Biblical Context: Slavery

A nobleman travelled to a country far away to take a kingdom and then return. So he called ten of his slaves and gave them ten minas, saying, “Work with this until I come.” Then he left.

— The Story of Jesus 24.9

[adapted from Mt 25:14; Lk 19:12-13]

By some estimates, up to a third of the Roman Empire’s vast population was enslaved, especially in Italy itself. The Roman economy depended on them: slaves were the labor force for the massive industries of farming and mining. More domestic roles included butchering, cooking, cleaning, and clothes-making. Educated slaves were even more valuable, working as accountants, doctors, or tutors. A slave’s room, board, and overall quality of life weren’t as good as free members of the familia, but were likely comparable to that of less affluent Romans.

Slaves had fewer rights than citizens, but over time they received increasing legal protection with the ability to file complaints of abuse or mistreatment against their masters. Slave revolts were common but were swiftly put down by the Roman military. Additionally, professional slave hunters tracked runaway slaves and returned them for a reward. If caught, runaway slaves could be legally beaten, executed, or branded with the Greek letter phi (“φ”) for fugitivus.

Most slaves were acquired in war when Roman armies brought captives back from campaigns. Enemy soldiers were far more valuable to enslave than imprison or execute. Other people were enslaved as children when their parents sold them to pay debts. Conversely, freeing a slave was called manimissio, meaning “send from the hand,” and was typically a public event. Slaves could be freed after performing a particularly good act or lengthy service, while others purchased their freedom from their masters. Any child of a freed slave (libertus) would be a full citizen, while children of slaves were born into slavery, even if their parents later attained freedom.

Slavery is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. Israel was allowed to purchase foreign slaves or enslave captives of war, and Israelites could sell themselves or their children into slavery to pay debts. Abraham had slaves in his household, as did his descendants, and even four of Jacob’s twelve sons were born to his wives’ female servants (Dan and Naphtali to Bilhah; Gad and Asher to Zilpah). Furthermore, Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, was sold to slave traders by his brothers. Moses’ Law stated that slaves shouldn’t be mistreated, especially Hebrew slaves, and if a slave was injured by his master, he was to be freed. Furthermore, Hebrew slaves were to be released after six years of service. Later in the Bible, Paul the Apostle didn’t denounce slavery, but encouraged slaves to seek their freedom. He also instructed masters to treat their slaves well and said that slaves should obey their masters. 

Jesus was telling the Jews who had believed, “If you stay in my word, you’re truly my disciples. Then you’ll know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

“We’re Abraham’s seed, and we’ve never been slaves to anyone,” they answered. “So how can you say, ‘You’ll be free’?”

— The Story of Jesus 20.5

[adapted from Jn 8:31-33]

Contrary to what the believing Jews replied to Jesus, the nation of Israel has been enslaved numerous times throughout its tumultuous history. 

Look, we’re slaves today. And as for the land you gave our fathers, to eat its fruit and goodness, look, we’re slaves in it. (The Story of Jesus 20.5, adapted from Neh 9:36)

Israel grew from a family of 70 into a nation under the Egyptians, who forced them into heavy labor. After their exodus from Egypt to Palestine, they were periodically oppressed by the Philistines and other Canaanite nations. Subsequent freedom ended when Assyria conquered Israel and Babylon conquered Judah, each enslaving all who survived the sieges. Persia assumed lordship thereafter, although it allowed the Jews to return home. Then the Greeks conquered and enslaved much of the Mediterranean world during Alexander the Great’s campaigns. Periods of Jewish independence did occur, such as under David and Solomon, and during the Hasmonean dynasty, but never permanently. During the time of Jesus in the first century AD, the Roman Empire held power over the Jewish homeland, ruling through a series of client kings. 

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