Religious Groups

Question 1

Talk in detail about Sadducees

Answer 1

• Accepted Roman rule
• Adapted to the Romans and tried to make the best of it
• Jews from wealthy families
• High priest of the temple was always a Sadducee

Question 2

Talk in detail about Essenes

Answer 2

• Rejected Roman rule
• Disgusted with Romans and Jewish leaders
• they left Jerusalem and went off to live in the desert

Question 3

The Pharisees

Answer 3

• Rejected Roman rule
• Ignored Romans
• Obedience of God’s law was very important to them
• They were educated laymen from ordinary families
• They expected the messiah to be a king who would establish a peaceful kingdom in Palestine

Question 4

Zealots

Answer 4

• Rejected Roman rule
• Were angry with the Romans and fought against them
• Refused to pay taxes and used violence to force Romans out of Palestine
• They expected the messiah to be a military leader who would overthrow the Romans

Question 5

Sanhedrin

Answer 5

• Jewish Court of Law
• Based in the Temple
• Had power to punish Jews who broke religious laws