The document summarizes the historical context of the New Testament, including the Exile, Persian rule, Greek rule under Alexander the Great, and the Intertestamental Period. It describes how the Jews experienced varying degrees of freedom and oppression under the Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires. Antiochus IV Epiphanes severely persecuted the Jews and forbade their religious practices, leading to the Maccabean revolt led by Judas Maccabeus and the reclamation of the temple.

1.  The Historical Setting of the New Testament
 The Exile (Babylonian Period, 605-538 B.C.)
 The Post-exilic period (Persian Period, 539-332 BC)
 Inter-testamental Period (332-63BC)
 Alexander the Great of Macedon
 Ptolemaic Rule
 Seleucid Rule
 Maccabean War
 The Hasmonean Dynasty
 The Rise of Romans

2. The Exilic and Post-Exilic Periods

5. The Persian Empire

6. The Persian Period (539-332 BC)
 At the end of 70 year Babylonian captivity, God’s
people returned to Jerusalem.
 There three returns from exile
 First return: time of Cyrus the Great (539 B.C.); led
by Sheshbassar; they began rebuilding the temple
and God sent Haggai and Zechariah to boost the
morale of the people; Zerubbabel was appointed
as governor while Joshua as high priest.
 Second return: time of Artaxerxes I (457 B.C.); led
by Ezra; main goal is to rebuild the city of
Jerusalem; he also led a reform against inter-marriage.

7.  Third return: time of Artaxerxes I (444 B.C.);
led by Nehemiah; his task is to rebuild the
walls of Jerusalem; he was appointed as
governor; Malachi was sent to assist the
reformation in the land.
Samaritans who were occupying the
Jerusalem at the of post-exilic settlement
were cast out of the city and occupied
Samaria; they built a temple in Mt. Gerezim
(cf. John 4).

8.  Judah during the Persian rule:
 Judea became one of the Persian provinces.
 The Jews enjoyed freedom of religion and peace
during the Persian rule.
 Some of the Jews were in the diaspora but were still
united by the temple, the Law, and Yahweh.
 No appointed king in Judah after exile; the high-priest
became an important position from this time
on.
 Prophecy ceased the fact that God did not call a
prophet.
Malachi is the last prophet called by God in the OT.

9. The Greek Empire

10. Alexander the Great: extent of empire

11. The Rule of Alexander the Great
 Son of Phillip II of Macedon.
He was taught by Aristotle that everything is
moving toward a goal and destiny.
He wanted to create an empire united in custom,
language, and civilization.
 Became king at the age of twenty and started to
conquer the world after uniting the Greek city-states
and defeating the Persian armies.
 By 333 B.C. he was able to free the Asia Minor from
the Persian rule; by 331 the Mesopotamian region;
by 326 B.C., he reach Indus Valley

12. He died in 323 B.C. at the age of 32 on the way
to Mesopotamia from India.
 Alexander’s Hellenization
 he tried to unite the East and West by having a
common language, political system, and
currency.
He encouraged his soldiers to marry local
wives.
He established several Alexandrias.
 Several Greek cities were founded in Palestine
that strongly influenced Jewish lives.

13.  Judea on the Influence of Alexander’s Hellenism
 Only on Judea where there was strong opposition
against Alexander’s religious and cultural syncretism.
 A common language made the rapid spread of
Christianity and made the OT readable at this period
(Septuagint).
 Hellenism can be considered as the major factor in the
formation of the sects Pharisees and Sadducees.
 Alexander’s emphasis on literacy and education paved
the way for the reading of the Scriptures (OT).
 Trade and commerce became ways for the expansion
of the gospel in the 1st century A.D.

14. Important Developments during
Intertestamental Period
Great political changes in Europe and Asia
◦ From the rule of Persia to Greece to Rome
◦ Alexander integrates East and West through
language (Greek) and culture (hellenism)
◦ The control of Ptolemaic and Seleucid
kingdoms
New civilizations
◦ Hellenism prevails in education and culture
◦ Roman law creates pax romana

15.  The language changes
 For example in Palestine, from Hebrew to
Aramaic; later the Jews (diaspora) used Greek
as well
New body of literature emerged
Apocrypha
Pseudepigrapha
LXX
Qumran sectarian literature
The works of Philo (Allegorical/Philosophical)
 Jewish Sects developed (e.g. Pharisees,
Sadducees, Essenes, and etc.)

17. Ptolemaic Rule
 After the death of Alexander the Great, Greek
empire was divided into his generals.
 Ptolemy, one of the generals and an old friend of
Alexander was given Egypt and Palestinian region.
He subjugated Jerusalem by surprise on Sabbath
and took 100,000 Jews as captives to Egypt.
He lost control of Palestine to Antigonus in 315 B.C.
but later reclaimed it in 313 B.C.
He was a Macedonian but sympathetic to Egyptian
culture; therefore he was declared as pharaoh of
Egypt.

