Transcript Cultural & Religious Background

Cultural & Religious
Background
Sects, Parties and Classes
Judaism
The Pharisees
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Numbered about 6,000.
Arose during the time of the
Maccabean Period (135-105 BC)
The name means “separated ones.”
Their focus was on the interpretation of
the Mosaic Law.
Most popular sect within Judaism.
The Pharisees
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Doctrines held:
Believed in the immortality of the soul
as well as the resurrection of the body.
Believed in angels and demons.
Believed that the supreme authority in
religion was the written Hebrew
Scriptures and the oral tradition.
The Sadducees
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Their origin is traced back to the High
Priest Zadock in the reign of David.
In the time of Christ, they were a small
but influential group in politics and
religion.
Sophisticated, well educated of
prominent position.
The Sadducees
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Doctrine Beliefs:
Differed from the Pharisees in points
mentioned before.
They rejected the accumulated oral
traditions the Pharisees used to
interpret the Law of Moses.
Conservative theologically, yet liberal
politically.
The Essenes
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Not mentioned in the New Testament
About 4,000 in Jesus’ time.
Devoted themselves to a simple,
separated life.
Wore white robes to symbolize their
inward purity.
They settled communities in the
desert, near the Dead Sea.
The Essenes
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The most famous
community was
near the town of
Qumran— The
Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Essenes
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Originally
contained most (if
not all) of the Old
Testament books
(oldest MSS of the
Bible ever found).
Found in caves,
sealed within clay
jars.
The Herodians
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Jews of influence and standing who
supported the Herodian rule (king
Herod) and the Romans.
Described as enemies of Jesus in
Galilee and Jerusalem (Mark 3:6; Matt.
22:16).
A minority group not liked by most
Jews.
The Zealots
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Founded by Judas the Galilean who
stirred a rebellion against the Romans
in 6 AD. (Acts 5:37)
Opposed paying tribute to Rome.
National patriots who fought for the
independence of Palestine.
They were active in the Jewish War
against the Romans (66-70 AD).
The Zealots
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Zealot stronghold of Masada was the last
pocket of Zealot resistance. It fell 73 AD
Spoils of the Jewish War
The Arch of Titus
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Spoils of the Jewish War
The Zealots
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Jesus had a former Zealot as an
apostle, “Simon the Zealot” (Luke
6:15) and Peter.
The Sicarii, (The Assassins) carried
concealed daggers (Acts 21:38).
Seen as extremists, always ready to
fight and kill.
Scribes (a.k.a.—Rabbis)
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Known as “lawyers”, experts in the
sacred law of Moses.
Often called “teachers of the law”.
Greatly respected by the people.
Their usual title was the Hebrew rabbi,
which means “my great one.”
Required their disciples to memorize
the material being taught.
The Sanhedrin
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Known as the “great council”, 70 men
presided over by the High Priest.
Made up of the “elders”, “high priests”,
and scribes.
They judged religious and some civil
matters—limited power.
They tried and condemned Jesus.
Abolished in 70 AD.
The Common People
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More than 90% of the Jewish populace
who were unaffiliated with any sect.
Called “People of the Land,” because
they were ignorant of the Mosaic Law.
They were shunned by the Pharisees,
regarded as immoral (John 7:49).
Jesus was friendly towards them and
saw them as “sheep without a
shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).
Languages of Palestine
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Latin—official language of the Romans
Greek—the main tongue of the world,
and common in Galilee.
Hebrew—traditional language of the
Jews of the OT, largely becoming a
dead language by NT times.
Aramaic—the common spoken
language of the Jews in Palestine.