What does Mark 12:18 reveal about the Sadducees' beliefs and intentions? Setting the Moment “Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him” (Mark 12:18). Who Were the Sadducees? • A priestly, aristocratic party centered in Jerusalem’s temple life • Accepted only the Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy) as binding Scripture • Sought political influence under Rome, valuing the status quo • According to Acts 23:8, “the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit” What the Verse Says About Their Beliefs • “Who say there is no resurrection” – their defining doctrine – They rejected bodily resurrection, life after death, final judgment – By limiting authority to the Pentateuch, they ignored clearer after-life teaching found in prophets and writings (e.g., Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19) • Their disbelief spilled over into denial of angelic beings and the spirit world (Acts 23:8), revealing a largely this-worldly outlook What the Verse Says About Their Intentions • “Came to Jesus and questioned Him” – not genuine seekers but challengers – Earlier, Pharisees and Herodians tried trapping Jesus (Mark 12:13); now Sadducees join the opposition – They aim to discredit Jesus publicly by exposing what they believe is a logical flaw in resurrection teaching (cf. Mark 12:19-23) • Their timing: Jesus has cleansed the temple (Mark 11:15-17), threatening their authority and revenue; interrogation is a defensive tactic The Strategy Behind Their Question • Present a hypothetical rooted in the law of levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) • Hope to show that resurrection produces absurd results, thus vindicating their doctrine • Attempt to pit Scripture (Pentateuch) against Jesus, presuming He cannot answer from those very books Jesus’ Forthcoming Reply (Preview) • He exposes their scriptural ignorance and theological error (Mark 12:24) • Cites Exodus 3:6 – “I am the God of Abraham… He is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Mark 12:26-27) • Uses their accepted canon to affirm resurrection, overturning their premise Take-Home Insights • Doctrinal denial often drives hostile questioning; motives matter as much as questions • Restricting one’s biblical authority can lead to significant theological blind spots • Jesus welcomes honest inquiry yet discerns and answers even the most calculated challenges with Scripture’s own authority |
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