|
New Testament History |
The
first and second persecutions
A few years after Stephen’s martyrdom a new persecution arose, and the Holy Virgin left Bethany for Ephesus with John.[9] The Holy Virgin had been living on Mount Zion for 3 years after the ascension (33-36 AD) and in Bethany for 3 years more (36-39 AD).[10] This new persecution occurred shortly after the banishment of Lazarus and his sisters from Bethany,[11] before Paul arrived in Jerusalem (in November 39 AD),[12] in the 5th year[13] or about 5 years[14] after the crucifixion, and about 7 years after the ascension.[15] The Holy Virgin left Jerusalem for Ephesus on Monday 5 January 39 AD[16] = 21 Tevet, or on Tuesday 6 January 39 AD[17] = 22 Tevet (Reingold and Dershowitz;[18] the New Moon occurred on Sunday 14 December 38 AD at 19:46 UT). It was during the Feast of Ennorum (21-23 Tevet). The sojourn in Ephesus had been prepared for by Thomas and Matthew between Tishri 33 AD (the first mission of the Apostles) and June 36 AD (the first reunion in Jerusalem).[19] When Agrippa I arrived in Alexandria by August 38 AD,[20] the Egyptians began to persecute the Jews.[21] The Jews’ persecution of the Christians in Palestine in January 39 AD was a revenge for the persecution that the Jews themselves had undergone recently. The persecution was instigated by Agrippa I, who reached Palestine at the end of September 38 AD.[22] While James the Greater was staying in Jerusalem (June 36 AD-September/October 37 AD) and Joppa (August/September 38 AD-August 40 AD), there was a big persecution:[23] the first persecution of 37 AD and the second persecution of January 39 AD.
[1] A.C.E., Life, 4:413: “During a period of persecution, after the stoning of St. Stephen, the Apostles for a time refrained from consecrating”; A.C.E., Vie, 6:327-328: “Quand Étienne eut été lapidé, il n’y eut point de persécution générale dirigée contre les apôtres ; seulement on dispersa les différents groupes de chrétiens qui s’étaient établis dans des cabanes aux environs de Jérusalem, et dont l’un avait été confié à la garde d’Étienne. Il n’y eut pas alors de persécution générale dirigée contre les apôtres et les disciples, mais seulement, de temps à autre, quelques meurtres isolés.” [2] A.C.E., Life, 4:7. [3] A.C.E., Life, 4:448. [4] A.C.E., Visionen Juli 1820, 218. [5] A.C.E., Vie, 6:417. [6] A.C.E., Visionen August 1821, 33. [7] A.C.E., Vie, 6:304: “A l’époque de la Passion, il [i.e. Simeon] était âgé de dix ans. Sa mère [i.e. Mary of Cleopas] mourut cinq ans après dans une grande misère. Je l’ai vue errer aux environs de la grotte que Madeleine habita jusqu’à l’époque où elle quitta la Palestine.” Veronica and more women were persecuted after Lazarus, Martha, and Mary Magdalen had been expelled: A.C.E., Visionen Februar 1821, 34. [8] When James the Greater visited Marseille in 36 AD (on his way to Rome), he did not see Lazarus (A.C.E., Vie, 6:329) because Lazarus had not yet left Palestine. [9] A.C.E., Life, 4:448. [10] A.C.E., Mary, 346. [11] A.C.E., Visionen Juli 1821, 121. [12] Maria de Agreda, Cité, 6:221. [13] A.C.E., Vie, 6:internet edition (le miracle de Saragosse; the corresponding passage in A.C.E., Vie, 6:331, has 5 years); A.C.E., Vie, 6:337. [14] A.C.E., Visionen April 1821, 6/3 (Nachtrag). [15] A.C.E., Visionen Juni 1821, 9/3 (Nachtrag). [16] Maria de Agreda, Cité, 6:209. [17] Maria de Agreda, Cité, 6:394. [18] Parker and Dubberstein (1956: 46) have 20-21 Tevet. [19] A.C.E., Life, 4:7. [20] Mahieu 2012: 276. [21] Philo, Flacc. 25-101; Philo, Legat. 120-137. [22] Mahieu 2012: 277. [23] A.C.E., Visionen Juli 1821, 74. |