• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

Sectarian Groups in the First Century

Text: Matthew 3
26 May 2013

SECTARIAN GROUPS IN THE FIRST CENTURY

1. Pharisees

2. Sadducees

3. Sicarii (Zealots)

4. Essenes

RESPONSE OF THE MULTITUDES

1. Many were baptized by John           Matthew 3:6

2. Pharisees

a) The separated ones

b) A political-religious party (a sect)

c) Strong school of thought

i) Influencing social norms

ii) Influencing judicial thought/practice

d) Existed over a hundred years before Jesus began His public ministry

3. Sadducees

a) Priests (essentially)

b) Control of the temple

c) Wealthy

d) In opposition to the Pharisees

4. Zealots

a) More politically inclined

b) Strong Anti-Roman sentiments

c) Called “Sicarii” (this was a short knife they carried with them to kill Romans)

5. Essenes

a) They were disenchanted with all the above groups

b) They lived in the hills (away from main society)

c) Many held to a rigorous life style (like John the Baptiser)