The KEY PEOPLE/GROUPS at the TIME of JESUS were the: - Gentiles were non-Jews. Religious laws did not permit these people to mix with Jewish people.
- Publicans were the Jewish tax collectors. These men were unpopular and often corrupt, keeping money for themselves. The publicans were considered to be sinners; the Apostle Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector.
- Scribes were the scholarly teachers among the Pharisees.
- Pharisees were middle-class Jewish people. * They were laymen not priests and they controlled local synagogues. * Name means separated. Were dedicated to preserving the purity of the Jewish religion but tended to keep themselves apart from ordinary Jews who were not so devout. * Accepted oral tradition (collected sayings) as well as guidance of the TORAH. Open to development of new religious ideas. Believed in angels and life after death. *Expected a Messiah to free them from Roman rule and establish a kingdom as in the days of King David.
- The Zealots were deeply religious Jews who believed violent action was justified if it was in defence of the Jewish religion. * Possibly an off-shoot of the Pharisees. * Hated the Sadducees for working with the Romans. One group of the Zealots known as the Sicarii (cut- throats) engaged in a campaign of assassination. * Caused a great deal of unrest among the people. Jesus was viewed with suspicion for having a Zealot (Simon the Patriot) among his apostles.
- The Essenes were communities of monks who settled in remote places. They believed they were obeying the word of God. * Felt that Jewish religion was being corrupted by outside influences. Believed that they alone had the correct interpretation of the Torah. * Followed strict rule of life. Three year training period. New members had to swear to keep their teachings and practices secret. * Placed great emphasis on bathing. May have influenced John the Baptist.
- Sadducees were wealthy aristocrats and included the temple priests. * The Sadducees dominated the Sanhedrin and controlled the key office of the High Priest. * Adopted non-Jewish lifestyles. * Only accepted the written Torah on religious matters. Interpreted it literally and refused to accept any development of new ideas. Rejected belief in angels and life after death.
- The Sanhedrin was a group made up of 71 Jewish men who served as a supreme council. When there was a difficult issue, this council decided it. * The Sanhedrin was presided over by a High Priest, who was treated almost like a king. * At the end of Jesus’ life, the High Priest was a man named Caiaphas. * Caiaphas presided over Jesus’ Jewish trial; Pilate presided over the Roman trial. There were two trials because Jesus had violated both Roman and Jewish laws.
You will be expected to explain one of these groups in greater detail in today's quiz. Choose one which you understand and spend 10 minutes researching and reading to further develop your knowledge. Compile a list of five key points about your chosen group on a google doc. Once you have completed this. Show your teacher and get their initials on your contents page.
Pharisees in the time of Jesus.
ACTIVITY: Politics in Palestine Quiz Complete the Politics in Palestine Quiz on Schoology. Once you have completed this. Show your teacher and get their initials on your contents page.
Palestine was occupied by Rome, which had conquered the area in 63 BC.
Though Rome allowed Jewish practices, the Jewish people did not like the presence of Roman troops, Roman laws and Roman taxes. Because of the Roman occupation, the Jewish people were not really free in their own land.
Political Situation in 1st Century Israel
Against the political backdrop of Roman oppression and the ineffective rule of the Herodian dynasty, Jesus lived out his ministry. It was a period of history fraught with tension and frustration which encouraged nationalist feelings to grow. In 63 BC Rome conquered Israel and implemented its administration policy of local rule. Consequently, from 37–4B AD Herod the Great maintained the unity of Israel. On his death the territory of Israel was divided into three regions.
·Each of Herod’s sons inherited part of the country: -Philip ruled the extreme NE region. He built Caesarea Philippi. -Herod Antipas ruled Jesus’ home region of Galilee and Perea. At the time of Jesus’ trial, Antipas was visiting Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate referred Jesus to him for examination. -Herod Archelaus ruled over Idumea, Judea and Samaria. In 6 AD he was exiled to Gaul by the Romans. From this date onwards the key districts of Judea were governed directly by Roman Procurators/Governors.
· Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea from 26–36 AD. He ruled the territory during Jesus’ public ministry and oversaw the administration of his trial in Jerusalem.
Activity: Significant Political Characters There were many significant political characters in the time of Jesus. Choose one of the political characters from the list below. You need to complete some research about this person and then list 5 important points about them. - Tiberius - Augustus - Pontius Pilate - Herod the Great - Herod Antipas - Caiaphas - Annas Once you have completed this. Show your teacher and get their initials on your contents page.
Activity: King Herod Collect a Bible, locate each of the following scripture references and then explain what King Herod is doing in each of the passages. Matthew 2: 1-6 Matthew 2: 7-12 Matthew 2: 13-15 Matthew 2: 16-18 Matthew 2: 19-23 Once you have completed this. Show your teacher and get their initials on your contents page.