Bible Class Audio May 9, 2010 “Jesus and the Talmidin”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
1. Galilee – The most religious Jews in the world, a place of intense study of scripture (Torah and Mishnah)
2. Jewish Education:
At five years old [one is fit] for the Scripture, at ten years the Mishnah (oral Torah, interpretations) at thirteen for the fulfilling of the commandments, at fifteen the Talmud (making Rabbinic interpretations), at eighteen the bride-chamber, at twenty pursuing a vocation, at thirty for authority (able to teach others) Aboth 5:21, The Mishnah, Herbert Danby, ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1985
- Beth Sefer – (elementary school) All Jewish children attended, focused on the Torah and memorization
- Beth Midrash – (Secondary School) Only the best children attended after learning a trade, began to learn interpretations of the Mishnah (Oral Torah) Luke 2:41
- Talmidin – Very few of the Beth Midrash students sought permission to follow a Rabbi with S’mikhah
- The education of Jesus: Grew in wisdom – Luke 2:52, Participated in Passover – Luke 2:41, Learned a trade Matthew – 13:55, spent time with John the Baptist -John 22-26, Began his ministry about thirty – Luke 3:23
3. The Rabbi (Teacher of the Law, Scribe)
- Taught in the Synagogue, Beth Sefer, Beth Midrash
- Teachers of the Law could only teach accepted interpretations
- Those with authority (S’mikhah) could make new interpretations and pass legal judgments Matthew 7:28-29
- Authority must be confirmed by the witness of two other rabbis
4. The Talmid (Disciples)
- Disciples would “Yoke” to a Rabbi
- “be covered with the dust of his feet
- Followed, learned, imitated, devoted
Next Week: The Kingdom of Heaven “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'” Matthew 4:17
Links to resources:
Life of Jesus in the First Century Context