This party came from northern Palestine and followed one named Judas of Galilee,

who led a rebellion against all foreign domination. They were fanatics who clashed with

Pilate (Luke 13: 1-3).

These were a mixed race living in Samaria who were descendants of the northern

kingdom who were taken captive by Assyria in B.C.722. They offered help to build the

second Temple but this was refused (Ezra 4: 1-3) and was the cause of the enmity

between them and the Jews which was evident in the Lord's time (Matt. 10: 5) and gives

point to the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-37).

This refers to the place where the Jews assembled and its institutions dates from the

captivity in Babylon. The Jews were then forced to meet in small groups when they

could no longer attend the Temple.

Wherever Israel was scattered, synagogues were built where they could gather for

worship and instruction.  The Lord commenced His ministry in the one at Nazareth

(Luke 4: 14-30). He was obviously familiar with the synagogue service and the Jews'

attendance at the synagogue is still maintained today.

This was the chief Council of the Jews. It consisted of (1) chief priests or heads of

the 24 priestly courses; (2) the Scribes or lawyers; and (3) the Elders, who represented

the laity.  The Council had 70 or 72 members, the High Priest being the President and

they held their office for years if not for life. The Sanhedrin could pass the sentence of

death, but could not execute it without Roman permission. This was the body before

whom the Lord was brought, in the palace of the High Priest. Peter, John and Stephen

also were brought before them (Acts 4: 1-7; 6: 12 - 7: 1).

The earliest form of this Gospel was simply "according to Matthew" which neither

affirms or denies that the author was Matthew the Apostle. Modern scholarship is

practically unanimous that this Gospel was not written by the Apostle Matthew, whereas

antiquity is unanimous that the Apostle was the author.

Dr. A. Plummer states: