The Samaritans
- They were people living near Judea, sharing beliefs of Judaism,
yet regarded with intense suspicion and hostility by the Jews
- No Old Testament text which specifically refers to the Samaritans.
- The New Testament presents them as a conservative religious
group.
- Regarded as outsiders by Jews. Reason why Jesus presents the
parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25 - 27) and the
Samaritan women (John 4: 4 – 42)
The Sadducees
 They argued for the priority of the written Law, as found in the 5 books
of the Law.
- Nothing other than the teachings found in these writings was to be
regarded as authoritative.
- Hostile to any form of innovation to the Law.
- Affirmed that the prophets and other writings of the O.T. were not to
be regarded as having the same status as the Law.
- Jesus and Resurrection ( Matt. 22: 23 – 33)
- Jesus cites Exodus 3:6
- Resurrection denied by Sadducees (Acts 23: 8)
The Pharisees
 “Torah and Tradition”
- The fidelity of the Law as interpreted by the scribes (official teachers of
the law).
- The Gospel doesn’t portray them as hypocrites. Jesus teachings were
similar to the Pharisees interpretation.
- Emphasis on ritual purity led them to separate themselves from other
Jews with lax religious and moral standards.
- Jesus, however, chose to associate with sinners, prostitutes, and those
whom the Pharisees regarded as unclean or impure. (Matt. 9: 9 – 13)
The Zealots
- Group of more politically radical Jews.
- Fierce nationalistic feeling, fuelled by intense resentment. As a
result of foreign occupying power.
- Many felt the Messiah would be the deliverer who expelled the
Romans from Israel, and restore the line of David.
- Jesus refused to see himself as a Messiah in this sense.
Essenes
- Like the Pharisees, placed considerable emphasis on religious
purity.
- Unlike the Pharisees, the Essenes chose to withdraw from
everyday Jewish life.
- The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered 1947 – 60) give insights into the
beliefs and practices of the Essenes.