Tool Beta
The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas
The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.
Following a teacher
A disciple walked behind his teacher, lived with him, learned his ways and carried his reputation. Jesus chose his own, which only radical teachers did.
First, in plain English
You can tell she was his apprentice by the way she holds the tools. In Jesus' world you did not learn a teacher's way from a book. You lived with him, walked behind him and watched. And whatever his disciples did, people blamed or praised him for it.
What it meant then
Only the most radical teachers called disciples instead of waiting for disciples to choose them (compare Elijah and Elisha, 1 Kings 19:19). Disciples usually sought out their own teachers. To come after a teacher was the posture of a disciple, and disciples were expected to walk behind their teachers. Some radical Greek philosophers tested recruits by repelling them with huge demands. Teachers rarely had the means to feed their disciples. Some sages kept certain teaching for their closest disciples, and teachers sometimes explained things privately. Public opinion judged a teacher by his disciples' behavior, and teachers were held responsible for it. Rabbi was a respectful Aramaic title meaning my master, and disciple means pupil or apprentice. Jewish teachers spoke of taking on the yoke of the law and the yoke of the kingdom, submitting to God's rule and keeping his commands. Keener's notes also point to Sirach's yoke of wisdom, and Wright notes that the Pharisees spoke of the yoke of the Torah. Keener writes that one of the first rules of discipleship was "Never criticize the teacher, especially publicly". Making disciples was what rabbis did, but they made them for themselves, where Jesus' followers were to make disciples for him. Received and handed on were the words for passing on a tradition. The Mishnah tractate Abot opens with Moses receiving the Torah at Sinai and handing it on to Joshua. Students memorized what they learned so they could pass it on in turn. Disciples could call a teacher father and imitate him, which Keener calls one of the most common ideas in Greek literature.
The bridge to today
An analogy: an apprentice electrician who rides in the master's van all day. He learns by watching, he does not correct the master in front of the customer, and if he botches a job, it is the master's name on the van.
What it changes in the reading
A disciple's life with a teacher explains the calls and costs in the Gospels: Jesus does the choosing, as in Mark 1:17, where disciples usually chose their teacher. Would-be followers meet hard demands, as in Matthew 8:19-22. Paul hands on what he received in 1 Corinthians 15:3, the language of a pupil passing on his teachers' tradition.
Where the analogy breaks
Not a trade picked for a living. An apprentice learns a skill to earn by, usually from a master he chose. Disciples usually chose their teachers too, but Jesus did the choosing, as only radical teachers did, and his followers left nets, boats and family to walk behind a person.
Passages where it appears
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-4-12-25\/","n":"Matthew 4:12-25, Capernaum, fishermen and crowds","s":"Jesus moves to Capernaum, Galilee of the Gentiles, announces the kingdom of heaven, calls four fishermen, and draws crowds from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem and beyond the Jordan.","r":"Matthew 4:12-25"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-5-1-12\/","n":"Matthew 5:1-12, The Beatitudes","s":"Jesus sits on a mountain to teach and pronounces God's blessing on the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted.","r":"Matthew 5:1-12"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-8-18-34\/","n":"Matthew 8:18-34, Let the dead bury their dead, the storm and Gadara","s":"Jesus answers two would-be followers, calms a storm on the lake, and frees two men possessed by demons in the region of the Gadarenes.","r":"Matthew 8:18-34"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-11-2-30\/","n":"Matthew 11:2-30, John's question, children in the square, an easy yoke","s":"John asks from prison whether Jesus is the one to come. Jesus praises John, compares his generation to sulking children, pronounces woes on the lake towns, and offers rest under his yoke.","r":"Matthew 11:2-30"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-16-13-28\/","n":"Matthew 16:13-28, The rock, the keys and the cross","s":"At Caesarea Philippi Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and is called the rock and given the keys. When Jesus speaks of his death, Peter rebukes him and is called Satan.","r":"Matthew 16:13-28"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-23-1-12\/","n":"Matthew 23:1-12, Moses' seat, wide phylacteries, the best seats","s":"Jesus tells the crowds to do what the scribes and Pharisees teach but not what they do, and mocks their wide phylacteries, long tassels, best seats and love of the title rabbi.","r":"Matthew 23:1-12"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-28-16-20\/","n":"Matthew 28:16-20, Make disciples of all nations","s":"On a mountain in Galilee the risen Jesus claims all authority in heaven and on earth and sends