A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

The Gospel Witness to Jesus’ Contemporaries

I. The Historical Context (Milieu) of Jesus’ Life: The Context of the Roman World

Mark 14.60-64 And the high priest

stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” [61] But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” [62] And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” [63] And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? [64] You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.

(Erich Sauer, The Dawn of World Redemption . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1951. p. 176.)

A. A time of world centralization (commerce within the empire itself, political organization, overall governmental and military oversight), Luke 2.1-7

1. The birth of Jesus is situated within the times of Roman rule in Israel, cf. Luke 2.1-2.

2. 50 years before the birth of Jesus, three powerful Roman generals vied for supremacy.

a. Pompey – was responsible for bringing the Jewish people into the Roman realm

b. Julius Caesar – the ultimate victor, became the sole ruler

(1) Before he was murdered in the forum, he had willed that his nephew, Octavius, take his place.

(2) Power struggle between the murderers of Julius and those who desired a republic, and Octavius

(3) Octavius Caesar won, people bestowed upon him “Augustus” when he became emperor, out of gratitude for the peace he secured.

3. Augustus ruled areas where there was unrest among the local people or threat from the outside (only the emperor controlled the army).