History of the NT Era Introduction

1. History of the NT EraIntroduction NT301: Introduction to the New Testament New Brunswick Theological Seminary Virginia Wiles

2. Pre-History • Exile • ca. 587 B.C.E. • Monotheism • Return • ca. 540-(440) B.C.E. • Apocalypticism • Exodus • ca. 1300 B.C.E. • Moses & Torah • Monarchy • ca. 1000 B.C.E. • David • Divided Kingdom • Prophets History of NT Era

3. History in Brief • Alexander’s Death -- 323 B.C.E. • The Maccabees • The Maccabean Revolt -- 168-167 B.C.E. • The Hasmonean Dynasty -- 164-63 B.C.E. • Rome Takes Over -- 63 B.C.E. • Caesar Augustus--27 B.C. E. • Jewish Rebellion (66-73 C.E.) • The Destruction of the Temple -- 70 C.E. • Academy at Yavneh --90 C.E. • Bar Kochba Rebellion -- 132-135 C.E. History of NT Era

4. Alexander the Great The Advent of Hellenism • Spread of Greek Language and Culture • Religious Syncretism History of NT Era

5. Alexander’s Empire

6. The Maccabees The Background • Simon (Zadokite) High Priest • Onias III (Zadokite) High Priest • leaned toward Egypt • Jason (Zadokite; brother of Onias) • supported by Antiochus Epiphanes IV • reconstituted Jerusalem as Greek city -- Antioch • YHWH = “Zeus Olympius” History of NT Era

7. The Crisis • 172 B.C.E. Menelaus expels Jason • NOT a Zadokite • rise of Hasidim • 169-168 B.C.E. Antiochus Epiphanes raids Temple Treasury • conservatives took Jerusalem and locked up Menelaus History of NT Era

8. The Crisis continues • Antiochus retaliates and captures Jerusalem • murdered or expelled Jews • Jerusalem becomes katoikia • outlawed Jewish religion • Temple dedicated to Zeus Baal Shamayin • “Abomination of Desolation” • see 1 Macc. 1:54; Dan. 11:31; 12:11 History of NT Era

9. The War Judas Maccabeus (=“the hammer”) • leads the guerilla warfare from 168-164 B.C.E. • Temple restored in 162 B.C.E. • Hannukah • Menelaus is executed • by 152 Jonathan (Judas’ brother) is installed as ruling High Priest • See 2 Maccabees 11 History of NT Era

10. The Hasmonean Kingdom • Jonathan -- 152-143 B.C.E. • Simon (brother of Jonathan) -- 143-134 B.C.E. Political Independence in 142 B.C.E. • John Hyrcanus (Simon’s son) -- 134-104 B.C.E. • Alexander Janneus (son) -- 104-78 B.C.E. • Alexandra -- (widow) 76-67 B.C.E. • Hyrcanus II & Aristobulus II (sons) ENDS with POMPEY in 63 B.C.E. History of NT Era

11. Key Issues in Hasmonean Period • Goals of Hasmonean Rulers/High Priests • Expansion of Empire • Force inhabitants of Greek cities to emigrate or convert to Judaism • Continuing struggle with Hellenization • Qumran community withdrew to wilderness • Simon = “the evil priest” • Pharisees • revolted in 94 B.C.E., which resulted in 6 years of civil war • ruling party during reign of Alexandra History of NT Era

12. Rome Takes Over • Pompey -- 63 B.C.E. • Herod “the Great” (= Antipater) 40 B.C.E. • builder • good administrator • paranoid • the “Slaughter of the Innocents” • Caesar Augustus • 27 B.C.E. -- 1st Emperor of Rome • Imperator Caesar divi filius Augustus • Pax Romana History of NT Era

13. The Roman Empire History of NT Era

14. Roman Palestineunder the Sons of Herod (4 B.C.E. - 39 C.E.) • Herod Antipas • Galilee and Peraea • “that fox” • Archelaus • Judea, Samaria, and Idumea • Removed by Romans in 6 C.E. • Thereafter ruled by Procurators (=Pilate) • Philip • extreme N and NE • built Caesarea Philippi History of NT Era

15. The Temple Destroyed • Ruling Procurator expropriated Temple treasury (66 C.E.) • Jewish rebellion ensued • Titus marched on Jerusalem in 70 C.E. and Destroyed the Temple • Masada, the last Judean fortress, fell in 73 • Other rebellions • 115-117 C.E. • 132 C.E. History of NT Era

16. Key Terms and Dates • Exodus-Monarch-Exile-Return • Alexander the Great • Maccabean Revolt (162 B.C.E.) • 63 B.C.E. • 70 C.E. • Herod the Great • Herod Antipas • Caesar Augustus History of NT Era