the eleven to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them.","r":"Matthew 28:16-20"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-1-14-20\/","n":"Mark 1:14-20, Fishermen called","s":"Jesus announces that God's kingdom is near, then calls two pairs of brothers from their nets on the Sea of Galilee.","r":"Mark 1:14-20"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-4-1-34\/","n":"Mark 4:1-34, Parables by the lake","s":"From a boat Jesus tells the crowd the sower, the lamp, the growing seed and the mustard seed, and explains them in private.","r":"Mark 4:1-34"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-7-1-23\/","n":"Mark 7:1-23, Washed hands and the tradition of the elders","s":"Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem object that Jesus' disciples eat with unwashed hands. Jesus answers that what defiles comes from inside.","r":"Mark 7:1-23"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-8-27-9-1\/","n":"Mark 8:27-9:1, Peter's answer at Caesarea Philippi","s":"Asked who he is, Peter says the Messiah. Jesus says the Son of Man must suffer, rebukes Peter, and calls followers to take up the cross.","r":"Mark 8:27-9:1"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-2-41-52\/","n":"Luke 2:41-52, A twelve-year-old among the teachers","s":"On the family's yearly Passover pilgrimage the twelve-year-old Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem, and after three days his parents find him in the temple courts among the teachers.","r":"Luke 2:41-52"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-5-1-11\/","n":"Luke 5:1-11, A catch that breaks the nets","s":"Jesus teaches from Simon's boat, then tells the tired fishermen to let down their nets in deep water. The catch nearly sinks two boats, and Simon, James and John leave everything to follow him.","r":"Luke 5:1-11"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-8-1-3\/","n":"Luke 8:1-3, Women who paid the bills","s":"As Jesus travels from town to town with the Twelve, women he has healed travel with them, among them Joanna, wife of Herod's household manager, and they support the group from their own means.","r":"Luke 8:1-3"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-9-51-62\/","n":"Luke 9:51-62, A Samaritan refusal and three would-be followers","s":"Setting out for Jerusalem, Jesus is turned away by a Samaritan village and rebukes James and John for wanting to call down fire. On the road he tells three would-be followers what following him will cost.","r":"Luke 9:51-62"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-10-38-42\/","n":"Luke 10:38-42, Mary at the teacher's feet","s":"In Martha's house Mary sits at Jesus' feet listening while Martha works at serving. When Martha complains, Jesus says Mary has chosen the better part.","r":"Luke 10:38-42"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-18-18-30\/","n":"Luke 18:18-30, A rich ruler and the needle's eye","s":"A ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life; told to sell everything and follow, he goes away sad, and Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom.","r":"Luke 18:18-30"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-1-35-51\/","n":"John 1:35-51, Come and see","s":"Two of John's disciples follow Jesus and spend the day with him. Andrew brings his brother Simon, Philip brings Nathanael, and Jesus promises they will see heaven opened and angels going up and down on the Son of Man.","r":"John 1:35-51"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-6-22-71\/","n":"John 6:22-71, The bread from heaven","s":"In the synagogue at Capernaum the crowd asks for a sign like the manna. Jesus answers that he is the bread of life come down from heaven, and his hard words about eating his flesh drive many disciples away.","r":"John 6:22-71"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-13-1-30\/","n":"John 13:1-30, Washing the disciples' feet, and the morsel for Judas","s":"At supper before Passover Jesus takes off his outer clothes, ties a towel around himself and washes his disciples' feet. Then he hands Judas the dipped morsel, and Judas goes out into the night.","r":"John 13:1-30"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-15-1-17\/","n":"John 15:1-17, The true vine, and friends rather than slaves","s":"Jesus calls himself the true vine and his Father the vinegrower, who cuts off fruitless branches and prunes the fruitful. He calls his disciples friends, not slaves, because he has told them everything.","r":"John 15:1-17"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-17-1-26\/","n":"John 17:1-26, The prayer: your name made known","s":"Before his arrest Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven and prays that the Father will glorify him, keep those given him in the Father's name and set them apart by the truth, and make all who believe one.","r":"John 17:1-26"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-18-1-27\/","n":"John 18:1-27, Arrest across the Kidron, and Annas","s":"Judas brings soldiers and temple police with torches to a garden across the Kidron. Jesus answers I am he, they fall back, and he is taken bound to Annas while Peter denies him three times by a charcoal fire.","r":"John 18:1-27"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-21-15-25\/","n":"John 