Although the origin of the Sanhedrin is obscure, Jewish tradition traces it back to Moses and the seventy
elders mentioned in Num 11:16-25. According to the best evidence, the Sanhedrin was composed of
seventy-one members: the high priest as its president, some of the high priest's close relatives, scribes
(professional lawyers), and elders (chief men among both priest and laymen). See Matt 26:3,57,59; 27:41;
Mark 11:27; 14:53; 15:1; Luke 22:66). The High Priest and those who served under him predominantly
belonged to the orders of Sadducees and the Scribes and Pharisees; thus, these were the two predominant
groups of Judaism represented in the Sanhedrin.
It is important to note that Y‘shua accepted this tribunal as the official civil and spiritual authority of the Jews
during his lifetime (Mark 15:1).
What were main factions among the religious authority during Y‟shua‟s time?There were two main factions among the religious authority of Y‘shua's day – Pharisees and Saducees.
Unfortunately, the term "Pharisee" has become a synonym for an evil person or a hypocrite. This is due to an
improper understanding of history and Scripture as taught in most churches and Bible Studies. No one would
say that Paul and Nicodemus were evil, yet they were Pharisees until the day they died.
I can‘t imagine anyone saying Y‘shua gave bad advice, but He told the people to follow what the Pharisees
taught. In fact, much of what Y‘shua Himself says in the Gospels is a reiteration of teachings already
established and taught by the Pharisees (especially Hillel, the grandfather of Gamaliel (see Glossary section
for more information)) who taught Paul.
The Pharisees came about as a populist movement shortly after the Saducees gained power. The Saducees
were the original Temple authority, made up of priests and Levites, developed around Zadok and his priests
who gained control after the return from the exile (Ezra‘s time period). By the time of Y‘shua, the Saducees
had lost much of their power to the Pharisees. (The history of the Pharisees and Saducees will be covered
later, where we study the rise and fall of the Hasmonians – a Saducean family that rose up to control Temple
when Judas Macabee fought the Selucid Greeks and restored the Temple and priesthood around 130 B.C.)
Y‘shua Himself could best be described as a Pharisee teacher and holding favour with the Essenes. The
former is true as He supported the Scriptural doctrines of the Pharisees, told the people to obey them, and
upheld their authority (more on all this later). The latter was true because He had the approval of Yochanan
(John) the Baptist, who was a leader in the Essene community. John had Scriptural authority as well, as he
was from the tribe of Levi and destined to be a priest.
It was because of Y‘shua‘s relationship with these two groups (who did not necessarily think highly of each
other) that he was able to hold together a coalition of His own followers made up of people from each camp
(along with the Zealots, who were more political and action-oriented). This new alliance became known as
the Nazarenes, or the Way.
These are the people whom we also refer to as the early or original, "Messianic community‖. Their faith was
not "Christian‖; it was a continuation of the faith of Israel, recognising Y‘shua as the promised Messiah. (Also
see the section, ―James the Brother of Y‘shua‖ under ―Matt 13:53-54 ―And when he was come into his own
country‖ for more information on the Pharisees.)
The ―Chief Priests‖ and ―Prophets‖ in the BibleIn the next verse, verse 5 of Matthew chapter 2 we read about a ―prophet‖. It will be a good opportunity to
explain the priest and the prophet‘s role at this stage as well as the difference between the two:
A PRIEST is a man who goes to YHWH and speaks on behalf of men.
A PROPHET is a man who goes to the people and speaks on behalf of YHWH.
They are two entirely different functions. In the Tenach they did not overlap, except in a few outstanding
cases. Priests and prophets often were at loggerheads with one another, because...
The Priest stood for rituals.
The Prophet for righteousness.
The Priest was interested in the Institutional.
The Prophet in the Inspirational.
The Priest was interested in the Externals.
The Prophet was only interested in the Internal.
For these very reasons, priests and prophets were frequently against one another. The Institutional and
Ritual can bring corruption.