The Life of Jesus (26)

The Jewish System

Previously

• We are studying the week that changed History

• Jesus triumphant entry

• Cleansing the temple

• “By what authority?”

Today:

• The Jewish climate at that time

• Who were the various Jewish groups that challenged Jesus that week?

The Jewish System• Israel had a history of

corruption – idolatry, greed, hypocrisy, neglect, elitism, abuse of the Law, half-hearted worship, etc.

• NO matter what God did – they did not truly repent

The Jewish System

• AFTER captivity (ca536 BC) & completion of OT – developments included: Continued occupation, synagogues, the Septuagint, sects, Mishnah, etc.

The Jewish System

•Matt. 21:23 – Chief priests & elders came to Him

•Mark 11:27– adds, scribes.• Who were these?• What about Pharisees &

Sadducees? (Matt. 22:15, 22:23)

The Jewish System

• At that time - Israel (Judea, Samaria and Galilee) was under Roman occupation.

• Limited in their authority and governed by Roman appointed civil leaders – Pilate, Herod, Roman soldiers, etc.

The Jewish Leaders and

groups

The Sanhedrin

• “Seated together”• A group of 70 + High Priest

(Jerusalem), consisting of civic & religious leaders who governed affairs of the community.

• “The council” – Matt. 26:59, Lk. 22:66, etc.

The Sanhedrin

• Originated – their authority Num. 11:16-17, though the council we read of developed during the post-exilic period

The Sanhedrin

• It’s makeup – The High priest (Jerusalem)

• Sadducees

• Pharisees

• Business & civil leaders

The Sanhedrin

• Jerusalem – the central Sanhedrin (including HP)Had authority governing matters of the Law of Moses that extended throughout the region – cf. Acts 9:1-2, 22:5

The Sanhedrin

• Purpose– address affairs of the Law, - civic administration,- governed the temple services (Jerusalem), - religious instruction, - justice in matters of the Law

The Sanhedrin

• Capital offenses– they were limited in such (depending on who was governing). Needed permission to put Jesus to death – Jn. 18:31 But stoned Stephen – Ac. 6:16, 7:58-59

The Sanhedrin

• Chief Priests – portion of Sanhedrin associated with High Priest and priesthood. Family members, etc.Prominent influence in Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin

• High Priest – was a descendent of Aaron who interceded on behalf of Israel for their sins, etc.

The Sanhedrin

• High Priest – TWO High Priests mentioned at that time – Annas – John 18:13, 14 (AD 6-15, removed by Rome)

• Caiaphas – Matt. 26:3-4 (the “official” High Priest)

• The corruption of the High priesthood – a lucrative position

The Sanhedrin

• The elders – civic & religious leaders within the community – cf. Gen 50:7, Ex. 3:16, Ezra 5:5, etc.They had a stake in the affairs of Jesus

Scribes

• Scribes – a “professional group” who worked with the Law. Also called “lawyers” – Luke 7:46, Matt. 23:2-4, etc.They preserved the Law, taught the Law, & administered as judges and lawyers

The Sects

• Essenes – not mentioned in the Bible” – separatists who rejected the High Priesthood and temple worship as corrupt.Probably responsible of DSS

The Sects

• Zealots– probably began about AD 6. Advocated overthrow of the Roman Government. Refused to pay taxes.Simon, the apostle, was a (former) Zealot – Lk. 16:15, Acts 1:13

The Sects

• Sadducees– the priestly and aristocratic sect

• Accepted only the Torah (5 books of Moses). Conservative interpretation of Law, but they were morally liberal.

• Denied a resurrection – Matt. 22:23-24

• Sought active allegiance with Rome – Jn.. 11:48, 19:15

The Sects

• Sadducees– Lessons:• We must respect ALL of God’s

word and laws• Fatefulness and materialism

do NOT mix! Matt. 6:24• What will you give up to follow

Jesus?

The Sects

• Pharisees – most numerous sect consisting of middle class and more “in touch”

• Accepted whole Law, but also developed and bound the “Mishnah” – oral traditions.

• It was these teachings Jesus challenged - Matt. 15:1-9

The Sects

• Pharisees – Reasoned that exact law keeping entitled them to salvation

• Attitude problems – arrogance, moral corruption, etc. Matt. 23:4,14, 23, 25, 15:4-5, etc.

The Sects

• Pharisees – NOT all those in sects were corrupt (Joseph of Arimathea – Lk. 23:50-51, Nicodemus – Jn. 3:1)! Nor were all their ideas wrong

• Jesus NEVER condemned law keeping - Matt. 23:23

The Sects

• Pharisees – Lessons: • Respect the boundaries of

God’s Law (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6)• Understand the difference

between God’s word and traditions

• Check our attitude in dealing with others

•May we learn from Jesus what to do, but ALSO from those that dealt with Him – both good and bad!

•FOLLOW JESUS!