1. Sects in first centuryJudaism

2. Sadducees (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Wealthy aristocrats Collaborated with Romans Controlled office of High Priest Associated with Temple in Jerusalem Torah was most important, no interpretation Fundamentalists Messiah? Would not be a peasant!

3. Pharisees (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) “Separated Ones” – stayed away from Romans Largest sect – 6000 members Middle class – Artisans & Merchants Interpreted Torah into all aspects of life Insisted on perfect obedience to Law More religious than political Lay people, not priests – all over country

4. Essenes (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Source of Dead Sea Scrolls Withdrew completely from society Monastic desert dwellers John the Baptist might have been one of them Waited for war between Satan and God’s angels Saw themselves as recipients of a new covenant Messiah = supernatural, heavenly figure

5. Zealots (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Guerilla Fighters Small, poorly organized groups Needed a strong charismatic leader to unite them Underground activists Messiah would be a warrior king Actively worked to overthrow Rome Peasants, anawim