Hasmonean (Maccabean) rule of the Jews
Carousel of images for this Bible Exhibit
The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus’ baptism is depicted in the 19th-century painting. John the Baptist is wearing traditional robes made of camel hair, pouring water over Jesus, who stands before him. The dove from heaven has descended on Jesus, representing the Holy Spirit's presence.
The Spirit Descending on Jesus
This painting from 1895 shows John the Baptist pouring water over Jesus, whose head is illuminated, representing his divine nature. The Holy Spirit, represented by the dove, is descending on Jesus.
The Baptism of Christ
This Renaissance painting from 1591 imagines the scene at the Jordan River where John the Baptizer is pouring water over Jesus as the dove descends from God the Father, pictured in the clouds.
The Baptism of Christ
This Baroque period painting from 1622-1623 imagines the scene of John pouring water over Jesus while the Spirit descends in the form of a dove.
The Baptism of Christ
This 19th-century painting depicts God’s light shining down on Jesus as he rises up out of the water.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
The baptism site known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” ruins on the eastern side of the Jordan River across from Jericho. This location has been preserved as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
The Baptism Site of Jesus
This is a side view of Jesus’ baptism site, known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” on the eastern side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
The Modern Jordan River
This picture is of the modern Jordan River near the traditional baptismal site. In Jesus' day, the river would have been significantly wider with a greater water flow.
A Monument Marking Jesus’ Baptism
A cross marking the area of Jesus' baptism site overlooking the Jordan River.
St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
This is one of several churches or chapels rebuilt in this area, marking Jesus’ baptism.
Listen to this Bible Exhibit
When the Seleucid Emperor Antiochus IV attempted to impose Hellenistic culture and religion on the Jewish population, including the desecration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, some people began to fight back. The revolt was led by an elderly Jewish priest named Mattathias and his five sons. Mattathias was a descendant of Hashmon, so their family was known as the Hasmoneans. The rebellion’s leadership quickly passed to the third son, Judas, nicknamed Maccabee meaning, ‘the hammer.’ The uprising became known as the Maccabean Revolt, lasting from 167 to 164 BC.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Maccabees won several battles against the Seleucid army, culminating in recapturing the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC. The Maccabees then rededicated the Temple and established the festival of Hanukkah, meaning “rededication,” to commemorate the reopening of the Temple. Battles with the Syrian army continued for a generation. It was not until 142 BC that Simon, the last survivor of the Maccabee brothers, was recognized as the high priest and political leader by the Jews.
The rule of this new dynasty stayed within the Hasmonean family producing nine successive rulers, but the high priests began to function much more like kings. This usurping of kingly power by the high priests directly violated God’s prescription for priests Numbers 3:6-9. The Hasmonean family had a lot of internal power struggles and tensions between the ruling class and the ordinary people. The dynasty lasted 101 years but eventually deteriorated into dictatorship and paganism.
Eventually, two ineligible brothers, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II fought for the kingship. They both appealed to Rome to send a representative to arbitrate. The Roman General Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as Pompey the Great, was sent to the area. Twelve thousand Jews were massacred in the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 63 BC, and the priests of the Temple were struck down at the altar. Rome annexed Judea and would control the Jewish homeland throughout the time of the New Testament until the fourth century AD.
This Bible Exhibit is one of the several hundred found on the Bible Compass within the Bible Ventures app
