During the time of Jesus, the land of Judea and Galilee was under the rule of the Roman Empire. Many people lived under economic hardship and political oppression. Heavy taxation was one of their main burdens. Jews were required to pay taxes both to the Roman authorities and to support the Jerusalem Temple. For many peasants and laborers, this double taxation created severe financial strain. Some lost their land, fell into debt, or even sold themselves into servitude.
Economic inequality was widespread. While not everyone lived in extreme poverty, there were certainly many destitute people like the figure of Lazarus described in Jesus’ parable. Disease was also common. Illnesses such as leprosy, which had no effective treatment at the time, led to social exclusion and suffering. Political instability, poverty, and religious anxiety together created a climate of deep expectation and unrest.
Among many Jews, apocalyptic beliefs developed. They believed that although God was sovereign, evil powers were active in the world. Some Jewish groups expected that God would soon intervene in history by sending a Messiah (Anointed One) to restore justice and establish God’s rule.
Expectations about the Messiah varied widely:
- A heavenly figure coming with angels.
- A human descendant of King David who would rule Israel.
- A political king who would free Israel from Roman rule.
- A ruler over the whole world.
- A suffering servant, in some interpretations (drawing especially from Isaiah 53),
Because of these expectations, many people eagerly asked how they might enter the coming Kingdom of God.
Among Jewish teachers of that period, Hillel the Elder and Shammai were especially influential.
Shammai was known for a stricter interpretation of the Law. The Pharisees, a lay religious movement devoted to careful observance of the Torah, were often associated with rigorous interpretation of religious commandments. They emphasized obedience to the Law, covenant faithfulness, and repentance as central to righteousness.
Hillel, by contrast, was remembered for a more compassionate and inclusive approach. A famous saying attributed to him is: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.”
Jesus’ teaching closely resembles this spirit, yet it also develops it further. Jesus said, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” Both teachings express the core value of love and mercy.
Although Jesus’ teaching shares similarities with certain Jewish traditions, he cannot be reduced to any one group. He spoke with a distinctive authority and vision. For example, his command to “love your enemies” goes beyond what was commonly emphasized in contemporary Jewish teaching.
Other Jewish groups also shaped the religious landscape. The Essenes lived in separated communities, likely including the group at Qumran. Some scholars suggest that John the Baptist may have been influenced by such movements, though this cannot be proven with certainty.
The Sadducees were largely associated with the priestly aristocracy and the Temple leadership. They held significant religious and political power but were often seen as aligned with Roman interests.
John the Baptist criticized superficial religious practice. He proclaimed a baptism of repentance and emphasized ethical transformation—justice, generosity, and moral integrity—rather than mere ritual observance. Many people were drawn to his powerful message, and Jesus himself was baptized by John.
Jesus’ message resembled John’s in its call to repentance, but there was an important difference. John proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was near and about to come. Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God had already begun—God’s reign was breaking into the present.
In a context where many imagined God primarily as a judge who punishes, Jesus presented God as a compassionate Father. This is powerfully illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son, where forgiveness and restoration are central.
Through his teaching, healing, and symbolic actions, many began to believe that Jesus might be the Messiah. His crucifixion seemed to shatter these hopes. However, his followers later proclaimed that they had experienced him as risen from the dead. These resurrection experiences became the foundation for renewed belief that he was indeed the Messiah who would ultimately bring salvation.
Paul the Apostle played a crucial role in interpreting Jesus’ death and resurrection as events of universal significance. Paul taught that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God had acted decisively to reconcile humanity. He traveled widely across the eastern Mediterranean world and wrote letters to emerging communities of believers. These letters helped shape what later became Christian theology.
Early Christianity did not exist as a single uniform movement. Different communities emphasized different aspects of Jesus’ life and message. James the Just, leader of the Jerusalem community, appears to have stressed faithful observance of Jewish law and practical obedience to Jesus’ teachings. Paul, on the other hand, emphasized faith in Christ and the transformative power of grace, especially for Gentiles.
Over time, Pauline theology became more widely spread, especially in the non-Jewish world. The Jerusalem-centered form of Christianity associated with James gradually declined, particularly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. However, it would be inaccurate to say it simply disappeared; rather, the Christian movement developed along multiple streams that later converged and evolved into what we now call Christianity.
This information came out of a group whatsapp study in 2025-26
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