Zealots
Origins of the Zealots
Militants - 'freedom fighters' Revolutionary, religion-political movement
Did Zealots arise out of the movement that began with FOURTH PHILOSOPHY according to Horsley?
NO: Josephus - seems Zealots were small partly newly formed in 60s Took title of Zealots as self designation Group of people called zealous does not mean that they were Zealots Thinks they formed in around AD 67/68
Zealot
One who is zealous on behalf of God
3) Zeal for Purity and LAW
Opposed Sadducean priests - Jonathon executed May have seen Temple as polluted and attempted to capture it to appoint their own High Priest Final battle took place in the Temple
Beliefs
Zeal for purity and Law - link to Pharisees Eschatology - new age will be established with their help
Role of Zealots in the revolt
They fled to Jerusalem to join Eleazar
AD 6
'Fourth Philosophy' - Judas
Wright on Horsley's argument
'Horsley succeeds, I think, in showing that the start of the war was not due to the work of a single organised and longstanding Jewish resistance movement, but rather came about through the confluence of many streams'
Key slogan
'No master but God'
2) 'No master but God'
'No master but God' Turned on aristocracy during war - feared aristocrats (Sadducees) were too close to Rome. Assassinated several including Jonathan, High Priest
Heard's argument
'The Zealots were not the Fourth Philosophy mentioned by Josephus; indeed they were not a sect or a philosophy at all'
Horsely on Zealots in Jewish War
'The Zealots were relatively insignificant as a fighting force'
Key Josephus quote on Zealots in 'Jewish War' 7:268-70
'They faithfully copied every ruthless deed, and there was no crime on record that they failed to commit. Yet they took their name from the fact that they were zealous for what was right, either in ridiculing those injured (brutal types that they were), or regarding the worst evils as good'
Josephus on the Jewish War
'When at last the chiefs of the scattered brigand bands had had enough of raiding the countryside, they joined forces, forming a single pack of thugs, and infiltrated Jerusalem'
Jewish War
AD 67 - Romans under Vespasian began re-conquest of Palestine Infighting in Jerusalem Attacked nobility because of 'ancient quarrels' and because they thought they were in league with the Romans
What caused the Jewish Revolt
Actions of Procurator Florus (AD 64-66) - pilfered temple treasury, allowed army to loot city and attempted to capture and control Temple Lesser priests led by Eleazar
1) Zealot Beliefs according to Hengel
Agree with Pharisees in everything 'except that they have a passion for liberty that is almost unconquerable, since they are convinced that God alone is their leader and master' (Ant. 18:23)
What happened during the Jewish revolt?
Eleazar and lower priests reacted to Florus' actions by agitating for war. Stopped twice daily sacrifices for Rome and Roman Emperor Eleazar and Sicarii defeated their rivals including Chief Priests and Pharisees
AD 67
Formation of Zealots as a recognisable group
AD 66
Jewish Revolt sparked off
Zealots in Jewish War
Joined with lower priests under Eleazar John of Gischala joined them Elected their own High Priests Leadership split Some went to John of Gischala Further splits when Simon Ben Giora declared himself 'Messiah'
Did Zealots arise out of the movement that began with FOURTH PHILOSOPHY according to Hengel?
Josephus blamed Fourth Philosophy for Jewish revolt (go back to AD 6) Hengel thought they did due to overall unity of rebellious movement and ideology between zealots and fourth philosophy Luke 6:15: 'Simon the Zealot' Started as fourth philosophy - changed into the Sicarii (assassins) - evolved into Zealots
Particular beliefs that we can deduce (not from Josephus)
Probably were devoted to God against foreign occupation so believed that in overthrowing the Romans they would bring about a restored Israel. May have cherished restoration of Israel as part of covenantal promise from God
Two Schools of thought on the Zealots
Richard Horsley: short-lived group with no clear aims Martin Hengel: More significant and organised movement than spanned C1st AD - much more influential in war
Aftermath of Revolt
Romans defeated (heavily outnumbered) and then reinvade
Josephus' opinion
Shows antipathy towards them - not very flattering. Blames them for the disastrous effects of their rebellion on Israel - Temple destroyed and things never the same again.
Size of Zealots
Smallest rival group 2,400 Zealots with 6,000 others under John of Gischala and 15,000 under Simon bar Giora
Why did the Zealots go to Jerusalem?
Surrounded by defensive walls and high up on a mountain