Who Were The Essenes And Was Jesus With Them At Some Point?

[Skye1300]

I've heard of the Essenes but don't understand who they were. I read Jesus was with them for a time. Is this true?

 

[HTacianas]

I've heard of the Essenes but don't understand who they were. I read Jesus was with them for a time. Is this true?

Jesus himself was an Essene. So was John the Baptist. The three major divisions of Judaism of the time were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. Jesus and his followers were at odds with the first two, but the Essenes aren't mentioned at all. If you read the description of the Essenes by Flavius Josephus you'll find a lot of the teachings of Jesus in their beliefs. They preferred celibacy to marriage but did not forbid it, they considered it an honor to wear white, and referred to themselves as the Sons of Light.

Mat 19:12 “For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

Jhn 12:36 “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

Rev 3:4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

You can google Josephus on the Essenes. Many of the teachings of the Essenes are also found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. I've always thought it interesting that Jesus himself may have held at least parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls in his own hands.

 

[Skye1300]

Wow interesting! Thank you! Yes I bought the book of Essenes from the Dead Sea scrolls and it said Jesus was in there. I wasn't sure if it was true. Very interesting!

 

[dqhall]

Wow interesting! Thank you! Yes I bought the book of Essenes from the Dead Sea scrolls and it said Jesus was in there. I wasn't sure if it was true. Very interesting!

I went to Qumran. At that time they had a film in the visitor center for Christians in English suggesting John the Baptist visited the men at Qumran. There is anthropological evidence suggesting Qumran was an all male religious community. Qumran is where the Essenes lived and copied scrolls. Archaeologists found ink wells in a room called the scriptorium on the site. These are first century artifacts from Qumran:
https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/286270

 

[dqhall]

deleted duplicate post

 

[SashaMaria]

A very good book is Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls by Catholic scholar John Bergsma.

He doesn't outright claim that Jesus was an Essene but does suggest that John the Baptist might have been one at Qumran and then left the group and makes a case that Jesus, the Essenes and the early Church have much in common.

 

[Skye1300]

I went to Qumran. At that time they had a film in the visitor center for Christians in English suggesting John the Baptist visited the men at Qumran. There is anthropological evidence suggesting Qumran was an all male religious community. Qumran is where the Essenes lived and copied scrolls. Archaeologists found ink wells in a room called the scriptorium on the site. These are first century artifacts from Qumran:
https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/286270

Interesting! Thanks!

 

[Skye1300]

A very good book is Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls by Catholic scholar John Bergsma.

He doesn't outright claim that Jesus was an Essene but does suggest that John the Baptist might have been one at Qumran and then left the group and makes a case that Jesus, the Essenes and the early Church have much in common.

Cool, I'll look for that book. Thanks!

 

[Jonaitis]

I've heard of the Essenes but don't understand who they were. I read Jesus was with them for a time. Is this true?

There is strong evidence, from what I have heard, that John the Baptist was a member of the Essenes. Josephus presents them as a bit of a strange and strict mystic type of group. They also apparently denied the resurrection.

 

[mreeed]

The way Jesus continually taught in the temple and considered it still His Father's house despite the priestly corruption does not seem compatible with him being an Essene at least at first blush, even if he had other commonalities with them.

 

[Skye1300]

There is strong evidence, from what I have heard, that John the Baptist was a member of the Essenes. Josephus presents them as a bit of a strange and strict mystic type of group. They also apparently denied the resurrection.

Interesting. Thanks!

 

[Skye1300]

The way Jesus continually taught in the temple and considered it still His Father's house despite the priestly corruption does not seem compatible with him being an Essene at least at first blush, even if he had other commonalities with them.

I see. Thanks!

 

[Skye1300]

The Essenes were also vegetarian and didn't believe in eating meat. So I found that interesting.

 

[Hawkins]

I've heard of the Essenes but don't understand who they were. I read Jesus was with them for a time. Is this true?

It is unlikely that Jesus is an Essene. Jesus authenticated the Pharisees on what they taught, He just asked the Jews not to do what they do as they don't do what they taught.

Matthew 23:
2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Dr. Joan Taylor endorses the view that the Essenes were the "Herodians" legal experts in the Gospel of Mark