This information was taken from history books, newspaper articles, Wikipedia and of course the Bible. This blog you are about to read has been researched, organized, and laid out using information that may be offensive to some people. These analysis were not gathered out of judgment, malice or grievance toward any group or individual. This information was intended for research and discovery purposes only.
Who Is Jesus,and
Why did the ancient Jews reject him?
Unfortunately, we must answer a ton of other questions just to unravel this conundrum.
We will first have to understand the name, Jesus, it’s origin and it’s meaning.
We then need to investigate the ancient Jews and what they expected GOD’s Messiah to deliver, specifically to them when he appeared…
These Jews appeared to hold many great expectations, but, some of their most common criteria were…
Political Liberation: Saving the descendants of Yaakov from their oppressors (which in their time was the brutal Roman Empire).
Global Peace: He was to usher in an era of universal peace, one they could witness during their lifetimes; ending all war.
Gathering the Exiles: Bringing all the tribes back into the promised land, again during their lifetime.
A Third Temple: The rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
It would appear that because Yehoshua was murdered by the Romans without liberating Yudea, ending war, or establishing the messianic kingdom on earth; the Jews concluded that he could not be the promised Messiah, sent from GOD.
But, before we dive into the many criticisms of the ancient Jews, let’s first examine the origin of the name, Jesus.
2nd Peter 2:1 There were also “false” prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will “introduce” destructive heresies and even “deny” the Master (Yeshua) who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Peter said, “That they will deny the “Master” who ransomed them,
How and why would they do that?
Did you know: The Greek word “arneomai” translated as “deny” in English is related to the Hebrew word (kachash-H3584) meaning to lie or to deny, and just like the word (ma’as- H3988) it means to reject or refuse.
The word “Arneomai” primarily means to deny or disown. It is used in the New Testament to describe the act of refusing to acknowledge or accept someone or something. This term often carries a strong connotation of rejection or repudiation.
So why do Jews hold so much hostility toward Jesus?
Or is their anger directed toward someone else entirely?
YEHOSHUA THE MESSIAH
Why they rejected Yehoshua first…
Before the name Iesous was transliterated into Jesus, back during the first century, many descendants of Abraham named their baby boys Yehoshua (Yeshua) including the parents of “Yehoshua haMoshiach” (the Messiah), it was one of the most common names of the era, which could also be a factor as to why the Jews continue to believe HIS life was simply unremarkable.
Did you know: The name Yehoshua literally means “GOD’s salvation” in Hebrew? Yehoshua’s name ends in “ayin” the (16th) letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is an actual word, which translates as “eye” or “to see”. Because the eye represents perception and awareness, the letter is symbolically tied to deep spiritual insight, wisdom, and God’s watchful presence.
2nd Samuel 7:12-13 When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
The English word “bowels” came from the Hebrew “meeh” #4578 which in relation to men, describes “the seat of generation.” The English word “established,” from the Hebrew “kun” #3559 (meaning to confirm or to ordain).
These words were spoken by GOD through the prophet Nathan to King David. From David would come a king who would build a house for the LORD and whose throne and kingdom will be forever.
The people of Yehoshua’s time would not recognize the name Jesus, The SON of GOD was addressed as Yehoshua, HIS Hebrew name.
So let’s dive into the history of the name, Jesus…
Beginning With The Septuagint
The Septuagint was a Greek translation of Hebrew scripture. It was first said that this translation Bible was created for the benefit of Greek speaking Jews between the mid-3rd century BCE and the 1st century BCE in Alexandria. The first five books were translated between 280 and 250 BCE. The “Prophets” and “Writings” (the rest of the Old Testament Bible was translated in subsequent stages throughout the 2nd and 1st centuries.
We also learned that Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 BCE) According to historical tradition, commissioned Jewish scholars to translate the Hebrew Bible into Koine Greek for their library in Alexandria.
The High Priest Eleazar chose 72 elders from Jerusalem, 6 from each of the 12 tribes.
What remains unanswered in this famous story is how exactly this High Priest brought together all 72 elders, from the 12 tribes, when the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722/721 BCE? This landmark historical event resulted in 10 of the 12 tribes being exiled. These members were gradually dispersed throughout the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which collapsed to the Babylonians in 612 BCE.
