The New Testament: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelled among us…” John 1:14

Ch. 16: The World of the New Testament

Homework (due Tues., 3/24) Read pp (middle); NB: Intro & # I (due Weds., 3/25) Read ; NB: II-IV (due Mon., 3/30) Read pp (middle); NB: V-VI (due Mon.,3/30) Read pp (middle); NB: VII-IX

Homework (due Tues., 3/31) Read pp ; NB: X-XI (due Thurs., 4/2) Prepare for Review (Weds., 4/8) TEST on Ch. 16

The Prophecies Fulfilled Maccabean revolt ( B.C.) won Jewish independence 4 major results of revolt?? (#1) Hasmonean dynasty( B.C.)

The Prophecies Fulfilled John Hyrcanus I –High Priest-King in Hasmonean line – B.C. –Conquered all former territory in Israel (#2) –Forced all non-Jews to be circumcised or leave (ouch!)-why? Sign of being fully Jewish “Cleansed” nation of pagan influence (#3-4)

The Prophecies Fulfilled Aristobulus ( B.C.), next High Priest declared himself king… some thought him Messiah, but… not in line of David Israel became divided over who would be Messiah… (#5)

Judaism in Jesus’ time: 4 Major Groups Pharisees Sadducees Essenes Zealots

Pharisees ones“separate” or “pious” ones most influential group laymen/ not official clergy focus: –Strict living of Law(Torah) –No compromise w/ gentiles (Romans) (#7-9) Expected MESSIAH WHO STRICLY TAUGHT THE LAW

Sadducees Priestly aristocracy (high priests) Concerned w/ Temple practices/ worship Generally wealthy/establishment Politics: supported Hasmoneans/Romans (#10) Expected HIGH PRIESTLY MESSIAH

Essenes Monastic community Lived in desert around Dead Sea Believed Jerusalem priesthood and worship were impure Focus: pure living of Law Apocalyptic group: awaited a New Age/ Kingdom of God Expected SPIRITUAL/OTHER- WORLDLY MESSIAH

Zealots “sicarii” (“dagger-carriers”) hated foreign Roman rule basically, terrorists: use of violence, etc. Kingdom of God by force Led revolts against Rome (66-70; AD) Expected MILITARY “BIN- LADIN”-LIKE MESSIAH

…and you??? Reflect & write on: –What is your “image” of God? Who is God for you/in your life? –What role do you honestly expect God to play in your daily life/in the world? –Is that expectation fair? Why/why not?

After the Maccabees (#11) Israel divided into factions Eventually conquered by Romans in 63 B.C. Herod the Great installed as “puppet” king in 40 B.C.

Herod the Great Ruled from c B.C. Beseiged Jerusalem w/ 60,000 Roman troops Called “the Great” > economic prosperity under his reign (#12-14)

“Fullness of Time” “Fullness of Time” Pax Romana: –Roman “peace”/order from Augustus> 5 th c. –Benefits? (#15) –Why the “fullness of time” for Christ’s coming?

Religion in Roman Empire (# 16) Romans tolerated any religion, if –Obedience –Taxes!! Some idea of God thru philosophy (#17-18)

Spread of Jewish Religion 3 Key factors: 1.Jews lived throughout empire 2.The Septuagint (LXX) 3.The rise of synagogues

Spread of Jewish Religion Jews were spread throughout Roman empire (#19-20) –Popularity of Judaism –Prepared “the Nations” for coming of the Christ

Spread of Jewish Religion The Septuagint or LXX made God’s revelation known throughout Greek & Roman empires (#21)

Spread of Jewish Religion Synagogue had replaced Temple as center of Jewish life –Why? (#22) –How connected to our Christian worship? (#23)

Proselytes of the Gate Judaism very popular in Roman empire- why? Who were they? (#24) They were more ready to “receive the Christian message- why? (#25)

Judea and Galilee After Babylonian exile, people re-settled –Mostly in south, around Jerusalem (former Judah > Judea –Some in north, into Galilee (w/in former “Israel”) (#27) Trouble w/ Palestine for Rome? (#26)

The Samaritans (#28) Ethnically mixed (w/ pagan peoples) Worshipped the One God but differently Other Samaritan… stuff (#29-32)