Jesus evidently grew up in Nazareth of Galilee and made family Jerusalem visits.
Some is reliably known about Jesus in his growing years.
During those years the Romans were the dominant power; many had preceded Rome. (For example, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and then Greeks, were followed by the Maccabees. Parthia was a major power from the east.) In 6 AD 4 BCE nearby Sepphoris reportedly took part in a revolt against Rome and paid in total annihilation (so Josephus, re "Varus Revolt"*). Under Herod Antipas that city was his capital and a prominent Roman city. Jesus (and his people and neighbours) must have been all too fully aware of the local happenings.
