The Pharisees and Sadducees were two prominent Jewish sects during the Second Temple period, particularly in the time of Jesus Christ. Both groups held significant influence in religious, social, and political spheres, yet they differed markedly in their beliefs, practices, and interpretations of the Scriptures.

Pharisees

The Pharisees were a religious and political 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 emerged during the intertestamental period and became influential in Jewish society by the time of Jesus.

1. Beliefs and Practices: The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirits, and the coming of the Messiah. They emphasized personal piety and the importance of ritual purity. Their commitment to the oral law, which they considered as binding as the written law, set them apart from other Jewish groups.

2. Interactions with Jesus: The Gospels frequently depict the Pharisees in opposition to Jesus. They often challenged Him on matters of the law and tradition. For instance, in Matthew 23, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, saying, "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).

3. Influence and Legacy: Despite their conflicts with Jesus, the Pharisees played a crucial role in the development of Rabbinic Judaism after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. Their emphasis on the oral law and synagogue worship laid the groundwork for Jewish religious life in the diaspora.

Sadducees

The Sadducees were a priestly, aristocratic sect that held significant power in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. They were closely associated with the Temple in Jerusalem and the priestly class.

1. Beliefs and Practices: The Sadducees rejected the oral traditions upheld by the Pharisees and adhered strictly to the written Torah. They denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirits, and the concept of an afterlife, as these were not explicitly mentioned in the Torah.

2. Interactions with Jesus: The Sadducees also confronted Jesus, particularly on theological issues. In Matthew 22, they posed a question about the resurrection, attempting to trap Him. Jesus responded, "You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God" (Matthew 22:29), affirming the resurrection and correcting their misunderstanding.

3. Influence and Decline: The Sadducees' influence waned after the destruction of the Second Temple, as their power was closely tied to the Temple's sacrificial system. Unlike the Pharisees, they did not adapt to the new realities of Jewish life without the Temple, leading to their eventual disappearance as a distinct group.

Comparison and Contrast

While both the Pharisees and Sadducees were influential in Jewish society, their theological differences were significant. The Pharisees' belief in the resurrection and oral law contrasted sharply with the Sadducees' strict adherence to the written Torah and denial of an afterlife. These differences often led to conflicts between the two groups, as seen in Acts 23:8: "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all" .

In the New Testament, both groups are frequently mentioned in the context of their interactions with Jesus, often serving as His opponents. Their encounters with Him highlight their differing interpretations of the law and their varying expectations of the Messiah.