Because these 10 distinct tribes were eventually assimilated into local populations or migrated over centuries, scholars and historians agree that no single, distinct, traceable population of the 10 tribes exist to date, only the ONE TRUE GOD knows who and where they truly are.
Jesus The Christ
These so called elders of the 12 tribes are solely responsible for inventing the name Iesous.
So, what is their explanation for doing so….
Ancient Greeks did not have a “Y” sound in their language, so the letters’ ‘i – e” pronounced (ee-ya) were used. They also had no “sh” sound, which supposedly explains the [sous] which later became “sus.”
Male Greek names also typically required an “-s” (masculine) ending.
In fact, did you know: before the translation of the Septuagint, the name Iesous did not even exist?
Why is that important?
Well, it is important because there would be no Jesus without Iesous, which was transliterated into the English name Jesus.
What about the title Christ? Isn’t it just a translation of the Hebrew Moshiach/Mashiach meaning Messiah?
People in the past who followed the Messiah not only address HIM as Yehoshua, and not Jesus, but referred to themselves as followers of, “the Way.” Not Christians.
Acts 24:14 “But I do freely admit this: In regard to “the Way,” which they malign as a dead-end street, I serve and worship the very same GOD served and worshiped by all our ancestors and embrace everything written in all our Scriptures.
Acts 19:9 – (CEB) Some people had closed their minds, though. They refused to believe and publicly slandered “the Way.” As a result, Paul left them, took the disciples with him, and continued his daily interactions in Tyrannus’ lecture hall.
Before Paul (Saul) was converted, he said in (Acts 22:4) I persecuted the followers of this “Way,” to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,
He later came to believe himself to be a follower of this, “Way”. Acts 24:14 (NIV) “However, I admit that I worship the GOD of our ancestors as a follower of ‘the Way.’”
Most people today believe the titles, Moshiach/Mashiach (Hebrew), Messiah (English), Messīās (Latin), and Christ (Greek), hold the same definition and meaning, but did you know that in ancient Greek the title Messiah is (Messias) and not Christ?
Did you also know: Ancient Greeks, Persians, and even ancient Egyptians used titles such as KRST, Chrestos, Christos and Christus in regard to their own pagan deities?
Images, Idols, and other abominations such as Osiris, Serapis Christos, and Chrestus Mithra just to name a few were originally associated with “Christ”. The reason you can find so many images and idols created in the image of Jesus, (even though the Bible explicitly says, “no idols”) is because Christ was ingrained and birthed directly from idolatry, he has no actual affiliation with the ONE TRUE GOD.
The English word “Way,” is (derekh דֶּרֶךְ) in Hebrew. Metaphorically derekh often refers to the journey, manner, or course of one’s life.
Getting back to what we said earlier, the reason those ancient Jewish scholars began their love/hate history with Jesus….
We have learned some of the reasoning behind dismissing Jesus, a deity whose name the Jews actively took part in creating and establishing…
They expected immediate Political Liberation: They believe because he did not save the descendants of Yaakov from their oppressors (which during their time was the brutal Roman Empire). He was an impostor. But this was not HIS mission.
The LAMB OF GOD
John 1:29 The next day, Yochanan (John) saw Yeshua coming toward him and said, “Look! God’s lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world!
Yehoshua came to save GOD’s children from the curse of sin and death!
Isaiah 53:7 Though mistreated, he was submissive —
he did not open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to be slaughtered,
like a sheep silent before its shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
They expected to see him usher in, “Global Peace,” they believed they would see this in their life-time: Believing that they would witness this new era of universal peace. They in their ignorance dismissed him once it was clear this would not happen.
1st Peter 1:18-19, You should be aware that the ransom paid to free you from the worthless way of life which your fathers passed on to you did not consist of anything perishable like silver or gold; 19 on the contrary, it was the costly bloody sacrificial death of the Messiah, as of a lamb without defect or spot.
Yehoshua did not come to take down the Roman Empire, to physically build a third Temple, or to usher in world peace.
Yehoshua said….
