Tag: antipas

  • Kings, Governors, Politicians & Priests – Power in the Palaces of Justice

    Kings, Governors, Politicians & Priests – Power in the Palaces of Justice

    Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

    John 18:28 KJV

    the Praetorium – in the Palace of Power

    painting of scene of banquet table of Herod with Salome presenting head of John the Baptist
    Herod’s Palace – Salome presents head of John the Baptist to Herod

    I don’t know about you, but the rapid-fire events of the conviction of the Messiah Jesus in so brief a time in the early hours of the day confuses me concerning the places these trials took place.

    If you have a comment of clarification please add it to this post.

    IF, unlike those present at the Lord’s first century trials you do not understand who is in charge, the venues of Jesus’ trials can get a little confusing.

    You may ask, ‘What does this banquet hall of Herod..’ (where King Herod had been presented the head of John the Baptist) ‘.. have to do with the Messiah Jesus on this morning following the betrayal of Judas?’

    The Praetorium is a semi-public place where Jesus has been sent — this place is on the grounds of the palace of King Herod.

    Let’s look back briefly at the history of the keys players in this developing drama which convicts the Messiah Jesus at night.

    King Herod

    Briefly, the history of the Herod’s gets complicated at times, but remember here that we are not talking about Herod the Great who navigated the complex politics of Rome with great agility.

    After Herod’s death, Augustus Caesar ratified the wishes of his client king, Herod, to divide this eastern territory of Rome into three parts.

    Source: Herodian Tetrarchy
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    1. Herod Archelaus was appointed Ethnarch (a governor & not king) of Idumaea, Judea (including Jerusalem) and Samaria.
    2. Herod Antipas (simply, Antipas to the Romans & his subjects, but described as ‘Herod‘ in the Gospels) became Tetrarch of Galilee (including Nazareth and Capernaum) and Perea.
    3. Philip I, son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem, became Tetrarch of the northern part of Herod’s kingdom (area in modern Lebanon & Syria).

    ‘Governor Herod

    You've never heard Herod called that, have you?

    This is no longer the Jerusalem of Herod the Great! Jews are now considered merely as an ethnic people and Judeans an ‘ethnic group’ similar to nearby client Roman states. They are now governed as a regional people rather than as a small kingdom allied to Rome for mutual military advantage.

    Ethnarch (technically) is a Roman rank just a little higher than Tetrarch. (Kind of like Arch-Bishop is to Bishop in the church.)

    Judean Governors (like Herod) sometimes appear politically and practically to be more Roman than like traditional sons of David.

    IF these Herod’s were officially governors of their respective Roman regions, i.e. Judea, Galilee, Ituria, etc., — who then governed the governors?

    Who governs these Jews?

    John now addresses the question of who’s in charge in Jerusalem, who’s in charge of Judea, which Tetrarch governor of which ethnic region has authority in what was once the Kingdom of Israel.

    As Jesus is dragged from place to place for trial the quiestions mount:

    Is He a Judean? A Galilean? A Jew with authority in Jerusalem? A would-be King? Who IS this Man?

    Other Gospel writers have hinted earlier how this delicate duality of rule in first century Jerusalem provided opportunity of great hypocrisy among the rulers of the Jews and their religious political parties, i.e. Sadducees, Pharisees, etc..

    The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him…

    So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.

    Luke 20:19a,20 NASB

    “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

    But He detected their trickery and said to them,

    “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”

    They said, “Caesar’s.” – Luke 20:22-24 NASB

    John 18:

    28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

    29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said,

    “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”

    the Praetorium – palace of the Governor

    WAIT! Even knowing something of the political intrigue and complexity of the Herod’s, I’m still confused.

    Again, please comment if you can help or have a question.

    Note that the King James Version {at beginning of this post} states:

    ‘Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment…’

    I get that a hall of judgment could be a large room in the palace.


    Note now in the NASB translation,

    ‘.. into the [a]Praetorium..’

    AND by definition:

    πραιτώριον = Praetorium [note a]

    ‘John 18:28 i.e. governor’s official residence’

    Why is Pilate there?

    Why does Pilate emerge from the Governor’s palace to greet the religious police who have taken the Messiah Jesus into custody?

    The CSB clearly calls it 'the governor’s headquarters.'

    Wasn’t Pilate’s headquarters outside Jerusalem’s walls with the Roman Legion he commanded?

    NO!

    When Rome moved into a captured land they ‘civilized’ its remaining residents to become supporting (taxed) residents (not citizens) under Roman rule. As long as they paid their taxes and did not rebel against Roman authority these local Jews could do what they want with their own ethnic people.

    What accusation?

    Roman custom is such that some public judgments are made from the court of the Governor in charge. Pilate asks the local Jewish leaders who have led a prisoner to him the reasonable question of a Governor and Judge:

    https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jhn/18/1/t_concf_1015029Τίνα κατηγορίαν φέρετε κατὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τούτου

    “Tis katēgoria pherō kata ho anthrōpos hoytos?

    John 18:29 – question of Pilate to the Jews who brought Jesus before him

    These Jewish leaders of Jerusalem have brought a prisoner to Pilate in the earliest hours of the morning. Pilatos, the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria, addresses them in the universal language of the vast Empire, Greek not his native Latin, the religious Hebrew tongue of these Jews or a local Aramaic language.

