New Testament Times

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“While they adapted themselves to their environment by conformity in language and in dress, they perpetuated their worship through the synagogues and their racial identity through the careful education of their children. They were never completely absorbed by the Roman world. In every sizable city a colony of Jews existed.” (Page 69)

“The divergences within Judaism were numerous, and it is possible that some of those who were only loosely attached to the Temple were at the outset attracted to faith in Christ.” (Page 70)

“Nevertheless He recognized their loyalty to the Law, and agreed with the current concept that they ‘sit on Moses’ seat’ (v. 2) as the successors of the great lawgiver. Jesus took exception to the practice of the Pharisees rather than to their basic teaching. He was more nearly in accord with them theologically than with any other religious sect in Judaism. Nicodemus (John 3:1) and Paul (Acts 23:6) were both Pharisees by birth and by training.” (Page 93)

“For approximately two centuries following the victory of Antiochus the Great they were under the domination of Gentile kings who made and unmade high priests at will, and who at times persecuted them severely. From the conquest of Palestine by the Seleucids to the Roman capture of Jerusalem in a.d. 70 the Jewish people were the political football of alien rulers.” (Page 31)

“New vessels and furniture were provided, the heathen altar was removed and replaced by another not constructed with iron tools, and the divine worship was restored on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev, 165 b.c., exactly three years from the time of the Temple’s desecration.” (Page 37)