Assassins
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Assassins in the Bible?
The Sicarii were a radical Jewish faction active in first-century Judea who utilized concealed daggers to assassinate Roman collaborators and moderate Jews, thereby intensifying tensions that led to the First Jewish-Roman War.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Sicarii clarifies the internal Jewish political fragmentation during the New Testament era, highlighting the violent resistance against Roman rule that contextualizes the crucifixion of Jesus and the subsequent destruction of the Temple.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Assassins. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Assassins in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Assassins clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Assassins." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/assassins/