Rebellion against Rome took many forms. There were certain folks that were known as bandits or robbers. These were not ordinary thieves. They were insurrectionists who robbed from the wealthy who supported Rome. These folks were often Robin Hood type figures who gained popularity with the people. Another group of rebels were the Sicarii or dagger men. They carried short curved knives that could easily be concealed. At opportune times the Sicarii would assassinate Roman sympathizers.

Ever since Pompey entered Jerusalem in 63 BC, there were pockets of armed resistance against Rome. However, rebellion reached a fever pitch in AD 60 to AD 70. In AD 60 the Jews ceased the daily sacrifice to Caesar in the temple. This was the final offence that brought the wrath of Rome upon all of Palestine.

Here is a summery of the conflicts that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple:

In A.D. 60 skirmishes between the Romans and the Jews began to break out.

In A.D. 66 Cestius led Roman armies against Jerusalem. However, for no apparent reason he broke off his attack and retreated. The Jews pursued and killed many Romans thus humiliating the Roman army. This created confidence in the rebels that God would lead them to victory over Rome.

In A.D. 67 Vespasian led armies in siege against Jerusalem. However, at Nero’s death Vespasian withdrew his armies and returned to Rome to become emperor.

In  A.D. 70 Titus, the son of Vespasian, began the final siege of Jerusalem. Josephus in his work called “The Wars of the Jews” gives a detailed account of the destruction of Jerusalem. It was one of the most horrific sieges in history. Titus surrounded the city during the Passover feast, thus the number of people in the city was double the normal amount.

Various factions inside the city began to fight one another. In one skirmish the combatants accidentally set fire to the city’s grain reserves. Normally, Jerusalem had enough in reserve to endure a lengthy siege. However, the loss of these reserves led to a devastating famine. Josephus records that bands of cutthroats roamed the streets murdering entire families for even a morsel of food. Many resorted to cannibalism.

In time Titus breached Jerusalem’s defenses and surrounded the temple. A ferocious battle ensued. Titus ordered his soldiers not to harm the temple itself. It is not clear who set fire to the temple structures. Some say it was overzealous Roman soldiers. Others say it was the Jews themselves in a final act of defiance. After the fire had run its course, the Romans tore the stone structures of the temple apart in order to recover the vast quantities of gold that the fire melted. They left not one stone on top of another. Some believe this was a fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24.

We often hear Jesus words quoted, “… for all who take the sword will perish by the sword (Matt. 26:52).” Some say He was condemning all military action throughout time. If this was the case, Jesus words simply were not true. Everyone who has taken the sword in conflict has not died violently. I believe Jesus’ words were most likely a warning to His own people. He was saying if you try to bring the kingdom of God by violence, you will all die. He was right. Those who rebelled against Rome died often in a very cruel manner.

The instrument that would overcome Rome was not the sword but the cross. It was not an act of violence but an act of love. It was not vengeance but forgiveness that eventually conquered the Roman empire.