Pharisees
The Pharisees were a group of influential Jews active in Palestine from the second century B.C. through the first century A.D.. The Pharisees advocated and adhered to strict observance of the Sabbath rest, purity rituals, tithing, and food restrictions based on the Hebrew Scriptures and on later traditions. The word Pharisees means "separated ones" in Hebrew (parash, Strong’s Concordance Number #H6567, meaning to make distinct, declare, distinguish, separate), referring to their strict observance of laws and traditions (Luke 18:10-12). Longtime political and religious rivals of the Sadducees, vying for influence among the rulers and the people. Mostly laymen, but possibly also some priests (from the tribe of Levi) or even members of the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:34). Followed not only the laws of the Torah, but also the "traditions of the elders." (Mark 7:1-13; Matthew 15:1-20). Leaders were called "rabbis" or "teachers", such as Nicodemus (John 3:1-10; 7:50; 19:39) and Gamaliel (Acts 5:34; 22:3). Also had trained "scribes" (Mark 2:16; Acts 23:9) and "disciples" (Mark 2:18; Matthew 22:16; Luke 5:33). The Gospels portray them mainly as opponents of Jesus (Mark 8:11; 10:2), who conspire with the Herodians to kill Jesus (Mark 3:6). Some of Jesus’ harshest polemics are directed against the hypocrisy and blindness of the Pharisees (Matthew 23; John 9). In contrast to Sadducees (Mark 12:18-27), Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:18). Paul himself was a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5; Acts 23:6; 26:5), as were some other early Christians (Acts 15:5).
Sadducees
The Sadducees were another prominent religious group of Jews in Palestine from the second century B.C. through the first century A.D.. They were probably a smaller "elite" group, but even more influential than the Pharisees. They also followed the laws of the Torah, but denied that the oral law was a revelation of God to His people and deemed the written law alone as the divine authority to be obligatory on the nation.
The word Sadducees comes from the Hebrew tsaddiqim (meaning 'righteous ones'), which may refer to the way they wished to live their lives. The name may also derive from Zadok, the high priest under King David (1Kings 1:26), since many Sadducees were priests. Longtime political and religious rivals of the Pharisees, although their influence was more with the wealthy ruling elites. They were probably also rivals of the Herodians, since they had supported the Hasmonean Jewish rulers against King Herod. Closely associated with the Jerusalem Temple and with the ruling council (Sanhedrin) of the Jews (Acts 4:1; 5:17; 23:6). They did not believe in life after death (Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27), in angels or spirits (Acts 23:8) and denied the immortality of the soul. The Gospels portray them (often together with the Pharisees) mainly as opponents of Jesus (Matthew 16:1-12; Mark 18:12-27). The Sadducees rejected the teachings of the Pharisees, especially their oral traditions and newer innovations.
Essenes
The Essenes were a smaller group or sect that lived a communal monastic lifestyle at Qumram (near the Dead Sea) from the second century B.C. through the first century A.D.. The Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumram in 1947 are usually associated with them.
Originally a group of priests, they were founded and/or led by a "teacher of righteousness" during the early Maccabean and Hasmonean eras. They regarded the Jerusalem priests as illegitimate, since those were not Zadokites (from the family of the high priest Zadok). They rejected the validity of the Temple worship, and thus refused to attend the festivals or support the Jerusalem Temple. They expected God to send a great prophet and two different anointed leaders, or messiahs: one kingly and the other priestly. They lived a communal life with strict membership requirements, rules, and rituals. They probably also practiced celibacy. Mentioned by Josephus, but not in the New Testament (although some scholars think the Herodians in the New Testament refer to Essenes). Some scholars think John the Baptist (also Jesus?) were closely associated with the Essenes, but a direct connection is unlikely. Their monastery was destroyed by the Roman Army circa 68 AD, during the Jewish War against Rome, which Essenes probably considered the final battle between the forces of good (the true Israelites) and evil (the Romans and their collaborators). Dozens of complete scrolls and thousands of written fragments were discovered from 1947 to the mid-1950's in caves near Qumran. The Scrolls contain copies of almost the entire Hebrew Bible, some older non-canonical texts, and dozens of the Essenes’ own writings.
Zealots
The Zealots were one of several different "revolutionary" groups in the first century A.D. who opposed the Roman occupation of Israel.
