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Rise of Pharisees and Sadducees

Illustration of Rise of Pharisees and Sadducees
Era
Intertestamental
Date
c. 150-100 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Matthew 3:7

Two major Jewish sects emerge: Pharisees (oral law, resurrection belief) and Sadducees (temple aristocracy, no resurrection). Both feature prominently in the Gospels.

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Meanwhile in the World

Alexander the Great conquers from Greece to India (330s BC). Greek culture spreads everywhere (Hellenization). Rome rises to dominate the Mediterranean. The Maccabean revolt occurs. Julius Caesar is assassinated (44 BC). The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) is translated in Alexandria.

When: c. 400 BC โ€“ 5 BC

Key Civilizations: Hellenistic Kingdoms, Roman Republic

Maccabean Revolt (167 BC), rise of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes; Dead Sea Scrolls community