Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees in Palestinian Society

by Anthony J. Saldarini

Publishers:

Eerdmans; Dove Booksellers

, 2001

Overview

Widely praised in its original edition and now part of the Biblical Resource Series, this volume offers a superb discussion of the role of the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees in Palestinian Jewish society. Applying a sociological approach to the biblical and literary sources, Anthony Saldarini accurately portrays these three most prominent groups of educated leaders in Jewish society and describes their relationship to other Jewish social movements from 200 B.C.E. to 100 C.E. Featuring a new foreword by James C. VanderKam, Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees in Palestinian Society will remain a standard point of reference for the continuing study of Judaism and Christian backgrounds.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The Pharisees, scribes and followers of Jesus all belonged to groups which cut across the major classes of society. Interactions between people in all these relationships usually involved several roles at once with many mutual obligations.¹⁵ The Pharisees were not a simple group with a limited, concrete goal but a long lasting, well connected, voluntary, corporate organization which sought to influence Jewish society and entered into many mutual relationships to accomplish their aims.” (Pages 283–284)

“The modern separation of church and state and the stress on individual, private faith commitment as the foundation of religion were unknown in antiquity.” (Page 5)

“The Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees as well as other groups seem to have originated and flourished in the city.” (Page 46)

“Jesus was from this class, as was Paul and the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John” (Page 44)

“Finally, there was the expendable class, about 5–10%” (Page 44)

Praise for the Print Edition

A significant and timely book that will rightly be regarded as influential in the field.

—Theology

Saldarini has written an impressive, disciplined study.

—Catholic Biblical Quarterly

The best single book on the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees.

—E. P. Sanders

A major milestone in the scholarly study of the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. In methodological sophistication, coverage of the sources, and organization of the debate, it builds upon and surpasses previous investigations. It is also written in a very lucid and uncomplicated style which makes it a pleasure to read. . . . It deserves to be widely read by students of early Judaism and of the world of the New Testament.

—Stephen C. Barton in King's Theological Review

Students will benefit much from Saldarini’s analysis.

—Martin Goodman in Journal of Jewish Studies

Product Details

• Title: Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees in Palestinian Society
• Author: Anthony J. Saldarini
• Series: Eerdmans Biblical Resources Series
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 352

About Anthony J. Saldarini

Anthony J. Saldarini (d.2001) was a professor in the department of theology at Boston College and also the author of Matthew's Christian-Jewish Community.