Objective Study Guide: The Life and Teachings of Christ the Messiah

The Intertestamental Period and Political Governance of Palestine

The Intertestamental Period refers to the historical gap occurring between the conclusion of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament, specifically between the books of Malachi and Matthew. This era spanned a duration of approximately $400$ years. The beginning of the New Testament period proper is marked by the birth of Jesus Christ, while its conclusion is identified with the event of the ascension of Jesus. During the time of Jesus, the primary language spoken by most Jews in the region was Aramaic. The political landscape was dominated by Roman authority, which appointed various rulers to oversee the province of Palestine.

Herod the Great served as the ruler of Palestine during the time of Jesus' birth. He is historically recognized for his cruelty, specifically his order to execute all baby boys in Bethlehem following the visit of the wise men from the East. Herod the Great had three sons who featured in the subsequent governance of the region. Herod Archelaus reigned over the southern parts of Palestine from $BC\,4$ to $AD\,6$. Herod Antipas served as the ruler of Galilee and Perea during the lifetime of Jesus; however, he was eventually banished after falling out of favor with the Roman authorities. Another figure, Herod Philip, is also noted among the family of rulers. Due to ongoing political unrest, the Roman Emperor appointed governors to administer the provinces directly. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor appointed to oversee Palestine between $AD\,26$ and $AD\,36$. He was the official responsible for overseeing Palestine during the trial of Jesus and is noted in scripture for his fear of being reported to Caesar. Ultimately, the Roman authorities were responsible for the siege of Jerusalem and the total destruction of the Temple in $AD\,70$.

Religious and Social Sects within Ancient Judaism

Ancient Jewish society was divided into several distinct groups, each with unique theological and political stances. The Pharisees were characterized by their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and a profound zeal for their religious traditions. They placed a heavy emphasis on the strict observance of purity rituals and the Mosaic Law. In contrast, the Sadducees were a group that rejected newer traditions and beliefs, adhering strictly to the Torah alone. They were known for their rejection of the belief in life after death, as well as the existence of angels and spirits. The Sadducees held significant power within the religious hierarchy, as they were primarily responsible for the administration of the Temple and the performance of its sacrifices.

The Essenes represented a more reclusive sect of Judaism. They lived a communal lifestyle, often residing in areas near the Dead Sea. The Essenes were known for their emphasis on living morally pure lives and their rejection of the validity of Temple worship and the importance of the Jerusalem Temple as it was then operated. They are famously credited with the preservation of ancient manuscripts. Another radical group, the Zealots, were defined by their militant and strong opposition to Roman rule over Palestine. Other religious roles included the Priests, who managed temple affairs, and the Scribes. The office of the High Priest was a position of great authority, with the individual being selected and appointed annually from among the serving priests. Caiaphas is the specific high priest mentioned in connection with the trial of Jesus.

Structure and Canon of the New Testament

The New Testament is comprised of a collection of $27$ books. The term "canon" is used to describe this collection of books that have been formally recognized as authoritative Scripture. The process of canonization for the New Testament was officially concluded in $AD\,397$. Within the New Testament, there are four Gospels that document the life and teachings of Christ. The term for these books is derived from the Greek word "euangelion," which translates to "good news" or "good message," specifically referring to the joyful report of salvation provided through Jesus.

Of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are categorized as the Synoptic Gospels because they share a similar sequence and perspective on the life of Christ. Each Gospel carries a specific focus; for example, the Gospel of John focuses primarily on the Theology of Jesus Christ. These texts provide the foundational narrative for the ministry of Jesus, which primarily took place in the geographical region of Galilee. Galilee was the area where Jesus grew up and lived, and it was famous during that time for its fishing industry, which served as the primary occupation for many of its residents. Other regions mentioned in the context of His ministry and the surrounding history include Judea, Samaria, the Decapolis, and Perea.

Specific Scriptural References and Key Events

Chapter one of the study of the life of Christ highlights several key scriptural milestones. The birth of Jesus is centrally mentioned in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke ($Luke\,2$), while the first chapter ($Luke\,1:5$) mentions Herod in relation to the timeframe of the birth. The Gospel of Matthew provides detailed accounts of the early life of the Messiah. Matthew chapter $2$ records the visit of the wise men from the East, an event that directly preceded the holy family's flight to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod the Great. The specific decree by Herod the Great to kill the baby boys in Bethlehem is recorded in $Matthew\,2:16$. The eventual death of Herod the Great is documented in $Matthew\,2:19$.

