Chapter 3

The Diverse World of First-Century Judaism

Key Topics/Themes

The diversity of first-century Judaism Common beliefs of first-century Jews

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Three Worlds of the New Testament Era Scriptures and Traditions of Judaism Culture of Greece Political Power of Rome

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The One God, Yahweh

The Shema The divine name The Jewish deity’s name in the New

Testament

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The Torah

The Mosaic Covenant The purity laws Views of Hebrew Bible authors concerning

applicability of Mosaic Covenant Views of New Testament authors concerning

applicability of Mosaic Covenant

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The Divine Promises

The promise to Abraham The Hebrew monarchy Attitudes toward the divine promises after the

fall of the Hebrew monarchy

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The Jerusalem Temple

History of the Jerusalem Temple Significance of the Temple for devout Jews The Day of Atonement

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First-Century Jewish Diversity

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The Sadducees

Origins of the Sadducees The Sadducees and the Romans Characteristic beliefs of the Sadducees

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The Pharisees

Antagonism toward the Pharisees in the Gospels

Strict Torah observance Hillel and Shammai Relationship between the views of Jesus and

the Pharisees Gamaliel

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The Academy of Jamnia (Yavneh) The leadership of Yohanan ben Zakkai The development of Judaism at Jamnia

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The Samaritans

The origin of the Samaritans Hostility between Samaritans and Jews Relationships between Samaritans and early

Christianity

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The Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls The Essenes

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The Qumran Community

Origins of the Qumran community Beliefs of the Qumran Essenes

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Qumran Community (continued)

Contents of the Qumran library (Dead Sea Scrolls) Books of the Hebrew Bible Pseudepigraphical books Commentaries on biblical books Community documents

Essenes and the New Testament

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The Zealots

Origins of the Zealot movement The role of the Zealots in the Jewish

Revolt of 66 CE

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The Messiah: First-century Expectations Jesus’ failure to meet Jewish messianic

expectations Early Christian attempts to counter Jewish

skepticism about Jesus’ messiahship

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Messiah (continued)

The Royal Covenant of King David Origins of Messiah theology in reigns of Davidic

kings Historical end of the Davidic dynasty

Israel’s hopes for a new Davidic king Scriptural promises of a new dynasty The Messiah as political leader

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Messianic Claimants Before and After Jesus Judas the Galilean The Zealots and the Sicarii Simon bar Giora Simon bar Kochba

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Portrayal of the Messiah in Psalm of Solomon 17See, Lord, and raise up for them [Israel] their king, the son of David [italics added] to rule over your servant Israel in the time known to you, O God. . . .

There will be no unrighteousness among them in his days, for all shall be holy, and their king shall be the Lord Messiah [italics added].

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A Revisionist View of the Messiah The incompleteness of Jesus’ earthly

mission The necessity of Jesus’ return as

supernatural king

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Summary

The New Testament Jesus explained using variety of Jewish traditions: Anointed monarch in tradition of David Lawgiver and prophet like Moses Suffering servant Heavenly sacrifice and eternal priest Image of the invisible God Christ (mashiah) as Jesus’ name, not a title

only

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