The Essenes were mystics who apparently lived in a few isolated communities. They regarded themselves as the true remnant of Israel, waiting in purity to receive the promised Messiah.
लेकिन, बाड़ा होने के बजाय, उनकी परम्पराओं ने परमेश्‍वर के वचन को टाल दिया और जनता को उलझाया । — मत्ती २३: २ - ४; मरकुस ७: १, ९ - १३.