Class 1: New Testament Overview Intertestamental Period I. Brief review of the OT: a. Promise (Genesis) i. God chose a man named Abram/Abraham and gave him a promise about a people/nation, and a land. He is the father of the Jews b. People (Genesis) i. Through his grandson, Jacob, there grew and nation; Israel. c. Land (Exodus Deuteronomy) i. After their Exodus from Egypt and time in the wilderness, the people finally inherited/possessed the land promised to Abraham by God 400 years earlier. d. Kingdom (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles) i. While in the land they established a monarchy (Kingship/Kingdom). 1. Jerusalem became the political and religious capital under David 2. Solomon built the amazing temple for God 3. The kingdom divided with Solomon s son (Rehoboam) a. North (10 tribes of the 12) ii. South (Benjamin/Judah) e. Exile (Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah) i. When Assyria was a world power they captured Israel (North), but not Judah (South). Then Babylon rose to power, conquering Assyria and becoming the world power, they defeated Judah (South) and exiled the people to Babylon shortly thereafter destring the city and Solomon s temple f. Return (Ezra-Nehemiah) i. Persia rose to power and over the course of time, the Jews were allowed to return back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple of God. The 2 nd temple was not as glorious as the first, the people were still mixing Page 1 of 12
their faith in God with other religions they were surrounded with and the story of their repentance followed by rebellion continued. II. III. 400 Years Blank Page: a. Open your Bible to the blank page that separates the Old Testament from the New. That page represents about 400 years. b. The Old Testament ends with Darius the Persian (Nehemiah 12:22) as the leading ruler. c. When we open the pages of the New Testament we see someone named Augustus, ruling over Rome which is now the world power. d. Intertestamental Period: i. Babylon (626-539 B.C.) (Pre-intertestamental) ii. Persia (539-331 B.C.) (Pre-intertestamental) iii. Greece (331-230 B.C.) iv. Egypt Ptolemaic (320-198 B.C.) v. Seleucid (198-167 B.C.) vi. Maccabees (167-142 B.C.) vii. Hasmonean (142-63 B.C.) viii. Rome (63 B.C. forward) Babylon (626-539 B.C.): a. Remember that during this time, the Temple (Jerusalem) was destroyed, the Jews therefore were left without a place to worship and follow the law given to Moses which identified them as unique God s chosen people b. When Babylon destroyed what the Jews had built, the kingdom which was established some 500 years earlier under Saul was now over. There would not be another person in the line of King David until Christ asserts Himself as Israel s king. 1 c. The 70 years of this exile (605-535 B.C.) gave birth to Orthodox Judaism. Since the Temple and therefore sacrificial system had been destroyed, the exiles 1 Norm Geisler, A Popular Survey of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007), 2. Page 2 of 12
congregated themselves into assemblies or synagogues for the worship of God, the study of the Old Testament Scriptures, and fellowship. 2 IV. Persia (539-331): a. Even under Persian rule, Greek thought, philosophy, weaponry, and culture began to spread across the Mediterranean b. Under Ezra-Nehemiah s call for reform and revival to God s law (after finishing the temple and the city walls, having been allowed back to Jerusalem by the Persian King [Artaxerxes]) began to grow and find some success i. This group of Jews who were back in Jerusalem and stirred by Ezra- Nehemiah remained faithful to God s law and tried to stay pure (in their eyes) and fight against the pressures of Greek influence and culture that was spreading into so many areas of life 3 ii. It was a group of people who began intensive study of the law (our OT) this group of people would become the Scribes: copiers of the law, and since they knew it so well they also became an authority in interpretation of the law (experts in interpretation). 1. We will meet Scribes in the NT with Jesus iii. It was this same period where the Great Synagogue which would later become the Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish court) in the NT. c. It is also during this time that the rich and aristocratic Jews developed into a group we will come to know as the Sadducees later in the NT. They come from the Scribes and those which tried to be the ruling social class of the Jews and their religion. V. Greece (331-320): a. Alexander the Great was a disciple of Aristotle. Greek thought, philosophy, etc. 2 Geisler, 2. 3 Thomas Lea, David Alan Black. The New Testament; its Background and Message (Broadman & Holeman: Nashville, TN, 2003), page 7. Amazon Kindle Edition. 12-14. Page 3 of 12
