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*Annas: the unofficial High Priest of Israel (AKA- the Jewish Godfather). Annas was the most powerful Jewish leader in Israel. In many ways Annas continued to pull the strings in relation to the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Supreme Court) even after he was "deposed by the procurator Gratus. Yet while having been officially removed from office, he remained as one of the nation's most influential political and social individuals, aided greatly by the use of his five sons and his son-in-law as puppet High Priests." Annas was powerful, corrupt, wealthy and ambitious (see John 18:12-23 and my related sermon, A Miscarriage of Justice of Unparalleled Proportions).
*Caiaphas: the current High Priest and son in-law to Annas. Caiaphas oversaw the Jewish portion of the trial of Jesus of Nazareth (see Matthew 26:57-27:10). After the resurrection of Lazarus, Caiaphas prophesied (unknowingly) that it is better for one man to die than for the entire nation to perish (note John 11:47-57). Caiaphas was respected, ruthless, powerful, and rich.
*The Sanhedrin- Made up the supreme religious, political, and judicial court of the Jews. Prior to AD 70 the Sanhedrin was comprised of 70 members plus the High Priest. They were known for enacting strict rules, for their magnificent beards, and for wearing lengthy robs. The chief priests (Mt. 27:41), the scribes (Acts 5:34), and the lead men of Jerusalem (elders) made up the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was envious of Jesus' popularity with the masses and wanted to eliminate him once and for all. This council used false witnesses during their kangaroo court in order to wrongly convict Jesus of blasphemy and sedition (against Caesar and Rome).
*Pontius Pilate: (Luke 3:1, 13:1, 23:14; Matt. 27; Mark 15; John 18:28-19:38; Acts 3:13, 4:26-27, and 1 Tim. 6:13). Pilate was the fifth Roman appointed Governor of Judea from 26 AD to 36 AD. Historians believe that Sejanus, the head of the Roman Praetorian guard, recommended that Pilate be appointed “Prefect of Judea” by Tiberius (the Roman Emperor). Pilate’s official headquarters and palace was located in Caesarea though he traveled to Jerusalem for important court cases and during Jewish holidays. Pilate was shrewd, ambitious, and at times quite brutal. One historian noted that Roman appointed rulers often tried to make a fortune in the call of duty for three reasons: 1) To pay off their campaign debts. 2) To have sufficient bribe money in case one they were ever indicted. 3) To put enough away for life post retirement.
Procula- the wife of Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:19-26).
Caesar Augustus: was the founder of the mighty Roman Empire and its first Emperor, ruling from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Caesar Augustus’ census is mentioned in Luke 2 and is what God used in His providence to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). For more on Augustus note my sermon on Luke 2:1-5, A Remarkable Christmas Providence (click here). Augustus was sometimes referred to as "king of the world." For a list of Roman Emperors see this. Augustus gave half of the Herod the Great's kingdom to Archelaus (see below), with the title of ethnarch, promising to make him king if would prove himself worthy; the other half he divided into two tetrarchies which he bestowed on the two other sons of Herod, one of Philip (see below), the other on Antipas (see below), who had contested with Archelaus for the kingdom" (Josephus, 139).
*Caesar Tiberius- was the adopted son of Caesar Augustus and the Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. “Tiberius was one of Rome's greatest generals. But he came to be remembered as a dark, reclusive, and somber ruler who never really desired to be emperor; Pliny the Elder called him "the gloomiest of men."
Antipater I the Idumaean (died 43 BC) was the founder of the Herodian Dynasty and father of Herod the Great. Antipater once rescued Julius Caesar against the Syrians. As a token of appreciation, “Caesar conferred extraordinary privileges on the house of Herod.” In many ways the corrupt house of Herod were long time bedfellows with Rome. Both parties used each other for political and personal purposes.
