Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - February, 2005

Bible Study - Commentaries
The Two Approaches for John's Teaching

from Kaniyamparmabil Achen, the Great Teacher of Malankara

John who was sent by God, became powerful by his Heavenly association, preached to multitudes that came to listen him. There tax collectors and soldiers repented and asked him sincerely “what shall we do?” So he advised the practical things for them to do. (Luke 3:10-14) Even the Pharisees and Sadducees were also there. His attitude towards their hypocrisy is thought prevocating. They had no sincerity, but they came just to see the gathering. John accuses them of wanting to appear anxious for the Messiah, but not truly repenting and preparing their hearts.

Pharisees and Sadducees

During our Lord’s time there were about 14 sects of people among Jews. They are:

1. Pharisees
2. Sadducees
3. Essenes
4. Zeolots - Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13(27)
5. Sicarii - Acts 21:38
6. Galleleans
7. Assideans
8. scribes
9. priests / lawyers
10. Nazrayens
11. Proselytes
12. Tax Collectors
13. Samaritans
14. The Herodians (Mark 3:6)

Pharisees
They themselves thought as righteous ( Kadeeshim) and others unrighteous. They regarded themselves are chosen people( Preeshe ). They were so devoted to the prescriptions of the Law and were heroic devotee (fanatic) of their religion and also very patriotic. Contrasted with the priesthood, they stood for both the democratic and the spiritualizing tendency. Such was their power and prestige that they sat and taught in "Moses' seat". This led to arrogance and conceit, and led to a perversion in many respects of the Law. Seeking praise for their devoutness they were engaged in showing of their devoutness. Their lengthy prayers, charitable act for fame, lent, luxuries dressing, and conceit were their life style. Jesus Christ had strong words about the Pharisees for all this calling them ‘hypocrites’. The Pharisees perhaps meant to obey God, but eventually they became so devoted and extremist in very limited parts of The Law (plus all that they themselves added to it), and traditions. They fasted on two days on Tuesday and Thursday. They believed in Angels, Soul and resurrection. They formed the majority of scribes and lawyers. There were some real believers among them. They were Hillel and Gamaliyel.

Sadducees
There are two thoughts on how they got the name. Some schools are of the opinion that they got this name as the successor of Zadok (the High Priest in times of David, ) and another scholars believe that their name came from Zadike (=Just). Their origin is believed to at B.C 280. They believe in only the 5 books of Moses. They denied divine action in the world, affirms human freedom, and believes that the soul perishes along with the body. They ruled out the coming of the Messiah to deliver them from their captors, rejected angels, demons, miracles, and the bodily resurrection at the end of the world. The Greek philosopher Epicures influenced them. (Mat 22:23, Mark 12:18, Luke 20:27, acts 23:8). They were fewer than Pharisees but were richer. During apostolic times the High priest was from this group. (Acts 4:1,5,17). All High Priests, like Annas and Caiaphas were Sadducees. Both Sadducees and Pharisees tried to persecute our Lord. (Mat 16:1,22:34). Our Lord warned the apostles to keep away from these people. (Mat 16:6). John (the Baptist) addressed them as “brood of vipers” (Ma 3:7) John know these groups of people very well and exhorts them in strong language that unless they do away with their pride and do not repent then their heritage or nobility does not help at all.