The History Channel's Bible Series, Episode 3

Episode 3 is expected to see a ratings bump with the first appearance of Jesus, played by the Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado. Though Morgado does not look like a Middle Eastern Semite, the producers have the age right. Morgado is 33, the age of Jesus at his death.

The History Channel's third episode of the Bible takes huge leaps through history. It moves from the Babylonian captivity to the baptism of Jesus. It is dramatic and entertaining, but as with episodes 1 and 2, it lacks historical grounding and fails to present the cultural complexities of Abraham's Horite descendants, especially those taken to Babylon.

The inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judea were subjected to two deportations to Babylon. The first took place in 597 BC when Jerusalem was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. According to II Kings 24:1-6, King Jehoiakim and the distinguished men of his kingdom were taken to Babylon, along with the treasures of the Temple and the palace.

The second deportation took place in 586 BC in the eleventh year of the reign of King Zedekiah, who was also named Mattaniah. He had formed an alliance against Babylon with the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Sidonians and Tyrians. Jeremiah prophesied that all these would also experience divine judgment. When the Babylonians entered Jerusalem, Zedekiah and his soldiers fled by night and were pursued by the Babylonians who overtook them near Jericho.

You are so correct. And your opinion is worth a lot.

A very simple test is to look at the old art pictures and their descripton of the clothing of the people in the picture.

It is noted that Mary wore blue and white. This has to mean wealth, because in that time period, only a wealthy person could afford to purchase clothing which had been dyed, or to pay for cloth to be dyed.

However, Joseph (while always shown as well-dressed), wore clothing which was more of the earth tones. This could indicate he was in a slightly lower financial class, even though he was a well-known carpenter (and as you noted, a “craftsman” in his trade).

The next great symbol, the wise men. They were all dressed in bright colors, dripping with jewels. Of course, this indicates wealth. But, it also shows that because of Mary’s bright colored clothing, her family had to be wealthy.

Knowing this, there is no way Jesus walked around looking like a street urchin. I really resent this depiction. But, they base it on the fact “there was no room at the inn”, and Jesus had to be born in a stable. This place of birth had nothing whatsoever to do with the parents financial situation. It had to do with a private place for Mary to give birth; that’s all.

You’re also very correct regarding the “fishermen”. They left their fishing businesses (and their families) to follow Jesus, and no mention is made of how those families continued to be cared for without the “fishermen” there.

There is no possibility that Jesus would have called those men to follow Him, and then forced them to abandon their families to fend for themselves.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.