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Dec 6, 2023
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Mercedes Nelson
REL 2032.E1
Life and Teachings of Jesus
L. F. Massey
Ph.D.
Assignment 1
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1. Summarize the work of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah as a backdrop to
social and religious life in Palestine during the time of Jesus.
Nehemiah and Ezra were very significant to Jerusalem. This is because
they facilitated reorganization of the Jewish community. They were good
organizers . in fifty two days they had the walls of Jerusalem up. They divided
their forces into two shifts. One to stand at arms and the other to build . this
fastened the process of building the wall.
Ezra really finished up the reforms started by Nehemiah. Their efforts were
effective because they were supported by royal Persian decrees. Ezra got all of
this done in about one year. In some respects, Ezra was the most important
person in Israel's history since Moses. Ezra read the law to the Jerusalem Jews
which was the new priestly code which had been prepared during the captivity.
Through adherence to religious law, Israel became a nation—even without
statehood.
2. Who were the Samaritans and why did Palestinian Jews despise them?
Are an ethnoreligious group who originate from the ancient Israelites.
[
They
are native to the Levant and adhere to Samaritanism, an Abrahamic and ethnic
religion similar to Judaism, but differing in several important aspects.
Samaritan tradition claims the group descends from the northern Israelite
tribes who were not deported by the Neo-Assyrian Empire after the destruction of
the Kingdom of Israel. They consider Samaritanism to be the true religion of the
ancient Israelites and regard Judaism as a closely related but altered religion.
3. Explain the Jewish Diaspora.
The dispersion of Jews among the Gentiles after the Babylonian
Exile or the
aggregate
of Jews or Jewish
communities
scattered “in
exile” outside Palestine or present-day Israel. Although the term
refers to the physical dispersal of Jews throughout the world, it also
carries religious, philosophical, political, and eschatological
connotations
, inasmuch as the Jews perceive a special relationship
between the land of Israel and themselves. Interpretations of this
relationship range from the messianic hope of traditional Judaism
for the eventual “ingathering of the exiles” to the view of Reform
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Judaism that the dispersal of the Jews was providentially arranged
by God to foster pure monotheism throughout the world.
4. What is a synagogue, and how did it come about?
A synagogue is a Jewish place of worship and community gathering. It
serves as a center for prayer, study, and social activities in the Jewish religion.
The word "synagogue" is derived from the Greek word "synagoge," which means
"assembly" or "gathering." Synagogues are found in Jewish communities around
the world and play a vital role in Jewish religious and cultural life.
The origins of the synagogue can be traced back to ancient times. Prior to
the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem around the 10th century BCE,
the Israelites worshipped in local sanctuaries and conducted communal
gatherings in various locations. After the destruction of the First Temple by the
Babylonians in 586 BCE and the subsequent exile, the need arose for alternative
places of worship and communal gathering spaces.
During the Babylonian exile and following the return to Jerusalem, Jewish
communities developed institutions known as "houses of assembly" or "houses
of prayer." These houses served as meeting places for communal prayer, the
study of Jewish law and scriptures, and other religious and social activities. This
marked the early form of the synagogue.
The synagogue gained prominence during the Hellenistic period,
particularly after the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. As
Jews began to settle in various parts of the Greek-speaking world, they adapted
to the local culture and established synagogues as centers for religious worship
and study. The synagogue became an essential institution for Jewish
communities outside of Jerusalem, where they could maintain their religious
practices and traditions.
5. What is Hellenization and how did it affect the Jewsby the first century CE?
Hellenization : spread of greek culture outside of Greece . Some Jews embraced
Greek culture and some rejected it . This created tension between the Jewish
community .
6. Explain what is important about Judas Maccabeus. What feast
commemorates his accomplishments?
