By: Jarrett Lewis and Brandon Douglas

Around Ten Years before the writing of the Gospel of Matthew, the temple in Jerusalem was burnt and destroyed.

The Romans destroyed the Jews religious center. Matthew would like to show that Jesus is more kind, he

is showing that he is better then the Roman Gods The reason these are all important is because

Jews lost their hope after the burning of their temple, because of this they started to assimilate into roman culture, thus watering down their own religion.

He told the story of Jesus to bolster their faith, by showing that Jesus is stronger, they would believe in him more.

Jesus' Views Roman Gods Behaviors

• Throughout Matthew’s gospel when asked about adultery, Jesus always took a stance against it, saying people should be faithful.

• Jesus preaches against sinning such as greed, lust and pride. He told his subjects to be humble.

• Jesus also preached the “turn the other cheek philosophy” or to forgive as you wish to be forgiven.

•Roman gods especially Jupiter who happens to be the chief god, committed a lot of adultery, as a matter of fact a lot of the mythological heroes throughout history were illegitimate children of Jupiter’s. •Roman gods were greedy, in some cases lustful and incredibly proud. Humans were punished just for misspeaking about a Roman god.

•The Roman gods enact a lot of vengeance on others especially their enemies or non believers, this is against Jesus’ message. A lot of what Jesus taught contrasted against the Roman gods behaviors completely. In the eyes of a Jewish person these roman gods could be considered the ultimate sinners.

Jesus The Roman God’s

Jesus creates bread and fish for a group of five thousand people to eat in Matthew 14: 13-21

Jesus is compared to Ceres the Roman goddess of agriculture

Jesus calms a raging sea in Matthew 8:23-27. Also in Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus allows his disciple to walk on water.

Jesus is compared to Neptune, the Roman god of water.

Throughout Matthew, Jesus heals many people including the Centurion's Servant (Matt 8:P5-13), Peter’s Mother-in-Law (Matt 8:14-15) and also the Paralytic (Matt 9:1-8.)

Jesus is compared to Aesculapius, the Roman god of healing.

Jesus speaks against Divorce. (Matthew 19:1-12)

He is compared to Juno, Roman the goddess of marriage.

Not a conversation Jesus would ever have? Especially not an argument.

Clash of the titans scene- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7eRPcf81t0