The Jewish Freedom Movement

In light of discussion on the topic of Christians and war I felt it beneficial to shed some light (to the limited degree we can do that with extra-biblical historical sources) on the religious and political atmosphere among the Jews of the land in the New Testament period. I think it best if we begin looking again at the term "Zealot" and give an outline from there on. Feel free to make comments and ask questions and I'll try (as well as others who want to answer) to see if we can answer them. God Bless,-Robert

THE Jewish Freedom Movement Merton Hengel in his scholarly dissertation "the Zealots" sheds some light on the scene in the time of Jesus through the works of Josephus and others concerning the unrest that existed in the area of Galilee and other places. As far as I know, the term "Zealot" is first mentioned in the New Testament Gospels. It is found first here before any other writings. Simon the "Zealot" was one of Jesus' disciples. The Zealots were founded by Judas the Galilean and Zadok (Saddok) the priest. Judas of Galilee is mentioned to have been killed by an uprising. (Acts 5:37). The "prototype" of the Zealots was Phinehas (Numbers 25:6-13). The Galileans had a reputation for their rebellion against Rome and had a certain accent that gave them away when they spoke (Mark 14:70). When we talk about resistance movements I think we can list at least the: Galileans, Sacarii, and Zealots. Some blur them together, but it is hard to go back and accurately reconstruct each movement. VOLITILE was the situation in Israel because of these movements. Some of them believed to pay tribute to Caesar was paramount to paying him a "tithe" and therefore acknowledging him as deity. That, to them, was a breach of the 1st Commandment. Remember the questions about paying tribute directed towards Jesus? That was part of it. Zealots and Galileans hated the publicans. They collected taxes for Rome and were considered traitors. Imagine how awesome Jesus would have had to be to keep the peace between all of those men when Matthew was a Publican?

Hey Bro. haven't posted with you in a loooonnnngggg time :-) In your post you made some really good points, thought provoking! I do know that Josephus was kinda Romanised. Is there any earlier historical references to that time period???

Hi Dohzman,I have to make it clear that what we have is sketchy and certainly Josephus was trying to paint a different picture than what was happening during those times. He wanted to make the Zealots out to be mere criminals and undermine the religious aspect of the Jewish Freedom cause. However, knowing those he relates and other details of what happened allows us to a large extent paint a picture of our own. Extra- biblical sources short list would include: JosephusOld Testament Aprocraphal writingsPhilo Qumran writings (dead sea scrolls)Rabbinic writingsEarly Church Writers (Martyr, Origen, Tertullian, etc.)EusebiusMany (hundreds) of others too numerous to mention that offer tiny slithers of input. Most of which would be difficult to retrace; but the majority of what we know extra-biblically is Josephus' works.

The Fourth Philosophy: (THE ZEALOTS) Part 1In our first entry we sketched out some of the characteristics of the JEWISH FREEDOM MOVEMENT in the time of Jesus. This group of freedom fighters would eventually come to be known as the ZEALOTS. The movement itself has its roots deep in the Old Testament. Some movements are like rivers that are difficult to trace the source. It is not necessary to look that far back at this point in our study as we only need look to a group known as the Galileans to see the story of the Jewish Freedom movement really gain steam. We know that from the time of the Galileans (led by Judas of Galilee) until the Zealots fled to MASADA to take their own lives, there were some significant changes along the way. I suppose we could say that the Galileans ‘evolved’ into what is known as the FOURTH PHILOSPHY in Judaism. The philosophies of Judaism most important in the New Testament period (the time of Christ and shortly there after) were the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and the Zealots (fourth philosophy). Keep in mind that all such movements in the first century were both religious and political; not one or the other. However, there was so much dissention within the Zealots as time went on that it is more accurate to call them a “tendency” or an “ideology” than a “sect.” Before it was over they were at war within themselves. Such is the case with many radical movements. According to Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews 18,3 –18,23 their main doctrine was as follows:1) Only GOD may be called LORD or ruler (sole rule of God)2) They had an ‘invincible love of freedom’ 3) The people must cooperate with God for His intervention and help4) They had a deep and bitter resentment of the Roman census

Thanks RobertI am enjoying this and I think it may provide a very interesting biblical background to the 'this is war!!!' thread. I have a passage of scripture in mind but will hold it until you are ready to move on from the Zealots.

