The Sadducees
Although Pharisees and Sadducees are frequently denounced together in the New
Covenant, they had little in common save their antagonism to YAHSHUA. The
Sadducees were the party of the Jerusalem aristocracy and the
High (Ke hunnah-Priesthood). They had made their peace with the political rulers
and had attained positions of wealth and influence. Tabernacle administration and
ritual was their specific responsibility. The Sadducees held themselves aloof
from the masses and were unpopular with them.
The Pharisaic attempts at applying the Law to new situations
were rejected by the Sadducees who restricted their concept of authority to the
Torah, or Mosaic Law. They did not believe in resurrection, spirits, or angels
(cf. Markus-(Mark) 12:18; Luka-(Luke) 20:27; Ma'aseh Shlichim-(Acts) 23:8). Their faith was largely a series of negations
with the result that they left no positive religious or political system.
While the Pharisees welcomed proselytes
MattitYahu-(Matthew)23:15 the
Sadducean party was closed. None but members of the High Ke hunnah and
aristocratic families of Jerusalem could become members. With the destruction of
the Tabernacle in A.D. 70, the Sadducean party came to an end. Modern Judaism traces
its roots to the Pharisees.