'& '3
They 3ill be (i8i(e(+ father a%ai$st so$+ so$ a%ai$st father+ 1other a%ai$st (a)%hter+ (a)%hter a%ai$st 1other+ 1other-i$-la3 a%ai$st her (a)%hter-i$-la3+ a$( (a)%hter-i$-la3 a%ai$st 1other-i$-la3.5
Literary Style7 1his $assa#e was #i9en in ty$ical $oetic style, which #i9es un"erstan"in# of the te%t. !n the first stan>a, notice that BfireC is associate" with B a$tism.C &ikewise the wor" BwishC of line - is associate" with the wor" B"istresse"C of line 4.
1186 1hrou#hout His entire ministry, there were those who elie9e" in Him an" others who reEecte" Him. At times the two #rou$s were intense an" com ati9e. ,esus sai" that those who "eci"e" to follow Him woul" e challen#e" y their families. 1he intensity of "ifferences throu#hout church history has een a $oint of conflict an" $ersecution, Eust as ,esus $re"icte". 2I "a1e to bri$% fire.5 !n 'hristian thou#ht this $assa#e a$$ears to relate to the "ay of (entecost when the Bton#ues like fireC fell from hea9en. ,ohn the .a$tist sai" that the ?ne who woul" come woul" a$ti>e with the Holy 5$irit an" fire ;Mt. /*11=. 1he Auestion is whether the fire mentione" y ,ohn is the same as the Bton#ues like fireC on the )ay of (entecost. !t may not e, since ,esus Himself ne9er mentione" fire concernin# the comin# "ay of (entecost. He mentione" only the Holy 5$irit comin# to the elie9ers, therefore, the BfireC mentione" in this case "oes not relate to (entecost. ,esus s$oke to a ,ewish au"ience in a ,ewish conte%t where fire was almost always sym olic of Eu"#ment. 16 ! +ire is like a "ou le e"#e swor"* it utterly "estroys what is not $ermanent an" $urifies what is $ermanent. !t is "i9i"es the ri#hteous an" unri#hteous, or with the "estruction of the unri#hteous. !saiah sai" that the &or" woul" come to rin# the fire of Eu"#ment. ,esus sai" He woul" rin# fire an" "i9ision instea" of $eace to the earth. 1he conte%t of the narrati9e in Matthew is the same an" it "oes not $ermit an allusion to the "ay of (entecost.13@4 !t shoul" e note" that on the "ay of (entecost, the Holy 5$irit fell like ton#ues of fireL the fire itself "i" not fall. 1he wor"s of ,ohn the .a$tist were reflecti9e u$on the ook of !saiah* Loo9+ the Lor( 3ill "o1e 3ith fire Q His "hariots are li9e the 3hirl3i$( Q to e@e")te His a$%er 3ith f)ry a$( His reb)9e 3ith fla1es of fire.
&' &.
For the Lor(
1684. 1his inter$retation is $resente" y .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding the )ifficult
Words. @7-9/.
1187 3ill e@e")te H)(%1e$t o$ all flesh 3ith His fiery s3or(+ a$( 1a$y 3ill be slai$ by the Lor(. Isaiah ..7&'-&. 2A)t I ha8e a ba#tis1 to be ba#tiGe( 3ith.5 1his was not a literal water a$tism, ut a clear reference to His "eath an" resurrection. .a$tism is sym olic of "eath to one<s sinful nature an" a resurrection of new life in 'hrist. 26o yo) thi$9 I "a1e here to %i8e #ea"e o$ earth> No.5 ;5ee also Mt. 18*/4-/9.= 1his $assa#e is e%$laine" in li#ht of the re$utation that ,esus is the B(rince of (eace.C His listeners ha" to "eci"e whether to follow Him or to surren"er to $eer or family $ressures. !t was such times as these that ,esus referre" to when He sai" that He rou#ht "i9ision an" not $eace. 1here will always e those who reEect His messa#e of lo9e, holiness, an" li9in# a life in co9enant with Him.
!. 3. < L9. &*7'/-'! 6ISCE;N THE TIMES C:;;ECTLE He also sai( to the "ro3(s7 20he$ yo) see a "lo)( risi$% i$ the 3est+ ri%ht a3ay yo) say+ WA stor1 is "o1i$%+? a$( so it (oes. '' A$( 3he$ the so)th 3i$( is blo3i$%+ yo) say+ WIt?s %oi$% to be a s"or"herK? a$( it is. '. Hy#o"ritesK Eo) 9$o3 ho3 to i$ter#ret the a##eara$"e of the earth a$( the s9y+ b)t 3hy (o$?t yo) 9$o3 ho3 to i$ter#ret this ti1e>
'/
20hy (o$?t yo) H)(%e for yo)rsel8es 3hat is ri%ht> ', As yo) are %oi$% 3ith yo)r a(8ersary to the r)ler+ 1a9e a$ effort to settle 3ith hi1 o$ the 3ay. The$ he 3o$?t (ra% yo) before the H)(%e+ the H)(%e ha$( yo) o8er to the bailiff+ a$( the bailiff thro3 yo) i$to #riso$. '! I tell yo)+ yo) 3ill $e8er %et o)t of there )$til yo) ha8e #ai( the last "e$t.5
'<
1188 2A stor1 is "o1i$%.5 While the lan" has fi9e "istinct climate >ones, the entire re#ion essentially has storms an" showers in the winter rainy season from )ecem er to March an" com$lete "ryness from May to ?cto er. 1he winter rains come from the Me"iterranean 5ea in the west while the hot "ry summer sirocco-like win"s come from the Ara ian )esert to the east 13@2 or :e#e9 )esert to the south. +orecastin# the weather has always een rather easy. 1hose who li9e" close to the lan", such as farmers an" fishermen, o ser9e" the sky an" $re"icte" the weather. 1he (harisees were aware of the many ?l" 1estament $ro$hecies $ertainin# to the Messiah. ,esus ha" #i9en many si#ns ;i.e. miracles an" teachin#s= as $re"icte" y these $ro$hets to 9erify who He was, yet they faile" to reco#ni>e Him. 1hey coul" $re"ict the weather ut chose to e lin" to the $ro$hecies in which they ha" stu"ie". ,esus ur#e" them to think an" Eu"#e these matters carefully, as Eu"#ment was a out to fall u$on them. !n essence, "ecisions "etermine "estiny. 20hy (o$?t yo) H)(%e>5 1he wor" "oes not ha9e reference to Eu"#in# $eo$le in terms of con"emnation, ut rather, is a reference to the #ift of "iscernment. !. 3. , L9. &37&-' U;GENCE :F ;EPENTANCE. At that ti1e+ so1e #eo#le "a1e a$( re#orte( to Hi1 abo)t the Galilea$s 3hose bloo( Pilate ha( 1i@e( 3ith their sa"rifi"es. * A$( He res#o$(e( to the1
&
26o yo) thi$9 that these Galilea$s 3ere 1ore si$f)l tha$ all Galilea$s be"a)se they s)ffere( these thi$%s> 3 No+ I tell yo)4 b)t )$less yo) re#e$t+ yo) 3ill all #erish as 3ellK
1685. !n the first century, the area of to"ay<s mo"ern ,or"an was consi"ere" to e the norther e"#e of the Ara ian )esert.
1189
/
:r those &, that the to3er i$ Siloa1 fell o$ a$( 9ille( D (o yo) thi$9 they 3ere 1ore si$f)l tha$ all the #eo#le 3ho li8e i$ Jer)sale1> ' No+ I tell yo)4 b)t )$less yo) re#e$t+ yo) 3ill all #erish as 3ell.5 y the (harisees. 1he
1his is an attem$te" of entra$ment $lanne" con9ersation is for two se$arate inci"ents.
1. An inci"ent in which (ilate<s sol"iers kille" a num er of Galilean worshi$ers while offerin# sacrifices in the tem$le. 13@3 -. A construction acci"ent that resulte" in 1@ "eaths. 5ince ,esus li9e" most of His life in the Galilee area, it was e%$ecte" that He woul" e sym$athetic to those Galileans who were mur"ere" y (ilate. Ha" He "emonstrate" such emotions an" feelin#s, the (harisees woul" ha9e re$orte" Him to (ilate as a se"itionist a#ainst 0ome. ?n the other han", there were others who "ie" in a construction acci"ent. !t was the common o$inion amon# reli#ious scholars that such an acci"ent was an act of Go" a#ainst the acci"ent 9ictims in res$onse to some horri le sin for which they were su$$ose"ly #uilty. 1he lea"in# (harisees thou#ht they ha" create" the $erfect tra$. Were ,esus to e%$ress sym$athy for the ei#hteen who "ie", He woul" come a#ainst Go" who curse" them. 1he i"ea that an acci"ent or illness coul" e the natural result of fallen worl" ne9er occurre" to them. !f He faile" to e%$ress such emotion + He woul" e har"hearte" towar" those who "ie" an" their families. ,esus was not a out to e tra$$e" y their cunnin# $lans or y their misun"erstan"in# of "i9ine Eu"#ments. He sim$ly informe" them that they too nee"e" to re$ent or they woul" $erish. 1he crow"s mar9ele" at Him, while His critics sim$ly ecame e9en more frustrate". 2The Galilea$s 3hose bloo( Pilate ha( 1i@e( 3ith their sa"rifi"es.5 ,ose$hus recor"e" that the Galileans were es$ecially susce$ti le to a re9olt
1686. (ilate was known for his cruelty an" corru$tion. &ater, after he massacre" a #rou$ of 5amaritans, he was recalle" to 0ome, an" is re$orte" to ha9e committe" suici"e in e%ile.
1190 ecause they were su$$orti9e of the re ellious Kealot mo9ement. 13@7 1he historian essentially sai" that Hero" the Great ha" uilt an aAue"uct to rin# water to the tem$le area for washin# the loo" away from the altar, an" for $ersonal use y the 5a""ucees. .ut Hero" "ie" efore the $roEect was com$lete". When (ilate came to $ower, he continue" the construction. Howe9er, since he elie9e" it was for the restricte" use, the tem$le shoul" $ay for it. 1herefore, he rai"e" the tem$le treasury to finance the com$letion of the aAue"uct.13@@ 1he ,ews consi"ere" the theft a sacrile#e an" re9olte". (ilate<s militaristic res$onse was reflecti9e of his sa"istic character as note" in the historian<s account* So he BPilateC "alle( a %reat $)1ber of his sol(iers+ 3ho "arrie( (a%%ers )$(er their %ar1e$ts. A$( se$t the1 to a #la"e 3here they 1i%ht s)rro)$( the1 Bthe Je3sC. He as9e( the Je3s hi1self to %o a3ay+ b)t they bol(ly #roteste( a%ai$st hi1. He %a8e the sol(iers that si%$al 3hi"h they ha( beforeha$( a%ree( o$. They lai( )#o$ the Je3s 1)"h %reater blo3s tha$ Pilate ha( "o11a$(e( the1+ a$( e=)ally #)$ishe( those 3ho 3ere t)1)lt)o)s+ a$( those 3ho 3ere $ot+ $or (i( they s#are the1 i$ the least si$"e the #eo#le 3ere )$ar1e( . . . There 3ere a %reat $)1ber slai$ by this 1ea$s+ a$( others of the1 ra$ a3ay 3o)$(e(4 a$( th)s a$ e$( 3as #)t to this se(itio$. Jose#h)s+ Anti1uities &,.3.*
&.,!
A num er of scholars ha9e conclu"e" that this horrific massacre cause" immense hostility etween (ilate an" Hero" Anti$as. 1hey "i" not reconcile their "ifferences until ,esus was rou#ht to trial efore them "urin# the (assion Week. 5ee &'. /. ' for more information.
1687. +o#eph*#, The ,ife of #la ius &osephus. 92.17.

