Coins Celebrating the Great Revolt Against the Romans Unearthed near Jerusalem
Bible and archaeology news
Excavations near Jerusalem uncovered a rare hoard of coins dating to the fourth year of the Great Revolt against the Romans (69/70 C.E.). Photo: Vladimir Niihin, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
During excavations along the main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) archaeologists discovered a ceramic moneybox containing 114 bronze coins. Each of the coins features a chalice and the Hebrew inscription “To the Redemption of Zion” on one side and, on the other side, a motif of palm branches and citron fruits with the Hebrew inscription “Year Four”—a reference to the fourth year of the Great Revolt against the Romans (69/70 C.E.). The revolt ended with the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple.
“The hoard, which appears to have been buried several months prior to the fall of Jerusalem, provides us with a glimpse into the lives of Jews living on the outskirts of Jerusalem at the end of the rebellion,” said excavation directors Pablo Betzer and Eyal Marco in a press release issued by the IAA. “Evidently someone here feared the end was approaching and hid his property, perhaps in the hope of collecting it later when calm was restored to the region.”
The hoard was excavated from a building constructed in the first century B.C.E. The building was subsequently destroyed in 69 or 70 C.E. during the conclusion of the Great Revolt.
Learn more about ancient coins in Bible History Daily:
Roman Emperor Nerva’s Reform of the Jewish Tax by Nathan T. Elkins
Rare Roman Gold Coin Minted by Trajan Found
Judaea Capta Coin Uncovered in Bethsaida Excavations
Hoard of Gold Coins Found in Caesarea Harbor
Which finds made our top 10 Biblical archaeology discoveries of 2014? Find out >>
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And we have the entire history of this cache of money and the entire Jewish Revolt, as narrated by Jesus himself.
Quote:
Then said Jesus unto the disciples: “he that hath a money box, let him take it, and likewise his wallet: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” Lu 22:36
(Jesus said) Our Roman enemies shall cast a trench about Jerusalem, and surround Jerusalem round, and keep her in on every side. And they shall lay Jerusalem level with the ground … and not leave one stone upon another. Lu19:43
And when you will see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, then know that the desolation of her is close. … For these be the days of vengeance … And the people shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Romans. Lu21:20
Which rather suggests that the minor Revolt that Jesus was involved in and arrested for, was the Jewish Revolt of AD 67-70. And so we have that intriguing possibility that this money box belonged to the disciples. See ‘King Jesus’.
R
I wish to see some images of them old currencies.
Hardly, Ralph. If Jesus was crucified AD29-33 (the generally accepted dates), how could he be involved in the Jewish Revolt of AD67-70?
The same way He foretold to Daniel in a vision the rise and fall of the empires of Babylon, Assyrian, Persia, Greece and Rome, and it all happened.