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Chapter 4

The Troubled World into Which Jesus Was Born

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Key Topics/Themes

• The division of Alexander’s empire after his death

• The influence of Rome in Palestine

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Alexander and His Successors

• The conquests of Alexander

• The Diadochi: Alexander’s successors– The Ptolemies (descendants of Ptolemy I)– The Seleucids (descendants of Seleucus)

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Antiochus’s Persecution and the Maccabean Revolt

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Palestine and the Hellenistic Kingdoms

• The Seleucids gain control of Palestine from the Ptolemies (199 B.C.E.)

• The rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.E.)

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The Rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.E.)

• Forced Hellenization upon the Jews

• Outlawed the traditions of Judaism

• Made Jerusalem Temple into shrine to Greek god Zeus

• The martyrdoms endured by the Hasidim (“pious ones”)

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Torah Loyalism, Martyrdom, and the Reward of Future Life• Torah loyalism and martyrdom in 2

Maccabees

• Torah loyalism and martyrdom in the Book of Daniel

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The Maccabean Revolt (166-142 B.C.E.)

• The defiance of Mattathias

• Judas Maccabeus (the “Hammer”)

• Rededication of the Temple, December 164 B.C.E.

• The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah)

• The Hasmonean dynasty (142-40 B.C.E.)

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The Domination of Rome

• Roman general Pompey marches on Palestine (63 B.C.E.)

• Jewish Hasmonean kings reduced to client rulers by Roman power

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The Career of Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.E.)

• Herod’s political expansion

• Herod’s building projects– Fortresses (Masada)– Port city of Caesarea– Refurbishment of Jerusalem Temple

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Herod’s Successors

• Herod’s three sons– Herod Philip (4 B.C.E.-34 C.E.)– Herod Antipas (4 B.C.E.-39 C.E.)– Herod Archelaus (4 B.C.E.-6 C.E.)

• Judea ruled by procurators after 6 C.E.• Other significant descendants

– Herod Agrippa I (41-44 B.C.E.)– Herod Agrippa II

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The Roman Emperors

• Augustus (27-14 C.E.)• Tiberius (14-37 C.E.)• New Testament attitudes toward Rome

– Jesus’ criticisms of Roman power– Key roles of Roman soldiers in Jesus

ministry– Paul’s accommodating stance– Revelation: Rome an evil “harlot”

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Jewish Revolts Against Rome

• First revolt (66-73 C.E.)– Incited by Jewish nationalists– Crushed by Vespasian and Titus– Jerusalem and Temple destroyed (70 C.E.)– Chief historical source: Flavius Josephus

• The bar Kochba revolt (132-135 C.E.)

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Summary

• Jesus’ life framed by Jewish wars for independence– Maccabean revolt (166-142 B.C.E.)– First Jewish revolt (66-73 C.E.)– Bar Kochba revolt (132-135 C.E.)

• Jesus’ words and deeds to be interpreted in the context of seething Jewish nationalism