
10 BC to 10 AD, Psalm 47: Jesus, for the nations.
This generation is the twenty years between 10 BC and 10 AD.
On the domestic front, palace intrigues, mainly led by Antipater, one of Herod’s sons, against the two sons of Herod and Mariamne, Alexander and Aristobulus, will finally bear fruit.
In spite of the political disorder of this generation, this generation sees the culmination of the renovation of the Temple of Jerusalem by Herod who after eighteen years of reigns (around 19/20 BC) had begun its reconstruction. For this he did not destroy the old but reconsolida ed the building by remaking foundations and walls while giving the whole luster of the first Temple of Solomon.
This new splendor of the Temple of Jerusalem, which had probably not been reached since the time of Solomon, is a booster for religious life, particularly in the Pharisee movement generally favored by Herod.
The life of Jesus is relatively unknown, the dates of his birth and death are not known exactly.
- Jesus [1] entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts.
The Temple is not content to be part of the Gospel landscape. It is also the place that Jesus frequents from a young age (therefore during the generation that interests us) and where he builds his convictions with the wise Jews of the time in the debates.
- Every [2] day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
- When [3] they (- the parents of Jesus on their return from Jerusalem after the Passover celebration – ) did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
- After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
- The Sages [4] taught: Always have the left hand drive sinners away and the right draw them near, so that the sinner will not totally despair of atonement. This is unlike Elisha, who pushed away Gehazi with his two hands and caused him to lose his share in the World-to-Come, and unlike Yehoshua ben Peraḥya, who pushed away Jesus the Nazarene with his two hands.
Among these masters, probably appeared prominently, directly or indirectly Hillel. Many modern commentators evoke the parallelism of his teaching to that of Jesus.
- “Sovereign [5], Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace. - For my eyes have seen your salvation,
- which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
- a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
- I say [6] to you that many will come from the east (– East: diffusion by Islam – ) and the west (– West: diffusion by Christianity –), and will take their places at the feast with Abraham (– common patriarch to the three monotheistic religions –), Isaac (– Common Patriarch to Christianity by Esau and Judaism by Jacob –) and Jacob (– Patriarch of Judaism, the nation of priests –) in the kingdom of heaven.
- But the subjects of the kingdom (– The Jews –) will be thrown outside, into the darkness (– the two remaining guards of the long night where the Jews will be in the midst of the nations and will suffer all the curses set forth in Deuteronomy while bringing light to the world – )
- He [7] answered (– at the solicitation of the Canaanite –), “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.
- ”The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
- He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
- “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
- Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
- Jesus [8] answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous (– The Jews –), but sinners (– the pagans –) to repentance.”
(extract of the psalm 47 associated to this generation, verses 1 to 9 )
- For the conductor; of the sons of Korah, a song.
- All peoples, clap hands; shout to God with a voice of praise.
- For the Lord is Most High; yea, feared; a great King over all the earth.
- He shall plague peoples in our stead and kingdoms under our feet.
- He shall choose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, which He loves forever.
- God shall be exalted with the trumpet blast; the Lord, with the sound of the shofar.
- Sing to God, sing; sing to our King, sing.
- For God is the King of all the earth; sing a song composed with wisdom.
- God has reigned over nations; God has sat upon His holy throne.
- And Mary [9] said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
- and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
- for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
- for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
- His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
- He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
- He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
- He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
- He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
- to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
(extract of the psalm 47 associated to this generation, first part of verse 10 )
- The volunteers of the peoples have assembled, the people of the God of Abraham,
- They (– The Jews –) [10] will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
(extract of the psalm 47 associated to this generation, end of verse 10 )
- for God has the shields of the earth; He is exceedingly exalted.
[1] Mark ( New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 11, verse 11
[2] Matthew (New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 26, verse 55
[3] Luke ( New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 2, verses 45 and 46
[4] Babylonian Talmud / Sanhedrin 107b (The William Davidson Talmud, see https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.107b.8?lang=bi )
[5] Luke ( New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 2, verses 29 to 32
[6] Matthew (New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 8, verses 11 and 12
[7] Matthew (New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 15, verses 24 to 28
[8] Luke ( New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 5, verses 31 and 32
[9] Luke ( New International Version (NIV) ), Chapter 1, verses 46 to 55
[10] Évangile de Luc, Chapitre 21, verset 24