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God Fearing Atheist · 12-16-2006, 10:11 AM

In his Biblica paper and section in vol. 3 of A Marginal Jew about the Samaritans, John Meier writes that Galilean pilgrims to Jerusalem would often cross over into Perea and travel down to Jericho so as to avoid Samaritan hostilities.

He doesn't cite any sources for this, so I was wondering where he might have got this from. Does anyone have any idea?

Rick Sumner · 12-16-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

PEREA (PLACE) [Gk Peraia (�*εραια)]. A territory E of the Jordan river, described by Josephus as extending “in length from Machaerus to Pella, in breadth from Philadelphia to the Jordan” (JW 3.3.3 §44). . .

D. NT and Rabbinic Sources
In the NT, Perea is the land “beyond the Jordan” (Mark 3:8). Galilean Jews making the trip to Jerusalem traveled via Perea in order to avoid contact with the Samaritans. Those making the journey by crossing the Jordan thought they never left Jewish territory, reinforcement for the Jewish character of the population in the 1st century (Hoehner 1972: 56). John the Baptist was active in the district. According to the gospel of John, the Baptist responded to priests and Levites who had come from Jerusalem questioning his baptisms (John 1:28). Later John’s disciples asked him about Jesus “who was with you beyond the Jordan” (John 3:26)—an indication that John’s main activity was in the Transjordan. Around the time of the Battle of Actium, Antipas imprisoned and executed John in the fortress of Machaerus (Ant 18.5.2 §116–19). Josephus does not record the details of John’s arrest as described in the Gospels (Matt 14:6–12 [= Mark 6:22–28]; Luke 9:9), but attributes the execution to Antipas’ fear that John might incite a revolt. Jesus also ministered in Perea. He answered the Pharisees concerning divorce (Matt 19:1–9), blessed children (Matt 19:13–15), taught the disciples concerning marriage (Matt 19:10–12), withdrew from the Jews (John 10:40) and attracted crowds who had heard of his reputation as a healer (Mark 3:8 = Matt 4:25).(emphasis added)

Freedman, D. N. (1996, c1992). The Anchor Bible Dictionary (5:224). New York: Doubleday.

Given both the publication date (which precedes Meier) and the Anchor Bible Dictionary's ubiquity, it seems pretty reasonable to suggest that this is Meier's source, and the reason he offers no classical source is that the ABD doesn't either.

ETA
I suppose you could check that more readily if I gave the bibliographic information for Hoehner. Here it is:

Hoehner, H. W. 1972. Herod Antipas. Cambridge.

Regards,
Rick Sumner

Diogenes the Cynic · 12-16-2006, 10:50 AM

It's not just Meier who says that. It's something I've read in countless other places as well. I don't know the ultimate source for it (Philo vaguely tickles my memory) but it;s my impression that the route has been well known since antiquity.

God Fearing Atheist · 12-16-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Sumner

ETA
I suppose you could check that more readily if I gave the bibliographic information for Hoehner. Here it is:

Hoehner, H. W. 1972. Herod Antipas. Cambridge.

Hoehner doesn't have anything. The cited page is about the Judification of Perea by the Hasmoneans.

12-16-2006, 10:11 AM	#1
God Fearing Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Massachusetts, USA -- Let's Go Red Sox! Posts: 1,500	Meier on Samaritan hostility toward pilgrims In his Biblica paper and section in vol. 3 of A Marginal Jew about the Samaritans, John Meier writes that Galilean pilgrims to Jerusalem would often cross over into Perea and travel down to Jericho so as to avoid Samaritan hostilities. He doesn't cite any sources for this, so I was wondering where he might have got this from. Does anyone have any idea?

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12-16-2006, 10:50 AM	#3
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	It's not just Meier who says that. It's something I've read in countless other places as well. I don't know the ultimate source for it (Philo vaguely tickles my memory) but it;s my impression that the route has been well known since antiquity.

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