Sadducee

The Sadducees were a Jewish sect active during the Second Temple period and in the time of Jesus Christ. They were known for their strict adherence to the written Torah and their rejection of oral traditions upheld by the Pharisees. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, or spirits (Act.23.8). They were often associated with the wealthy and politically influential classes, including the high priestly families.

In the Gospels, the Sadducees are portrayed as opponents of Jesus, challenging Him on the issue of the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33; Mrk.12.18-27; Luke 20:27-40). Jesus refuted their arguments using Scripture, demonstrating that the resurrection is affirmed in the Torah. The Sadducees also joined forces with the Pharisees to oppose the early Christian church (Act.4.1; 5:17).

The apostle Paul, when brought before the Sanhedrin, cleverly exploited the theological differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees to divide his opponents (Act.23.6-10). The Sadducees' denial of the resurrection and the supernatural realm put them at odds with the core teachings of Christianity. Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, the Sadducees faded from history, while the Pharisaic tradition continued to shape the development of Rabbinic Judaism.