1688. 5ee also ,ose$hus, Anti3uities. 1@.4.1--.
1689. (arenthesis mine.
1191
!. 3. ,A. HE;:6?S AJUE6UCT PIPE . A water line that once ser9e" the tem$le now $rotru"es from the hillsi"e of a usy ,erusalem street etween the Hinnom Halley an" the ?l" 'ity. Hero" the Great is cre"ite" for rin#in# to the tem$le fresh an" continuous flowin# water from a s$rin# near .ethlehem. 1his $i$e, only 18-1- inches in "iameter, snake" alon# hillsi"es for ten miles from .ethlehem to the tem$le with a 9ertical "ro$ of merely -88 feet 7 an incre"i le en#ineerin# accom$lishment. (hoto#ra$he" in -881 y the author. 2U$less yo) re#e$t.5 1he wor" repent in Greek is metanoias" which literally means to change one0s mind. Howe9er, in the first century culture, to chan#e one<s min" also meant to chan#e one<s lifestyle to match his new way of thinkin#.1398 1his was a warnin# to national !srael ;the lea"in# (harisees an" 5a""ucees= an" was mentione" twice in $oetic style to un"erscore its si#nificance. 1his $re"icte" Eu"#ment is in reference to the Eu"#ment of eternal $unishment, ut is also of $ro$hetic li#ht to the ,ewish0oman era of A.). 33-78. 1wo He rew $ro$hets, Hosea ;9*18= an" ,oel ;1*7= also #a9e similar warnin#s. Hosea #a9e his warnin# in the @ th century ..'. while ,oel #a9e his earlier in the 9 th century. 5ince these $ro$hets s$oke, "estruction ha" fallen u$on the ,ewish $eo$le in 7--/-1 ..'. an" a#ain in 2@3/2@2 ..'. :ow it was time to fall a thir" time, ut in #reater measure. 1690. .arclay, BMark.C -3L 0ichar"son, B0e$ent.C 191-9-.
1192 1herefore, their $role$tic $ro$hecies ;$ro$hecies that ha9e een $artly fulfille", ut will e com$letely fulfille" in the future= were fulfille". As was $re9iously state", this was the turnin# $oint in the ministry of ,esus. He woul" no lon#er heal hun"re"s or #i9e clear teachin#sL he woul" heal in"i9i"uals an" teach in $ara les. 1he focus was on the comin# Gentile church.
!. 3. ! L9. &37.-! UNF;UITFUL FIG T;EE. . A$( He tol( this #arable7 2A 1a$ ha( a fi% tree that 3as #la$te( i$ his 8i$eyar(. He "a1e loo9i$% for fr)it o$ it a$( fo)$( $o$e. < He tol( the 8i$eyar( 3or9er+ WListe$+ for three years I ha8e "o1e loo9i$% for fr)it o$ this fi% tree a$( ha8e$?t fo)$( a$y. C)t it (o3$K 0hy sho)l( it e8e$ 3aste the soil>?
,
2A)t he re#lie( to hi1+
WSir+ lea8e it this year also+ )$til I (i% aro)$( it a$( fertiliGe it. ! Perha#s it 3ill bear fr)it $e@t year+ b)t if $ot+ yo) "a$ ")t it (o3$.?5 !t normally takes three years for a fi# tree to mature an" $ro"uce fruit, after which it has three seasons of fi# $ro"uction.
1193 1. 1he early fi#. 1he bekurah which ri$ens at the en" of ,une, sometimes earlier in the ,erusalem area. 1his tasty fruit is sai" to e the forerunner of the main cro$ in !saiah -@*4. -. 1he summer fi# which is the main cro$. !t ri$ens in Au#ust an" is $reser9e" in the form of cakes. /. 1he pag is the winter fi# or unri$e fi#. !t ri$ens only after the lea9es ha9e fallen off the tree .1391 1he fi# tree is sym olic of national !srael, an" !srael ha" een Go"<s chosen $eo$le for centuries, yet this tree remaine" fruitless. 1he Mosaic &aw for a"e the cuttin# "own of fruit trees e%ce$t for s$ecial circumstances, such as its ina ility to $ro"uce fruit ;)eut. -8*19--8=. 1he BfruitC that !srael was to $ro"uce was to "eclare the won"ers of Go" to the worl", to e e9an#elistic, an" to s$rea" the news of the "i9ine co9enant to the entire human race. !nstea", !srael ecame smu# an" conceite" as ein# Go"<s only chosen $eo$le. 1hose Gentiles who "i" con9ert to ,u"aism ecame Eust as e9il as their ,ewish mentors. ,esus woul" re9eal His $lan later when He was in 'aesarea (hili$$i ;Mt. 13*1@= an" a#ain in ,erusalem ;Mt. -1*4/=. 1his new $lan woul" e the fulfillment of ancient $ro$hecies throu#h which Go" woul" minister to humanity throu#h the $resent church a#e. 2A 1a$ ha( a fi% tree that 3as #la$te( i$ his 8i$eyar(.5 Hineyar"s at this time inclu"e" more than #ra$e9ines, they containe" fruit trees as well. 1he wor" B9ineyar"C encom$asse" the "efinition for Borchar".C 1he tra"ition e#an in 4#y$t where the winemaker inclu"e" other fruits in his wine to mo"ify the fla9or. 1392For three years I ha8e "o1e loo9i$% for fr)it.5 1he len#th of the ministry of ,esus is unknown ut has #enerally een assume" to e three an" one-half years in "uration. 1his time $erio" is $ro lematic ecause it com$resses too many e9ents into the final si% months of the life of 'hrist. 5ome scholars ha9e su##este" that this $ara le offers a lo#ical solution in
1691. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*348.
1692. 2reeman, The New Manners and 'ustoms of the Bible. 50 .
1194 that ,esus im$lie" that He woul" ha9e a four-year ministry. 139/ 0e#ar"less, the fi# tree in 5cri$tures has een sym olic for national !srael similar to the 9ine of !saiah 2*1-7. !n this sense, the $eo$le are #i9en a""itional time to recei9e the Wor" from the &or". !n an historic sense, two trees ha9e sym oli>e" !srael, the fi# an" the "ate $alm. 1he ima#e of "ate $alms is seen on coins an" relief car9in#s. !. 3.& L9.&37& -&<
ST::PE6 0:MAN HEALE6 As He 3as tea"hi$% i$ o$e of the sy$a%o%)es o$ the Sabbath+ a 3o1a$ 3as there 3ho ha( bee$ (isable( by a s#irit for o8er &, years. She 3as be$t o8er a$( "o)l( $ot strai%hte$ )# at all. &* 0he$ Jes)s sa3 her+ He "alle( o)t to her+ 20o1a$+ yo) are free of yo)r (isability.5 &3 The$ He lai( His ha$(s o$ her+ a$( i$sta$tly she 3as restore( a$( be%a$ to %lorify Go(.
& &&
A)t the lea(er of the sy$a%o%)e+ i$(i%$a$t be"a)se Jes)s ha( heale( o$ the Sabbath+ res#o$(e( by telli$% the "ro3(+ 2There are si@ (ays 3he$ 3or9 sho)l( be (o$e4 therefore "o1e o$ those (ays a$( be heale( a$( $ot o$ the Sabbath (ay.5
&/
A)t the Lor( a$s3ere( hi1 a$( sai(+ 2Hy#o"ritesK 6oes$?t ea"h o$e of yo) )$tie his o@ or (o$9ey fro1 the fee(i$% tro)%h o$ the Sabbath a$( lea( it to 3ater> &. Sata$ has bo)$( this 3o1a$+ a (a)%hter of Abraha1+ for &, yearsQsho)l($?t she be )$tie( fro1 this bo$(a%e o$ the Sabbath (ay>5
&'
0he$ He ha( sai( these thi$%s+ all His a(8ersaries 3ere h)1iliate(+ b)t the 3hole "ro3( 3as reHoi"i$% o8er all the %lorio)s thi$%s He 3as (oi$%.
&<
!n this narrati9e the woman whom ,esus heale" is a clear illustration of the $ro lem ,esus ha" with national !srael. 5he is referre" to as a B"au#hter of A raham,C an", as such, was a ri#htful heir to all of the lessin#s $romise"
1693. )hene(, The ,ife of 'hrist in Stereo . 226-2 .
1195 y the A rahamic 'o9enant. 1394 Jet the restricti9e oral laws of Bnational !srael,C ke$t her from recei9in# what was ri#htfully hers. 1he nation was #i9en the laws of Go" so that the ,ewish $eo$le woul" li9e holy li9es an" tell other nations to "o the same. !srael faile" to "o thisL conseAuently, the nation was in9a"e", tri es taken ca$ti9e, an" the lan" $lun"ere" y forei#n armies ;see 3. *. / an" 3. *. ,=. ?nce they returne" to the (romise" &an", they ha" a host of in9a"in# armies* the (ersians ;see 3. /. *=, the Greeks ;see 3. /. <=, an" the 0omans in 3/ ..'. ;see 3. '.&*=. ,ust as the stoo$e" woman ha" li9e" a cri$$le" life, so !srael ha" ecome s$iritually cri$$le". ,esus calle" her to Himself an" heale" her, Eust as He "esire" to call !srael to Himself an" heal the nation. 0ather than acce$tin# Him or His healin#, they reEecte" Him as re$resente" y the ruler of the syna#o#ue who re uke" ,esus for $erformin# a healin# on the 5a ath )ay. 1392 ,esus then informe" the ruler that it was $ermissi le for him to untie a "onkey an" #i9e it water on the 5a ath, yet this woman who was heir to the co9enant of A raham coul" not recei9e a lessin# on the holy "ay. ,esus "emonstrate" com$assion while her ra i showe" only reli#ious le#alism, which is why ,esus was merciless towar" him. His o$$onents were a#ain humiliate", an" the $o$ularity of ,esus #rew e%$onentially. 1he lesson is sim$le* Anyone who "esires com$assion from ,esus must e com$assionate to others.
26isable( by a s#irit.5 1he $assa#e "oes not say that the woman was "emon $ossesse"L it says she was cri$$le", o 9iously the result of a 1694. +or a stu"y of ,ewish co9enants from a messianic ,ewish $ers$ecti9e, see Arnol"
1695. An e%cellent resource for further stu"y is Ha#ner, B,esus an" the 5yno$tic 5a
'ontro9ersies.C -78-@@.
ath
1196 "emonic attack. :ote that ,esus touche" her after she was heale". :owhere in 5cri$ture is there a recor" of ,esus touchin# a "emon-$ossesse" in"i9i"ual. He always cast out "emons y His s$oken wor". ,esus "i" not come to heal the sick, heal the lin", raise the "ea", or "o other miracles per se, ut He came to "estroy the works of the "e9il which cause sickness, lin"ness, an" "eath so that man woul" e restore" into the ima#e of Go". !. 3.&& Mt. &37& -&< ;5ee also Mk. 4*18-1-L &k. @*9-18= PU;P:SE :F PA;AALES The$ the (is"i#les "a1e )# a$( as9e( Hi1+ 20hy (o Eo) s#ea9 to the1 i$ #arables>5
&
He a$s3ere( the1+ 2Ae"a)se the se"rets of the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ ha8e bee$ %i8e$ for yo) to 9$o3+ b)t it has $ot bee$ %i8e$ to the1. &* For 3hoe8er has+ 1ore 3ill be %i8e$ to hi1+ a$( he 3ill ha8e 1ore tha$ e$o)%h. A)t 3hoe8er (oes $ot ha8e+ e8e$ 3hat he has 3ill be ta9e$ a3ay fro1 hi1. &3 For this reaso$ I s#ea9 to the1 i$ #arables+ be"a)se loo9i$% they (o $ot see+ a$( heari$% they (o $ot liste$ or )$(ersta$(. &/ Isaiah?s #ro#he"y is f)lfille( i$ the1+ 3hi"h says7
&&
Eo) 3ill liste$ a$( liste$4 Eet $e8er )$(ersta$(. A$( yo) 3ill loo9 a$( loo9+ Eet $e8er #er"ei8e. For this #eo#le?s heart has %ro3$ "allo)s4 their ears are har( of heari$%+ a$( they ha8e sh)t their eyes4 other3ise they 1i%ht see 3ith their eyes a$( hear 3ith their ears+ )$(ersta$( 3ith their hearts
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a$( t)r$ ba"9Q a$( I 3o)l( ")re the1 BIsa .7!-& C.
1197 2A)t yo)r eyes are blesse( be"a)se they (o see+ a$( yo)r ears be"a)se they (o hearK &< For I ass)re yo)7 Ma$y #ro#hets a$( ri%hteo)s #eo#le lo$%e( to see the thi$%s yo) see yet (i($?t see the14 to hear the thi$%s yo) hear yet (i($?t hear the1.
&.
2Ae"a)se the se"rets of the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$.5 5ome translators use the wor" mysteries instea" of secrets for the Greek wor" musterion . 1he wor" a$$ears only in this $assa#e an" its $arallelsL a technical term that refers to the "i9ine re9elation that was hi""en until the $ro$er time for its re9elation. 1393 !t "oes not refer to anythin# that is com$licate", "ifficult, mystical, or relate" to a mystery reli#ion. 1697 1he mystery of the Din#"om of Go" is the character an" $ersonality of Go" renewe" in the life of e9ery elie9er that e%ten"e" to all ,ews an" Gentiles. 2Eo) 3ill liste$ a$( liste$.5 1his Auotation from !saiah 3*9 in"icates that the reli#ious lea"ers "i" not want to un"erstan" an", therefore, the truth was hi""en from them. Go" "oes not force anyone to un"erstan" His truths. He $ro9i"es clarity of min" to those who wish to un"erstan" an" if His wor" is reEecte" the un elie9er is #i9en what he "esires 7 "arkness of truth. ,esus e#an to teach in $ara les ;Gk. parabole=,139@ testin# the moral an" s$iritual Aualities of his listeners. 1399 1he results were always insi#htful an" re9ealin#. 1hose who "esire" to li9e a Go"ly life un"erstoo" an" were im$resse" with His wor"s. 1he (harisees an" 5a""ucees "esire" only to kee$ their "ea" tra"itions an" reli#ious-$olitical $ositions secure an" ha" no interest in knowin# Go". 1herefore, they "i" not un"erstan" the sim$lest conce$ts of Go"<s truth. (ara les are fi#ures of s$eech an" e%$lain "octrine y com$arin# a known realm to an unknown realm. +or e%am$le, ,esus often use" the com$arison 1696. Hen"ry, BMystery.C 123-27L 5ee also 'ol. 1*-3--7L -*-L4*/L - 1hess. -*7L 1 1im. /*9,
13L 0e9. 1*-8L 18*7 17*2, 7. 1697. .arclay, BMark.C 91.
1698. Her ert, B(ara le.C 13-. 1699. 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times of &esus the Messiah . 481-83.
1198 in which He sai", B1he Din#"om of Go" is like . . .C (ara les always ha9e a sin#le theme or sin#le answer to a Auestion, ut are ne9er to e use" to "e9elo$ "octrine.
A Lesso$ i$ First Ce$t)ry Her1e$e)ti"s7 Generally, the first $rinci$le of a $ara le is the only $rinci$le of the $ara le. ?ther "etails are not to e stresse", ut they B$aint the $ictureC for ease of memori>ation. Most of the $ara les that ,esus $resente" fall into two cate#ories* 1. (ara les contain less than holy human characteristics an" are $resente" to warn the au"ience. -. (ara les that re9eal a $rinci$le of Go" to men an" the worl". 4ssentially, these "escri e the con"uct that is "esira le or a characteristic of Go" an" His relationshi$ with humanity. 1788 Many of the $ara les of ,esus con9ey a truth that coul" not e communicate" in any other way. 1he $oetic style of a $ara le is a memory "e9ice chil"ren learne" at home an" in the syna#o#ue school. Hence, e9eryone knew how to s$eak an" think in $ara les. When listenin# to someone, they listene" with a "e#ree of antici$ation ecause $ara les ha9e $re"icta le $atterns of i"eas. ,esus an" His $ara les are inse$ara le. 1o un"erstan" the $ara les is to un"erstan" ,esus an" 9ice 9ersa. 1781 1hinkin#, s$eakin#, an" teachin# with $ara les were common at this time. 0a inic literature contains some fi9e thousan" $ara les.178- 1he use of $ara les was certainly not new to the listeners of ,esus as there are many in the He rew .i le. 1o un"erstan" the $ara les of ,esus one shoul" un"erstan" ra inic literature as well, since ,esus tau#ht in the ty$ical ra inic style. 178/ (ossi ly the most ama>in# feature of the $ara les of ,esus is that the reli#ious lea"ers "i" not un"erstan" them. 1700. Met>#er, The New Testament . 141-4/. 1701. Marshall, B(ara les.C /*1124. 1702. .i9in an" .li>>ar", $nderstanding )ifficult Words . 7/-7@. 1703. Joun#, &esus the &ewish Theologian. 72.
1199 1he ,ewish $eo$le looke" u$on ,esus with won"er an" full e%$ectation that He woul" re-esta lish the )a9i"ic 4m$ire of His famous forefather. Dnowin# this, ,esus $rocee"e" to #i9e se9en $ro$hetic $ara les concernin# His hea9enly kin#"om. 1hese $ara les summari>e the contrasts etween the e%$ectations of the ,ews an" what ,esus was a out to institute in His Din#"om of Go".1784 1here are essentially four reasons why ,esus use" $ara les. 1782 1. (eo$le were alrea"y familiar with $ara les since there are 2@ of them in the He rew .i le. 1he most famous one is of the $ro$het :athan an" Din# )a9i" ;- 5am. 1-*1-7= ut ra is use" them freAuently in their teachin#. 1he 1almu" an" other ,ewish writin#s of the time ha9e many $ara les. -. 1hese were learnin# tools. When ,esus use" $ara les, He structure" them aroun" e9ents or stories that $eo$le alrea"y knew. 1his hel$e" them to remem er them. /. A $ara le is an e%cellent tool with which to "escri e an a stract i"ea in a $ictorial form. 1hey alrea"y thou#ht $ictorially since He rew is a $ictorial lan#ua#e. &ittle won"er then, that the A$ostle (aul once sai" the followin# comment a out Go"* For His i$8isible attrib)tes+ that is+ His eter$al #o3er a$( (i8i$e $at)re+ ha8e bee$ "learly see$ si$"e the "reatio$ of the 3orl(+ bei$% )$(erstoo( thro)%h 3hat He has 1a(e. As a res)lt+ #eo#le are 3itho)t e@")se.
*
;o1a$s &7* 4. +inally an" $ossi ly most im$ortant, a $ara le forces a $erson to think for himself. 5omeone is more likely to acce$t a new i"ea, such as the Din#"om of Go" conce$t, if he thinks throu#h it an" acce$ts it. While it seems that ,esus "eli9erately cloake" His messa#e within the secrecy of a $ara le, He in fact challen#e" an" com$elle" listeners to 1704. 0ichar"s, The Bible Reader0s 'ompanion . 312. 1705. +or further stu"y see two e%cellent works y .ra" H. Joun#. &esus and +is &ewish
4arables. ;1ulsa, ?D* Gos$el 0esearch +oun"ation, 19@9= an" &esus the &ewish Theologian . ;(ea o"y, MA* Hen"rickson, 1992=.
1200 think for themsel9es an" then ren"er a "ecision. His critics were lin"e" ecause they $ermitte" their own i"eas to "ominate the i"eas e%$resse" y ,esus. 1hose who were self- lin"e" y $re"Euice, arro#ance, or self-ri#hteous attitu"e "i" not un"erstan" Him. !. 3.&* M9. /733-3/4 Mt. &373/-3' PA;AALES FULFILL P;:PHECE M9. 33 He 3o)l( s#ea9 the 3or( to the1 3ith 1a$y #arables li9e these+ as they 3ere able to )$(ersta$(. 3/ A$( He (i( $ot s#ea9 to the1 3itho)t a #arable. Pri8ately+ ho3e8er+ He 3o)l( e@#lai$ e8erythi$% to His o3$ (is"i#les. Mt. 3/ Jes)s tol( the "ro3(s all these thi$%s i$ #arables+ a$( He 3o)l( $ot s#ea9 a$ythi$% to the1 3itho)t a #arable+ 3' so that 3hat 3as s#o9e$ thro)%h the #ro#het 1i%ht be f)lfille(7 I 3ill o#e$ My 1o)th i$ #arables4 I 3ill (e"lare thi$%s 9e#t se"ret fro1 the fo)$(atio$ of the 3orl( BPs. <,7*C. !. 3.&3 Mt. &37&-! ;5ee also Mk. 4*1-9L &k. @*4-@= Sea of Galilee PA;AALE :F THE S:0E; :$ that (ay Jes)s 3e$t o)t of the ho)se a$( 3as sitti$% by the sea. * S)"h lar%e "ro3(s %athere( aro)$( Hi1 that He %ot i$to a boat a$( sat (o3$+ 3hile the 3hole "ro3( stoo( o$ the shore. 3 The$ He tol( the1 1a$y thi$%s i$ #arables+ sayi$%7 2Co$si(er the so3er 3ho 3e$t o)t to so3. / As he 3as so3i$%+ A so1e see( fell alo$% the #ath+ a$( the bir(s "a1e a$( ate the1 )#. A
'
:thers fell o$ ro"9y %ro)$(+
1201 0here there 3as$?t 1)"h soil+ C a$( they s#ra$% )# =)i"9ly+ Si$"e the soil 3as$?t (ee#. 6
.
A)t 3he$ the s)$ "a1e )#
C? they 3ere s"or"he(+ a$( si$"e they ha( $o root+ they 3ithere(. A?
<
:thers fell a1o$% thor$s+ A$( the thor$s "a1e )# a$( "ho9e( the1.
A?
Still others fell o$ %oo( %ro)$( ti1es 3hat 3as
a$( #ro()"e( a "ro#7 so1e & + so1e . + a$( so1e 3 so3$.

