The Essenes were one of the most influential sects in Jewish society during the time of Jesus of Nazareth. He himself, along with his relative John the Baptist, practised Essene traditions. Their way of life continued within Christianity for many centuries. Long concealed by Christian exegetes, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, or Qumran Scrolls, has brought the Essenes back to the centre of many studies.
The dramatic impact of Rome’s occupation of the Middle East (since 63 B.C.) led to a renewed focus on the ancient prophecy of the coming of a liberating Messiah. The greatest threat to the Jewish world was the clash of civilisations between pagan Imperial Rome and Mosaic traditions. It is within this context—and within the Essene precepts regarding the interpretation of the law, both divine and secular—that the birth of Christianity is rooted.
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