Acts 23 8

Acts 23:8 kjv

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

Acts 23:8 nkjv

For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection?and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

Acts 23:8 niv

(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

Acts 23:8 esv

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

Acts 23:8 nlt

for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these.

Acts 23 verses

Acts 23 8 Meaning

The verse states that the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge all three. This highlights a fundamental theological division within Judaism at that time, impacting their understanding of divine power, the afterlife, and the nature of spiritual beings.

Acts 23 8 Context

This verse is spoken within the Sanhedrin, the high court of Jewish leaders, during Paul's trial after he was apprehended in the Temple in Jerusalem. Paul, a Pharisee by upbringing and education, skillfully uses the existing theological dispute between the Sadducees and Pharisees to his advantage. He appeals to the Pharisees' belief in resurrection and the existence of spirits, effectively dividing his accusers. This division leads to a commotion, causing the chief captain to rescue Paul and bring him into the barracks. The immediate context is Paul's defense before a hostile audience, where his adherence to Pharisaic beliefs creates a political and theological split among his opponents.

Acts 23 8 Word Analysis

• Σαδδουκαῖοι (Saddoukaioi): Sadducees.
  • Their origin is debated, possibly from Zadok, a High Priest in David's time.
  • They were largely aristocratic, priestly, and influential, controlling the Temple.
  • Historically, they emphasized the Law (Torah) and rejected oral traditions.
  • Their denial of resurrection, angels, and spirits aligns with a more literalistic interpretation of scripture.
• οὐκ (ouk): not.
  • A strong negative, emphatically stating denial.
• ἔστιν (estin): is.
  • A simple statement of being or existence.
• ἀνάστασις (anastasis): resurrection.
  • Greek for "standing up" or "rising."
  • A core doctrine for some Jewish sects, but rejected by Sadducees.
  • Central to Christian faith (1 Cor 15).
• οὔτε (oute): neither... nor.
  • Used in a compound negative statement, indicating a rejection of multiple things.
• ἄγγελος (angelos): angel.
  • Greek for "messenger."
  • Refers to spiritual beings serving God.
  • Sadducees' rejection of angels implies a disbelief in supernatural intermediaries or messengers.
• πνεῦμα (pneuma): spirit.
  • Can refer to the Holy Spirit, human spirit, or disembodied spirits.
  • Sadducees denied any disembodied or spiritual existence beyond the material.
• ὑπάρχει (hyparchei): there is, exists.
  • Similar to "estin," confirming existence.
• Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi): Pharisees.
  • A prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period.
  • Known for their strict adherence to the Law and their emphasis on oral tradition and piety.
  • They generally believed in resurrection, angelic beings, and spiritual existences.
  • Their influence was more among the common people.
• ὁμολογοῦσιν (homologousin): confess, acknowledge.
  • To speak the same thing, agree, or affirm.
  • Indicates the Pharisees' positive affirmation of these beliefs.
• ἀμφότερα (amphotera): both.
  • Refers to both resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis

• Sadducees deny: The collective phrase "Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit" presents a unified theological position for the Sadducees, emphasizing their core tenets of materialistic literalism and rejection of supernatural or afterlife realities beyond their immediate understanding or what was explicitly and unambiguously stated in the written Law.
• Pharisees confess: Conversely, "but the Pharisees confess both" signifies their broader acceptance of a spiritual dimension, including the future resurrection of the dead and the reality of angelic and other spiritual beings, reflecting a more developed theological framework that included interpretation and tradition. This division was a key feature of Jewish life and significantly impacted the discussions surrounding Jesus and the early apostles.

Acts 23 8 Bonus Section

The Sadducees’ disbelief in a resurrection had practical implications, particularly regarding the meticulousness they demanded in Temple rituals and their often strict interpretation of legal matters concerning property and inheritance in the afterlife. Their rejection of spirits also meant they had no doctrine of demon possession or angelic intervention, distinguishing them sharply from many popular beliefs of the time. The Pharisees' belief in resurrection, while varied in its details, typically envisioned a future renewal, perhaps involving the physical revival of the dead, a concept Paul expands upon extensively in 1 Corinthians 15. The reference to spirits suggests not just angels, but potentially other disembodied entities as well, a common theme in ancient religious thought that the Pharisees’ theology accommodated more readily. Paul’s use of this established division is a masterclass in leveraging existing social and religious dynamics for strategic advantage.

Acts 23 8 Commentary

This verse captures a critical theological chasm within first-century Judaism. The Sadducees, largely the priestly aristocracy, focused on the Torah and denied any post-mortem existence, thus rejecting the resurrection, angels, and spirits. Their stance was likely rooted in a desire to maintain a focus on this life and a rejection of traditions not directly traceable to the written Law. In contrast, the Pharisees, representing a broader base, affirmed these beliefs, drawing from prophetic writings and accepted traditions. This difference was not merely academic; it touched upon fundamental views of God’s power, justice, and the nature of reality. Paul's astute mention of the resurrection, a core belief of his Pharisaic background, effectively fractured the unity of the Sanhedrin, turning his trial into a sectarian debate and saving him from immediate condemnation. It highlights how understanding these theological divides is crucial to understanding the socio-political landscape of ancient Judea and the early Church's interactions within it.