Education in Israel during the Time of Jesus

Education in Israel during the Time of Jesus

During the first century, a very complex and rigorous education system had been set up in Israel and especially in Galilee. The people of Galilee were the most religious Jews in the world during the time of Jesus. This may seem in direct contrast to the common view held by many Christians in which the Galileans are viewed as being simple, uneducated peasants from an isolated region of the world. This perspective is probably due to the comments which appear to belittle the people from this region. In the Book of Acts, during Shavuot (aka, the Feast of Weeks), the people seem amazed that the Galileans were capable of speaking in other languages. This is a bias held by those of Judea and other countries against the people of Galilee due to the strong and passionate religious commitments of the Galileans.

Galilee had a lot of interaction with the world because it was on a major trade route. Jerusalem was rather isolated because it lays in a mountainous region.

The Galilean people were more educated in the Bible and its application than most Jews. More famous Jewish teachers came from Galilee than from anywhere else in the world. They were known for their great reverence for Scripture and the passionate desire to be faithful to it. This translated into vibrant religious communities. They were devoted to their families and their country. Their synagogues were places were discussions and debate about the Torah were held. They resisted the pagan influences of Hellenism far more than their Judean counterparts. When the revolt against the Romans occurred from 66-74 Ad, it began among the Galileans.

Galilee in Scripture
Galilee is mentioned in Scripture and is downplayed as a place where no one of high religious intellect would arise from. Because Jesus grew up in Galilee, he is cast aside by Judean religious leadership.

37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

40 Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? 42 Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” 47 The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” 50 Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” (John 7:37-52)

We do not know if the comment made in John 7:52 stating no prophet arises out of Galilee is specific to the Messiah or if it meant in general no prophet has ever arisen out of Galilee. If the comment is made regarding Jesus, it is true, there is no Scripture stating Messiah will come from Galilee. He is prophesied to come from Bethlehem. If the remark is meant as a general comment, then the Pharisees are in error. Both Nahum and Jonah came from Galilee.

The Education System Expectations in Galilee
At five years old, children starting learning Scripture. At ten years old, children started learning the oral Torah and interpretations. At 13 years old, they were expected to fulfill the Torah. (This means the child should have the proper understanding of the Torah commandments and be able to do complete them.) At 15, the student was expected to understand the Talmud which is the Rabbinic interpretations of the Torah. At 18, the person was expected to marry. At 20 years old, the person was expected to pursue a vocation. At 30 years old, if the student became advanced in his learning, he could achieve authority stars which meant he could teach others. Please note, for a student to achieve authority status, he must have been an exceptional student. Very few students ever achieved authority status and took on students.
It is interesting to compare Jesus' life to this description. Though little is stated about his childhood we know that he "grew in wisdom" as a boy (Luke 2:52) and that he reached the "fulfilling of the commandments" indicated by ones first Passover at age twelve (Luke 2:41). He then learned a trade (Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3) and spent time with John the Baptist (Luke 3:21; John 3:22-26) and began his ministry at -about thirty- (Luke 3:23). This parallels the Mishnah description quite closely. It certainly demands a closer look at the education process in Galilee.