NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS

wanted to retain Jewish religions, national liberty, and to resist the influence of Greek culture. This group became the Pharisees. (2) The Hellenizers were willing to surrender sortie of their Jewish distinctives to gain some qualities of the Greek life. This group became known as the Sadducees. John Hyrcanus declared himself a Sadducee. Juda Aristobule, 104-102 B.C., was a Sadducee. Alexander Jannaeus, son of Juda Aristobule, 102-76 B.C , was a Sadducee and was the first who assumed the Kingly title. For one hundred years political freedom was marred by jealousy, greed, and suspicion, which brought about civil disorder between the Pharisees and Sadducees. In the beginning of the reign of Alexander Janaeus the Pharisees persuaded the Syrians to help in overthrowing Alexander, but they became alarmed on second thought that the Syrians may not leave Jerusalem and they joined forces with Alexander and helped drive the Syrians out. Alexander was still bitter over the conspiracy and retaliated by capturing the leaders of the rebellion and crucified eight hundred Pharisees in the presence of the Sadducees at a banquet. When Alexander died, Alexandra, his wife, became queen and ruled jointly with his son, Hyrcanus II. Both were Pharisees. The Pharisees were seeking vengeance and succeeded in getting the civil officials to put many Sadducees to death. Hyrcanus H’s reign was short, 76-67 B.C. Aristobulus II, his brother, succeeded in getting him removed and when his mother died he went into exile in the house of Aretus, King of the Nabatean Arabs.

38. ROMAN INFLUENCE - 63-4 B.C.

While Hyrcanus TI was in exile in Arabia he became acquainted with Antipater. an ldumean, the father of Herod the Great and became political friends. Antipater encouraged Hyrcanus II to recover his office. Rome had been watching the political struggle between the Pharisees and Sadducees and decided in favor of Hyrcanus II, and restored him back to the Priestly office, 63 B.C. In return for a political favor Hyrcanus II and Rome made Antipater the chief counselor, 63 B.C. Antigonus, son of Aristobulus III with the help of the Parthians captured Jerusalem, and was made King and Priest.

Herod the Great, son of Antipater, fled to Rome and Mark Anthony gave Herod the title of “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Herod returned to Palestine and with the help of Rome defeated Antigonus and the Parthians, and Herod became the Political ruler in Palestine for 33 years, 37-4 B.C. This brought a close to the Maccabean and Hasmonaean Independence. The iron hand of Rome was thereto stay.

POMPEY--------------------------------106-48 B.C.-----A Roman general, who conquered Palestine, 63 B.C. HYRCANUS II--------------------------63-40 B.C.-----Same as the Hyrcanus ii above, who had been in exile, was replaced by Pompey. ANTIPATER. AN IDUMEAN------63-40 B.C.-----Became chief counselor under Hyrcanus II. ANTIGOMIS----------------------------40-37 B.C.-----Defeated by Herod the Great 37 B.C. HEROD THE GREAT---------------- 37-4 B.C.-----The cruelest ruler of Palestine.

39. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST -4 B.C. John the Baptist was of the Priestly line. His father, Zacharias, was Priest of the course of Abia or Abijah, ii Chronicles 2 4~10 and his mother, Elizabeth, was a