1. www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

2. “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33 ✗ Jesus’ description of scribes & Pharisees ✗ Loved religious titles, Mt. 23:6-10 ✗ Put religion on their sleeves, Mt. 23:5, 14

3. “Hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “brood of vipers,” Mt. 23:15-33 ✗ Who are these people in the New Testament ◆ Sadducees ◆ Lawyers ◆ Zealots ◆ Herodians

4. Historic background ✗ Pharisee: “separated” or “separatist” ✗ Traced by to 2 nd century BC ✗ Pious men who resisted Hellenism ✗ Leadership of middle-class men ✗ Held sway with the masses Mt. 9:34

5. Historic background ✗ Strict ceremonial & dietary regulations ✗ Official membership standards stringent ✗ High esteem for oral traditions ✗ Democratic views – equality of men Mt. 9:34

6. New Testament actions & beliefs ✗ Made own laws, Mt. 15:1-14 ✗ Strict sect, Acts 26:5 ✗ Opposed Jesus, Mt. 12:9-14 ✗ Believed in an afterlife, Acts 23:8 Mt. 9:34

7. Historic Background ✗ Possible meanings ◆ Righteous ones ◆ Sons of Zadok ◆ Judges or fiscal controllers Mt. 3:7

8. Historic Background ✗ Aristocratic rulers beginning in 1 st century ✗ High priesthood & priestly caste ✗ Majority of Sanhedrin council ✗ Wealthy, upper class ✗ Very political ✗ Disappeared after 70 AD Mt. 3:7

9. New Testament actions & beliefs ✗ Priestly caste, Acts 5:17 ✗ Denied the resurrection, angels, spirits, Mt. 22:23-33; Acts 23:6-8 ✗ Sought to keep the status quo, Jn. 11:45-50 ✗ Opposed the apostles, Acts 4:1-3 Mt. 3:7

10. Historic Background ✗ Copied & studied the Law ✗ Experts in the Law ✗ Lawyers acted as judges ✗ Could be Pharisees, Sadducees, or other Mt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25

11. New Testament actions & beliefs ✗ Kept traditions, Mk. 7:1, 2 ✗ Accused Jesus of blasphemy, Mk. 2:1-7 ✗ Tried to entrap Jesus, Jn. 8:2-5 ✗ Hard-hearted, Mt. 21:15 ✗ Responsible for death of Christ – along with others, Mk. 8:31; 14:1 Mt. 2:4; Lk. 10:25

12. Historic Background ✗ Developed in reaction to greater Roman control ✗ Used violence & intrigue ✗ Refused to pay taxes ✗ Refused to use foreign language

13. New Testament actions & beliefs ✗ Simon the Zealot – apostle, Lk. 6:15

14. Historic Background ✗ Supporters of Herodian rulers ✗ Political party

15. New Testament actions & beliefs ✗ Sought to destroy Jesus early, Mk. 3:6 ✗ Joined with Pharisees to entrap Jesus, Mt. 22:15-22

16. Nationalists – repentance & submission to God Nationalists – resistance & rebellion to Rome Aristocrat rulers – good terms with Rome to maintain power Compromisers – sell-outs to wicked rulers

17. Modern manifestations of these groups are seen in denominations ✗ Religious titles ✗ Outward displays of religious devotion ✗ Creating own laws & regulations ✗ More interest in political power than spiritual purity ✗ Compromisers with a wicked culture ✗ Enemies of the cross of Christ