I created the historically accurate Easter Creche after seeing how meaningful our nativity sets were to my children.
For Christmas, my family observes advent for the 24 day leading up to Christmas. We centered this observance around scripture using our nativity set as a visual marker. I loved that tradition, and wanted something comparable for Easter. Yet, I could not find any sets, much less a historically accurate Easter creche.
So, I painted my own. This way, as we go through our Lenten and Easter Bible reading calendars, my children can either act out the scripture accounts with the figures, or utilize the Easter Bible journaling pages.
I’ve greatly enjoyed diving more deeply into the historical background for each figure of the Easter Creche. This blog post will look at each figure’s family background, social status, economic well-being, and role in the Holy Week narratives.
Jesus
We make much of Jesus’ divinity, and rightly so!
But we often don’t consider much of His earthly background or the historical context in which He lived.
At this time, Herod Antipas was ruling (under the authority of Rome) the district of Galilee (northern purple shaded area). He was a politically savvy ruler who brought peace and wealth to the region (Jensen).
After Joseph fled to and returned from Egypt when Jesus was a toddler, he moved his family to Nazareth in the district of Galilee. This was a small, out of the way town. But Sepphoris (3 miles away) was a thriving metropolis.
Vocation
Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, was likely not a carpenter as has been often depicted in art (Monson). He was more likely a construction contractor or stonemason.
The Greek word tekton, usually translated carpenter (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3), is actually a general term for builder or “one who constructs” (BDAG).
In Israel wood was not the primary building material. Stone was. Much of the stone in Galilee is a black basalt rock that can be cut into 3-5 ft slabs and used for building projects.
Social Status
The ancient world had definite layers of social status. One didn’t usually have much mobility to move upwards into a higher class.
Typically, whatever type of family you were born into determined who you were and what your vocation would be.
Children didn’t get to decide their own carrier. They learned the trade their parents had, and that was that.
There may have been an exception for smart Torah students who could become Pharisaic Rabbis. But generally, if your father was a fisherman – you are a fisherman. If your father is a merchant – you will be a merchant.
Jesus was born into the Artisan class. This comprised about 5% of the population. Artisans were largely on the same social level as the food producing peasant class, but frequently did not own their own land.
Joseph’s vocation as a construction contractor/stone-mason placed him and Jesus as artisans, which was a middle ground between the peasant groups and the wealthy. As a construction contractor/stonemason Jesus could have been interfacing regularly with the ruler and retainer classes (who commissioned building projects), the merchant classes (who could have supplied goods for projects), while living among the food-producing peasant class, and hiring/managing men from the labor class.
This very special set of skills would have been in high demand in places like Sepphoris in Galilee (3 miles from Nazareth which started being rebuilt around 3 AD) or Tiberias (15 miles, built in the 20s AD). (Bowyer, Gallaty, Monson)
This placed Jesus in a unique position in society to be easily able to interface with both the higher classes of wealth (tax collectors, merchants, etc.) and the other classes (fisherman & sustenance farmers to beggars).
As Jesus grew in age, strength, and wisdom, his experiences working alongside His father, Joseph, and the variety of people near building projects helped prepare Him for His future ministry. Many of Jesus’ illustrations involve stone and building projects. (Monson) And He had incredible social skills enabling Him to gather followers from almost all the strata of social life, while engaging the rulers with wit, candor, grace, and ferocity.
(See Bowyer, Hakkinen, Monson, Rosenfeld, Saldarini for more information on social classes)
Clothing
The clothing on this peg doll reflects His status in society. Jesus’ clothing likely would have been undyed wool in lighter colors, like most men wore. Here He wears a honeycomb colored tunic with red stripes. His mantle is a light mocha shade with a red striped design at the top near His head and a red notched band on the corner at the bottom. I chose red for the color of his stripes to foreshadow His coming death. Blue fringes (tzitzit) hang from each of the four corners of His mantle.
Jesus wears His mantle wrapped around both shoulders to visually set Him apart from the rest of the men. I took inspiration for this from the Anointing of David scene on the Dura Europos synagogue paintings, where David wears his mantle identically wrapped, while the rest of the men wear theirs differently.
ARCHEOLOGICAL SOURCES:
Textile fragments (IAA#: 2013-9290, 490071, 1953-826); Dura Europos synagogue frescos
See: “What Clothing did People in the New Testament Wear?” for more information on clothing.
Mary, Jesus' mother
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was likely a teenager when He was born. This would make her in her early-mid 40s during the time of His ministry.
Her relationship with Jesus’ ministry seems a bit complicated. There are times when she seems in full support, and times where the text implies she just wants Him to stop and come home.
