Essenes, Zealots, and Scribes

What led to the destruction of Jerusalem?

Nationalism.

Who else was zealous in defending God's honor?

Phinehas (Numbers 25:7-13

While all Essenes subscribed to a strict code of discipline, those who withdrew from society had to prove their worthiness as full members of the community by maintaining a rigid and ascetic life for several years.

True.

Zealots searched for salvation more actively than any other religious group.

True.

by the time of Christ, it appears that the scribes were a separate group of men. While it was still possible for a scribe to be a priest, generally he was not.

True.

When did the Sanhedrin began when?

We do not know exactly. Some have suggested the concept began as early as the days of Moses.

Since God was Israel's true King, they felt the Jewish nation should resist any attempt by other nations to govern them

Zealots.

In most cases the Gospel writers use the word council or court instead of Sanhedrin.

True.

Are mention several times in the Old Testament.

The Scribes.

They showed an even greater zeal in following the Law than the Pharisees, but their zeal, unfortunately, was directed toward fanatical nationalism.

The Zealots.

What impact did the Zealots have upon jewish life?

Their uprisings against the Romans led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation in AD 70.

Who did the Scribes usually align themselves with?

They aligned themselves with the Pharisees, because both placed great emphasis on the written Law and oral tradition.

What status did scribes hold in the Jewish religious system?

They were highly respected.

Since the scribes were professional students and interpreters of the Law, they were respected members of the Jewish community, and their word on matters of the Law was final

True

Except in some of the recent translations, you will not see the word Sanhedrin in the New Testament.

True.

When did the Zealots originate?

During the Intertestamental Period.

he only reference to them in the biblical record is in relation to one of Christ's disciples. Which one?

"Simon, the Zealot" Luke 6:15

Define Essenes:

"shadow party"

Describe the role of scribes BEFORE Christ

1. Acted as secretaries or clerks. 2. Were usually involved in recording business transactions, keeping records, and acting as readers for important documents.

Characteristics of the Essenes

1. Chose rather to live in the wilderness where they could prepare for the coming of the Messiah. 2. viewed themselves as the people of God and all others, including the Jewish religious leaders, as His foes. 3. The Essenes believed they were the "sons of light," and they looked forward with great expectancy to the coming of the Messiah. 4. They believed God would give them victory over the "sons of darkness" as He broke in on the evil world system and restored His righteous rule.

Name a primary difference between the Zealots and other Jewish groups.

1. Fanatical Nationalism.

In what ways did the Essenes live a simple life?

1. Provided their own food and necessities in the remote wilderness. 2. They studied the Scriptures diligently, 3. Abstained from marriage, lived in charity toward one another, shared all their property, provided for members too old or sick to work, and refrained from business or military activity.

The Scribes were neither a religious group or a political group. What were they?

A professional group.

When was the Roman-Jewish War? (Destruction of Jerusalem)

AD 66-70

According to the Essenes, how would God resolve Israel's problems?

According to the Essenes, God would resolve the problems they faced by breaking in on the evil world system, granting them victory over the wicked, and setting up His righteous kingdom.

Why was a Scribe's position of prominence assured?

Because The scribes were the leading authority in this system.

why was the scribe (or teacher) an important member of the Jewish religious system?

Because he lived in a Society that was totally consumed by religious conviction and practice.

Why did the Jews respect the Scribes so much.

Because the Law was very important to them.

When did the Sanhedrin develop its last form?

During the Intertestamental Period.

they were far more legalistic in obeying the law of Moses than even the Pharisees were.

Essenes

The most well known scribe was

Ezra.

Describe the great Sanhedrin:

It was the supreme court, which had seventy-one members and was attached to the temple in Jerusalem. Its members included Sadducees, Pharisees, scribes, and elders, and its leader was the high priest. It functioned with Rome's approval.

Compare the Essenes with the Pharisees.

Like the Pharisees, the Essenes probably evolved from the Hasidim and were determined to obey the law of Moses. They were more legalistic, however, and tended to withdraw from society.

In Ezra's day, a scribe was also a

Priest.

Ezra was a

Scribe & a priest.

Sanhedrin operated at two levels. What is the first one?

Smaller councils of either seven or twenty-three members, depending on the size of the city, were attached to all synagogues in Palestine.

the institution through which the Jews governed themselves:

The Sanhedrin

Since they viewed themselves as agents of God's judgment and redemption, the __________ were totally unrestrained in punishing what they believed were acts of idolatry, apostasy, and collaboration with the enemy. they felt justified in taking vengeance on those who wronged them.

Zealots.

They strongly opposed the rule of Rome and refused to pay taxes to a pagan emperor.

Zealots.

their main objective was the complete overthrow of the Roman government.

Zealots.

were willing to resort to any means, however violent, to achieve this aim.

Zealots.

When are there Zealots mentioned?

in the early years of Roman rule in Palestine

council and Sanhedrin are

interchangeable.

Describe the Scribes by the time of Christ.

more properly called a "lawyer" or teacher of the law. acted as a copyist, a preserver, and an interpreter of the Law.

What did the Essenes do?

offered relief from the corrupting influences of society

Since scripture does not mention the Essenes, where do we get our information?

the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal that members of an ascetic brotherhood lived at Qumran, some eight miles from Jericho between 165 BC and AD 68. The historians Philo, Pliny, and Josephus also speak of this group. The evidence suggests that members of the Qumran community and Essenes had almost identical values and may even have been part of the same larger fellowship

The Sanhedrin was what?

the highest governing council and the local judicial council of the Jewish people.

Describe the second level of Sanhedrin

was the great Sanhedrin or supreme court itself, which was located in Jerusalem. Its activities centered around the temple. The great Sanhedrin was a group of seventy-one men, who came mostly from influential families and represented three groups: the Sadducees, Pharisees, and scribes. The Sanhedrin also included a representation of elders. These men usually came out of the wealthy, noble class from which the Sadducees were drawn. The high priest, a Sadducee, presided as the leader or president of the council.