Gamla - Home of the Zealots
In Jesus' day, the Zealot movement had been growing since Israel's occupation by the Roman Empire.
The Zealots were fiercely nationalistic and thought that only God had the right to rule over the land of Israel.
The Zealot's fervor would, from time to time, turn into terrorist-like violence against Rome - Roman officials, Roman soldiers, or a Jew who was seen to be collaborating with Rome.
In 66 CE, the Zealots got what they wanted - an all-out war with Rome.
In 67 CE, the headquarter city of the Zealot movement - Gamla - was destroyed by the Roman army. The Zealots fighting for Gamla chose to commit mass suicide by throwing themselves from the precipice of the hill rather than submit to the Roman sword.
By 70 CE, the Zealots had pushed the citizens of Jerusalem into war with Rome. By the end of 70 CE, Jerusalem was destroyed.
Jesus' message of forgiveness and praying for those who persecute you was antithetical to the Zealot's push for violent resistance.
In the end, the Zealots died in the same manner they lived - "Those who use the sword will die by the sword." Matt. 26:52 (NLT).
The Zealots were fiercely nationalistic and thought that only God had the right to rule over the land of Israel.
The Zealot's fervor would, from time to time, turn into terrorist-like violence against Rome - Roman officials, Roman soldiers, or a Jew who was seen to be collaborating with Rome.
In 66 CE, the Zealots got what they wanted - an all-out war with Rome.
In 67 CE, the headquarter city of the Zealot movement - Gamla - was destroyed by the Roman army. The Zealots fighting for Gamla chose to commit mass suicide by throwing themselves from the precipice of the hill rather than submit to the Roman sword.
By 70 CE, the Zealots had pushed the citizens of Jerusalem into war with Rome. By the end of 70 CE, Jerusalem was destroyed.
Jesus' message of forgiveness and praying for those who persecute you was antithetical to the Zealot's push for violent resistance.
In the end, the Zealots died in the same manner they lived - "Those who use the sword will die by the sword." Matt. 26:52 (NLT).