Related to the trial and death of Jesus, the involvement of Pontius Pilate is a crucial historical and scriptural detail. Pilate's administration from $AD\,26$ to $AD\,36$ is a fixed point in the chronology. Additionally, the scriptures record interactions between the Roman authorities and the Jewish leadership, such as the trial before Caiaphas. The historical destruction of the Temple by the Romans in $AD\,70$ stands as a fulfillment of the shifting religious landscape described throughout the New Testament period.

Questions & Discussion

Question: During which period did the Inter-testamental Period occur? Answer: It occurred between the times of Malachi and Matthew.

Question: How long was the Inter-testamental Period? Answer: It lasted for $400$ years.

Question: Which ruler was appointed to oversee Palestine in $AD\,26-36$? Answer: Pontius Pilate was the overseer during this decade.

Question: In which geographical region was Jesus primarily active during his ministry? Answer: Jesus was primarily active in Galilee.

Question: Which Jewish group adhered strictly to the Law of Moses and had a great zeal for their religion? Answer: The Pharisees were known for this strict adherence and zeal.

Question: Who was known for their rejection of newer traditions and belief in the Torah? Answer: The Sadducees held this position.

Question: What is the term used for the collection of books recognized as authoritative Scripture? Answer: The collection is known as the Canon.

Question: How many gospels are there in the New Testament? Answer: There are $4$ gospels.

Question: Which gospels are known as the Synoptic Gospels? Answer: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Question: What does the term "euangelion" mean? Answer: It means good news, good message, and the joyful report of Salvation through Jesus.

Question: Which ruler ordered the death of all the baby boys in Bethlehem after the visit of the wise men? Answer: Herod the Great issued this order.

Question: In which region did Jesus grow up and live? Answer: Jesus grew up and lived in Galilee.

Question: What is the term used to describe the Jewish group that lived a communal lifestyle near the Dead Sea? Answer: They were the Essenes.

Question: Who were responsible for the temple and its sacrifices in ancient Israel? Answer: The Priests were responsible for these duties.

Question: How many books are in the New Testament? Answer: There are $27$ books.

Question: Which group among the Jews did not believe in life after death or in angels and spirits? Answer: The Sadducees did not hold these beliefs.

Question: What were the Essenes known for preserving? Answer: They were known for preserving manuscripts.

Question: Who were banished after falling out of favor with Rome? Answer: Herod Antipas was banished.

Question: Which gospel focuses primarily on the Theology of Jesus Christ? Answer: The Gospel of John has this primary focus.

Question: When was the canonization of the New Testament concluded? Answer: It was concluded in $AD\,397$.

Question: Who was selected and appointed annually from among the serving priests? Answer: The High Priest was selected in this manner.

Question: What event marked the beginning of the New Testament period? Answer: The birth of Jesus.

Question: Which group of Jews were strongly opposed to Roman rule? Answer: The Zealots were the group most opposed.

Question: What language did most Jews speak at the time of Jesus? Answer: They primarily spoke Aramaic.

Question: Which Jewish group was known for their emphasis on living morally pure lives? Answer: The Essenes emphasized moral purity.

Question: Which Roman governor was responsible for overseeing Palestine during Jesus' trial? Answer: Pontius Pilate held this responsibility.

Question: Who were the rulers of Palestine referred to as in the New Testament? Answer: They were referred to as the Herods.

Question: How many sons did Herod the Great have? Answer: He had three sons.

Question: Who was responsible for the destruction of the temple in $AD\,70$? Answer: The Romans were responsible.

Question: What is the name of the high priest mentioned in connection with Jesus' trial? Answer: The high priest was Caiaphas.

Question: Who was known as the ruler of Galilee and Perea during Jesus' lifetime? Answer: Herod Antipas.

Question: Who reigned over the southern parts of Palestine between $BC\,4-AD\,6$? Answer: Herod Archelaus.

Question: What was the primary occupation of the people in Galilee during Jesus' time? Answer: Fishing was the primary occupation.

Question: Which verse in Matthew's Gospel records Herod ordering the death of the baby boys in Bethlehem? Answer: Matthew $2:16$.

Question: In which chapter of Luke's Gospel is the birth of Jesus mentioned? Answer: Luke chapter $2$.

Question: In which verse of Luke's Gospel is Herod mentioned in relation to the birth of Jesus? Answer: Luke $1:5$.

Question: Which verse in Matthew's Gospel mentions the death of Herod the Great? Answer: Matthew $2:19$.