3. Thus far we have noticed only Jews, but there were also in Palestine many Gentiles, which was the name the Jews gave to all foreigners or people of race other than themselves. These were of three classes, called respectively: 1.) Sinners—That is, those who made no attempt to observe Jewish usages. See Gal. 2. 15. The same name was given to the Jews who did not undertake to keep the ceremonial law, without reference to their moral character (Matt. 9. 10, 11). 2.) The Devout. Those who believed in the Scriptures and worshiped God, but who had not been received into the Jewish Church by circumcision. Such was Cornelius (Acts 10. 1, 2). 3.) Proselytes—Such as renounced Gentilism, received circumcision, and obeyed the Jewish law (Acts 6. 5; Matt. 23. 15).
V. The Language of Palestine.
1. Originally Hebrew; still read, in Christ's time, in the synagogue but not well understood and requiring an interpreter.
2. Mostly Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic—that is, Chaldaic with Syrian admixture; the common dialect of the people, and undoubtedly spoken by Christ. See instances in Mark 7. 34; 15. 34. This is the language referred to in John 19. 20, 21, and Acts 22. 2, as "Hebrew."
3. The language of polite literature in all countries was Greek; strongly opposed by the Pharisees, but employed by the Jews of the Dispersion, and used in the courts of Herod and Pilate (Acts 21. 37).
4. The official language was Latin, that of the Roman Government, but not used by the Jews, and not generally understood by them.
Blackboard Outline
| I. | Origin.—1. Sem. 2. Abr. 3. Isa. 4. Isr. (12 t.) 5. Jud (Jews). 6. "Remn." |
| II. | Traits.—1. Rel. 2. Exc. 3. Cons. 4. Asp. "Mess." 5. Mor. |
| III. | Mission.—1. Per. kno. G. 2. Rec. tra. hi. rev. 3. Pro. Gos. wo. |
| IV. | Jews Ti. Chr.—1. Bran. Pal. Dis. 2. Sec. Phar. Sadd. 1.) Nam. 2.) Aim. 3.) Spir. 4.) Bel. 5.) Inf. 6.) Evils. 3. Gen. 1.) Sin. 2.) "Dev." 3.) Pro. |
| V. | Lang.—1. Heb. 2. Ara. (Syr.-Chal.). 3. Gre. 4. Lat. |
Questions for Review