What was the problem in first-century Palestine?

Answer 1

In the 1st century AD there was a Great Rebellion of the Jews of Judea, which has also been called the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73).

There were long-standing tensions between Jews and local Greeks. There were riots in Caesarea in 66 which were provoked by Greeks who sacrificed birds in front of a synagogue. The Roman garrison did not intervene. This angered the Jews and one of the clerks of the Temple in Jerusalem stopped prayers for the emperor. Tensions with the Romans were increased by protests about taxation and random attacks on the Romans.

The Roman governor reacted by having the troops breach the temple and seizing some money saying that it was for the emperor. This created widespread anti-Roman unrest. The governor sent troops to raid the city and arrest some of its leaders. They were whipped and crucified despite being Roman citizens.

A Jewish militia, led by the Zealots and the Sicarii took up arms and overrun the Roman garrison. It then attacked Romans and pro Roman officials and destroyed Roman symbols.

A legion from Syria was sent to quell the rebellion, but was defeated. Three legions were then mobilised and Jerusalem was besieged, stormed, sacked and burned. The temple was destroyed.

Answer 2

In the first century, Palestine experienced political unrest due to Roman occupation, social and economic inequality, religious tensions between Jews and Samaritans, and conflicts among Jewish sects like Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots.