The New Testament World

© John Stevenson, 2009

How has the New Testament How has the New Testament been used by politicians for been used by politicians for

political gain?political gain?

What is the big idea of the What is the big idea of the New Testament?New Testament?

The Big Idea of the The Big Idea of the Old Testament is that Old Testament is that

Yahweh is LordYahweh is Lord

The Big Idea of the The Big Idea of the New Testament is New Testament is that Jesus is Lordthat Jesus is Lord

The The GospelsGospels

History

ActsActs The The EpistlesEpistles RevelationRevelation

Letters Visions

The Story of Jesus

Epistles of Paul

Apocalyptic Literature

Early Church

General Epistles

Past Present Future

Alexanderthe Great

Mosaic in Pompeii

• Cultural interchange

from east to west

• Scientific learning

• Hellenization

• Greek language

• Alexander’s death

The World ofAlexander

Ptolemy

Antigonusthe one-eyed

Cassander

Seleucus

Lysimachus

Ptolemy II PhiladelphusPtolemy II Philadelphus

• Pharos Lighthouse

• Library of Alexandria

• Septuagint

•War with the Seleucids

Ptolemy

Antiochus IV

•Maccabean Revolt

Antiochus IV

•Maccabean Revolt•166 B.C.•Mattathias•Temple liberated

Two New Jewish PartiesTwo New Jewish Parties

• Hasidim: “The Pious Ones”Hasidim: “The Pious Ones”

– PhariseesPharisees

• Hellenists: Greek influenceHellenists: Greek influence

– SadduceesSadducees

• Commissioned to clear the seas of piracy

• Conquests in Syria

• Conquest of Jerusalem

• Territorial arrangements

Pompeythe Great

Judea

Decapolis

Samaria

RomanCivilWar

Antipateras

Procurator

Phasael

Herod

Parthians

Petra

Marc Antony

Octavius

Herod the GreatHerod the Great

40 - 4 B.C.40 - 4 B.C.

Zerubbabel’s TempleSeleucid AdditionHasmonean ExpansionHerod’s Temple

AntoniaFortress

Herodium

Masada

Caesarea

• Breakwater

• Sunken stones

Herod’s Domestic Troubles

It is better to be Herod’s u`jThan to be Herod’s ui`oj

ArchelausArchelausCoinsCoins

Roman Procurators in Israel

Name Dates Other Significant Data

Coponius 6-9 A.D. Judas of Galilee led revolt against taxation (Acts 5:37).

Marcus Ambivius 9-12 A.D.

Annius Rufus 12-15 A.D. Caesar Augustus died during his term

Valerius Gratus 15-26 A.D. Deposed Annas from the high priesthood

Pontius Pilate 26-36 A.D. Ordered the crucifixion of Jesus

Marcellus 36-41 A.D. Caiaphas deposed from the high priesthood; returned the high priest garments which had been confiscated by Rome

Herod Agrippa given Judea and Samaria from 41 to 44 A.D.

Roman Procurators in Israel

Name Dates Other Significant Data

Cuspius Fadus 44-46 A.D. Took back the garments of the high priest

Tiberius Julius Alexander

46-48 A.D.

Ventidius Cumanus

48-52 A.D. Riot in temple over a coarse Roman jest

Antonius Felix 52-60 A.D. Brought about the murder of the high priest; heard the case of the apostle Paul, but left him in prison to please the Jews

Porcius Festus 60-62 A.D. Heard the case of Paul and sent him on to Rome

Lucceius Albinus 62-64 A.D. James, the half-brother of Jesus, put to death while Albinus is out of the country

Gessius Florus 64-66 A.D. Culminated in the revolt of the Jews

Herod AntipasHerod Antipas

• Galilee & Perea

• Tetrarch: “Ruler of a fourth part”• Antipas & Herodias

Herod the Great

Mariamne I Mariamne IIMalthac

Alexander

Aristobulus

Archelaus

Antipas

Agrippa I HerodiasAristobulus

Bernice

Philip

Salome

Herod AntipasHerod Antipas

• Galilee & Perea• Tetrarch: “Ruler of a fourth part”• Antipas & Herodias

• John the Baptist• Later fate of Antipas

Pharisees“Separated ones”

Sadducees“Righteous ones”

Held to authority of entire Old Testament

as well as oral law

Viewed the Torah as having the greater

authority

Believed in miracles, angels, immortality

Rejected miracles, angels, immortality

Believed in future resurrection

Denied any life after death

Popular in the synagogues

Ruled in the Temple

Religious SectsReligious Sects

• Pharisees: SeparatistsPharisees: Separatists

• Sadducees: Liberal partySadducees: Liberal party

• Essenes: Communal SeparatistsEssenes: Communal Separatists

• Zealots: NationalistsZealots: Nationalists