Herod the Great- Herod the Great was the “King of Judea” from 37 BC to AD 4. Herod “ruled under Roman overlordship until his death in 4 BCE. During his bloody reign Herod the Great killed any potential rival (see Matthew 2). Some of Herod's subjects referred to him as "Herod the cruel" an "Idumean slave." His sensual desires led to 10 wives and a very convoluted family tree. Herod was both an able and ruthless “King” and a loyal friend of Rome. His royal territory rivaled that of David and Solomon. After his death, Caesar divided his kingdom among 3 sons (Larry, Moe, and Curly), thus establishing the so-called Herodian dynasty.” See Luke 3:1-2. When it comes to the family of Herod the poisoned apples did not fall far from the apple tree. "In most respects King Herod enjoyed fortune if ever a man did" (Josephus, p. 124). After his death "Caesar was in sole charge of all his dispositions and executor of his will (Josephus, p. 125)."
Aristobulus- was a son of Herod the Great. Aristobulus was strangled to death on charges of treason around 7 BC.
Herod Archelaus- (Matt. 2:22). The eldest son of Herod the Great. Archelaus was the oppressive Ethnarch of Judea from 4 BC to AD 6. The Pharisees felt that Archelaus "had deprived the high priesthood of its glory and value by alternately appointing and removing the high priests" (Josephus, 128). After his extremely brutal reign (one one occasion his soldiers killed 3,000 people in the Temple), his Judean territory was handed over to Roman appointed Governors (see Pontius Pilate).
*Herod Antipas- Son of Herod the Great and Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39 (see Matt. 14:3-12; Luke 13:31-33; Luke 9:7-9; 23:6-12). Antipas coveted the consolidated kingdom and power his ruthless father Herod the Great possessed. Was appointed by Augustus. He founded a new capital, and named the city after the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. This Roman brown-noser also renamed the Sea of Galilee (the Sea of Tiberius). Antipas beheaded John the Baptist (see Salome). This ruler also divorced (Mark 6:17) his Arabian princess/wife in order to have his brother's wife and niece (Herodias-see below). His rocky rivalry with Pilate was patched up after the Roman Prefect sent Jesus to him during Jesus' sham trial (Jesus was raised in Galilee which was Antipas' country; See Luke 23:6-12). Josephus noted, "Antipas had neither his father's talents nor his ability to maintain good relations with Augustus, and he was no more acceptable to his Jewish subjects than his father had been" (Josephus, 140). Poetic justice was served when Antipas was betrayed by his nephew Herod Antipas (see below) and was exiled (AD 39) during the treacherous reign of Emperor Caligula (see below).
Herod Philip- Son of Herod the Great, step-brother of Antipas and Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis from 4 BC to AD 34; (see Luke 3:1). He married his niece Salome (Matt. 14; Mark 6:21-27). Not to be outdone by his brother Antipas, Philip married Herodias' daughter Salome.
Salome- This bad girl was slimy like salome. She was the first century version of Miley Cyrus and was the girl who danced lewedly at a royal party. Her dance so aroused her guests that she was offered anything. As the wicked girl she was she chose to have John the Baptist's head served on a silver platter (Mt. 14:3-12; Mk 6:17-29; Lk. 3:19-20).
Herodias- Was married to one of Herod the Great's sons (likely Philip) but left him for Herod Antipas (Philip's brother and Antipas' niece). This family affair was also an incestuous relationship (Matthew 14:3-6; Lev. 18:16; Mark 10). Heriodias was consumed with power and prestige and did everything in her power to secure Antipas the title, "King of Judea" (which Antipas never achieved). She did in exile with her sinister husband Herod Antipas.
Herod Agrippa- The sinister brother of Herodias (the former wife of Herod Philip and new wife of Herod Antipas). Agrippa conspired against Herod Antipas (who was Agrippa's uncle, brother-in-law, and political enemy) and helped discredit him before the Roman Emperor Caligula in AD 39. As a child, Agrippa (who was 1/4 Jew and 3/4 Idumaean) interacted with the imperial family in Rome. He was a trusted friend of the maniac Caligula. The Romans believed that Agrippa would rule with their best interests at heart. The appointment of a Jewish vassal king was also an act of pacification in hopes of re-stabilizing Palestine. Rome eventually named Agrippa I "King of all Judea" in 41 AD. He ruled in this role for three short years until 44 AD. Agrippa courted Jewish favor by persecuting Jewish converts to Christianity and by counseling Caligula (see below) against placing a statue of himself in the Holy of Holies. An Angel of the Lord struck Agrippa dead in Acts 12 for accepting praise as a god.
