Judea (Region)

Biblical References

Judea appears mainly in the New Testament. Matthew 2:1 records that Jesus was born in "Bethlehem of Judaea." Matthew 2:22 notes that after the death of Herod, his son Archelaus reigned over Judea. John the Baptist preached repentance "in the wilderness of Judaea" (Matthew 3:1). Luke 3:1 introduces Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea.

The Gospel of John relates that Jesus moved back and forth between Galilee and Judea during his ministry (John 4:3; 11:7). The risen Jesus told his disciples that they would be witnesses "both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The persecution that followed Stephen's martyrdom scattered the believers throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). In his letters Paul refers to "the churches of Judaea" (Galatians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14).

Background

The name Judea (Greek Ioudaia) comes from the Hebrew Yehudah, that is, Judah. Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and after the division of the kingdom its name became the name of the southern kingdom. Following the Babylonian exile and the return from exile, the region is understood to have become an administrative province called Yehud during the Persian period. Korean Bibles generally render the name as Yuda (Judah) for the Old Testament period and Yudae (Judea) for the New Testament period.

Geographically, Judea is a hill country lying between Samaria to the north and the wilderness to the south. To the east lies the arid Judean wilderness, which descends to the Dead Sea, and to the west it borders the coastal plain.

The political situation in the New Testament period changed as follows:

• Herod the Great ruled as king of Judea with Roman backing.
• After Herod's death, his son Archelaus inherited Judea.
• After Archelaus was removed, Judea came under the direct rule of a Roman governor. The governors are understood to have resided mainly at Caesarea.

Later, during the Jewish War, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in AD 70.

Significance in the Whole of Scripture

Judea is continuous with the land of the Old Testament tribe of Judah and the royal house of David. The expectation that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, David's hometown (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5–6), is also tied to this land. In Acts, Judea is the setting for the first stage of the gospel's spread from Jerusalem to the Gentiles.

Interpretation and Debated Points

• Narrow and broad senses: Judea can refer to the southern region as distinguished from Galilee and Samaria. Luke, however, appears at times to use "Judea" broadly for the entire land inhabited by Jews (Luke 23:5). Scholars weigh which sense is intended in each passage.
• "Let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains" (Mark 13:14): Some interpreters see this warning as already fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Adherents of dispensationalism regard it as an event that will take place in the last days. Others hold that it refers to both events. These differences are connected to one's position on eschatology.

In the Korean Church

In missions preaching in the Korean church, the sequence "Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth" from Acts 1:8 is frequently invoked. It is commonly interpreted as a series of expanding concentric circles: the local church, the surrounding region, culturally different neighbors, and world missions. The verse is also often used in church names and missions slogans.