JESUS LIFE IN PALESTINE

 Although born in Bethlehem, according to Matthew and Luke. Jesus was Galilean
from Nazareth, a village near Sepphoris, one of two major cities of Galilee (Tiberias
was the other)
 Joseph was only the legal father
 They report Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and that she was found to
be with child from the holy spirit
 The Church reminds us that “the joy of the gospel: Evangeli Gaudium, Fill the hearts
and lives of all who encounter Jesus. To encounter Jesus is to accept his offers of
salvation which will set us free from sins, sorrow, inner emptiness and
loneliness.
 The life of Jesus in Palestine refers to the actual preaching and teaching of the
earthly Jesus during the brief period of His ministry in Galilee until His death in
Jerusalem
 As a young adult, he went to be baptized by the prophet John the Baptist and shortly
thereafter became the itinerant preacher and healer
 He was accused because of the act of treason, blasphemy, and violation of
Jewish Laws.
 He was put on Trial by Pontius Pilate and right after, he was executed via Crucifixion
 His disciples became convinced that he rose from the dead and appeared to
them. They converted others to believe in him, eventually leading to a new religion,
Christianity
JEWS TIME IN PALESTINE

 The people of the region were mainly Jews. They had settled there at the time
of Abraham.
 The Society was mainly pastoral and consisted of the farmers. They were also
fishers, artisans, merchants, etc
ECONOMIC SITUATION

 Most Palestinian Jewish farmers and herdsmen, however, earned enough to support
their families, pay their taxes, and offer sacrifices during annual festivals
and sabbatical years.
LANGUAGE

 -Aramaic spoken language of the Jews

 -A dialect of the ancient Hebrews.
 -That was a dead language
 -Used for the Scriptures

SOURCES FOR THE LIFE OF JESUS

  The only substantial sources for the life and message of Jesus are the Gospels of
the New Testament, the earliest of which was Mark (written 60-80 CE)
followed by Matthew, Luke, and John.
 Paul, which was written beginning in 50 CE and is the earliest surviving
Christian text.
MAIN ASPECTS OF JESUS TEACHING

 Kingdom of God-One is that the Kingdom of God exists in heaven and that individuals
may enter it upon death. Since God’s power is in some respects omnipresent, Jesus
may have seen the kingdom.
Full name: Jesus Nazareth
Name in Hebrew: Yesu, Yeshua and Minetzeret
Meaning of Name in Hebrew: God saves
Birth Place: Bethlehem (Matthew and Luke)
Year of Birth: Approx. before 6-4 BC based on Herod’s death
Hometown: Nazareth of Galilee
Country: Israel/Palestine
Language: Aramaic
Occupation: Craftsman and woodworker
Parents: Mary and Joseph
Start of Ministry: About 29-30 years old
Age at the time of death: About 32-33 years old
Cultural Identity: Jew
Traditional Birthday: December 25
Accusations: Blasphemy
Manner of Death: Execution through Cruxifixion
Popular Name: Jesus Christ
Canaan- was the oldest name in the Old Testament. The Canaanites occupied the
coasts, the valleys and plains of Syria- Palestine
The promise Land- was a name given to the land as promised by God to Abraham
The Holy Land- was an expression that found its roots in Zechariah. Today the land is holy to
Jews, Muslims and Christians.
The land flowing with milk and honey- an expression which connotes abundance and
fertility was used to describe the land
Israel- was a name given by God to Jacob, grandson of Abraham. In the OT Israel refers to a
name of a people.
The gospels also mention some Aramaic place names like Golgotha a place of skull
Judea- the most important traditional region, included the capital, the Holy City of
Jerusalem. Close to Jerusalem, we find the town of Bethlehem.
Samaria- a region of mixed and somewhat “heretical’ people
Galilee- Village of Nazareth and most of the towns that Jesus frequented
Sandherin- the Jewish religious Council in Jerusalem 71 members and meet twice a
week in the temple.The High Priest (Chairman) of the Council was always a Sadducee.Only
Sadducees and Pharisees sat on the Sanhedrin
Sadducees- Priest, aristocrats and powerbrokers. They ran the Temple and the Religious
ceremonies.They did not believe that God would send Messiah
Pharisees- “separated one”: most influential group
Essenes- shared possesion, believed in Messiah prophecy
Scribes- copyist of scriptures: ; called lawyers because of the intimidate knowledge
Zealots- small active group that tried to expel Romans: freedom fighters
FOUR COMPONENTS OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION
PRAYER AND LITURGY : PRAYER: BASIC COMMUNICATION TO GOD
LITURGY: SUMMIT
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION- KNOWLEDGE
SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT- VOLUNTEER
VOCATION MISSION ANIMATION- CALL