Zelotes
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Zealots were a radical Jewish faction in the first century CE that advocated for the overthrow of Roman rule in Judea through armed insurrection and the establishment of an independent Jewish state under divine sovereignty.
What is the meaning of Zelotes in the Bible?
The Zealots were a radical Jewish faction in the first century CE that advocated for the overthrow of Roman rule in Judea through armed insurrection and the establishment of an independent Jewish state under divine sovereignty.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Zealots clarifies the intense political and religious tensions in first-century Judea, providing essential context for the New Testament accounts of Jesus' crucifixion under Pontius Pilate and the subsequent Jewish-Roman War.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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- What cultural or historical assumption does Zelotes clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.