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Bible and Early Church History  /  What Happened Between the Testaments  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
The moral collapse of the Hasmonean rulers culminates in Alexander Jannaeus crucifying 800 Pharisees, slaughtering their families, and feasting with concubines, followed by brothers (Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II) fighting until Rome intervenes and Pompey takes Jerusalem; what does this narrative suggest about God’s judgment and restraint—allowing internal selfishness to hand His people over to a foreign power—and where might similar “self-inflicted captivity” be happening in modern Christianity through ambition, factionalism, and reliance on worldly protectors?
Another way to ask: What does the Hasmoneans’ violence and infighting leading to Rome taking Jerusalem teach about God letting His people suffer the results of their own selfishness, and where do you see similar self-made damage in Christianity today?

Direct Answer The transcript provided does not include the later details in the question (Alexander Jannaeus’s mass crucifixions, Hyrcanus II vs. Aristobulus II, and Pompey taking Jerusalem), so it cannot directly ground that full narrative; however, Bercot does show a clear pattern of moral decay and “turning to human assistance” that leads God’s people into trouble.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot explicitly notes moral/spiritual decay in the Hasmoneans: “things are beginning to decay morally and spiritually…brothers imprisoning…killing…to get the throne.”
  • Aristobulus I “took both offices” against his father’s plan, and “imprisoned three of his brothers and had a fourth one killed.”
  • He frames Judah’s alliance with Rome as repeating an old sin: “the very same mistake…before the Babylonian captivity…an alliance with a Gentile nation…Rome.”
  • Bercot applies it as a spiritual principle: believers may “taste God’s power…And yet…will turn to human means.”
  • The transcript also shows how internal factionalism weakened the Jews: the Hasidim split from Judas when political aims replaced the original goal of religious freedom.
Discussion Follow-ups If internal rivalry and worldly alliances set the stage for foreign domination, what modern “alliances” (status-seeking, political dependence, institutional protection) might be setting the church up for weakness and captivity-like compromise?

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