18. He built Museum in Alexandria which became
the seat of intellect as well as Aristotelian
philosophy; this became the world’s first
university.
The library in Alexandria, Egypt is another
contribution of Ptolemy.
 Ptolemy II Philadelphus ordered the translation
of the Hebrew OT to Greek, known as the
Septuagint (LXX).
 Ptolemy IV Philopater tried to enter the Most
Holy Place, but he was prevented.

19. The strength of the Ptolemaic kingdom
began to decline at the time of Ptolemy IV,
and as a result, Ptolemy V Epiphanes was
defeated by a Seleucid king.
To offer peace, he gave his daughter in a
diplomatic marriage and lost control of
Phoenicia and Palestine (198 B.C.)
Ptolemaic kingdom lasted from 323-117 B.C.

20. Jews during Ptolemaic Rule
Ptolemies rule may be considered a time
of peace and freedom for the Jews in
Egypt and Palestine.
They did not use governor like the Persian
empire. Therefore, the high-priest
became the most influential leader.

22. The Seleucid Rule
 Seleucus I Nicator, one of the generals of
Alexander the Great and the founder of Seleucid
kingdom.
He controlled the regions of Mesopotamia,
Syria, and Asia Minor after Antigonus was killed
in the battle (301 B.C.)
 Antioch in Syria was founded as the capital of
Seleucus; it became the center of Hellenistic
cultures.
 The Seleucid dynasty lasted until 65 B.C. when
the Romans destroyed them.

23. Jews under Seleucid Rule
 Under Antiochus III (the Great), Palestine was
transferred to Seleucid rule.
 He gave many privileges to the Jews such as
citizenship, religious freedom, freedom from taxation,
and the official sanction of Jewish laws.
Many Jews settled in Hellenistic cities as influenced by
Antiochus, thus, Jews in the diaspora grew.
 However, these freedom of the Jews did not last long.
 He was defeated by the Roman soldiers and was
replaced by Seleucus, then his brother Antiochus IV
Epiphanes . He continued the oppressive nature of his
predecessors.

24. Hellenization of Antiochus Epiphanes IV
He forced the Jews to worship him as Olympian
Zeus.
 His program of Hellenization was generally
successful except in Judea.
 There were two parties among Jews in Jerusalem:
conservative and the Hellenizers who were
mostly priestly aristocrats.
 Rivalry between the house of Tobias (Hellenizers)
and Onias (Orthodox) aroused even before
Antiochus’ hellenization.

25.  Joshua (Jason, Hellenized name), brother of
Onias III, bribed to take the high-priesthood
from his brother.
 Then, another brother named Menaleus bribed
larger with the help of the Tobiads to ensure the
high-priesthood.
 Antiochus IV Epiphanes ransacked the
Jerusalem temple and took the golden altar and
most items of value.
He levied heavy taxes on the Jews to maintain
his standard of living; if unwilling/unable to pay,
the Jews were sold into slavery.

26.  The Jews were required to conform to Syrian laws
and prohibited to practice Jewish customs like
circumcision, Sabbath observance, avoiding
unclean food, and temple sacrifices on the pain of
death.
 Books of Torah were destroyed.
An altar dedicated to Zeus was erected on the
altar of burnt offerings;
A herd of swine was sacrificed on the altar
dedicated to Zeus and the temple vessels were
desecrated by sprinkling them with broth made
of swine’s flesh.

27. The Ptolemaic and Seleucid
Rule Compared
 Ptolemaic kingdom was relatively lax in their
rule to God’s people;
 It was mostly a period of peace; there was
freedom for the Jews both in Egypt and
Palestine.
However, as for the rule of the Seleucids, they
were more rigid in their “hellenization.”
The time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes marks the
time of great trial for the Jews.
 He forced people to be “hellenized.”

28. The Maccabean Revolt
Mattathias, priest of Modin; father of Judas
Maccabeus) led the revolt.
 Judas Maccabeus and his brothers (John,
Eliezer, Simon, Jonathan) together with the
Hasidim fought against the Syrian armies.
They were forced even to fight on the Sabbath,
lest they will all perished in the hands of their
enemies.
 After the death of Mattathias, Judas Macabeus
led the revolt and they were successful in
fighting against “hellenism.”

29.  Cleansing of Jerusalem temple took place on 164
B.C.; it is celebrated every year during the time of
Hannukah, (“Feast of Lights”).
 Judas Maccabeus was successful in his campaign
against the Syrian armies.
However, he died in the battle against the Syrians
in 160 B.C.
 After his death Jonathan the Cunning
(youngest brother) assumed the leadership who
was not strong in subduing the Syrians like his
brother.

