'Ancients' in the Bible

'Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not kill, and whoever may kill shall be in danger of the judgment;

'Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not commit adultery;

'Again, ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not swear falsely, but thou shalt pay to the Lord thine oaths;

Why do thy disciples transgress what has been delivered by the ancients? for they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.

(for the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands diligently, do not eat, holding what has been delivered by the ancients;

then the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to what has been delivered by the ancients, but eat the bread with defiled hands?

and by certain, that Elijah did appear, and by others, that a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen;

And they answering said, 'John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and others, that a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen;'