Herod Agrippa II- He was only 16 when his father died. Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great (Acts 21:17-27:1) and was considered to be a pro-Roman, Jewish King. In fact, he spoke out against the Jewish rebellion in 66 AD warning the people of what would happen to them if they went to war with Rome.
The Herodians- Were theologically in agreement with the Sadducees. Politically both of these parties would have been opposite of the Pharisees. In order to keep there power and wealth the Herodian Dynasty and priestly class of Judea sold their souls to Rome; (this comes to the surface during the great Jewish revolt in AD 66).
Pharisees- Among the Jews there were three schools of thought. Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. The Pharisees were anti-Herodian and anti-Roman. They looked for a political Messiah that would remove the ruthless reign of the Herods and Rome. The Pharisees and the Herodians join forces against Jesus (see Jesus' rebuke of the religious leaders in Israel in Matthew 23).
Sadducees- "The religious responsibilities of the Sadducees included the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. Their high social status was reinforced by their priestly responsibilities, as mandated in the Torah. The Priests were responsible for performing sacrifices at the Temple... This also included presiding over sacrifices on the three festivals of pilgrimage to Jerusalem...Cohen points out that 'not all priests, high priests, and aristocrats were Sadducees; many were Pharisees, and many were not members of any group at all.'" The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead (Mark 12:27; Acts 23:6-9) or in the existence of angels. The Sadducees were often very wealthy and represented the aristocratic elite.
Essenes- Were a communal group (note the Qumran community) committed to various forms of extreme asceticism. Faithful Essenes abstained from marriage, did not own personal property, were charitable to the needy, were committed to the Law of Moses (as they understood it), and to Sabbath keeping, etc, Essenes believed in the immortality of the soul and that the physical body was corrupt and perishable (note the theology of 1 Cor. 15).
Zealots- "The Zealots' ideological attitude to paganism was uncompromisingly hostile..,Josephus, 143). Zealots would not even touch Gentile coins in fear of defiling themselves by touching a pagan image. They believed it was very serious for an uncircumcised person to even mention the name of God. As extreme nationalists they often functioned like silent assassins (similar to the Sicarii). "Zealots sought to democratize the high priesthood."
Moneychangers- "The Roman Empire also included professional bankers. Some operated small deposit and lending businesses. Among them were the moneychangers in the Court of the Gentiles of the Jerusalem temple (Mt. 21:1; Mk. 11:15). They provided a service to visiting Jews. They changed foreign money for half shekels required of each Jew, living in Judea or not, as the temple tax on the Day of Atonement (Ex. 30:11-15). This was necessary because Jewish coins were the only ones fit to be presented as an offering to God. Roman coins bearing the images of the deified emperors were considered idolaters. They often were dishonest and charged exorbitant fees (Matt. 21:13)."
Tax Collectors- Tax collectors bought tax franchises from the Romans. Publicans not only collected what was asked of them but they often charged exorbitant fees (Luke 3:12-13) in order to pad their own pockets. Tax-collectors were despised by the scribes and the people (Mt. 9:9-10; Mt. 21:31). Why? "Since paying taxes to a foreign power was hateful and commonly seen as unlawful (Mt. 22:17), the publicans were regarded as traitors to their nation and willing tools of their oppressors. In addition, because their work required constant contact with Gentiles, they would have been considered ceremonially unclean (Lk. 15:1-2, 18:9-14)."
Bernice- Was the wife of Agrippa II (many claim this relationship was an incestuous affair; see Acts 26:2-3, 26-27).
Drusilla- Was the wife of Governor Felix (Acts 24:24). The youngest daughter of Agrippa I (Acts 24). Her Gentile husband never converted to Judaism.
Caesar Caligula- was the treacherous Roman Emperor from AD 37-41. Caligula was a loyal friend of Herod Agrippa I. After a nervous breakdown a once popular and inexperienced emperor became a "monster." During his bloody reign Caligula began killing off his closest friends and his potential rivals in brutal fashion. Like many pagan leaders, past and present, Caligula was also a full-fledged sexual pervert. For example, his grandmother Antonia caught him at incest with one of his sisters. While Julius Caesar and Augustus were deified after their deaths, Caligula wanted to be worshiped during his life so he could enjoy the honor. Caligula once gave orders to place a god-like statue of himself inside the Holy of Holies (Agrippa convinced Caligula to "countermand his orders"). Secular and religious historians agree that Caligula was a bonafide maniac (think Adolf Hitler mad), who was eventually assassinated.
