1. Jesus in Context

4. 1 st century Judea (region) Small area: vulnerable, marginal Occupied by Roman Empire  Ruled by local governor who complied with the Empire  Religious authorities also had to comply with Empire to stay in business (Roman deity and sacrifice at Jewish Temple in Jerusalem)  Had been ruled by Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks for previous 400-500 yrs  Judeans at times revolted against foreign rule and taxation Usually brutally suppressed: at Sepphoris in 4 BCE; at Jerusalem in 70 CE

5. 1 st century Judaism Had accommodated to Empire; in need of reform Diverse, not one single form  Pharisees: scholarly, more “liberal”  Sadducees: priestly, more “conservative”  Essenes: rejected Temple, withdrew  Zealots: staged revolts against Empire  Jesus-followers: met in Temple and at synagogues Defined as “Christians” in process of separation after 70 CE Temple vs. village  Temple destroyed in 70 CE; needed new practices to survive

6. Roman religion Civil: Tied to stability of civic life  People who refused to participate were seen as unpatriotic, even seditious  Example: in 410, Christians were blamed for sack of Rome by Goths Main focus: honor emperor through sacrifice and offerings  Refusal could be punished by death Featured many local deities and festivals

7. Judaism in 1 st century Palestine Competing groups with different visions  Sadduccees: priestly elite in Jerusalem who collaborated with Rome. Conservative.  Pharisees: lay scholars who studied ways of interpreting and applying the law. Expanded Jewish tradition. Forerunners of rabbis (teachers).  Essenes: rejected other forms, withdrew to desert, waited for apocalypse.  Zealots: advocated armed resistance to Romans, establishing self-rule.

8. Jesus of Nazareth Born ca. 4 BCE, crucified ca. 30 CE From the village/small city of Nazareth far from Jerusalem; not of the religious elite Observant Jew  Not starting a “new” religion, but fulfilling his own (Matt. 5) Took up itinerant ministry for last 3 yrs of his life Focus: preaching and miracles  Main content of preaching: the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God  Miracles enact the Kingdom, make it present

9. Kingdom of God What is it?  When is the kingdom coming?  Where is it present? How do you know? What are its main features? What does the kingdom ask:  Of one’s family connections?  Of one’s ethics? How is the kingdom “good news” in context? What were the political implications of this “alternative order of divine rule” (Chidester, 27)?

10. Matthew 5:1-48 Describe Jesus: what is he doing? What is he like? To whom would you compare him? Beatitudes (vv. 1-12)  Who is blessed? The Antitheses (vv. 21-48)  Two contrasting statements, plus interpretation  How is Jesus fulfilling the law? (v. 17)  What is his vision for Judaism?

11. For Wednesday Use Stark’s chapter to visualize the Matthew reading, which was probably written in Antioch between 80 and 90 CE. What details most surprise/disgust you? What is the meaning of healing in this context?