Essenes

From Bible Exegesis

A Jewish mystical sect somewhat resembling the Pharisees. They affected great purity. They originated about 100 B.C., and disappeared from history after the destruction of Jerusalem. They are not directly mentioned in Scripture, although they may be referred to in Matthew 19:11, Matthew 19:12, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:18, Colossians 2:23.

See The Essenes