Important New Testament Terms

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A basic understanding of the following terms can help in your study of the New Testament:

Messiah.“A form of an Aramaic and Hebrew word meaning ‘the anointed.’” In ancient Israel, prophets, kings, and priests were anointed with oil to indicate that they were chosen and set apart by God. The term Messiah came to mean the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King who was of the lineage of David and would come to save His people. In New Testament times, people were eagerly expecting the coming of the Messiah. The Greek equivalent of Messiah is Christos, from which comes the title Christ.

Pharisees.See “Who were the Pharisees?” in the section “Between the Old and New Testaments”

Sadducees.See “Who were the Sadducees?” in the section “Between the Old and New Testaments”

Sanhedrin.This Greek term can mean “sitting together,” “assembly,” or “council.” There were many Sanhedrins in different areas of Jewish life. When the term Sanhedrin (or its English equivalent, “council”) is used without qualification in the New Testament, it generally refers to the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. This Jewish council regulated the internal affairs of the Jewish nation. It consisted of 70 members and a high priest who presided over the council. Its membership was drawn from the Jewish elite—chief priests, scribes, and elders. Though Rome retained political power, the Sanhedrin was allowed jurisdiction over the religious, political, and judicial laws of Judea.

Scribes.See “How did the scribes rise to influence and power?” in the section “Between the Old and New Testaments”

Scriptures.Jews in Jesus’s day referred to two categories of scripture: the Law and the Prophets. In connection with these, Luke also mentioned the Psalms, which would eventually be included in a third category known today as the Writings. The Law, also known as the Torah, consisted of the five books of Moses. The Prophets referred to a collection of books by and about prophets. This collection included the books from Joshua through Kings and Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the 12 “Minor Prophets” (Hosea through Malachi). The Writings included literary works such as Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. It also included “the five scrolls” (Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther), the book of Daniel, and the historical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Synagogue.Synagogues were buildings where Jews gathered for worship and instruction. The origin of synagogues is unknown. The mention of synagogues in the Book of Mormon suggests that they may have existed in Israel before Lehi left Jerusalem. Synagogue worship may have become more widespread after the Babylonian exile as Jews looked for ways to worship the Lord while separated from His temple.

A synagogue was managed by a local ruler, or scribe. Each synagogue contained “rolls of the law and other sacred writings, a reading desk, and seats for the worshipers.” During Sabbath worship, Jews gathered to hear readings from the sacred texts of Jewish scripture.

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth, by Greg K. Olsen

Learn More

• Henry B. Eyring, “The Promised Messiah,” Liahona, Dec. 2022, 4–7

• Trevan G. Hatch, “Messianism and Jewish Messiahs in the New Testament Period,” in Lincoln H. Blumell, ed., New Testament History, Culture, and Society: A Background to the Texts of the New Testament (2019), 71–85

• “Lesson 6: New Testament Customs—Worship in the Synagogue” (0:42)

Notes

1. Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” Gospel Library; see also Tremper Longman III and Mark L. Strauss, The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words (2023), 987.

2. See Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” Gospel Library.

3. Longman and Strauss, The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, 703; see also Bible Dictionary, “Sanhedrin,” Gospel Library.

4. See Longman and Strauss, The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, 703–4. See also Guide to the Scriptures, “Sanhedrin,” Gospel Library.

5. See Matt. 7:12; 22:40; Luke 16:16; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; Rom. 3:21.

6. See Luke 24:44.

7. Holzapfel and others, Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament, 10, 276; Holzapfel and others, Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament, 9. While there was in New Testament times a rough grouping of scripture texts into the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, “the boundaries of those categories do not appear to have been clearly delineated” (Daniel O. McClellan, “The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament,” in Blumell, New Testament History, Culture, and Society, 498).

8. See 2 Nephi 26:26; Alma 16:13; 32:1.

9. Guide to the Scriptures, “Synagogue,” Gospel Library.