The majority of the Jewish people were not Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots or Essenes, but because Jewish life and religion could not be separated from its strict basis on the requirements of the Law, the ordinary people were not lacking in religious understanding. They came in great crowds to listen to both John the Baptist and Jesus when they preached. They observed the Sabbath, attended the synagogues (women were present as well as men), celebrated the great Festivals, paid their Temple tax and never forgot that they were Jews. Detailed observance of the Law was too difficult for most people but general observance of customs based on the Law was followed. A Jew would always attempt to follow the Law, to the best of his understanding. The Pharisees were respected by the ordinary people as the religious 'experts'.