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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