!
A$yo$e 3ho has ears sho)l( liste$K5
,esus e#an His ministry y teachin# in the syna#o#ues. Howe9er after a while, the syna#o#ues were a$$arently close" to Him, an" He $reache" the Din#"om of Go" an" $erforme" miracles where9er there was an o$$ortunity. !t was a "efinite turnin# $oint an" He also e#an to teach with $ara les. Messianic scholars say that this $ara le is a reflection of !saiah 22*-8-11, ecause !saiah<s $assa#e is a com$arati9e narrati9e relatin# the rain an" the sower to the wor" of Go" an" its inten"e" "i9ine $ur$ose. :ote the followin#,
&
For H)st as rai$ a$( s$o3 fall fro1 hea8e$ a$( (o $ot ret)r$ there 3itho)t sat)rati$% the earth a$( 1a9i$% it %er1i$ate a$( s#ro)t+ a$( #ro8i(i$% see( to so3
1202 a$( foo( to eat+

&&
so My 3or( that "o1es fro1 My 1o)th 3ill $ot ret)r$ to Me e1#ty+ b)t it 3ill a""o1#lish 3hat I #lease a$( 3ill #ros#er i$ 3hat I se$( it to (o.5
Isaiah ''7& -&& 'ritics ha9e commente" on the multi$lication of see" Ba hun"re", si%ty, or thirty timesC as ein# an e%a##eration. Howe9er, a non-,ewish witness of this a$$ro%imate era confirms the accuracy of the wor"s of ,esus. Marcus 1erentius Harro ;113 ..'. 7 -7 ..'.= was a 0oman scholar thou#ht to ha9e een of the eAuestrian rank an", as such, ha" the finances for e%tensi9e tra9el an" the esta lishment of his own li rary. He $ro"uce" 74 literary works on numerous to$ics, inclu"in# a#riculture. !n his work, Agriculture" he i"entifie" three areas in the 0oman 4m$ire where cro$ yiel"s were one hun"re" fol"* 1. !n 5y aris locate" in !taly, -. :ear Ga"ara in the "istrict of 5yria, an" /. !n .y>acium locate" in Africa ?f interest in this stu"y is Ga"ara that Harro mentione" it as ein# in 5yria ecause this re#ion was un"er the 0oman #o9ernmental "istrict hea"Auarters in )amascus, 5yria. 1783 More s$ecifically, he wrote, Aro)$( Sybaris i$ Italy the $or1al yiel( is sai( to be e8e$ a h)$(re( to o$e+ a$( a li9e yiel( is re#orte( $ear Ga(ara i$ Syria+ a$( for the (istri"t of AyGa"i)1 i$ Afri"a. It also 1a9es a %reat (iffere$"e 3hether the #la$ti$% is o$ 8ir%i$ soil or o$ 3hat is "alle( restibilisQ la$( ")lti8ate( e8ery year Q or
1706. !t shoul" e note" that the tetrarchs, $u$$et kin#s, an" other rulers of Galilee, ,u"ea, 5amaria, (erea, an" .anias were also un"er the control of "istrict hea"Auarters locate" in )amascus at this time.
1203 o$ 8er8a"t)1+ 3hi"h bet3ee$ "ro#s. is allo3e( so1eti1es to lie fallo3
Farro+ Agriculture &7//7*
&< <
1he area Harro "escri e" near Ga"ara is in the re#ion surroun"in# the 5ea of Galilee. 1herefore, when ,esus s$oke of a hun"re" fol" increase, it was not an e%a##erationL it was a multi$lication factor with which the Galileans were well acAuainte". 2A$yo$e 3ho has ears sho)l( liste$.5 &iterally translate" it rea"s, BHe who has ears, let him hear.C 1his stran#e $assa#e har"ly makes any sense whatsoe9er to the mo"ern rea"er, ut to the first century ,ew it was an in9itation to seek the "ee$er meanin# of what ,esus was s$eakin#. !n essence, ,esus sai" that there are many who hear ut "o not un"erstan" or $ercei9e His wor"s, ut they shoul" un"erstan". !. 3.&/ Mt. &37&,-*3 ;5ee also Mk. 4*1/--8L &k. @*11-12= PA;AALE :F S:0E; EPPLAINE6
&,
2Eo)+ the$+ liste$ to the #arable of the so3er7
0he$ a$yo$e hears the 3or( abo)t the 9i$%(o1 a$( (oes$?t )$(ersta$( it+ the e8il o$e "o1es a$( s$at"hes a3ay 3hat 3as so3$ i$ his heart. This is the o$e so3$ alo$% the #ath. * A$( the o$e so3$ o$ ro"9y %ro)$(Q this is o$e 3ho hears the 3or( a$( i11e(iately re"ei8es it 3ith Hoy. *& Eet he has $o root i$ hi1self+ b)t is shortli8e(. 0he$ #ress)re or #erse")tio$ "o1es be"a)se of the 3or(+ i11e(iately he st)1bles.
&!
1204
**
No3 the o$e so3$ a1o$% the thor$sQ this is o$e 3ho hears the 3or(+ b)t the 3orries of this a%e a$( the se()"tio$ of 3ealth "ho9e the 3or(+ a$( it be"o1es )$fr)itf)l. A)t the o$e so3$ o$ the %oo( %ro)$(Q this is o$e 3ho hears a$( )$(ersta$(s the 3or(+ 3ho (oes bear fr)it a$( yiel(s7 so1e & + so1e . + so1e 3 ti1es 3hat 3as
*3
so3$.5 (ara les illustrate" His teachin#s throu#h careful thou#ht an" "isco9ery an", therefore, listeners were challen#e" to make a "ecision. 1he $eo$le ha" such stron# $reconcei9e" i"eas of what the $olitical-messiah woul" e like, that many were not rea"y to recei9e His messa#e. 1o #et them to chan#e their i"eas, ,esus $erforme" miracles an" tau#ht with $ara les that reAuire" them to think throu#h His messa#es an" miracles. An e%am$le is foun" in the (ara le of the 5ower, where He mentione" four ty$es of soil* 1. 5oil esi"e a walkway, common $ath or roa", -. 5tony #roun", /. 1horny #roun", 4. Goo" #roun". 1hese ty$es of soil were commonly foun" to hillsi"e terrace" farms. +or centuries $easant farmers terrace" their lan" to $re9ent erosion an" $ro"uce ountiful cro$s. A terrace" area was create" when a stone retainin# wall, usually three to four feet hi#h, it was erecte" $arallel alon# the si"e of the hill an" ackfille" with fertile #roun" to create a le9el area ;see illustration !. 3.&/A elow=. Where the fille"-in area met the natural hillsi"e, there was #enerally little or $oor Auality "irt an" only wee"s an" thorns coul" #row there. !t was here that another terrace" retainin# wall was uilt with its acksi"e also fille" in. 1herefore, while the lar#e area of the terrace" lan" was hi#hly $ro"ucti9e, soil near the to$ of one retainin#
1205 wall was stony, as was the soil near the ottom of another retainin# wall, ut the area etween coul" $ro"uce a hun"re" fol".
!. 3.&/A. AN ILLUST;ATI:N :F TE;;ACE6 LAN6. 0etainin# walls ;0W= were uilt a out two to four feet hi#h an" ackfille" ;.+= with "irt rou#ht in from other areas to create a le9el area. 5oil near the to$ of a retainin# wall ;1= was stony. While soil near the lar#e center area was fertile an" $ro"ucti9e ;-=, the soil near the ottom of the ne%t retainin# wall was $oor thorny soil ;/=. 'onseAuently, a hillsi"e that ha" $oor a#ricultural $ros$ects was chan#e" into hi#hly $ro"ucti9e lan". !llustration y the author. 1he $ara le is not concerne" a out $reachin# or the see", ut rather, the attitu"e an" res$onse of the $eo$le who hear the #os$el. 1herefore, in a 9ery real way, this $ara le is one of $ro"ucti9ity for the Din#"om of Go". 1he see" will always e rea"y to #row, re#ar"less of how it is recei9e". 5ome see"s may fall alon# the rocks, such as alon# the terrace" wall or the hill country north of Galilee an" close to the Golan Hei#hts. 5ome may fall alon# the 0oman roa"s like the 7ia Maris, an" some may fall amon# thorns that resulte" from the #roun" ein# curse", some may fall in the rich fertile 9alley of Galilee where the most ountiful wheat in !srael #rew. 49ery ,ew who hear" ,esus s$eak was 9ery well aware of these illustrationsL wor"-
1206 $ictures of the see" are in reality the Wor" of Go" with the intent of a ountiful har9est. ,esus referre" to four ty$es of "isci$les who were in9ol9e" with 1orah stu"ies. 1he messa#e of ,esus was the fulfillment of the ?l" 1estament an", therefore, the fulfillment of the 1orah. All "isci$les are e%$ecte" to $ro"uce a har9est of some ty$e, whate9er their callin#. Howe9er, any $otential har9est is "e$en"ent u$on the con"ition of the soil, meanin# the con"ition of the heart of the one who hears the Wor" ;recei9es the see"=, an" how that Wor" is nurture", culti9ate", an" "isci$le" into a mature elie9er who rin#s forth ountiful fruit.
!. 3.&/A. :LIFE T;EES :N TE;;ACE6 HILLSI6E. A #ro9e of oli9e trees #rows on a terrace" hillsi"e where the retainin# walls are in $oor con"ition "ue to a lack of maintenance. (hoto#ra$h y the author. 1his $ara le follows the illustration #i9en y !saiah who s$oke of the rain an" snow that $re$are" the soil for see", so the see" woul" s$rout an" e9entually $ro9i"e for rea" ;!sa. 22*18=. 1he $ro$het then use" this $ictorial illustration to say that in a similar manner the Wor" of Go" will #o forth, e $ro"ucti9e, an" accom$lish its inten"e" $ur$ose ;!sa. 22*11=. !n the "ays of ,esus, this $assa#e was un"erstoo" as "escri in# the stu"y of
1207 1orah. Howe9er, while many chose to follow ,esus, others hostile an" for this reason He Auote" !saiah 3*9-18* A$( He re#lie(7 GoK Say to these #eo#le7
!
ecame Auite
Iee# liste$i$%+ b)t (o $ot )$(ersta$(4 9ee# loo9i$%+ b)t (o $ot #er"ei8e. & 6)ll the 1i$(s of these #eo#le4 (eafe$ their ears a$( bli$( their eyes4 other3ise they 1i%ht see 3ith their eyes a$( hear 3ith their ears a$( )$(ersta$( 3ith their 1i$(s+ t)r$ ba"9+ a$( be heale(. Isaiah .7!-& :either !saiah nor ,esus "esire" $eo$le to ha9e clou"e" min"sL oth #a9e a clear illustration of the Wor" of Go". .ut they chose not to follow an", as a result, they stum le". As e9ery $astor knows all too well, not e9eryone in his con#re#ation is willin# to listen an" o ey his wor"s, ecause e9ery church has the Bfour ty$es of soil.C !n this case ,esus not only #a9e the $ara le ut also its e%$lanation. !n the (ara le of the 5ower, which mi#ht e etter calle" the (ara le of the 5oils, ,esus "escri e" the 9arious res$onses to His ministry. :onetheless, there are three im$ortant $oints a out the farmer that $ertain to the sowin# an" rea$in# narrati9e. 1. 1he sower rea$s what he sowes -. 1he sower will rea$ after he sowes, in a "ifferent season /. 1he sower always e%$ects to rea$ more than he has sown.
1208 !f the wor" of Go" is consi"ere" a see", it will e reEecte" y some $eo$le ;the $oor soil=. ?thers will acce$t it for a while ut then return to their worl"ly ways. 5till others will "eci"e to acce$t it an" $ermit it to transform their li9es. 1hey will $ro"uce a ountiful cro$, as "emonstrate" y the #oo" works an" ministry that will come forth out of their li9es. 1he har9est ima#ery is a common fi#ure re$resentin# the final #atherin# of souls for Go"<s kin#"om ;,oel /*1/L 0e9. 14*14--8=. Howe9er, there is also a counterfeit sower who sowes e9il in the hearts of men. +or that reason, the $ara le of the wheat an" tares follows the $ara le of the sower a o9e. +inally, in a note of tri9ia, the metho" of $lantin# see"s as "escri e" in this $ara le "i" not chan#e for centuries until 1781. At that time, ,ethro 1ull ;1374 7 1741= was an 4n#lish a#ricultural $ioneer who in9ente" the horse"rawn #rain "rill that $lace" see"s in neat rows. 178@ 1his in9ention was followe" y his secon" in9ention of the horse-"rawn hoe after which he ma"e im$ro9ements to the horse-"rawn $low ;$lou#h=. His i"eas hel$e" initiate the a#ricultural re9olution. Until his in9entions rea"ers easily i"entifie" with the $ara le, ut as a#ricultural metho"s chan#e" an" $eo$le ecame more "istant from farmin#, mo"ern rea"ers fin" themsel9es with challen#es of un"erstan"in#. !. 3.&' Mt. &37*/-3 ;5ee also Mk. 4*-3--9=
PA;AALE :F THE 0HEAT AN6 TA;ES