The FOURTH PHILOSOPY (The Zealots)Part 2The 'recent' history of this sect as we know it began with resentment from the census conducted by Cyrenius in 6-7 CE. It resurfaced again in 48 CE when two of Judas’ sons were crucified by Tiberious Alexander and was continued at the beginning of the Jewish war by Manehem (another of Judas’ sons). Manehem claimed to be the Messiah). It ended with the mass suicide of the Zealots at Masada and the mass murder of the deadly “sect within the Zealots” called the Sacarii (assassins) in Egypt in 73 CE. The Sacarii held to the “Sole rule of God” even under extreme torture. Needless to say, when Herod placed a statue (graven image) of an eagle over the door to the Temple it did not sit well with many in this movement. Perhaps they were having flashbacks to the days of Antiochus Epiphanies. The eagle was a divine symbol of the false god Jupiter and of Baal Shamin (sun-god) in Syrian temples (among others, See also Daniel 9:27). Some contend that this actually helped keep the fear of the days of Antiochus Epiphanies (a type of the anti-Christ) and his mad behavior in the Temple, ever before their eyes. Judas the Galilean gave this whole struggle a theological implication and that secured the hearts of many -their allegiance to the struggle. Judas the Galilean taught that people could not yield to a ruler who claimed ‘divine status” for themselves. To obey the emperor was to break the first commandment and worship a false idol (or god. See Exodus 22:19). Imagine how our Lord was perceived when He taught the people not to resist the Romans or if compelled to go a mile were to "go with them twain." Josephus was not all to kind to this freedom movement and chose to refer to them most of the time as “robbers”; or as we might call them “pirates.” It seems that he thought they were taking advantage of the situation at hand between Rome and the Jews. In Rabbinic literature the Hebrew word used for 'robber' lends to the idea that they were to be feared at night. The Babylonian Talmud calls the “rebels” in Jerusalem by the name Barjone. The word literally means, “Out-laws.” This has led a few scholars to believe that Simon was a Zealot based on Matthew 16:17, but there are real problems with this view. Either way Simon Peter’s overall concept of Messiah was obviously very much effected by the Jewish Freedom Movement based upon the fact that he was willing to die for who he thought the Messiah was supposed to be in terms of earthly rule (another study) and what the average Jew believed the Messiah would do when He appeared. He was from Galilee and that was the hotbed for this movement. This whole scenerio sets up the whole situation we see playing out when they came to take our Lord. It was a sorely confusing time for the disciples. There were obviously still some concepts that were not yet overthrown in their minds. Our Lord being taken away was the catalyst needed for a prime sifting. I believe that Satan used Jesus’ capture to create confusion in Peter’s mind about what was going on. This, in my opinion, was the “sifting” that took place. The Greek word for “sift” is siniazo (sin-ee-ad'-zo); from sinion (a sieve); to riddle (figuratively). Satan used the contradiction between the reality of what was happening to Jesus and Peter’s Messianic concepts to “riddle” his mind that he would lose his faith.Then Jesus cleared it all up in Luke 24:44… as it is written… And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. There was a lot of confusion and it had to be cleared up. they seemed to be just plain ole hard headed; but old concepts and beliefs die hard. And if I might so say, these situations are what happens when carnal minds take hold of the scriptures; especially prophecy. God Bless,-Robert

Hi Robert: I too want to see how you develop this thread. I'll check through some of the old rabinic teaching books and see what I can find. BTW I really enjoy this aspect of the whole war subject.Didn't alot of the Zelot movement come out of the Macabbean revolt?

Thanks Robert,Am also thouroughly enjoying this, tremndously helpful. Think you are dead on about the 'confusion' not only with the disciples but more so in Peter's case specifically. Great work here, looking forward to more.

Praise God guys. I really enjoy the search for truth. It challenges me!Didn't alot of the Zelot movement come out of the Macabbean revolt?Yes and even before that. A lot happened during those 400 years of silence (the white page in your bible as ravenhill says). I think it speaks much to our need to allow God to work in our lives in a real way.

Didn't want to let this one slip into the archieves so i brought forward again to get more people involved as Robert adds more to it. :-)

