The Jews of the Early First Century Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class #2 The Jews of the Early First Century (part 2)

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

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

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

- Idumean (Edomite descent) - Claimed to be a follower of Judaism 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)

Caesarea Philippi

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

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

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

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)

- 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)

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

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

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

Model of Herod’s Temple

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

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

Galilee especially was at a commercial crossroads

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