Could it be that Jesus worked here as a young man? Because Nazareth was so close to Sepphoris, and because Jesus was a Tekton (Greek for a construction worker of various types), Jesus and His earthy father, Joseph, undoubtedly worked here. Sepphoris was also the capital of the Galilee area during the time of Christ.
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Contents:
0:00 - Intro
1:53 - Location of Sepphoris: Place Jesus Worked
2:44 - Historical Background
7:11 - Sepphoris & the Bible
13:52 - Faith Lesson
16:55 - Outro
During the time of Jesus, because of a Jewish revolt, thousands of Jews were crucified here. Jesus likely used this example of what it meant to take up your cross and follow Him.
Location
1. Sepphoris is located about 4 miles (6 km.) northwest of Nazareth, about 14 miles (23 km.) from the Mediterranean Sea, and about 15 miles (25 km.) from the Sea of Galilee.
2. Because of its close proximity to Nazareth, it was easily accessible by Jesus and His father, Joseph.
Historical Background
1. The city started to grow during the 2nd Century BC under Greek rule.
2. Later, under Roman rule during the time of Christ, Herod Antipas (the son of Herod the Great) invested in it significantly and made it “the ornament of Galilee.” It was a sophisticated Roman city with all the luxuries of modern life at that time. It included a network of colonnaded paved streets, markets, residential houses, public buildings, bathhouses, a theater, and a synagogue.
3. Sepphoris rose to recognized status during the century before Christ because it was located right on one of the main trade routes linking Africa with Europe and Asia called "The Via Maris" (way of the sea). Therefore, it was a wealthy city.
4. It was also a military city guarded well by Roman troops.
5. Sepphoris was the capital of the Galilee area during the time of Christ.
6. In order to rebuild the city, Herod Antipas used a massive workforce.
7. Because Nazareth was so close to Sepphoris, and because Jesus was a Tekton (Greek for a construction worker of various types), Jesus and His father undoubtedly worked here.
8. So, in part, it’s also where Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).
9. Because it was mainly a Jewish city, it was given its Hebrew name, Zippori, because it sits on a hilltop like a bird (Zippor).
10. Sepphoris is also known as the Mosaic City, as some of the best mosaics in all of Israel are found here. More than 40 mosaic floors reveal the bustling life of a Roman city and the luxury it afforded.
11. After Herod’s death in 4 BC, the Roman army put down a rebellion of Jewish rebels led by a man named Judas. These rebels numbering several thousand were killed; however, according to Josephus, 2,000 of them were kept alive to be crucified on its streets and close-by roads in the area. These mass crucifixions were carried out to instill fear in others who might consider rebelling against Roman rule.
12. Sepphoris did not join the Jewish rebellion in 66-70 AD and was therefore spared destruction.
13. After the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Sepphoris became a center of Jewish learning and seat of the Sanhedrin supreme court. The Mishnah, the first authoritative collection of Jewish oral law, was compiled here.
14. Sepphoris witnessed Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman rule in the centuries following.
Places of Interest
1. Park Entrance
2. Water source
3. Decumanus Street
4. Nile House with many mosaics
5. Cardo
6. Public building
7. Dionysus (god of wine) Building with mosaics
8. Fortress
9. Residential area
10. Theater
11. Synagogue
Sepphoris in the Bible
While Sepphoris is not mentioned in the Bible, it is significant for several reasons:
1. It was close-by to Nazareth and employed many carpenters. Because Jesus was a construction worker, it's very likely Jesus worked here before starting His earthly ministry.
2. After the death of Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, Christ became the chief financial provider for His family. Christ was very responsible in caring for His family and expects us to do the same (2 Thess. 3:10-11).
3. It appears Jesus used references about this city in His teachings (Matt. 5:14-15). Sepphoris was certainly a city on a hill. In fact, that’s what the name of this city means.
The word for actor in Greek is “hypocrite.” Because these actors would walk the streets sounding their horns to advertise an upcoming event at the city theater, Jesus used them as an example of what not to do when giving to others and serving God.
4. Jesus likely used the example of the mass crucifixion carried out by the Romans against the Jewish revolt here to teach about the cost of being His disciple (Mark 8:34-38).