b. Alexander quickly conquers this area and expands the power and influence of Greece to the known world. The Greek language became the common language and the Greek way of life became increasingly more common i. He dies in 323 BC @ age 33. 4 c. Greece is actually called Hellas, or Ellada, it s only in English that we call it Greece (it has Latin roots). So the spread of this Greek or Hellas culture has come to be called Hellenization/Hellenism. d. As Hellenism began to spread, some Jews rejected the Hellenistic influence. Other embraced the new culture and were called Hellenistic Jews (Greek thinking/influenced Jews). e. When Alexander died at his young age, he left his power to his 4 generals which only led to years of wars and fighting. i. Of the 4, the 2 that are helpful for us to know for this period is Ptolemy ruled Egypt and the successors were thus called Ptolemais. 1. They made Alexandria Egypt their capital. ii. The Syrian areas were ruled by Seleucus so the successive rulers were called Seleucus or Antiochus. 1. They made Antioch in Syria their capitol. iii. Constant battles back and forth until Rome (Pompey) took over in 64 BC f. Even though Alexander dies, his successors were Greek so this whole area Egypt and Syria the Mediterranean world only continued to grow in its Hellenization. VI. Egypt Ptolemaic (320-198): a. After Ptolemy I (one of Alexander s Generals), built the grand Library of Alexadria which would become the largest and most significant library in the ancient world. b. Ptolemy II Philadelphus ruled in Egypt after Ptolemy I and continued the desire to Grow the library in Alexandria Egypt. c. It was under his rule that he wanted to have a copy of the Hebrew Old Testament in their modern language of Greek. So, as the story goes, about 70 scribes were 4 Lea, Black, 14. Page 4 of 12
brought together and commissioned to take on this task and they translated the Hebrew OT into Greek. i. This work is called the Septuagint. LXX d. This is so important because while this was done somewhere around 280 B.C. we still have the LXX in various manuscript versions. e. This was the Bible Jesus and the Apostles used. When a New Testament quote is offered, it is from the LXX not the Hebrew Old Testament. VII. Seleucidae (198-167 B.C.): a. We re getting closer and closer to the New Testament era but as we move closer we learn that Syria defeats the Ptolemais and becomes the dominant power in that area (Jerusalem). While the Jews enjoyed some relative freedom under different rulers, the Syrians would prove to be horrible to the Jews. b. The story that must be told during this time is when the leader Antiochus IV began to rule i. He thought he was God s gift to the world and ruled cruelly 175-163 B.C. ii. He assumed the name Epiphanes which essentially means manifestation of God because he thought he was Zeus incarnate. 5 c. He had a desire to enlarge his kingdom as well as further push Hellenism throughout his kingdom; especially in Jerusalem and in the Jewish Jerusalem temple. Antiochus found a brother of the then current High priest (Onias III) whose name was Jason. Jason promised to offer large sums of money to Antiochus from the Jewish Temple and to push Hellenism for Antiochus into Jerusalem. d. After his appointment to office, Jason established a gymnasium with a track in Jerusalem. Here Jewish boys exercised in the nude after the Greek custom. This practice understandably produced outrage among devoted Jews. Races opened 5 Lea, Black, 16. Page 5 of 12
with invocations to pagan deities. Jewish priests even began to leave their duties to attend these events. 6 e. Even this however didn t satisfy Antiochus because as you could imagine there were groups of Jews who disliked what they were experiencing and revolted against the pagan Hellenism and stuck to their traditions. f. After and embarrassing loss in battle, Antiochus went to Jerusalem to take out his anger and assert even more control over the Jews g. It was during this (169-168) time he entered Jerusalem and killed large numbers of men, women, and children. He entered the temple stole the holy vessels in the temple 7 shortly after this he made laws to end Judaism. h. Jews were put to death for: circumcision, observing the Sabbath, religious festivals, or even owning a copy of the law (OT). 8 i. Pagan sacrifices were demanded. Antiochus went into the temple and places a statue of Zeus there, and offered a pig on the sacred altar to desecrate the temple. i. 1 Maccabees 1:44-50 ii. 2 Maccabees 6:3-11 j. Many Jews were willing to die rather than submit to this new paganism k. This lead to a revolt that arose within Judaism which helped them to gain some independence from the Syrians. l. While the Ptolemais were relatively kind to the Jews, the Seleucids were not as you can see. But, it was during this time, because of the constant oppression by Gentiles, there was a nationalism that grew. It produced the Maccabean revolt, but it also began to shape Jewish political-religious thought all the way through the New Testament times: 6 Lea, Black, 16. 7 Lea, Black, 17. 8 Lea, Black, 17. Page 6 of 12
