By the time Jesus arrived in the world, the Jewish nation was hardly a unified people. Their land was divided into three sections: the Samaritans occupied the land between the Galilean Jews and the Judean Jews. Both the Galilean and Judean Jews saw themselves as part of the same people. The Samaritans were loosely connected to the ancient Northern Kingdom of Israel and were deemed apostates by the Jews.
While the Jews might say they were one people, their fragmented social structure said otherwise. At least five sectarian groups splintered off to themselves. The two main groups were the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducees came from the wealthy, aristocratic Jewish families and were responsible for maintaining the temple duties. Being friendly with Rome, they were to appoint the high priest, but that priest had to be preapproved by the State. The Books of Moses were the only basis for Scripture and they denied the resurrection. The Pharisees were keepers of the traditions. They not only accepted the written prophetic books as Scripture but also treated the oral traditions as authoritative. The Scribes and Teachers of the Law were typically from the Pharisees, and were known as “people of the book.” The Sanhedrin comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees and were the final ruling court for Jerusalem.
The Essenes viewed Jerusalem and its religion as corrupt (which it was). Many of them occupied property at the base of the Dead Sea and dwelled in its caves. They spent their days copying Scripture and a variety of other scrolls while developing their own piety of poverty, daily washings and asceticism. They had time on their hands as they waited for Jerusalem’s destruction. When Rome did destroy Jerusalem, their moral victory was short-lived. The soldiers turned to the caves around the Dead Sea to destroy any remnant of the Jews.
The Zealots were strongly anti-Rome. It wasn’t uncommon to threaten officials or anyone favorable toward Rome as they hated the Gentile’s occupation of their lands. Jesus recruited a Zealot as one of his disciples, making one wonder what the conversations were like between Simon and Matthew who collected taxes in support of the Gentiles occupying the land?
The Herodians supported the Herod family. Very little is known about this group as extra-biblical accounts are scant on details.
So when Jesus came onto the scene, who did he align with? It’s not always an easy question to answer. For instance, on the divorce question he seems to hold the more conservative or rigid position (see Mk. 10:1-12) that some Pharisees would agree with. However, at the same time he challenged the conservative interpretation of Scripture (Mt. 5:21-47). When Jesus leveled the seven woes against the Pharisees, he agreed that their teaching compatible with Scripture, but their behavior was not (Mt. 23:3).
Jesus was at odds with the religious leaders. Where they were about power and control, Jesus was about self-sacrifice. Where they were about prideful position, Jesus was about humble positions. Where they wanted to be served, Jesus was willing to serve. Where they talked about the good of the people, Jesus acted on behalf of the people’s good. Where they were focused on keeping their rules, Jesus was focused on turning hearts toward God. Where they were about manipulating the people, Jesus was about ministering to the people. Where they were never going to give up anything, Jesus was willing to let go of everything. Where they never trusted, Jesus had faith. They believed that if and when the Messiah arrived, he would naturally line up with them. Jesus arrived and was immediately at odds with the Jewish leaders.
So with all these fragmented splinters of Judaism, who did Jesus line up with? Or maybe a better question might be that if Jesus didn’t line up with his own religious and political structures, why are you so convinced he’ll line up with yours?
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)