New TestamentBackground

Augustus Caesar

• The first emperor of Rome (30 BCE-14 CE), brought peace to the Roman Empire, called the census of “the whole world”

Tiberius • Stepson of Augustus and second emperor of Rome (14 CE- 37CE); • according to Luke 3, Jesus came to John for baptism in the fifteenth year of Tiberius’ reign. • For most of the gospel references he is called Caesar.

Herod I• 63 BCE, Syria and Palestine absorbed into the

Roman Empire; after this date, Jewish rulers were merely puppets of Rome

• 40 BCE Roman Senate appoints Herod I king of Judea;

• he adopted a form of Judaism, but he was mostly unpopular with Jews;

• he reigned 37- 4 BCE,

Herodian Rulers• extended the

boundaries of the kingdom almost to that of King David;

• it included Samaria and Galilee and territories east of the Jordan River

Amphitheatre at Caesarea

Caesarea Maritima

Renovating the Temple in Jerusalem 20 BCE to 62 CE

• Herod’s most famous building project, one of the most magnificent sanctuaries in the ancient world;

Jerusalem Temple where Jesus worshipped

Herod I died in 4 BCE

• Successors• Philip (4 BCE-34 CE), tetrarch of areas north and east of

Sea of Galilee

• Herod Antipas (4BCE-39 CE), territories of Galilee and Perea (a region east of the Jordan); This Herod beheaded John the Baptist; and whom Jesus called ‘that fox’ Luke 13: 31

• Herod Archelaus, (4 BCE- 6CE); southwest, and Judea, Samaria, Idumea; removed for incompetence; replaced with a series of procurators, Pontius Pilate (26-36 CE)

Other Herods of the New Testament• Herod Agrippa I, according to ACTS 12, beheaded

James; • Herod Agrippa II examined Paul when he was

imprisoned at Caesarea Maritima

Sepphoris• The “jewel of the

Galilee.” It was one of the capital cities of the Galilee and the first capital of Herod's son, the independent Jewish client king of Rome

Flavius Josephus 37-100 CE• First century Jewish

historian• Provides important

material on first-century Judaism and the early Christian period

Fractured JudaismPharisees

Academy of JamniaSadduceesSamaritans

EssenesZealots

Pharisees

• Leading religious group in Judaism 200 BCE- 200 CE

• Name derives from a word meaning “separatists”, referring to strict observances which separate it from common life

• Views on resurrection and the afterlife anticipate Christian teaching

• Although sometimes criticized by Jesus, the Pharisees are sometimes his friends

• Paul was a Pharisee

Academy of Jamnia• A meeting of prominent rabbis and Pharisees that

met at Jamnia in about 90 CE• Ushered in a new stage in Judaism• Enabled Judaism to survive without the Temple,

priesthood, or homeland• Ancient scripture, “I require mercy, not sacrifice,”

Hos 6:6

Sadducees

• Ultraconservative Jewish sect 100 BCE- 100 CE

• Wealthy and land-owning• Recognized only the

Torah, not the Prophets or Writings

• Controlled the Temple and priesthood

• Colluded with Rome, making them unpopular with other Jews

Samaritans• Inhabitants of the

territory of Samaria• One-time capital of the

northern kingdoms• The orthodox Jews

believed Samaritans were descended from Jews who had intermarried with foreigners, making them unacceptable

• Jesus attempted to ease judgment of Samaritans

Zealots• Nationalistic party of first

century Judaism• Dedicated to ridding Judaism

from foreign domination• Militaristic and fanatically

patriotic• Resulted in unsuccessful

rebellion against Rome where the Temple was destroyed (66-73 CE)

Essenes• An ascetic sect of first

century Judaism• Apocalyptic convictions

(thought the end of the world would come soon)

• Rituals like baptism and sharing bread and wine

• Associated with Qumran community which produced the Dead Sea Scrolls