Introduction:
The world into which Jesus came could by no stretch of the imagination be called a free world. Certain it was that the Jews did not enjoy freedom. It had been a long time since they had been free. The Golden Age of David and Solomon was gone forever. The Jews had been subject to the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. At the time of the birth of Jesus they were subject to the Romans. At one time a few decades before the time of Christ, the Jews had gained temporary freedom under the Maccabees, but this did not last long. However, it did seem to fire the Jews with more of a desire for freedom than ever before. Zealots were frequently making bids for freedom even after the birth of Christ. They were looking forward to the birth of a Messiah who they believed would lead them in a fight against the roman oppressors.