Pharisees and Sadducees on Resurrection

Acts 23:6–10

Late 1st or Early 2nd Century

6When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) 9Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Translation from the New Revised Standard Version.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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When called before the Sanhedrin, allegedly on the charge of teaching contrary to Jewish law and for defiling the Temple, Paul identifies himself as “a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.” He causes dissension in the crowd by raising the issue of resurrection of the dead, as Sadducees deny resurrection, whereas the Pharisees believe in it. The argument becomes so violent that the Roman tribune removes Paul from the tribunal to protect him from bodily harm. For more Jewish writings on this topic, see Resurrection.

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