i. Among the orthodox Jews there developed a longing for a military, political messiah who would smash the Gentile war machines. VIII. IX. Maccabean Revolt (167-142 B.C.): a. While all of this was happening with the Jews, their religion and the temple. b. A Jewish family (Hasmonean) lead the charge for cleansing the temple, restoring a true priesthood and fighting for independence from Syria. The main leader in this is a man named Judas, called Judas Maccabeus (Maccabeus means hammer) c. A Syrian officer tried to force an old priest named Mattathias to offer a pagan sacrifice. Mattathias refused and killed the Syrian officer, the envoy that was with him and destroyed the altar and then fled into the wilderness. d. Mattathias had 5 sons; (Hasmonean family). With this event of Mattathias, a revolt began and his son Judas called Maccabeus The Hammer were able to restore the temple, and gain freedom from Syria through some great battles and stories found in 1 & 2 Maccabees. i. It is from this very battle to cleanse the temple that the Jewish independence holiday of Hanukkah comes from e. The Maccabean revolt led to the leadership of the Hasmonean dynasty which was short lived and ended when Rome came to power and we arrive at the first century. i. The line became the ruling priests right up until Rome took over and the Jews were no longer independent as they briefly enjoyed ii. Judas was an honorable name (after Judas Maccabeus; c.f. Judas Iscariot) Hasmonean Dynasty 142-63 B.C.: a. The last son of Mattathias, was Simon. Simon had a son named John Hyrcanus. b. It was under the influence of John Hyrcanus that we could say the Hasmonean (family name) Dynasty began. c. They became the ruling priesthood but unfortunately the story which follows here is also one of power struggles, corruption, jealousy, greed, and suspicion. The Page 7 of 12
family was unable to rule itself, and by the time Rome comes on the scene and takes interest in this area (Jerusalem) it is easy for them to take charge. d. It is under Hyrcanus however, that we see the further development of a twoparty (religious-political) system. i. Hasidim: The Hasidim [pious ones] represented the conservative wing who wanted to retain the Jewish religious and national liberty while resisting the influence of the Greek culture. ii. Hellenizers: These were the ones who were willing to surrender some of their Jewish distinctive to gain some of the desired qualities of the Greek way of life. 1. This group matured into the Sadducees before the death of John Hyrcanus X. Rome 63 B.C. - forward: a. Though Rome had been around since the 8 th Century B.C., it slowly grew into power which finally reached its high point about 63 B.C. with Julius Caesar and his nephew Augustus (Octavian) b. Augustus: i. Was the 1 st true Emperor of Rome as we know it ii. Jesus was born under the rule of Caesar Augustus and it was this Caesar that called for the tax which led Joseph and Mary to their home town of Bethlehem 1. [Luke 2:1 ESV] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. iii. Augustus ruled from 27 B.C A.D. 14 c. Tiberius: i. Tiberius ruled after Octavian (Augustus) from A.D. 14-37) ii. Jesus life and ministry took place under the rule of Tiberius Caesar iii. His presence is felt throughout the New Testament when you see the text referring to Caesar in the Gospels. Page 8 of 12
d. Herod the Great (37 B.C. A.D. 4): i. The Jews resented him. (An Idumean was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau, the elder brother and rival of Jacob, who was also called Israel, the father of the twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended and took their names.) Scheming, jealous, and cruel, Herod killed one of his own wives and at least three of his own sons. So, because Herod did not eat pork (presumably he wanted to avoid offending his Jewish subjects), Augustus said that it was better to be Herod s pig than his son. According to Matthew 2:16 18, Herod had the infants in Bethlehem slaughtered shortly after Jesus birth there. 