Chapter 16

1. Chapter 16 The World of the New Testament

2. Quick History • 587 - Fall of Jerusalem • 587-538 - Period of Babylonian Exile • Babylonian rule was short lived • 559 - Persian King Cyrus conquered • Issued a decree to invite Jews home from exile • He rebuilt the Temple 1

3. Quick History • Persian rule encouraged Jewish culture • 331 - Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire • His reign was short lived as he died young • His empire was divided 3 ways • Israel ended up under Antiochus IV reign 2

4. Quick History • Antiochus IV • Was not interested in Jewish faith • Sold the High Priesthood to the highest bidder • A Greek man earned the position • Temple became a temple for Zeus • 2nd Temple in Samaria was also turned into a temple for “Zeus-Friend-of-Strangers” 3

5. Quick History • Jews who wanted to practice were in mortal danger • Antiochus forced everyone to do pagan sacrifice • Also forced to eat some of the forbidden foods • Many were killed for circumcising their children • He offered unclean sacrifice in their Temple • Filled temple with prostitutes 4

6. A priest name Mattathias and his 5 sons decided to organize a resistance They were not willing to be unfaithful to God 168-165 Maccabean Revolt Judas Maccabeus the oldest son was victorious over pagan armies 164 - Within 3 years they were able to purify and rededicate the Temple Quick History 5

7. Quick History • Rededication of the Temple is celebrated today by Jews as Hanukkah • Judas’ brothers continued to re-conquer territory • They made alliances with Rome and Sparta • Israel was an independent power by 125 BC which lasted till about 63 BC • Now all they needed was a King from David’s line 6

8. Jewish Beliefs going into New Testament Era • Israel is the faithful remnant • Not just Jews but people who were faithful to God • Only those who wouldn’t offer pagan sacrifices were to be called “Israel” • “Israel” foreshadows the Church - because a non Jew can be part of “Israel” 7

9. Jewish Beliefs going into New Testament Era 2. The saints will rise again to eternal reward. • Resurrection of the dead • eternal life includes resurrection of the BODY • The wicked won’t share in the eternal reward 8

10. Jewish Beliefs going into New Testament Era • Martyrdom is preferable to apostasy. • Not worth giving up eternity for earthly pleasure • God judges his people as a father judges his children • Israel’s suffering is God’s discipline • It is good and wise to pray for the dead • The belief that the dead can be helped even after death. 9

11. Different groups: Pharisees • Pharisee = Perushim (Hebrew) • Means “the separated” • Believed that best way to remain faithful is to keep out Gentiles • Refused to associate with Gentiles • Entering a Gentile house would defile a Jew 10

12. Pharisees • Exaggerated Jewish national dress • Made sure everyone was keeping the Sabbath • Enforced strict dietary laws • Lost the SPIRIT of the law • Often interpreted scripture to cheat the poor 11

13. Pharisees • In Jesus’ time they were powerful • They were considered the righteous • They rejected Gentile entrance into the covenant • This rejects promise of prophets that all will be welcomed in new covenant 12

14. Sadducees • Had most political power in the government • Thought it was important to cooperate with Gentiles for Judaism to succeed • Only accepted Pentateuch • Did not believe in life after death or resurrection of the dead • Did not believe in angels or spirits 13

15. Roman Conquest • Maccabean freedom was short lived • Rome took over Judea without a fight • 40 BC Herod the Great overthrew the king of Israel and took the throne in a bloody massacre 14

16. King Herod the Great • Murderer and polygamist • Bought his favor with Rome and with influential priests of the Temple • He rebuilt the Temple and palaces and public buildings • Brought pilgrims to spend money and keep a healthy economy 15

17. King Herod • When he died his kingdom was split 4 ways among his sons • Called “Tetrachy” or “rule of four” • Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee during Christ’s ministry 16

18. Waiting for the Messiah • Many believed Herod’s temple represented divine fulfillment of the prophesies • Many other Jews disagreed and this led to occasional terrorist raids by different groups • World was politically stable • Jesus was born into a time known as “Pax Romana” or Roman Peace which lasted for a few hundred years 17

19. Religion in Rome • Romans saw religion as mostly superstitious • People were allowed to worship their gods as long as there was peace • Romans worshiped local gods of those they conquered 18

20. Judaism Spreads • The fall of Jerusalem sent Jews all over the empire spreading the faith • Synagogues began because they couldn’t easily get back to Jerusalem to worship • Jews remembered the scriptures and learned them in Greek. • Greek translation of the bible is called “septuagint” • Comes from word for 70 because 70 scholars worked on it. 19

21. Judaism Spreads • In Synagogues worship was similar to our Liturgy of the Word • Readings, homily • This paves the way for Christian worship later after Christ comes. 20

22. This group of people were often Romans who were interested in the Jewish faith They were not fully Jewish Many chose to worship in synagogue and learned the Scriptures They believed they would share in the promise of the prophets Proselytes of the Gate 21

23. Proselytes of the Gate • These men and women were considered God fearing • These members of the “Jewish community” often became the first Christian converts • Their hearts were prepared for the Gospel message because they knew the Scriptures 22

24. Judea and Galilee • Judea was the area around Jerusalem where Jews settled • Galilee is in the north of Israel • Consisted mostly of poor farming communities • This is where Jesus would have been born had Herod the Great have not called for a census 23

25. Samaritans • They were hated by most Jews • They worshipped slightly different • Worshipped at Mt. Gerezim in Samaria • Were considered to be heretics 24