Topical Encyclopedia The Sadducees were a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known for their aristocratic status and priestly connections. They held significant influence in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, and were often in opposition to the Pharisees, another major Jewish sect of the time. One of the defining theological positions of the Sadducees was their rejection of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, a belief that set them apart from the Pharisees and other Jewish groups.Biblical References and Beliefs The Sadducees' denial of the resurrection is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Sadducees approach Jesus with a question intended to challenge the concept of resurrection. They present a hypothetical scenario involving a woman who marries seven brothers in succession, each dying without leaving offspring, and ask, "In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her" (Matthew 22:28). This question underscores their skepticism and attempts to ridicule the idea of life after death. Jesus responds by correcting their misunderstanding, stating, "You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven" (Matthew 22:29-30). He further affirms the reality of the resurrection by referencing God's self-identification to Moses at the burning bush: "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (Matthew 22:32). The Sadducees' rejection of the resurrection is also noted in the Book of Acts. When Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin, he strategically declares, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead" (Acts 23:6). This statement causes a division between the Pharisees and Sadducees, as the text explains, "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all" (Acts 23:8). Theological Implications The Sadducees' rejection of the resurrection was rooted in their strict adherence to the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which they regarded as the sole authoritative scripture. They did not accept the oral traditions and additional writings that the Pharisees held in high regard. Consequently, they found no explicit mention of the resurrection in the Torah and thus dismissed it as a valid doctrine. This theological stance had significant implications for their worldview and religious practices. By denying the resurrection, the Sadducees focused on the present life and the maintenance of their social and political power. Their beliefs also influenced their interpretation of the law and their approach to temple worship, which they controlled as part of the priestly class. Historical Context and Influence The Sadducees' influence waned after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, as their power was closely tied to the temple and its rituals. With the loss of the temple, the Sadducees ceased to exist as a distinct group, and their theological positions were largely overshadowed by the Pharisaic traditions that evolved into Rabbinic Judaism. Despite their disappearance, the Sadducees' rejection of the resurrection remains a significant point of discussion in Christian theology, as it highlights the divergent beliefs within Judaism during the time of Jesus and the early church. The New Testament's engagement with the Sadducees serves to affirm the Christian doctrine of the resurrection, emphasizing the hope and promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 22:23-34The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Nave's Topical Index Mark 12:18-27 Luke 20:27-40 Acts 23:7,8 Library Concerning the Leaven of the Pharisees. Christ's Refutations of the Pharisees Rendering Dues to C??sar and ... The Sadducees. The Heresies of the Apostolic Age. Synopsis. --Account to be Made of the Law of Atrophy through ... Corinth Controversy The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ... Peter and John Examined by the Council. Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ... Resources What is the leaven of the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Caiaphas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Herodians? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sadducees: Jesus Warns his Disciples Against Sadducees: Persecute the Apostles Sadducees: Rebuked by John the Baptist Sadducees: Reject the Doctrine of the Resurrection The Sadducees were Refused Baptism by John The Sadducees: A Sect of the Jews The Sadducees: Christ: Cautioned his Disciples Against Their Principles The Sadducees: Christ: Silenced The Sadducees: Christ: Tempted By The Sadducees: Christ: Vindicated the Resurrection Against The Sadducees: Denied the Resurrection and a Future Stated The Sadducees: Persecuted the Christians The Sadducees: The Resurrection a Cause of Dispute Between Them and The Related Terms |
    |