*/
He #rese$te( a$other #arable to the17
2The 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ 1ay be "o1#are( to a 1a$ 3ho so3e( %oo( see( i$ his fiel(. *' A)t 3hile #eo#le 3ere slee#i$%+ his e$e1y "a1e+ so3e( 3ee(s a1o$% the 3heat+ a$( left. 0he$ the #la$ts s#ro)te( a$( #ro()"e( %rai$+ the$ the 3ee(s also a##eare(. *< The la$(o3$er?s s "a1e to hi1 a$( sai(+ WMaster+ (i($?t yo) so3 %oo( see( i$ yo)r fiel(> The$ 3here (i( the 3ee(s "o1e fro1>?
*.
1708. htt$*//in9entors.a out.com/li rary/in9entors/ lEethrotull.htm. 5e$tem er 12, -81/.
1209
*,
2WA$ e$e1y (i( thisK? he tol( the1.
2WSo+ (o yo) 3a$t )s to %o a$( %ather the1 )#>? the s as9e( hi1. 2WNo+? he sai(. W0he$ yo) %ather )# the 3ee(s+ yo) 1i%ht also )#root the 3heat 3ith the1. 3 Let both %ro3 to%ether )$til the har8est. At har8est ti1e I?ll tell the rea#ers7 Gather the 3ee(s first a$( tie the1 i$ b)$(les to b)r$ the1+ b)t store the 3heat i$ 1y bar$.?5
*!
!. 3.&'A. 0HEAT AN6 TA;ES. 1he wheat ;left= an" tares #row to#ether in the same fiel". 1hey are similar in a$$earance an" only the farmer can "istin#uish the "ifference, ut y har9est time, the wheat has a full hea" of #rain while the tares fall to the #roun" as shown. 1ares ha9e a root system that intertwines with the root systems of the wheat, there y stealin# stren#th from them. (hoto#ra$he" y the author in ,or"an. 1ares are known otanically as the B ear"e" "arnelC ; Silium temulentum = an" are, in fact, a $oisonous rye #rass, that if eaten, will cause nausea, con9ulsions, "iarrhea, an" freAuently "eath. !ts a$$earance is i"entical to
1210 wheat until its ears ;the see" $o"s= a$$ear. 1789 1ares are foun" throu#hout the Mi""le 4ast an" in ancient times were not consi"ere" to e a "ifferent kin" of $lant, ut a form of "e#enerate wheat. +or that reason it was also known as a bastard wheat.
1he listeners un"erstoo" that the BtareC was a "e#enerate elie9er who maintaine" the ima#e of a faithful follower. As the wheat an" the tares are in"istin#uisha le in the fiel" until each $ro"uces its own fruit, likewise those in the con#re#ation are in"istin#uisha le until the fruit of their li9es ecomes e9i"ent. 1718 2Tie the1 i$ b)$(les to be b)r$e(.5 ,esus now $owerful Eu"#mental the law of ,ohn the .a$tist. e#an to use the
!. 3.&. Mt. &373.-/3 PA;AALE :F THE 0HEAT AN6 TA;ES EPPLAINE6 The$ He (is1isse( the "ro3(s a$( 3e$t i$to the ho)se. His (is"i#les a##roa"he( Hi1 a$( sai(+ 2E@#lai$ the #arable of the 3ee(s i$ the fiel( to )s.5
3.
He re#lie(7 2The :$e 3ho so3s the %oo( see( is the So$ of Ma$4 3, the fiel( is the 3orl(4 a$( the %oo( see(Qthese are the so$s of the 9i$%(o1. The 3ee(s are the so$s of the e8il o$e+ 3!
3<
1709. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3-@.
1710. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. -13L 4"ersheim, The ,ife and Times
of &esus the Messiah . 483.
1211 a$( the e$e1y 3ho so3e( the1 is the 6e8il. The har8est is the e$( of the a%e+ a$( the har8esters are a$%els. / Therefore+ H)st as the 3ee(s are %athere( a$( b)r$e( i$ the fire+ so it 3ill be at the e$( of the a%e. /& The So$ of Ma$ 3ill se$( o)t His a$%els+ a$( they 3ill %ather fro1 His 9i$%(o1 e8erythi$% that "a)ses si$ a$( those %)ilty of la3less$ess. /* They 3ill thro3 the1 i$to the blaGi$% f)r$a"e 3here there 3ill be 3ee#i$% a$( %$ashi$% of teeth. /3 The$ the ri%hteo)s 3ill shi$e li9e the s)$ i$ their Father?s 9i$%(o1. A$yo$e 3ho has ears sho)l( liste$K 1his $ara le also in"icates that there will e those who are not serious a out their faith an", therefore, will not e acce$te" into the hea9enly kin#"om. When the A$ostle (aul sai" that sal9ation was y the confession that ,esus is &or" ;0om. 18*9= he imme"iately connecte" that with a heartfelt serious elief. 1he confession is not to e a shallow an" meanin#less sayin#. 1he early church "rew many $eo$le into its fol" ;- 'or. 9*1/L (hil. 1*-7= an" of those there were many who refuse" to chan#e their sinful way of life. 1hey are the tares of the $ara le since they look like true elie9ers ut are not. 1711 Anyone who has ears an" is not "eft shoul" listen an" acce$t the wor"s they hear. ,eremiah s$oke of the Buncircumcise" earC ;3*18=, i"entifyin# those who hear the messa#e ut chose not to o ey the warnin#s of Go". )isci$line in the form of e%communication was $ractice" ut is almost unhear" of to"ay in Western churches. 171-
!. 3.&< Mt. &373&-3* ;5ee also Mk. 4*/8-/-L &k. 1/*1@-19= PA;AALE :F THE MUSTA;6 SEE6 He #rese$te( a$other #arable to the17 2The 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is li9e a 1)star( see( that a 1a$ too9 a$( so3e( i$ his fiel(. 3* It?s the s1allest of all the see(s+ b)t 3he$ %ro3$+ it?s taller tha$ the 8e%etables a$( be"o1es a tree+ so that the bir(s of the s9y "o1e a$( $est i$ its bra$"hes.5
3&
1711. Martin, Worship in the 5arly 'hurch. 22. 1712. 5ee 1 'or. 2*/-2L 1im. 1*19--8L - ,n. 9-18L cf. - 'or. -*2-11.
1212 1he mustar" $lant that ,esus referre" to is #enerally consi"ere" to ha9e een lack mustar". !t is the same $lant as foun" in the Unite" 5tates althou#h the soil an" climate con"itions in the ,or"an Halley $ermit it to #row near the hei#ht of a horse. 171/ 5cientifically, it is known as sinapis nigra" a mem er of the cruciferae family of $lants that has four-$e"ale" flowers. 2It is the s1allest of all the see(s.5 'ritics ha9e maintaine" that the mustar" see" is not the smallest, ut, rather, the orchi" see" is. While this is true #lo ally, ,esus was s$eakin# in a local conte%t to local $eo$le, not to a "ele#ation of international otanists. 5ince orchi"s "i" not e%ist in this re#ion to the $eo$le ,esus was teachin# the lack mustar" see" was the smallest without "iscre$ancy. !n the He raic i"iom, the smallest wei#ht an" "imensional measurement that coul" e ma"e was the wei#ht an" "iameter of a mustar" see".1714 1he only reason critics can claim error in this $assa#e is ecause they e%amine" it throu#h a sterile microsco$e while i#norin# the influences of culture, history, social issues, an" the &aw. ,esus sai" is that His wor" an" His ministry are like that see"L His kin#"om, re$resente" y a few "isci$les, woul" e%$an" to a #lo al force. 1his is essentially a $ro$hecy in $ara le form ecause, y the en" of the first century, 'hristianity was a maEor force throu#hout the ancient :ear 4ast. +urthermore, He sai" that efore He returns, His wor"s woul" e s$oken to e9ery nation ;Gk. ethnic #rou$=. 1712 2The bir(s of the s9y "o1e a$( $est i$ its bra$"hes.5 1his ima#ery is reflecti9e of the .i lical $assa#es where a #reat kin#"om was as a lar#e tree with ir"s nestin# in its ranches. 1713 4ach of these $ro$hets use" the alle#ory of a tree where ir"s coul" fin" rest an" shelter. 1hey likene" the tree to a lar#e kin#"om that woul" $rotect many $eo$le an" insure their li9es. ,esus use" the illustration of a mustar" see" as it #erminate" out of
1713. Geikie, The ,ife and Words. -*3-7.
1714. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. -17. 1715. Daiser, )a9i"s, .ruce, an" .rauch. +ard Sayings of the Bible. /@1-@-. 1716. ,u"#. 9*12L 4>ek. 17*----4L /1*/-14, ----4L )an. 4*7--/.
1213 the smallest $article. &ikewise, the Din#"om of Go" woul" #erminate out of work of His "isci$les ut woul" #row to an enormous si>e ;,n. 17*1@=. When s$eakin# of His kin#"om, ,esus use" terms that were closely tie" to the a#ricultural way of life. 1he ra is often use" e%$ressions relate" to the smallest see" in the Mi""le 4ast as a fi#ure of s$eech for its miniature si>e.1717 &ikewise, the mustar" $lant was a fi#ure of s$eech use" y the 4ssenes. 1hey, too, "esire" to attain the ri#hteousness of Go" an" use com$ati le ima#ery. !n one of the )ea" 5ea 5crolls are these lines from a hymn that reflect u$on the wicke" worl"* All the beasts of the forest RareS fe( o$ its leafy bra$"hes ... a$( its bra$"hes sheltere( all the bir(s+ A)t all the trees by the 3ater rose abo8e it. 6ea( Sea S"roll+ *han!sgiving )ymn 3croll &JH. ,7/-&/4 .7&-&' !. 3.&, Mt. &3733 ;5ee also &k. 1/*-8--1= PA;AALE :F THE EEAST He tol( the1 a$other #arable7 2The 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is li9e yeast that a 3o1a$ too9 a$( 1i@e( i$to ' #o)$(s of flo)r )$til it s#rea( thro)%h all of it.5
33
,ust as ,esus illustrate" his ministry with a mustar" see", He also use" yeast as the meta$hor. 49eryone un"erstoo" how Auickly yeast coul" s$rea" throu#hout rea" "ou#h. !n a similar manner, His Wor" woul" s$rea" throu#hout the worl". While at times yeast is sym olic of e9il ;Mt. 13*2-1-L &k. 1-*1L cf. 1 'or. 2*3-1/= + the use here is o 9iously in reference to the $re"icte" ra$i" #rowth of the church. !. 3.&! M9. /7*&-*' ;5ee also &k. @*13-1@= PA;AALE :F THE LIGHTE6 LAMP He sai( to the1+ 26o yo) bri$% i$ a la1# to #)t it )$(er a bo3l or a be(> I$stea(+ (o$?t yo) #)t it o$ its sta$(>
*&
1717. .<rakhot /1a an" &e9iticus 0a
ah /1*9 on &e9iticus -4*-.
1214 For $othi$% is "o$"eale( e@"e#t to be re8eale(+ A$( $othi$% hi((e$ e@"e#t to "o1e to li%ht
** *3
If a$yo$e has ears to hear+ He sho)l( liste$K5 The$ He sai( to the1+ 2Pay atte$tio$ to 3hat yo) hear.
*/
20ith the 1eas)re yo) )se+ it 3ill be 1eas)re( BAy the 1eas)re yo) )se+ it 3ill be 1eas)re( a$( a((e( to yo). For to the o$e 3ho has+ it 3ill be %i8e$+ a$( Fro1 the o$e 3ho (oes $ot ha8e+ e8e$ 3hat he has 3ill be ta9e$ a3ay.5
*'
1215 !. 3.&!A. FI;ST CENTU;E HE;:6IAN :IL LAMP . 1his first century Hero"ian style lam$ is easily i"entifie" y its fan-sha$e" s$out. 1hese were mol"e" of clay an" fire" in a $ottery kiln for har"ness. 1he fuel was oli9e oil an" a wick was inserte" in the small s$out. 1he short wick a sor e" the oil, then was lit an" $ro9i"e" minimal li#htin# in the home. ,esus use" common e9ents an" o Eects of "aily life to con9ey his messa#e. (hoto#ra$h y the author. !. 3.* M9. /7*.-*!
PA;AALE :F THE SEE6 G;:0ING 2The 9i$%(o1 of Go( is li9e this+5 He sai(. 2A 1a$ s"atters see( o$ the %ro)$(4 *< he slee#s a$( rises Q $i%ht a$( (ay+ a$( the see( s#ro)ts a$( %ro3s Q he (oes$?t 9$o3 ho3. *, The soil #ro()"es a "ro# by itself Q first the bla(e+ the$ the hea(+ a$( the$ the ri#e %rai$ o$ the hea(. *! A)t as soo$ as the "ro# is rea(y+ he se$(s for the si"9le+ be"a)se the har8est has "o1e.5
*.
!. 3.*& Mt. &37// PA;AALE :F HI66EN T;EASU;E 2The 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is li9e treas)re+ b)rie( i$ a fiel(+ that a 1a$ fo)$( a$( reb)rie(. The$ i$ his Hoy he %oes a$( sells e8erythi$% he has a$( b)ys that fiel(.
&3
!n the ?l" 1estament, !srael is at times referre" to as Go"<s Btreasure" $ossessionC ;4%. 19*2L )eut. 14*-L (s. 1/2*4= an" the fiel" is sym olic of the worl". .ut in the :ew 1estament the treasure is Go"<s chosen $eo$le who acce$te" the wor"s an" work of ,esus. 1he $ossession an" $rotection of wealth were of #reat concern in ancient times. +reAuently family treasures were hi""en in secret 9aults in a home or in a near y fiel", the location of which was known only to the hea" of the househol". !f this $erson "ie", the secret "ie" with him. 1he 'o$$er 5croll,
1216 one of the infamous )ea" 5ea 5crolls, "escri es the location of hi""en treasures that many elie9e were remo9e" from the tem$le $rior to its "estruction in A.). 78 y the 0omans. 1he "escri e" markers ha9e lon# een remo9e" an" no one knows where the treasures are. 171@ 'om$arati9e meta$hors, such as the Din#"om of Hea9en an" the treasures, were common as they con9eye" a stract conce$ts y com$arin# them to "aily e9ents in human life. 1719 ,esus continue" His theme as he s$oke of a $earl of #reat $rice. !. 3.** Mt. &37/'-/. PA;AALE :F FALUAALE PEA;L 2A%ai$+ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is li9e a 1er"ha$t i$ sear"h of fi$e #earls. /. 0he$ he fo)$( o$e #ri"eless #earl+ he 3e$t a$( sol( e8erythi$% he ha(+ a$( bo)%ht it.
/'
Unlike the treasure ;a o9e= that is reflecti9e of !srael, any connection of the $earls to the ,ewish $eo$le or !srael is unknown. !t may e that since $earls come out of the sea, the ima#ery is re$resentati9e of the Gentile nations ;)an. 7*1--L 0e9. 17*1, 12=. 17-8 1he $ara le "oes illustrate, howe9er, that common $eo$le ha" knowle"#e of o Eects an" $laces eyon" the worl" in which they li9e". Ancient countrysi"e farmers woul" normally ne9er encounter $earls, yet they were sufficiently aware of their e%istence that ,esus ma"e reference to them as an or"inary fact. 20he$ he fo)$( o$e #ri"eless #earl.5 !n this short $ara le, ,esus sai" that the merchant sol" e9erythin# that he ha" ut still "i" not ha9e enou#h money to make the $urchase, since the $earl was of B#reat 9alueC or B#reat $rice.C Jet he mana#e" to acAuire the $riceless treasure anyway. !n the ook of Acts ;4*/3= is the account of .arna as who sol" $ro$erty, #a9e the
1718. 1he 'o$$er 5croll can e seen in the ,or"an AntiAuities Museum in Amman, ,or"an.
+or more information, see Grant ,effrey, $n eiling Mysteries of the Bible. 12/-38.
1719. 5ee Mt. 2*14-13L 3*-3-/8L 7*3L 9*13-17L 18*-4--2L 1-*-2L 1/*/1-//L -4*4/-21L et.al. 1720. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B.C=.
1217 fun"s to the a$ostles, an" he ha", inclu"in# his life. !. 3.*3 Mt. &37/<-' PA;AALE :F THE 6;AGNET 2A%ai$+ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is li9e a lar%e $et thro3$ i$to the sea. It "olle"te( e8ery 9i$( of fish+ /, a$( 3he$ it 3as f)ll+ they (ra%%e( it ashore+ sat (o3$+ a$( %athere( the %oo( fish i$to "o$tai$ers+ b)t thre3 o)t the 3orthless o$es. /! So it 3ill be at the e$( of the a%e. The a$%els 3ill %o o)t+ se#arate the e8il #eo#le fro1 the ri%hteo)s+ ' a$( thro3 the1 i$to the blaGi$% f)r$a"e. I$ that #la"e there 3ill be 3ee#i$% a$( %$ashi$% of teeth.
/<
ecame a lea"er in the church. He #a9e all that
.ecause this ty$e of net "ra#s alon# the ottom of the sea, it is known as a B"ra#net.C Homer in his :dyssey ;%%ii /@4-/@9= states that the slain suitors in the halls of Ulysses were like the fish on the shore cau#ht y nets with a myria" of meshes.17-1 1his ty$e of net has a ten"ency to catch roun" ri9er stones, which are also $ulle" unto shore alon# with the fish. 1his is why ,esus aske", B!f your son woul" want a fish, woul" you #i9e him a stoneFC Jet relate" to this is the fact that the ,ews li9e" accor"in# to kosher "ietary rules "escri e" in &e9iticus 11. 1he #oo" fish collecte" in askets were those with fins an" scales, such as the fresh water sar"ine an" muskt ;now calle" 5t. (eter<s fish=. 1he un"esira le fish was the catfish that ha" fins ut no scales. 2Thro3 the1 i$to the blaGi$% f)r$a"e O there 3ill be 3ee#i$% a$( %$ashi$% of teeth.5 A#ain ,esus use" the Eu"#mental lan#ua#e of ,ohn the .a$tist, insistin# that those who reEect His messa#e will e "amne" to an eternal hell. 1he su Eect of hell is mentione" more freAuently in the :ew 1estament than the su Eect of hea9en. !. 3.*/ Mt. &37'&-'3 1721. 0o ertson, Word 4ictures in the New Testament. 111.
1218 PA;AALE :F T;EASU;ES

