A Nation Under Tension
But Israel itself was not at peace.
The memory of the Maccabean Revolt still lingered—a reminder of resistance, identity, and the longing for freedom. The people had fought for their faith before.
They could do it again.
And so, within Judaism, different groups emerged—each interpreting the moment differently.
- The Pharisees guarded the Law, building boundaries to preserve holiness
- The Sadducees held power within the temple, aligning closely with Rome to maintain order
- The Zealots burned with revolutionary passion, longing to overthrow Roman rule
Each group carried a vision of what Israel should be.
Each believed they were right.
