Learn more about Judaism in the 1st century.
A survey of opinion among the Jewish movements of the first century
In the time of Paul, an estimated 5 to 9 million Jews lived in the Roman Empire. Consequently, Jewish communities existed in almost every city. There were various Jewish "schools of thought." Paul counted himself among the Pharisees. In the Gospels, the Pharisees are portrayed negatively as opponents of Jesus. Only Luke presents a more balanced account of the Pharisees.
The opinion poll is taken from the exhibition catalog *Judäa und Jerusalem – Leben in römischer Zeit* (Judea and Jerusalem – Life in Roman Times), published by Katholisches Bibelwerk e.V., Stuttgart, 2010.