Repentance of the Gentiles

JOHN THE BAPTIST taught a radical new idea: Forgiveness of sins came through repentance, not ritual—even for Gentiles. And this new doctrine was first introduced in the Book of 1 Enoch.  John’s teaching came from 1 Enoch 50:2–3: He heaped evil upon the sinners; but the righteous ones shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of the Spirits. He will cause the others to see this so that they may repent and forsake the deeds of their hands. There shall not be honor unto them in the name of the Lord of the Spirits. But through his name they shall be saved, and the Lord of the Spirits shall have mercy upon them, for his mercy is considerable. (James H. Charlesworth translation) The “righteous ones” were the Essenes. Scholars generally agree now that this section of 1 Enoch, the Book of Parables (chapters 37–71 of 1 Enoch), was written by one or more Essenes living in a community near the city of Magdala on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in the last quarter of the 1st century BC—in other words, just before the birth of Jesus. “The others” referred to Gentiles (and Jews who didn’t follow the Law). The idea that Gentiles could be saved was a radical departure from traditional Jewish (and Essene!) teachings, which is why priests and Levites from Jerusalem came to interrogate John.  We also find a prophecy of resurrection—including the resurrection of “the Elect (or Chosen) One.”