'&
2Ha8e yo) )$(erstoo( all these thi$%s>5
2Ees+5 they tol( Hi1. 2Therefore+5 He sai( to the1+ 2e8ery st)(e$t of S"ri#t)re i$str)"te( i$ the 9i$%(o1 of hea8e$ is li9e a la$(o3$er 3ho bri$%s o)t of his storeroo1 3hat is $e3 a$( 3hat is ol(.5 '3 0he$ Jes)s ha( fi$ishe( these #arables+ He left there.
'*
,esus "i" not come to create a new reli#ion, ut to e the fulfillment of the ?l" 'o9enant $romise" y the $ro$hets. He intro"uce" the :ew 'o9enant, which has some features ;or treasures= that are i"entical to the ?l" 'o9enant. 1herefore, He sai" that the :ew 1estament re$lace" not all elements of the ?l" 1estament ;'o9enant=. 20he$ Jes)s ha( fi$ishe( these #arables.5 Matthew $lace" this Auotation in his #os$el as an in"icator to the en" of this $articular teachin#L it is a literary tool. 1he a$ostle wrote his #os$el as a te%t ook for ,ews to stu"y the Messiahshi$ of ,esus an" His Din#"om of Go" in fi9e teachin# sections. 5ince cha$ter "i9isions were unknown at that time ;these "i9isions were a""e" a out the year 1-28= he use" this $hrase as a literary "e9ice to en" one of these sections. Another literary "e9ice is the $hrase, BWhen ,esus ha" finishe" sayin# all these thin#s ...C foun" in 11*1L 19*1L an" -3*1.17--
1722. &a"", BMatthew.C -9.
1219
U$it ! T)r$i$% Poi$t i$ the Mi$istry of Jes)s Cha#ter / The Cost of Follo3i$% Jes)s
1220
!. /. A. JESUS SAI6+ 2C:ME UNT: ME.5 Pai$ti$% by Hei$ri"h Hof1a$$. ,esus in9ite" all $eo$le to e His followers, an" He continues to call all those who "esire inner $eace an" a relationshi$ with Him. !. /. & Mt. ,7&,-* ;5ee also &k. 9*27-29= THE C:ST :F F:LL:0ING JESUS 0he$ Jes)s sa3 lar%e "ro3(s aro)$( Hi1+ He %a8e the or(er to %o to the other si(e of the sea. &! A s"ribe a##roa"he( Hi1 a$( sai(+ 2Tea"her+ I 3ill follo3 Eo) 3here8er Eo) %oK5
&,
1221
*
Jes)s tol( hi1+ 2Fo@es ha8e (e$s a$( bir(s of the s9y ha8e $ests+ b)t the So$ of Ma$ has $o #la"e to lay His hea(.5
1here are two $ossi le inter$retations to this $ara le. 1. 1he most common inter$retation is that ,esus "i" not own a home an", therefore, is often i"entifie" with the fo%es an" ir"s who ma"e a tem$orary home somewhere in nature. -. A minority 9iew$oint is that ,esus is the ruler of the Din#"om of Go". His reference to the fo% was most likely a reflection u$on the 0oman ruler Hero" who, ecause of his sly an" e9il ways, was referre" to as Bthat fo%.C 1he B ir"s of the airC refer to the ea#le that was carrie" hi#h on a stan"ar" when a 0oman army was on the marchL the ea#le was a $owerful ima#e of the 0oman 4m$ire. !n the first account, the creatures of the wil" ha9e homes, ut ,esus ha" no home. !n the secon", the $owerful rulers of the worl" ha" their $alaces, ut the (rince of (eace ha" no $alace on earth. .oth inter$retations are correct. ?n a si"e note, a$$ro%imately three "eca"es after the "eath of ,esus, the 0oman #o9ernor Al inus ;rei#ne" 3--34 A.).= $lace" a #ol"en ea#le o9er the #ate of the tem$le. 5e9eral youn# ,ewish men resente" this action since it was unlawful to ha9e any ima#es or faces in the tem$le. 1hey mana#e" to cut "own the icon ut were ca$ture" y the sol"iers who were in the near y Antonia +ortress. After they a"mitte" their action, they, alon# with their ra is, were urne" ali9e. 17-/
1723. ,ose$hus, Wars. -.1.4 an" Anti3uities. 17.3.--4.
1222
!. /. &A. A ;ELIEF :F A ;:MAN EAGLE. 1he ea#le shown car9e" in stone was the sym ol of 0oman $ower an" wealth. (hoto#ra$he" at the 0ockefeller Museum y the author. !. /. * L9. !7'!-.*4 ;5ee also Mt. @*-1---= 2LET THE 6EA6 AU;E THEI; :0N 6EA65 A '! The$ He sai( to a$other+ 2Follo3 1e.5 A 2Lor(+5 he re#lie(+ 2first let 1e %o C b)ry 1y father.5 C? (ea(+ A? b)t yo) %o
.
A)t He tol( hi1+ 2Let the (ea( b)ry their o3$
1223 A? a$( s#rea( the $e3s of the 9i$%(o1 of Go(.5 A$other also sai(+ 2I 3ill follo3 yo)+ Lor(4 b)t first let 1e %o a$( say %oo(-bye to those at 1y ho)se.5 .* A)t Jes)s sai( to hi1+ 2No o$e 3ho #)ts his ha$( to the #lo3 a$( loo9s ba"9 is fit for the 9i$%(o1 of Go(.5
.&
Literary style. &ines A an" A< are similar in that to follow ,esus is to $roclaim the Din#"om of Go". &ines . an" .< oth reflect the comman" B#o.C 1he first is to #o an" ury a father an" the secon" is to #o an" $roclaim the Din#"om of Go". &ines ' an" '< refer to the urial customs of the "ay, ut ,esus tol" the man to #i9e that res$onsi ility to someone else. 2Let the (ea( b)ry their o3$ (ea(.5 +ew $assa#es are as $ro lematic as this one. 1he mystery lies in the fact that the statement $ortrays ,esus as one who reaks the 2th comman"ment concernin# the lack of honor "ue to one<s $arents, which was hi#hly inconsi"erate an" uncom$assionate. ?thers ha9e su##este" that ,esus was statin# that the Bs$irituallyC "ea" shoul" ury the B$hysicallyC "ea". While this is true, it "oes not a""ress the $ro lem of "isres$ect. A wor" stu"y "oes not clarify this issue, ut the meanin# is foun" in un"erstan"in# the ,ewish culture of the first century. 17-4 1hrou#hout the ?l" 1estament (erio", when a $erson "ie", the ones of the "ecease" were $lace" in the family urial cham er of a tom . After the flesh "ecaye", the ones were collecte" an" $lace" with the ones of many forefathers calle" a Bcharnel $ile,C that was within the same urial cham er.17-2 +or this reason, there are many e%$ressions such as B ury me with my fathersC ;i.e., Gen. 49*-9= or Bslee$ with your fathersC ;i.e. )eut. /1*13=. 1he collection of ones ecame a matter of utmost care since 4>ekiel $ro$hesie" that one "ay Go" woul" restore flesh u$on the ones of the "ecease" ;4>ek. /7*1-14=. 17-3 1724. Gil rant, B&uke.C /1/. 1725. 'rossan an" 0ee", 5(ca ating &esus. -/7-/@.
1726. +ine. BWhy .one .o%esFC /@-44, 27L .oy", B.uryin# their ?wn )ea".C 1-1-/8.
1224 !n the "ays of ,esus, as in centuries $ast, it was the res$onsi ility of the ol"est son to insure that his $arents were $ro$erly care" for in their ol" a#e an" in "eath. !n fact, the ol"est son was res$onsi le that the funeral e honora le.17-7 When the man sai", B&or", first let me #o an" ury my father,C he may ha9e een a""ressin# one of two situations. 17-@ 1. He was the ol"est son an" as such was res$onsi le for the care of both of his $arents. !f the el"est son coul" not care for his $arents, he was o li#ate" to assi#n his res$onsi ility to someone who coul". 1his was "emonstrate" when ,esus was "yin# on the cross an" He, as the ol"est son, $asse" His res$onsi ility to ,ohn when He sai" to His mother, B)ear woman, here is your son.C 1o ,ohn He sai", BHere is your motherC ;,n. 19*-3--7=. !n the $ara le the "isci$le may ha9e sim$ly state" that he ha" res$onsi ilities to his $arents, who $ro a ly were el"erly at the time, an" hence, a concern to him. -. 1he man<s father may ha9e "ie" in the $ast year ut the urial $rocess was not com$lete" until the ones were collecte". !t was the custom that a $erson<s o"y is to e urie" on the "ay of "eath in a family tom where it woul" "ecom$ose. 17-9 1herefore, a o"y was imme"iately urie" in a family ca9e or urial tom ;ca9ity=. 1his was followe" y a week of intense mournin# known as shi 0ah" followe" y another ut less intense mournin# $erio" known as shloshim. !t shoul" e note", howe9er, that some scholars elie9e that the $hrase 2o3$ (ea(5 su##ests that the father ha" alrea"y $asse" away. 17/8 A year later the ones were carefully collecte" y the el"est son, $lace" in an ossuary ; one o%=, an" re urie". ?nly then was the rite of urial com$lete. When ,esus sai", B&et the "ea" ury their own "ea",C He meant that someone else in the family shoul" assume the res$onsi ility of $arental care 1727. 1o it 4*/L 14*18-11L Mishnah, Berakoth /*1L Gen. -2*9L /2*-9L 28*1/. 1728. Mc'ane, B&et the )ea" .ury.C @/*/1-4/
1729. 1he Mosaic &aw e9en reAuire" that the o"y of a criminal who was e%ecute" shoul" not han# on the tree o9erni#ht ;)eut. -1*----/=. 1730. +ran>, B&et the )ea" .ury 1heir ?wn )ea".C 22.
1225 an" honor. ,esus "i" call him into a ministry with all "ue res$ect to his $arents. 1he cost of followin# ,esus is not always easy. 17/1
!. /. *A. A 0::6EN :SSUA;E. 1he custom was that after a $erson "ie", the o"y was $lace" in a tom an" a year later, after the flesh "ecaye", the family #athere" the ones an" $lace" them in a one o% calle" an ossuary. 1he $ractice of #atherin# ones was calle" ossile#ium or secon"ary urial an" was $ractice" only for a out a century. (hoto#ra$he" y the author at the Hecht Museum, Uni9ersity of Haifa.
1731. Mc'ane, /1-4/L +ran>, , B&et the )ea" .ury 1heir ?wn )ea".C 24-27.
1226
!. /. *A. LIMEST:NE :SSUA;IES IN A T:MA. &imestone ossuaries are shown as they were "isco9ere" in a first century tom . Wealthy families use" stone ossuaries to store the ones of their "ea" whereas common $easants use" woo"en ossuaries. (hoto courtesy of !srael AntiAuities Authority. 1he custom to which ,esus most likely referre" was $reser9e" in the ,erusalem 1almu". :ote the followin# $assa#e* 0he$ the flesh ha( 3aste( a3ay+ the bo$es 3ere "olle"te( a$( #la"e( i$ s1all "hests "alle( oss)aries. After the flesh ha( %o$e fro1 the bo$es+ a$( the bo$es 3ere #la"e( i$ the oss)aries+ the so$ sto##e( 1o)r$i$%. Jer)sale1 Tal1)(+ Mo,ed ?uantan &7' +inally, it shoul" e note" that not all $easant families coul" affor" e9en a woo"en ossuary. ?ften a o"y was urie" in a #ra9e an" co9ere" with "irt an" stone. 17/- .urial customs 9arie" from re#ion to re#ion. Howe9er, in ,u"ea, an" es$ecially in ,erusalem, the "e#ree of wealth "etermine"
1732. Kon"er9an :ew !nternational Hersion 5tu"y .i le, 13@@.
1227 whether one<s one.17// ones woul" e $lace" in a stone ossuary or a woo"en
2No o$e 3ho #)ts his ha$( to the #lo3.5 ,esus a#ain ma"e a reference to the commitment His "isci$les were e%$ecte" to make. 1he $hrase refers to the call of 4lisha ;@9--@/- ..'.= an" the "ecision he ma"e to ecome a "isci$le of the $ro$het 4liEah. 1he account is as follows, EliHah left there a$( fo)$( Elisha so$ of Sha#hat as he 3as #lo3i$%. T3el8e tea1s of o@e$ 3ere i$ fro$t of hi1+ a$( he 3as 3ith the t3elfth tea1. EliHah 3al9e( by hi1 a$( thre3 his 1a$tle o8er hi1. * Elisha left the o@e$+ ra$ to follo3 EliHah+ a$( sai(+ 2Please let 1e 9iss 1y father a$( 1other+ a$( the$ I 3ill follo3 yo).5
&!
2Go o$ ba"9+5 he re#lie(+ 2for 3hat ha8e I (o$e to yo)>5 So he t)r$e( ba"9 fro1 follo3i$% hi1+ too9 the tea1 of o@e$+ a$( sla)%htere( the1. 0ith the o@e$?s 3oo(e$ yo9e a$( #lo3+ he "oo9e( the 1eat a$( %a8e it to the #eo#le+ a$( they ate. The$ he left+ follo3e( EliHah+ a$( ser8e( hi1.
*&
& Ii$%s &!7&!-*& 4lisha li9e" at a time when a ty$ical farmer owne" one or two "onkeys that were use" for $lowin# an" other a#ricultural $ur$oses. A wealthy farmer owne" one or two o%en. Howe9er, 4lisha owne" a "o>en $air 7 twenty-four o%en. 1o $low with twel9e teams of o%en reAuire" a staff of hire" han"s an" a lar#e area of lan". ? 9iously he was a 9ery wealthy in"i9i"ual. U$on makin# the "ecision to ecome a "isci$le of 4liEah, 4lisha not only sai" #oo"ye to his family, ut he also hoste" a $arty on a #ran" scale. 1he slau#hter of twenty-four o%en woul" ha9e een enou#h to fee" hun"re"s of $eo$le for se9eral "ays. ;We""in#s of wealthy ri"es an" ri"e#rooms laste" se9en "ays.= 4lisha coul" ha9e #i9en the o%en an" $lows to the $oor or he coul" ha9e sol" them. 0ather, he ma"e a "ecision that without recourse, to follow Go"<s callin# u$on his life.
1733. .oy", B.uryin# 1heir ?wn )ea".C 1----2.
1228 ?nce he ecame 4liEah<s "isci$le, he li9e" with his mentor for the rest of his life. )isci$leshi$ was not an aca"emic e%ercise, ut a way of life an" $ersonal transformation. !n the course of time, the mentor ecame closer to 4lisha than were his own $arents. 1herefore, 4lisha woul" ha9e calle" 4liEah Bmy fatherC an" 4liEah woul" ha9e consi"ere" his "isci$le to e Bmy son.C 17/4 !t was within this relationshi$ that 4lisha leane" to reco#ni>e the 9oice of Go". Unfortunately, some 4n#lish .i les are translate" to rea" that 4lisha ecame 4liEah<s Batten"ant,C ;1 D#. 19*-1= which ne#ates the rich meanin# of the te%t. When the &or" was a out to take 4liEah to hea9en, 4lisha re$eate"ly sai" he woul" not lea9e him. .ut when that time came an" 4liEah was #one, 4lisha crie" out BMy fatherZ My fatherZC 1his was the same messa#e of commitment an" "isci$leshi$ that ,esus con9eye".
1734. 5ome elie9e the ori#in of the tra"ition in some Western "enominations where an a"ult of a family is "esi#nate" as a BGo" fatherC or BGo" motherC of a chil" 7 usually a ne$hew or neice.
1229
U$it & Co$fli"ts i$"rease as the 6is"i#les? Mi$istry Ae%i$s Cha#ter & The 6is"i#les Ae%i$ to F)$"tio$ as A#ostles
1230 & . &. A. JESUS 0ALIS :N 0ATE; AT NIGHT. Art3or9 by 0illia1 Hole of the ;oyal S"ottish A"a(e1y of Art+ &,<.. 1he win" was un$re"icta le an" the "isci$les ha" rowe" all ni#ht lon#. !n the fourth watch ; etween /*88 an" 3*88 a.m.= they saw what a$$eare" to e a #host walkin# towar" them on the water. !t was ,esus.
=ne 3olitary 'ife He was orn in an o scure 9illa#e, the chil" of a $easant woman. He #rew u$ in another o scure 9illa#e, where He worke" in a car$entry sho$ until He was thirty. 1hen for three years He was an itinerant $reacher. He ne9er ha" a family or owne" a home. He ne9er set foot insi"e a i# city. He ne9er tra9ele" two hun"re" miles from the $lace where He was orn. He ne9er wrote a ook or hel" an office. He "i" none of the thin#s that usually accom$any #reatness. While He was still a youn# man, the ti"e of $o$ular o$inion turne" a#ainst Him. His frien"s "eserte" Him. He was turne" o9er to His enemies an" went throu#h the mockery of a trial. He was naile" to a cross etween two thie9es. While He was "yin#, His e%ecutioners #am le" for the only $iece of $ro$erty He ha", His coat. When He was "ea", He was taken "own an" lai" in a orrowe" #ra9e. :ineteen centuries ha9e come an" #one, an" to"ay He is the central fi#ure for much of the human race. All the armies that e9er marche", an" all the na9ies that e9er saile", an" all the $arlits that e9er sat, an" all the kin#s that e9er rei#ne", $ut to#ether, ha9e not affecte" the life of man u$on this earth as $owerfully as this B?ne 5olitary &ife.C - Anonymous
1231
4ideo Insert
,>)/,)/,)4 !&osing %o""ents +y ;r) Bi&& Heinri%h)
U$it &! A##e$(i"ies A##e$(i@ *. Glossary of Te"h$i"al Ter1s

Alle%ory A literary term* A story that has two or more le9els of meanin# 7 a literal meanin# $lus one or more sym olic or s$iritual meanin#s. A literary term* A narrati9e that has a reference to a well-known $erson, $lace, e9ent, or 5cri$ture reference. .y usin# an allusion, a writer can su##est com$le% i"eas an" conce$ts in a sim$ly an" easy to un"erstan" manner. 1he wor" is a confirmation of truthfulness, to confirm a curse or a lessin#, or to acce$t a lessin#. 17/2 A literary term* 1his is an e%ten"e" com$arison of relationshi$s etween one $air of thin#s is like the relationshi$ etween another $air of thin#s. .ecause an analo#y is an e%$licit com$arison the wor"s like or as are use" to ri"#e the two com$arisons.
All)sio$
A1e$ A$alo%y
1735. .ietenhar", BAmen.C 1*97-99.
1232 A$te-Ni"e$e Fathers 5ee 8-.8-.8A#o"aly#ti" Literat)re A cate#ory of ,ewish an" 'hristian writin#s that contain the alle#e" secrets of Go", the en" of the worl", usually with climatic warfare, an" the esta lishment of the Din#"om of Go" or Messianic rei#n on earth. 1his cate#ory contains ooks from the (seu"e$i#ra$ha as well as the ook of Re elation from the :1. 1he si#nificance of these ooks, most of which were written "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio", is that they re9eal first century ,ewish i"eas concernin# Go", e9il, the Messiah, the Din#"om of Go", the 5on of Man, etc. 1herefore, when ,esus e#an teachin#, His listeners were alrea"y familiar with many of the terms He freAuently use". A#o"ry#ha 5ee also 8-.8-.8/. A cate#ory of non-canonical ooks written $rimarily "urin# the !nter-1estamental (erio". Howe9er, the 0oman 'atholic 'hurch reco#ni>es these ooks as canonical with the e%ce$tions of 1st and Gnd 5sdras an" the 4rayer of Manasseh. ?ther ooks are* Tobit &udith Additions to the book of 5sther The Wisdom of Solomon 5cclesiasticus Baruch 5pistle to &eremiah Susanna Bel and the )ragon 1st and Gnd Maccabees The 4rayer of A=ariah and the Song of the Three .oung Men !n a""ition to these, there are more than one hun"re" :ew 1estament-era A$ocry$hal ooks. A#o"ry#hal Gos#els A classification of ooks that claim to #i9e insi#ht into the ministry of ,esus in some manner. 1he earliest is the -ospel of Thomas ; 4th 'entury=, an" like many other a$ocry$hal #os$els, contain some truths concernin# ,esus. 1hese te%ts, howe9er, also ha9e a historical or theolo#ical narrati9e that is a sur"L such as an account of ,esus $erformin# miracles when He was a
1233 chil". 1hese writin#s e%clu"e" themsel9es from 5cri$ture y not ein# in conformity with the messa#e an" teachin#s of ,esus. 17/3 Arabs Ara1ai" 5ee !"umeans 8-.81.1-. A 5emitic lan#ua#e that is relate" to He rew. !t was the lan#ua#e of the .a ylonians an", in the time of ,esus, ecame the lan#ua#e of commerce an" "aily life throu#hout the Holy &an". He rew was use" in the syna#o#ues, reli#ious ser9ices an" le#al "ocuments. ,ewish scholars, howe9er, often s$oke only He rew as not to e associate" with the common $eo$le. 17/7
AshlarBsC An ashlar is a stone, cut in a sAuare or rectan#ular sha$e, with e%treme accuracy as to ha9e 9ery thin Eoints etween it an" other ashlars. Aath A unit of measure* A ath is a 9olume eAual to to"ay<s amount of 18 #allons or a out 42 liters. &uke 13*3 refers to Ba hun"re" ath of oil,C which is eAual to a out 1,888 #allons to"ay. He rew* 1en el"ers, Bmen of leisureC
7allanim
7ema He rew* 1he ele9ate" seat ;5eat of Moses=. 1he seat of the Ma$htir ;rea"er= 7ema stone He rew* 1he stone on which a rea"er woul" stan" for the rea"in# of 5cri$ture "urin# con#re#ational worshi$ in the syna#o#ue. Aible 5ee 8-.8-.84
Alesse( A wor" s$oken in the name of Go" that in9ites His "i9ine fa9or, #oo"will, health, $ros$erity, an" His #race of Go" which results in $ros$erity in e9ery area of life. 1he o$$osite of curse. 17/@ 1he term blessed in He rew is baruk an" in Greek is makarious. 1he wor" means to $raise Go" with a 1736. Met>#er. New Testament. 181.
1738. Her ert, B'urse.C 27-2@.
1234 sense of ha$$iness an" Eoy u$on man. 17/9 More s$ecifically, it refers to a Auality of s$irituality that is alrea"y $resent. 1748 Aor$ a%ai$ 5ee B orn a#ainC in 82.82.82.
Cashe A hi""en Auanity of items, such as a BcasheC or coins or a BcasheC of #lass 9essels. Ceto$eth 5ee 1unic 2ha::an Christ He rew* 1he clerk whose res$onsi ility was to kee$ the 5acre" 5croll safe. He also maintaine" the syna#o#ue $hycilities. 1he 4n#lish term is "eri9e" from the Greek wor" 'hristos" meanin# Anointed or Anointed :ne. 1he He rew $artici$le is Mashiach. 1741 !t "esi#nates the royal kin# of !srael as a 5on of )a9i" ;kin# of !srael 1888 ..'.=. 5ee )aniel 9*-2L &uke /*12. 1he ori#inal "efinition was not of a uil"in#, ut rather, a community of elie9ers who #ather to#ether for worshi$, as well as to minister to each other an" to those outsi"e their community. !n the course of time, the term has also een a$$lie" to a uil"in# or facility where the community of elie9ers meet for worshi$ an" other relate" acti9ities. 5ee. 8-.8-.82
Ch)r"h
Co(e@
Co11)$io$ 'ommunion is an or"inance ;We ster* an esta lishe" rule, reli#ious rite, or law= esta lishe" $ersonally y ,esus to 1. 'ommemorate His "eath an" resurrection -. +ellowshi$ of the rotherhoo", an" /. 5how o e"ience to 5cri$ture.;Mt. -3*-@--9L 1 'or. 1739. Weasel, B.lesse".C 1*-81.
1740. .ailey, &esus through Middle 5astern 5yes. 33-3@.
1741. 'am$ ell, B'hrist.C 44-43.
1235 11*-/--2=. Co8e$a$t A co9enant is an a#reement etween two ein#s 7 such as kin#s, nations, $eo$le, or as in the case of the .i le, etween man an" Go". 1he wor" co9enant ;Greek* diatheke= therefore reflects a s$ecial relationshi$ on the $art of oth $arties. 1744ach has res$onsi ilities to the other for the co9enant to remain in effect. 5ee the ook of He rews for more "etails, ut essentially sai", ,esus is the fulfillment of all ?l" 'o9enant $romises. The Cross 1he 'ross 5ym ol of $ersecution to the ,ew 5ym ol of "eath to ,esus 5ym ol of renewe" life to the church ?ri#inate" in .a ylon with the cult of 1amu> 174/ C)bit A unit of measure* 1he 5cri$tures at times refers to a s$ecific len#th or "istance in the term of cu its, an" to"ay there are feet an" meters. 1he true len#th of a cu it has een a challen#e for archaeolo#ists until they reali>e that there were two cu its. 1he &on# or 0oyal 'u it is a "istance of 2-.2 cm. ;-8.37 inches= an" the 5hort 'u it is 42 cm. ;17.71 inches=.1744 1he latter ein# the len#th from the el ow to the en" of the mi""le fin#er. 1742 1ra9el on the 5a ath limite" to -,888 cu its 7 $ro a ly the shorter measurement. 1743 C)rse A wor" s$oken in the name of Go" that in9ites His wrath, as well as "iseases, ill-success, ruin, "estruction, an" "eath. 1he o$$osite of lessin#.1747
1742. Guhrt, B'o9enant, Guarantee, Me"iator.C 1*/32-33.
1743. Garr. Restoring :ur ,ost ,egacy. 139. 1744. .arkay an" Dloner. B,erusalem 1om s from )ays of the +irst 1em$le.C /7.
1745. WiEn#aar"s, +andbook to the -ospels. @-. 1746. Mishnah, Sotah. 2*/.
1747. Her ert, B'urse.C 27-2@.
1236 $ayyaney .e:eloth He rew* A local ma#istrate as foun" in &uke 1@*1-@. ,u"#es in this $osition wee #enerally corru$t an" care little for the common $eo$le o9er whom they were to ren"er "ecisions. 174@ 6ea( Sea S"rolls 5ee 8-.8-.83 6e"a#olis 1he term means Bten cities.C 1his was a loose confe"eration of ten Greek cities on the eastern si"e of the ,or"an 0i9er an" 1rans-,or"an Mountains, with the e%ce$tion of 5cytho$olis ;also known as .eth 5hean=. 1749 1he historian Gaius (linius 5ecun"us ;A.). -/ 7 79=, etter known as (liny the 4l"er, in his work title" Natural +istory" liste" the ten as* )amascus, (hila"el$hia, 0a$hana, 5cytho$olis, Ga"ara, Hi$$os, )ium, (ella, 'anatha, an" Gerasa.1728 Howe9er, another historian 'lau"ius (tolemy ;A.). 38-13@=, wrote in his ook title" -eography" a "ifferent list of names.1721 'learly, the ancients ha" "ifferent o$inions of what they consi"ere" to e a "istrict, city or 9illa#e. While the num er of cities is uncertain, it is known that there were ten a"ministrati9e "istricts for military an" ta% $ur$oses, which were institute" y (om$ey in 3/ ..'.172- 1herefore, it is not sur$risin# that critics woul" also ha9e comments a out it. 6efile 1he terms defile an" defilement are "ifficult for most mo"ern 'hristians to un"erstan" sin as there is no eAui9alent in 'hristian theolo#y. !t is translate" from the Greek miaino" meanin# to paint" color" or stain. 172/ 1he causes of "efilement
1748. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. /21L .arclay, B&uke.C --1---.
1749. (ellett, B)eca$olis.C 1*@18-1-.

