The World Jesus Lived In

Nazareth – city Jesus grew up Capernaum - city near Sea of Galilee Palestine Galilee - north Samaria - south Judea - south Nazareth – city Jesus grew up Capernaum - city near Sea of Galilee His public ministry Bethlehem – birth Jerusalem - death

Galilee Mountainous and beautiful Sea of Galilee (Lake Gennesareth) Rural Major trade route Greek and Roman culture Many Galileans were gentiles Judeans looked down on Galileans

Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: Roughly speaking everything north and east of the modern city of Haifa was known as Galilee and this most famous region covers an area some 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles east to west. Under the Romans this small area in northern Palestine was a fixed administrative distinct; earlier its boundary was vague and variable. In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate and its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate. 1st century AD Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who knew the area well, wrote this about it: In ancient times, as now, it was Israel's lushest region, known for its sunny, temperate climate its spring-watered lands. Each spring the valleys and slopes became an ocean of wildflowers and blossoming trees. Beginning in March the area was covered by a vast blanket of green. The fertile land was a texture of vineyards and fruit orchards. Grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, oranges and other fruits flourished in its pleasant, subtropical climate.

Samaria Samaria – south of Galilee Avoided by Jews when they traveled Viewed as heretics Intermarried with gentiles Worshipped in own temples on Mount Gerizim instead of Jerusalem

Judea Judea – south of Samaria Dry hot Dead Sea to the east Wilderness to the south Jerusalem Capital Israel’s kings lived Holy City b/c of Temple Sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims

Jerusalem today

Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea Jordan River All of the known world West of Palestine Jordan River Flows south through Sea of Galilee and into the Dead Sea

Town in Palestine during the time of Jesus Surrounded by walls Gates locked at night Guards posted to keep watch Market places outside of the walls Food Crafts Conversation – news from travelers

Political Scene during the time of Jesus Palestine Occupied by Rome Roman Emperors: Augustus Caesar Tiberius Caesar Herod – King of Palestine until after Jesus’ birth Great Builder – rebuilt the Temple Very cruel Killed family b/c afraid of being overthrown

Sons of Herod the Great Archelaus – ruled Judea and Samaria - replaced with Roman procurators (Pontius Pilate) Herod Antipas – ruled Galilee Jesus called him “the fox” Philip – ruled region east of Galilee Herod the Great Pontius Pilate

Roman occupation Rome Respected Jewish religious practice Jewish men did not have to serve in the Roman army b/c they could not mix with gentiles Jews resented Romans Taxes Laws Troops Tax collectors – Jewish men collected taxes and kept some money

Religious groups Pharisees Large middle class Jews Loved Torah, law Added 613 rules to the law Believed in resurrection and angels Jesus scolded them for stressing outward acts rather than the spirit of love. Most of the people were Pharisees Scribes: copied the Scriptures

Sadducees Wealthy and powerful leaders Most priests Worked with Rome Did not believe in resurrection Did not want to add any more laws

Sanhedrin 71 Jewish men Supreme council Chief high preiest presided over it Spiritual leader and almost a king Caiaphas - high priest at time of Jesus Annas – helped Caiaphas

zealots Freedom fighters Used violence to overthrow Rome Barabbas was a zealot

Essenes Men not happy with the way Jewish religion was lived Seeks a pure life Lived in desert Doing penance Waiting for the coming of God Jesus was thought to be an Essene

Jesus’ religion Prayer Jews prayed many times in a day Before and after eating Morning and evening Shema – Hear, O Israel, The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Mezuzah Small case on the right post of a doorway Held a copy of the Shema

Phylacteries small boxes placed on the heads of Jewish men Contained the word of God

Shalom Greeting Peace

Temple Pilgrimages to Temple: Passover Pentecost Tabernacles Temple: Only place where sacrifices were offered 20 men needed to open one of its 13 gates 20,000 people work there Herod the Great ordered an expansion during Jesus’ time Rome attacked the temple and destroyed it Outer western wall all that remains even to today

Western Wall Jewish people pray leave prayer requests in cracks in the temple wall.

Sabbath The Lord’s Day Strict day of rest Synagogues – buildings such as “churches” Services said Center of prayer Center of education Center of social life in towns Scrolls – kept here and read

The Law Stated what made someone unclean or unfit for worshipping Required a special washing or reading of Scripture Touching a sick person Touching a dead person Dealing with Gentiles