Pharisees: The Populist Scholars
The Pharisees were a religious and political sect whose name means "separated ones." They had considerable influence over the common Jewish people (the masses).
- Beliefs: Believed that both the Written Law (Torah) and the Oral Law (traditions) were equally authoritative.
- Afterlife: Believed in the resurrection of the dead, an afterlife with reward and punishment, and the existence of angels and spirits.
- Social Status: Came from all economic classes (including craftsmen and merchants) and were the spiritual ancestors of modern Rabbinic Judaism.
- Political Stance: Resisted Hellenistic influence and Roman rule, often advocating for strict Jewish piety to maintain national identity.
Sadducees: The Priestly Aristocracy
The Sadducees were a conservative elite whose power was intrinsically linked to the Temple in Jerusalem and cooperation with foreign powers.
- Beliefs: Held to a literal interpretation of only the written Torah (first five books of Moses) and rejected the authority of oral tradition.
- Afterlife: Denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of an afterlife, and the existence of angels or spirits.
- Social Status: Mostly comprised the wealthy, aristocratic, and hereditary priestly class.
- Political Stance: Favored compromise with the Roman Empire to maintain stability and preserve their control over the Temple. The sect vanished after the Temple's destruction in 70 CE.
Essenes: The Ascetic Separatists
The Essenes were an ascetic, monastic sect, known for their strict piety and communal lifestyle. They are widely believed to have been the community responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Beliefs: Believed in strict observance of the Law, ritual purity, and emphasized divine predestination over free will.
- Afterlife: Believed the soul was immortal and would receive rewards in the afterlife, though they did not necessarily believe in a physical bodily resurrection.
- Lifestyle: Lived separately from the main Jewish populace (such as at Qumran, near the Dead Sea). They practiced communal ownership of property and celibacy (though some communities married).
- Political Stance: Were highly critical of the corruption of the Temple priesthood (Sadducees) and largely avoided political life.
Zealots: The Political Revolutionaries
The Zealots were a militant political movement fiercely dedicated to resisting Roman rule, believing that God alone was the ruler of Israel.
- Beliefs: Shared many core doctrines with the Pharisees (including belief in the afterlife and Oral Law), but differed in their extreme commitment to political revolution.
- Motto: "No king but God." They viewed taxes paid to Rome as a form of idolatry and treason against God.
- Key Role: Their actions—such as assassinating Roman collaborators (the Sicarii, a sub-group)—were a major catalyst for the First Jewish-Roman War (66–73 CE).
- The End: The final remnant of the Zealots held out against the Romans at the fortress of Masada.
Samaritans: The Neighboring Sect (Hebrew Heritage)
The Samaritans were not considered fully "Jewish" by the Judeans, but they were a distinct sect connected to the Mosaic faith, with a complex history rooted in the former Northern Kingdom of Israel.
- Location: The region of Samaria, situated geographically between Galilee and Judea.
- Scriptural Authority: Recognized only the Torah (Pentateuch) as sacred Scripture and rejected the Prophets and Writings.
- Worship Center: Claimed that Mount Gerizim (not Jerusalem) was the one true place God chose for worship, which was the source of centuries of animosity with the Jews.
- Relationship with Jews: Marked by mutual hostility and contempt (as illustrated by the Parable of the Good Samaritan), causing many Jews to travel around Samaria via Perea to avoid the region.