This document provides historical background information on different religious and political groups mentioned in the New Testament, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, lawyers, Zealots, and Herodians. It discusses their beliefs, roles, and actions portrayed in the New Testament, such as the Pharisees making their own laws and opposing Jesus, while the Sadducees denied resurrection and angels. The document argues these groups represent different approaches to nationalism and resistance/compromise with Roman rule that still manifest today.
2. “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,”
“brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33
✗ Jesus’ description of scribes & Pharisees
✗ Loved religious titles, Mt. 23:6-10
✗ Put religion on their sleeves, Mt. 23:5, 14
3. “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,”
“brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33
✗ Who are these people in the New Testament
◆ Sadducees
◆ Lawyers
◆ Zealots
◆ Herodians
4. Mt. 9:34
Historic background
✗ Pharisee: “separated” or “separatist”
✗ Traced by to 2nd century BC
✗ Pious men who resisted Hellenism
✗ Leadership of middle-class men
✗ Held sway with the masses
5. Mt. 9:34
Historic background
✗ Strict ceremonial & dietary regulations
✗ Official membership standards stringent
✗ High esteem for oral traditions
✗ Democratic views – equality of men
6. Mt. 9:34
New Testament actions & beliefs
✗ Made own laws, Mt. 15:1-14
✗ Strict sect, Acts 26:5
✗ Opposed Jesus, Mt. 12:9-14
✗ Believed in an afterlife, Acts 23:8
7. Mt. 3:7
Historic Background
✗ Possible meanings
◆ Righteous ones
◆ Sons of Zadok
◆ Judges or fiscal controllers
8. Mt. 3:7
Historic Background
✗ Aristocratic rulers beginning in 1st century
✗ High priesthood & priestly caste
✗ Majority of Sanhedrin council
✗ Wealthy, upper class
✗ Very political
✗ Disappeared after 70 AD
9. Mt. 3:7
New Testament actions & beliefs
✗ Priestly caste, Acts 5:17
✗ Denied the resurrection, angels, spirits,
Mt. 22:23-33; Acts 23:6-8
✗ Sought to keep the status quo, Jn. 11:45-50
✗ Opposed the apostles, Acts 4:1-3
10. Mt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25
Historic Background
✗ Copied & studied the Law
✗ Experts in the Law
✗ Lawyers acted as judges
✗ Could be Pharisees, Sadducees, or other
11. Mt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25
New Testament actions & beliefs
✗ Kept traditions, Mk. 7:1, 2
✗ Accused Jesus of blasphemy, Mk. 2:1-7
✗ Tried to entrap Jesus, Jn. 8:2-5
✗ Hard-hearted, Mt. 21:15
✗ Responsible for death of Christ –
along with others, Mk. 8:31; 14:1
12. Historic Background
✗ Developed in reaction to
greater Roman control
✗ Used violence & intrigue
✗ Refused to pay taxes
✗ Refused to use foreign language
15. New Testament actions & beliefs
✗ Sought to destroy Jesus early, Mk. 3:6
✗ Joined with Pharisees to entrap Jesus,
Mt. 22:15-22
16. Nationalists – repentance & submission to God
Nationalists – resistance & rebellion to Rome
Aristocrat rulers – good terms with Rome to
maintain power
Compromisers – sell-outs to wicked rulers
17. Modern manifestations of these groups
are seen in denominations
✗ Religious titles
✗ Outward displays of religious devotion
✗ Creating own laws & regulations
✗ More interest in political power
than spiritual purity
✗ Compromisers with a wicked culture
✗ Enemies of the cross of Christ
