1. Jesus and Outcasts

2. Conflict with Authority
A clash or struggle
with people in power

3. Conflict with Authority
Jesus teachings about love and forgiveness were different from other Jewish Rabbis at the time.
Jesus’ teachings and miracles attracted large crowds of people throughout Palestine.
Soon Jesus’ inclusive message brought him into conflict with those who had power and authority in the Jewish religion, these were:
The Pharisees – Jewish laymen in charge of the local synagogues, and experts on the Law of God.
The Sadducees – Jewish priests in the Temple in Jerusalem and members of the Sanhedrin. They were concerned about power and wealth.

4. Social Outcasts in Palestine at the time of Jesus:
Tax Collectors
Romans
Lepers
Samaritans

5. Outcasts People with Leprosy Romans Samaritans Tax Collectors
They had a disease that was a threat to ordinary people.
Regarded as “unclean” and so could not worship in the synagogue.
Romans
They were Gentiles (non-Jews) and therefore not God’s chosen people.
Rulers from outside Palestine with power over the Jews.
Samaritans
They were not “real” Jews as they mixed with Gentiles long ago.
Their religious customs were different from other Jews in Palestine.
Tax Collectors
They were Jews who worked for the Romans.
”Sinners” who often cheated people and worked on the Sabbath.

6. Bible Referencing Activity:
Find out about Jesus’ attitude to social outcasts in Palestine. Jesus came into conflict with the Jewish authorities because of the way he related to outcasts in that society.
Look up these Bible references and answer the following questions.
Jesus and tax collectors. (Luke 5:27-32)
Jesus and Roman officials (Matt 8:5-13)
Jesus and Samaritans (John 4:1-30)
Jesus and people with leprosy (Luke 17: 11-19)
Questions:
Where did the incident occur?
What did Jesus do?
Did anyone in authority object to Jesus’ action? Or On what basis could someone in authority have objected to Jesus’ action?
What is Jesus’ attitude to this social outcast?
How did Jesus explain the meaning of his action?

7. Who were the main religious authorities in Palestine at the time of Jesus?
Who were regarded as social outcasts in Palestine at the time of Jesus?
What was Jesus’ attitude towards social outcasts?
Give reasons why Jesus’ relationships with social outcasts brought him into conflict with the Jewish authorities.
What sort of people are rejected in today’s society? How would Jesus want his followers to respond to them?

8. Jesus and Outcasts