The period in which Jesus lived was marked by intense cultural and political change. New cities were built, and many existing ones were expanded or restored, offering employment to large numbers of craftsmen and labourers.
Social life revolved around the hearth. The economy was based on various occupations. Trade had a significant impact on the daily lives of the inhabitants of ancient Israel. Agriculture was the primary source of income for most families.1
Christ referred to daily life in His parables. He used simple, human metaphors to convey profound spiritual teachings in an understandable way.
His words referred to situations and events from ordinary life, making the parables easy to comprehend for people from different social strata.2
Home and family life in the times of Jesus: A glimpse into daily life
Social life in Galilee centered around the household hearth. Rural households were characterized by a significant number of family members. The husband served as the spiritual and legal head of the family. He had the final say in all matters concerning his wife and children.3
Women were obliged to bake bread, grind grain, make cheese and curd, and prepare meals. They rose at dawn to begin their routine household tasks.4 Duties occupied the entire day, with the evening meal providing a moment of relaxation for all family members.5
Parents lived with their younger and already adult children. Older sons often had wives of their own. Because of this, no family member could count on any privacy. Over time, children left the family home, and the vacated rooms were rented out.6
Urban and rural families typically lived in small, square-shaped houses, usually consisting of one or two rooms. These houses were built from terracotta bricks, with walls whitewashed with lime. The floors were made of packed earth, while the terrace was crafted from dried clay.7 They consisted of one or two rooms used for various purposes.
The homes of wealthier citizens were made of stone. Richer houses had many rooms and sometimes even two floors. These buildings were equipped with security features such as locks and keys. Most houses had wooden doors attached to frames with leather hinges.8
The wealthy spent their time in their residences. Their lifestyle was marked by lavish feasts and the tasting of exquisite dishes and wines. They enjoyed pools, extensive gardens, and Roman-style baths. The social life of elite circles revolved around the banquet table. During formal gatherings, the banqueters were entertained by musicians playing drums and flutes.9
Jobs in biblical times
During the time of Jesus, the Jewish people were primarily shepherds and farmers. Shepherding was the oldest rural occupation in Israel, with large flocks grazing throughout Judea, Samaria and Galilee.
Palestine’s soil was highly fertile. Even the poorest rural families usually owned a few vines and gathered fruit from them. Some citizens possessed large vineyards. Farming was deeply respected in Jewish culture, and harvest and crop festivals were the most widely observed religious celebrations.¹⁰
Fishermen constituted a distinct social group, comparable in status to farmers. They supplied a staple element of the daily diet and were known for their religious devotion and piety. Their work was respected, and they were a familiar presence within local communities. Several small harbours along the lake bore names of particular significance. Bethsaida meant ‘place of fishing’, Magdala translated as ‘tower of fish’, while the Greek name Tarichea referred to a ‘saltworks’, which functioned as a key site for the preservation of fish. Fishermen were required to sort their catch, as certain species were deemed unclean according to the laws handed down to Moses.¹¹
Artisans and crafts
Artisans represented the smallest group in terms of population. The Scriptures mention up to twenty-five distinct crafts. The profession was hereditary, typically passed from father to son. Whole families took part in sandal-making, tent-weaving, pottery, and goldwork.12
Artisans primarily worked for villagers. The blacksmith was essential for producing and repairing farming tools. The potter was responsible for making grain jars, lamps, vessels, and toys.
House construction required the services of stonemasons. They collected clay for potters or for plastering the homes of the poor. Masons assisted in building walls, using mortar, trowels, measuring reeds, saws, and hammers.13
All crafts producing goods for personal use were accompanied by smaller artisanal services, such as water delivery, hair cutting, shaving, work in public baths, massage, and domestic service.
Artisans specialising in woodwork held an important role in village life. In Aramaic, naggar, and in Greek, tekton, referred to a carpenter. This individual carried out all tasks related to woodworking. The carpenter was required to adjust the workshop to suit various client requests involving woodwork.
