Jewish Groups and Movements at the Time of Jesus
1. Pharisees (“the separated ones” in a ritualistic or derogatory sense) emerged
shortly after the Macccabean revolt. An outgrowth of Hassidim the righteous ones, were the
descendant of those who resisted Hellenization at the time of the Maccabeans. They
observed the law but would also make loopholes to circumvent it. Composed mostly of
Middle class laymen. They are the largest of Jewish sect but numbered to about 6,000 at the
time of Herod the Great. They do not eat with non-Pharisees for fear of being contaminated
with uncleanliness, but they will invite non-Pharisees, though would provide a change of
clothes for them. Their meticulous observance of the law is mentioned in Matthew chapter
23. But Jesus criticized their indifference to issues about justice and compassion. Their
righteousness is mainly based on rituals and religious observances.
2. The Aristocratic Sadducees were heirs of the Hasmoneans, the party which
reestablished Jewish rule in Palestine during the rule of the Seleucids. Though fewer than
the Pharisees they wielded more power and political influence because they controlled the
priesthood. Their contact with their overlords have lessened their resistance and devotion
to God. Being conservative in beliefs, they did not believe in angels, demons, and spirits,
and the resurrection of the body, as did the Pharisees. They were the comfortable class and
wanted to maintain the status quo. The destruction of the temple in 70 C.E. brought an end
to this group as a large number of priests were killed.
3. Essenes. Numbering about four thousand. They also resisted Hellenization, and were
disgruntled with the Sadducees’ political accommodation with their political overlords.
Some Essenes retreated to the desert forming monastic communities such as the ones in
Qumran. Admission required two or three years probation and the relinquishment of
private property and wealth to communal treasury. They regarded the Sadducean led
temple worship as corrupted. They wore white robes and devoted themselves to
purification, study of the word and prayer.
4. The Herodians. A small minority of influential Jews formed the party that supported
Herodian dynasty. They may have been centered mainly in Galilee where Herod Antipas
ruled.
5. The Revolutionaries. They are dedicated to the cause of overthrowing Roman rule. They
refuse to pay taxes to Rome, regarded acknowledgement of loyalty to the emperor as sinful.
They sparked several uprisings leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. also
called Zealots.
6. Sicarii. A branch of Zealotry who always carried a dagger within their person. They are
the assassins. They may be a type of Zealotry of a separate group.
7. The Scribes. They are a professional class of lawyers, teachers, scribes. They are
regarded with honor called Rabbi (literally great one) a term of respect. Originating from
the time of Ezra the rabbi interpreted and applied the Old Testament law to daily life. The
rabbis have disciples who follow them by being with them learning their way of life and
mastering the Rabbinic teachings.
8. The Sanhedrin. The Romans allowed the Jews to handle many aspects of their own
affairs particularly on religious and domestic matters. As a result there are courts scattered
throughout Judea. The highest body is the Sanhedrin which met daily except during the
Sabbath and holiday. The body is composed of 70 elders who came from Sadducee and
Pharisee parties. They are supported by a small police force.
9. The People of the land. The majority of Jewish masses were unaffiliated with the
religious and political parties, because they are ignorant of the finer points of the issues
concerning the law. The Pharisees held them in contempt regarding them as flagrant
violators of the law.
1.
Hebraists and Hellenists (See Acts 7). The Hebraist retained their Judaistic faith, as
well continued to use their language and practice their customs. They are the objects of
derision and hatred because of their peculiarities. The Hellenists adopted Greek language
and dress and customs but retained Judaistic faith in varying degrees.
11. The Samaritans (John 4: 1-54; Luk10:25-37( The Samaritans the descendants of
people of the Northern Kingdom had developed their own version of Judaism. The
Samaritans still believed in the God of Israel, but they worshiped at Mount Gerizim (instead
of Jerusalem) with their own, adapted, worship practices. The Samaritans also had their
own Pentateuch in Aramaic, which differed from the Hebrew Pentateuch in places. To this
day, the Samaritans do not accept the poetic and prophetic books of the Hebrew scriptures.
In around 400 BCE the Samaritans built a temple on Mount Gerizim. This caused a lot of
tension and hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans. The Jews ultimately destroyed
the Samaritan temple in 128/9 BCE. Nevertheless, the Samaritan religious community still
survives today.
Most Jews regarded the Samaritans as ignorant and superstitious, and outside of God’s
favour and mercy. The Samaritans, however, were still very much part of God’s plans as
shown in the fourth chapter of John’s gospel where Jesus brings the good news to Sychar, a
Samaritan village.[3] Moreover, Jesus specifically mentions Samaria in Acts 1:8 where he
tells his disciples: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and
to the ends of the earth.”