In Matthew 10:35-36 For I have come to set a man against his father, daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,
so that a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
37 Whoever loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not worthy of me.
What about the lost tribes?
The ancient Jewish leaders said that the Messiah was suppose to Gather up the Exiles: Bringing all the tribes back to the promised land, but again, they felt that this was an event that would take place during their lifetimes, back during the early to mid 1st century.
Yehoshua said in John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
He also said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Yaakov. Matthew 15:24
Who is that, who are GOD’s lost sheep?
Matthew 18:12-14 “What’s your opinion? What will somebody do who has a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillsides and go off to find the stray? 13 And if he happens to find it? Yes! I tell you he is happier over it than over the ninety-nine that never strayed! 14 Thus your Father in heaven does not want even one of these little ones to be lost.
The ancient leaders of GOD’s people during Yehoshua’s time, during the 1st century were evil, greedy men whose ambitions of power drove them into madness, just as the wicked men of today. Pharisee’s, Sadducee’s and other leaders betrayed the people they were suppose to guide. The people listened to them and believed their lies becoming confused and loosing their “way.”
Mathew 15: 8-9 These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far away from me.
9 Their worship of me is useless,
because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’
What About the Last Critique? What about the Restoration of The Third Temple: Or the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem?
19 Yeshua answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” 20 The Yudeans said, “It took 46 years to build this Temple, and you’re going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the “temple” he had spoken of was his body. 22 Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his talmidim (disciples) remembered that he had said this, and they trusted in the Tanakh (scripture) and in what Yeshua had said.
This scripture acknowledges how the final Temple became “YEHOSHUA THE MESSIAH” Himself. He is our Ecclessia, our final Temple!
Yehoshua’s true followers, HIS Ecclesia, during His physical time here, were recognized as followers of, “the Way.” Today they have been erased almost completely from history;
Isaiah 53, YEHOSHUA
Who believes our report?
To whom is the arm of Adonai (OUR FATHER) revealed?
2 For before him he grew up like a young plant,
like a root out of dry ground.
He was not well-formed or especially handsome;
we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us.
3 People despised and avoided him,
a man of pains, well acquainted with illness.
Like someone from whom people turn their faces,
he was despised; we did not value him.
This tells us that the Messiah isn’t some beautiful, smooth talking man, but someone acquainted with illness. Someone people avoided and despised.
4 In fact, it was our diseases he bore,
our pains from which he suffered;
yet we regarded him as punished,
stricken and afflicted by God.
5 But he was wounded because of our crimes,
crushed because of our sins;
the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him,
and by his bruises* we are healed.
Am I reading this right? Is this saying that people began to regard HIM as punished, because of the pain that he suffered on our behalf? Isaiah goes on to say…
We all, like sheep, went astray;
we turned, each one, to his own way;
yet Adonai (OUR FATHER) laid on him
the guilt of all of us.
7 Though mistreated, he was submissive —
he did not open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to be slaughtered,
like a sheep silent before its shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
8 After forcible arrest and sentencing,
he was taken away;
and none of his generation protested
his being cut off from the land of the living
for the crimes of my people,
who deserved the punishment themselves.
9 He was given a grave among the wicked;
in his death he was with a rich man.
Yehoshua, the KING, the true SON OF GOD was submissive and did not open his mouth while arrested and sentenced for crimes that were not HIS. Our guilt was laid upon HIM.
Isaiah continues..
Although HE had done no violence
and had said nothing deceptive,
10 yet it pleased Adonai to crush him with illness,
to see if he would present himself as a guilt offering.
If he does, he will see his offspring;
and he will prolong his days;
and at his hand Adonai’s desire
will be accomplished.
11 After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction.
“By his knowing [pain and sacrifice],
my righteous servant makes many righteous;
it is for their sins that he suffers.
12 Therefore I will assign him a share with the great,
he will divide the spoil with the mighty,
for having exposed himself to death
and being counted among the sinners,
while actually bearing the sin of many
and interceding for the offenders.”
Yeshua is our 1. Burnt Offerings · 2. Peace Offering · 3. Sin Offering and our· 4. grain Offering.
So the question really isn’t, “Who is Jesus?” The question is “Who did he replace? And why?
Owr Bayit Shomer