The Roman Era (63–4 B.C.)

The Roman Era (63–4 B.C.)

Historical Situation

The independence of the Jews ended in 63 B.C., when Pompey of Rome took Syria and entered Israel. Aristobulus II, claiming to be the king of Israel, locked Pompey out of Jerusalem. The Roman leader in anger took the city by force and reduced the size of Judea. Israel’s attempt at freedom from oppression had paid off for a while, but now all hope seemed to be lost.

Antipater the Idumaean was appointed procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar in 47 B.C. Herod, the son of Antipater, eventuallv became the king of the Jews around 40 B.C.

Although Herod the Great, as he was called, planned and carried out the building of the new temple in Jerusalem, he was a devoted Hellenist and hated the Hasmonaean family. He killed every descendant of the Hasmonaeans, even his own wife Marianne, the granddaughter of John Hyrcanus. Then he proceeded to murder his own two sons by Marianne, Aristobulus and Alexander. This was the man on the throne when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Religious Developments

In addition to the Pharisees and Sadducees, two other parties joined the political mix of this time. The Zealots were even less tolerant of change than the Pharisees, and they added a strong nationalistic spirit to the Pharisee’s devotion to the Law. The Herodians went a step further toward pragmatic politics than the Sadducees, openly supporting Herod’s government and opposing any hint of rebellion. A fifth group, the Essenes, responded to cultural and political issues by withdrawing into a monastic lifestyle.

Despite their differences, all of these people shared a concern for the future of the Jews. And each group had its own expectations for the long-promised Messiah.