Second Temple Sects
System Analysis: Major Factions of the Era
PHARISEES (The Populists)
The "Separated Ones." Spiritual ancestors of Rabbinic Judaism. They wielded massive influence over the common people and emphasized personal piety.
CORE BELIEF
Torah + Oral Tradition are equal.
METAPHYSICS
Affirmed Resurrection, Angels, Spirits.
POLITICAL STANCE
Resisted Hellenization; Anti-Roman but pragmatic.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Working class, merchants, scribes.
SADDUCEES (The Elite)
The Temple Aristocracy. Wealthy, conservative, and powerful. They disappeared entirely after the Temple's destruction in 70 CE.
CORE BELIEF
Written Torah Only (No Oral Law).
METAPHYSICS
Denied Resurrection, Afterlife, & Angels.
POLITICAL STANCE
Collaborators with Rome to maintain power.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Priests, Aristocrats, Wealthy Landowners.
ESSENES (The Monastics)
Ascetic separatists. Likely authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. They viewed the Temple priesthood as corrupt and withdrew to the desert.
CORE BELIEF
Strict purity, communal living, predestination.
METAPHYSICS
Immortality of the Soul (Body secondary).
POLITICAL STANCE
Isolationist / Apocalyptic.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Celibate males (mostly), communal communes.
ZEALOTS (The Revolutionaries)
Militant nationalists. "No King but God." They instigated the war that led to Jerusalem's destruction.
CORE BELIEF
Theology aligned with Pharisees, but radicalized.
TACTICS
Guerilla warfare, assassination (Sicarii).
POLITICAL STANCE
Total War against Rome; Taxes = Idolatry.
FATE
Last stand at Masada (73 CE).
SAMARITANS (The Neighbors)
Remnants of the Northern Kingdom. A distinct Israelite faith with a rival holy site, marked by centuries of mutual hostility with Jews.
CORE BELIEF
Torah Only (Rejected Prophets/Writings).
HOLY SITE
Mount Gerizim (Not Jerusalem).
RELATIONS
Mutual contempt with Judeans.
LOCATION
Samaria (Between Galilee and Judea).