Which statement best describes the position of the Pharisees in Palestine during the first century c.e.?
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 that they possessed special knowledge of an oral Torah told by Moses, which formed the basis of their strict adherence to Jewish law and ritual. They did not adopt the radical teachings of the Essenes or reject the authority of the Romans, but instead sought to work within the system to maintain Jewish customs and practices. They also did not convert to Christianity, and while they did have differing beliefs about the arrival of the Messiah, they did not outright reject this possibility.

Which Statement Best Describes the Position of the Pharisees in Palestine