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The Jews in Early First Century: Political Arrangement to Religious Life

Delve into the political shifts with the Romans, King Herod's rule, the Jewish Sanhedrin, and the vibrant religious life in the early first century. Explore economic dynamics and social structures of this pivotal era to understand the roots of biblical events.

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The Jews in Early First Century: Political Arrangement to Religious Life

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  1. Sunday MorningIntroduction and Background Class #2 The Jews of the Early First Century (part 2)

  2. Book recommendations: New Testament Survey Merrill Tenney New Testament History F.F. Bruce Website: christianbook.com

  3. I. Political Arrangement • Intertestmental period - Seleucids (Greek rulers in Syria) - Maccabean revolt (166-143 BC) - Hasmoneans • Priestly family who assumed governing authority • Eventually claimed kingship • Became very corrupt

  4. Romans - Judea a province by 63 BC - Jews were granted religious freedom - Jews were granted internal self-rule - Named Herod king of the Jews

  5. Herod the Great - Idumean (Edomite descent) - Claimed to be a follower of Judaism - Pagan in his practices - Firm rule from 37 BC – 4 AD - Effectively played the middle between Romans and Jews - Economic prosperity - Extensive building projects (the temple)

  6. Caesarea Philippi

  7. Model of Herod’s Palace in Jerusalem Model of Herod’s Temple

  8. Herod the Great - Suspicious, jealous, brutal (killed wife, three sons) - Matthew 2

  9. The Herods and the Governors - Herod’s Kingdom was divided among heirs but none proved as able - Eventually territories administered by his descendants and Roman governors

  10. N.T. listing of Herodian rulers - Herod Archelaus – son of Herod the Great, ethnarch over Judea and other territories (Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth because of his rule in Judea). - Herod Antipas – son of Herod the Great, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (ruled during days of John the Baptist and Jesus)

  11. - Herod Agrippa I – grandson of Herod the Great, king of Judea and Samaria (put the apostle James to death – Acts 12) - Herod Agrippa II – son of Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, ruler of Galilee, Iturea, Trachonitis (Paul made a defense before him – Acts 26)

  12. The Sanhedrin - Official ruling Jewish council with Roman approval - Composition: Chief Priests: politically connected, power brokers, wealthy Elders: aristocracy around Jerusalem Scribes: respected for knowledge of the Law and general piety

  13. II. Religious Life • Synagogue - Required 10 men - Center of Jewish society: worship, school, community meetings - Service • Read the Law in an annual cycle; other readings complimented • Prayers, exhortation

  14. Temple - Herodian temple - 24 divisions of priests - It was a complex with courts that allowed different groups closer access to the temple building

  15. Model of Herod’s Temple

  16. Festivals - Three pilgrimage feasts: • Passover • Pentecost • Tabernacles (booths) • Proselytes – converts to Judaism • God-fearers (devout Greeks) – Gentiles who had come to believe in the one, true God and hallow the scriptures

  17. III. Economic Life • Commerce was dynamic because of the Greco-Roman advances

  18. Galilee especially was at a commercial crossroads G

  19. Galilee: - General farming - Olive and olive oil - Fishing, fish sauce - Carpentry (stones) Olive Press • Palestine was a complex money economy

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