21:15-25, Feed my sheep, and stretch out your hands","s":"Three times Jesus asks Peter whether he loves him and three times tells him to tend his sheep. He foretells Peter's death and answers his question about the beloved disciple, whose testimony closes the book.","r":"John 21:15-25"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-4-1-31\/","n":"Acts 4:1-31, Before the temple rulers","s":"The temple authorities arrest Peter and John for proclaiming the resurrection in Jesus. Before the council the unschooled fishermen speak boldly, are warned and released, and pray with the believers in the words of Psalm 2.","r":"Acts 4:1-31"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-1-10-17\/","n":"1 Corinthians 1:10-17, I belong to Paul, I belong to Apollos","s":"Told by Chloe's people that the church is splitting into camps behind Paul, Apollos, Cephas and Christ, Paul appeals for unity and asks whether Christ has been divided.","r":"1 Corinthians 1:10-17"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-3-1-23\/","n":"1 Corinthians 3:1-23, Milk, builders and God's temple","s":"Paul calls the Corinthians infants still on milk, says he and Apollos are only servants, warns builders that fire will test their work, and reminds the church that it is God's temple and that all things are theirs.","r":"1 Corinthians 3:1-23"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-4-14-21\/","n":"1 Corinthians 4:14-21, Ten thousand guardians, one father","s":"Paul writes as the Corinthians' father in the gospel, sends Timothy to remind them of his ways, and asks whether they want him to come with a rod or with love.","r":"1 Corinthians 4:14-21"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-10-23-11-1\/","n":"1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1, Dinner at an unbeliever's house","s":"Paul tells believers to eat whatever is sold in the meat market and whatever an unbelieving host serves without asking questions, unless someone points out that it was offered in sacrifice.","r":"1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-11-2-16\/","n":"1 Corinthians 11:2-16, Heads covered and uncovered","s":"Paul tells men who pray or prophesy to keep their heads uncovered and women who do so to cover theirs, arguing from headship, creation, the angels, nature and the custom of the churches.","r":"1 Corinthians 11:2-16"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-15-1-11\/","n":"1 Corinthians 15:1-11, What I received","s":"Paul reminds the Corinthians of the good news he handed on to them as he had received it: that Christ died for sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared to Cephas, the Twelve, more than five hundred, James, all the apostles and last of all to Paul.","r":"1 Corinthians 15:1-11"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-1-11-24\/","n":"Galatians 1:11-24, Saul the zealot, Arabia, and fifteen days with Cephas","s":"Paul insists that his gospel came by revelation and not from human teachers, and tells of his zeal as a persecutor, his call, his time in Arabia and Damascus, and a short first visit to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas.","r":"Galatians 1:11-24"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-5-13-6-10\/","n":"Galatians 5:13-6:10, Flesh and Spirit, burdens and teachers","s":"Called to freedom, the Galatians are to serve one another in love, which fulfills the law; Paul sets the works of the flesh against the fruit of the Spirit and urges them to restore the fallen gently, carry each other's burdens, share with their teachers and keep doing good.","r":"Galatians 5:13-6:10"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/philippians-2-19-30\/","n":"Philippians 2:19-30, Timothy and Epaphroditus, commended and sent","s":"Paul commends Timothy as a son who serves with him and plans to send him soon, and sends home Epaphroditus, the church's messenger, who nearly died on their errand.","r":"Philippians 2:19-30"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-1-1-10\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Turned to God from idols","s":"Paul, Silas and Timothy thank God for a young church that received the message in the middle of suffering, whose story is now told everywhere: they turned to God from idols to serve him and to wait for his Son from heaven.","r":"1 Thessalonians 1:1-10"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-2-1-12\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Gentle as a nurse, firm as a father","s":"Paul reminds the church how he and his companions came to them after being mistreated in Philippi: no deceit, flattery or greed, gentle among them like a nursing mother, working night and day so as not to burden anyone, and urging each of them like a father.","r":"1 Thessalonians 2:1-12"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-4-1-8\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Holiness in the body","s":"Paul reminds the church of the instructions he passed on from the Lord Jesus: God's will is that they be holy, avoid sexual immorality, control their own bodies in holiness and honor, and not wrong a brother in this matter.","r":"1 Thessalonians 