The division between the Pharisees and Sadducees is a significant aspect of Jewish religious and political life during the Second Temple period, particularly in the context of the New Testament. These two groups, while both influential, held differing beliefs and practices that often put them at odds with each other.

Pharisees

The Pharisees were a prominent religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that they believed were handed down alongside the written Torah. They emphasized the importance of purity laws, tithing, and Sabbath observance. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirits, and the concept of divine providence. They were generally more popular among the common people due to their focus on personal piety and their teachings that made the Law accessible to all.

In the New Testament, the Pharisees are often depicted as opponents of Jesus, challenging His teachings and actions. For example, in Matthew 23, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter" (Matthew 23:13).

Sadducees

The Sadducees were a smaller, more aristocratic group, often associated with the priestly class and the Temple in Jerusalem. They held significant political power and were generally more conservative in their religious beliefs, accepting only the written Torah as authoritative and rejecting the oral traditions upheld by the Pharisees. The Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirits, and the concept of an afterlife, which set them apart from the Pharisees and other Jewish sects.

In the New Testament, the Sadducees are also depicted as opponents of Jesus, particularly in their questioning of Him regarding the resurrection. In Matthew 22:23-33, the Sadducees attempt to trap Jesus with a question about marriage at the resurrection, to which Jesus responds by affirming the resurrection and correcting their misunderstanding of the Scriptures: "But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you: 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (Matthew 22:31-32).

Points of Conflict

The division between the Pharisees and Sadducees was marked by several key theological and political differences:

1. Resurrection and Afterlife: The Pharisees believed in the resurrection and an afterlife, while the Sadducees did not. This fundamental difference is highlighted in Acts 23:8: "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all" .

2. Authority of Tradition: The Pharisees valued oral tradition as a means of interpreting the Law, whereas the Sadducees adhered strictly to the written Torah, rejecting additional traditions.

3. Social and Political Influence: The Sadducees were closely tied to the Temple and held significant political power, often collaborating with Roman authorities. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were more focused on religious life and had greater influence among the general populace.

4. Interpretation of the Law: The Pharisees' interpretation of the Law was more flexible, allowing for adaptation to new circumstances, while the Sadducees maintained a more literal and conservative approach.

The division between these two groups is evident in various New Testament passages, where their differing beliefs and practices often bring them into conflict with each other and with Jesus. This division also reflects broader tensions within Jewish society during this period, as different groups vied for religious and political authority.