The Jewish Freedom MovementPart 3 (THE "ROBBERS") There was a great expectancy for the advent of the Messiah following the 400 Years of silence. The magi came to pay their respects to the birth of the King and Herod had waxed paranoid. The situation in Galilee was volatile and many were expecting Messiah to come and loose the chains of Rome and restore Israel to the glory days. Ironically, this expectancy for many would be almost permanently silenced in 135 CE when Bar Kochba, anointed by Rabbi Akiba was killed and the Jews were banned from Jerusalem for over 1000 years. Soon Israel was renamed Palestine and Jerusalem was renamed Aelia Capitolina. Much blood had been spilled. Atrocities that are almost unmentionable took place in a span of about 130 years; the greatest of which was the crucifixion of our Lord. The "Robbers" (Gk. les-tes) as we touched on in the previous study was the preferred term to describe participants in the Jewish Freedom Movement by Josephus. These people were brutal and violent. Some have said they were the original ‘terrorists.’ They used terror as one of many means to their own end. Yet, this term ‘robber’ sheds much light on the Gospels and the crucifixion of Jesus. When the temple guards came to get Jesus He asked them the question "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled"(Mark 14:48, 49). Literally the passage says, "Have you come out against a ROBBER?" The teachings of Jesus were well contrary to the doctrines of the Zealots (Robbers, Sacarii, Barjone, etc.). He taught the people to love each other and not to rebel against Rome. He will be shown to die for the very sins and behaviors he TAUGHT AGAINST. In fact, He said if you are asked to carry a load for a mile- carry it two miles (Matthew 5:41). And again... render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God's (Mark 12:17). And again I say unto you that you RESIST NOT evil (Matthew 5:39). Many like teachings that were totally contrary to the Zealot cause. Jesus did MUCH to squelch the Zealot uprising! We will see what they did with Him. Many wanted to force Jesus into the mold of their own interpretation of prophesy and Messianic concepts of that day. His words were oracles and His deeds were miracles. If Samson could slay thousands with a jawbone- what could this man that raises the dead do? Samson lay with a prostitute and did these miracles of deliverance- what could a man that none could convince of sin do? David slew Goliath of Gath with a small stone- but this man can walk on water and still violent storms. He thrust a legion of devils from a demoniac with one command- surely he could thrust a legion of Roman soldiers from Jerusalem as if it were a light thing. He commanded sickness to go at a distance- He was a man of great authority. Surely He will deliver us from our oppressors!? The application I make of this for today in my life is thus: Their misinterpretation of key Messianic passages proved to be deadly dangerous in the end for all those who did not believe. The Zealots and others error speaks to us today that we ought to use caution in how dogmatic we are about the timing of the Coming of the Lord. We are looking into a dark glass when we look into prophecy and the reflection we see all to often is our own self-will. It will distort reason and revelation. The Jews had the timing... they were in the dark as to the details and purpose of the first coming. We as the Church seem to have the details, but are in the dark concerning the timing. The struggle is almost always an issue of authority. In this case it was no different. The Sadducees and Pharisees were made friends at the prospect that they together could defeat Christ. They accused Him of being what He was NOT. The made Him out to be a Galilean freedom fighter. Martin Hengel comments on this saying, "His enemies, however, had him condemned before Pilate as a messianic pretender who endangered the state and, together with two "robbers", who may have been real Zealots, he suffered the same death as so many menbers of the Jewish Freedom Movement before and after Him." (Martin Hengel, The Zealots, Edinburg 1989) In John 18:40 we find Barabbas being referred to as a "robber." And again... A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. (Mark 15:7-11) What madness is this? To condemn with lies a man for doing the very thing you know the man you are asking the release of is guilty of? Yes, I believe, Jesus was condemned in Barabbas' place-- the truly guilty one. Barabbas was released as was common with the scapegoat and Christ bore our sin dying for the very things He preached and taught against. Talk about a riddle? How did that riddle Peter's mind? The whole situation was insane. Not only did he have to come to terms with what he thought the Messiah was supposed to do; but He watched Him die for the very things He preached against. Only by the prayer of Jesus and the sovereign grace of God did Peter (Petras i.e. "the rock") not watch his faith be dashed into powder.

The Jewish Freedom MovementPart 4 ("THE ASSASSINS" Sacarii) In Matthew 24:2 Jesus asked... "Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." Jesus knew what was coming Jerusalem and those who rejected Him and it was total devastation. After the death and resurrection of Christ- the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Zealots were still at work. The Christians were a new sect called the Notzrim (Nazarenes). According to Dr. Ron Moseley there were around 20 other mini sects that were likewise out of step with the Pharisees, Sadducees and Zealots and were given the harsh name "the Minim" (All the while the Church is spreading the Gospel and coming under intense persecution-- the Zealots and the other sects were promoting their agenda.) The "Minim" is sort of like saying "the heretics." To cut through a lot of historical details it happens that Marcus Antoniu Felix lied to the leader of the Zealots and lured him into being taken prisoner to Rome. This upset them greatly. They retaliated by forming a group called the SACARII. These men were brutal killers. They carried a short dagger under their clothing and would wade through crowds to assassinate people. Some scholars believe that there was a connection between the Sacarii and the Temple leaders in those days and refer to the incident with Paul in Acts 23:12. Their actions are typical of the Sacarii. The fact that Roman guards were taken to protect is good indication that this may have been the case. The Zealots and especially the Sacarii would threaten people with DEATH who would not follow them in their uprising. They had a very believable reputation and track record for doing it, as they were not mere idle threats. FROM these facts we begin to see why Josephus so resented the Zealots and referred to them as "robbers." He saw them as common criminals. Josephus reports that they were scattered around in bands of rebels that would rob and steal and kill like outlaws. They took the property of the rich, killed the owners, and plundered their possessions (Antiquities 20, 185). At the beginning of the Jewish Revolt, the Sicarii, with the help of other Zealots, gained access to Jerusalem and committed a series of atrocities, in order to force the people into war. In one account, given in the Talmud, they destroyed the city's food supply, so that the people would be forced to fight against the Roman siege instead of negotiating peace.When the food supply deteriorated to a severe crisis the Zealots were said to have gone into peoples homes and reach into their throats before they could swallow their food and steal it from them. He gives a gruesome account of a mother cooking her own child, which horrified even the Zealots. Josephus says that the Sacarii (and Zealots) in many cases had a "senseless thirst for blood." He believed they were motivated by greed and desire for spoils and not merely religion. Most of their behavior was cloaked in religion- but had nothing to do with it. This was not true for all, but for many. This was the context of our Lord’s teachings. Eventually the Zealots would commit suicide and the Sacarii would be killed as we discussed in an earlier study.

