Jewish Religious Groups at the time of Jesus

Religious Groups in Judaism Sadducees Accepted Roman rule and co-operated with the Romans Mainly priests and religious leaders of the Temple. Controlled the Sanhedrin (Jewish court of Law) Wealthy and powerful group. Did not expect a Messiah.

Zealots Rejected Roman rule and refused to co-operate with the Romans. Religious Jews who hated Romans and used violence against them. Revolutionary/rebel group Expected a Messiah who would be a brave warrior and courageous leader.

Pharisees Rejected Roman rule and ignored them. Educated laymen who were in charge of the Synagogues. Taught Jewish scripture and were strict about the laws of God. Expected a Messiah like King David, someone powerful to free them from the Romans.

Essenes Rejected Roman rule and Jewish leaders and ignored them. Community of monks who lived in the desert. Lived simple prayerful lives and followed God’s law. Expected a Messiah.

The Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin The Sanhedrin was the religious court of law for the Jews which was based in Jerusalem. The High Priest was president of the Sanhedrin. Its members were made up of Sadducees and Pharisees, two religious groups who disagreed on many issues.

The Romans allowed the Sanhedrin to:  act as a law court  punish Jewish people who broke the Jewish law  keep its own guards, who maintained order. This was quite a cunning plan on behalf of the Romans because they now had a situation where the two main Jewish groups were fighting and disagreeing amongst each other and inflicting punishment on their own people for not upholding the strict Jewish laws.