In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
We are still with the complete truth about Jesus, the son of Mary, as it came in the Holy Qur’an through Dr. Ali Al-Sallabi’s book, specifically in the first chapter, which deals with the historical roots of the country in which Jesus, peace be upon him, was born.
In the previous article, we stopped at the third point, political and social situation that coincided with the birth of Jesus (Isa), peace be upon him.
Third: Political and social situation
Palestine had been under Roman rule since 13 BC and initially adopted a system of protection whereby a local Jewish king held pictorial authority so as to ensure his loyalty.
It should be noted that some Jews welcomed Roman rule and cooperated with them in ruling the country, but others considered their presence worthy of resisting. Groups from these people emerged and contributed to the development of Nasraaniism.
During the reign of Roman emperor Augustus (died 14 AD), the Roman Empire encircled the entire Mediterranean Sea, European countries west of the Rhine to the Black Sea, Anatolia “Turkey”, Mesopotamia, the Levant, Egypt and all of North Africa. Hence, the cradle of Nasraaniism was where both East and West worlds met, Semites and Romans, Greeks and Jews and non-Jews. 1
A reckless man, Herod the Great, ruled over Palestine during 4 – 37 AD, and as of 6 AD, the entire region became subject to Rome’s direct rule with Jewish districts of the south and Samaria in the centre united in one state. 2
After the death of Herod the Great, his three sons succeeded him in ruling Palestine and were approved by the Roman government. Antipas (4 BC - 39 AD), one of Herod the Great’s sons, retained control of his district that included the Galilee in northern Palestine, whose capital was Tiberias near Nazareth, where Prophet Isa (pbuh) grew up. The outskirts of the Levant were ruled by Philip (4 BC - 34 AD). 3
Judea and Samaria fell under the rule of Archelaus (4 BC – 6 AD) – which included the area of Jerusalem. Roman Tiberius then ruled over the Roman Empire after Augustus and his reign lasted two years and twenty days. Palestine and its surrounding region underwent many disturbances under the rule of so many men. The masses did not like Herod Sr. because of his submission to the Romans on the one hand and his tyranny on the other. Jewish clergy continued to regard him as the pagan lover of Hellenism in whose era the temple built by the Jews during the time of Ezra was destroyed, and which Ezra then rebuilt it on its same foundations from the time of Solomon. Herod was known for his violence and ferocity, who did not hesitate to kill anyone he suspected of posing a threat to the regime. He hideously persecuted Sanhedrin members for merely sensing they had some power. 4
Upon Herod’s death, his kingdom was socially and economically devastated and politically divided among his three sons. This contributed to igniting revolutions and unrests after his death; and various alliances, factions and sects among the Jews arose, from the extremist to the moderate. All of this contributed in the destruction of Yerushalayim in 70 AD.
The reign of Archelaus over Jews was so bad that many of them complained about him to the Roman emperor, where the latter deposed him and appointed Pilates the Pontius in his stead. Roman-born Pilates ruled over the Jews for 10 years as of 26 AD before being deposed as well. At the time, the Galilee was under the rule of Antipas who was even more fierce than his brother, and it was he who killed Yahya son of Zakariya (pbuh) 5 after the latter issued a fatwa that Antipas’s marriage of a certain woman was prohibited. The New Testament states that Prophet Isa had dubbed him the Fox due to his intelligence. 6
Many Jews of the time forfeited their previous values and became influenced by the Jews who integrated into the nations under the empire, as well as by those who came to Palestine and Jerusalem on pilgrimage. Even their own religious leaders forfeited their posts and values which beckoned the Pharisees to call for reembracing olden values and increased Asanians’ anticipation for the arrival of the awaited Messiah. 7
Several clashes occurred between the Romans and the pilgrims coming from Jerusalem, which spread to many areas, especially between the two authorities and a group called the Jealous who were characterized by national fanaticism in rejecting the foreign colonizer and paying land tax, coupled with religious fanaticism, in an attempt to purge the Temple of non-Jews. 8
The region of Palestine was in a state of revolt against the Roman Empire, as most scholars agree, especially in the era of Cyparios; whereas other scholars feel otherwise.
With the exception of the Sadducees who collaborated with the Roman Empire (Roman Colonization), other parties were in constant and violent struggle against the Romans. 9 As a result of these disturbances, the idea of awaiting the advent of the promised Redeemer became more entrenched; a matter that intensified the persecution between them and the Romans. 10
Prophet Isa (pbuh) was born at the end of Herod Sr’s reign, and witnessed the eras of his sons afterwards.
The political situation in Palestine in the era of the Messiah was horrific, and the social situation was even more dire as power that was wielded by its rulers superseded the rule of law. There was great disparity between rulers and the people where the former had wealth, luxury and ruled tyrannically, while the latter were poor and hapless. The taxes levied on behalf of Rome constituted yet further suffering and the goal of the clergy became limited to collecting money. The community became void of cohesion and harmony, tribalism spread among people and class divisions emerged. 11
In the next article, God willing, we will address the fourth point with regard to the historical roots of the homeland in which Jesus Christ, son of Mary, was born, which will be titled (Intellectual Life). Until then, I entrust you with God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Footnotes:
1 John Lorimer, “Church’s History in Early Eras”, al-Thaqaafah House, Cairo, D. T., p.3.
2 “Altering the Messiah’s Message throughout History: Reasons and Consequences”, Ibid, p.26.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid, p.27.
5 Ibn al-‘Ibri Gregarious al-Maalti, “Tareekh Mukhtasar al-Duwal”, Catholic Press, Beirut, Lebanon, D.T., p.26.
6 Rev. Faheem Azeez, “Introduction to the New Testament”, al-Thaqaafah House, Cairo, D.T., p.27.
7 Rev. Hanna al-Khadri, “History of Christian Thought”, al-Thaqaafah House, Cairo, 1st Ed., D.T., p.101-110.
8 Ibid, p.110-112, 216.
9 Ibid, p.213-215.
10 “Altering the Messiah’s Message throughout History: Reasons and Consequences”, Ibid, p.28.
11 “Altering the Messiah’s Message throughout History: Reasons and Consequences”, Ibid, p.28.