Catholic Answers Live #12630 What Made Jews Expect a Messiah? Altar Servers and St. Joseph - Jimmy Akin
Mar 14, 2026
Jimmy Akin, longtime Catholic apologist and author, answers callers on biblical history and tradition. He explains why many first‑century Jews expected a messiah and where to begin with the Deuterocanonical books. He discusses symbolic readings of Isaiah, ancient mourning customs like tearing garments, the history of male altar servers, St. Joseph’s later life, and how repentance affects baptismal validity.
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Why First Century Jews Expected A Messiah
- First-century Jews expected a Messiah because post-exilic prophecy promised a future Davidic king who would inaugurate a golden age.
- Roman occupation after 63 BC (Pompey) intensified hopes for a deliverer who would free Israel from foreign rule.
How To Start Reading The Deuterocanon
- Read Deuterocanonical books by genre or purpose: choose stories like Tobit or Judith for narrative, Wisdom or Sirach for wisdom, and 1–2 Maccabees for historical background.
- Use 1–2 Maccabees to understand events like Hanukkah referenced in John that aren't in the Protestant Old Testament.
Reading Isaiah 65 As Symbolic Messianic Vision
- Isaiah 65:20 sits in a heavily symbolic section portraying the Messianic age, so statements like living to 100 mirror poetic imagery of peace.
- Treat animal imagery (wolf/ kid, lion/lamb) and lifespan claims as symbolic indicators of restoration, not literal biology.
