Download 1.2 Setting (Social classes, morals, housing)

New Testament Survey
Pastor Ron Dyer, Cedarview Community Church – Newmarket, Ontario.
Part 1. The Antecedents (con’t)
September 2016 - June 2017
Foundational Course 3
1.2 Setting (Social classes, morals, housing)
1.2.1 Demographics and language
While it is reasonable to think that Jews lived in Israel, Egyptians lived in Egypt, and Romans lived in Rome it is
incorrect. While there were between two and three million Jews in Palestine, more Jews lived outside of
Palestine than inside (many lived in Egypt and in the Jewish Quarter in Rome). As well, many Gentiles lived in
Palestine and grouped primarily in large cities.
The official language of the Roman Empire was Latin but was contained primarily to the western part of the
Empire, with the Greek language thriving in the East where the New Testament takes place. As well, there
were historical/regional languages such as Hebrew (language of the Jews) and Aramaic (picked up by the Jews
in exile) in spots, yet we don’t know the literacy rate (some say 10%).
1.2.2 Transportation and Commerce
The Roman Empire was known for their well-constructed roads and infrastructure however the road system in
Palestine remained relatively poor. Most travel in Palestine was done on foot, or if water was available in
ships. The Roman roads were a thing of beauty and were well used by the original Christian missionaries
establishing churches throughout the Empire. Travel within Rome was by foot, animal (donkey, horse, or
mule), or carriage. For writing letters or contracts most used papyrus, ostraca (broken pottery) and wax
tablets. Important writings were on leather or parchment, yet most communication was via word of mouth or
public notices on town bulletin boards.
(Photo below is a common Roman road)
Archeological excavations have shown that most large cities featured colonnades, public sewage facilities,
bathhouses and showers, lighting of various sorts. Private homes ranged from squalid to luxurious and were
built of brick or concreate (in cities). Some cities (Alexandria) had school systems and extensive libraries.
1.2.3 Lifestyle and Social Classes
Romans enjoyed four meals a day and dishes were mainly meatless. They consumed bread, porridge, lentil
soup, goat’s milk, cheese, vegetables, fruit, olives, bacon or sausage and wine. Jews would only eat twice a day
and meat would be saved for festivals, and sweet taste came from figs, raisins, honey and dates, and many
fish were consumed.
Clothing was a tunic covered by a robe with a belt or sash, and sandals. Some women used cosmetics and
most women and men dyed their hair to cover the gray. Unlike modern day, the New Testament era lacked a
strong, numerous middle class. The luxury or upper class was politicians, government contractors, and land
owners who live an easy life. The lower classes had very little, and were often homeless and foodless, often
worse off than slaves, who were numerous. In Judaism the chasm was smaller; however the religious and
political elite (mostly in Jerusalem) were upper class. Most of non-upper class Judaism was made up of
farmers, artisans and small business owners and most lived in rural villages. Most despised of the Jews were
“publicans” – tax collectors on behalf of Rome and the religious elite. Women were of a lesser class than men,
and Jewish women lesser again.
A word about slaves: Slavery was not racially based but contained to criminals, debtors, and prisoners of war (and their offspring).
Jews owned slaves but tended not to enslave other Jews and Christians continued the practice. Some slaves actually had greater
skills or education than their masters and some slaves worked on construction projects. Some slaves were able to buy their freedom
by saving their money or outlived their usefulness and were set free. Some actually sold themselves into slavery to gain economic
security or pay off debt.
1.2.4 Morality and Entertainment
The New Testament letters reveal the existence of many sexual vices at the time of the New Testament and
very low morality. Prostitution by both men and women was well established, and most of society found
pederasty and homosexual behavior acceptable. Men were known to prostitute their own wives and children
to gain needed money. Divorce was easy and acceptable and murder was common. Gentile parents often
abandoned their infant daughters, only to
be picked up to be prostitutes.
Entertainment was often risqué and
reflected the low morals of society with
sexual acts being performed right on stage.
Gladiatorial shows were the most
spectacular form of entertainment with
much bloodshed and death and would
include wild beasts. (Gladiators might be
slaves, criminals, or volunteers.) However
there was wholesome entertainment as
well, found in music and literature and
Olympic Games for sporting pleasure.