SEPPHORIS

๏ Not mentioned in the NT

๏ Joseph is described as a tekton…
carpenter or mason to shipbuilder.
๏ Probably Jesus was Joseph’s
assistant.
๏ Sepphoris was rebuilt by Herod
Antipas during Jesus’ youth.
๏ Many suggest Joseph worked there,
so Jesus would have too.
๏ Tradition says that Mary’s parents,
Joachim and Anna, lived here.
๏ Jesus travels from the wilderness to
Galilee and begins his public ministry
๏ Jesus performs his first miracle, he
turns water into wine at a wedding in
Cana
๏ Jesus travels from the wilderness to
Galilee and begins his public ministry
๏ Jesus performs his first miracle, he
turns water into wine at a wedding in
Cana
Leon Morris comments:
๏ The wedding on a Wednesday for a
virgin, Thursday if a widow.
๏ Nighttime procession of the
bridegroom and his friends to the
bride’s house.
๏ Back to the groom’s house, where
the wedding banquet was held.
๏ The feast might last as long as a
week.
๏ John 2:6 A devout Jewish wedding
ceremony might have required many
ceremonial cleansings—lots of water.
๏ ESV: Six large stone waterpots. Each
holds 20 and 30 gallons.
๏ 1 gallon = 3.7 litres
๏ John 2:6 A devout Jewish wedding
ceremony might have required many
ceremonial cleansings—lots of water.
๏ ESV: Six large stone waterpots. Each
holds 20 and 30 gallons.
๏ 1 gallon = 3.7 litres
๏ The Greek word translated "wine" is
oinos, = alcoholic wine.
๏ Jesus created oinos wine.
๏ Same word used in Ephesians 5:18.
๏ The Greek word translated "wine" is
oinos, = alcoholic wine.
๏ Jesus created oinos wine.
๏ Same word used in Ephesians 5:18.
๏ Jesus visits
Capernaum.
๏ Then went to
Jerusalem for
Passover.
๏ Jesus visits
Capernaum.
๏ Then went to
Jerusalem for
Passover.
In Jerusalem:
๏ He drove money changers from the
Temple.
๏ Many suggest this happens twice,
once at the start of Jesus’ ministry,
and once at the end.
๏ John 2:14 Temple was the area
surrounding the temple, including
the Court of the Gentiles.
๏ Selling oxen, sheep, and pigeons,
helped those who had traveled to
Jerusalem from far away.
Court of the
Gentiles
๏ Jews came from around the world at
Passover, Ex. 12:1–28; Lev. 23:4–8.
๏ Doing business in the temple area
was not allowed—and disrupted the
worship of non-Jewish God-fearers.
๏ Sacrificial
animals were
available—for a
high price.
๏ The temple tax was paid by Jewish
men over 20, and the money used to
maintain the temple, Mt 17:27.
๏ Most Jews paid at Passover.
๏ Money-changers
converted Roman
coins.
๏ Pagan images on
Roman money made it
unacceptable for God’s
house.
๏ Very high exchange rates were
charged.
๏ Those in poverty were overcharged
for pigeons / doves.
๏ The Court of the Gentiles could not
be used for prayer.
Isaiah 56:7
…Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.’
๏ Many believed in him as
he taught and healed in
the Temple.
๏ He spoke with
Nicodemus.
๏ Many believed in him as
he taught and healed in
the Temple.
๏ He spoke with
Nicodemus.
PHARISEES
๏ Pharisees—Jews who were legalistic
in keeping the Law.
๏ Often opposed Jesus .
๏ Jesus strongly criticised them, Mt 23.
๏ Saul/Paul was a Pharisee.
THE SANHEDRIN
๏ The supreme court of Israel—70 men
and the high priest.
๏ Met in the Temple every day except
festivals and the Sabbath.
๏ All questions of law ended with them.
 1. High priest
2. Members of
the Sanhedrin
3. A defendant
4. Clerks
 Summary Sheet
Can you now…
Draw the Tour on a map
Tell someone the key (important) events
Remember how long it took

26
Preaching Tour #1
Time: 2 Months (Jan-March)
Events:
Water-Wine
Preaching at Capernaum
Cleansing the Temple—Preaching
Nicodemus
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