and dependence on the upper classes meant that they were not a middle class, as they are in modern society today. Some members of this group were peasants who had been forced off the land. Jesus was from this class, as was Paul and the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John. Though far from indigent, they did not have power and influence in society.27 8. The unclean class usually did the noxious but necessary tasks such as tanning. Or it engaged in such difficult jobs that its health was soon destroyed,