Second Temple Judaism and religious sects.

Abstract

Numerous passages in the New Testament recount debates in which Jesus and his followers contend with their fellow Jews. In some of these scenes Jesus is challenged by scribes and Pharisees, whom he condemns as hypocrites (e.g., Matt 23:2, 13, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29). In other scenes Jesus interacts with Sadducees, who ask him about resurrection and other legal matters to test him (e.g., Matt 22:23-31). In yet other conversations Pharisees and Sadducees challenge Jesus together, or they become the objects of Jesus’ ire (e.g., Matt 3:7; 16:1, 6, 11-12). Of all these groups, Jesus engages most often with Pharisees, who complain about his practice (or supposed neglect) of the Law (e.g., Matt 9:11, 34; 12:2, 14, 24; 19:3; 22:15, 34; Mark 2:16, 24; 3:6). They also work in concert with the priests of the Jerusalem temple in order to appeal to Roman authorities and have Jesus killed (Matt 27:62). (from Introduction)