Claudius- was the Roman Emperor from AD 41-54. "Spindly-legged and wobbly from a childhood infantile paralysis, Claudius had other handicaps, including mental blocks and a speech defect which made him stammer and appear simple-minded." These handicaps prevented Claudius from being murdered since no one in the Imperial court viewed him as a threat. Having experienced the terror of life under his crazy nephew (Caligula) Claudius promised the Roman Senate to never be a tyrant. "To the consummate relief of Rome and the entire Empire, Claudius soon proved to be decent and a surprisingly able emperor."
Nero- Roman Emperor from 54 AD to 68 AD. Nero killed his brother, wife, and mother successively and was one of the cruelest Emperors in Roman history. Some historians claim that Nero "lost his mind and abused his good fortune." Nero is the Emperor who blamed the great Roman fire on Christians. Peter's first epistle highlights the coming "fire" that believer's would during the bloody reign of Nero (see 1 Peter). The Jewish War (Revolt) against Rome oppression broke out during the 12th year of Nero's kingship (AD 66). During this time the Jews were directly under the equally cruel oversight of Gessius Florus who seemingly did everything he could to instigate the Jewish people to open rebellion (see Josephus, pp. 170f). The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 took place in fulfillment of Jesus' prophesy of judgment in Matthew 24:1-8; Luke 21:5-6.
The Jewish War- At the onset of the Jewish War Gessius Florius sent a report to Cestois. "falsely accusing the Jews of revolt, alleging that they had been the aggressors in the recent fighting, and charging them with crimes of which they had in reality been the victims" (Josephus, 176). If Josephus' historical commentary is true this is ironic in view of the sham trial of Jesus of Nazareth (when the Jewish leaders murdered the Christ-King).
The Jewish Community in Rome- was the oldest in western Europe with a continuous history since the second century BC or even earlier... The estimates regarding the number of Jews in Rome vary from 20,000 to 60,000" (Josephus, 137).
Special thanks to Dr. William Varner and Dr. Abner Chou for the helps along the way, and to my wife Andrea, who held down the fort so I could give extra time to this study. If you would like a copy of all my handouts please email me.
*Caiaphas: the current High Priest and son in-law to Annas. Caiaphas oversaw the Jewish portion of the trial of Jesus of Nazareth (see Matthew 26:57-27:10). After the resurrection of Lazarus, Caiaphas prophesied (unknowingly) that it is better for one man to die than for the entire nation to perish (note John 11:47-57). Caiaphas was respected, ruthless, powerful, and rich.
*The Sanhedrin- Made up the supreme religious, political, and judicial court of the Jews. Prior to AD 70 the Sanhedrin was comprised of 70 members plus the High Priest. They were known for enacting strict rules, for their magnificent beards, and for wearing lengthy robs. The chief priests (Mt. 27:41), the scribes (Acts 5:34), and the lead men of Jerusalem (elders) made up the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was envious of Jesus' popularity with the masses and wanted to eliminate him once and for all. This council used false witnesses during their kangaroo court in order to wrongly convict Jesus of blasphemy and sedition (against Caesar and Rome).
*Pontius Pilate: (Luke 3:1, 13:1, 23:14; Matt. 27; Mark 15; John 18:28-19:38; Acts 3:13, 4:26-27, and 1 Tim. 6:13). Pilate was the fifth Roman appointed Governor of Judea from 26 AD to 36 AD. Historians believe that Sejanus, the head of the Roman Praetorian guard, recommended that Pilate be appointed “Prefect of Judea” by Tiberius (the Roman Emperor). Pilate’s official headquarters and palace was located in Caesarea though he traveled to Jerusalem for important court cases and during Jewish holidays. Pilate was shrewd, ambitious, and at times quite brutal. One historian noted that Roman appointed rulers often tried to make a fortune in the call of duty for three reasons: 1) To pay off their campaign debts. 2) To have sufficient bribe money in case one they were ever indicted. 3) To put enough away for life post retirement.