Mary was born and raised in Nazareth. She had family in Judea (Elizabeth) and possibly Capernaum (if the wife of Zebedee was her sister). Likely, Joseph died sometime before Jesus began His public ministry, leaving Mary as a widow.
At His death, Jesus left the responsibility and care for Mary, not to His biological brothers, but to His disciple John. John may have been Jesus’ cousin, so the family tie there helps to make some sense of why the transfer took place this way.
John took Mary into his household in accordance with Jesus’ wishes. Church history and tradition hold that John ended up as the head of the church in Ephesus. Mary could have traveled with him there as well.
After Jesus’ resurrection, nothing else is said about Mary in scripture.
Social Status
Mary’s personal place in society was completely dependent upon family members – primarily her husband and sons.
So, it makes sense that should could have had mixed emotions about Jesus’ ministry and His change from being a bread-winning stonemason (red circle) to a traveling teacher.
Widowhood left her vulnerable, though, fortunately, Mary had several sons who would have cared for her after Joseph’s death. As a good son honoring His mother, Jesus would have made sure her needs were adequately cared for.
If Mary had no husband or sons to care for her, she would have been left to the mercy of extended family or reduced to begging (pink oval).
(See Bowyer, Hakkinen, Monson, Rosenfeld, Saldarini for more information on social classes)
Clothing
Mary wears a dark coral tunic with greyish-blue stripes. Her mantle is a dark red with a pink notched-gamma pattern.
I chose these colors out of the palette given to us from discovered textile fragments to reflect how artistic traditions through the centuries have depicted her in blue and red/pink.
She wears her tunic in a simple wrap over one shoulder and her head. Her bracelets are designed to give the impression of being copper and blue glass. She could have worn earrings, but they are not visible behind her hair, which is loosely pulled back, framing her face.
ARCHEOLOGICAL SOURCES:
Textile fragments (IAA#: 2001-9061, 1995-9022, 1961-1386); Masada display tunic #3; Hammat Tiberias synagogue mosaic; Bracelets (IAA#: copper 2015-1154; black glass 2010-3188; blue glass 2015-434)
Peter & John
Peter and John are two of the most well known disciples. They came from the same town and had likely known each other their whole lives.
Like most people in the ancient world, they would not have gotten to chose their career, social status, or personal direction. They simply followed in the footsteps of their father and grandfather.
The call from Jesus could have been the first time these men had the choice of what kind of life to make for themselves.
They came from Capernaum, a smallish (1000-1500) fishing village on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. It was in this town that Jesus sets up the base of operations for his ministry. (Nun, Ritmeyer)
Social Status
As fishermen, Peter and John would have been part of the food-producing peasant class. This was the largest social class. Most of the people in Galilee were peasants.
Fishing was embedded into the agrarian economy of the region, giving Peter and John job security and an invaluable place in society.
The smoked, salted fish preserved in Magdala was prized all over the Roman world. The smaller fishing villages like Capernaum and Bethsaida would have supplied that fish.
Much of a fisherman’s income would have gone to fees and taxes, but Peter and John were still likely able to own their own homes and could usually afford to pay their taxes. They had access to food and their basic needs were cared for.
(See Bowyer, Hakkinen, Monson, Rosenfeld, Saldarini for more information on social classes)
(See ABR, Batten, Grey, Murphy-O’Connor for work on fishing the Sea of Galilee.)
John
John’s family seemed to have owned their own boat/s and thereby their own fishing businesses. Zebedee, James, and John were not poor peasants just scraping by. They may not have been incredibly wealthy, but they were at least moderately successful. They even hired men from the Laborer class to work on their boats.
John (and presumably his family) was also “acquainted with the high priest, [Annas]” (John 18:15, NET). This shows that they had some serious political connections. John was able to walk into a meeting at Annas’ house and then bring in a guest with him.
Peter
Peter’s family may have been less successful in business, since we see him fishing from the shore with nets or with a hook and line, but not necessarily so. Fisherman who own a boat are not required to use it every time they fish.
And though he lacked the political connections of John’s family, he likely had significant social connections in the town or Capernaum and perhaps even Magdala.
Clothing
The disciples, like Jesus, would have primarily worn woolen garments.
Peter has a light mocha tunic and a light yellow tunic. The stripes on his tunic are burgundy and the notched-bands on his mantle are purple. He also wears a leather belt across his chest and shoulder to which He could attach a sword for protection.
John’s garments are appropriate for working as he wears an undyed latte colored tunic with green stripes and an undyed camel colored mantel with burgundy notched bands. Both men have blue fringes (tzitzit) hanging from each of the four corners of their mantles.
