The previous article tackled the reign of Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great and the escape of the Holy Family to Egypt running away from Herod’s terror as he sought to murder Baby Jesus Christ. Therefore, Egypt has become the shelter to the Holy Family till the death of this tyrant. Afterwards, they headed to Nazareth to stay away from Archelaus who was succeeded by Herod Antipas.
Jerusalem, during this era, was suffering from the worst era it has ever gone through. On the political level, the country was a subject of the roman empire, as we mentioned in the previous articles, after the entry of Pompey, the Roman Commander to Jerusalem in 63B.C for The Jews were subject to Roman dominance and the weight of their harsh rule, causing them to yearn for the arrival of the awaited “Messiah.” However, the awaited Messiah in their imagination was only a political savior who would restore the kingdom of David in the world. George Sarton, the historian, mentioned, “The era in which Christ was born was not a golden age… but an era of blood and tears… an era of cruelty and savagery.”
At that time, the society was plagued by an ethical state no different from its bitter political reality. The city was filled with corruption and debauchery to the extent that the American philosopher and historian, Durant, described the deteriorating ethical state, which even extended to the places of worship, saying, “Virtue was pushed aside through the gates of the temples themselves!” Alongside moral corruption, the country was filled with numerous contradictory ideas and philosophies, such as the Roman philosophy that spread in Rome, including the school of “Sophists”. Moreover, some adopted “Stoicism” that was founded in 300 BC and believed in the deification of beings and that happiness in life should be in accordance with nature. It focused on the power of human reason that distinguishes humans. Other philosophies included the “Epicureanism” and the “Pyrrhonism”.
Regarding the religious state in that era, the country was teeming with sects and factions, such as the Pharisees, who were among the teachers of the law, including priests and laymen. Their goal was to preserve the regulations of the Mosaic Law, adhering to its literal interpretation, traditions, and customs handed down to them by their predecessors. There were also the “Sadducees,” who were constantly at odds with the Pharisees, each group trying to gain the ruler’s favor. The “Zealots”, a Jewish religious sect that was an extremist faction of the Pharisees, also emerged. It functioned as a military organization and a political party resisting the Roman occupation. They refused to recognize Roman authority over the Jews, seeing it as a betrayal of God’s rule over Israel. Thus, during the time of Jesus Christ, different sects with diverse beliefs and orientations prevailed, causing the people to become more confused and puzzled, amidst a tumultuous political situation and merciless economic conditions. Life was distorted with harshness, even in the “City of Peace,” Jerusalem where its people were lost at their dark path. It is written about Jesus, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
Therefore, there is no wonder when we hear the words of Jesus, ” But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” Moreover, hearts are trembled and almost torn apart due to His timeless soliloquy to the City of Peace, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
Speaking of al-Quds will never cease to amaze us as stories of “Beautiful Egypt” can never end
General Bishop
President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural center