Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 23 March 2017 / No comments
The party of the Sadducees
Introduction
The party of the Sadducees is one of the religious sects that existed in
Israel at the time of Jesus’ ministry. It is said to have originated from
Zadok, a man who was a High Priest during the reign of David and Solomon.
The membership of the Sadducee party is restricted to the
aristocratic class. The members were people who were well-to-do. They were in
control of the economic, social and political sectors of the Jewish society.
They were even in control of the Sanhedrin.
BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
Support for Roman rule
The Sadducees were a party that supported the rule of the
Romans. This was primarily because the presence of the Romans ensured that they
continued to enjoy the fame and positions they wielded. In fact, Sadducees did
nothing to offend the Romans for fear that they might lose their prestigious positions.
Opposed any plan to fight Romans
The Sadducess never would support any move to take up arms
against Roman domination. Any group that did do such a thing was considered
as a threat to the very survival of their party.
Belief in the Torah
The Sadducees believe in the five books ascribed to Moses, that
is, the five books of Moses. They believe that the five books of Moses are the
only books that can be utilized in religious teachings. Every other part of the
Old Testament did not matter to them and they also did not accept the tradition
of the elders.
Transmigration of souls
The Sadducees did not believe in the transmigration of souls.
They believe that once a person dies, that is all.
Does not believe in fate
The Sadducees do not believe in fate. They never believe that
occurrences in life are as a result of the orchestration of certain other
entities. They believe that whether a man succeeds in life or fails in life or
in any of his or her endevours, it is a matter of the choices he or she makes.
Other beliefs
The Sadducees do not believe that angels exist. Neither do
they believe that demons or spirits exist. They do not believe in life after
death or even judgment after death. They believe that things happen by chance,
nothing is predestined to happen.
Attraction to worldly things
The Sadducees are a group of people who are worldly. They
believe in the acquisition of the things of the world. Storing up treasures in
heaven, therefore, would not be a doctrine that would appeal to them that much.
Contact with Jesus
On one occasion, the Sadducees asked Jesus a question on
resurrection with the view to ridicule the concept of resurrection. They wanted
to know who’s wife a woman who had been married by seven brothers (one after the
other when the previous one died) would be, after they all died and resurrected.
Jesus answered that in the resurrection there is nothing like marriage because all of them have become like angels.
The Sadducees did not forgive Jesus for over-turning their
tables in the temple for trading. This was because the members of the party
lost their financial investments on that day.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Trace the origin of the party of the Sadducees.
b. Highlight any
six of their beliefs.
