70 AD: When Jewish People Spread Around the World
Today, we're talking about about 70 AD: When Jewish People Were Captured. In Jesus' Parable of the Fig Tree, we learnt that Jesus the Son of God foretold about the captivity of the Jewish people. This is why we know that we can believe everything that He says.
Read on to learn more how Jesus' sad prophecy came to pass.
Let's review the story about the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem
Jerusalem was a bustling, important city in 70 AD. Jerusalem was very important because it was the capital of Israel, and very special to some Israelites called the Jews. Jerusalem was especially important to them because of its beautiful temple where they worshiped God.
Review of Jesus' prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem
Now, around the time Jesus lived in the earth, he told his followers something that sounded a bit scary. He said that one day, Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies, and many people would be taken away to different lands. He also said that the city itself would be occupied by foreigners for a long time.
This is what Jesus prophesied to His disciples in the Parable of the Fig Tree:
“And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." Luke 21:24.
Palace of Justice, Jerusalem
The Romans Came And Fought Against Jerusalem
Years later, just as Jesus had said, a powerful army from a place called Rome came to Jerusalem. They did so because the Jews had revolted against the Roman government.
The Roman attack was a very sad time for the Jews because it ended in destruction of the city and its beautiful temple. A famous Jewish historian named Josephus wrote about what happened because he saw it happen.
Josephus wrote that the Roman soldiers fought very hard to get into Jerusalem. There was a lot of fighting, and sadly, many people were hurt. Eventually, the Romans captured the city in the year 70 AD.
Even more sadly, the beautiful temple that the Jewish people loved so much was burned down. Imagine your most special building being destroyed – it was that heartbreaking for them.
The Jews were scattered to many nations just as Jesus prophesied
The Romans won the fight and took many Jewish people as prisoners – almost as many people as live in a big city today! Josephus said that about 97,000 Jews were taken into captivity by the Romans.
These prisoners had some really sad things happen to them. First, strong people who could work were made slaves. That meant they had to work very hard for the Romans in Rome and other faraway places without getting paid.
The tall and good-looking young men were kept to walk in a big parade in Rome to show everyone that the Romans had won. Even young children were sold to become slaves too.
The Jews were scattered, like seeds blown by the wind, to many different countries far away. This scattering of the Jewish people is called the "Diaspora," which is a Greek word that means "to scatter." It was a very difficult time for the Jews because they had to leave their homeland and try to build new lives in strange places.
Even though they were far from Jerusalem, the Jewish people didn't forget their history, their traditions, and their faith. They carried their stories and their beliefs with them wherever they went. They continued to practice their religion and remember their connection to Jerusalem, even though the city was in ruins.
Look at how Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled!
So, we see that Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled just as He said. We know that we can trust His Word as truth,
Go to this page to learn how to receive Eternal Life that Jesus promised to those who believe.
Even today, the story of what happened in Jerusalem long ago is still remembered. It is a very important part of history for many people around the world. It reminds us of how events in the past can shape the lives of people for a very long time.
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