• Pharisees - In the Gospels, they are shown by Jesus to be Jews who put the letter of the law above the needs of men. They were completely committed to observance of the oral law and the Torah but also accepted the Prophets and writings as Scripture. Jesus often challenges them and calls them hypocrites.
• Sadducees - A politically influential group who recognised only the Torah as law and colluded in compromising with the Roman authorities to keep their influence.
• The Sanhedrin - The Jewish Council which decided religious matters. It had 70 members and was presided over by the high priests.
• Herodians - Supporters of Herod the Great. Mainly wealthy Jews who wanted a nationalist party.
• Zealots - Jews who wanted to overthrow Roman rule by terrorism.
• Tax collectors - Jewish employees of Rome regarded as outcasts by the rabbis.
• Samaritans - A race of people living between Judea and Galilee who accepted the Torah but were not regarded as Jews and were much despised.

The Synagogue was the place of worship for the Jewish community and the Sabbath was the Holy Day.

Some Christians interpret the Gospel literally. They are ‘fundamentalists’ who accept every word as it is written. Others interpret the Gospel liberally, which means more freely, accepting that although the basic facts never change, some interpretations change with society.