Session Five: The Rabbi

Understanding the World in Which Jesus Lived

In-Depth Personal Study Sessions

Day One I The Lifestyle of a First-Century Rabbi

161

Now there was a man of the Phan·sees named Nicodemus, a me,nbel' <?{ the

Jewisb ruling council. He cc1me to Jesus at nigbt and said, "Rab/Ji, we know

you are a teacher who has come from God. l1or no one could pe1:form the

miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

John 3:7 -2

Jesus Lived and Taught as a Rabbi

Jesus' role as a first-century Jewish rabbi (teacher) provided the

perfect setting in which to proclaim his message of the kingdom of

God. The way Jesus lived was in many ways similar to the lifestyle

and teaching practices of other rabbis who lived during that time.

1. What did many people who encountered Jesus consider him

to be? (See Luke 7: 36-40; 12:13- 14; 18:18; 19:39;John

3:1- 2.)

What do these brief examples reveal about how people

viewed the rabbis? For example, to what: extent were rabbis

respected and by whom? How seriously die\ people think

162 LESSONS ON THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE MESSIAH

about a rabbi's words and heed his instruction? What did

people expect of their rabbis?

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

To Be Called a "Rabbi"

In first-century Israel, the title rabbi meant "master" or "teacher." It was

a term of respect or a description of activity. The position of "rabbi" didn't

become an official office until after Jesus' time. Many diverse people believed

Jesus to be a rabbi:

• A rich, young ruler (Matthew 19: 16-22)

• Pharisees who were experts in the law (Matthew 22:34-36)

• An unnamed man in the crowd (Luke 12:13)

• Sadducees (Luke 20:27-33)

• A blind man (Mark 10:51)

2. What do the following passages of Scripture reveal about the

lifestyle of rabbis who lived during the time of Jesus - what

they did, how they were supported, who listened to them,

how they taught, who followed them?

Scripture Text The Rabbi's Life

Luke 8:1-3

Matt. 26:55; Mark 6:6;

Luke 4:15-22