Sadducee: A member of a Jewish party of the period between the Old and New Testaments consisting of a traditional ruling class of priests and rejecting doctrines not in the law such as resurrection, retribution in a future life, and the existence of angels. Matthew 22:23-34 Jesus silences them in his answer about a wife and resurrection.

Pharisee: A member of a Jewish sect of the period between the Old and New Testament noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law. Luke 5:18-26 Jesus proves to them he has authority from God to forgive sins.

Scribe: A member of a learned class in ancient Israel through New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists. Matthew 14:52 says that properly trained scribes are masters who bring both old and new treasure out.

Parable: A usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. Matthew 13:10-17 tells the purpose of parables.

Blasphemy: To blaspheme is to speak with contempt about God or to be defiantly irreverent. Blasphemy is verbal or written reproach of God’s name, character, work, or attributes. Leviticus 24:10 those who blasphemed God were put to death so imagine the Jews reaction to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 12:22-33.

Sanctify: To set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Paul states that Christians have been set apart to live holy lives for God in the name of Christ.

Consecrate: The decision to set oneself apart for God. Romans 12:1-2 Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit, of course) gives the perfect definition for one to make the choice and follow through in one’s holt living for God aka consecrated.