the New Testament barely touches upon the many violent Jewish rebellions of the first century or the political struggles between the Jews, Egyptians, and the Roman Empire. There is significant uncertainty regarding the true intent behind the Apostle Paul’s vision of Christianity. Was it a revolutionary doctrine meant to liberate the world from Roman oppression, or was it, in fact, a construct of the Roman Empire itself? Consider how Paul's teachings cleverly merge Zoroastrian apocalyptic beliefs, Greek platonic-philosophical ideas, within a Jewish scriptural context, creating an ideal new faith for the Empire, designed to pacify not only the Jewish people, but also all the Greek territories Rome now held. A religion urging them to "turn the other cheek" and "love their enemies." 446
According to the Gospel of Luke, around 28 AD, John the Baptist began his ministry of preaching and baptizing by the Jordan River, which marked the western edge of Herod Antipas’ territory of Perea. John condemned Herod’s marriage to Herodias as incestuous and contrary to Jewish law, since Herodias was both Herod’s niece and his brother’s former wife. John’s growing influence among the people made Herod fearful of potential rebellion. Consequently, John was imprisoned and later executed. However, before his imprisonment, John baptized Jesus Christ, marking the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ. 446 Jesus continued to preach a message of repentance and the coming Kingdom of God, which further threatened Herod’s rule. 446
