The Jewish population of Judea and Galilee was divided into three religious groups, two major and one minor. The largest group by numbers were the Pharisees but they were not a majority.

Absolutely. There are two remarkable stories showing how Jesus cared for all types of people. The religious folks called the Pharisees in the time of Jesus were offended, because in their view God ...

Another Jewish sect called the Essenes, not mentioned in Scripture, were committed to ritual purity, simple living, non-violence and celibacy. Some scholars claim that John the Baptist was an Essene ...