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Soldiers(mercenaries)

/SOHL-jerz/

Summary

Military personnel who served in armies, from Israel's tribal warriors to the Roman legions who maintained order throughout the empire.

☩Military Organization in Israel

Israel numbered its soldiers in the wilderness of Sinai and again on the plains of Moab. Levies were sometimes taken in the ratio of one man to ten. Cowards were excused from duty, along with those newly married, those who had built a new house, or planted a new vineyard.

Key verses:Numbers 1:1Numbers 2:1Numbers 26:1Deuteronomy 20:5-9Deuteronomy 24:5Judges 7:3Judges 20:10

☩Roman Soldiers in the Gospels

Throughout the Roman Empire, soldiers were common and took prominent roles in administration. Soldiers came to John the Baptist, who told them not to extort money or make false accusations, and to be content with their wages. A centurion showed remarkable faith when asking Jesus to heal his servant, understanding authority and obedience.

Key verses:Luke 3:14Matthew 8:5-13Luke 7:1-10

☩At Christ's Trial and Crucifixion

Pilate's soldiers mocked Jesus after His condemnation, gathering the whole band to treat Him with insults and mockery. They dressed Him in a purple robe, placed a crown of thorns on His head, and struck Him. At the crucifixion, soldiers divided His garments and kept watch. One pierced His side with a spear.

Key verses:Matthew 27:27-31Mark 15:16-24Luke 23:36-37John 19:2John 19:23-24John 19:32, 34

☩In the Early Church

Soldiers guarded Jesus' tomb and were bribed to lie about His resurrection. They guarded Peter in prison and performed escort duty for Paul on his journey to Rome. The Christian life is likened to military service: 'Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.'

Key verses:Matthew 27:65-66Matthew 28:11-15Acts 12:4-6Acts 21:31-35Acts 23:23, 31-33Acts 27:1, 31, 42-432 Timothy 2:3Ephesians 6:11-17

Related Verses53 mentions

Acts· 17 verses

12:412:612:1812:1921:31

Luke· 6 verses

3:147:822:423:1123:36

Matthew· 6 verses

8:927:2727:3127:6528:11

See Also

Armies
Armies
War
War

References

  1. 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  2. 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  3. 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  4. 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  5. 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  6. 6.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  7. 7.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  8. 8.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  9. 9.James Hastings (ed.), "Soldiers," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).