The Zealots

Horsley on the Zealots

They were a short lived group with no clear aims. There was no unified group called the Zealots. Zealot is a term used to describe a coalition/collaboration of movements who wanted to overthrow Roman rule. It is fair to say that "the Zealots were relatively insignificant as a fighting force."

Hengel on the Zealots

They were an organised movement started by Judas the Galilean. He sees it as a merging between the Fourth Philosophy and the Sicarii. They were wiped out by the Romans at Masada after a long siege they all committed suicide rather than submit to a foreign ruler.

The impact and influence of the Zealots

They were far too radical for the ordinary Jewish person. Most common Jews would have found them too extreme and violent. Judas the Galilean initiated a series of events against Roman rule that gained momentum and came to a head with the outbreak of the Jewish Revolt (66-70CE). Due to their activity the Romans kept the land under strict control. Turned on the aristocracy during the Jewish war, assassinating Jonathan the High Priest. Horsley versus Hengel.

Josephus on the Zealots

Judas the Galilean is named as being the founder. False prophets who predicted the deliverance of the Jewish nation. Shared views with the Pharisees on everything "except their unconquerable passion for freedom."

The practices of the Zealots

Politically active, including guerrilla tactics. Prepared to kill Romans and anyone who cooperated with them. Some carried daggers under their cloaks. Prepared to risk death in their efforts to keep Judaism pure. Followed the law, e.g. executed women who were found having sex with pagans. Destroyed buildings that they felt broke the commandment of monotheism by having idolatrous images on them. Aim was to create an "ideal state" of purity. Martyrdom - saw their deaths as a sacrifice.Refused to submit to Romans and acknowledge the emperor as Lord and pay taxes as would be against the first commandment. Instead of waiting patiently for the Messiah like the Pharisees, they took action. Much more radical and extreme than average Jews and more politically active than the other sects. They would not be identifiable unlike the other sects - they would appear like any other Jewish person.

The origins of the Zealots

Revolutionary religious-political group. The name Zealots is applied to this group at a later date, referring to their zeal for the Law. They came to prominence when they were led by Judas the Galilean in a revolt against a Roman tax census in 6CE. Had links with other resistance movements dating from before the Maccabean revolt. One of Jesus' followers, Simon is possibly believed to have been a Zealot. The Sicarii were a group within the Zealots who carried daggers under their cloaks.

The beliefs of the Zealots

Shared many beliefs with the Pharisees i.e. synergism and the afterlife. God alone is their ruler: "No master but God." Loyalty to God meant political action. Awaiting arrival of a warrior Messiah. Thought the Last Days were close. Saw the leaders of the Maccabean revolt as their heroes - wanted to achieve Jewish rule as they had. Simon Ben Giora saw himself as the Messiah - heralding the arrival of God's kingdom.