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Hellenization, or Hellenism, refers to the spread of Greek culture that had
begun after the conquest of Alexander the Great in the fourth century, B.C.E. One
must think of the development of the eastern Mediterranean, really, in two major
phases. The first, the conquest by Alexander, which brought Greek culture to the
middle eastern territories. And then, subsequent to that, the Roman imperial
expansion, which would take that over politically. But, Rome didn't immediately
transform everything into a kind of Latin-Roman culture. Rather, they worked with
the Greek idiom. And so, much of what we see in the culture of these cities, like
Caesarea Maritima, is a kind of Greek city structure with a Roman political
organization, playing off between the different elements of Roman and Greek city
life.
The period of Jewish history extending from Alexander the Great to Jesus
is one for which our sources of information are fragmentary, especially as
regards the contact of Jew and Greek. This fact is all the more regrettable
because the impact of Greek civilization on the Jews which then took place gave
to the period an importance that almost ranks it with the period of the great
prophets, or with that of Moses and the beginnings of the Hebrew state.
Jewish culture and civilization during the Hellenistic period was in intense
dialogue with Hellenistic culture and civilization, beginning with the translation of
Hebrew scriptures into Greek, a translation which survives and which we know
as the Septuagint. That's certainly an example of the way in which Greek literary
forms and Greek language impacted Jewish civilization and literary traditions.
That impact extends far beyond scripture, and we see during the Hellenistic
period Jews adopting literary forms of the Greek tradition, and writing plays, epic
poems, lyric poems, all in the Greek language. Much of this activity would have
centered in Alexandria, the capital of Egypt, but there was similar activity going
on in Palestine, and some of these literary products that survive in some cases
only in fragments, were probably written in Palestine, by Jews who were adopting
these Hellenistic literary modes.
Jewish spiritual resistance differed in some respects from this general
pattern; here it was the weapon of a small people lacking the glory of an imperial
past. It differed, further, in its intensity and perpetuity, its monotheism (though
dangerously attenuated in the apocalypse) and, at times, its appeal to all classes
from aristocracy to peasantry. It differed in a stronger stress on social justice
inherited from biblical prophecy and the constant reference to past liberations in
sacred scriptures. In his glorification of the Augustan restoration Virgil may have
combined classical concepts with eastern "Empire" apocalyptic ones.
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Judas Maccabeus was a Jewish priest and military leader who led the
Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. He is
important because he successfully fought for Jewish independence and religious
freedom, and his leadership helped to establish the Hasmonean dynasty in
Judea. The feast of Hanukkah commemorates his accomplishments, as it
celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it was
desecrated by the Seleucids.
7. Who were the Zealots?
The Zealots were a political movement in 1st-century Second Temple
Judaism, which sought to incite the people of Judea Province to rebel against the
Roman Empire.
The Zealots were an aggressive political party whose concern for
the national and religious life of the Jewish people led them to despise even Jews
who sought peace and conciliation with the Roman authorities
.
A census of
Galilee ordered by Rome in AD 6 spurred the Zealots to rally the
populace to noncompliance on the grounds that agreement was an
implicit acknowledgment by Jews of the right of pagans to rule their
nation.
8. Who was the man called Antipas in the Gospels? Explain his family
connections.
Antipas was a ruler of Galilee and Perea during the time of Jesus. He was
the son of Herod the Great and Malthace, and the brother of Herod Archelaus,
Herod Antipater, and Herod Philip. Antipas is most famously known for his role in
the trial and execution of John the Baptist, as recounted in the Gospels of
Matthew and Mark. He is also mentioned in Luke's Gospel as one of the rulers
who heard about Jesus' teachings and miracles. After Jesus' arrest, he was
brought before Antipas, who questioned him but ultimately sent him back to
Pontius Pilate for sentencing. Antipas is believed to have died around 39 AD.
9. What was the Sanhedrin?
Jewish High Council
in Palestine under Roman rule, to which
various political, religious, and judicial functions have been
attributed. Taken from the Greek word for council (synedrion), the
term was apparently applied to various bodies but became especially
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the designation for the supreme Jewish legislative and judicial court
—the Great Sanhedrin, or simply the Sanhedrin, in Jerusalem. There
were also local or provincial sanhedrins of lesser jurisdiction and
authority. A council of elders, or senate, called the gerousia, which
existed under Persian and Syrian rule (333–165 BC), is considered by
some scholars the forerunner of the Great Sanhedrin
.
