- They celebrated this according to the Essene calendar.

But isn’t the calendar the same between them because both drew from their Jewish roots?

- They celebrated a sacred meal.

So did the pagans in Corinth, so, yes, there can be such coincidences.

- Both sects observed a community rule

So did the Jews and their 600+ rules…

- There was a hierarchy of twelve for both.

As in Jacob’s twelve sons?

- Times of prayer were the same.

As in the Temple?

- We are told early on that a group of priests converted.

Like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea?

- Could it all just be coincidence?

Yes, for both were Jews.

- The only alternative was the Essenes.

No, it wasn’t.