The family of Jesus survived the destruction of Jerusalem, fled Roman persecution, and led the early church for a century. Their story will change how you read everything.
Interesting. The apparent-to-the-ear connection between "HaDerech" and Latin "directio", in two languages theoretically unconnected. But a cursory check(because am 500 miles away from my Lewis and Short, with, here only puny internet connection, and also typing on phone) tells me "directio" first appears in 1st C. A.D. "Dirigo", the source verb, is a lot older. Hmmm?
That's an interesting observation! As far as I know, though, it's probably a coincidence rather than a historical or linguistic connection. HaDerech comes from the Hebrew root derech, meaning a road, path, journey, or way of life (Ha is the definite article). The Latin words directio and dirigo come from a different linguistic family altogether, so scholars generally don't see them as being related.
Still, it's a fun connection to think about. Sometimes words from very different places end up pointing toward similar ideas, which I think is really amazing.
Thank you! Writing this comment before reading any further: I have long, long wondered, what happened to the many (and Paul says many myriads!) of Jewish believers? Excited to continue reading.
They remained. And still do to this day (I am one LOL) The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the Bar Kokhba Revolt scattered Jewish communities all through the region. As more Gentiles came to faith and tensions grew between the synagogue and the church, Jewish believers became less visible in the historical record, but they remained part of the story.
Thank you for speed of reply(and for reply itself). I became aware of Messianic Jews, in late 80's ( Jews for Jesus, and supported them, also had a full page newspaper ad on fridge, while I was providing daycare for neighbor Jewish toddler-- presumably his mother saw the page when arriving to pick him up), but ignorantly supposed they had seen Messiah only in recent centuries. Did Felix Mendelssohn's father "convert" for social/ economic reasons? Or did he feel an internal change? More recently, seeing evidence of so many Yeshua believers, have wondered if that original faith had never died out. Wish JforJ had remarked on this.
So, regarding Jews for Jesus, I’m grateful for the role they've played in helping people realize that Jewish believers in Yeshua actually exist. A lot of people have never encountered that reality before. I have had quite a few conversations with them and they are embracing Messianic Judaism more now than in years past. At the same time, Jews for Jesus is primarily an evangelistic organization. The Messianic Jewish world is much bigger than that. It includes congregations, rabbis, scholars, liturgy, traditions, and communities trying to figure out what it looks like to live a distinctly Jewish life centered on Yeshua.
As for Felix Mendelssohn's family, that story gets a little messy because history doesn't give us a cut and dry answer. Abraham Mendelssohn, was baptized into the Lutheran church, and most historians seem to point to the realities of living in nineteenth-century European society as a major factor. Whether there was also a genuine spiritual conviction behind that decision is harder to know. Unfortunately, history is excellent at preserving dates and facts and terrible at preserving dinner table conversations. So I would only be guessing to be honest.
One of the things that surprised me when I started digging into this subject and studying it in seminary was realizing that Jewish belief in Yeshua didn't simply vanish after the first century and then magically reappear centuries later like somebody found it in a box in the attic. The historical trail definitely gets fainter in some periods, and there's still plenty of questions historians debate ad nauseum, but evidence of Jewish believers continues to show up throughout history. The more I studied, the more I found myself saying, "Well, that's interesting... why did nobody tell me that part?"
Again, I thank you. And your final sentence--exactly so. I am beginning to feel that a lifetime of pretty faithful pew-filling has been of less value than might be hoped.
There is a reason that Paul wrote "at just the time" a Savior was sent (in Galatians 4 and in Romans 5). The story of Jesus's family is fascinating. I have sometimes wondered if his sisters married Christians (or if they were saved when/if he appeared to them, as he did with James), depending on their ages after he was killed. I am no expert, but after 73 AD and then 136 AD, how much longer could any Jewish male have traced his heritage? Jesus had to be from Judah. By 150 or 200 AD, could any Jew, stuck in a Roman province far from Jerusalem, have known his lineage? Did some families preserve their records?
