The Life
of Jesus (26)
The Jewish
System
Previously
• We are studying the week
that changed History
• Jesus triumphant entry
• Cleansing the temple
• “By what authority?”
Today:
• The Jewish climate at that
time
• Who were the various
Jewish groups that
challenged Jesus that
week?
The Jewish System
• Israel had a history of
corruption – idolatry, greed,
hypocrisy, neglect, elitism,
abuse of the Law, half-hearted
worship, etc.
• NO matter what God did –
they did not truly repent
The Jewish System
• AFTER captivity (ca536 BC)
& completion of OT –
developments included:
Continued occupation,
synagogues, the Septuagint,
sects, Mishnah, etc.
The Jewish System
• Matt. 21:23 – Chief priests
& elders came to Him
• Mark 11:27– adds, scribes.
• Who were these?
• What about Pharisees &
Sadducees? (Matt. 22:15,
22:23)
The Jewish System
• At that time - Israel (Judea,
Samaria and Galilee) was
under Roman occupation.
• Limited in their authority and
governed by Roman appointed
civil leaders – Pilate, Herod,
Roman soldiers, etc.
The Jewish
Leaders and
groups
The
Sanhedrin
• “Seated together”
• A group of 70 + High Priest
(Jerusalem), consisting of civic &
religious leaders who governed
affairs of the community.
• “The council” – Matt. 26:59,
Lk. 22:66, etc.
The
Sanhedrin
• Originated – their authority
Num. 11:16-17,
though the council we read
of developed during the
post-exilic period
The
Sanhedrin
• It’s makeup –
The High priest (Jerusalem)
• Sadducees
• Pharisees
• Business & civil leaders
The
Sanhedrin
• Jerusalem – the central
Sanhedrin (including HP)
Had authority governing
matters of the Law of Moses
that extended throughout the
region – cf. Acts 9:1-2,
22:5
The
Sanhedrin
• Purpose– address affairs of
the Law,
- civic administration,
- governed the temple
services (Jerusalem),
- religious instruction,
- justice in matters of the Law
The
Sanhedrin
• Capital offenses– they were
limited in such (depending on
who was governing).
Needed permission to put
Jesus to death – Jn. 18:31
But stoned Stephen – Ac.
6:16, 7:58-59
The
Sanhedrin
• Chief Priests – portion of
Sanhedrin associated with
High Priest and priesthood.
Family members, etc.
Prominent influence in
Sanhedrin
The
Sanhedrin
• High Priest – was a
descendent of Aaron who
interceded on behalf of
Israel for their sins, etc.
The
Sanhedrin
• High Priest –
TWO High Priests mentioned at
that time – Annas – John
18:13, 14 (AD 6-15, removed
by Rome)
• Caiaphas – Matt. 26:3-4
(the “official” High Priest)
• The corruption of the High
priesthood – a lucrative position
The
Sanhedrin
• The elders –
civic & religious leaders
within the community – cf.
Gen 50:7, Ex. 3:16,
Ezra 5:5, etc.
They had a stake in the
affairs of Jesus
Scribes
• Scribes – a “professional group”
who worked with the Law. Also
called “lawyers” – Luke 7:46,
Matt. 23:2-4, etc.
They preserved the Law, taught
the Law, & administered as
judges and lawyers
The
Sects
• Essenes – not mentioned in
the Bible” – separatists who
rejected the High
Priesthood and temple
worship as corrupt.
Probably responsible of
DSS
The
Sects
• Zealots– probably began
about AD 6. Advocated
overthrow of the Roman
Government. Refused to pay
taxes.
Simon, the apostle, was a
(former) Zealot – Lk. 16:15,
Acts 1:13
The
Sects
• Sadducees– the priestly and
aristocratic sect
• Accepted only the Torah (5 books of
Moses). Conservative interpretation of
Law, but they were morally liberal.
• Denied a resurrection – Matt.
22:23-24
• Sought active allegiance with Rome –
Jn.. 11:48, 19:15
The
Sects
• Sadducees– Lessons:
• We must respect ALL of God’s
word and laws
• Fatefulness and materialism
do NOT mix! Matt. 6:24
• What will you give up to follow
Jesus?
The
Sects
• Pharisees – most numerous
sect consisting of middle class
and more “in touch”
• Accepted whole Law, but also
developed and bound the
“Mishnah” – oral traditions.
• It was these teachings Jesus
challenged - Matt. 15:1-9
The
Sects
• Pharisees –
Reasoned that exact law
keeping entitled them to
salvation
• Attitude problems – arrogance,
moral corruption, etc.
Matt. 23:4,14, 23, 25,
15:4-5, etc.
The
Sects
• Pharisees –
NOT all those in sects were
corrupt (Joseph of Arimathea
– Lk. 23:50-51,
Nicodemus – Jn. 3:1)! Nor
were all their ideas wrong
• Jesus NEVER condemned law
keeping - Matt. 23:23
The
Sects
• Pharisees – Lessons:
• Respect the boundaries of
God’s Law (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6)
• Understand the difference
between God’s word and
traditions
• Check our attitude in dealing
with others
• May we learn from Jesus
what to do, but ALSO
from those that dealt with
Him – both good and bad!
• FOLLOW JESUS!