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03. Book Cover Photoshop Template 22 182x300 - Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes

Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament

According to J. Julius Scott, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes were Jewish sects or denominations (Scott, 200). Due to the emphasis on orthopraxy, it is common for the differences between the groups to pertain more to activity than theology (Scott, 201). However, numerous theological differences did exist.

The Pharisees were the most accessible of the three groups to the common first century Jew. According to Josephus, they believed in God’s sovereignty, the immortality of the soul, and the human will (Scott, 203). Furthermore, Scott explains that the Pharisees had a strong belief in the written and oral law, which they considered divine, and they opposed Roman influence when in conflict with God’s law (Scott, 206). As supernaturalists, the Pharisees believed in angels, demons, and the spirit (Scott, 206). Finally, the Pharisees resisted Hellenism and political control especially when it clashed with their tradition (Scott, 206).

The differences between the Sadducees and Pharisees are quite significant. First, the Jewish population trusted the Sadducees less than they trusted the Pharisees (Scott, 207). Second, Acts 23:8 succinctly summarizes a few of the major theological differences by stating, “Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all” (NASB). Third, the Sadducees rejected the Pharisaic oral law and traditions, opting for their own version of interpretation, which normally supported their agenda of power (Scott, 207). Fourth, in contrast to the Pharisees, the Sadducees maintained a secularist worldview and were more open to “Hellenistic culture and the Roman political system” (Scott, 208). Accordingly, they were the party that appeared to be on the best terms with the Romans and controlled the Temple (Scott, 208).

The Essenes were the most inaccessible Jewish denomination. Scott suggests that within the sects of Intertestamental Judaism they “represent a monastic, ascetic, puritanical strain” (Scott, 216). Although, in many ways, information regarding the Essenes is more obscure than the Pharisees or Sadducees, certain similarities and differences have materialized. Similar to Sadducees, they rejected the Pharisaic tradition and oral law but opposed the Sadducean control over the Temple (Scott, 217). In agreement with the Pharisees, they believed in the sovereignty of God, but seemed to move beyond Pharisaic predestination to fatalism, which likely limited the human will (Scott, 217). Additionally, the Essenes believed in the immortality of the soul, which mirrored a Pharisaic belief (Scott, 217).

In general, my personal beliefs align more closely with the Pharisees who support God’s sovereignty, the immortality of the soul, and human will. However, similar to the Sadducees and Essenes, I would reject the divine nature of oral traditions. The primary reason for my general alliance with the Pharisees is that their beliefs appear to more closely agree with Scripture.

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  • Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995.
Wilder - Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes
Derek Wilder Executive Director
DEREK WILDER, PhD, is the Executive Director of Lives Transforming Group, Inc., a Christian counseling ministry focused on personal transformation, and the author of FREEDOM and Minds on Fire. Wilder has a Master of Theological Studies, an MDiv in Pastoral Counseling, and a PhD in Biblical Exposition. Wilder's scholarly focus lies in Pauline studies, with his doctoral dissertation specifically examining the ontological implications present in the eighth chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Wilder, an adjunct professor, founded Convergence Therapy, integrating cognitive therapy and grace-based theology into the accredited college course: “Thought Life & Spirit Growth.”