Procula- the wife of Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:19-26).
Caesar Augustus: was the founder of the mighty Roman Empire and its first Emperor, ruling from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Caesar Augustus’ census is mentioned in Luke 2 and is what God used in His providence to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). For more on Augustus note my sermon on Luke 2:1-5, A Remarkable Christmas Providence (click here). Augustus was sometimes referred to as "king of the world." For a list of Roman Emperors see this. Augustus gave half of the Herod the Great's kingdom to Archelaus (see below), with the title of ethnarch, promising to make him king if would prove himself worthy; the other half he divided into two tetrarchies which he bestowed on the two other sons of Herod, one of Philip (see below), the other on Antipas (see below), who had contested with Archelaus for the kingdom" (Josephus, 139).
*Caesar Tiberius- was the adopted son of Caesar Augustus and the Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. “Tiberius was one of Rome's greatest generals. But he came to be remembered as a dark, reclusive, and somber ruler who never really desired to be emperor; Pliny the Elder called him "the gloomiest of men."
Antipater I the Idumaean (died 43 BC) was the founder of the Herodian Dynasty and father of Herod the Great. Antipater once rescued Julius Caesar against the Syrians. As a token of appreciation, “Caesar conferred extraordinary privileges on the house of Herod.” In many ways the corrupt house of Herod were long time bedfellows with Rome. Both parties used each other for political and personal purposes.
Herod the Great- Herod the Great was the “King of Judea” from 37 BC to AD 4. Herod “ruled under Roman overlordship until his death in 4 BCE. During his bloody reign Herod the Great killed any potential rival (see Matthew 2). Some of Herod's subjects referred to him as "Herod the cruel" an "Idumean slave." His sensual desires led to 10 wives and a very convoluted family tree. Herod was both an able and ruthless “King” and a loyal friend of Rome. His royal territory rivaled that of David and Solomon. After his death, Caesar divided his kingdom among 3 sons (Larry, Moe, and Curly), thus establishing the so-called Herodian dynasty.” See Luke 3:1-2. When it comes to the family of Herod the poisoned apples did not fall far from the apple tree. "In most respects King Herod enjoyed fortune if ever a man did" (Josephus, p. 124). After his death "Caesar was in sole charge of all his dispositions and executor of his will (Josephus, p. 125)."
Aristobulus- was a son of Herod the Great. Aristobulus was strangled to death on charges of treason around 7 BC.
Herod Archelaus- (Matt. 2:22). The eldest son of Herod the Great. Archelaus was the oppressive Ethnarch of Judea from 4 BC to AD 6. The Pharisees felt that Archelaus "had deprived the high priesthood of its glory and value by alternately appointing and removing the high priests" (Josephus, 128). After his extremely brutal reign (one one occasion his soldiers killed 3,000 people in the Temple), his Judean territory was handed over to Roman appointed Governors (see Pontius Pilate).
*Herod Antipas- Son of Herod the Great and Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39 (see Matt. 14:3-12; Luke 13:31-33; Luke 9:7-9; 23:6-12). Antipas coveted the consolidated kingdom and power his ruthless father Herod the Great possessed. Was appointed by Augustus. He founded a new capital, and named the city after the Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar. This Roman brown-noser also renamed the Sea of Galilee (the Sea of Tiberius). Antipas beheaded John the Baptist (see Salome). This ruler also divorced (Mark 6:17) his Arabian princess/wife in order to have his brother's wife and niece (Herodias-see below). His rocky rivalry with Pilate was patched up after the Roman Prefect sent Jesus to him during Jesus' sham trial (Jesus was raised in Galilee which was Antipas' country; See Luke 23:6-12). Josephus noted, "Antipas had neither his father's talents nor his ability to maintain good relations with Augustus, and he was no more acceptable to his Jewish subjects than his father had been" (Josephus, 140). Poetic justice was served when Antipas was betrayed by his nephew Herod Antipas (see below) and was exiled (AD 39) during the treacherous reign of Emperor Caligula (see below).
Herod Philip- Son of Herod the Great, step-brother of Antipas and Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis from 4 BC to AD 34; (see Luke 3:1). He married his niece Salome (Matt. 14; Mark 6:21-27). Not to be outdone by his brother Antipas, Philip married Herodias' daughter Salome.
