![]() ![]() ![]() Another messianic aspirant, called simply "The Samaritan," was crucified by Pontius Pilate even though he raised no army and in no way challenged Rome - an indication that the authorities, sensing the apocalyptic fever in the air, had become extremely sensitive to any hint of sedition. In 4 b.c.e., the year in which most scholars believe Jesus of Nazareth was born, a poor shepherd named Athronges put a diadem on his head and crowned himself "King of the Jews" he and his followers were brutally cut down by a legion of soldiers. A mysterious charismatic figure known only as "The Egyptian" raised an army of followers in the desert, nearly all of whom were massacred by Roman troops. The prophet Theudas, according to the book of Acts, had four hundred disciples before Rome captured him and cut off his head. A few are even mentioned in the New Testament. ![]() Many of these so-called "false messiahs" we know by name. ![]() Countless prophets, preachers, and messiahs tramped through the Holy Land delivering messages of God's imminent judgment. The first century was an era of apocalyptic expectation among the Jews of Palestine, the Roman designation for the vast tract of land encompassing modern day Israel/Palestine as well as large parts of Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. ![]()
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