Galilee
Galilee had the strongest religious educational system, surpassing that in Jerusalem and all Judea. Education for all boys began at the age of five. By the age of 12, they were required to memorize the Torah. If, by the time they were 14, and had memorized Joshua and Malachi, they would be regarded as brilliant students and could go on to further their education. That is, if their parents had the means and would let them continue.
All boys were to learn the trade of their fathers. Most boys were average students, so joined their fathers in his trade, instead of finishing school. When a brilliant boy’s education was completed, and wanted to be a Rabbi, rather than a lawyer or scribe, he could not enter into public ministry until the age of 30. Therefore, it was necessary to find an older Rabbi so he might learn from him. In such a case, the student was subject only to the older Rabbi, even above his own parents, and would be required to accompany the older Rabbi wherever he would go.
Let’s just say that Jesus was one of these brilliant boys who went on to be a Rabbi. He was 30 when the Bible first mentions Him. The people were surprised when they found out who He was and they were astonished at His wisdom. “Is not this the Carpenter’s son? they said”. (Luke 4:22) or “Is not His Mother and brethren with us?” (John 6:42)
Even John wanted to know if they had to look for another. (Matt. 11:3 and John 1:32,33)
If Jesus was away all this time, travelling with His Rabbi, it would explain the fact that they may not have known Him.
John the Baptist probably would have gone to school with Jesus in Galilee. When their education was completed, John went out into the wilderness. According to tradition, Jesus was with Joseph of Arimathea in Britain. Joseph was in the Tin Trade. There is an old proverb that a woman had written down at the church in the town of Priddy, near Glastonbury, England. “As sure as our Lord was at Priddy.” And the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two by two before Him. (Luke 10:1) “And the 70 returned again with joy.” Luke 10:17) “… Salute them which are of Aristobulus household.” (Rom. 16:10) Aristobulus was a Christian at Rome whose household was greeted by Paul. According to tradition he was one of the seventy disciples sent out by Christ and preached in Britain.
Jesus told the Pharisees they were hypocrites, that they made the commandments of God of none effect by their traditions. The Pharisees followed the teachings also of the Talmud, which is full of fables. Jesus critized them for this, as they had certain regulations handed down by former generations and not recorded in the law of Moses.
In John 7:1 we are told that Galilee was not Jewry. Boys that were taught there knew only the Scriptures, so Jesus condemned the Pharisees and the Scribes because they followed the Talmud, like they do today. It’s the backbone of national life.
If Jesus had travelled, it would explain His absence between the age of 12 and 30. In Matt. 15:24 Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The ten tribes were not in Judea, only Jews. Jesus also said, “Other sheep I have that are not of this fold”. (John 10:16)
When Jesus was in Jerusalem, He told the Pharisees that they believe not because they were not of His sheep. (John 10:26) Paul said that Jesus preached to those who were far off and to those who were nigh. (Eph. 2:17) So, it is likely that these are the only years that Jesus could have gone to His lost sheep before He was 30 years old”. (1Tim.3:16)
Is it possible Jesus went to England to reveal Himself to the Druids. According to Caesar, the Druids had the oldest religious and educational institution in Europe. Those who wished to study in depth, travelled to Britain. Also, it is recorded that the Druids are associated with the East Goths and Friesens, who had made their way to Holland. The West Goths and Friesens settled in England.
Jesus instructed His Disciples to go and preach the gospel and the Kingdom. He told them not to go the way of the gentiles or Samaria but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. (Matt. 10:5,6) Thus shall they know that the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the House of Israel are My people, and ye are my flock, the flock of my pasture and I am your God saith the Lord God.
“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” (Matt. 18:11)
God at the first did visit the Nations, to take out of them a people for His name, that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Nations, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord. (Acts 15:14-17)
Jesus said He must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore I am sent. And He preached in the synagogues of Galilee. (Luke 4:43,44)
Even the Galatians were Israelites. The ten tribes had been away from God all those years. First, they were taken by the Assyrians and worshipped their gods. They were under the law, but now in the New Testament they have accepted the Gospel and now have received the adoption of sons, as part of the nation of Israel, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. (Ga1.4:4-5)
God said to the House of Israel, “Behold as the clay is in the Potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand.” God spoke concerning a nation and a kingdom, to build and plant it. (Jer. 18:6-10) But, to the nation of Judah, He said, “He would break this people and this city as one breaketh a potter’s vessel that cannot be made whole again”. (Jer.19:11) And, as this part of His plan concluded, “Therefore say I unto you, [Judah] the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation [Israel] bringing forth the fruits thereof”. (Matt. 21:43)
