The Origins of Satan - Who is "The Devil"?
Ela Pagels traces the evolution of Satan from a benign 'accuser' in the Hebrew Bible to a malevolent cosmic ruler, arguing this shift was driven by historical conflicts between Jewish sects and later by early Christians summaryThe concept of Satan as an independent evil overlord emerged during the Babylonian exile (c. 6th century BCE), likely influenced by Zoroastrian dualism, and was further developed by Jewish sects like the Dead Sea ScrollstakeawayThe Gospels, particularly John, depict Pontius Pilate as weak and reluctant, shifting responsibility for Jesus' death onto Jewish crowds; historians note this is ahistorical because only Roman authorities had the power atakeaway














