Group

Sadducees

The priestly aristocracy of Jerusalem in Jesus’ day, who held to the written law and denied the resurrection.

DatesAbout 2nd century BC to AD 70 (origins are debated)
Primary regionCanaan & Israel
TimelineExile & Return (including the Second Temple period), Jesus the Messiah, Early Church
Key textsMark 12:18–27; Acts 4:1–3; Acts 5:17; Acts 23:6–8
Covered in classSession 4, Session 12

What the sources say, and how sure we are

The text says
The Sadducees say there is no resurrection, angel, or spirit. They challenge Jesus on the resurrection, and join the high priest in opposing the apostles.Mark 12:18–27; Acts 4:1–3; Acts 5:17; Acts 23:8
Outside evidence
Josephus describes the Sadducees as wealthy, accepting only the written law, and denying fate and the afterlife. Caiaphas, the high priest who presided at Jesus’ trial, held office AD 18–36.Josephus, Antiquities 13.297–298; 18.16–17; Matt 26:57
Debated
The name is often linked to the priestly line of Zadok, but the origin of the group is unclear. They disappear from the record after the destruction of the temple in AD 70, and scholars debate how large and unified they were.