The Political Groups in the time of Jesus is both related to history and religious topics.

1. Today’s Checklist
• Jesus of Nazareth – notes
• Encountering Jesus reading on the world of
Jesus
• The religious and political groups of Jesus’
time

2. • "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

3. The five religious and political groups of Jesus’
time that you will study are (RSPEZ):
1. The Romans
2. The Sadducees
3. The Pharisees
4. The Essenes
5. The Zealots

4. Religious and Political Groups
of Jesus’ Time

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 1. The Romans
--well-disciplined, strong
army
--created roads, maintained
public order
--ruled Israel in Jesus’ time

8. 2. 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.

9. The People cried out for a Messiah—the
leader who would free them from
oppression.
3. 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.

10. Within Jewish society there were
many different groups who
wanted different things

11. 4. The Sadducees
--the priestly class
--aristocrats (rich)
--centred 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

12. The Sanhedrin—the
ruling council of Jews

13. 5. 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)

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

16. 6. The Essenes
--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

17. The Dead Sea Scrolls

18. The Essene life was a life
apart. The purified
themselves in the hopes
that they would be
righteous when God
returned.

19. An Essene cave

20. Modern Essenes—the Monks

21. Self-immolation

22. Modern day zealots—freedom fighters and terrorists
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
If I whet my glittering sword, and
mine hand take hold on judgment; I
will render vengeance to mine
enemies…I will make my arrows
dark with blood and my sword shall
devour flesh….
Deuteronomy 13:41-42
Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
Exodus 21:24

23. 7. 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
Waco, Texas 1993. A
cult called the Branch
Davidians set fire to
their compound—killing
everyone inside.

24. • Stoning - Life of Brian
• Where does power lie?
And is it legitimate?
• What does this clip
demonstrate about the
political instability of
Jesus’ time?