The official governing body of the Jews was the Great Sanhedrin. The high priest served as president and the officials were representatives of the priestly families, doctors of the Law, elders, and scribes.

Jesus of History- Class Structure

Scribes were responsible for studying and interpreting the Law and trying those who broke the Law. Rabbis were teachers of the Law, and the most respected of the scribes were named doctors of the Law. Some, but not all, of the scribes belonged to the Pharisaic party.