Folia Theologica 18. (2007)
László Boda: Whether John the Baptist Could Have Been Educated at Qumran? - Johs and Bannus
54 L. BODA expectant. Considering the gospel according to Luke, John born about half a year earlier as Jesus. Zechariah the priest "who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah" and Elisabeth were childless. However, Elisabeth feeling ashamed of her barrenness took a turn for pleasure of John's birth. How old might she be indeed? In the United States, a woman aged 63 gave birth to a healthy child. Considering the average age at that time, Elisabeth might be 50-52 years old while her husband about 58-60 (fictive dating). Simon Maccaby said when he was around 60: "I became old" (Mac. 16, 3). Disregarding from certain posterior projections of the description and searching for the historical reality, this relationship shall be accepted to be true. If, according to the history, Zechariah and Elisabeth lived in Ain Karim near to Jerusalem, it fits into the scene very well that Maria's visit might be connected to the pilgrimage to the church. Her visit also meant that she was accommodated with her relative, Elisabeth, obviously not the first time. At the same time, she also helped in the household activity. According to Luke, she stayed with Elisabeth "for three months". Added this to the sixth month of Elizabeth's expectancy, it results in the nine months. Thus, it can be assumed that Maria remained until the child came into the world; in fact, she needed the most assistance even at that time. The probability of visits of this kind paid to the relatives is confirmed by a number of similar historical events.The biblical overemphasis of the role of separate sources relating to the Baptist and, by this right, querying the family relations mentioned above are opinions without sufficient ground. Why? In fact, the youth of John and Jesus shows quite different careers. By means of their family relation, their meeting can be more easily understood, in addition to their intellectual and spiritual agreement. Jesus came from Galilea and John lived in Judea. Jesus - presumably over twelve - regularly vent to the church of Jerusalem. There is no one indication that John frequented the church, although his father, Zechariah the priest obviously officiated at the church of Jerusalem. As a "man of honour" he hardly could be a Sadducean. Even this is an implied argument for the education of John in Qumran, not to mention that his mother "was one of Aaron's daughters" (Luke 1, 5). In case of female descendants, it is unusual to be emphasized. Thus, it deserves proper attention when rendering it probable. Ac
