Roman Mockery
Walking the Walk
Today’s Verse and Thought
“And the soldiers led him [Jesus] away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”(Mark 15:16-18)
Image of what Roman soldiers might have looked like (source)
Roman Rule
Rome, Italy was the seat of power during the days of Jesus. Even though Rome was about 2,500 miles away from Jerusalem, Roman rule was present. It was relatively organized with governors installed to oversee each of its conquered territories (Judea being one of them).
“And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them…”(Acts 18:2)
Judea was under the control of several Roman and local authorities, each with their own roles and jurisdictions. The situation was complex due to Roman imperial rule that was mixed in with local religious Jewish governance. This was part of the societal tension back then.
This situation was very similar to the political alliance between the Catholic Church and Rome after 400 AD when the Pope and the state began sharing mixed authority over the Empire (Jewish religious control was seemingly traded for Catholic influence).
The emperor back then held supreme power over all the conquered Roman territories, including Judea. However, the emperor's direct ability to control all its provinces - like Judea - was limited, primarily due to the sheer land mass size of the bloated empire.
It was a practical matter. Enforcement was limited due to travel and communication at that time. It was necessary to have local and regional authorities that could enforce most of the day-to-day affairs since Rome was so far away.
Judea had been under Roman control since 63 BC when general Pompey conquered Jerusalem. By the time Jesus began his ministry, Rome was well established in Judea with Pontius Pilate as the Roman procurator, (26 - 36 AD). Pilate’s role was to ensure that Roman law and order were upheld and to collect taxes on behalf of Rome.
“When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”(Matthew 17:24)
Many Jews were unhappy with Roman rule because of this imposition of taxes, especially the partisan Jewish Temple Tax that was only levied against the Jewish temple. Also the ever-present Roman soldiers in the region were a daily reminder that the Jews had lost their autonomy.
Rome’s Cultural Influence
Rome seeped into many aspects of Jewish culture, and they had an especially hard time with all the pagan symbols. Everywhere the Jews went, there was Roman architecture that incorporated statues of Roman gods and goddesses and pagan symbolism. There were also pagan temples and festivals.
“Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.”(Acts 17:16)
In Caesarea Maritima, about 70 miles from Jerusalem, there was a pagan Roman temple. Ceserea would have participated in Roman festivals that often incorporated sensual, or ritualistic behaviors that were displayed publically. One such festival was Lupercalia from February 13-15 (the likely genesis of our “Valentine’s Day”).
Lupercalia is the most well-known Roman festival as a celebration of sexuality and fertility. It glorified the god Lupercus, a fertility deity associated with the protection of crops and livestock, as well as Faunus, the Roman god of forests, fields, and shepherds.
“At its peak, Lupercalia — which dates back to at least the sixth century BC, predating Christianity by centuries — was a really wild time. A group of nude Roman priests kicked off the events in Lupercal Cave at the bottom of Palatine Hill with the sacrifice of a dog and at least one goat. They painted themselves in the blood and wiped it off their skin with milk-soaked wool, then cut strips of goat hide and whipped women on the hands with them to promote fertility.”(source)
Religious Influence
Rome’s constant reminder of their polytheistic religion might seem unimportant to us, but back then, it struck at the heart of Jewish identity and law. Along with exposure to the temples, festivals and idols, Rome’s paganism was also woven into their military.
For instance, the eagle was a prolific symbol of Rome’s strength, and pagan idolatry. When Roman military standards were placed in or near the Jewish temple, it was viewed as a purposeful affront and mockery of God Most High.
“ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”(Exodus 20:2-4)
The eagle on top of US flag poles are a similar icon to the standard of Roman rule (Image source)
The eagle was made of metal (often silver or gold) and mounted on a pole. The eagle was revered by soldiers and was a powerful symbol of Rome’s religion, military power, and government rule.
It was the “sacred bird” of their pagan god Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods (same god as Zeus in Greek mythology). In Roman religion, the eagle was associated with divine authority, and it was often depicted as a messenger of Jupiter carrying out his will.
The eagle symbol was an iconic reminder that mocked God’s authority and rule over the Jews. Each Roman legion (4000-6000 men) had its own eagle standard, typically carried by a “signifer” (a soldier responsible for carrying the standard).
During the time of Jesus, Pilate decided to bring these eagle standards, along with busts of the emperor, to Jerusalem. This caused an outrage among the Jews and led to a confrontation.
The Jewish people gathered in large numbers, pleading with Pilate to remove the eagles, and Pilate finally gave in and withdrew the standards. In some accounts, Pilate even threatened to execute those who protested. However, eventually, he was pressured to remove the standards due to the intensity of the protests and the threat of revolt.
"Josephus reports that, when Pilate first brought Roman troops to Jerusalem from Caesarea, he committed an unprecedented violation of Jewish sensibilities by allowing the troops to bring into the city their military standards with the busts of the emperor, which were considered idolatrous images by the Jews. This was done in an underhanded manner, the troops bringing in and setting up the busts by night. A massive protest in Caesarea’s stadium forced the removal of the standards, but only after the Jews used tactics of nonviolent mass resistance, lying down and baring their necks when Pilate’s soldiers, swords in hand, surrounded and attempted to disperse them.”(source)
To be continued…
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”(Galatians 6:7)
Today’s Question
Today’s Prayer
Father, it is easy for me to see that the US is a copy of the Roman empire. In fact, as I consider many US goals today, it seems that we are actually a revival of it. I am grieved every time I have to drive by the pagan temples in our area. My heart is sickened by all the sexual celebrations and public displays especially every June. I feel as Lot did I think. I’m weary of the demand to accept all of the sin, even in our churches. I’m not trying to judge people Father - that’s your place. But as I witness all of the pagan influences in our culture, I realize how quickly a society can change and moral decay is swift.
I don’t pray that the US goes “back to the way it was,” What I pray is that your remnant - those who truly worship you, no matter which church building the go to - will take purity seriously. We have compromised so much that the church blends in seamlessly with society today.
I’m so sorry that we have fallen so far Father. And I’m so sorry for my part in it. Forgive us today. Help your remnant people to repent and become a better image bearer of your Son. May our lives bring all glory and honor to you. Amen❤️