No problem. I was just wondering if Jewish laws about blood relations were different, or if Joseph had adopted. Sorry about the pain. At 82, I have days where getting out of bed is quite difficult. By the grace of God, I have a new recliner where I can nap if necessary. I've got a new body on order. I can't get a delivery date, though.
He may have adopted but that still wouldn't make Simeon a blood relative. I can only blame it on LOL
I got one on order too. Between spinal issues on top of fibromyalgia, it sadly isn't just pain but it causes brain fog too (plus the residual affects from my stroke) so I fall prey to writing errors like that one!
My wife had three spinal fusions, and a lot of pain issues. I’ve had to care for her the last decade or so. She was glad to get to go home. The Lord told me she made it and all her pain is gone.
"After Yeshua’s resurrection, his brother James led the Jerusalem community until his murder in 62 CE. After James, a relative named Simeon bar Clopas assumed leadership. His connection to Yeshua is specific and documented: his father Clopas was the brother of Joseph, Yeshua’s father, making Simeon a nephew of Yeshua by blood."
I don't understand. Yeshua's Father is HaShem, not Joseph. I guess I'm sensitive to this because I have no children—though I raised two stepchildren. But Simeon was not a nephew, because Yeshua was only a stepson of Joseph. Is there any record that Joseph legally adopted Yeshua?
That's a big difference. Clopas was the brother-in-law of Mary. Were Jewish laws different?
You are 100% right to challenge me. I wrote this on a really heavy pain day so I definitely made some errors with Simeon bar Clopas. It should have said "though not by blood". I fixed it. I will have to be sure not to write when I am not feeling well. Thank you for noticing that and letting me know.
If Yeshua and Simeon Bar Cleopas had fathers who were brothers, doesn’t that make them first cousins?
Thank you for this wonderful article and the further reading list! My current deep study interest is exactly this topic… The Way, HaDerekh, their history, practices and teachings. Thank you!
Thank you for this fascinating, and vital, study. I had no idea on a fair bit of this.
Although I disagree on the dating of Hebrews (for a number of reasons), that doesn't diminish any of your points here.
Interesting. The apparent-to-the-ear connection between "HaDerech" and Latin "directio", in two languages theoretically unconnected. But a cursory check(because am 500 miles away from my Lewis and Short, with, here only puny internet connection, and also typing on phone) tells me "directio" first appears in 1st C. A.D. "Dirigo", the source verb, is a lot older. Hmmm?
That's an interesting observation! As far as I know, though, it's probably a coincidence rather than a historical or linguistic connection. HaDerech comes from the Hebrew root derech, meaning a road, path, journey, or way of life (Ha is the definite article). The Latin words directio and dirigo come from a different linguistic family altogether, so scholars generally don't see them as being related.
Still, it's a fun connection to think about. Sometimes words from very different places end up pointing toward similar ideas, which I think is really amazing.
Thank you! Writing this comment before reading any further: I have long, long wondered, what happened to the many (and Paul says many myriads!) of Jewish believers? Excited to continue reading.
They remained. And still do to this day (I am one LOL) The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the Bar Kokhba Revolt scattered Jewish communities all through the region. As more Gentiles came to faith and tensions grew between the synagogue and the church, Jewish believers became less visible in the historical record, but they remained part of the story.
Thank you for speed of reply(and for reply itself). I became aware of Messianic Jews, in late 80's ( Jews for Jesus, and supported them, also had a full page newspaper ad on fridge, while I was providing daycare for neighbor Jewish toddler-- presumably his mother saw the page when arriving to pick him up), but ignorantly supposed they had seen Messiah only in recent centuries. Did Felix Mendelssohn's father "convert" for social/ economic reasons? Or did he feel an internal change? More recently, seeing evidence of so many Yeshua believers, have wondered if that original faith had never died out. Wish JforJ had remarked on this.
So, regarding Jews for Jesus, I’m grateful for the role they've played in helping people realize that Jewish believers in Yeshua actually exist. A lot of people have never encountered that reality before. I have had quite a few conversations with them and they are embracing Messianic Judaism more now than in years past. At the same time, Jews for Jesus is primarily an evangelistic organization. The Messianic Jewish world is much bigger than that. It includes congregations, rabbis, scholars, liturgy, traditions, and communities trying to figure out what it looks like to live a distinctly Jewish life centered on Yeshua.
