Explain briefly the socio-political conditions prevalent in Palestine before the birth of jesus.

In the middle of first century BCE, Palestine, the homeland of the Jews, was conquered by Romans, who established a two-tiered system of government there, whereby Roman overseers and Jewish leaders exercised control in the name of Rome. The Romans, practised 'one country, two system' policy, whereby all the people had religious and political freedom but a strict control was maintained.
The Jewish religious and governing system was divided between two sects — the Pharisees (the people's party) and the Sadducees (the wealthy and conservative leaders). The upper class was made up of the temple priests and priestly aristocracy. The Middle class comprised traders and merchants, artisans and craftsman. The Lower class was made of labourers (weavers, stone carriers, slaves etc.).
For a Jewish village, the hub was the market place and shops, the Synagogue was a central meeting place and the seat of the local Jewish government. The Jewish people believed in one God who was invisible and cannot be portrayed. The Jewish tradition was centered on the Sabbath, which was considered to be a day of rest and worship.