(41) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover‖. (Luk 2:39-41)
Although the other feasts; i.e., Shavuot (Pentecost) and Succoth (Tabernacles) are not mentioned here in
this verse, it was Law that they would attend them every year in Jerusalem. (Positive Law 52, Exod 23:14 -
On the three annual Festival pilgrimages to the Temple as well as Positive Law 53, Exod 34:23 - On
appearing before YHVH during the Festivals Deut 16:16.)
The Revised English Bible translation confirms what Luke is saying:
―Jesus was born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of Herod. After his birth astrologers (Magi) from
the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? ...‖ (Matt 2:1-2)
To finish off, Succoth is also called ―the Feast of Light‖. And what a light wasn‘t it that ―court astronomers‖
arose from the eastern countries to come and see!
2:4 Priests, Scribes, Pharisees and Saducees
―And when he (Herod) had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he (Herod)
demanded of them where Christ should be born‖.
First Herod ―demanded‖ from ―all the chief priests and scribes of the people together” and then later in
verse 7 ―enquired of them (the Wise Men) diligently‖. Who are the ―chief priests and scribes of the people
together‖? For that, let‘s start with:
The spiritual leadership of YHWH's people in the past
From Adam to Noah:
We know from the Genesis record that the Creator YHWH taught Adam and Eve his sacrificial system of
worship. We know also that Cain and Abel were taught YHWH's system of worship as well (Gen 4:1-7).
Second Peter 2:5 shows that Noah was called a preacher of righteousness who had the authority from
YHWH to pronounce blessings and curses (Gen 9:25-27). Therefore, it can be assumed that from the time of
Adam and Eve to the time of Noah, there were men who were sanctioned by YHWH to teach and guide his
people in the path of righteousness.
From Noah to Moses:
Gen 14:18-20 shows Abraham being blessed by Melchizedec, who not only had the authority to bless
Abraham, but also had the authority to receive tithes from him. The Scriptures say that Melchizedec was a
priest of the Most High YHWH and Noah was a preacher of righteousness; therefore, some form of
organised spiritual leadership that represented the true YHWH was in existence before Moses.
From Moses to Y‘shua:
From the very beginning of the nation of Israel, YHWH sanctioned prophets, priests, and judges to guide and
teach his people in the ways of righteousness. They were first taught through Moses, who was the civil and
spiritual leader; then, the Creator separated Aaron, his sons, and the tribe of Levi to serve him and his
people as spiritual leaders. Moreover, he chose some of the people to serve as judges in civil matters. When
one reads the books of the Bible that concern the establishment of national Israel, it becomes clear that the
system of civil and spiritual government that YHWH gave them was highly efficient, extremely fair and just.
After the Israelites entered into the Promised Land, they rebelled against the rule of the prophet Samuel and
wanted a king to rule over them. Therefore, YHWH adjusted the original government that he had given them
and added a king as the civil ruler. However, the king had to remain subject to the spiritual leadership of the
priesthood and its authority over Israel. This is an important point, because it shows that, although the civil
authority passed from the priesthood and judges to the kings of Israel, the authority and responsibility for
teaching YHWH's laws, precepts, and principles and the performing of all rites and sacrifices always
remained with those specifically chosen by YHWH for this purpose.
During Y‘shua's Lifetime:
During Y‘shua's lifetime, the Levitical Priesthood was the spiritual leadership of the Jews, and the Sanhedrin
was the Supreme Council and highest Court of Justice in Judah. The Sanhedrin had great independence
and power under Roman rule; they had the power to arrest and to judge all types of cases, even those
involving capital punishment.