I asked ChatGPT to list all of the First Century Jewish texts that we have. I generally agree with this list, although I would put the Gospel of Thomas in the Second Century.
The first century CE was a pivotal period for Jewish literature, as it marks the time of the Second Temple’s destruction in 70 CE and the beginning of the development of rabbinic Judaism. The following is a list of notable Jewish texts from the first century CE:
1. The New Testament (c. 50-100 CE)
- The New Testament is a foundational Christian text, but it is also an important document from the Jewish world of the first century. It includes:
- The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
- Acts of the Apostles
- Pauline Epistles (Letters attributed to the Apostle Paul, written between 50–65 CE)
- General Epistles (Letters such as Hebrews, James, Peter, and John)
- Revelation (Apocalyptic text attributed to John)
The New Testament was written in Greek, though it reflects the Jewish background of its authors and subjects, particularly in its portrayal of Jesus, early Christianity, and Jewish beliefs of the time.
2. The Works of Josephus (c. 75-100 CE)
- The Jewish War (c. 75 CE): A detailed history of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-70 CE) and the destruction of the Second Temple.
- Antiquities of the Jews (c. 93-94 CE): A comprehensive history of the Jewish people from creation to the Jewish War, written for a Greco-Roman audience. It includes significant historical and cultural details about Judaism during the Second Temple period.
- Against Apion (c. 100 CE): A defense of Judaism against criticisms by Greek and Egyptian writers, especially Apion.
3. The Dead Sea Scrolls (c. 200 BCE – 70 CE)
- The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the Qumran caves, and although many were written prior to the first century CE, several texts are dated to the early first century CE:
- The War Scroll: Describes an apocalyptic battle between the “Sons of Light” (the Qumran community) and the “Sons of Darkness” (their enemies, such as the Romans).
- The Damascus Document: A key text of the Jewish sect at Qumran, it describes their community laws and covenant.
- The Thanksgiving Hymns (Hodayot): A collection of hymns with a deep spiritual and liturgical focus, likely used by the Qumran community.
- The Community Rule (Serekh HaYahad): Describes the lifestyle, practices, and organization of the Qumran community.
4. The Talmud (first century sources)
- Although the Talmud itself was compiled in later centuries (the Mishnah around 200 CE and the Gemara around 500 CE), it preserves oral traditions and teachings that were already in circulation in the first century CE. Key elements include:
- Tannaitic Literature: The early rabbinic teachings, many of which originate from the first century CE, including those of famous rabbis like Hillel and Shammai. These teachings were eventually recorded in the Mishnah and in fragments that appear in the Talmud.
5. Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BCE – 50 CE)
- On the Creation: Philo’s works, written in Greek, blend Jewish thought with Hellenistic philosophy. He represents a major intellectual development of Jewish thought in the Diaspora.
- Allegorical Exegesis of the Torah: Philo used allegory to interpret the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in a way that made them accessible to Greek-speaking intellectuals.
6. The Book of Revelation (c. 90-95 CE)
- Though often considered part of the Christian scriptures, Revelation is filled with Jewish symbols and apocalyptic imagery. Written by the apostle John (likely in Asia Minor), it reflects the Jewish apocalyptic tradition that was prominent in the first century.
7. Rabbinic Literature (Oral Torah)
- Some early rabbinic teachings can be traced back to the first century CE, such as those from:
- Hillel (c. 110 BCE – 10 CE): Known for his teachings on ethics, the interpretation of Torah, and the Golden Rule.
- Shammai (c. 50 BCE – 30 CE): A contemporaneous rabbi to Hillel, known for his more stringent interpretations of Jewish law.
These teachings were orally transmitted and later recorded in the Mishnah (c. 200 CE) and other rabbinic writings.
8. The Gospel of Thomas (c. 50-70 CE)
- An early Christian text that contains sayings attributed to Jesus. It is considered part of the non-canonical gospels and reflects early Christian-Jewish thought.
9. The Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books (some dating to the first century CE)
- Although the bulk of the Apocrypha was written in the centuries prior to the first century, some texts continued to be written during this period. These books, though not included in the Hebrew Bible, were part of the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and were used by early Jews and Christians:
- 1 Maccabees (written in Greek, possibly finalized in the first century BCE but influential in the first century CE)
- 2 Maccabees (a Greek text summarizing the history of the Maccabean revolt)
- Wisdom of Solomon (written in Greek, traditionally dated to the first century BCE or first century CE)
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) (partially written or compiled in the early first century BCE)
The texts listed above reflect the rich diversity of Jewish thought and literature during the first century CE, ranging from apocalyptic and messianic writings to historical and philosophical works, and providing a backdrop for both the development of Christianity and the preservation of Jewish traditions in the face of Roman occupation and the destruction of the Second Temple.