Salome- This bad girl was slimy like salome. She was the first century version of Miley Cyrus and was the girl who danced lewedly at a royal party. Her dance so aroused her guests that she was offered anything. As the wicked girl she was she chose to have John the Baptist's head served on a silver platter (Mt. 14:3-12; Mk 6:17-29; Lk. 3:19-20).
Herodias- Was married to one of Herod the Great's sons (likely Philip) but left him for Herod Antipas (Philip's brother and Antipas' niece). This family affair was also an incestuous relationship (Matthew 14:3-6; Lev. 18:16; Mark 10). Heriodias was consumed with power and prestige and did everything in her power to secure Antipas the title, "King of Judea" (which Antipas never achieved). She did in exile with her sinister husband Herod Antipas.
Herod Agrippa- The sinister brother of Herodias (the former wife of Herod Philip and new wife of Herod Antipas). Agrippa conspired against Herod Antipas (who was Agrippa's uncle, brother-in-law, and political enemy) and helped discredit him before the Roman Emperor Caligula in AD 39. As a child, Agrippa (who was 1/4 Jew and 3/4 Idumaean) interacted with the imperial family in Rome. He was a trusted friend of the maniac Caligula. The Romans believed that Agrippa would rule with their best interests at heart. The appointment of a Jewish vassal king was also an act of pacification in hopes of re-stabilizing Palestine. Rome eventually named Agrippa I "King of all Judea" in 41 AD. He ruled in this role for three short years until 44 AD. Agrippa courted Jewish favor by persecuting Jewish converts to Christianity and by counseling Caligula (see below) against placing a statue of himself in the Holy of Holies. An Angel of the Lord struck Agrippa dead in Acts 12 for accepting praise as a god.
Herod Agrippa II- He was only 16 when his father died. Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great (Acts 21:17-27:1) and was considered to be a pro-Roman, Jewish King. In fact, he spoke out against the Jewish rebellion in 66 AD warning the people of what would happen to them if they went to war with Rome.
The Herodians- Were theologically in agreement with the Sadducees. Politically both of these parties would have been opposite of the Pharisees. In order to keep there power and wealth the Herodian Dynasty and priestly class of Judea sold their souls to Rome; (this comes to the surface during the great Jewish revolt in AD 66).
Pharisees- Among the Jews there were three schools of thought. Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. The Pharisees were anti-Herodian and anti-Roman. They looked for a political Messiah that would remove the ruthless reign of the Herods and Rome. The Pharisees and the Herodians join forces against Jesus (see Jesus' rebuke of the religious leaders in Israel in Matthew 23).
Sadducees- "The religious responsibilities of the Sadducees included the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. Their high social status was reinforced by their priestly responsibilities, as mandated in the Torah. The Priests were responsible for performing sacrifices at the Temple... This also included presiding over sacrifices on the three festivals of pilgrimage to Jerusalem...Cohen points out that 'not all priests, high priests, and aristocrats were Sadducees; many were Pharisees, and many were not members of any group at all.'" The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead (Mark 12:27; Acts 23:6-9) or in the existence of angels. The Sadducees were often very wealthy and represented the aristocratic elite.
Essenes- Were a communal group (note the Qumran community) committed to various forms of extreme asceticism. Faithful Essenes abstained from marriage, did not own personal property, were charitable to the needy, were committed to the Law of Moses (as they understood it), and to Sabbath keeping, etc, Essenes believed in the immortality of the soul and that the physical body was corrupt and perishable (note the theology of 1 Cor. 15).
Zealots- "The Zealots' ideological attitude to paganism was uncompromisingly hostile..,Josephus, 143). Zealots would not even touch Gentile coins in fear of defiling themselves by touching a pagan image. They believed it was very serious for an uncircumcised person to even mention the name of God. As extreme nationalists they often functioned like silent assassins (similar to the Sicarii). "Zealots sought to democratize the high priesthood."
