Context of the New Testament Flashcards
Synoptic Gospels
Matthew, Mark and Luke
synoptic=similar (Greek)
syn-optic = seen together; they tell similar stories
These gospels all give similar, chronological accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings
John’s Gospel
John is very different in style, Language, structure, and content.
-referred to as the spiritual gospel
-more layers of symbolism and theology and it is the most intriguing because of its mystery
When were the gospels written?
Nothing was written down less than 20 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection
-Reasons: Jesus didn’t instruct anyone to write anything down, early followers were Jewish Christians and therefore didn’t think they were a part of a new religion and didn’t think to make scripture, early christians thought that Jesus would come again soon so they just kept traditions alive by word of mouth.
By the mid 60s, people realised that the second coming wasn’t imminent and many witnesses (paul and peter, for example) had died. they decided they needed to write about the life of Jesus and what he had taught them.
Reasons that the first gospels were written
The first generation and the apostles had died
Local communities grew stronger
The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed
The importance of gentile Christians had increased
These four factors were linked and governed by a great political crisis. In CE 66, there was a Jewish rebellion against the Romans which led to the destruction of the temple in CE 70
(Reasons the first gospels were written) The first generation and the apostles died
AD60-64 Paul, Peter and James were executed. The gap in authority meant people wrote letters in the name of the dead apostles (to maintain order). While primitive Christian leaders wanted to lead directly, the gospels exercised authority indirectly. They realised Jesus wouldn’t return soon so they made accounts of his life for guidance.
(Reasons the first gospels were written) Local communities grew stronger
Loss of authority gave Christian communities power. The Johannine community wanted to record their experiences and it is believed that they wrote John’s gospel.
Gospels were written to serve the needs of early Christian communities.
(Reasons the first gospels were written) The destruction of the temple
70AD the bond between Jews and Christians had disappeared. Christianity changed form a religion of the temple to a religion of the book. At this point, there was still no christian book and, therefore, this contributed to the creation of the Gospels. Christians had now separated from Jews
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus said that “not one stone here (the temple) will be left on another; every one will be thrown down”. This means that Jesus supposedly predicted the destruction of the temple and this shows the event’s importance to the writers of the gospel and to early Christian communities.
(Reasons the first gospels were written) The importance of Gentile Christians increased
The destruction of the temple separated Jews and Christians so Gentile Christianty gained more importance. Scriptures were written for Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. It gave them a text to share.
What problem was faced by Gospel writers when writing the gospel?
One problem Christians faced was trying to record the actions and sayings of Jesus without saying that he made himself God in his lifetime. If gospel writers had written that Jesus was the son of God, they would’ve been committing blasphemy and damaged relations with jewish communities.
Nazareth
Mary’s birthplace and site of the annunciation.
Would’ve been crowded, had poor sanitation, animals and dung in the streets.
Sepphoris
Galilean city where Jesus may have done some work as a carpenter, possibly building Roman houses. Is not mentioned in the New Testament. It is 6km from Nazareth.
-Romans hired Jews and gave them roles within their system in order to Romanise them and gain influence within the Jewish community.
-markets would sell food, spices, perfume etc
Jesus would’ve grown up surrounded by bustling commerce. This may link to his outburst in the temple.
Farming
Goats: used as food and for sacrifices.
Animals were used to plough fields.
-the Bible often references animals because they were important to society at the time.
Farmers were very dependent on rain and thus there are lots of references in the Bible to Israel hoping for good rain: “ [if you obey me] I will send you rain at the right time, so that the land will produce crops and the trees will bear fruit.”
Leviticus 26:4 GNT
Fishing
At least four of the disciples were fishermen. They would have fished in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus miraculously knew where to find fish.
Unlike farming, fishing could take place all year round and was a much more stable industry
Roman Tax Collectors
Roman Tax Collectors were very unpopular. Taxes were used to fund the construction of Roman monuments. They were also used to build roads and aqueducts which were popular among locals
Taxes included per-head taxes and property taxes. These would add up to 30-50% of somebody’s income.
