Greco-Roman Influences on Jesus
Overview:
Jewish culture in the 1st Century AD was entwined in their religious beliefs and customs. It dictated parts of their everyday life, commerce, family relationships, politics and the observance of specific religious holy days. To understand Jesus’ ministry and life (as well as that of His disciples), we need to understand aspects of the culture in which he lived. The 1st Century AD, was a complex period of time for the Jewish people, with the influences of Greek and Roman cultures and government being especially prominent. The religious groups of the Pharisees and the Sadducees were also influential in the lives of the ordinary Jewish person, and most certainly their influence and differing beliefs caused them to come into conflict with Jesus over His perspectives which reflected the true ‘Word of God’, rather than the traditions of men.
Greek Influence:
By the 1st Century AD, the Greek political influence had all but disappeared as the Roman Empire was the dominant political of that era. That said, its cultural influence remained, with Greek being spoken as the language of commerce - its architecture, clothing, eating habits, entertainment and music influenced members of the ruling class.
The Greek culture of that era was pleasure and excess-based, it was about reasoning the how and why of the world they lived in – they placed a great deal of value in their ability to be philosophical. As such, things like the Ephebeia (training centres for young adults for military and civil service) and the Gymnasion (training centres for athletes) were present in some major Gentile towns. This is why Paul was able to meet with the philosophers with Athens, and reason with them using wisdom gained from the scriptures and revelations via the Holy Spirit.
The Greek influence would have been most visible in the Gentile areas and towns of Judea and the surrounding regions, the Herodian family, and quite tellingly in the Sadducees of the Jewish temple – they embraced wearing toga’s and other Greco-Roman influences that weakened the strength of their convictions and religious practices.
Roman Influence:
The Judean region was not of great importance to the Roman Empire. Its value lay in the fact that it was situated in between the Syrian and Egyptian territories, which were vital to the Romans. During the 1st Century AD, the eastern territories of the Roman Empire were predominantly ruled by kings who were ‘friendly’ to Rome, or by Roman governors who were backed up by Roman legions. Around the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod the Great was one such vassal king, and he ruled over all of the Judean region. It was he who ordered the killing of the children in Bethlehem. After his death the region was split up into five parts, between his sons, none of whom had the title ‘King’. Archelaus was soon deposed by the Romans who found his rule unsatisfactory.
This meant that the territories of Judaea, Idumaea and Samaria were placed under the control of a Roman Proconsul (or Procurator), and about 3,000 soldiers. The Roman Proconsul was typically headquartered in Caesarea, which was a Gentile town. The only time the Roman officials and troops occupied Jerusalem for extended periods of time was during the Jewish religious festivals, when there was the chance for large disturbances to occur.
The Roman soldiers were not all from the Italian provinces (although the officers probably were), rather they would be from the Roman territories beyond Judea, or from the Gentile areas of Judea. The Chief Priest and the Sanhedrin (made up of Sadducees and Pharisees) ruled over Jerusalem and its day-to-day workings, throughout most of the year.
Matthew 22:21 – “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”…Jesus engaged with the political structures and rules established by the ruling authorities. He did this because He knew, and was trying to get the point across, that the Kingdom of God is spiritual. He presents the view that good citizens pay taxes and follow the legal precepts of our governing bodies. John 18 – “Jesus before Pilate”…again Jesus (who has divine authority over all things created), submitted to earthly authority in order to complete the mission set before Him by His Heavenly Father.
Most of the Gentile towns and regions were separated from the Jewish regions – however, this did not mean the two cultures didn’t mix. Gentile and Jewish people often traded with each other, and travelled through each other’s towns. The Gentile areas were predominantly made up of ethnically Syrian peoples who shared the Aramaic language with the Jews. The trade between the two groups was one reason why the Jewish tetrarchs and Roman authorities had customs officers or ‘tax collectors’, especially in the area around the Sea of Galilee, which was well known for its agriculture and fishing. Despite this seeming separation between the two groups, it did not stop Jesus from deliberately traveling to those areas and ministering to the people found there.
‘Freeing the Demoniac’ - Mark 5:1-20 – This particular story is very telling about Jesus’ willingness to engage with Gentiles. He and His disciples had travelled across the Sea of Galilee to the region of Gerasenes. There He cast out the ‘Legion’ of demons from the man who lived amongst the graves and tombs. Jesus had deliberately crossed into that area. He was planting the seeds that would start to be harvested after the events of Pentecost. This planting started with the man who had been set free going and spread the word of Jesus to other Gentile towns in the region.
‘The Samaritans’ - John 4:1-12 (Woman by the Well) & Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
Jesus engaged with the Samaritans in several ways. One was directly ministering to them in the area around Jacob’s Well. Because of his discernment, and teachings many in that area came to believe that he was the ‘Messiah’.
Then later on when confronted by Jewish leaders he used the Samaritans as an example of loving others no-matter their ethnical or religious background. So why did Jesus interact and minister to the Samaritan people – because they were seen to be outsiders by the Jewish people, despite the fact they worshiped the same God.
This is in part due to their different ethnical background, as they stemmed from the post-Babylonian exile, and contained various ethnic peoples from that territory. Additionally, they believed that Mount Gerizim, Not Jerusalem should be the site of worship – amongst other various religious differences.
The Samaritans were not true gentiles, but they were seen to be unclean and distinct from the Jewish peoples. Hence, Jesus took it upon himself to bring about a reconciliation of the Samaritans to God, and introduce to them their Messiah.
We can see that the Greco-Roman influences on the Jewish culture and the wider Judean region played a role in the movement and ministry of Jesus, as much as it would have influenced HIS everyday existence.
Part 3: 1st Century Hebrew Culture & Religion