Different Groups of Leaders of the Jewish Community

• Different groups of leaders of the Jewish community:
• Chief Priests:

  • From the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob
  • Designated to oversee activities and ceremonies of the temple
  • Responsible for temple sacrifices, becoming the most influential religious leaders
• Scribes:

  • Guardians of legal documents
  • Specialized in interpreting the Torah or Law of Moses
  • Lawyers and scholars of the first century
• Elders:

  • Respected older gentlemen of the religious community
  • Comparable to church trustees or deacon board in some denominations
• Pharisees:

  • Traditionalists who observed the Law of Moses and traditions of the elders
  • Contrasted with the Sadducees who strictly interpreted only the law, not traditions
• Herodians:

  • Supporters of Herod the Great and Herod Antipas
  • More focused on politics than religion
  • Disregarded traditions of the elders
• Essenes:

  • Jewish sect with a membership process involving oaths of piety and truthfulness, commitment to celibacy
• Zealots:

  • Similar to Pharisees in theology but added a political element
  • Stood violently against perceived enemies of Judaism