Taxes were occasionally reduced to avoid revolts.
They were seen as very oppressive and certainly prevented locals from become to wealthy and therefore powerful. There was no mercy for tax evaders regardless of their circumstances. On one occasion, 2000 were crucified for rebelling.
Levi (AKA Matthew)
One of Jesus’ disciples who was a tax collector. Jesus called for sinners to repent and, perhaps, this was regarded as a sin.
Trade (examples of Roman Oppression)
Trade was important for society to function. Temples needed frankincense, for example, for sacrifices. Frankincense was made from a tree resin from Southern Arabia. It had to be transported through the Negev desert by Camel.
-Romans tolled goods which passed through their territories
-Frankincense was used widely for its supposed health benefits
Money Changers
Money Changers in the temple made money from travellers who needed local currency to by animals which they could sacrifice on festivals.
Pilgrimages to the temple and Mikvahs
Jews from far and wide pilgrimaged to the temple in Jerusalem three times per year, on festivals.
Mikvahs were pools for spiritual cleansing before entering the temple. Jews became impure upon contact with dead animals, discharge or dreaded skin diseases.
Water for the Mikvahs had to come from natural sources (rain, streams etc).
High Priests
The original High Priest was Aaron, the brother of Moses.
Archaeological evidence has suggested that High Priests would often have their own, personal Mikvahs.
Romans interfered with High Priest business as they were aware of the influence which the High Priest had.
Sanhedrin
From Greek, meaning ‘assembly’ or ‘council’. The concept comes from the Torah when God commands Moses to bring together 70 of Israel’s leaders or elders.
It was the supreme court of Israel and it was made up of 70 men and the high priest. Met in the temple and had more power than lesser Jewish courts.
The Sadducees
The Priestly aristocracy of the temple. They were among those from high-priestly offices and influential Jewish families. Controlled the Temple and its riches. The temple was used for daily sacrifices, prayers and offerings. It is were the great pilgrim festivals took place. Believed only in written law and rejected oral law. They cooperated with the Romans as a way to keep their wealth and position in society.
The Pharisees
Dominated the synagogue and had great influence among the people as the Jews would visit the synagogue more frequently than the temple (the temple was more of a place of pilgrimage) and they gave daily and weekly instruction and worship. More numerous than the Sadducees. More accepting of oral law as well as written law. They opposed the Romans but were not actively resistant.
Were open to the idea of the resurrection of the dead.
The Zealots
Were Pharisaic in their views. Revolted against Rome and were resistant to Roman occupation. Their revolt against Rome (66-70 CE) had disastrous consequences for the Jewish nation.
The Essenes
Lived in a monastic community near the Dead Sea, devoted themselves to the strict discipline of studying the law. They separated themselves from normal life and society and gave over any wealth they had when they joined. There was a two year probation period before one could be fully admitted. It is believed that they wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) and hid them during a time of crisis.
Came to an end in 68 CE when they were overrun by the Romans.
People of the Land
Most Jews at this time didn’t belong to another religious group and were just known as ‘People of the Land’. They lacked the inclination and the leisure to join the Pharisees. They were looked down upon by the Pharisees because of their more casual attitude to observance of the law.
The Three Great Pilgrim Festivals
Passover: celebration of God’s deliverance from Egypt
Pentecost: celebrated the giving of the Law
Tabernacles: recalled Israel’s wilderness wonderings
Oral Law Vs Written Law
Oral Law intended to make the Law applicable to changing situations.
Scribes could identify 39 different kinds of work prohibited on the Sabbath in Written Law but, in Oral Law, they could find 39 sub categories resulting in some 1521 different kinds of work.
Roman conquest of Jerusalem and consequences for leadership
63 CE, Roman general Pompey marched on Jerusalem, entered the temple and inspected the Holy of Holies (a great desecration of the temple). He made Hyrcanus both High priest and local ruler, brining the Hasmonean line to an end. Antipater emerged as the most powerful figure in the region.
