2. The Samaritans - They were people living near Judea, sharing beliefs of Judaism, yet regarded with intense suspicion and hostility by the Jews -No Old Testament text which specifically refers to the Samaritans. -The New Testament presents them as a conservative religious group. -Regarded as outsiders by Jews. Reason why Jesus presents the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25 - 27) and the Samaritan women (John 4: 4 – 42)

3. The Sadducees  They argued for the priority of the written Law, as found in the 5 books of the Law. -Nothing other than the teachings found in these writings was to be regarded as authoritative. -Hostile to any form of innovation to the Law. -Affirmed that the prophets and other writings of the O.T. were not to be regarded as having the same status as the Law. -Jesus and Resurrection ( Matt. 22: 23 – 33) -Jesus cites Exodus 3:6 -Resurrection denied by Sadducees (Acts 23: 8)

4. The Pharisees  “Torah and Tradition” -The fidelity of the Law as interpreted by the scribes (official teachers of the law). -The Gospel doesn’t portray them as hypocrites. Jesus teachings were similar to the Pharisees interpretation. -Emphasis on ritual purity led them to separate themselves from other Jews with lax religious and moral standards. -Jesus, however, chose to associate with sinners, prostitutes, and those whom the Pharisees regarded as unclean or impure. (Matt. 9: 9 – 13)

5. The Zealots - Group of more politically radical Jews. -Fierce nationalistic feeling, fuelled by intense resentment. As a result of foreign occupying power. -Many felt the Messiah would be the deliverer who expelled the Romans from Israel, and restore the line of David. -Jesus refused to see himself as a Messiah in this sense.

6. Essenes -Like the Pharisees, placed considerable emphasis on religious purity. -Unlike the Pharisees, the Essenes chose to withdraw from everyday Jewish life. -The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered 1947 – 60) give insights into the beliefs and practices of the Essenes.