Social Groups
Gentiles
The Jews believed that they were the Chosen People of God. They kept many customs and practices. This was to separate them from the gentiles. Anyone who wasn't of Jewish descent (a descendant of Abraham) was regarded as a gentile. Gentiles were treated as outsiders, as if they didn't belong. They were avoided. Jesus, at first, would not help Gentiles, (Matthew 6:7-8, Matthew 10:5) but, after His death, he said to His disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20) Jesus set His disciples to help everyone, including the Gentiles. (Matthew 5.42-6.4)
Tax Collectors
Some Jews were appointed to collect taxes by the Romans. The other Jews hated these people because they worked for the Romans. See Political Situation. Tax collectors had a bad reputation, as they would force others to pay more than the tax required by the Romans to make a profit for themselves. Jesus welcomed the tax collector, but because of this, the people complained and wondered, "Why is He with this sort of person?" Jesus replies that we should help the needy. It is the people with problems that need help. He says that he too is a son of Abraham. Salvation has come. (Luke 19:1-10) That is why He goes with the tax collectors, the thieves and the corrupted. He comes to help them. Jesus loved the unloved. "Seek first the most neglected parts of God's vineyard."
Samaritans
Samaritans were of Jewish origin, but they had married foreigners over many generations. Because of this, their traditions had been mixed up with foreign traditions and customs. In doing so, Jews no longer regarded them as their own kind. Samaritans were excluded, and this caused them to erect their own temple in Samaria (where they got their name), as opposed to the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus wanted to show Jews that Samaritans were compassionate, grateful and faithful. Jesus loves everyone, even if they don't love Him. (Luke 10:25-37, Luke 17:11-19)
Zealots (Luke 6:15)
The Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees all hated Roman occupation, but were fairly passive towards the Romans themselves. The Zealots, however, hated the Romans. Their idea was that the only way towards freedom was rebellion. They believed that God would protect them through their quest. Some Jews even believed that the Messiah would be a military leader who would lead His people in their fight for freedom. The Zealots were in conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees, because of their rebellious attitude. Simon, a disciple, was formerly a Zealot. Zealots aren't mentioned much in the Gospel. There is only one mention, saying that Simon was a Zealot. (Luke 6:12-16)
The Jews believed that they were the Chosen People of God. They kept many customs and practices. This was to separate them from the gentiles. Anyone who wasn't of Jewish descent (a descendant of Abraham) was regarded as a gentile. Gentiles were treated as outsiders, as if they didn't belong. They were avoided. Jesus, at first, would not help Gentiles, (Matthew 6:7-8, Matthew 10:5) but, after His death, he said to His disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20) Jesus set His disciples to help everyone, including the Gentiles. (Matthew 5.42-6.4)
Tax Collectors
Some Jews were appointed to collect taxes by the Romans. The other Jews hated these people because they worked for the Romans. See Political Situation. Tax collectors had a bad reputation, as they would force others to pay more than the tax required by the Romans to make a profit for themselves. Jesus welcomed the tax collector, but because of this, the people complained and wondered, "Why is He with this sort of person?" Jesus replies that we should help the needy. It is the people with problems that need help. He says that he too is a son of Abraham. Salvation has come. (Luke 19:1-10) That is why He goes with the tax collectors, the thieves and the corrupted. He comes to help them. Jesus loved the unloved. "Seek first the most neglected parts of God's vineyard."
Samaritans
Samaritans were of Jewish origin, but they had married foreigners over many generations. Because of this, their traditions had been mixed up with foreign traditions and customs. In doing so, Jews no longer regarded them as their own kind. Samaritans were excluded, and this caused them to erect their own temple in Samaria (where they got their name), as opposed to the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus wanted to show Jews that Samaritans were compassionate, grateful and faithful. Jesus loves everyone, even if they don't love Him. (Luke 10:25-37, Luke 17:11-19)
Zealots (Luke 6:15)
The Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees all hated Roman occupation, but were fairly passive towards the Romans themselves. The Zealots, however, hated the Romans. Their idea was that the only way towards freedom was rebellion. They believed that God would protect them through their quest. Some Jews even believed that the Messiah would be a military leader who would lead His people in their fight for freedom. The Zealots were in conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees, because of their rebellious attitude. Simon, a disciple, was formerly a Zealot. Zealots aren't mentioned much in the Gospel. There is only one mention, saying that Simon was a Zealot. (Luke 6:12-16)
Religious Groups
Pharisees
The Pharisees completely devoted themselves to the 613 commands of the law, and even added their own. They were strict. There were 248 positive commands, and 365 negative ones, and the Pharisees lived according to them all. They separated themselves from those who did not live according to the law. This is why the term "Pharisee" means "separated one". They refused to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. They were often in conflict with Him, who criticised the Pharisees for being so determined to follow every command that they failed to live according to the SPIRIT of the law. (Matthew 12) The Pharisees did not come from a priestly family, so they were not allowed to work in the Temple. Instead, they taught in synagogues, and became highly influential.
Sadducees (Matthew 22:34)
The Sadducees did not believe in adding rules to the law. They did not accept other interpretations of the scriptures. They did not believe in life after death. The Sadducees were, however, born of a priestly family. They controlled the Temple and the ruling Jewish council. Like the Pharisees, they argued with Jesus. (Matthew 16:1-4) The Sadducees were not popular with other Jews, who did not trust them because they felt exploited by the profits of the Sadducees made at the markets.
Scribes
The Scribes were even stricter than the Pharisees when it came to the interpretation of the law. They were known as lawyers, because they were well educated in the law, which they copied and interpreted. They thought that the law was an exact expression of God's will. Like the other religious groups, the Scribes opposed Jesus. (Matthew 9:2-8) Jesus criticised them for turning away from the spirit of the written law. As you can see, Jesus did not have much friends when it came to religious groups.
Herodians
Herodians got their name because they supported Herod Antipas. They were not an organised group. Some of them believed that Herod the Great was the Messiah. The Herodians had plotted to kill Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6)
The Pharisees completely devoted themselves to the 613 commands of the law, and even added their own. They were strict. There were 248 positive commands, and 365 negative ones, and the Pharisees lived according to them all. They separated themselves from those who did not live according to the law. This is why the term "Pharisee" means "separated one". They refused to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. They were often in conflict with Him, who criticised the Pharisees for being so determined to follow every command that they failed to live according to the SPIRIT of the law. (Matthew 12) The Pharisees did not come from a priestly family, so they were not allowed to work in the Temple. Instead, they taught in synagogues, and became highly influential.
Sadducees (Matthew 22:34)
The Sadducees did not believe in adding rules to the law. They did not accept other interpretations of the scriptures. They did not believe in life after death. The Sadducees were, however, born of a priestly family. They controlled the Temple and the ruling Jewish council. Like the Pharisees, they argued with Jesus. (Matthew 16:1-4) The Sadducees were not popular with other Jews, who did not trust them because they felt exploited by the profits of the Sadducees made at the markets.
Scribes
The Scribes were even stricter than the Pharisees when it came to the interpretation of the law. They were known as lawyers, because they were well educated in the law, which they copied and interpreted. They thought that the law was an exact expression of God's will. Like the other religious groups, the Scribes opposed Jesus. (Matthew 9:2-8) Jesus criticised them for turning away from the spirit of the written law. As you can see, Jesus did not have much friends when it came to religious groups.
Herodians
Herodians got their name because they supported Herod Antipas. They were not an organised group. Some of them believed that Herod the Great was the Messiah. The Herodians had plotted to kill Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6)
Information from Understanding Faith and Oremus.