10. Who was Pontius Pilate and what role did he play in the trial of Jesus?
Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (governor) of Judaea (26–36 CE) who
presided at the trial of Jesus and gave the order for his crucifixion.
As the
prefect of Roman-occupied Palestine, he insulted the religious
sensibilities of his Jewish subjects by promoting Roman religion and
emperor worship. He provoked both Jews and Samaritans to rioting
during his tenure, and he later had to stand trial in Rome for cruelty
and oppression.
11. Discuss the importance of the Qumran Communityin Jesus’ day, and the
documents they left behind.
The Qumran Community was a Jewish sect that lived in the vicinity of the
Dead Sea during the time of Jesus. They are known for the documents they left
behind, which were discovered in the mid-20th century and are collectively
known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. These documents are of great importance to
scholars of Judaism and early Christianity, as they shed light on the beliefs and
practices of a Jewish sect that was active during the same time period as Jesus.
The Qumran Community was a highly religious and ascetic group that
believed in strict adherence to Jewish law and the importance of ritual purity.
They lived in a communal setting and engaged in activities such as prayer, study,
and manual labor. They also believed in the imminent arrival of a messianic figure
who would usher in a new era of righteousness and justice. The Dead Sea Scrolls
include a wide variety of documents, including biblical texts, commentaries,
hymns, and legal texts. They provide insight into the beliefs and practices of the
Qumran Community, as well as the broader Jewish world of the time. They also
shed light on the development of Jewish thought and the origins of Christianity.
In particular, the Dead Sea Scrolls have been used to better understand the
historical context of Jesus and his teachings
.
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12.
Explain why the Jewish temple of Jesus' day had been rebuilt twice. What
is the current state (today) of that temple?
From the beginning, the Ark of the Covenant was moved all over the place
according tot he designated spot by the Jewish ruler/leader. By David's time, it
was then decided to be permanently established in Jerusalem, thus building a
temple to house it on Solomon's era (David's son). The Jewish Temple became
the central place of worship of the Israelites. However, Jerusalem was captured
by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia. Nebuchadnezzar ransacked and destroyed
the temple and ordered the exile of the Israelites.
Time passed when the empire was ruled over by Cyrus II (he conquered
Babylonia). He turned his religion to Christianity and purposely make it known by
allowing the Jews to return in Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Though not fully
restored of the original shape and state (the Ark was lost to the war), the Levites
continued to lead the elaborate rituals of worship to God in the second Temple.
Over the course of time, The restored temple was plundered and desecrated
(by Antiochus IV Epiphanes) then cleansed and rededicated (by Judas
Maccabeus which is significantly celebrated as Hanukkah). History repeats again
through plundering of the Temple treasury by Crassus but then rebuilt by King
Herod the Great of Judea.
King Herod has made a significant rebuilding and restructuring of the
Temple Mount (the place where the Jewish Temple is located). He doubled the
protection of the Temple by building big wall fences and gates. The Temple itself
was raised and designated areas for different types of activities were established
by squares and courts. Because of this, the Temple is identified as the Herodian
Temple, being the central place of worship of Christians, the meeting place of
Sanhedrin, and the settlement of important Jewish artifacts and literature.
As rebellion against Rome was enforced, the Temple was again destroyed.
During those time and up to present, what remains are portions of the retaining
wall of the Temple Mount: the Dome of the Rock in the north, Al Aqsa Mosque in
the south (was taken over by the Muslims then returned back to Jewish control),
and the Wailing Wall in the southwest part where it continues to be a major spot
for Jewish pilgrimage
.
13. What influence did the Romans have over Palestine in the time of Christ?
When Jesus was born, Palestine was ruled by the Romans.