30.  Jonathan can be considered as statesman while
his brother Judas was a warrior.
He died in the hands of Trypho (Syrian general)
who has the same character with him.
Trypho made him prisoner and Simon (the last
brother alive) sent him ransom. However, he did
not release Jonathan and had him killed.
 After the death of Jonathan, his brother Simon
(ca. 142-134), became the leader.
He made a treaty with the Syrian king
(Demetrius II) who granted him political
independence and paying from taxes.

31. He was conferred by the Jews as governor and
high-priest.
 It was relatively a time of peace during his
leadership.
He minted his own coins.
One of his great accomplishments in the
unification of three parties in Judaism: the
Hellenists, the Hasidim, and the Maccabees.
He was killed in a banquet prepared by his son-in
law.
 His death marked the end of the Maccabean
period.

32. The Hasmonean Dynasty
 John Hyrcanus is the first leader of the
Hasmonean dynasty.
He is the son of Simon; he was away when his
father and two brothers were assassinated.
 John prospered for 30 years; he subdued the
Samaritans and destroyed their temple in Mt.
Gerizim which added further the animosity
between the Jews and the Samaritans.
 John Hyrkanus failed to appreciate the Hasidim
played in the earlier revolt against the Syrians.
 This resulted to internal tension.

33.  The existence of the three sects can be dated at
this time: Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Essenes.
He sided with the Pharisees.
 After his death, Salome, his wife took the lead
and his on Aristobulus I became the high-priest.
 Aristobulus I seized the throne from his mother;
starved her to death and imprisoned his brother
Jonathan (Alexander Jannaeus).
 After only a year of reign, he died and his wife
Alexandra became his successor.

34.  She freed Alexander Jannaeus; married him
and appointed him as high-priest.
He was a liberal leader and welcomed
hellenization.
When the Pharisees revolted against Jannaeus, he
killed 6,000 of them and even crucified hundreds
of them in another time.
 Alexander Jannaeus’ reign is marked with cruelty
and civil war (6-year war against the Pharisees).
 At his deathbed, he advised his wife to quit
alliance with the Sadducees and make peace with
the Pharisees.

35.  Then, his wife Alexandra rule after the death of
Alexander Jannaeus.
 She is the first woman to rule over the Jews.
 She favored the Pharisees and at this time, the
Sanhedrin increased in power and prestige.
Her 9-year rule marked with peace and
prosperity.
Hyrkanus II and Aristobulus II became her
successors.

36. Reflection on the
Hasmonean Period
 The descendants of Mattathias were not
conservative as their noble progenitors;
 They went back to “hellenism”;
 The nation rarely had much peace because of
internal (civil war) and external strife.

37. The Roman Period
 Rome became powerful and conquered the nations
around them including the Seleucid kingdom;
 Before it became an empire, it was a republic ruled
by consuls and a senate;
 Pompey and Julius Caesar led in subjugating their
enemies including the Hasmonean family;
 Caesar Augustus was the first man to declare
himself as emperor;
 Antipater, father of Herod the Great, became the
governor of Judea while Herod was appointed as
tetrarch of Galilee.

38. Herod the Great
 Appointed ruler of Judea (37 B.C.-4 A.D.);
 a great builder (e.g. Samaria, Caesaria, Masada,
Jerusalem temple, etc.);
 seen by the Jews a “blood-thirsty tyrant”; he killed
some members of the Sanedrin, Aristobulus
(brother-in-law), Mariamne (his wife), Alexandra
(mother-in-law), sons by Mariamne (Aristobulus IV
and Alexander), and ordered the deaths of the
Bethlehem infants.
 Supported hellenization.

39. After the Time of Herod the Great
 Herod’s kingdom was divided into his three sons:
◦ Archaeleus (province of Judea cf. Matt 2:20,22),
brutal like his father; Scandalized Jews by
marrying his brother’s widow and deposing two
high priests; removed, and sent into exile
(A.D.6)
◦ Herod Antipas (Galilee and Perea), like his
father, he had massive building projects like
Sepphoris (4mi from Nazareth) and Tiberias by
the lake of Galilee and named it after the

40. Roman emperor Tiberius; Antipas was
the one who executed John the Baptist
(Mark 6:17-29) and involved in the trial
of Jesus (Luke 23:7-12)
Philip (Caesaria), he founded the town
of Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mt.
Hermon.

41. The Roman Procurators
 There were seven procurators from A.D. 6 to 41;
 They were appointed by the emperor to control
the finances, assisting in the collecting of taxes;
they had power also to pass death sentence and
could appoint and depose high priest;
 Pontius Pilate can be considered as the most
famous because of his connection to Christ’s trial
(cf. Matt 27:11-26; Mark 15:15; Luke 22:66-23:25;
John 18:28-19:16)

42. Evaluation
Judea during the Roman period was
dominated by the Herodian dynasty;
Romans required taxes, but allowed
considerable freedom for the Jews;
Herod the Great was cruel and despicable
in his personal life but he was known for
his building projects.