1750. Gaius (linius 5ecun"us, Gerasa. Natural +istory 2, 74. 1751. 'lau"ius (tolemy. -eography 2, 14, 1@.
1752. (entecost, The Words and Word of &esus 'hrist. ;Hi"eo B4C=.
1753. (acker, B)efile.C 1*447-49.
1237 were numerous, such as walkin# o9er a #ra9e or #i9in# chil" irth. 1he cleansin# $rocess usually inclu"e" a ritual "i$ in the mik ahM $rayers, etc. 1he ,ewish $eo$le therefore, were always concerne" a out li9in# a $ure lifestyle, which is the lesson for 'hristians to"ay althou#h the causes of "efilement ha9e chan#e". 6e)tero"a$o$i"al Aoo9s 5ee 8-.8-.87 6ias#ora 5ee 8-.81.8/ 6i(a"he 6is"i#le 5ee 8-.8-.8@ 1he term disciple is "eri9e" from the &atin discipulus the Greek mathetes an" He rew talmid. !n all three lan#ua#es the wor" means to learn" ut the "efinition inclu"es the acAuisition of knowle"#e, theory, an" $ractice. 1hose who ecame "isci$les transforme" their li9es to the ima#e of their mentor. 1724
6o"etis1 A heresy that states that ,esus "i" not really come as a human ein#, ut He only seemed to e human. 1herefore, He really "i" not suffer an" "ie on the cross for the sins of humanity. 1722 +or that reason, ,ohn sai" that the Wor" ecame flesh ;,n. 1*14=. 1he ori#in of this $hiloso$hy is unknown ut it continue" to e a challen#e for centuries to come. !t was con"emne" y the 'ouncil of :icea in /-2 as a heresy. 1723 26o")1e$tary Hy#othesis5 ,ulius Wellhausen ;1@44-191@= $o$ulari>in# the "ocumentary Wellhausen hy$othesis or the i"eas were ori#inate" y 17 th essentially says that Moses "i" 1754. 'am$ ell, B)isci$le.C 3@-78.
1755. htt$*//www.merriam-we ster.com/"ictionary/"ocetism. Au#ust 17, -81/. 1756. htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/)ocetism. Au#ust 17, -81/.
is cre"ite" for "e9elo$in#, or hy$othesis, also known as the ,4)( theory. .ut his essential century critics. 1he hy$othesis not write the first fi9e ooks of
1238 the ?l" 1estament ut that sections of the 1orah were written in 9arious areas y "ifferent authors as follows* 1. 1he Jahwist source ;5ym oli>e" written in the 9th century ..'. -. 1he 4lohist source ;5ym oli>e" written in the @th 'entury ..'. y B,C= su$$ose"ly
y B4C= su$$ose"ly
/. 1he )euteronomist source ;5ym oli>e" su$$ose"ly written a out 388 ..'. 4. 1he (riestly source ;5ym oli>e" written a out 288 ..'.
B)C=
y B(C= su$$ose"ly
Wellhausen ar#ues that the writin#s of these four sections were later assem le" y an unknown e"itor or e"itors in the si%th century ..'. 1wo maEor reasons for the conclusion of the critics are, 1. 1he 9ariations of writin# styles an" -. 1he "ifferent names of Go" ;4lohim, ,eho9ah, A"onai, etc.=. Howe9er, when com$arin# the history of the ,ewish $eo$le with recent archaeolo#ical an" literary "isco9eries, this theory ecomes a sur". 1he ske$ticism of many li eral theolo#ians stems not from a careful e9aluation of a9aila le "ata, ut from a $re"is$osition a#ainst the 5u$ernatural 7 meanin# Go" HimselfZ Ar#uments that "iscre"it this theory are eyon" the $ur$ose of this stu"y, ut a few sources are footnote" elow. 1727 !n a""ition, there are numerous references throu#hout oth the ?l" an" :ew 1estaments, as well as the ra inic writin#s, that Moses was the author of the 1orah/(entateuch. +urthermore an" most
1757. M. W. ,. (helan. The %nspiration of the 4entateuch. Waterloo9ille, UD* 1wo-e"#e" 5wor" (u lications, -882L htt$*//creation.com/"e unkin#-the-"ocumentary-hy$othesis 0etrie9e" 5e$tem er -3, -81/L htt$*//www.youtu e.com/watchF9I14He2.>H&$!L 4"war". ,. Joun#. An %ntroduction to the :ld Testament. Gran" 0a$i"s* 4er"mans. 1934.
1239 im$ortant, ,esus ne9er Auestione" the authorshi$ of Moses.
26o)ble ;efere$"e5 A theolo#ical $hrase use" when a $assa#e "escri es oth the national life of !srael an" the life of ,esus. 5imilar to Bty$e an" sha"owC El(ers 5ee 8-.81.84 5ee 8-.81.82
E#i")rea$s
E#is#as1 1he sur#ical ,ewish men en"ure" in which the marks of circumcision were remo9e". 172@ Joun# Hellenise" ,ewish men who "esire" to $artici$ate in the Greek #ames, which were $laye" in com$lete nu"ity, ha" the si#n of circumcision remo9e" as not to e i"entifie" as ein# ,ewish. 1he 5a""ucees were $rone to en"orse this $ractice. !n res$onse, ortho"o% ,ews hi#hly con"emne" the $roce"ure an" accuse" them of a$ostasy. Esse$es Eth$ar"h Faith 5ee 8-.81.83 Greek* Means Bruler of a nationC y 0ome. 1729 1o ha9e com$lete confi"ence an" trust in. 1he ol"est "efinition of faith is in Gen. /*12 where A raham<s faith in Go" was consi"ere" eAual as ri#hteous an" was his com$lete sanctification.
Fi%)re of S#ee"h A literary term* 1his form of literature is not to e taken literally. Writers use" fi#urati9e lan#ua#e to e%$ress conce$ts an" i"eas in a 9i9i" an" ima#inati9e manner. Ge1arah 5ee 8-.8-.89 an" 8-.8-.13
1758. htt$*//www. i arch.com/#lossary/M!/e$is$asm.htmL ,uly -8, -81-.
1759. .atey, &esus and the #orgotten 'ity. 2--2/.
1240 Ge$re A literary term* 1he term #enre is a "i9ision, style, or ty$e of literature. 1he three most common #enres of literature are $oetry, $rose, an" "rama. 1he #os$els are written, for the most $art, in $rose ut "o contain numerous $oetic sections. (rose can e "i9i"e" into two forms of #enre* fiction an" non-fiction. (oetry also has a num er of #enres, such as $arallel, concrete, narrati9e, etc. 5ee 8-.81.87
Ge$tiles
G$osti"is1 A Greek $hiloso$hy reli#ion that infiltrate" church an" ,u"aism in the first century. ;5ee Gnostic 8-.8-.18= !n essence it $romote" the teachin#s that all that $ertaine" to knowle"#e an" s$irituality is #oo" an" all that $ertaine" to the $hysical realm was e9il. !ts essential "octrines state"* 1. Man<s s$irit, Go" an"/or #o"s are all #oo" an" the human o"y is e9il. -. Man is in an e9il worl" as lon# as he is confine" in a $hysical o"y an" therefore sal9ation is attaine" only y an esca$e from the o"y. 5ince the human o"y is e9il it nee"s to e se9erely "isci$line", which was the $ur$ose of (aul<s comment to the 'olossians ;-*-1--/= . /. 1he irony of this conce$t of e9il is that it le" to the reasonin# that reakin# of the "i9ine moral co"e ;i.e. ten comman"ments= was of no moral conseAuence. 1he "ualistic reasonin# of #oo" an" e9il le" to licentiousness ;cf. ,n. /*4=. 4. Gnosticism "enie" the humanity of ,esus y ;a= statin# that He "i" not really ha9e a o"y, ut only a$$eare" to ha9e one. ; = Also state" that the "i9ine nature enter ,esus at His a$tism an" left shortly efore His "eath. 1he #os$el writer ,ohn a""resse" the latter issue in his first e$istle ;1*1L -*--L 4*--/=.
1241 Amon# the early Gnostic lea"ers was 'erinthus ;late 1 st century A.).=. He was a ,ewish-'hristian who followe" ,ewish law ut "enie" that Go" create" the worl" as well as the "eity of ,esus. He was a contem$orary to an" an o$$onent of ,ohn. 1738 5ome in the church looke" u$on 'erinthus as the anti-'hrist, ut nearly other elie9ers saw him as a heretic. !t has een su##este" that he was the focus of 1 ,ohn 1-4. 1731 ,ohn<s #os$el is, to a certain "e#ree, a "efense a#ainst Gnosticism. +or this reason ,ohn sai" that ,esus is the real light ;1*9=L the real bread ;3*/-=L the real ine ;12*1=L an" it is ,esus who will one "ay rule an" rei#n with com$lete an" real 6udgment ;@*13=. 1he Gnostic $hiloso$hy says that Go" essentially has nothin# to "o with the worl", to which ,ohn says that not only "i" Go" make the worl", He "ee$ly cares for it, an" e9eryone in it an" His $resents fills it. 'learly, Gnosticism was an early challen#e that the a$ostles stron#ly o$$ose". Gos#els 5ee 8-.8-.11
Great 0hite Thro$e J)(%1e$t 5ee. 1 'or. 12*-3 Gree9s Ha(es 5ee 8-.81.8@ 1he Greek #o" of the un"erworl" an" "eath.
Hallel)Hah 1he He rew term hallelu6ah is com$rise" of two terms, the root wor" halal which means $raise an" 6ah which is "eri9e" from .ahweh" the ,ewish name for Go". !n essence, B$raise JahwehC or B$raise Go".C 173Has1o$ea$s Also known as the Macca ees, the Hasmoneans were a wealthy an" influential family who le" a re ellion a#ainst the Greek 5yrians in the early secon" century ..'.
1760 . htt$*//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/'erinthus. 0etrie9e" on Au#ust 17, -81/L htt$*//latterrain.com/earlychurch/cerin.htm. 0etrie9e" on Au#ust 17, -81/. 1761. htt$*//"ou#wils.com/s@-e%$ository/cerinthus-the-antichrist.html. 0etrie9e" on Au#ust 17, -81/. 1762. Motyer, BHalleluEah.C 1*99-188.
1242 )a&htarah He rew* 1he rea"in# of the (ro$hets "urin# con#re#ational worshi$ in the syna#o#ue.
Hassi(i1 5ee 8-.81.89 Hebre3 Aible Hell 5ee 8-.8-.1-
5ee Nuestion %%
Helle$ists 5ee 8-.81.18 Heresy 1his term has often een incorrectly a$$lie" ecause its "efinition is not fully un"erstoo". 'hristianity is essentially the reconciliation of Go" an" man throu#h the $erson an" work of ,esus 'hrist. Man is una le to a$$roach Go" until reconciliation has een ma"e y ,esus, who is the Me"iator. Whate9er contra"icts that reconciliation is calle" a heresy. 1hrou#hout history the church has i"entifie" four kin"s of heresies, each linke" to the corres$on"in# church "octrine. 1hese are, 1. 1he nature an" character of Go" an" of His relation to the uni9erse an" to man. -. 1he nature of 'hrist /. 1he nature of man 4. 1he nature of the results of 'hrist<s work amon# men Hero(ia$s 5ee 8-.81.11 Hillel 5ee 5chool of Hillel 8-.81.1@
Ho1er Bor CorC A unit of measurement* 1he homer, or cor, is eAualt to to"ay<s measurement of 188 #allons or 448 liters. 1he term is foun" in &uke 13*7, in relation to Ba hun"re" honer of wheatC which woul" e a out 1,-28 ushels of wheat. Hy#erbole A literary term* A "eli erate e%a##eration or o9erstatement to em$hasi>e a $oint, sometimes with a sense of humor.
1243 I()1ea$s 5ee 8-.81.1I&sissima verba 5ee 8@.8/.84.N4 for ipsissima erba an" ipsissima o(" Israelites A term #i9en to the He rew chil"ren of all twel9e tri es. )urin# the .a ylonian ca$ti9ity, the !sraelites ecame know as ,ews, a term first associate" with those who elon#e" to the tri e of ,u"ah, ut then a$$lie" to all !sraelites. *he 5esus 3eminar 1he 5eminar was esta lishe" in 19@2 an" at that time ha" a out 128 critical scholars who stu"ie" the #os$els, althou#h mem ershi$ since then has "ro$$e" to a out half. !n -883 the #rou$ analy>e" the #os$el narrati9es of ,esus an" 9ote", with the use of colore" ea"s, as which wor"s an" "ee"s were actually His an" which were not. !n their collecti9e "ecision they conclu"e", for e%am$le, that only two wor"s of the &or"<s (rayer were actually sai" y Him, they 9ote" that the 9ir#in irth is a myth, there was no resurrection, an" after the resurrection that "i" not ha$$en there were no miracles. ?$inions of the 5eminar are not $oste" within this manuscri$t for o 9ious reasons. Je3s 5ee 8-.81.1/
Je3ish 0riti$%s 5ee 8-.8-.1/ Jose#h)s 5ee 8-.8-.14 J)(aea 1here has often een name confusion etween the southern re#ion known as ,u"ah or ,u"ea, an" the name of the entire country 7 ,u"aea. 1he name B,u"aeaC is often use" interchan#ea ly with B!srael,C althou#h the latter term seems to ha9e een use" less often in the first century. +urthermore, the name B,u"ahC is #enerally that of a $erson, ut the "escen"ants of ,u"ah are also known as Bthe $eo$le of ,u"ahC or Bthe $eo$le of ,u"ea.C 5ee J)(aea a o9e
J)(ea
1244 J)(ah 5ee J)(aea a o9e
J)(ais1+ Aibli"al 1he reli#ious faith of ,u"aism that is ase" solely on the teachin#s in He rew .i le which is also known as the ?l" 1estament. J)(ais1+ ;abbi$i" 1he reli#ious faith of ,u"aism that is a len" of the teachin#s in He rew .i le an" in the ra inic writin#s such as the Mishnah, Mi"rash, 1almu" + an" others. 0a inic ,u"aism of to"ay was foun"e" y the (harisees of the time of 'hrist althou#h it has chan#e" throu#hout the centuries so that many $ractices of ra inic ,u"aism to"ay are cultural a""itions to the i lical foun"ation of faith.173/ J)stifie( A le#al term in which a Eu"#e $ronounces a criminal as not #uilty. 49ery elie9er who has $lace" their faith in ,esus for mercy an" sal9ation is $ronounce" Eustifie" an" ri#hteous y Go" as if no sins were e9er committe" ;0omans /*-4=. Bfro1 D ,. *. &C
1734
Iat)8ah
Ioi$e Gree9 1he "ialect of Greek ;as o$$ose" to classical Greek= commonly s$oken in the ancient :ear 4ast an" in which the :ew 1estament was either written, with a few $ossi le e%ce$tions such as Matthew, which were imme"iately translate" into Greek. La3 1he ,ewish $eo$le use" the term ,aw in four "istinct ways. 1. 1hey use" it in reference to the fi9e ooks of Moses. !n He rew these ooks were known as the Torah" ut in Greek they were calle" The 4entateuch" which means The #i e Rolls. 1732 1763. Garr, Restoring :ur ,ost ,egacy. 143.
1764. !lan, BHow Women )iffere".C /@. 1765. .arclay, BMatthew.C 1*1-7.
1245 -. 1hey use" it in reference to the 1en 'omman"ments. /. 1hey use" it in reference to the entire He rew .i le. 4. 1hey use" the term in reference to their ?ral &aw, also known as the 1ra"itions of the 4l"ers in Matthew 12*1--. 1he conte%t of a con9ersation or writin# "etermine" which of the a o9e four "efinitions a$$ly. 1o a"" confusion for the mo"ern rea"er, while the first three references ha9e s$ecific orientation to the Written Wor", the fourth "efinition is a reference to the ?ral &aw, which in the secon" century ;A.).= was written an" ecame known as the Mishnah. ,esus always honore" the Written &aw, ut he challen#e" the lea"in# (harisees who $lace" the ?ral &aw in a su$erior an" more authoritati9e $osition than the He rew .i le. ?n an im$ortant si"e note, the 'hurch has a"o$te" a 0oman 9iew of ,aw" that means restriction an" is therefore bad" while the He rew .i le 9iews ,aw as %nstruction an" #reedom" an" therefore -ood. +urthermore, the ne#ati9e tone of the $hrase ,aw is often $lace" u$on the term :ld Testament. 5cholars ha9e lon# recon#ni>e" that the ?l" 1estament is the :ew 1estament Bhi""enC an" the :ew 1estament is the ?l" 1estament Bre9eale".C Lea8e$ !t is often, ut not always, sym olic of sin an" false teachin# as illustrate" in Mark @*12 ;the Hero"ian family an" the reli#ious elites=, the sin of male9olence, immorality an" wicke"ness in 1 'orinthians 2*3-@, the sin of reli#ious le#alism in Galatians 2*9. Un"er the Mosaic instruction lea9en was to e remo9e" from the home $rior to (asso9er, an" the si#nificance of the (asso9er lam is that it co9ere" the sin. ,esus, in turn, was the $erfect &am of Go" who "i" not co9er ut remo9e" all sins from the life account of e9ery elie9er y His sacrificial "eath. LPP !t is the a .i le known as the re9iation for the Greek translation of the He rew
1246 5e$tua#int. 5ee 5e$tua#int in *. *.*'.
Ma$)s"ri#ts 1he ori#inal han"written "ocuments are known as auto#ra$hs or manuscri$ts. :one of these ori#inal writin#s of 5cri$ture ha9e sur9i9e" "ue to their freAuent use. Howe9er, many ha9e sur9i9e" e#innin# from the secon" century A.)., with a few "atin# to e9en earlier. Ma&htir He rew* 1he title #i9en to the man rea"in# the 5cri$tures "urin# con#re#ational worshi$ in the syna#o#ue.
Masoreti" Te@t 1he Masoretic te%t is the stan"ar" ?l" 1estament translation that was $ro"uce" y a #rou$ of ,ewish scholars known as the Masoretes. 5ince the written i lical Her ew has only consonants, the Masoretes a""e" 9owel $oints an" $unctuate" the te%t. 1he ol"est 9ersion is "ate" to 18@@, arely a thousan" years ol". Me$orah 1he Menorah is the se9en lam$ can"ela ra that is #enerally sai" to e sym olic of the ,ewish $eo$le an" their faith. Go" sai" that He or"aine" the lam$ for His anointe" ser9ants ;(sm. 1/-*17=. !n reality Go" sai" it was +is sym ol for His $eo$le an" in 0e9elation 1*1--1/ ,esus sai" He was the center of the se9en lam$ can"lestick sym olic of Him ein# the li#ht of the worl". 5ince the church was #rafte" into the see" of A raham ;----= then the Menorah is o 9iously sym olic of Go"<s $eo$le un"er oth the ?l" an" :ew 'o9enant. .oth ,ews an" 'hristians are i"entifie" in this sym ol. 1he Menorah has se9en can"les for the se9en $riests who carrie" the ark of the co9enant ;,os. 3*4= an" later the se9en men calle" to ministry in the church ;Acts 3*/=. !t has een su##este" that the se9enty-two "ecorations on the Menorah are re$resentati9e of the se9enty-two el"ers who recei9e" the s$irit of Moses ;:um. 18= as later the se9enty-two a$ostles sent out y ,esus ;&uke 18=.to $reach the Din#"om of Go". 1733 1766. Garr, Restoring :ur ,ost ,egacy. 178-7-.
1247 Meta#hor A literary term* A fi#ure of s$eech in which one thin# is s$oken as if it were somethin# com$letely "ifferent. Metrete A unit of measure* 1his Greek wor" refers to a 9olume of @.@ #allons, or /9.4 liters. When ,esus turne" water into wine, the si% ceremonial Ears eachhel" a out - or / metretes, or a total of a out 388 liters ;,n. -*3=.
Mi((le East 1he $hrase is use" to ai" the mo"ern rea"er who many not e aware of the fact that historically, this area was commonly referre" to as the Ancient :ear 4ast. 1he latter $hrase is more accurate, ut out of common use. Mi(rash Mi98ah 5ee 8-.8-.12 A mik9ah ;mik9aoth, $lural= is a sAuare or rectan#ular hole cut in stone usually 4 feet y 4 feet y / feet "ee$ or somewhat lar#er. 1737 !t is fille" with water for the $ur$ose of ritual immersion e9ery time someone ecame im$ure or entere" the tem$le or $artici$ate in maEor festi9al ser9ices. 173@ 0itual immersion is "ifferent from a$tism in that a$tism is a onetime $u lic "eclaration of the acce$tance of ,esus as &or" an" 5a9ior an" re$entance of a sinful life. 5ee ima#es at 84.84.8/. an" 82.82.82', with a""itional information at 82.82.82.N-. 5ee 8-.8-.13 an" 8-.8-.1@ 49i"ential $roof of "irect communication etween the s$iritual worl" an" the $hysical realm. A miracle is consi"ere" of "i9ine ori#in when associate" with the messa#e of ,esus as &or", 5a9ior, an" Healer. 1his "istin#uishes the miracle from "emonic miracles.
Mish$ah Mira"les
1767. Kon"er9an<s New %nternational 7ersion Archaeological Study Bible. -882. 123-. 1768. 5ee :um. 9*18L ,n. 11*22L Acts -1*-4--7L ,ose$hus Wars" 1.11.3.
1248 Narrati8e A literary term* A narrati9e is a story. Ne3 Testa1e$t 5ee 8-.8-.17 :l( Testa1e$t 5ee 8-.8-.19 :ral La3 5ee 8-.8-.1@ Mishnah 8-.8-.13, an" ?ral 1ra"ition 8-.8-.-8
:ral Tra(itio$ 5ee 8-.8-.-8 an" Mishnah 8-.8-.13 :stra"a (rior to the in9ention of $a$er an" $a$yrus was e%$ensi9e, roken $ieces of $ottery were use" for note $a"s. An ostraca is a $ottery fra#ment that was use" as a writin# surface. 5ince $ottery "oes not "eteriorate as "o other writin# surfaces, ostraca ha9e incre"i le 9alue to archaeolo#ists as these re9eal written thou#hts, concerns an" comments of a y-#one era. A literary term* 1he term o%ymoron is from two Greek wor"s o(us" meanin# Bshar$, $ointe",C an" moros, meanin# B"ull foolish.C1739 !n mo"ern 4n#lish the term Bo%ymoronC means two o$$osites that are com ine" as a sin#le $hrase, such as Bmilitary intelli#ence,C or an Bicy hotC me"ical $atch. 1he Greek #o" of the forest who also ke$t or"er amon# ri9al "eities. (an was amon# the su$reme #o"s an" from where the name B$antheonC ori#inate". (a$yri is a $a$er-like material that ori#inate" in 4#y$t ut foun" to e in common use elsewhere. Many $a$yri fra#ments ha9e een foun" with 5cri$ture an" historical e9ents that relate to 5cri$ture ha9e een foun" $reser9e" in tom s, ca9es, an" e9en #ar a#e "um$s, well $reser9e" "ue to the "ry 4#y$tian climate. A literary term* A $ara le is a form of teachin# in which one thin# is set asi"e another. !n essence, the first o Eect which is
:@y1oro$
(an
Pa#yri
Parable
1769. Harious i lical writers use" o%ymorons, as foun" in ,o --*3L !sa. 3@*18L ,er. --*19L Mt. 13*-2L Acts 2*41L 1 'or. 1*-2, 1*-7--9, 9*17L - 'or. 3*4, @-18L @*-L 1-*18,11L 4$h. /*@L 1 1im. 2*3.
1249 un"erstoo" is com$are" to the secon" o Eect so it will e un"erstoo". 1778 1here are only two e%ce$tions ;,o -7*1 an" -9*1= where a $ara le is not a com$arati9e story.
Para(o@ A literary term* A statement that seems to contains truth.
e contra"ictory
ut
Parashah He rew* 1he rea"in# of a lesson from the &aw or 1orah "urin# con#re#ational worshi$ in the syna#o#ue. Parnasim He rew* Men who hel" a $osition in the syna#o#ue similar to "eacons in the church Pe$tate)"h 5ee 8-.8-.-1 Peri"o#e A set of 9erses which may consist of more than a sin#le $ara#ra$h that form a com$lete thou#ht, theme, or story. 1he term is #enerally use" for reli#ious literature such as the #os$els, ut may e use" for other rea"in#s as well, es$ecially for $u lic rea"in#. Pharisee Philo 5ee 8-.81.14 5ee 8-.8-.--
Pli$y the Eo)$%er 5ee 8-.8-.-/ Po%ro1s foun" in /9-41 0ome 9s. ,ews (osei"on 1he Greek #o" of the sea, earthAuakes, storms, an" horses.
Pro"o$s)l A 0oman official, #enerally of the (raetorium or consular rank who ser9e" as a "e$uty consul in the (ro9inces #o9erne" y 0ome. 1he assi#nment was #enerally for a year, an" sometimes lon#er, an" the $roconsul ha" unlimite" $ower in all ci9il an" 1770. Hincent, Word Studies in the New Testament. 1*74-72L Mowry, B(ara le.C /*349.
1250 military affairs. (aul recor"e" two men of such rank an" office* 5er#ius (aulus ;Acts 1/*7= an" Gallio ;Acts 1@*1-=. 1771 Pro")rator )efine 7 $ -9 relation to ethnarch
1he #o9ernor of a $ro9ince whose $osition was a$$ointe" $ersonally y the em$eror. 1hree $rocurators of the :1 era are (ilate, +eli% an" +estus, all of whom ha" their hea"Auarters in 'aesarea Maritima. 1he mysterious Nuirinius of &uke -*- was not really a #o9ernor or $rocurator of 5yria, ut a tem$orary im$erial le#ate who functione" as a $rocurator on ehalf of the em$eror. 177Pse)(e#i%ra#ha 5ee 8-.8-.-4. A classification of ooks not foun" in the He rew .i le or A$ocry$ha. 1he name literally means, Bfalse writin#s,C ecause these ooks were ascri e" to earlier authors. 1he ooks containe" therein are* The Ascension of %saiah Assumption of Moses Book of 5noch Book of &ubilee -reek Apocalypse of Baruch ,etters of Aristeas rd th D and > Maccabees 4salms of Solomon Secrets of 5noch Sibylline :racles 177/ The Testament of the Twel e 4atriarchs Rosh hak/keneseth He rew* 'hief of the con#re#ation ? 1he wor"/letter ? stan"s for the German wor" meanin# source, an" more s$ecificially, it is a reference to a lost #os$el. A num er of German scholars ha9e sai" that a$$ro%imately -/2 9erses in the #os$els of Matthew an" &uke $arallel each other
1771. 1enney, e"., B(roconsul.C 1/*1338.

