The Pharisees and Sadducees were two powerful Jewish groups during Jesus’ time. While both had influence, they were very different in beliefs and behavior. The Bible often shows how they clashed—with each other, and with Jesus.
1. The Pharisees Believed in the Resurrection
Acts 23:8 — “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”
Daniel 12:2 — “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
2. The Sadducees Did Not Believe in Angels or Spirits
Acts 23:8 — “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”
Matthew 22:23 — “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him…”
3. The Pharisees Were Experts in the Law and Traditions
Mark 7:8 — “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…”
Matthew 23:4 — “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
4. The Sadducees Were Mostly Priests and Nobles
Matthew 26:3 — “Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders… unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.”
Acts 4:1 — “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them…”
5. The Pharisees Were Respected by the Common People
Matthew 23:2-3 — “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do…”
Luke 18:11 — “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are…”
6. The Sadducees Controlled the Temple and Sanhedrin
Acts 5:17 — “Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation.”
John 11:47-48 — “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles…”
7. Both Groups Opposed Jesus
Matthew 16:1 — “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.”
Matthew 22:15 — “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.”
8. Jesus Often Rebuked the Pharisees
Matthew 23:27 — “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres…”
Luke 11:39 — “And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.”
9. Paul Used Their Division to His Advantage
Acts 23:6-7 — “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee… of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question… there arose a dissension…”
Philippians 3:5 — “Circumcised the eighth day… as touching the law, a Pharisee.”
10. Both Groups Disappeared After the Temple Was Destroyed
Luke 19:44 — “And shall lay thee even with the ground… because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”
Matthew 24:1-2 — “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Comparison Table
| Group | Beliefs | Power Base | View of Jesus | Role in Society |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharisees | Resurrection, angels, oral law | Synagogues, commoners | Opposed, debated Him | Respected teachers |
| Sadducees | No resurrection, spirits, only Torah | Temple, wealthy priests | Opposed, wanted Him dead | Controlled temple laws |