4:1-8"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2thessalonians-2-13-3-5\/","n":"2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, Hold to the traditions, and let the word run","s":"Paul thanks God for choosing the Thessalonians, urges them to stand firm and hold to the traditions they were taught by word or by letter, prays for them, and asks them to pray that the Lord's message will run swiftly.","r":"2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-4-6-16\/","n":"1 Timothy 4:6-16, Training for godliness, and a young leader","s":"Timothy is to train himself for godliness as an athlete trains his body, set an example despite his youth, devote himself to the public reading of Scripture and teaching, and not neglect the gift given when the elders laid hands on him.","r":"1 Timothy 4:6-16"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2timothy-1-1-7\/","n":"2 Timothy 1:1-7, Lois, Eunice and the laying on of hands","s":"Writing from custody, Paul greets Timothy as his dear son, thanks God as he remembers him in prayer night and day, recalls the faith of Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, and urges him to fan into flame the gift given when Paul laid hands on him.","r":"2 Timothy 1:1-7"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2timothy-2-1-13\/","n":"2 Timothy 2:1-13, Soldier, athlete and farmer, and a prisoner in chains","s":"Timothy is to pass on what he heard to reliable people who will teach others, and to endure hardship like a soldier, compete by the rules like an athlete and work like a farmer, remembering Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and descended from David, for whom Paul is chained like a criminal.","r":"2 Timothy 2:1-13"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2timothy-3-10-17\/","n":"2 Timothy 3:10-17, Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, and the sacred writings","s":"Timothy has followed Paul's teaching, life and sufferings, as in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra; he is to continue in what he learned, knowing from whom he learned it and how from infancy he has known the sacred writings, for all Scripture is God-breathed.","r":"2 Timothy 3:10-17"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/philemon-8-25\/","n":"Philemon 8-25, Onesimus sent home with a letter","s":"Paul appeals to Philemon, on the basis of love, for Onesimus, the slave who became Paul's son in prison: he sends him back to be received as a beloved brother rather than as a slave, asks Philemon to welcome him as he would Paul, offers to repay anything he owes, and asks for a guest room.","r":"Philemon 8-25"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-5-11-6-12\/","n":"Hebrews 5:11-6:12, Milk, solid food and no way back","s":"The readers should be teachers by now but still need milk, so the writer urges them past the elementary teachings. Those who have been enlightened and shared in the Holy Spirit and then fall away cannot be brought back to repentance, though he is confident of better things for his readers.","r":"Hebrews 5:11-6:12"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-1-5-2-17\/","n":"1 John 1:5-2:17, God is light, an advocate, and a world passing away","s":"God is light with no darkness in him, so to claim fellowship with him while walking in darkness is a lie; the blood of Jesus cleanses, and those who confess are forgiven. Anyone who sins has an advocate with the Father, the atoning sacrifice for the whole world. The old command of love is new, the darkness is passing, and the world is passing away.","r":"1 John 1:5-2:17"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2john-1-6\/","n":"2 John 1-6, The elder to the chosen lady","s":"The elder writes to the chosen lady and her children, whom he loves in the truth. He is glad that some of her children walk in the truth, and he asks for no new command but the old one, that they love one another, which means walking in God's commands.","r":"2 John 1-6"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/3john-1-8\/","n":"3 John 1-8, Gaius and the traveling brothers","s":"The elder writes to his dear friend Gaius, praying that he is in good health and glad to hear that he walks in the truth. Gaius has been faithful in what he does for the brothers, strangers though they are; he should supply them for the next stage of their journey in a way that honors God, since they went out for the sake of the Name and took nothing from the pagans.","r":"3 John 1-8"}
Related ideas
Sources
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Mark 1:17, 4:11, 7:5, 8:32, 8:33, 10:10, 10:21 and 14:45, and note on Matthew 12:2
- N. T. Wright, Mark for Everyone, Glossary, entry apostle, disciple, the Twelve
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 8:19-20 and 14:16
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 11:29-30
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on Matthew 11:29
- N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone, Part One, comment on Matthew 11:25-30
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 16:22 and 28:19-20
- Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes, section 4.1
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:23 and 15:3
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on 1 Corinthians 4:14, 11:2 and 15:3
