The Pharisees By the time of Jesus, there were different groups of Pharisees. Some were friendly towards Jesus, even defending him from attacks; others were hostile to him. These Pharisees tended to interpret God’s laws in strict, unbending ways that made the literal observance (or the ‘letter’) of the Law of Moses difficult for many people, particularly the poorer members of society.
Money-changers A number of different currencies were used in Jerusalem. Greek and Roman coins were used, along with the coins brought by travellers from other countries. Pagan money could not be taken into the Temple or used to purchase animals for sacrifice. This was because all pagan coins were minted with images of emperors and kings, and Jewish Law strictly forbade the use of such images. Moneychangers, therefore, provided a necessary and important service to the Jewish worshipers at the Temple, many of whom came to Jerusalem on pilgrimage as often as they could afford.
Tax-collectors In the time of Jesus, the Jews were captives to the power of the Roman Empire. Tax collectors were considered traitors, for they collected taxes from their fellow Jews on behalf of their Roman oppressors. Tax-collectors were also well-known for cheating by charging more tax than they should, keeping the extra money for themselves. Tax-collectors were excluded from community worship. In the eyes of most Jews of the time, this put tax-collectors on the same level as ‘sinners’.
The Zealots This group was similar to the Pharisees but they were also militant nationalists. The Zealots tried to end Roman rule of Palestine by violent means. They recognized only God or someone sent by God as their leader. Like many Jews, they anxiously awaited a Messiah to lead a powerful army that would defeat the Romans.
The Herodians The Romans appointed kings in some parts of their empire. The kings in Galilee during the time of Jesus were the Herods. Those who supported the Herods were called ‘Herodians’. The Herodians and the Pharisees were religious and political enemies. Their reaction to Jesus in Mark’s Gospel shows how afraid they were of Jesus and how much his words and actions offended them.
Dove-sellers Dove-sellers provided an essential service for worshipers. Doves were the least expensive of all the animals that could be sacrificed at the Temple so poor people bought doves to offer in sacrifice to God. The Gospels indicate that in the time of Jesus many of the money-changers and dove-sellers took advantage of their control of this specialized market to charge outrageous prices to rich and poor alike. Jesus saw this injustice. The priests of the Temple had allowed vendors to conduct business in the very courtyards dedicated to prayer. This activity was offensive to God.
The Sadducees The Sadducees were a conservative priestly party. They were wealthy and powerful and, in general, they scorned the ordinary people. The Sadducees had been prominent as the ruling class in Israel during the centuries before Rome conquered the Jews. The main influence of the Sadducees was in Temple worship. They were religious fundamentalists who did not believe in a messiah or the resurrection of the dead.