Moneychangers- "The Roman Empire also included professional bankers. Some operated small deposit and lending businesses. Among them were the moneychangers in the Court of the Gentiles of the Jerusalem temple (Mt. 21:1; Mk. 11:15). They provided a service to visiting Jews. They changed foreign money for half shekels required of each Jew, living in Judea or not, as the temple tax on the Day of Atonement (Ex. 30:11-15). This was necessary because Jewish coins were the only ones fit to be presented as an offering to God. Roman coins bearing the images of the deified emperors were considered idolaters. They often were dishonest and charged exorbitant fees (Matt. 21:13)."
Tax Collectors- Tax collectors bought tax franchises from the Romans. Publicans not only collected what was asked of them but they often charged exorbitant fees (Luke 3:12-13) in order to pad their own pockets. Tax-collectors were despised by the scribes and the people (Mt. 9:9-10; Mt. 21:31). Why? "Since paying taxes to a foreign power was hateful and commonly seen as unlawful (Mt. 22:17), the publicans were regarded as traitors to their nation and willing tools of their oppressors. In addition, because their work required constant contact with Gentiles, they would have been considered ceremonially unclean (Lk. 15:1-2, 18:9-14)."
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| Photo Credit: The Bible Knowledge Commenta |
Drusilla- Was the wife of Governor Felix (Acts 24:24). The youngest daughter of Agrippa I (Acts 24). Her Gentile husband never converted to Judaism.
Caesar Caligula- was the treacherous Roman Emperor from AD 37-41. Caligula was a loyal friend of Herod Agrippa I. After a nervous breakdown a once popular and inexperienced emperor became a "monster." During his bloody reign Caligula began killing off his closest friends and his potential rivals in brutal fashion. Like many pagan leaders, past and present, Caligula was also a full-fledged sexual pervert. For example, his grandmother Antonia caught him at incest with one of his sisters. While Julius Caesar and Augustus were deified after their deaths, Caligula wanted to be worshiped during his life so he could enjoy the honor. Caligula once gave orders to place a god-like statue of himself inside the Holy of Holies (Agrippa convinced Caligula to "countermand his orders"). Secular and religious historians agree that Caligula was a bonafide maniac (think Adolf Hitler mad), who was eventually assassinated.
Claudius- was the Roman Emperor from AD 41-54. "Spindly-legged and wobbly from a childhood infantile paralysis, Claudius had other handicaps, including mental blocks and a speech defect which made him stammer and appear simple-minded." These handicaps prevented Claudius from being murdered since no one in the Imperial court viewed him as a threat. Having experienced the terror of life under his crazy nephew (Caligula) Claudius promised the Roman Senate to never be a tyrant. "To the consummate relief of Rome and the entire Empire, Claudius soon proved to be decent and a surprisingly able emperor."
Nero- Roman Emperor from 54 AD to 68 AD. Nero killed his brother, wife, and mother successively and was one of the cruelest Emperors in Roman history. Some historians claim that Nero "lost his mind and abused his good fortune." Nero is the Emperor who blamed the great Roman fire on Christians. Peter's first epistle highlights the coming "fire" that believer's would during the bloody reign of Nero (see 1 Peter). The Jewish War (Revolt) against Rome oppression broke out during the 12th year of Nero's kingship (AD 66). During this time the Jews were directly under the equally cruel oversight of Gessius Florus who seemingly did everything he could to instigate the Jewish people to open rebellion (see Josephus, pp. 170f). The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 took place in fulfillment of Jesus' prophesy of judgment in Matthew 24:1-8; Luke 21:5-6.
The Jewish War- At the onset of the Jewish War Gessius Florius sent a report to Cestois. "falsely accusing the Jews of revolt, alleging that they had been the aggressors in the recent fighting, and charging them with crimes of which they had in reality been the victims" (Josephus, 176). If Josephus' historical commentary is true this is ironic in view of the sham trial of Jesus of Nazareth (when the Jewish leaders murdered the Christ-King).
The Jewish Community in Rome- was the oldest in western Europe with a continuous history since the second century BC or even earlier... The estimates regarding the number of Jews in Rome vary from 20,000 to 60,000" (Josephus, 137).
Special thanks to Dr. William Varner and Dr. Abner Chou for the helps along the way, and to my wife Andrea, who held down the fort so I could give extra time to this study. If you would like a copy of all my handouts please email me.
