Acts 23:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

For the Tz’dukim deny the resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits; whereas the P’rushim acknowledge both.

Berean Standard Bible:

For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection, nor angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{{G1063}{G3303}} the Sadducees^{G4523} say^{G3004} that there is^{G1511} no^{G3361} resurrection^{G386}, neither^{G3366} angel^{G32}, nor^{G3383} spirit^{G4151}: but^{G1161} the Pharisees^{G5330} confess^{G3670} both^{G297}.

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Commentary for Acts 23:8

Acts 23:8 succinctly outlines a fundamental theological difference between two prominent Jewish sects of the Second Temple period: the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The verse reads: "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both."

The historical context of this verse is set during the trial of the Apostle Paul, who was a Pharisee before his conversion to Christianity. After being accused of teaching against the Law and the Temple, Paul finds himself before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, where he cleverly exploits this doctrinal division. By declaring his belief in the resurrection of the dead, Paul incites a dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, causing a division in the council.

The Sadducees, a more conservative and aristocratic group, are characterized in this verse by their rejection of the concept of resurrection, as well as the existence of angels and spirits. Their religious beliefs were based on a literal interpretation of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), and they did not recognize the oral traditions that the Pharisees accepted. Consequently, the Sadducees did not believe in an afterlife or the immortality of the soul.

In contrast, the Pharisees, a more populist and liberal group, acknowledged the resurrection of the dead, as well as the existence of angels and spirits. They adhered to a richer tapestry of Jewish belief that included the oral law (later codified in the Talmud), which allowed for a more expansive understanding of life after death and the spiritual realm.

This verse not only highlights a key religious debate of the time but also reflects the broader social and political tensions between these two groups. The theological disagreement over the resurrection serves as a narrative device in Acts to create conflict and underscores the complexity of Jewish religious and political life in the 1st century CE. It also sets the stage for the spread of early Christian beliefs, which included a strong emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life for his followers.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3303
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέν
   Transliteration: mén
   Pronunciation: men
   Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4523
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Σαδδουκαῖος
   Transliteration: Saddoukaîos
   Pronunciation: sad-doo-kah'-yos
   Description: probably from Σαδώκ; a Sadducæan (i.e. Tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical Israelite:--Sadducee.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1511
   There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἶναι
   Transliteration: eînai
   Pronunciation: i'-nahee
   Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3361
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μή
   Transliteration: mḗ
   Pronunciation: may
   Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G386
   There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνάστασις
   Transliteration: anástasis
   Pronunciation: an-as'-tas-is
   Description: from ἀνίστημι; a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth):--raised to life again, resurrection, rise from the dead, that should rise, rising again.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3366
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μηδέ
   Transliteration: mēdé
   Pronunciation: may-deh'
   Description: from μή and δέ; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor:--neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as).
   
9. Strong's Number: G32
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄγγελος
   Transliteration: ángelos
   Pronunciation: ang'-el-os
   Description: from (probably derived from ἄγω; compare ἀγέλη) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3383
    There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μήτε
    Transliteration: mḗte
    Pronunciation: may'-teh
    Description: from μή and τέ; not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even:--neither, (n-)or, so as much.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration: dé
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
    
13. Strong's Number: G5330
    There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Φαρισαῖος
    Transliteration: Pharisaîos
    Pronunciation: far-is-ah'-yos
    Description: of Hebrew origin (compare פָּרָשׁ); a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharisee.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3670
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὁμολογέω
    Transliteration: homologéō
    Pronunciation: hom-ol-og-eh'-o
    Description: from a compound of the base of ὁμοῦ and λόγος; to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge:--con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.
    
15. Strong's Number: G297
    There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀμφότερος
    Transliteration: amphóteros
    Pronunciation: am-fot'-er-os
    Description: comparative of (around); (in plural) both:--both.