{Jewish Sects and Orders}
THE ASSASSINS or SI.CA'RI.I. As the Zealots represented the fanatical extreme of the Pharisees, and the Galileans were a class of the Zealots, continual disturbers of the peace, so the Sicarii, assassins, or "murderers" (Acts 21:38), formed an association or secret society of bandits, springing out of the Galilean rebellions. These fanatics, carrying a small poniard (sica, whence the name), concealed in the folds of their dress, attempted to carry out their purposes by secret assassination, visiting Jerusalem at festival times, and inflicting mortal blows unseen in the crowds on those whom they adjudged the enemies of God and His people. At other times they levied open war against the Roman authority.