Those in high positions

The wealthy Jews and those in high positions complied with the occupiers, the Romans, to protect their wealth and their interests, and to maintain their positions. Also, the Romans granted them special privileges. (This is normally the case in most occupations of nations.) In return the Romans held them accountable for the actions of their people. The Romans appointed the high priests, and the high priests bribed the Romans. Josephus wrote, “But as for the high priest, Ananias … was a great hoarder up of money: he therefore cultivated the friendship of Albinus {Roman procurator from 62 to 64 CE}, and of the high priest [Jesus], by making them presents.” [3] There was religious-political corruption, which caused a conflict between the common people and the high priests. The high priests were Sadducees and they collaborated with the rich Jews (which Josephus calls “men of power”). Josephus wrote, “… while the Sadducees are able to persuade none but the rich, and have not the populace obsequious to them {the crowds were not eager to obey them} …” [4] Since the high priests were appointed by the kings (who, in turn, were appointed by the Romans) they often took the side of the Romans in convincing people to stop rioting. For instance, when the Jews protested the taxation of Quirinius (around 6-7 CE) and Judas the Galilean instigated a revolt, the high priest Joazar, took the side of the Romans and persuaded the multitude to comply. [5] Because the leading priests were appointed by the kings and because they took the side of the Romans (in keeping order), the multitude of Jerusalem was against them. Josephus wrote, “About this time king Agrippa gave the high priesthood to Ishmael … And {as a result} now arose a sedition {revolt} between the high priests {Josephus uses this term to refer to the wealthy, leading priests – there was only one high priest} and the principal men of the multitude of Jerusalem.” [6] There was another reason for this conflict. To appease the Romans (who appointed them), the high priests accepted Roman offerings and sacrifices at the Temple. This offended the purists (such as, the Zealots, the Sicarii, the Essenes, and the Jewish Christians) who rioted and put a stop to the Roman offerings and sacrifices at the temple. The forbade even the entrance of non-Jews in the Temple. In response, according to Josephus, “… the men of power got together, and conferred with the high priests, as did also the principal of the Pharisees; and … took counsel what was to be done. … what they could do with the seditious by words {to convince the rioters by words}, and assembled the people before the … gate of the inner temple [court of the priests] … and told them {and tried to convince them} … that they {the rioters, the purists} did now irritate the Romans to {cause them to} take arms against them {against the Jews}, and invited them to make war upon them, … and determined to run the hazard of having their city condemned {by the Romans} for impiety, while {because} they would not allow any foreigner, but Jews only, either to sacrifice or to worship therein. And … they have no regard to the Romans or to Caesar, and forbid even their oblations {offerings} to be received also; … by thus rejecting their sacrifices … this city will lose its principality, unless they {the purists} grow wiser quickly, and restore the sacrifices as formerly, and indeed amend the injury [they have offered foreigners] before the report of it comes to the ears of those {the Romans} that have been injured.” [7] Paul was accused for polluting the Temple by bring in some Greeks, “This is the man {Paul}… brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place.” (Acts 21:28 KJV) Later, some purists (probably Zealots or Sicarii) made an oath to kill Paul.