Which statement best describes the position of the Pharisees in Palestine during the first century C.E.?y
A) The Pharisees adopted the radical teachings of the Essenes.
B) The Pharisees rejected the authority of the Romans and denied them a voice in selecting new high priests for the Temple.
C) The Pharisees believed that they possessed special knowledge of an oral Torah told by Moses.
D) The Pharisees were among the first and most enthusiastic converts to Christianity.
E) The Pharisees rejected the possibility of an imminent arrival of the Messiah.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Pharisees believed in the oral Torah, which they claimed was passed down from Moses, and believed that their adherence to this knowledge of the law gave them a special relationship with God. They also believed in the resurrection of the dead and divine judgment. They did not adopt the teachings of the Essenes, reject Roman authority over the selection of high priests, convert to Christianity, or reject the possibility of the arrival of the Messiah.

Which Statement Best Describes the Position of the Pharisees in Palestine