Cultural & Religious Background Sects, Parties and Classes Judaism

The Pharisees Numbered about 6,000. Arose during the time of the Maccabean Period ( BC) The name means “separated ones.” Their focus was on the interpretation of the Mosaic Law. Most popular sect within Judaism.

The Pharisees Doctrines held: Believed in the immortality of the soul as well as the resurrection of the body. Believed in angels and demons. Believed that the supreme authority in religion was the written Hebrew Scriptures and the oral tradition.

The Sadducees Their origin is traced back to the High Priest Zadock in the reign of David. In the time of Christ, they were a small but influential group in politics and religion. Sophisticated, well educated of prominent position.

The Sadducees Doctrine Beliefs: Differed from the Pharisees in points mentioned before. They rejected the accumulated oral traditions the Pharisees used to interpret the Law of Moses. Conservative theologically, yet liberal politically.

The Essenes Not mentioned in the New Testament About 4,000 in Jesus’ time. Devoted themselves to a simple, separated life. Wore white robes to symbolize their inward purity. They settled communities in the desert, near the Dead Sea.

The Essenes The most famous community was near the town of Qumran— The Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Essenes Originally contained most (if not all) of the Old Testament books (oldest MSS of the Bible ever found). Found in caves, sealed within clay jars.

The Herodians Jews of influence and standing who supported the Herodian rule (king Herod) and the Romans. Described as enemies of Jesus in Galilee and Jerusalem (Mark 3:6; Matt. 22:16). A minority group not liked by most Jews.

The Zealots Founded by Judas the Galilean who stirred a rebellion against the Romans in 6 AD. (Acts 5:37) Opposed paying tribute to Rome. National patriots who fought for the independence of Palestine. They were active in the Jewish War against the Romans (66-70 AD).

The Zealots Zealot stronghold of Masada was the last pocket of Zealot resistance. It fell 73 AD

Spoils of the Jewish War The Arch of Titus

Spoils of the Jewish War

The Zealots Jesus had a former Zealot as an apostle, “Simon the Zealot” (Luke 6:15) and Peter. The Sicarii, (The Assassins) carried concealed daggers (Acts 21:38). Seen as extremists, always ready to fight and kill.

Scribes (a.k.a.—Rabbis) Known as “lawyers”, experts in the sacred law of Moses. Often called “teachers of the law”. Greatly respected by the people. Their usual title was the Hebrew rabbi, which means “my great one.” Required their disciples to memorize the material being taught.

The Sanhedrin Known as the “great council”, 70 men presided over by the High Priest. Made up of the “elders”, “high priests”, and scribes. They judged religious and some civil matters—limited power. They tried and condemned Jesus. Abolished in 70 AD.

The Common People More than 90% of the Jewish populace who were unaffiliated with any sect. Called “People of the Land,” because they were ignorant of the Mosaic Law. They were shunned by the Pharisees, regarded as immoral (John 7:49). Jesus was friendly towards them and saw them as “sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).

Languages of Palestine Latin—official language of the Romans Greek—the main tongue of the world, and common in Galilee. Hebrew—traditional language of the Jews of the OT, largely becoming a dead language by NT times. Aramaic—the common spoken language of the Jews in Palestine.