There are tools that are needed to mine the depths of the biblical texts. There are also many perspectives that enrich our study, like the perspective of first century Judaism. This site is one of those rare resources that provides both tools and perspective for the serious student of Scripture.
– Dr. Allen Mawhinney, A Retired Academic Dean, Reformed Theological Seminary
Peter Schäfer joined the faculty in 1998, appointed as the Ronald O. Perelman Professor of Judaic Studies and Professor of Religion. His teaching and research interests include Jewish History in Late Antiquity,…
We read in 2:6: “Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the purification of hoi Ioudaioi, containing two or three measures each”. It is often argued that the best way to translate hoi Ioudaioi is simply – Judeans. It is also often argued, that hoi Ioudaioi were Jerusalemite authorities. Both of the theories fall short in explaining references like these when hoi Ioudaioi were permanently present outside of Judea. Jn.2:6 is not the only example that shows a geographical Judean location was not a necessary condition for people to be classified as hoi Ioudaioi. Cana was in Galilee.
In vs. 51 Jacob’s dream is evoked. According to the Biblical story, Jacob most likely dreamed about an ancient ziggurat-like structure that in the mind of the ancients normally had a temple on the top of that mountain with stairs leading to it. The angels were ascending and descending upon Bethel (house of God), where Jacob slept on a stone anxious about Esau’s reception of him after many years away and that under questionable circumstances. Samaritans thought that Bethel and Gerizim were one and the same place since Bethel is connected with Luz and Luz is connected to Mt. Gerizim. Up until today the Samaritan village of Luza is located essentially next to the Mt. Gerizim.
Nathaniel’s first reaction to Philip’s claim that he and others found the Messiah was rather disappointing in 1:46: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Though Nazareth was a very small village. It fact according to archeological conclusions it boasted no more than 150 residents. It was over showed by the Roman with a large Jewish population city just 30-45 minutes’ walk a way that served as an administrative city center – Tzipori (Sepphoris). Jesus must have spent time there as a child and youth, accompanying his Nazareth-resident parents to it for all kinds of matters pertaining to life in Roman Palestine.
Description Although major New Testament figures–Jesus and Paul, Peter and James, Jesus’ mother Mary and Mary Magdalene–were Jews, living in a culture steeped in Jewish history, beliefs, and practices, there has never…