    Their prisoner bound for trial appears to be Jesus, who had led thousands of followers to Jerusalem’s gates just a few days ago. Pilate would already know that the Man has not caused any trouble, except one minor incident within the courts of the Jews own Temple.

    The Governor has plenty to be concerned about for the upcoming day in monitoring the massive multitudes here for the Jewish holiday Pesach.

    painting of pontius pilate

    Imagine the thoughts of Pilatos:

    You’ve brought a prisoner to the governor in these early hours of this busy day?

    What does your warrant accuse that I should imprison the Man now?

    I have more important things to do than trifle with such matters of your religious concern.

    So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked,

    “What is your charge against this man?”

    John 18:29 NLT
    To be continued...
    
  • The Time Is Near For Our Church – Pergamum

    The Time Is Near For Our Church – Pergamum

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ

    John to the seven churches

    Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

    “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, … to Pergamum

    16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

    “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

    20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

    Christ, our risen Lord and Savior holds in His right hand the angels of the churches. Christ, our returning Lord and Savior stands in the presence of His golden churches – the believers to be taken-up along with those who have gone before us.

    Yet each letter to the churches is specific to a group of believers: praise for faithfulness and call to continued faith. For not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will be taken-up. Not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will stand as a light of witness as a lampstand on His right. For some will be separated to the King’s left and He will say of those who did not glimmer with the light of Jesus, “I never knew you.”

    And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. – Matthew 25:46 KJV

    Therefore: The warnings for the seven churches are addressed to the saints of every generation until the last.

    You with ears to hear, let the scripture of Revelation speak to your eternal soul.

    the_seven_churches_of_revelation

    City of Science … and Satan?

    pergamon hill

    Pergamum
    Pergamum

    Pergamon’s strategic location along both land and sea trading routes contributed to its prosperity. Pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean region would flock to the city to engage in commerce or to visit the famous Ascelpion, a center of medical treatments.

    Perched atop a windswept mountain along the Turkish coastline and gazing proudly—almost defiantly—over the azure Aegean Sea sit the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Pergamon.

    The modern visitor approaches the site from the steep and winding road that leads from the modern Turkish city of Bergama just a few miles away. Upon reaching the ruins, the commanding panoramic view from Pergamon’s 1,000-foot-high perch makes it easy to understand how this city once dominated the entire region.

    Antipas, a Christian bishop of Pergamum, was believed to have been martyred here at the end of the first century A.D., around the time when many scholars believe the Book of Revelation was composed. The execution of their bishop certainly would not have endeared the city to its Christian inhabitants, and the Biblical reference to the city is reflective of the general tension between Christian and pagan communities at the end of the first century A.D. – 7/16/2013 article excerpt- Sarah Yeomans

    Revelation 2:12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

    Mention of this “sword” occurs only once outside of Revelation.  It is a very large sword.

    1. properly a long Thracian javelin, also a kind of long sword wont to be worn on the right shoulder

    Simeon, after having dedicated the baby Jesus said: “For my eyes have seen Your salvation .” – Luke 2:30

    Then Simeon turned to Mary and also prophesied: “yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also…” Luke 2:35a

    13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

    Pergamum theatrePersecution of first century Christians, familiar to us by fictional accounts of actual incidents in Rome, were common throughout the Roman Empire.

    The martyrdom could have taken place at this famous pagan temple or in their large amphitheater.

    Pergamum or Pergamos is just one city where Christians were persecuted and killed for cruel sport.  (Ephesus, as you may recall from Paul’s later letters, is another.)

    14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent.

    John 15:19 [The words of Jesus:]

    If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

    Jesus expects the church to be different from the world. We are NOT like the worshipers of idols and unbelievers.

    Christ reveals through John “some there who hold the teaching of Balaam.”

    Do you recall the donkey speaking to the Prophet to preserve his life from the sword of the angel?

    Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand…

    IF a Prophet of God may risk execution for disobedience, surely a Christian in a faithful church may also be warned for standing too close to sin.

    Once again the issues are idol worship, sexual immorality, and false teaching.

    Has anything changed from these temptations up to this 21st century, dear faithful believer?

    Yet, be encouraged that our All-Powerful risen and returning Lord may wield a large sword in your defense against the world, IF you remain faithful.

    * In verse 15:

    • 1. Notice that the church in Ephesus hated the “deeds” of the Nicolatians (2:6)
    • 2. Now in this church in Pergamos, (the infiltrated church), it has become “doctrine” = teachings!
    • 3. Ephesus hated their deeds as the Lord hated their deeds. Now Pergamos allows what God hates!
    • a) The Lord has always hated when anyone “lords” over His people but Himself!!

    Revelation 2:16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

    Repent! But IF NOT, come I to you without delay, indeed to war against the same with the edge of the sword of my mouth. {see concordance}

    * Verse 16: 

    1. Repentance is not mere “I’m sorry!” It must be a change of heart and actions!

    2. If we, as the Lord messengers and servants, do not admonish and stand for the truth, HE WILL!!!

    Commentary of John Brown

    17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

    b) A white stone with a new name!

    (1) No one knows for sure what this allude to but there used to be a custom of voting for an accused criminal with a black and a white stone.

    (2) If the white stones outnumbered, the criminal was set free!

    (3) Through our faith in Jesus as Lord as Savior, the white stone has been cast, we have been set free!!

    (a) And along with that freedom as slaves to this world, we have been given our FATHER’S name! It will be written in the Lamb’ Book of Life!!!

    NEXT: Thyatira