Dictionary of Bible Themes Derived from "Judah" (the southern kingdom of the divided monarchy) the term refers to the religion and culture of the Jews from the time of the exile (586 B.C.) onwards. Ezra 4:12The exile and the beginnings of Judaism Nehemiah 4:2The people of Judah become known as Jews Esther 3:6Jeremiah 32:12 Matthew 2:2 John 2:6 Jeremiah 44:1 Ezra 2:1 Jewish communities were formed in many places John 7:35Acts 2:8-11 many stayed in Babylon Psalms 137:4See also Far from the Jerusalem temple, the exiles had difficulty in knowing how to worship Hosea 3:4This prophecy to Israel also expresses the dilemma of the Jerusalem exiles. Nehemiah 7:73-8:3New forms of religion after the exile, probably beginning in Babylon Emphasis on the Scriptures Luke 4:16-17Synagogue worship Unable to sacrifice in the temple, the exiles would have focused their worship on the Scriptures, a practice which developed into synagogue worship. Ezra 7:11,14,25Carefully observing the law Ezra went from Babylon to Jerusalem with the express intention of seeing that God's law was observed: Ezra 3:1-6The temple and sacrifice The returning exiles recommence the sacrifices Ezra 3:8; 6:14-15The temple rebuilt John 12:20Acts 2:5 The temple as a focus for pilgrims Acts 8:27They had probably come for Passover and were staying until Pentecost Matthew 26:59-61The temple regarded with great reverence Acts 6:13; 21:27-29pp Mk 14:57-58 John 5:39Studying and obeying the law Studying Scripture Matthew 23:23James 2:10 Total obedience essential Matthew 23:16-18Mark 7:1-13 Human rules added to God's law Matthew 12:1-2pp Mt 15:1-9 High regard for the Sabbath and traditional rules associated with it pp Mk 2:23-24 pp Lk 6:1-2 Mark 7:3-4Groups within NT Judaism Pharisees See also Luke 11:38; 18:10-12The Pharisees stressed the fulfilment of the law by individuals. Acts 26:5Acts 5:17 Sadducees See also Matthew 3:7A powerful minority group, politically astute whilst theologically conservative, they saw temple worship as the chief purpose of the law. Mark 12:18pp Mt 22:23 pp Lk 20:27 Matthew 17:10Teachers of the law (scribes) Mark 9:14They preserved, copied, taught and administered the law: Luke 2:46Acts 4:5 Luke 6:15 Zealots Matthew 23:15They favoured a "holy war" to drive out the Romans. Acts 2:11; 6:5; 13:43Non-Jewish converts Mark 14:1Judaism and Christianity See also Conflict between Jesus Christ and the Jewish authorities John 11:45-50John 16:2 Acts 4:1-3; 5:17-18 Conflict between the first Christians and Judaism Galatians 1:13-14Acts 15:5 See also Conflict produced by Jewish influence among the first Christians Acts 15:1-2Galatians 2:11-16 See also Judaism gave birth to Christianity. After an initial uneasy co-existence a total break finally ensued. 5375 law5515 scroll 7216 exile in Assyria 7248 patriarchs 7428 Sabbath 7458 tabernacle, the 7464 teachers of the law 7469 temple, Herod's 7510 Gentiles 7550 Pharisees 7555 Sadducees 7620 disciples |
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