איגרת בר-נבא ומרד בר-כוכבא

As the Epistle of Barnabas is commonly dated to the reign of Hadrian but before the revolt of BarKokhba, its reference (16:4) to a temple "now" being built has been frequently cited in connection with the events preceding the revolt. After reviewing the evidence and the theories, the author concludes that the text refers to Roman plans to build a pagan temple instead of the former Jewish one, and that Barnabas means that construction of such a building will irrevocably "abrogate" (16:2) the Jewish temple cult. The word "abrogate" which is used here and in 2:6 with regard to temple cult, and in 9:4 with regard to circumcision, has caused difficulty for scholars. Namely, it has been taken as implying a Pauline view of Jewish law, while Barnabas held not that Christ abolished the formerly valid Law but rather that it was never valid in its literal sense. The author suggests that the special use of "abrogation" with regard to these two commandments — Temple cult and circumcision — indicates that Barnabas is not referring to an abrogation by Christ but rather to the two Roman decrees which, respectively according to Dio Cassius and "Spartianus", preceded the revolt and touched it off.