John the Baptist

• Prior to Christian baptism the Romans had a spiritual cleansing ritual in a river, the Jews did not. The Roman historian, Livy, wrote in The Early History of Rome, I.45:

“Surely you do not mean to sacrifice to Diana without first performing the act of purification? You must bathe yourself, before the ceremony, in a living stream. Down there in the valley the Tiber [River] flows.”

• John the Baptist is documented as having baptized men from only two professions; tax collectors[1] and soldiers.[2] (remarkably syncing with two primary goals of Roman occupation)

• When a baptized tax collector asks what he must do to be righteous:

• Most of the Jews probably expected John to say, “Stop collecting money for the defiled Roman government. Do not burden the people beyond their tithes to God and his Temple.”

• But John publicly proclaimed, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”

• This implies that the appointed amount is legitimate and proper.

• When a baptized soldier asks what he must do to be righteous:

• Most of the Jews probably expected John to say, “Do not serve the defiled Roman armies. Provide service to God and his chosen people. Israel is the land God has promised to his people. Do the will of God and throw off the bonds of Roman occupation.”

• But John publicly proclaimed, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with you wages.”

• Having soldiers be content with their wages has obvious advantages to Rome.

• In a stretch, the spoils of war had always been benefits meant for Roman soldiers and not for their foreign counterparts.

• John publicly instructed two infamous occupations in ways conducive to Roman rule.