In studying the New Testament, one often comes across the name “Sadducee” (some 14 times in the KJV). To simply read over the word “Sadducee” without any knowledge of that group is to miss some really great nuggets. Understanding the historical background to the Bible aids in ones’ understanding of a particular text and the overall message. Such is the case with some facts regarding the sect of the Jews called the Sadducees.
Background
The origin of the Sadducees is a bit ambiguous, although most historical information records that they originated sometime around the time of the Babylonian captivity. One of the major difficulties in describing the Sadducees is that most of what we know about them comes from their opponents. They themselves left no written records of their history, their organization or their views. Most scholars believe that they were not a numerous group, but that they were extremely influential due to their wealthy, affluent lifestyle. In fact, Josephus records that they could persuade none but the rich. They also largely controlled the Sanhedrin (the highest court of the Jews). Interestingly, according to Josephus, Annas the High Priest was a Sadducee.
Beliefs
The name “Sadducee” means “to be righteous,” which is somewhat of an oxymoron given their beliefs. The Scriptures sum up in a concise way the Sadducees’ beliefs, “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit…” (Acts 23:8a). The Sadducees boasted loyalty to the written Law and vehemently rejected the oral traditions of the Pharisees. Like the other sects of Judaism, the Sadducees believed the Torah or Law of Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy) was more authoritative than the rest of the Scriptures. Although they believed in God, they did not believe in the action of God in their daily lives, and nor did they want God to intervene in their “well-ordered” lives. They believed that prayer was merely a mental exercise, but that it had no bearing on the outcome of circumstances. They loved their comfortable, elegant lives on earth, and so there was no need to long for or believe in eternity.
Boiling It Down
While few, if any, would claim to hold to Sadduceeism today, some still follow their belief system. For example, some believe that prayer changes little, but rather it is merely a spiritual exercise. Some love the world so much that any thought of leaving it brings fear and anxiety. Still others believe that God merely “wound up” the universe and walked away, thus having no influence in daily activities, circumstances or outcomes. Like the Sadducees, sadly, far too many people fail to view the entire Word of God as authoritative and simply “pick and choose” what is convenient.
The problem is that many who believe like the Sadducees today are often in positions of leadership in churches and schools of higher learning. They might not be wealthy (not all the Sadducees were), but because they are well educated, they seem to reflect an aristocratic view of themselves. Their education and their positions have unfortunately impressed others and gained for them a following. Testing our beliefs with the Word of God is the only sure way to never fall into the “blind leading the blind” trap. Jesus said it best to the unbelieving Jews of His day. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Follow Jesus, for no one else is worth following!
