An influential Jewish party that denied the existence of the spirit world and the possibility of resurrection. Its members are portrayed as opposing Jesus Christ and the first Christians.
Many priests were Sadducees
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out
Sadducees rejected the concepts of resurrection and spirit world
For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
Sadducees questioned Jesus Christ about the resurrection
Matthew 22:23–32 parallels Mark 12:18–27, Luke 20:27–38
Sadducees denounced by John the Baptist
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Sadducees denounced by Jesus Christ
Matthew 16:6–12 See also Matthew 21:28–45 The chief priests were probably Sadducees (see Acts 5:17).
“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.” Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The Sadducees oppose the first Christians
Acts 4:1–3 See also Acts 5:17–18
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.