• Discussion Forum

  Describe the place of the Temple in first-century Jerusalem’s social, economic, and political life.

  Posted by info on 09/20/2021 at 15:22

  Christine Linthicum replied 1 week, 5 days ago 6 Members · 5 Replies

  • CH506-01
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  Christine Linthicum

  Member

  02/10/2025 at 10:55

  The temple was the primary place of worship and journey. It was the heart of the Jewish religion, where people from all over the world came to offer their sacrifices, celebrate and pray. It also servied as community center. The temple attracted visitors. Jerusalem relied o the temple for its economy

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  Donna

  Member

  06/10/2024 at 01:23

  The temple system benefited the citizens of Jerusalem directly. All who lived in Jerusalem were dependent either directly or indirectly upon the temple and temple life. Every citizen was dependent and knew they were dependent upon the bounties of the temple. The Sanhedrin, Sadducees and Religious Functionaries were all dependent on the temple.

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  Kenneth

  Member

  12/30/2023 at 00:38

  1 Kings 8:30 – “Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.” At the dedication of the first Temple by Solomon. Later, when they go into Babylonian Captivity, they will remind God that if they just look in the direction of the Temple, He will hear their prayer, as Daniel himself will do in the sixth Chapter of Daniel, verse 10. The central idea of the Temple is the Abiding presence of YHWH, housed behind the veil, dwelling between the Cherubims, in the Holy of Holies. Why will Jesus tell Mary, “Why did you look for me? Didn’t you know I must be about my Father’s business?” An accurate translation is “Why did you look for me? Should you have known I would be in the Temple, my Father’s House? Again later when He turns over tables (twice), He will decry “My Father’s House is a House of prayer…” The Temple by all accounts was not just the center of life but the place YHWH chose to reside on the earth in the Midst of His people. The Temple was the center of life so much so that Haggai would have to prophesy against the people who returned from Babylon, commenced the building of the Temple, and then ceased their work on the temple to build their own homes. Haggai 1:2 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”<sup style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>3 </sup>Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: <sup style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>4 </sup>“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” This same Temple that the people had put off building NOW stands as the center of life, commerce, fellowship, education, and most of all worship. It is here the Greek Warlord Hyrcanus will sacrifice on the altar and the Jews will rebel under the leadership of Judas Maccabees, determined to defend this Temple and break off the yoke of all oppressors. The temple would seem to direct the financial transactions of the City as bankers, money changers, and sellers would occupy the Court of the Gentiles selling, trading, and changing money for high interest. Thus why Jesus turned over the tables. You can mess with a man’s domicile and daughter but not his dollar. The temple, the stable of Jewish life, tradition, and faith, housed roughly 10,000 functionaries who made up almost a third of the population. Ezra in chapter 3 verses 11, 12 the prophet describes the reaction of the people as the Temple is erected. The young “sang together…in praising and giving thanks to the Lord” for they had not known the splendor and grandeur of the Temple of Solomon since they were born into captivity. The elders, who remembered the Temple of Solomon “…wept and cried with a loud voice.” The weeping was as loud as the joy on that day. But in Jesus’ day, as they all make their way in and out of the Temple, there is little weeping…for now.

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  Maurice Johnson

  Member

  03/26/2023 at 17:14

  The temple was paramount to Jerusalem's economy; all three social echelons heavily relied upon it. The rich included high priests, bankers, and tax collectors. The middle course consisted of shopkeepers, traders, and regular priests. The poor consisted primarily of day laborers and slaves. Many trades were responsible for upholding Jerusalem's economy, such as pottery, baking, oils, craftwork, and stonecutting. Most of these trades were directly or indirectly associated with the temple. For example, many pilgrims would visit the temple and use these services during their stay. Politically, an influential group of religious leaders known as the Sanhedrin ruled Jerusalem. This group consisted of 71 members and was headed by the high priest.

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  Sidney Smart

  Member

  09/06/2022 at 14:22

  Economically it had several different trades such as pottery making, baking, wool goods, olive oil, carpentry, stone cutting and others providing basic needs to the people. Much of these goods were consumed by the Temple and by tourists who were there on pilgrimages.
  Social structure reflected many people from outside the city who were called because of thousands of religious functions needing workers and administrator. There were rich such as bankers, tax collectors; middle course made up of ordinary priests, small shopkeepers and traders and many poor people, day laborers and slaves. All of them fit in a network around the temple depending directly or indirectly on the activities of temple life.
  Politically it was dominated by the Sanhedrin. This was the highest political body consisting of 71 members and headed by the high priest. Most were wealthy landowners. There was always a Levite who alone could enter into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for people. Then there were chief priests, Sadducees most often. They taught the twenty-four education courses offered at the temple, managed temple finances and made civil law decisions. Next level down were Sadducees, pharisees and scribes. There were singers and gatekeepers and guards amongst other functionaries. It was a unique sort of “Vatican city” had it been Roman Catholic.

