Spiritual Leaders in Jerusalem
High Priests of New Testament Times | Index
Jewish Spiritual Leaders
The Priests and Scribes.
As in ancient times, the high priest was the head of the priesthood. After
the time of Herod the Great the high priest was no longer the political leader
of the people. However, he did remain president of the Sanhedrin. This function,
and the fact that the high priest was always chosen from one of the leading
aristocratic families in Jerusalem, meant that he still had some influence in
the political sphere. As had been customary from Persian times, the high priest
was nominated by the foreign power in control, in this period the Romans. The
most well-known high priest in the time of Jesus was Joseph surnamed Caiaphas,
who held this office from about 18 to 37 A.D.
The high priest was supported by the priests who from Persian times had been
divided up into twenty-four courses. Each of these courses served in the temple
for one week (from Sabbath to Sabbath). Thus Zachariah belonged to the course of
Abijah (Luke 1.5; cf. I Chron.24.10). Each of the courses was in turn divided
into �father's houses�, each of which did service in the temple on a particular
day. The leadership of these courses and �father�s houses' was in the hands of
some prominent families in Jerusalem. Members of these priestly families
benefited greatly from the offerings brought to the temple. The priests of a
lower grade usually lived in the country and had to earn a living, generally by
working some kind of a craft.
The main task of the priests was to offer sacrifices in the temple. They were
helped by the Levites, who apparently also served as singers and musicians in
the temple.
One important group at this time was that of the sopherim. The sopher
(originally scribe) was the man of the book, the scholar whose task it was to
expound and study the message of God. The scribes are mentioned in an earlier
period (cf. Neh.8.2; Sirach 38.24-39.14), but only in the first century A.D. do
they come into prominence especially after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
In the time of Jesus the scribes still formed a group distinct from the
Pharisees, though there was a great kinship between the two. Many scribes were
also Pharisees, but not all of them. After 70 A.D. the scribes and the Pharisees
formed the group of rabbis.
In the period before 70 A.D. most of the training was centered in the �schools'
of Shammai and Hillel. After 70 A.D. that of Hillel had a dominant position.
Shammai is usually thought to have been more conservative and Hillel more
liberal. Hillel came from Babylon to Jerusalem as an adult, while Shammai spent
his whole life in Judea. Otherwise very little is known about them and their
work. Many of their apparent views come from accounts by their followers from
the time after 70 A.D. and it is far from certain that these are always
authentic. In Pirqe Aboth (m.Aboth I,II) Shammai and Hillel are the fifth and
most famous pair of those who handed down oral teaching from the time of Moses
to their own day.
Read The Bible
- 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
- 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
- American Standard Version (ASV)
- Amplified Bible (AMP)
- Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
- Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
- BRG Bible (BRG)
- Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
- Common English Bible (CEB)
- Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
- Contemporary English Version (CEV)
- Darby Translation (DARBY)
- Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)
- Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
- Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)
- Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)
- Expanded Bible (EXB)
- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
- Good News Translation (GNT)
- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
- International Children’s Bible (ICB)
- International Standard Version (ISV)
- J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
- Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB)
- King James Version (KJV)
- Lexham English Bible (LEB)
- Living Bible (TLB)
- Modern English Version (MEV)
- Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE)
- Names of God Bible (NOG)
- New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
- New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)
- New Catholic Bible (NCB)
- New Century Version (NCV)
- New English Translation (NET)
- New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
- New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
- New International Version (NIV)
- New King James Version (NKJV)
- New Life Version (NLV)
- New Living Translation (NLT)
- New Matthew Bible (NMB)
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
- New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
- New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)
- New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE)
- New Testament for Everyone (NTE)
- Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)
- Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)
- Revised Standard Version (RSV)
- Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
- The Message (MSG)
- The Voice (VOICE)
- Tree of Life Version (TLV)
- World English Bible (WEB)
- Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)
- Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
- Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Main Menu
- Ancient Assyrian Social Structure
- Ancient Babylonia
- Ancient Canaan During the Time of Joshua
- Ancient History Timeline
- Ancient Oil Lamps
- Antonia Fortress
- Archaeology of Ancient Assyria
- Assyria and Bible Prophecy
- Augustus Caesar
- Background Bible Study
- Bible
- Biblical Geography
- Fallen Empires - Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible
- First Century Jerusalem
- Glossary of Latin Words
- Herod Agrippa I
- Herod Antipas
- Herod the Great
- Herod's Temple
- High Priest's in New Testament Times
- Jewish Literature in New Testament Times
- Library collection
- Map of David's Kingdom
- Map of the Divided Kingdom - Israel and Judah
- Map of the Ministry of Jesus
- Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
- Messianic Prophecy
- Nero Caesar Emperor
- Online Bible Maps
- Paul's First Missionary Journey
- Paul's Second Missionary Journey
- Paul's Third Missionary Journey
- Pontius Pilate
- Questions About the Ancient World
- Tabernacle of Ancient Israel
- Tax Collectors in New Testament Times
- The Babylonian Captivity
- The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser
- The Books of the New Testament
- The Court of the Gentiles
- The Court of the Women in the Temple
- The Destruction of Israel
- The Fall of Judah with Map
- The History Of Rome
- The Incredible Bible
- The Jewish Calendar in Ancient Hebrew History
- The Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
- The Life of Jesus in Harmony
- The Names of God
- The New Testament
- The Old Testament
- The Passion of the Christ
- The Pharisees
- The Sacred Year of Israel in New Testament Times
- The Samaritans
- The Scribes
Ancient Questions
- How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?
- What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?
- How did the ancient Persians create and administer their vast empire?
- What were the cultural and artistic achievements of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta Empire?
- How did ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs build their remarkable cities and structures?
- What were the major trade routes and trading practices of the ancient world?
- What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?
- How did the ancient Mayans develop their sophisticated calendar system?
- What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?
- What was life like for women in ancient Rome?
Bible Study Questions
- What does biblical archaeologist said about hieroglyphics?
- Where is the Negev where Abram went to in Genesis?
- What is the name of Ramallah in the Bible?
- How do we approach and study the historical and cultural context of biblical passages?
- What is the significance of the Psalms in personal and corporate worship?
- How do we discern and apply biblical principles to contemporary ethical issues?
- What is the biblical perspective on the nature of God's love and mercy?
- How do we interpret and understand apocalyptic literature in the Bible?
- What are the different covenants in the Bible and their significance?
- How do we grow in spiritual maturity and develop a deeper understanding of the Word?
About
Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.
Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.
Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.
Recent posts
-
Personalized Baby Bibs for every Little
Every little one deserves to feel cherished and celebrated from the very start. These custom baby bibs, lovingly personalized with care, make the perf... -
The Art of Custom Home Design: Unveiling Wellcore Corporation's Expertise
In the ever-evolving panorama of contemporary production, customization reigns ultimate as a testament to innovation and the preference for a without ... -
Birthstones: A Sparkling Symphony of History, Symbolism, and Self-Expression
Birthstones, the ones fascinating gems linked to our delivery month, boast a records as rich and multifaceted because the jewels themselves. Their tal... -
The use of medicinal mushrooms by different religions of the world.
The integration of medicinal mushrooms into various religious practices around the world is a fascinating testament to their revered status across cul... -
Explore a Collection of Religious SVGs
Religious SVGs are versatile design elements that can be used to create a variety of personalized and meaningful projects. Whether you're looking to e...