9 ii. Beautification of the 2 nd Temple iii. He had commanded a number of leading Jews to be slaughtered when he died, so that although there would be no mourning over his death, at least there would be mourning at his death. But the order died with him. 10 iv. Herod was Shrewd with the Magi that came to see Jesus after his birth (Matthew 2) 1. He ordered the killing of the babies 2 years old and younger (Matthew 2:16) v. This becomes an important marker in the date of Christ s birth since we read: 1. Matthew 2:13-16 XI. Review of Religious-Political landscape of 1 st Century: a. Pharisees: i. It was through the forced Hellenization during this whole Syrian period that while many Jews were enticed to adopt pagan customs, this period also produced an opposing group that wanted to fight against the Greek paganism, and keep the pure law of Moses to honor God. 9 Gundry, 12. 10 Gundry, 12-13. Page 9 of 12
1. It was this group which would ultimately grow into the group we know in the New Testament as the Pharisees (from the Maccabean revolt) ii. The Pharisees made up the largest of the 3 sects of Jewish religious groups: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes iii. They were very detailed in their observance of the Mosaic law (Leviticus- Numbers-Deuteronomy). Festivals, Sabbaths, Dietary laws, belief in the general resurrection at the end of the world iv. They were very concerned about being clean, and appearing to be very just and correct spiritually v. But they tried to find loopholes in the law to get around the law to suit their own desires and wants 1. Forbade spitting on the sabbath because of the dirt moved it could constitute plowing (breaking the sabbath) 2. On Sabbath you could travel 3/5 of a mile from home. But if you stored food 3/5 of a mile away, then that could be counted as home-away-from-home and then you could go another 3/5 of a mile. 11 b. Jesus and the Pharisees clashed with the artificiality of the religion of the Pharisees i. Matthew 23:15-16 c. Sadducees: i. The roots of the Sadducees started earlier on way back with the rich aristocratic part of society that came out of the Scribes back in Ezra- Nehemiah religious reforms under the Persian rule when they were allowed back to Jerusalem. Remember that there wasn t a temple from the time Babylon destroyed it in 605 B.C. until they were allowed to rebuild and finish in about 520 B.C. 11 Gundry, 64. Page 10 of 12
ii. The development of the Orthodox Judaism, with assemblies/synagogues where they would study rather than sacrifice. It was the priests /who were the experts and become the Scribes during this time. iii. This lasted even during the 2 nd Temple period (516 B.C. 70 A.D.) 1. It officially becomes the group known as Sadducees under John Hyrcanus iv. While the Pharisees believed in the resurrection at the end of the world, the Sadducees did not. They only saw the first five books of the law (Moses) as authoritative, but not the whole OT. We see Jesus encounter the Sadducees from time to time as they also didn t like Jesus teaching: 1. Matthew 22:23-29 d. Essenes: i. It was also during this time (The last 200 years leading up to the 1 st century AD) that a very, very strict group developed in the hills of Judea at a place called Qumran (though there may have been sects all over). This was a communal group that rejected material possessions, and marriage, they observed the Sabbath with astonishing strictness, and wrote about their ceremonial laws and copied the OT extensively. ii. Some Common Religious Vocabulary in the Dead Sea Scrolls and John 12 1. Light, light of life, light versus darkness, loving children of light/one another, knowledge /knowing, truth iii. In the 1940 s scrolls were discovered that had not been touched by human hands since 200 BC iv. This group, though not mentioned in the NT, would have been known to Jesus and the 1 st century Jews. e. Jesus said: [Matthew 5:43 ESV] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 12 Gundry, 262. Page 11 of 12
i. While you won t find this directly in the OT (Leviticus 19 is as close as you get), it is in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Manual of Discipline (1QS, 4-10) XII. Timeline: Recommended Resources: D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005) Norm Geisler, A Popular Survey of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007) Robert H. Gundry, A Survey of the New Testament, 4th ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003) Robert G. Gromacki, New Testament Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1974) Thomas D. Lea and David Alan Black, The New Testament: Its Background and Message, 2nd ed. (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2003) Page 12 of 12