The Herodians were partizans of Herod the Great.
The Galileans, so called from their leader Judas of Galilee, were a very turbulent and seditious sect, and by degrees united to themselves almost all the other sects.
The Publicans were not of any sect, civil or religious, but merely tax-gatherers, and collectors of customs due to the Romans. The Publicans were generally Jews, and by their employment were rendered odious to their brethren.
Proselytes were those persons, who being Gentiles by birth, came over to the Jewish religion, but retained that name, till they were admitted into the congregation of the Lord, as adopted children.
The land of Canaan, so named from Canaan the son of Ham, whose posterity possessed this land, as well as Egypt or Mizraim, lies in the western part of Asia. Its boundaries were to the north, Cœlo Syria; to the west, the Mediterranean Sea; to the east, Arabia Deserta; and to the south and south west, Arabia Petrea and Egypt. Its extent was about 200 miles from north to south, and its breadth 100.—It was divided into two parts, by the river Jordan; the capital was Jerusalem, (supposed to have been the Salem of Melchisedek.) The whole country was also called Palestine from the Philistines, who inhabiting the western coast, were first known to the Romans, and being by them corruptly called Palestines, gave that name to the country; but it was more commonly called Judea, as the land of the Jews. Since our Saviour's advent it has been called the Holy land, but in modern writers, all distinction is frequently lost in the name of Syria, which is given to the whole country east of the Mediterranean, between the sea and the desert.
The government of the Jews partook of the patriarchal form, as much as was consistent with the condition and circumstances of a nation.
The leaders or princes of the 12 tribes, possessed a peculiar and supreme authority over each tribe, as their chief magistrate and leader in time of war.
The elders or rulers of cities, only exercised authority in their own respective cities, and as well as the princes were subject to the great council.