ARCHEOLOGICAL SOURCES:
Peter: Textile fragments (IAA#: 490076, 490064, 1961-1366); Dura Europos synagogue frescos
John: Textile fragments (IAA#: 2002-9050, 1953-826); Dura Europos synagogue frescos
Mary Magdalene
Little is known about Mary Magdalene other than that she comes from the city of Magdala and Jesus cast seven demons from her (Luke 8:2-3). She followed Jesus in His travels and supported him financially, which indicates some level of wealth. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most faithful disciples and the only one mentioned being present at His death and after His resurrection in all four Gospels.
Magdala located on the Sea of Galilee (6.5 miles from Capernaum). They were known for their smoked fish which were exported to Roman markets around the known world {Nun & Zapata-Meza). Though we know nothing of Mary’s family’s vocation, we can assume they were people of some wealth because of their place of residence and that she supported Jesus financially.
Clothing
Mary Magdalene is dressed in rich blue and green shades – deep colors denoting wealth.
The stripes on her tunic are tan and the notched-gammas on her mantle are a brilliant blue. She wears silver bangle and blue faience/frit bracelets. Her mantle is wrapped in the manner depicted in the Dura Europos paintings.
She has loosely pulled back her hair, but her wavy curls struggle to stay secured under her head-covering.
ARCHEOLOGICAL SOURCES:
Textile fragments (IAA#: 490073, 490279); Bracelets (IAA#: silver: 2007-2270; beads: 1934-3149); Dura Europos synagogue frescos
The Dura Europos synagogue frescos are from the 3rd century AD, but are the closest representation we have of what first century people in Galilee and Judea may have worn.
Fashion changed quite slowly in the ancient world. Hundreds of years could pass before there was significant change in regional dress.
Roman Soldier
In the ancient world most armies did not supply weapons and armor to their soldiers. Through we are used to seeing one style of Roman armor in statues and images, the actual armor worn in various parts of he empire could have significant variety.
Most of the Roman Soldiers in Judea during the time of Jesus were ausilia, meaning they were recruited soldiers from the local or near-by populations of people. They were not necessarily from Rome, nor was the average Roman soldier actually a Roman citizen.
Social Status
Soldiers were part of the Retainer class. This does not mean individual soldiers were more wealthy than the classes below them. Rather, it means they had power and ability to bully, abuse, or take advantage of the lower classes. Which is why Jesus and John the Baptist taught soldiers to stop their practice of extortion.
Guards at the Tomb
There is scholarly debate as to whether the guards at the tomb were Roman soldiers (as pictured here) or temple guards. I have chosen to depict this peg doll as a Roman soldier for two reasons: 1) The high priests would not have needed to pay off the commanders of the temple guards, 2) having a Roman soldier as the guard allows that soldier to play double duty for the crucifixion.
Clothing
This soldier wears an under-tunic of undyed wool (tan) over which he wears iron scale armor (lorica squamatat), though mail armor and strip armor were also available at the time. Iron greaves cover his legs and a skirt of leather strips (pteruges) wraps around his waist. He wears two belts: one (baldric) over his shoulder to carry a sword (not pictured), another (balteus) around his waist denoting his rank and position in the army.
Over all his armor, lays a cloak (paludamentum) that falls to his knees. These cloaks could be various colors but were frequently red. He also sports a dark-red neck-scarf (focale) to protect his neck from chafing under the armor.
SOURCES:
Simkin, Wikipedia (“Ancient Roman military clothing” & “Pteruges“), Zeichmann
Angel
The clothing of angels is never described in scripture, except in Luke 24:4 and Acts 1:10 where they have white or very bright clothing.
Therefore, these angels are styled as wearing pure-white tunics and golden sash or belt. They are coated in sparkles and painted with metallic paint to give a “dazzling”/bright appearance.
Luke 24:4 (ESV)
“While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.”
Acts 1:10 (ESV)
“And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes.”
