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Through several passages of Scripture [1 Samuel 2, 2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 7-9, Isaiah 11, Daniel 9, Micah 5, Zechariah 9, etc.] and even more themes present in the Old Testament of the Bible, a special Messiah or “Anointed One” came to be expected by the Jewish people. This expectation makes sense of Jesus’ re-qualification of the true role of the Messiah [Matthew 16:13-23], and His situational refusals to make public His Messiah claim [Mark 8:29-30]. In order to understand the concepts or expectations of the Messiah that existed during the days of Jesus, we must turn to very ancient Jewish literature from the time period between the closing of the Old Testament and the opening of the New; from them we find an intriguing diversity of opinions!
During and immediately following the Maccabean Revolt, that gained Judea a type of independence, it appears that many came to believe that the Hasmonean dynasty those priests who had taken power as kings, replaced the need for an actual Messiah. They were seen as filling the Messianic Role. At the same time, some were unsatisfied with the corruption of the dynasty, and saw instead of a priest/king Messiah, the need for two separate delivering Messiahs. They began to look for an anointed priest from the tribe of Levi, and an anointed king from the tribe of Judah.
“They began to look for an anointed priest from the tribe of Levi, and an anointed king from the tribe of Judah.”
Still others looked for a warrior Messiah, someone like David and the judges of old who would come and deliver them from the oppression of Rome. Another view saw the Messiah as more of a sage, a great teacher. While the Samaritan people were looking specifically for a type of New Moses, a political deliverer who would teach the ways of God.
This diversity of belief goes a long way in explaining why sometimes Jesus fully accepted the title of Messiah [John 4, Mark 9, Matthew 23, Matthew 24], while at other moments he demanded his disciples stay quiet on the issue [Mark 8]. Jesus had a mission to fulfill, and a role as Messiah that was outlined by God’s interpretation of the Scriptures, not man’s.
Corie Bobechko is a daily co-host, speaker, and writer of Bible Discovery. She also hosts a YouTube channel that shows how history and archaeology prove the Bible. Her heart for seekers and skeptics has led her to seek truth and share it with others. Corie also has a Bachelor of Theology from Canada Christian College.
