The Samaritans - They were people living near Judea, sharing beliefs of

Judaism, yet regarded with intense suspicion and hostility by the Jews

- No Old Testament text which specifically refers to the Samaritans.

- The New Testament presents them as a conservative religious group.

- Regarded as outsiders by Jews. Reason why Jesus presents the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25 - 27) and the Samaritan women (John 4: 4 – 42)

The Sadducees They argued for the priority of the written Law, as found in

the 5 books of the Law.

- Nothing other than the teachings found in these writings was to be regarded as authoritative.

- Hostile to any form of innovation to the Law.

- Affirmed that the prophets and other writings of the O.T. were not to be regarded as having the same status as the Law.

- Jesus and Resurrection ( Matt. 22: 23 – 33)

- Jesus cites Exodus 3:6

- Resurrection denied by Sadducees (Acts 23: 8)

The Pharisees “Torah and Tradition”

- The fidelity of the Law as interpreted by the scribes (official teachers of the law).

- The Gospel doesn’t portray them as hypocrites. Jesus teachings were similar to the Pharisees interpretation.

- Emphasis on ritual purity led them to separate themselves from other Jews with lax religious and moral standards.

- Jesus, however, chose to associate with sinners, prostitutes, and those whom the Pharisees regarded as unclean or impure. (Matt. 9: 9 – 13)

The Zealots- Group of more politically radical Jews.

- Fierce nationalistic feeling, fuelled by intense resentment. As a result of foreign occupying power.

- Many felt the Messiah would be the deliverer who expelled the Romans from Israel, and restore the line of David.

- Jesus refused to see himself as a Messiah in this sense.

Essenes - Like the Pharisees, placed considerable emphasis on

religious purity.

- Unlike the Pharisees, the Essenes chose to withdraw from everyday Jewish life.

- The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered 1947 – 60) give insights into the beliefs and practices of the Essenes.