Why Peasants Respnded to Jesus
by William R. Herzog II found in "Christian Origins" edited by Richard A. Horsley
Herzog argues that there were different levels among the poor of Israel. First of all, there were landowners who had property and the dignity that property brought. But because of taxes from Rome, Jerusalem, and the temple, people eventually fell into debt losing their land and becoming tenants working under contracts to land owners who were members of the ruling class. And if they lost their positions as tenants or could not find a job as a tenant, they ended up as day laborers working for day wages when work was available. Finally, when all else failed people resorted to begging.
Herzog also claims that people who had land or had adjusted to their particular work life would not be prone to rebel or desire any major change, but people who were in danger of losing whatever position they had were more apt to riot. Furthermore, landowners were not prone to give up all to follow anybody. In other words, people who were settled adjusted to their way of life and accepted it even though it wasn't all that good. However, take away what little one had and the protesting began.
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