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Who Are They?

Who Are They?

“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

Who Are They?

“Hypocrites,” “blind guides,”“brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33

✗ Who are these people in the New Testament◆ Sadducees◆ Lawyers◆ Zealots◆ Herodians

Who Are They?

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

PhariseesMt. 9:34

Who Are They?

Historic background✗ Strict ceremonial & dietary regulations✗ Official membership standards stringent✗ High esteem for oral traditions✗ Democratic views – equality of men

PhariseesMt. 9:34

Who Are They?

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

PhariseesMt. 9:34

Who Are They?

Historic Background✗ Possible meanings

◆ Righteous ones◆ Sons of Zadok◆ Judges or fiscal controllers

SadduceesMt. 3:7

Who Are They?

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

SadduceesMt. 3:7

Who Are They?

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

SadduceesMt. 3:7

Who Are They?

Historic Background✗ Copied & studied the Law✗ Experts in the Law✗ Lawyers acted as judges✗ Could be Pharisees, Sadducees, or other

Scribes & LawyersMt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25

Who Are They?

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

Scribes & LawyersMt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25

Who Are They?

Historic Background✗ Developed in reaction to

greater Roman control✗ Used violence & intrigue✗ Refused to pay taxes✗ Refused to use foreign language

Zealots

Who Are They?

New Testament actions & beliefs✗ Simon the Zealot – apostle, Lk. 6:15

Zealots

Who Are They?

Historic Background✗ Supporters of Herodian rulers✗ Political party

Herodians

Who Are They?

New Testament actions & beliefs✗ Sought to destroy Jesus early, Mk. 3:6✗ Joined with Pharisees to entrap Jesus,

Mt. 22:15-22

Herodians

Who Are They?

Nationalists – repentance & submission to God

Herodians

Pharisees

Sadducees

ZealotsNationalists – resistance & rebellion to Rome

Aristocrat rulers – good terms with Rome to maintain power

Compromisers – sell-outs to wicked rulers

Who Are They?

Modern manifestations of these groupsare 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