Who Were the Sadducees — Meaning Explained
The Sadducees were a Jewish religious and political elite who controlled the temple priesthood. They rejected the resurrection, angels, and oral tradition, accepting only the written Torah.
The Sadducees were a Jewish religious and political elite who controlled the temple priesthood. They rejected the resurrection, angels, and oral tradition, accepting only the written Torah.
"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both." — Acts 23:8 (KJV)
What "Who Were the Sadducees?" Actually Means
The Sadducees were the aristocratic priestly party in Israel. They held political power through their control of the temple and cooperation with Roman authorities. Theologically, they differed from the Pharisees in important ways: they denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirits, and rejected oral traditions (Acts 23:8). Jesus refuted their denial of resurrection by citing Exodus 3:6 — God is the God of the living (Matthew 22:29-32). The Sadducees were involved in Jesus' trial and opposed the early church. After the temple's destruction in AD 70, they effectively disappeared from history.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Acts 23:8
"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both."
Matthew 22:29
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."
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