Herod the Great
Herod was a son of Antipater and was named king of the Jews in 40 BCE by the Romans. He entered Jerusalem in 37 BCE. He was the most competent Jewish leader of his period: he carried out Rome’s wishes, kept peace and reduced banditry, meaning he was given more land as a reward. His successor was Herod Antipas.
He notably renovated the temple in Jerusalem but never gained the approval of his Jewish subjects. He was responsible for the massacre of the Innocents in Matthew (2:16).
The Jewish war of 66-70CE
A Jewish revolt broke out and was defeated by the force of the Roman legions in 70CE. Jerusalem was levelled and the temple was destroyed. The Jewish religion was forced to continue without the temple and its ceremonies. Dislocations were also experienced by Christians. There was a last desperate revolt in CE 132-135 under Bar Cochba which was cruelly suppressed. Rome established a colony in Jerusalem and Jews were denied entry.
Judah Maccabee and how he impacted expectations of the messiah
Born in 190 BCE. Was a Jewish Priest who led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire, preserving the Jewish religion and protecting it from the imposition of Hellenism. This contributed to the Jewish expectation that, like Maccabee, the Messiah would be from a righteous family of warriors and would drive out the Romans to re-establish David’s throne, destroy and judge the enemies of the Jews, promote Jewish law and bring universal peace.
Hellenism
a synthesis of Greek (Hellenic) culture with the native culture of the near East. Macedonians, whose civilisation was derived from the true Hellenes, were mainly responsible for the spread of this culture. The conquest of Alexander the Great made the union between East and West possible along with the development of Greek culture. It had transcended geography so that one could be a Hellene by education and culture.
Hellenism and the Jews
To have power and influence as a Jew meant understanding and pretending to appreciate the culture of your rulers. Among lower classes, new influences were despised. Jews wanted their own culture and independence from the pagan oppressors. There was a hatred for the gentiles.
Greek was polytheistic and encouraged philosophy, science and art, which did not correspond with the Jewish faith.
Rabbi
from the Hebrew word for ‘my master’- simply refers to a teacher of God’s law. Jesus was often called ‘Rabbi’.
Caiaphas
The Jewish high priest who is said to have organised the plot to kill Jesus and was in the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. Is believed to have seen Jesus as a threat to the existing religious order. Feared that if Jesus wasn’t stopped, the Romans might take to opportunity to topple the Jewish institution.
Quirinius (and the census)
The governor of Syria (and Judea) who ordered the census in 6 AD. The census was of the Roman province of Judea. The Gospel of Luke uses the census to date the birth of Jesus, contrary to the gospel of Matthew which places the birth in the time of Herod I. This was to enable Rome to tax. The Zealots rebelled against it.
Pontius Pilate
Roman governor of Judah from 26-36AD. Was responsible for maintaining the peace and is now famous for having sentenced Jesus to crucifixion.
Herodians
Were a political party that wanted to restore Herod to the throne in Judea and the other areas ruled by Herod the Great. They were political foes of the Pharisees.
Examples of Jesus defying expectations of the Messiah in the Gospels (there’s four)
Mark 2:17 Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners- not the Pharisees
John 8:1-11 Jesus refused to condemn a woman who was caught in adultery
Luke 7:9 Jesus was amazed by the faith of a Roman Centurion
Matthew 23:13-15 Jesus condemns the Pharisees for pretending to be righteous
Geza Vermes
Argues that Christianity is founded upon a misunderstanding: Jesus performed exorcisms, healed the sick and preached the arrival of God’s Kingdom. But he had no message for the gentiles nor did he have any intention of founding a universal Church.
Vermes wrote that “he caused fracas in the merchants’ quarter in the temple” and was therefore put to death. His followers had visions in which they saw him “which persuaded them that he had been raised from the dead”. Then Paul’s mission turned Jesus, a Jewish preacher, into a divine redeemer for all humanity.
