People of Palestine at the Time of Jesus

Question 1

Which Jewish group is mentioned most often in the New Testament?

Answer 1

Pharisees

Question 2

Which Jewish group believed that the “tradition of the elders” and the Torah (Law of Moses) were authoritative?

Answer 2

Pharisees

Question 3

Which Jewish group believed that every man was a priest?

Answer 3

Pharisees

Question 4

Which of the writers of the New Testament was a Pharisee?

Answer 4

Paul

Question 5

With which Jewish group did Jesus probably share more in common?

Answer 5

Pharisees

Question 6

Which Jewish group was the most politically powerful in Jesus’ day?

Answer 6

Sadducees

Question 7

Which Jewish group was centered primarily in Jerusalem?

Answer 7

Sadducees

Question 8

Which Jewish group dominated the Sanhedrin (the highest court)?

Answer 8

Sadducees

Question 9

Which Jewish group was more closely associated with synagogues?

Answer 9

Pharisees

Question 10

Which Jewish group was more closely associated with the Temple in Jerusalem?

Answer 10

Sadducees

Question 11

Modern forms of Judaism are ultimately based on what first century Jewish group?

Answer 11

Pharisees

Question 12

Which Jewish group did not believe in the resurrection of the dead?

Answer 12

Sadducees

Question 13

Which Jewish group lives in private communities?

Answer 13

Essenes

Question 14

Which Jewish group was known for ascetic practices (strict rules regarding food and sexuality, for example)?

Answer 14

Essenes

Question 15

Which prominent Jewish group is not mentioned in the New Testament?

Answer 15

Essenes

Question 16

Which Jewish group is connected to the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Answer 16

Essenes

Question 17

Which Jewish group openly advocated rebelling against the Roman occupation?

Answer 17

Zealots

Question 18

Which Zealot group mingled used small knives to assassinate Roman collaborators, typically while in a large crowd?

Answer 18

Sicarii

Question 19

Which of Jesus’ twelve Apostles may have belonged to a terrorist group?

Answer 19

Simon the Zealot

Question 20

Which Jewish group contributed to the outbreak of war against Rome in 66 CE?

Answer 20

Zealots

Question 21

Which Jewish group supported the political rule of the dynasty of Herod the Great?

Answer 21

Herodians

Question 22

Which Jewish group claimed to be direct descendants of the Jews exiled in Assyria?

Answer 22

Samaritans

Question 23

Which Jewish group had their temple located on Mount Gerazim?

Answer 23

Samaritans

Question 24

Which Jewish group had their own version of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible)?

Answer 24

Samaritans

Question 25

What term is used by Jews to refer to “everybody else”?

Answer 25

Gentiles

Question 26

In what region of ancient Palestine did many non-Jews settle?

Answer 26

Galilee

Question 27

What is the name given to non-Jews who decided to become fully Jewish?

Answer 27

Proselytes

Question 28

What is the name given to non-Jews who admired the Jewish faith and followed many of its beliefs?

Answer 28

Godfearers