TIdeologies in Jesus’s

life be REMEMBERED • Jesus of Nazareth – notes•Encountering Jesus reading on

the world of Jesus •The religious and political

groups of Jesus’ time

"Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men."

Matt 23:1-5

The five religious and political groups of Jesus’ time

1.The Romans2.The Sadducees3.The Pharisees4.The Essenes5.The Zealots

Religious and Political Groups

of Jesus’ Time

The time of Jesus was politically unstable. The Jewish people were used to being conquered by other

people--the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks. With every new occupation of their

land, the Jewish people would be scattered on the four winds, only to be reunited years afterward.

From out of this chaos, the Roman Empire emerged. The Romans were effective administrators, but they considered anyone not Roman to be a barbarian. This empire would brook no dissent.

They ruled their world with absolute power.

The Imperial Empire of Rome was hungry for power, but also for peace. The Romans were anxious to spread their sense of progress throughout the known world, from Northern Africa to the British Isles.

They were so successful, in fact, that one third of the world lived and died under the rule of the Caesars—the emperors of Rome.

1. The ROMANS

well-disciplined, strong army

created roads, maintained public order

ruled Israel in Jesus’ time

The Romans

Roman Rule in Israel

The Jewish people resented Roman rule. They believed they were capable of self-government. The Jews hated that fact that the Roman procurators (senior administrators) could appoint and depose the Jewish High Priest.

The People cried out for a Messiah —the leader who would free them from oppression.The Jewish people wanted their

Messiah to be a political conqueror like King David of old. Someone who would defeat the Romans. They were not expecting a peace-loving Jesus.

Within Jewish society there were

many different groups who wanted

different things

2. The SADDUCEES

the priestly class

aristocrats (rich)

centered in Jerusalem

worked with Romans to stay in power; therefore, not liked by many other Jews

accepted only the Torah (the Law) as scripture, no oral tradition

Made up the 71 member Sanhedrin—the major law-making body and supreme court of Judaism

The Sadducees

The Sanhedrin—the ruling council of Jews

3. The PHARISEES

believed in strict observance of the Law

kept them away from sin and Gentile influence

mainly middle class

accepted the writings of the Prophets as inspired as well as the Torah (Law)

Too much reliance on Oral tradition.

Pharisees thought they could earn heaven by keeping religious custom/Law.

Jesus taught God’s love a gift to sinner and saint

Experts at the Law—our closest equivalent would be (modern day lawyers)

The Pharises

The Pharisees try to trick Jesus about His interpretation of the Law.

believed God was coming, but only through a catastrophic event.

lived strict, pure lives away from civilization

hid their writings in seaside caves—the Dead Sea Scrolls

lived austere lives—avoiding luxuries, sharing communal meals, acts of ritualistic purification; i.e. sitting on top of a tree for decades, or a vow of silence

The Essenes

The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Essene life was a life apart. The purified

themselves in the hopes that they would be

righteous when God returned.

An Essene

cave

Modern Essenes—the Monks

Self-immolation

5. The ZEALOTS

Contrast to Essenes--change will not come from inner purification

Wanted revolutionary political action

Used violence as an attempt to overthrow Romans

Not interested in Jesus’ teachings of peace and love for one’s enemies

The Zealotz

MODERN DAY ZEALOTS

freedom fighters and terrorists

Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. (Exodus 21:24)

And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. (Micah 5:15)

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the world. (Deuteronomy 32:22)