1772. 1enney, e"., B(rocurator.C 1/*1338. 1773. 1enney, e"., B(seu"e$i#ra$ha.C 1/*1394.
1251 an" therefore, must ha9e come from a common source. 1hat theoretical source is known as ?. Another less known theoretical source is M. 1774 1heir analysis raises the Auestion as to whether there e9er was such a #os$el, that is now manuscri$ts. 1hese scholars ha9e $lace so much faith in their analysis, that they ha9e created a hy$othetical "ocument an" refer to it as a it historical fact. :o reference to a ? "ocument was ma"e within this manuscri$t for o 9ious reasons, ut is mentione" here so the rea"er is somewhat knowle"#a le of it. ;abbi 1he term means teacher. #enerally translate" as rabbi.1772 ;abbo$i 1he Greek wor" didaskalos is
B0a oniC an" B0a anC are hi#her titles than ra i. A ra i was a teacher at the time of ,esus ut the $hrase "i" not ecome an official cler#y title until centuries later. A term a$$lie" to the return of 'hrist when He will get His church $rior to catastro$hic warfare on earth ;Mt. -4*-/L ,n 14*/L Acts 1*11L &u 1-*48L ! 1hess. 4*4-1@, 2*-L 0e9. /*11=.
;a#t)re
;e(e1#tio$ 1his refers to the $rice $ai" y Go" to remo9e a sinner from con"emnation. 1he $rice was the "eath of ,esus, who arose three "ays later. ;i%hteo)s$ess 4ssentially it is ein# in ri#ht relationshi$ with Go". 0i#hteousness ;Greek dikaiosyne= is "efine" y a num er of terms such as Bu$ri#htness, u$ri#ht, Eust acAuitte"C 1773 or as chil"ren say in a sim$lifie" manner, Bas if ! ne9er sinne".C
1774. .lom er#, B1he Authenticity an" 5i#nificance of ,esus< 1a le +ellowshi$ with 5inners.C -/7,
-3-. 1775. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*7-@.
1776 . .rown, B0i#hteousness, ,ustification.C /*/2--24.
1252 ;e#e$t 1he wor" repent in Greek is metanoias" which literally means to change one0s mind. Howe9er, in the first century culture, to chan#e one<s min" also meant to chan#e one<s lifestyle to match his new way of thinkin#. 1777 .ecause of a Go"ly sorrow for sin, the elie9er knowin#ly turns from a sinful lifestyle an" to 'hrist y faith for sal9ation, an" then in $ursuit of a i lical lifestyle ;&uke 1/*/=. 1he wor" repent in Greek is metanoias" which literally means to change one0s mind. Howe9er, in the first century culture, to chan#e one<s min" also meant to chan#e one<s lifestyle to match his new way of thinkin#. 177@ ;o1a$s 5ee 8-.81.12
Sabbath (ay?s Jo)r$ey 1akin# a lon# Eourney on the se9enth "ay was "eeme" as BworkC an", therefore, a 9iolation of 5a ath re#ulations. 1herefore, the reli#ious lea"ers ha" to $lace some form of restriction on tra9el, which was e9entually recor"e" in the Mishnah. !t was a "istance of two thousan" cu its ;1 cu it I 17.71 inches=. .y the first century the re#ulation was e%ten"e" an" the ra is $lace" a marker outsi"e of e9ery 9illa#e to in"icate the en" of a 5a ath )ay<s Eourney. !f, howe9er, one wante" to walk a #reater "istance on the 5a ath, then on the $re9ious "ay some $ersonal elon#in#s woul" e carrie" to the Bmile marker.C 1he $ersonal elon#in#s were sai" to create a ty$e of Bsecon" homeC so that one coul" e#in walkin# another two thousan" cu its without 9iolatin# the ra inic rules. 1779 Sa(()"ees 5ee 8-.81.13
Sal8atio$ - Go"<s $lan to rin# man ack to himself. !t is not Eust a ho$e, ut an a solute necessity to inherit eternal life. Sa1arita$s 5ee 8-.81.17
1777. .arclay, BMark.C -3L 0ichar"son, B0e$ent.C 191-9-. 1778. .arclay, BMark.C -3L 0ichar"son, B0e$ent.C 191-9-. 1779. Mishnah, 5rubin" 2.1-2.9.
1253 Sa$"tify T Sa$"tifi"atio$ 5anctification means to e se$arate" from sin an" se$arate" unto Go". 1o sanctify is to set a$art for some s$ecific or holy use. ;,n. 17*13L 1 ,n. -*12=. Sar"o#ha%)s ;(lural 7 sarco$ha#i=. A coffin, that remaine" a o9e #roun" an" was usually ornately car9e". 5ince the sarco$has was ma"e from limestone, the o"y "ecom$ose" an" B"isa$$eare"C Auickly lea9in# only teeth an" some skeletal remains. Sata$ 1he #reat enemy of Go" an" elie9ers. He is the a"9ersary, the one who comes to steal, kill, an" "estroy the work of Go" an" the church ! (eter 2*@=. 1o e rescue" or "eli9ere" from "estruction y the #race of Go". Howe9er, this #ift of "eli9erance has to e acce$te" y the sinner to ecome effecti9e. 5ee 8-.81.-8 1he "esires of Go" an" the history of His $eo$le as ori#inally recor"e" on $archment an" $a$yri, which was later com$ile" into a ook known as the .i le.
Sa8e(
S"ribes S"ri#t)res
Sea of Galilee 1he B5ea of GalileeC is an inlan" fresh-water lake an" is known in 5cri$ture y the followin# four names, ut in the ori#inal lan#ua#e, it is not known as the B5ea of Galilee.C
1. 1he [5ea of Chinnereth," or "Chinneroth" (Heb. kinneret, "harp-shaped"), for the shape of the sea (Num 34:11; osh 1!:3; 13:!"). -. 1he [lake of #ennesaret" ($uke %:1), the name of the e&tended p'ain ad(oinin) the 'ake. /. 1he [5ea of *iberias" ( ohn +:1; !1:1), the name used b, the nati-es at this time-.ahr *arbari,eh; 4. [Galilee[ ;Matt 4*1@L 12*-9=.
Se"o$( "o1i$% A term a$$lie" to the return of 'hrist with His church to rule the earth for a thousan" years from ,erusalem. 1his will e se9en years after the ra$ture. Se#t)a%i$t 5ee 8-.8-.-2
1254 Sha11ai 5ee 5chool of 5hammai 8-.81.19 She9i$ah 1he wor" Shekinah or Shechinah means that which dwells.17@8 !t is the $resence of Go" in a most $rofoun" way that is reco#ni>a le y mankin" as a ri#ht li#ht or an illuminate" clou". Si"arii 5ee 8-.81.-1 an" Kealots 8-.81.--
Si$ 1he se$aration from Go" that humanity has inherite" from A"am an" 49e. Si$s of Go". ?ur wor"s, "ee"s, an" thou#hts that 9iolate the comman"ments
So$ of Ma$ 1he $hrase coul" mean any oy or man of the $hrase is son of man. Howe9er, 1he $hrase Son of Man in the .ook of 4noch is a fi#ure, who is waitin# in hea9en until Go" sen"s him to earth where he woul" esta lish his kin#"om an" rule o9er it. 1his ook was common knowle"#e to the ,ewish $eo$le, so when ,esus a$$lie" the $hrase to Himself, it was clearly claimin# to e the lon#-awaite" Messiah. Sta(io$ A unit of measurement that ori#inate" from a race course in the ?lym$ics. !ts "istance is eAui9elant to to"ay<s "istance of -8yar"s or 1@2 meters. ,ohn 3*19 in"icates that the a$ostles ha" rowe" a out -2 to /8 stradia across the 5ea of Galilee when they encountere" ,esus walkin# on the water. ,ohn 11*1@ in"icates that .ethany was a out 12 stradia from ,erusalem, which is eAui9elant to to"ay<s "istance of two miles or three kilometers.
Star of 6a8i( 1he earliest ori#ination of the star, accor"in# to 5amaritan teachers, is from the si% cities of refu#e that esta lishe" y Moses. 1he locations of these cities create" the fi%e" $oints of two intersectin# trian#les on a ma$. 1he 5tar of )a9i" is a si%$ointe" star associate" with national !srael an" in the nineteenth century ecame the $o$ular insi#nia of the Kionist
1780. .arclay, B,ohn.C 1*39.
1255 mo9ement. Anti-5emitism claim that it ori#inate" with ancient occult reli#ions, ut it in fact was stolen y the occultists in the early church a#e. Stoi"s A $hiloso$hy of life foun" y Keno ;//2--3/ ..'.=. Keno #athere" his "isci$les in the Athenian market$lace where he tau#ht them, an" $assers y coul" sto$ an" listen to him e%$oun" truths as he un"erstoo" them. 1he name 5toic was acAuire" froom the Stoa 4oikile" that is the 4ainted 4ortico of the market$lace.17@1 1he conce$t of "eity for the 5toics is that of a Bworl"-soul,C meanin# that e9erythin# is a #o" 7 which is a $antheistic worl"9iew. %% Sy$a%o%)e !t is elie9e" to ha9e ori#inate" in .a ylon. 1he syna#o#ue was, an" continues to e, the center of ,ewish community life. !t was o$en "aily for $rayer, worshi$, chil"ren<s e"ucation, "iscussions of community im$ortance, le#al "ecisions, an" other im$ortant issues that mi#ht arise. !t was not, howe9er, a $lace for sacrifices as these occurre" only in the tem$le. Sy$o#ti" %os#els A term meanin# Bseein# to#etherC an" refers to the Matthew, Mark, an" &uke.
ooks of
Tal1)( 1almu"s. Ta$a9h Tar%)1 Tebhah
5ee 8-.8-.-3 for a "escri$tion of the .a ylonian an" ,erusalem
5ee He rew .i le 8-.8-.15ee 8-.8-.-@ He rew* 1he Tebhah was the ca inet or BarkC of $ainte" woo" in which the 1orah scroll was ke$t in the local syna#o#ue.
1781. .ruce, New Testament +istory. 41-4/.
1256 Te1#le ?ne of two institutions where the ,ewish faith was e%$resse", the other ein# in the local syna#o#ue. 1he tem$le was the $lace of sacrifice of sins an" the o ser9ation of the se9en festi9als, which were #rou$e" to#ether in three festi9al e9ents. 5ince more ,ewish $eo$le li9e" outsi"e of the Holy &an" than insi"e an" since tra9el was "ifficult in ancient times, those who li9e" more than 12 miles from ,erusalem were encoura#e" to make a (asso9er $il#rima#e only once in a lifetime. 1hose within the 12 mile $erimeter were reAuire" to make annual o ser9ations of the feasts.
Te@t)al Criti"is1 1he term as a$$lie" to i lical stu"ies means the stu"y, analysis, an" com$arison of ancient "ocuments to "etermine the ori#inal of the te%t. 1his fiel" of stu"y arose ecause there are sli#ht 9ariations of some ancient te%ts. 1he term "oes not mean Bto fin" fault,C ut to unco9er the ori#inal meanin# y the s$eaker/writer to his au"ience. Tho1as+ The Gos#el of 1his ook was written y )i"ymus ,u"as 1homas an" su$$ose"ly contains some Bsecret sayin#sC of ,esus. 1he $hrase Bsecret sayin#sC was a key element on the #rowin# reli#ious-$hiloso$hy of Gnosticism "urin# these early years of the church. 1he Gnostics calle" their own writin#s B#os$elsC to counter the four ins$ire" #os$els which ha" ecome ins$irational for the e%$lo"in# new faith. 1hey ha" ho$e" that e%$lo"in# $o$ularity of these i lical ooks woul" ha9e a carry-o9er affect on their writin#s an" $hiloso$hy. 5ince they "i" not reco#ni>e ,esus are the only way to sal9ation their writin#s are noticea le 9oi" of any $assion narrati9es or comment of sal9ation throu#h 'hrist ,esus.17@!n 1942 two $easants in the 9illa#e of :a# Hamma"i in southern 4#y$t "isco9ere" a cache of Ears containin# numerous $a$yri manuscri$ts inclu"in# the -ospel of Thomas . 1his 4th century 1782. 'arroll an" Green, The )eath of &esus in 5arly 'hristianity . 12/.
1257 te%t contains a num er of sayin#s, $ara les, an" $ro9er s attri ute" to ,esus. !n fact, some are with nearly wor" for wor" accuracy. 1he author, )i"ymus ,u"as 1homas, ha" a stron# $ro$onent of #nostic $hiloso$hy which em$hasi>e" secret sayin# an" mysteries that nee" to e "isco9ere" for one to fine sal9ation. +or this reason the #os$el is #i9en little cre"ence y i lical scholars. 1he o$enin# line e#ins with* These are the se"ret sayi$% 3hi"h the li8i$% Jes)s s#o9e a$( 3hi"h 6i(y1)s J)(as Tho1as 3rote (o3$....0hoe8er fi$(s the i$ter#retatio$ of these sayi$%s 3ill $ot e@#erie$"e (eath. Gos#el of Tho1as &7& ff 1he fact that the author attri utes the un"erstan"in# of the sayin#s, ty$ical of Gnosticism, to o tainin# eternal life is contrary to the messa#e of ,esus 'hrist, an" hence, it is a false #os$el. Tithe 1ithin# is the act of #i9in# 18V of one<s income to the church ;Gen 14*17--8, -@*--L Mal. /*@-18L Mt. -/*-/=. ?fferin#s an" alms are #ifts a o9e a tithe. 1he ,ews reckone" "ayli#ht time with twel9e hours. 1he first hour e#an at 3*88 a.m., accor"in# to mo"ern time reckonin#. .ut e9ery "ay ha" two e9enin#s. 1he first commence" at the ninth hour, that is /*88 $.m. ;i.e. Mt. 14*12= accor"in# to mo"ern time. an" another that commence" at 3*88 $.m. ;i.e., Mt. 14*-/=. 1he ni#hts, howe9er, were not reckone" in hours ut in Bwatches.C 1he first watch was from si% to nine o<clock, the secon" watch was from nine o<clock until mi"ni#ht, the thir" watch was until three in the mornin# an" the fourth watch en"e" at si% o<clock in the mornin#. 17@/ 5ee 8-.8-.-9
Ti1e
Torah
1783. 'arson, BMatthew.C @*4-@L Wessel, BMark..C @*373L .arclay, BMatthew.C -*182.
1258 Tosefta 5ee 8-.8-./8
Trib)latio$ A $erio" of time when the earth will e%$erience "estruction as ne9er efore an" !srael is $unishe" for reEection of the Messiah -888 years a#o. ;0e9elation 4-19=.
T)$i"
An outer #arment similar to a mo"ern short slee9e shirt that was worn y oth men an" women, y ancient Greek an" 0oman citi>ens an" non-citi>ens. !t e%ten"e" from the neck to a o9e the knees.
2Ty#e a$( sha(o3.5 A literary term* A Bty$e an" sha"owC is a $ro$hetic $icture that "escri es a $erson or e9ent of history, ut that ima#e will reoccur in the furture in the form of another $erson or e9ent. +or e%am$le, Moses was a $erson who le" the !sraelites out of 4#y$t<s on"a#e of sla9ery. He is consi"ere" a Bty$e an" sha"owC of ,esus who, lea"s those who acce$t Him, out of the on"a#e of sin ;see A##e$(i@ *=. 1he $hrase is foun" in He rews @*2, althou#h some translations use the wor"s Bsketch an" sha"ow,C that carries the same meanin#. ,ose$h was sol" y his rothers, im$risone", e9entually rose to $ower an" authority an" sa9e" his $eo$le an" the worl" of the 4#y$tians from "eath ;see A##e$(i@ 3=. Lealots 4.4.1. Le)s 5ee 8-.81.--, B5icariiC 8-.81.-1, an" ,ose$hus, Wars. -.4.1 an" 1he kin# of the Greek "eities. !n the secon" century ..'. Antiochus !H 4$i$hanies sacrifice" a $i# on the tem$le altar in the worshi$ of Keus.
U$it * 0or9s Cite(
1259
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MYSTERIES OF THE MESSIAH

