chapter 4- key political groups and people

Question 1

priestly caste

Answer 1

• took on special importance when Kings became the norm in Jewish society and Temples became a national institute
• served as the mediator between God and the people
• offered sacrifices and were considered guardians of worship.
• powerful officials in the temple chose priests based on respectability- wealth or social prestige
• priesthood became a very exclusive class and hated by commoners

Question 2

high priest

Answer 2

• head of priestly caste
• anointed the same way the kings were
• they lived in a large palace and dressed in colorful, recognizable clothing
• chosen by the political masters of the country
• influenced by money and they wanted to stay on their good side due to the influence they had

Question 3

Sadducees

Answer 3

• mainly the nobility of the priestly caste
• jewish upper class- held a lot of political power
• liberal in politics but conservative in religion
• accepted the Torah (law of Moses) but rejected attempts to add to the law
• rejected the resurrection of Jesus
• Destruction of the Temple caused this group to die out

Question 4

Pharisees

Answer 4

• were the political and religious rivals of the Sadducees
• formed from Hasidim- group that was in strict accordance with the law
• By the time of Jesus, they were more liberal in religion and conservative in politics
• open to new developments in Jewish thought
• created an extensive oral commentary on the law to help people understand it further
• dedication to the law allowed them to survive past destruction of the temples
• it is based on Judaism today

Question 5

Continued of pharisees

Answer 5

• received a lot of criticism and negative treatments in the gospel
• Jesus had a lot of rage towards them, although Jesus respects them for their dedication to religion
• no part in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus
• exaggerated negative understanding of the pharisees has led a lot of people to discriminate against the Jews (anti-Semitism)

Question 6

the great Sanhedrin (assembly or senate)

Answer 6

• official governing body of the Jews
• president was often filled by the high priest
• 70 members plus president
• representatives were family members of priests, scribes, doctors of law and elders
• pharisees and sadducees were represented
• voted on laws, controlled religion, and police force

Question 7

Tax collectors

Answer 7

• greeks began to tax the jews to help pay off the debt to the Romans
• they were local jews that were hired by the romans to ensure people paid taxes
• 40 percent of the family’s income could be paid in taxes
• hater by other Jews
• modern day equivalent of being corrupt load sharks