They tended to be wealthy and held powerful positions, including that of chief priests and high priest, and they held the majority of the 70 seats of the ruling council called the Sanhedrin. They worked hard to keep the peace by agreeing with the decisions of Rome (Israel at this time was under Roman control), and they seemed to be more concerned with politics than religion.
Wao wakijifanya kuwa tajiri na walikuwa na vyeo vya nguvu, ikiwa ni pamoja na kile cha makuhani na kuhani mkuu, na wao walikuwa wengi kwa wale 70 wa halmashauri ya chama tawala cha kuitwa Sanhedrin. Walifanya bidii kuweka amani na kukubaliana na maamuzi ya Roma (Israeli wakati huu ilikuwa chini ya utawala wa Kirumi), na walionekana kuwa na wasiwasi zaidi na siasa kuliko dini.