Last u#date (as on *o$"+er ,-' ./,0

JESUS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE by Lillie A. Faris.

4 Use" y $ermission. H'5. is a fe"erally re#istere" tra"emark of Holman .i le (u lishers.

6 ske$tics will e in for a real treat.

/,)/,)/,)4, An e6%iting $ideo #re$ie( 7.2008 a MUST SEE9 !&i%: here)

1&ease *ote2 *ot a&& $ideos are &in:ed at this ti"e)

U$it & I$tro()"tio$ to this 0ebsite Cha#ter * For I$=)iri$% Mi$(s

8. .ock an" Herrick, &esus in 'onte(t. -8.

U$it & I$tro()"tio$ to this 0ebsite Cha#ter 3 Tables of Co$te$t

8-.81.83 4ssenes 8-.81.87 Gentiles 8-.81.8@ Greeks

29 8-.81.89 Hassi"im 8-.81.18 Hellenists

8-.81.11 8-.81.18-.81.1/ 8-.81.14 8-.81.12

Hero"ians !"umeans ,ews (harisees 0omans

8-.81.13 8-.81.17 8-.81.1@ 8-.81.19 8-.81.-8

5a""ucees 5amaritans 5chool ?f Hillel 5chool ?f 5hammai 5cri es

8-.8-.83 8-.8-.87 8-.8-.8@ 8-.8-.89 8-.8-.18

)ea" 5ea 5crolls )euterocanonical .ooks )i"ache Gemarah Gnostic

8-.8-.11 8-.8-.18-.8-.1/ 8-.8-.14

Gos$els He rew .i le ,ewish Writin#s ,ose$hus

8-.8-.13 8-.8-.17 8-.8-.1@ 8-.8-.19 8-.8-.-8

8-.8-.-1 8-.8-.-8-.8-.-/ 8-.8-.-4 8-.8-.-2

(entateuch (hilo (liny 1he Joun#er (seu"e$i#ra$ha 5e$tua#int

8-.8-.-3 8-.8-.-7 8-.8-.-@ 8-.8-.-9 8-.8-./8

1almu" 1anakh ;5ee BHe rew .i leC= 1ar#um 1orah 1osefta

8-.8/.83 8-.8/.87 8-.8/.8@ 8-.8/.89 8-.8/.18 8-.8/.11

8-.84.83 8-.84.87 8-.84.8@ 8-.84.89 8-.84.18 8-.84.11

3. * First Te1#le Perio( A$( E@ile B& /

A.C. D '&' A.C.C

8/.83.83 4 ..'. 7 A.). 41 1he )i9i"e" Monarchy

/. < Filla%e Life I$ NaGareth 84.87.81 )aily &ife !n :a>areth

The Early Mi$istry :f Jes)s

89.8/.83 89.8/.87 89.8/.8@ 89.8/.89 89.8/.18

?f 5ower An" 1ares

89.8/.-1 89.8/.-89.8/.-/ 89.8/.-4

Mt. Mt. Mt. Mt.

&&. * More Mira"les A$( 6is"i#leshi# Trai$i$%

11.8-.-2 11.8-.-3 11.8-.-7 11.8-.-@ 11.8-.-9

,n. ,n. ,n. ,n. ,n.

1-.81.83 1-.81.87 1-.81.8@ 1-.81.89 1-.81.18

1-.8/.17 &k. 1@*1-@ 1he (ersistent Wi"ow An" Unri#hteous ,u"#e

14.8-.13 14.8-.17 14.8-.1@ 14.8-.19 14.8-.-8

59 -4= 5econ" 1rialL 1o 'aia$has 1he Hi#h (riest

U$it &! A##e$(i"es

This se%tion (i&& +e %o"#&eted +y Fe+ruary .-' ./,3)

*. 3 Si%$ifi"a$t C)lt)ral Ele1e$ts 8-.8/.88A. 'hil"ren !n A 5yna#o#ue 5chool.

65 3. * First Te1#le Perio( A$( E@ile B& / A.C. D '&' A.C.C

/. * The Ge$ealo%ies :f Jes)s 84.8-.88A. An An#el Hisits 1he Hir#in Mary.

83.81.87). 1ranslation ?f Milestone.

83.8/.84A. Home. 83.8/.8@A. 83.8/.89A. 83.8/.89.. 83.8/.89'.

3 ;i%hteo)s$ess+ Prayer+ A$( Fasti$% 8@.8/.88A. ,esus 1eaches (rinci$les ?f &ife

* The Perea$ Mi$istry &*. *. A NEE6 Ill)stratio$

3 The First E@a1i$atio$ :f Jes)s 1/.8/.88A. 1he (harisees 'onfront ,esus.

12.8/.87A. 12.8/.87.. 12.8/.1-A. 12.8/.1-..

13.81.8@A. 1he .urial ?ssuary ?f Ale%an"er, 1he 5on ?f 5imon ?f 'yrene.

/,)/0)/0 Ta+&e of Ma#s

The Ta+&e of Ma#s (i&& +e %o"#&eted +y Fe+ruary .-' ./,3)

Theolo%i"al Iss)es ;elate( To The Gos#el Narrati8es

82.8-.8/.N1 Why was ,esus &k. /*-1--/a

a$ti>e"F Mt. /*1/-17L Mk. 1*9-11L

J)estio$s Co$"er$i$% The Airth A$( Chil(hoo( :f Jes)s

J)estio$s :f History+ C)lt)re+ A$( ;eli%io$

14.8-.8/.N1 14.8-.8/.N14.8-.82.N1 14.8-.87.N1

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* The Perea$ Mi$istry &. . A NEE6 Ill)stratio$

a$ti>e"F Mt. /1/-17L Mk. 19-11L

114. 5ee +ritsch, BA$ocry$ha.C 1131-33L )a9ies, BA$ocry$ha.C 1131-32L Harrison, 0.

247. (ellett, B)eca$olis.C 1@18-1-. 248. Mishnah, etuboth 4*1-.

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311. htt$//en.wiki$e"ia.or#/wiki/+ile1elU"anUinscri$tion.,(G, 0etrie9e" ?cto er -7, -81-.

3. /./ &. A.C. Helle$iGe( Je3s Cr)"ify .