Goldsmithing prospered, as men also wore jewellery in the form of gold rings. Women ordered bracelets, necklaces, and diadems.14
The situation of workers in the time of Jesus
Certain occupations were more respected, such as goldsmithing, sandal-making, or carpentry. The least regarded were cattle shearers, tanners, or merchants of perfumes and ointments.15
A woman had few options for obtaining a divorce, but one reason could be her husband’s occupation, such as working as a copper smelter, leather tanner, or manure collector.1617
In the time of Christ, various occupational groups were organized into guild-like unions, which could be called syndicates. Fishermen from the Sea of Galilee formed a trade organization.18
During Herod’s reign, regulations governed working hours, specified the type of food, clothing, and accommodation entitled to workers, and set their wages. In some areas, however, these regulations were ignored or neglected.19
It is worth remembering that in those times in Israel, there was a class of workers earning very low wages, amounting to just one denarius per day. The highest wages reached four or five denarii. Work with meager earnings was more advantageous than joining the ranks of beggars.
The rich and the poor
Palestine experienced a socially unstable situation. Class antagonisms were growing. The priestly families and the wealthy were particularly criticized.20
Seasonal agricultural workers and day laborers had to search daily for new employment opportunities. Besides them, there were also unemployed individuals forced to beg, as well as crippled, disabled, mentally ill, blind, and elderly people who lacked family support and care.21
Jewish tradition commanded the wealthy to share their wealth with the poor and needy. The middle class in Jewish society included the few artisans and merchants who gained wealth through foreign trade. In the time of Jesus, about a hundred luxury products were imported into Palestine: spices, jewelry, gemstones, Greek wine, as well as metals, wood, and marble. Exports mainly included olives, dates, and balsams. International trade was carried out via land and sea transportation through the Red Sea.22
The majority of citizens lived in poverty.23 In a small and economically disadvantaged country, no sector of production achieved notable success. In years of relative abundance, the inhabitants were able to meet their needs, which remained modest. Meat was consumed only on festive occasions, while even dried fish was regarded as a delicacy. The staple diet consisted of barley or wheat cakes, olive oil, wine, and dates.24
During the time of Jesus, Israeli society was organised in a strict hierarchical structure, marked by a clear division into social classes. The family was central to everyday life. The economy depended on a variety of occupations. There was a wide gap between the poor and the wealthy.
By the way, we recommend reading the articles:
- Giants in the Bible and Other Writings
- Did Moses Invent the Alphabet?
- The Quipu: Knotted Strings That Testify to Ancient Intelligence
- Primitive Religion – Animism or Monotheism?
- What Does the Bible Say About a Healthy Diet and Nutrition?
Footnotes
- Encyclopaedia Britannica (n.d.) ‘Jewish Palestine at the time of Jesus’. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jesus/Jewish-Palestine-at-the-time-of-Jesus
- The Bible, New King James Version, 1982, Matthew 13.
- Bricker, C., Casson, L., Flowers, C., Murphy, W., Walker, B. and Weisberger, B. (2009) Jesus and His Times. Warsaw: Reader’s Digest, p. 96.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 101.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 102.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 97.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2023) ‘Galilean village life in the time of Jesus Christ’. Available at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/03/digital-only/galilean-village-life-in-the-time-of-jesus-christ?lang=ita
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 96.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 83.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, p. 206.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, pp. 213–214.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, p. 216.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, p. 217.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, pp. 218–219.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, p. 133.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 81.
- The profession of copper smelter in ancient times was often associated with dirt and harsh working conditions. The smelting process involved working at high temperatures and producing large amounts of smoke and pollution, which could lead to unsanitary working conditions. Such characteristics of the job may have contributed to the low social perception of this profession, as engaging in physical and “dirty” labor often correlated with a lower position in the social hierarchy of those times.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, p. 134.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 82.
- Daniel-Rops, H. (n.d.) Daily Life in Palestine at the Time of Christ, p. 142.
- Bricker, C. et al. (2009) Jesus and His Times, p. 79.
- Ebior (2013) Présentation de la vie quotidienne du Nouveau Testament, p. 9.
- SciELO (2016) Available at: http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-94222016000400046
- Krawczuk, A. (1996) Rome and Jerusalem. Warsaw: Iskry Publishing House (eBook).
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