1.2 The World Of The First Century And The Significance Of This Context For The Life And Work Of Jesus Flashcards
1
Q
Who were the main religious groups in 1st century Palestine?
A
Pharisees, sadducees, zealots, Essenes and Samaritans
2
Q
Who were the Pharisees?
A
- a political-religious group
- aimed to make sure ordinary Jews followed the religious laws of Judaism + didn’t want Jews to assimilate to roman culture
- followed the purity laws of Judaism outlined in the Torah
- mostly cooperated politically with the romans
3
Q
Who were the sadducees?
A
- generally upper middle class + ruled the temple
- many were members of the Sanhedrin
- had considerable social + political power
- many didn’t oppose the roman rule as they enjoyed the power they received - economically comfortable
4
Q
Who were the zealots?
A
- focused on reactionary resistance against the romans
- formed in direct reaction to the censuses + taxes
- fought to the death with zeal
5
Q
Who were the Essenes?
A
- largely focused on holiness and purity
- lived separate from society in celibate male communities
- awaited a priestly messiah to restore purity of the temple
6
Q
Who were the Samaritans?
A
- were not accepted as true Jews as they intermarried with the babylonians
- they didn’t recognise the temple + only accepted the written law
7
Q
Who were the elders?
A
- the leaders of the people
- origin is probably from the exile when the rich, educated families took control when their was no priesthood
8
Q
Who were the high priests?
A
- most eminent person of the nation, represented the people to the romans in the absence of a king
- authorised to make atonement for the sins of the nation
- only people able to approach the holy of holies
9
Q
Who were the Sanhedrin?
A
- the Supreme Court/council in Jerusalem
- made up of 71 priests, scribes or elders
- romans gave them power to pass sentences according to Jewish law but not pass the death sentence
10
Q
Who were the scribes?
A
- spent a large amount of time focusing on the Hebrew Scriptures
11
Q
Who were the followers of John the Baptist?
A
- were baptised in supposed preparation for the coming of Christ
- didn’t oppose Jesus’ ministry
12
Q
Why did these groups oppose Jesus’ ministry?
A
Pharisees= didn’t like that Jesus challenged oral law
Sadducees = rejected life after death and therefore wouldn’t agree with Jesus
Zealots = would disagree with Jesus’ teachings of peace
Essenes =
