Pharisees
A Jewish political-religious group lasting over 200 years until the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD. They studied scripture thoroughly and believed in strict legalism and tradition.

Matthew / Levi
A collaborator with the Roman occupation, Matthew worked collecting taxes which was a job brimming with theft and corruption at the time. The name Matthew is a Greek version of his Hebrew name, Levi.

Simon Peter
Originally a fisherman, the Apostle Peter would go on to be a primary figure establishing the early church as recorded in the book of Acts. Despite occasionally wavering in his faith, Peter became an ardent evangelist.

Synagogues
A Jewish community center used as a school and place to gather for worship and the study of scripture.