BIBLIOGRAPHY for the Historically Accurate Easter Creche:
[ABR] “Ancient Harbors of the Sea of Galilee” on the Association for Biblical Research: Dig, Discover, Defend website, https://biblearchaeology.org/research/new-testament-era/3223-ancient-harbors-of-the-sea-of-galilee (Accessed 3/4/22) [Webpage]
Alicia J. Batten, “Fishing Economy in the Sea of Galilee,” on the Bible Odyssey website, https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/places/related-articles/fishing-economy-in-the-sea-of-galilee (Accessed 3/4/22)
Jerry Bowyer, “Jesus Was A Highly Skilled Entrepreneur, Not A Poor Peasant” on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur website, 6/5/19, https://www.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/blog/2019/6/5/jesus-was-a-highly-skilled-entrepreneur-not-a-poor-peasant (Accessed 3/4/22) [Webpage]
—– “How Were Carpenters LIke Jesus Viewed by Other Classes?” https://finance.townhall.com/columnists/jerrybowyer/2018/07/12/how-were-carpenters-like-jesus-viewed-by-other-classes-n2499712 (Published 7/12/18; Accessed 12/13/20)
Robby Gallaty, “Was Jesus a Carpenter or a Stonemason?” on The Christian Post website, 4/29/2017, https://www.christianpost.com/news/jesus-carpenter-or-stonemason.html, (Accessed 3/4/22)
Matthew J. Grey, “Simon Peter in Capernaum: An Archaeological Survey of the First-Century Village,” in The Ministry of Peter, the Chief Apostle, ed. Frank F. Judd Jr., Eric D. Huntsman, and Shon D. Hopkin (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2014), 27-66. https://rsc.byu.edu/ministry-peter-chief-apostle/simon-peter-capernaum-archaeological-survey-first-century-village (Accessed 3/4/22) [Book, chapter available online]
Sakari Hakkinen, “Poverty in the first-centry Galilee,” HTS Teologiese Studies/HTS Theological Studies 72(4), a3398. (2016) http://dx.doi. org/10.4102/hts.v72i4.3398 [Accessed 3/23/22] http://www.scielo.org.za/pdf/hts/v72n4/46.pdf
Jessica Jenkins, “What Did People in the New Testament Wear?” on the We Who Thirst website, https://wewhothirst.com/what-did-people-in-the-new-testament-wear/ (Accessed 4/7/22) [WEBSITE]
Morten Horning Jensen, “Antipas–The Herod Jesus Knew,” Biblical Archaeology Review 38:5, September/October 2012, https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/38/5/4 (Accessed 3/4/22) [Online Journal- Paywall]
Jordan K. Monson, “The Stonemason the Builders Rejected,” Christianity Today, Dec 2021: 38-43
- repeated > “My Boss is a Jewish Construction Worker: Our popular imaging of Christ as a woodworking obscures a richer story,” christianitytoday.com website, {published 11/22/2021; accessed 3/23/22}, https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/december/jewish-construction-worker-jesus-vocation-profession-stone.html [Website – Paywall]
- Summarized > Kermit Zarley, “Was Jesus a Carpenter or a Stonemason?” Pathos website, [Published December 6, 2021], https://www.patheos.com/blogs/kermitzarleyblog/2021/12/was-jesus-a-carpenter-or-a-stonemason/ [Website]
Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, “Fishers of Fish, Fishers of Men: What we know of the first disciples from their profession,” Biblical Archaeology Review 15:3, June 1999, https://www.baslibrary.org/bible-review/15/3/13 (Accessed 3/4/22) [Online Journal- Paywall]
Mendel Nun, “Ports of Galilee: Modern Drought reveals harbors form Jesus’ time,” Biblical Archaeology Review 25:4, July/August 1999, https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/25/4/1 (Accessed 3/4/22) [Online Journal- Paywall]
Ben-Zion Rosenfeld and Hain Perlmutter, “The Social Context of Craftsmen in Roman Palestine: 70-250 CE,” Journal Asiatique 303.1 (2015): 87-100 [Journal article – EBSCO – Journal Article]
Anthony J. Saldarini, Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees in Palestinian Society: A Sociological Approach (1988) as summarized on Ex Libris website https://exlibris1.wordpress.com/2014/12/09/saldarini-pharisees-scribes-and-sadducees-in-palestinian-society-a-sociological-approach-1988/ [Accessed 3/23/22]
John Simkin, “Roman Soldiers,” on Spartacus Educational, https://spartacus-educational.com/ROMsoldiers.htm (Accessed 3/4/22) [Webpage]
Don Stewart, “What do Angels Look like?,” on the Blue Letter Bible website, https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_8.cfm (Accessed 3/4/22) [Webpage]
[Wiki] “Ancient Roman military clothing” on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_military_clothing (Accessed 3/4/22)
[Wiki] “Pteruges,” on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteruges (Accessed 3/4/22) [Webpage]
Marcela Zapata-Meza and Rosaura Sanz-Rincon, “Excavating Mary Magdalene’s Hometown,” Biblical Archaeology Review 43:3, May/June 2017, https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/43/3/4 (Accessed 3/4/22) [Online Journal- Paywall]
Christopher B. Zeichmann, “Military Forces in Judaea 6-130 CE: The status quaestionis and Relevance for New Testament Studies,” Currents in Biblical Research, 2018, Vol. 17(1), 86-120, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1476993X18791425 (Accessed 3/4/22) [Journal Article]