-
Describe the place of the temple in first-century Jerusalem’s social, economic, and political life.
-
The temple was the driver of economic activity for the residents of Jerusalem. It was like a Vatican state of modern day. It was sustained by the 1000s of pilgrims who visited annually to celebrate various feasts. Persons from various strata of society benefited from the Temple presence and the economics it generated.
Politically they were run by the Sanhedrin which was headed by the High Priests with 71 members who were wealthy people.
-
the temple was the center of Jewish life, Social, economic, spiritual, and political life. If the person was not connected and participated in the temple they had no life. the early church used the synagogue to get together and not the temple. this is to avoid any conflict with the Jewish hierarchy.
-
Christians didn’t have actual church buildings for several centuries. They normally would meet in their own homes and, of course the biblical records indicates that the church is after all not building. It’s is the people of God. Economically it was structured around a number of trades: pottery, baking, wools, olive oil, carpentry, stone cutting and the alike. It was depended heavily upon the tremendous consumption of the temple establishment. Jewish social structure reflected the ordering of the thousands of religious functionaries that people the city.
-
It was the center of Jewish life, Social, economics, spiritual, and political life.If the person was not connected and attending temple they had no life.
-
The temple in first-century Jerusalem was the lifeblood of the people. The people at all hierarchical levels depended on the temple, and the temple on them. Economically, there were a number of trades – pottery, baking, wools, olive oil, carpentry, and stonecutting – and the temple needed all of these trades. The traders also relied on the the many pilgrims who came to the temple. Socially, there were thousands of religious functionaries. The rich were the higher priests, bankers, and tax collectors; middle course was composed of common priests, shopkeepers, and traders; the poor were day laborers and slaves. At all stages of life, however, the people relied on the temple for finances, for trade, and for welfare assistance. Politically, the people were dominated by the Sanhedrin, the highest political body. There were 71 members headed by a high priest who was a Levite. He could enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people. The other members were wealthy land owners, priests, and Levites. Below them were the chief priests, the Sadducees, who taught, managed temple finances, and made decisions based on the law. Ordinary priests, Sadducees, Pharisees, and scribes came next, followed by people who had roles of singers, guards, and doorkeepers. At all social, economic, and political points, however, the people were dependent upon the temple in all facets of their lives.