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• Discussion Forum

  What was the significance for Judaism of the festival of Pentecost? How did onlookers react? How did Peter respond? What was the outcome?

  Posted by info on 09/20/2021 at 15:23

  Kenneth replied 1 year, 1 month ago 4 Members · 3 Replies

  • CH506-01
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  Kenneth

  Member

  12/30/2023 at 01:20

  The feast of Pentecost will follow 50 days after the Passover Feast. It will be counted 7 weeks of 7 equaling 49 days. That day will end on a Sabbath day, in which no work can be done, so they will add another day totaling 50 days to honor the Holy Sabbat. The key here is harvest season. Passover will commence due to what is known as the “former rains” which ensures a healthy crop. Even though Pesach (Passover) is in remembrance of their exit from Egypt, Moses will also tie the Passover in with the Harvest season so their sacrifices will be based on their harvest. (Leviticus 23:9-14) Now the harvest has been reaped (mostly) and fifty days later will be the Feast of Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of the Latter Fruits, or Shavuot. As Moses addresses this Feast, unlike the Passover Feast in which the offering is tied to their recognition of YHWH’s blessing upon bringing them into fertile land, Pentecost, Leviticus 23:17, ties this offering to their homes. YHWH has brought them into the Land and placed them in secure homes. As Moses ascends Mt. Sinai for forty days and returns to witness the debauchery and Idolatry of the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, 3,000 will die. As Jesus ascends and tells the disciples to “…wait until they receive power…”, ten days will pass. On that day of Pentecost, there will come a sound, an appearance of tongues, and the 120+ in the upper room will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 3,000 on that day will be saved. On the day of Moses, he will descend with the law and Paul will say “The letter killeth”, but Peter will speak in the Power of the Holy Spirit, and Paul will say, “The Spirit gives life.” The onlookers are amazed that these Galileans are speaking in their language and dialects and believe them to be drunk. They will be…but not on any earthly creation or substance as Peter will say “…not as you suppose!” Here, Paul will raise his voice and cry again “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…” Over 3000 lives will return to their homes in Persia, Antioch, Rome, etc., and the Gospel, still among the Jews, will begin its takeover.

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  Michael Sayre

  Member

  03/21/2023 at 14:53

  Questions for answer #1- What was significant about Judaism festival of Pentecost? All the people who arrived were from the whole Mediterranean region. The people were speaking in their own native tongue and were filled with joy from Holy Spirit.
  How did the onlookers react? They said “Aren’t these Galileans and yet they are speaking in their own native tongue, how is this possible? They must be drunk on wine.” Peter responded to these accusations; “It is only 9:00 a.m. in the morning, these people are not drunk as you say. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. “And it will be in the last days says God, that I will pour out my spirit on all people.” Verses 29-32 continue the prophecy being fulfilled in their presence. Acts 2:40-41 tell of the more than 3,000 were added to the Christian community.
  #2 Describe the place of the 1st Century Temple in Jerusalem in their social, economic and Political life.
  The social structure was made to accommodate large numbers of religious festivals throughout the city. There was a low to high status that was well managed. Rich were the high priests, bankers and tax collectors. The middle course were the ordinary priests, shopkeepers, and traders who made a living in various ways. Then there was the poor, the day laborers and slaves.

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  Sidney Smart

  Member

  09/06/2022 at 14:04

  The festival of Pentecost whose celebration and attendance if possible was mandatory to practicing Hebrews. Jerusalem – Solomon’s Porch – was one of the most popular venues. Not only was this a perfect time of gathering, but the Lord, before His ascension, had also admonished his disciples to meet there together at this time and pray.
  When those in attendance were touched by the tongues of flame by the Holy Spirit and began to speak in languages that those around them could understand, the onlookers, of course, became curious to find out what was happening. Some of them drew near to listen but others simply responded “they are obviously drunk.
  Peter, who had denied his Lord and Savior three times at the time of the crucifixion and had been pretty much hiding in fear with the other disciples, was brought forward of the Holy Spirit to be the great preacher of the Pentecost and what a sermon he preached. About three thousand souls were saved that day under the preaching of Peter anointed by the Holy Spirit and the Church was born.

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