[Scholars] The Sceptre and the Zealots

[Stuart D. Gathman]

Margarita asked what modern Jews think about the sceptre departing from
Judah.  I had already researched and answered that question on this
blog: https://gathman.org/blog/2018/09/11/ScepterShallNotDepart/

>From the comments: 

   The rabbis today equate "sceptre" שֵׁ֙בֶט֙ with "lawgiver" מְחֹֽקְקִ
      . Thus, to deny Judaism is to violate the declarations of G-d, as
    Judah is the Lawgiver until Shiloh comes. The Jewish leaders in 9AD
                                              were apparently mistaken.

I                                 couldn't remember which disciples were
         Zealots.  We had read that in Matthow 10 - I should update the
   Notes!  Simon the Zealot is specifically called out, an open Zealot.
            Judas Iscariot seems to have been one also - perhaps a more
                                                      clandestine one. 

                       John MacArthur notes that while Simon the Zealot
     openly called for revolt against Rome, Matthew collected taxes for
                          Rome.  And yet, Christ brought them together.

                                                     What does Iscariot
         mean?  Literally, "man of Kerioth".  Dynamic equivalent: "city
                                                              slicker".