The
Romans knew that whoever controlled Palestine had control of all
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the roads in and out of those areas
. The Romans invaded the land of
Palestine in 63BC. The Roman army marched into Jerusalem and
took over the city.
Historically, Palestine is under the great Roman Empire together with controlled vast
territories during Jesus' time. Thus these are obvious influences that Romans have over
Palestines:
Political - government was purely centralized and authoritarian to the king or the ruler.
Sanhedrin held a significant position.
Economy - active imposition of taxpaying as well as abundance of small and medium
enterprises
Infrastructure - since tax collection is extremely diligent, fund is abundant for buildings,
roads and water systems.
Religion - Roman law and customs were imposed to Jewish people. Persecution of
followers of Jesus is inflicted during His time.
14. Compare and contrast the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Discuss their role
in Jesus’ ministry.
*They believe in life after death and other supernatural beings.
*They were mostly merchants that are well-connected to the common people.
*They heavily relied on the literal teachings of the Old Testament as guide in
their way of living.
*They believe that God is in control of all things.
Sadducees:
*They do not believe in afterlife and the resurrection.
*They were mostly born into affluent and influential families (aristocrats).
*They did not validate the teachings of Torah as significant in their everyday
lives.
*They believe that man is responsible on his own; disregarding God's part in
their lives.
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The difference of Pharisees and Sadducees were put inside by their
common goal: to take down Jesus and His followers. They were threatened by
Jesus' teachings. Time and time again they challenged Jesus' wisdom but to no
avail. As Jesus is sociable, they think that the amount of people and their faith is
enough to stripped down their importance in politics and the society. Both
Pharisees and Sadducees played a great part in Jesus' crucifixion.
15. If Jesus spoke Aramaic, explain why Greek was the language in which the
Gospels, and all New Testament books, were originally written.
Greek was the language in which the Gospels and all New Testament
books were originally written because Greek was the common language of the
Eastern Mediterranean world at the time. The Roman Empire had conquered
much of the region, and Greek was the language of commerce, education, and
culture. The authors of the New Testament likely wrote in Greek to reach a wider
audience and to ensure that their message could be understood by people
throughout the region. While Jesus and his disciples likely spoke Aramaic, the
use of Greek allowed the message of Christianity to spread beyond the Jewish
community and into the wider world.
16. What is the Septuagint and how was it used by New Testament writers?
The Septuagint, as the translation of the Hebrew Bible, was
a landmark of
antiquity. It is the first translation in the history of the Bible
. It also, for all its
oddities of language and translation style, became the central literary work of
Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity.
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The Septuagint was used
as the basis for many early translations of the
Old Testament into other languages
, including St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate, a
translation made in the 4th century CE and used by the church for centuries.
Today, the Septuagint is used by the Greek Orthodox church as its primary Bible.
The term Septuagint, meaning “seventy,” actually refers to the seventy-two
translators—six from each tribe of Israel—involved in translating the Pentateuch
from Hebrew to Greek in the third-century BCE (seventy-two is rounded down to
seventy, hence the Roman numeral LXX). The rest of the Hebrew Bible was
translated from Hebrew to Greek by various hands over the next century or so.
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References
The New Testament Writers' Interpretation of the Old Testament Author(s): Shirley Jackson CaseSource:
The Biblical World, Aug., 1911, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Aug., 1911), pp. 92-102 Published by: The University of
Chicago PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.com/stable/3141526
New Testament Use of the Old Testament by Roger Nicole From:
http://www.bibleresearcher.com/nicole.html
https://www.messianic-prophecy.net
Old Testament in the New Testament, the From:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-
evangelical-dictionary/the-old-testamentin-the-new-testament.html
Fulfilled Prophecies at the Birth of Christ by Tim Chaffey on December 24, 2012 From:
https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/birth/fulfilled-prophecies-at-the-birth-of-christ/
https://www.biblegateway.com/ From: https://www.wordsoflife.co.uk/bible-studies/study-1-the-
importance-of-prophecy/
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