The Silent Years (part 2)

Review.  As we noted in part 1, there is a roughly 430-year gap in the Biblical narrative between the end of the Old Testament with the book of Malachi around 435 B.C. and the earliest events in the New Testament gospels around 7 B.C..  During this time, so far we have seen the rise of the Macedonian empire, the resulting introduction of Greek culture and language into the Jewish way of life, and the eventual revolt of the Jews with the establishment of the relatively independent Hasmonean dynasty around 141 B.C.  But that independence would be short lived.
 
The Rise of the Roman Empire. While the Ptolemies and Seleucids were vying for power in the eastern Mediterranean region, the next regional empire prophesied in Daniel 2:40-43 as the “iron/clay kingdom” was rising to power. From their capital in Italy, the Romans under the leadership of Julius Caesar would defeat the Greeks and unite the entire Mediterranean region under their rule, bringing increased commerce, travel, and exchange of ideas.
 
The Hasmonean dynasty and the Jews in Judea originally came under Roman influence around 65 B.C.. However, they eventually lost their independence, becoming a Roman province with Julius Caesar appointing Antipater the Idumaean to be procurator or governor. His son, Herod (a.k.a. Herod the Great) went on to first be the governor of Galilee and later the “King of the Jews” (the “Herod” of Matt. 2).

The Stage is Set for the “Silent Years” to End.  The events of the preceding +400 years have set the stage for the New Testament with the rise of Grecian and Roman influence along with a number of terms and practices.
 
The influence of the Koine Greek language. From the Greek language, we’ll see a number of new terms introduced to New Testament readers, to include:

• Angel (aggelos) – a messenger (Luke 1:11)
• Apostles (apostolos) – one sent (Matt. 10:2)
• Baptism (baptisma) – immersion (Luke 3:3)
• Charity/agape love (agapaō) – (1 Cor. 13)
• Christ (christos) – the anointed one (Luke 2:11)
• Deacon (diakonos) – a servant (Phil. 1:1)
• Evangelist (euaggelistes) – bringer of good tidings (Acts 21:8)
• Pentecost (pentēkostē) – 50th day after Passover (Acts 2)
• Sanhedrin (synedrion) – assembly, esp. 71-member Jerusalem council (Matt. 26:59)
• Synagogue (synagōgē) - local place of Jewish worship likely originated during Babylonian captivity (Matt. 12:9)
• Even Bible (from the Greek biblia)

Political/religious sects. As the NT narrative starts, we’ll also see a number active political and religious sects, reflective of the previous centuries’ turmoil and influences.  These include:

• Hellenists – Jews who spoke Greek and practiced Greek customs Acts 6:1
• Herodians – Jews who supported the Herodian family Matt. 22:16; Mark 3:6
• Pharisees – Separatist Jews Matt. 3:7; Acts 15:5; Acts 23:6-8. First mentioned in 145 B.C. as likely successors to the Assideans (“pious”) who originated during the Maccabean revolt
• Sadducees - Uncertain origin, likely Jews influenced Greek customs/philosophy Matt. 3:7; Acts 23:6-8
• Zealots – Luke 16:14 Originated during the Maccabean revolt, resorting to violence against foreigners

Greek/Roman Religion. Outside of Judaism, the dominant religion was polytheism with the Greek/Roman pantheon of gods and goddess, to include:

• Artemis (Diana of the Ephesians) – Acts 19
• Hermes (Mercury), Zeus (Jupiter) – Acts 14:12

Roman rulers and customs.

• Caesar – Matt. 22:17; Luke 2:1; John 19:15
• Centurion – Cmdr. of ~80 soldiers Matt. 8; Acts 10:1
• Denarius – Silver coin, day’s wage Matt. 20:2; 22:19
• Legion – 4500 to 5300 soldiers Matt. 26:53
• Praetorium/Hall of Judgment – the palace of a provincial governor or procurator Matt. 27:27; John 18:28
• Publicans – Tax collectors Matt 5:46-47; Matt. 11:19
• Quaternion – 4 soldiers Acts 12:4
• Crucifixion/cross – Matt. 10:38; Matt. 27:31; Heb. 12:2

 
Elijah Returns. As the Biblical narrative resumes between roughly 8 and 4 B.C., two children are born whose lives will usher in a whole new era. The first of these is John, son of Zachariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1). As a young adult, he will become known as "John the Baptist" (“Immerser”). After almost 460, he will fulfill Malachi's final prophesy regarding Elijah's return to prepare the way of the Lord (Luke 1:17 and Matt. 11:14). Eventually, he is beheaded by Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great).
 
The Lord Arrives. The second child is Jesus, son of Mary and adopted-son of Joseph (Matt. 1-2). After escaping death at the command of Herod the Great, He will grow up to have many designations, including "Jesus of Nazareth", "the Son of Man", "Savior", and the "Son of God". But from the perspective of the Minor Prophets, He will be the fulfillment of all their prophecies regarding a coming Messiah, Prophet, Priest, and King over His Kingdom. Another frequent prophecy and warning in the Minor Prophets was "the Day of the Lord". This will at least be partially fulfillment within 40 years of Jesus' time (Matt. 24) in the destruction of Jerusalem and the massacre or enslavement of a large part of the Jewish population by the Romans in 70 A.D. This included the destruction of the temple previously built by Zerubbabel almost 600 years before and greatly enlarged by Herod the Great around 20 B.C. From a spiritual perspective, this reflects God's judgment on the Jewish people for their rejection of the Messiah (Matt. 23:34-38).
 
“In the Fullness of Time”. As we start to wrap up our study, Galatians 4:4-5 says:

• 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

 
I suspect much of “the fullness of time” had to do with the political, economic, cultural, and religious influences existing at the close of “the Silent Years” that facilitated the rapid spread of early Christianity around the Roman empire.  For example:

• First Grecian and then Roman domination had left the Jews hungry for their Messiah to come and set up His kingdom.
• Roman unification, the relative peace/safety that followed, and an extensive road network had enabled increased travel and the spread of the gospel.
• Having the Jews around the empire coupled with local synagogues provided a distributed community of faith already familiar with the Old Testament scriptures and prophecies/promises of the coming Messiah.
• The diversity of Gentile nations across the empire coupled with the common language of Greek also facilitated the rapid spread of the gospel message.
• Greek philosophy and an unfulfilling religious pantheon of human-like gods & goddesses left many people hungry for a personal God who loved them and wanted a personal relationship with them.

 
Conclusion. We introduced this study by imagining the tiny “…” between the end of Mal. 4 around 435 B.C. and the beginning of Luke 1 around 7 B.C., representing 430 years of silence in the biblical narrative between the testaments. Representing a rich history as long as that of the U.S. since the founding of the first colony in the early 1600’s, we have seen the rise/fall of nations, notable events/people, and changing languages/customs that help set the stage for the prophetic return of “Elijah” who would prepare the way for the Lord. Hopefully, this study has helped build a conceptual “bridge” between the Old Testament and the New, giving us a better appreciation for God’s wisdom “in the fullness of time” as well as a better understanding of NT words, customs, & culture.