As for Felix Mendelssohn's family, that story gets a little messy because history doesn't give us a cut and dry answer. Abraham Mendelssohn, was baptized into the Lutheran church, and most historians seem to point to the realities of living in nineteenth-century European society as a major factor. Whether there was also a genuine spiritual conviction behind that decision is harder to know. Unfortunately, history is excellent at preserving dates and facts and terrible at preserving dinner table conversations. So I would only be guessing to be honest.
One of the things that surprised me when I started digging into this subject and studying it in seminary was realizing that Jewish belief in Yeshua didn't simply vanish after the first century and then magically reappear centuries later like somebody found it in a box in the attic. The historical trail definitely gets fainter in some periods, and there's still plenty of questions historians debate ad nauseum, but evidence of Jewish believers continues to show up throughout history. The more I studied, the more I found myself saying, "Well, that's interesting... why did nobody tell me that part?"
Well aware of Jonathan Cahn (his congregation actually within [longish] driving distance) and Jason Sobel, same.
Again, I thank you. And your final sentence--exactly so. I am beginning to feel that a lifetime of pretty faithful pew-filling has been of less value than might be hoped.
I’ve never studied this - loved it! Thank you.
Thanks Cathy!! I am glad you enjoyed it!!
There is a reason that Paul wrote "at just the time" a Savior was sent (in Galatians 4 and in Romans 5). The story of Jesus's family is fascinating. I have sometimes wondered if his sisters married Christians (or if they were saved when/if he appeared to them, as he did with James), depending on their ages after he was killed. I am no expert, but after 73 AD and then 136 AD, how much longer could any Jewish male have traced his heritage? Jesus had to be from Judah. By 150 or 200 AD, could any Jew, stuck in a Roman province far from Jerusalem, have known his lineage? Did some families preserve their records?
No problem. I was just wondering if Jewish laws about blood relations were different, or if Joseph had adopted. Sorry about the pain. At 82, I have days where getting out of bed is quite difficult. By the grace of God, I have a new recliner where I can nap if necessary. I've got a new body on order. I can't get a delivery date, though.
Maranatha.
He may have adopted but that still wouldn't make Simeon a blood relative. I can only blame it on LOL
I got one on order too. Between spinal issues on top of fibromyalgia, it sadly isn't just pain but it causes brain fog too (plus the residual affects from my stroke) so I fall prey to writing errors like that one!
I’m sorry. I just noticed the stroke. That’s a tough one.
My wife had three spinal fusions, and a lot of pain issues. I’ve had to care for her the last decade or so. She was glad to get to go home. The Lord told me she made it and all her pain is gone.
I have to take issue with one of your statements.
"After Yeshua’s resurrection, his brother James led the Jerusalem community until his murder in 62 CE. After James, a relative named Simeon bar Clopas assumed leadership. His connection to Yeshua is specific and documented: his father Clopas was the brother of Joseph, Yeshua’s father, making Simeon a nephew of Yeshua by blood."
I don't understand. Yeshua's Father is HaShem, not Joseph. I guess I'm sensitive to this because I have no children—though I raised two stepchildren. But Simeon was not a nephew, because Yeshua was only a stepson of Joseph. Is there any record that Joseph legally adopted Yeshua?
That's a big difference. Clopas was the brother-in-law of Mary. Were Jewish laws different?
You are 100% right to challenge me. I wrote this on a really heavy pain day so I definitely made some errors with Simeon bar Clopas. It should have said "though not by blood". I fixed it. I will have to be sure not to write when I am not feeling well. Thank you for noticing that and letting me know.
If Yeshua and Simeon Bar Cleopas had fathers who were brothers, doesn’t that make them first cousins?
Thank you for this wonderful article and the further reading list! My current deep study interest is exactly this topic… The Way, HaDerekh, their history, practices and teachings. Thank you!
Good eye! Yes, I meant to put cousin and for some reason had nephew on the brain! Thanks for pointing that out. I fixed it.