Dr. Bock:

Would Paul have had this group in mind when he wrote about the "doer of the law" not the hearer (Rom 2), those who will receive glory and honor? If so, is this a favorable reference (indeed an endorsement) of them and their separation from the Pharisees? I'm also wondering, since for 1st century readers of Paul's epistles, knowledge of the Essenes and the Pharisees would have been part of their cultural knowledge. The way you've described this group, I'm very surprised there is no explicit reference to them in Jesus' teachings, or are they? Were they mentioned in his parables?

Mitch

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