have a passage of scripture in mind but will hold it until you are ready to move on from the Zealots.I'm sure it will be well known to SI Bible students but there is extra detail in John's account of the feeding of the 5000. “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”(John 6:14-15, KJVS) This is a fascinating glimpse into the volativity of those times. Jesus was almost taken 'hostage' by a crowd who were clearly looking for the kind of Messiah who would lead the nation in a war of independence against Rome.Christ's reaction was to get the disciples out of the area by sending them across the sea and by retreating himself high on the hill to pray.

Christ's reaction was to get the disciples out of the area by sending them across the sea Interesting note here, ,I'll need to chew on that one abit!

This is a fascinating glimpse into the volativity of those times. Jesus was almost taken 'hostage' by a crowd who were clearly looking for the kind of Messiah who would lead the nation in a war of independence against Rome.Yes it is interesting to process through even the more obvious occasions when He was bringing correction to those who were radical in their belief in independence. Yet, this philosophy flourished after our Lord was crucified.Among the Jews:For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2)There were many that were zealous towards ; Acts 21:20 (law), 21:3 (God) , Galatians 1:4 (traditions);Among Saul of Tarsus:Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Php 3:6) Again we seem to have the missing element in Romans 10:2... they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.I think this goes back to the whole issue of the mind being in inutility and the love of darkness rather than light. I think it may also be interesting to explore how zeal may manifest itself and emulate unction or maybe look at what the difference between being fervent in Spirit serving the Lord is and being zealous and deceived promoting fervently a falsehood.

There were many that were zealous towards ; Acts 21:20 (law), 21:3 (God) , Galatians 1:4 (traditions); {/quote] Wow I see that today in my own denomination! All under the guise of being zealous for Christ, but really its being zealous for the specific denomination :-o

Wow I see that today in my own denomination! All under the guise of being zealous for Christ, but really its being zealous for the specific denominationI recall an illustration Dake used once that I kind of liked. If I can reconstruct the jest of it- it happens that an angel appeared to a minister and asked him for his zeal. The angel then reached into the man and removed his zeal and at once placed it into a vial and over a burner. As it began to seperate into strata he seperated out the slices weighing and labeling each one. His results?Pride for the denomination 20 %Desire for vain glory.......... 19%Pride for the congregation.. 17%Malice towards those who oppose his doctrinal views... 22% Love towards his fellow man... 10%Love for God... 11%

Hey Robert!I am really enjoying this. What are some of your main sources? I would like to do some studying on this myself.

Hi Preachparsley,Merton Hengel has done a tremendous job synthesizing many of the resources on this topic. He was a German and the works were translated by David Smith into English in 1989 or so. this book is called THE ZEALOTS, Investigations into the Jewish Freedom Movement in the period from 1 CE to 70 CE. He draws mostly upon Josephus works as well as Bell's version. He alos lists over 100 or so other sources from that era. It is heavy reading- but very good. From 70-135 there are some good synthesized titles. One is Daniel Gruber's "Rabbi Akiba's Messiah." That work is cutting edge on the events leading to the second revolt in my opinion and has been for about 5 years or more. Other than that you would have to look into Josephus and Rabbinic works mainly. Many are not trustworthy, so you have to do some good research and weed out what is obviously bogus. There are also a host of apocraphal works, especially Qumran texts. These give some insight into the Essenes especially and offer some Messianic concepts of the day.My personal sources are lectures I have of Dr. Ron Mosely and Jerry Feldman of the Jewish Roots and American Insititues of Holy Land Studies. Most of which are from a class I took called "Messianic Concepts in the First Century." GOd Bless,-Robert