| a series by Dick Fichter, Parishioner with support from Rev. Dina, Rector  March 6, 2024 |
| The following contains substantial portions from an article by Professor Doug Linder on the Famous Trials Website, The Trial of Jesus: An Account (2002) and also from the Living in Christ series, The Political and Religious Structure in Jesus’ Time, Saint Mary’s Press. The Burden of Taxation In biblical societies, the populace was taxed by both government and religious authorities. Taxes were paid in three ways: as money, as a percentage of crops or animals, or as forced labor. We know that shortly after the Maccabean revolt, a Syrian king referred to his right to collect “the third of the grain and the half of the fruit of the trees” (1 Maccabees 10:30). In addition to a tax on crops, the Herodian government also collected a “head tax.” Every male over fourteen and every female over twelve in a family was assessed a tax of one denarius (approximately the daily wage of a laborer). A census would be taken in order to register each family for tax purposes (see Luke 2:1). This is the tax discussed by Jesus and the Pharisees when Jesus concluded, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Mark 12:17). Besides these direct taxes, the Romans charged many indirect taxes, such as road tolls and port fees. The Roman military stationed in Palestine also had the legal right to force the native population to help them carry supplies for up to one mile; this right is reflected in Jesus’ teaching, “Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles” (Matthew 5:41). Roman soldiers exercised this right when they forced Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross when Jesus became too weak to carry it (see Mark 15:21). The Tax Collectors The government, neither the Roman emperors nor the Hellenistic kings who ruled over Palestine collected taxes directly; rather, they operated through the client-patron system. Patrons were typically members of the elite class who had wealth or power and thus could offer protection or other benefits to a client in return for the client’s loyalty, goods, or services. “Brokers” were people in the middle who would put patrons in touch with clients. Even rulers like King Herod were essentially clients of the Roman emperor, governing with the emperor’s approval. At the top of this patronage system, the Roman emperor demanded a certain amount of tribute tax from his client King Herod. Herod in turn contracted with members of the elite who were designated as “chief tax collectors.” At times the high priest was also involved in guaranteeing the delivery of a certain amount of taxes to the Romans. These chief tax collectors, in turn, hired a number of local tax collectors (brokers) who brought in the actual revenue. The tax collectors mentioned in the Gospels are all local Jews (see Mark 2:15; Luke 18:10–14, 19:1–10). The local tax collectors were required to bring in a certain amount of money; anything over that amount was kept by the local tax collector. The local tax collectors were among the most despised members of the Jewish communities for several reasons: (1) they earned money by collecting other people’s money, which was considered dishonorable in itself; (2) they had a reputation for dishonesty (the tax collector Zacchaeus promises Jesus he will repay four times over anything he has extorted [see Luke 19:8]); (3) they were actively cooperating with the Romans who were occupying the land of Israel; and (4) they were grouped together with prostitutes (see Matthew 21:31) and sinners (see Mark 2:16) as the dregs of society. Riots Caused by Roman Oppression Seven decades after Rome assumed control of Palestine, in 6 C.E., growing Jewish opposition to Roman laws relating to the census, taxation, and heathen traditions boiled over. The riots of 6 C.E. and recurring outbreaks that followed caused Roman officials to see Jewish nationalism and religious fervor as threatening to law and order. Religious Issues, a Concern for the Authorities In addition to the problems caused by the taxation issues, the authorities were faced with additional pressures from the people caused by the proclamation of the coming of a Messiah to force the removal of Roman rule and free the people. John the Baptist’s growing popularity among the peasant population alarmed Herod Antipas, who likely feared that the new movement, with its promise of apocalyptic intervention, could lead to rioting. The execution of John the Baptist is likely to have had a profound effect on Jesus. God’s non-intervention might have caused Jesus to modify the apocalyptic vision of John the Baptist–which was probably a product of the perceived hopelessness of the peasants’ plight–to one that emphasized change in the structure of political and religious institutions based on Jesus’ teachings. Needless to say, a religious program of the sort presented by Jesus would likely be seen as threatening by powerful beneficiaries of the status quo, from Roman leaders to Temple officials during such tumultuous times. The Status Quo at the Time of Jesus’ Trial The Roman power structure was concerned about its control over the potential rioting and loss of control of the Jewish population in its province of Judea and its largest city Jerusalem. The Pharisees seemed concerned about Jesus’ teachings which appeared to be against the law as they determined and taught it. The Sadducees were also concerned about Jesus’ teachings with respect to their position, especially with the Temple where they received financial benefit in fees collected. The population was growing in support of Jesus as the Messiah to overcome Roman rule and must have been impressed with the power displayed by his miracles. But were they accepting his true message? Next week: We know that Jesus was convicted of blasphemy and Jewish law provided punishment by stoning but why crucifixion which we leave for next week. |
Do you have any questions for the Camel? Questions about God, or Jesus, or the Church? About how to be Christian? Submit them via email to clergy@epiphanyec.org. Your name will be kept anonymous.
And a response will show up in a future Hump Day Message!
| God Loves You. No Exceptions. Wednesday Night Lentent Compline Continues TONIGHT! Over Zoom Join at 7pm using Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87879091376?pwd=LytDUmx2d2t4azA3TXRYL3lFeGs5dz09 Wednesday, 3/6 Wednesday: 3/13 Wednesday: 3/20 |
| Holy Week Schedule 3/24 – 3/30 3/24 – Palm Sunday 3/28- Maundy Thursday – Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing in Nave & Stripping of the Altar: 7 p.m. 3/29 – Good Friday – Service in Chapel: 12 p.m.; Service in Nave: 7 p.m. 3/30 – Holy Saturday – Short said service in Nave: 10 a.m. Decoration of church for Easter Sunday 10:15 a.m. Easter Sunday! 3/31 Worship at 10am, Flowering the Cross before and Egg Hunt follows. |