Jews in Jesus' time

  • Thread starter Thread starter petra22
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

petra22

Guest
How did Jews in Jesus’ time “keep holy the Lord’s day?” What does that mean exactly? Back in Jesus’ day, what would the Jews be doing all day on Saturday?
 
I don’t know much about it but I do know that any kind of activity that resembled work was forbidden. With just a few exceptions due to necessity.
 
Did they sit around all day? Were they allowed to go to the temple to pray? Was that their activity for the day? And remember this was Passover… what did they do on Passover Saturday?
 
Well, firstly, they did it on Sunday.

They gathered together on the Lord’s Day–first day of the week, when Christ was Risen:
42 And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem, and there was great fear in all. 44 And all they that believed, were together, and had all things common. 45 Their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all, according as every one had need. 46 And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart; 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved. (Acts 2)
Eventually, the Disciples would be exiled from the Temple and synagogues and they would begin to establish home-churches and then a centralized Church:
18 For first of all I hear that when you come together in the church, there are schisms among you; and in part I believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies: that they also, who are approved, may be made manifest among you. 20 When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord’s supper.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. 24 And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. 25 In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. 26 For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. 27 Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 11)
Maran atha!

Angel

PS. I apologize, I misread the question–I thought you actually meant the Jew-converts; not the actual Jews.
 
Last edited:
There was a limited distance you were allowed to walk, at least one extreme sect didn’t even believe you could help people on that day.

Very intense day of rest. Many Jews today don’t use electricity on Saturdays, etc.

But yes, they did go to the Temple.
 
Last edited:
I’m sure there would have been gatherings in the Synagogues at least for anyone who lived near enough.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for this link. It is chock full of interesting information about the Sabbath, its meaning, historical and cultural facts and tidbits, interpretations, even commentary on Jesus and the Sabbath. A real goldmine of knowledge and wisdom.
 
Good source. The OP should rely only what the Josephus and Philo sections.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top