Study 1 – History of the Bible

Lesson One

Between Malachi and Matthew

What happened during the time from the Old Testament to the New Testament? The last prophet was Malachi and his book is the last book in the Old Testament. Matthew wrote the first book in the New Testament. What happened from the time of Malachi to Matthew?

There were some four hundred years between the days of Malachi and Matthew. This was called “The Dark Period.” During this time there was no prophet or writer. The writings ended with Malachi then four hundred years later Matthew wrote. The sunset of the Old Testament was with Malachi and the sunrise of the New Testament was with Matthew.

A Time of Defeat

During this “Dark Period” Jerusalem was defeated and the Jews were scattered into many different countries. They began to regather and return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. During those four hundred years the Jews were in many wars and troubled times. They were ruled by the Persians, The Greeks, the Egyptians, the Syrians, the Maccabeans, and the Romans. These were the silent years of the Jewish nation.

At the time of Christ the Jews were ruled by the Romans government. Julius Caesar was the ruler over all Jerusalem. Herod was appointed governor of Galilee, the land of Christ.

When Jesus was born and all of His life the Jewish nation was under the control of the Roman government. The Roman government worshipped opposed Christianity.

The World Into Which Jesus Was Born

Jesus was born at a time of much confusion and trouble in the world. There were many different religious and political groups who opposed one another. The Jews were under the rule of the Roman government which kept strong control of them. The Roman soldiers were everywhere throughout Palestine and Israel.

The different groups presented their views and ideas as the answers and solutions to the political and religious problems. They opposed one another with much hate. They fought among themselves. The Jews truly were very confused. Remember, there had been no prophet or writings for over four hundred years.

At times the people would have council meetings to discuss the needs of the Jews. These groups did not have much authority as they were under the control of the Roman government. The Jewish nation had to have approval of the Roman government in many legal, religious and lawful matters.

It is strange that although these groups hated one another they all united in one common cause against Jesus Christ. They joined together to opposed Jesus (Mark 3:6; Matthew 16:1; Matthew 22:16).

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. Mark 3:6

Pharisees… took counsel: Such a work of mercy should have engaged their love to Him, and such a work of wonder their faith in Him. But, instead of that, the Pharisees, who pretended to be oracles in the church, and the Herodians, who pretended to be the supporters of [Rome], though of opposite interests to one another, took counsel together against Him, how they might destroy Him. They that suffer for doing good, do but suffer as their Master did.

The Pharisees also with the Sadducess came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign of heaven. Matthew 16:1

Tempting… him: The design was to tempt Him, not to be taught by Him.

Sign from heaven: Some other sign than what they had. They had plenty of signs. Every miracle Christ [did] was a sign. Their demand was for a sign from heaven, miracles such as were wrought at the giving of the law upon mount Sinai: thunder, lightning, and the voice of [God] were the signs from heaven they required.

“TRIBUTE MONEY TO CAESAR”

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou are true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Matthew 22:16

Their disciples: Who would look less like tempters and more like learners.

Herodians: A party among the Jews, who were for a cheerful and entire subjection to the Roman emperor, and to Herod his deputy. Herod being obliged by the charter of the sovereignty to take care of the tribute [taxes], these Herodians, by assisting him in that, helped to endear him to his friends at Rome. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were zealous for the liberty of the Jews and did what they could to make them impatient of the Roman yoke. If He [Christ] should countenance the paying of tribute, the Pharisees would incense the people against Him. If He should disallow it, the Herodians would incense the government against Him. It is common for those that oppose one another to [join] in opposition to Christ and His kingdom.

Master… truth: What they said of Christ was right, and whether they knew it or not, blessed be god, we know it. Though what they said was true, there was nothing but flattery and treachery in the intention of it.

Neither carest thou for any: He valued no man’s frowns or smiles, He did not court, He did not dread, neither the great nor the many.

The Jews did not have the authority to sentence a person to death so they joined with the different groups to take Jesus to the governor, Pontius Pilate, demanded the government to punish and sentence Jesus to death.

The Lord Jesus Christ was truly born at a confused and troubled time.