Since the dynasty of the Davids lost the throne of Israel, the kingship of Israelpassed to the hands of the Asmonean dynasty, also known as the Macabees.Even though the Davidians still craved for the kingship of Israel, they never openly opposed the privilege the Asmoneans had on the throne. Through time the two dynasties strength their bonds through mixed marriages and benefited from each other’s influence over the people of Israel.

On 40 BC, the king of Israel (and head of the Asmonean dynasty) was Yrkanus II, while the Davidian dynasty was leaded by Ezekiah of Gamalah. At that time Herod the Great was recognized by Rome, as the lawful king of Israel. The Davidians supported the Asmoneans and Ezekiah of Gamalah did his bestto help. In 37 BC and with the help of two Roman legions, Herod took over Jerusalem and soon after that, he became the ruler of the whole region of Palestine. That was the end of the Asmonean dynasty as rulers of Israel. Yrkanus II was killed by Herod and Ezekiah was proclaimed an enemy of Rome. Once arrested, Ezekiah was crucified and that was the end of him.

Herod the Great, married Mariamne II, the doughtier of Yrkanus II, despite thefact that he killed her father. Behind that marriage there was a well established political motivation. Herod was aware that he needed the blood of the Asmoneans, in order to convince the Jews that he had some rights over the throne of Israel. But once the Asmoneans were out of the picture, the Davids saw a good opportunity toregain the throne. After all, between them and Herod, the people of Israel would certainly prefer them.

At this point, the era of Judas of Gamalah and the Zealot movement had just started.

Judas of Gamalah was Ezekiah’s eldest son and, after his father’s death, the head of the dynasty of Davids. Judas married the cousin of Mariamne II, called Myrhiam (in English that is Mary). Judas and Mary had many children together, among who were Jesus, James, Joseph, Judas and Simon (these namesare also mentioned in Mark 6:3). In order to fight back Herod, Judas founded the Zealot movement, who made it’s first strike during the census. In the beginning the Zealots gain ground, during what is known as the “revolution of census”, but at the end the whole operation ended with a blood bath. That massacre of the Zealots was recorded in the New Testament as the massacre of the infants. Yet Herod did not kill any infants, only grown up men,who opposed his kingship (Zealots).

Judas of Gamalah ended up on the cross,just like his father Ezekiah. However he managed to deliver his family,wife and children, on safe ground (probably in Egypt), and thus Jesus and his brothers were saved. The story of Ezekiah and Judas of Gamalah, may not be as attractive as the one told in the New Testament, but it is true. They were the true ancestorsof Jesus and there was nothing divine about them.