LIghT ThE WAy


The Sanhedrin was not a united body. It was divided into two rival groups: the Sadducees (who were in the majority) and the Pharisees (who formed the minority). They rarely agreed with one another. This situation suited the Romans. As long as the Jews were divided and quarrelled among themselves, they were easier to control and less likely to rebel.


4. The High Priest


The High Priest was the leader of the Sanhedrin. He was always chosen from one or other of the wealthy Sadducee families who controlled it. However, the Sanhedrin’s choice for High Priest had to be submitted to the Romans. He could not become High Priest without their approval.


The High Priest was easily recognisable during religious rituals because he wore an elaborate costume decorated with precious stones. Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies and come into the presence of God, no one else.


5. The tax collectors


Just as in every other occupied land throughout history, there were some Jews who were happy to collaborate (i.e. work with the Romans). These men and women were hated by their fellow Jews. However, the most despised of all these collaborators were the tax collectors.


Today our taxes are collected directly by the state authorities (i.e. the Revenue Commissioners). However, in ancient Rome, the job of collecting taxes was put out to private tender. A tax collector had to pay a large lump sum to the emperor in advance. Only then was he given the authority to collect taxes in a province like Palestine.


Most Jews earned just enough money to provide for their basic needs – food, clothing and shelter. Few were wealthy. However, tax collectors usually made inflated assessments of what people could afford to pay. This ensured that they made huge profits for themselves. People did not dare challenge a tax collector, as he had Roman soldiers to back him up.


Given all of this, it is no surprise that most Jews treated tax collectors as social outcasts. For example: ò Tax collectors were not permitted to hold any religious office. ò Tax collectors were not allowed to give evidence in a Jewish court.


Most Jews could never trust a tax collector because they believed that only a cheat and a liar would become a tax collector in the first place.


The Gospels say that Jesus horrified many of his followers and angered his critics when he invited a tax collector named Matthew to become one of his Apostles (i.e. closest friends).


Jewish Hopes about the Messiah


Even after decades of Roman rule, the Jews never gave up hope that, one day, they might regain their freedom. They believed that, in the past, God had helped their ancestors. For example: ò God sent Moses to free the Jews from slavery in Egypt. ò God chose David to set up the Kingdom of Israel.


This is why the Jews developed a messianic expectation.


REMEMBER! A messianic expectation is the belief that, one day, God will send a messiah to save you.


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