The Zealots were probably not an organized group at first, but perhaps any Jew "zealous" for God’s law (Numbers 25:13; 1Kings 19:10; Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14). Just before and during the First Jewish War against Rome, the Zealots were a nationalistic revolutionary party opposed to the Romans. One of Jesus’ apostles (called Simon the Canaanite in Mark 3:18 and Matthew 10:4) is also called Simon the Zealot (Simon Zelotes) in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13. Simon may have belonged to a revolutionary group before joining Jesus, but more likely was "zealous" in the older sense.
High Priest, Chief Priests, Priests, and Levites
The High Priest, Chief Priests, Priests, and Levites were members of the tribe of Levi who were responsible for the temple and its sacrifices, and thus were the religious and social leaders of the Jewish people.
Priests and Levites in ancient Israel had to be men from the tribe of Levi. Any man from the eleven other tribes could not be priests (Joshua 18:7; 2 Chronicles 13:9-10). Priests, descendants of Aaron, offered the sacrifices and took care of other offering of sacrifices and ritual concerns in the temple (Mark 1:44; Matthew 12:4-5; Luke 1:5-23; etc.). Levites (members of the tribe of Levi who were not priests) assisted in the practical operation of the temple as guards, musicians, etc. (Luke 10:32; John 1:19; Acts 4:36; see also Numbers 3, 8; etc.). The same Greek word (ἀρχιερεύς or archiereusis, Strong’s Concordance Number #G749) is translated "High Priest" (singular) and "Chief Priests" (plural) in most English Bibles. The chief priests were in charge of the Temple in Jerusalem and thus were the most important religious leaders in ancient Israel at least prior to the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. The High Priest was appointed annually, but members of the family of Annas and Caiaphas were often reappointed in the first century (Matthew 26:3, 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49; John 18:12-28; Acts 4:6). The Gospels portray the chief priests (often with the scribes and elders) as members of the ruling authorities who opposed Jesus and who long sought to arrest and kill Him, and eventually condemned Him to death (in cooperation with the Roman governor).
Scribes
The scribes were men specially trained in writing, and thus influential as interpreters and teachers of the Law, and agents of the rulers.
Scribes did not form their own party, but could belong to other groups (e.g. "the scribes of the Pharisees" in Mark 2:16; Acts 23:9). Most of their duties involved writing, for example, producing legal documents, recording deeds, copying scriptures, teaching people, etc. Since they specialized in the interpretation of the Law (Torah), scribes are sometimes translated and regarded as lawyers. Only Luke uses the technical Greek term for lawyer (νομικός or nomikos, Strong's Concordance Number #G3544, as found in Luke 7:30; 10:25; etc.) in referring to the scribes. The Gospels usually portray scribes (along with chief priests, elders and Pharisees) as opponents of Jesus who actively sought his death (Mark 11:27). The book of Acts also portrays them as opponents of the early Christians (Acts 4:5; 6:12). Some few scribes, however, were neutral (Matthew 13:52), or were even praised by Jesus (Mark 12:28-34), or rose to defend the apostle Paul (Acts 23:9).
Elders
The elders or older men of a community who formed the ruling elite and were often members of official councils.
The word translated as elder or elders in Matthew 15:2, 16:21, etc. is the Greek word πρεσβύτερος or presbuteros (Strong’s Concordance Number #G4245), which generally is used to refer to older men respected by others as leaders and role models. The Gospels usually portray the elders (often with scribes and/or priests) as opponents of Jesus who conspired to have him killed. The New Testament also mentions elders as leaders of the early Christian communities (1Timothy 5:17-20; 1 Peter 5:15). The Book of Revelation gives a prominent role to the twenty-four elders who surround God’s throne (Revelation 4:4-11).
Disciples of John the Baptist
The disciples of John the Baptist, during his lifetime and for several centuries thereafter, considered themselves followers of John the Baptist; some of them became Christians, but others maintained that John was earlier and more important than Jesus.
John the Baptist was recognized as a great preacher and prophet, calling the people to repentance (Mark 1; Matthew 3; Luke 3; John 1) According to Luke 1:36, Elizabeth and Mary were closely related and thus John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins. John has an effective and popular ministry, preaching and baptizing people for the forgiveness of their sins (Mark 1:48). Yet he also aroused enough opposition that he was eventually arrested and executed by Herod Antipas (Mark 1:14; 6:14-29). He had a substantial number of disciples during his own lifetime (Mark 2:18; Matthew 11:2-19; Luke 11:1; John 1:35-39; 3:25). Even after his death, some people were still disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 18:24-28; Acts 19:15).
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