Mark 12:18

KJV

¶ Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G2532} come {G2064} unto {G4314} him {G846} the Sadducees {G4523}, which {G3748} say {G3004} there is {G1511} no {G3361} resurrection {G386}; and {G2532} they asked {G1905} him {G846}, saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then some Tz'dukim came to him. They are the ones who say there is no such thing as resurrection, so they put to him a sh'eilah:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him:

American Standard Version

And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:18 introduces a pivotal encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees, a prominent and influential Jewish sect in Jerusalem. This verse sets the stage for a significant theological debate, highlighting the Sadducees' defining denial of the resurrection of the dead. Their approach to Jesus, characterized by a challenging question, underscores the ongoing tension between Jesus' teachings and the established religious authorities of his time, particularly concerning fundamental beliefs about the afterlife and divine power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of confrontations Jesus experiences with various Jewish religious factions in Jerusalem during the final week before his crucifixion. Following a successful parry against the Pharisees and Herodians regarding the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar in [Mark 12:13-17](/mark/12-13-17 "Mark 12:13-17 - The Question about Paying Taxes"), Jesus is now approached by the Sadducees. Mark's narrative consistently portrays these encounters as attempts by the religious elite to trap Jesus in his words or discredit his authority before the people. The Sadducees' specific question, detailed in [Mark 12:19-23](/mark/12-19-23 "Mark 12:19-23 - The Sadducees' Question about the Resurrection"), is a hypothetical scenario designed to expose what they perceive as the logical absurdity of a resurrection, particularly concerning levirate marriage. Jesus' subsequent response, found in [Mark 12:24-27](/mark/12-24-27 "Mark 12:24-27 - Jesus' Answer to the Sadducees"), directly refutes their premise and affirms the reality of the resurrection, drawing upon the very Torah they claimed as their sole authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sadducees were one of the three major Jewish sects during the Second Temple period, alongside the Pharisees and the Essenes. Unlike the Pharisees, who were primarily lay scholars and teachers, the Sadducees were largely drawn from the aristocratic, priestly families who controlled the Temple and its rituals. Their theological distinctives included a strict adherence to the written Torah (the Pentateuch) as the only authoritative scripture, rejecting the oral traditions upheld by the Pharisees. Crucially, they denied the existence of a resurrection, angels, or spirits, as explicitly stated in [Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Paul before the Sanhedrin"). Their worldview was largely materialistic and focused on this life, making the concept of an afterlife or resurrection a point of contention. Geographically, their power base was Jerusalem, centered around the Temple, which made their confrontation with Jesus in the Temple courts particularly significant. Their opposition to Jesus stemmed not only from his teachings but also from his challenge to their established authority and interpretation of the Law.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 12:18 contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **theological opposition** Jesus faced from the various Jewish leadership groups. Each group, with their distinct doctrines and agendas, sought to undermine Jesus, revealing the deep divisions within Judaism of the time. Secondly, the verse underscores the **centrality of the resurrection** as a foundational theological concept. The Sadducees' denial of it sets up a crucial debate that allows Jesus to articulate a profound truth about God's power and the nature of eternal life. This theme foreshadows the ultimate reality of Jesus' own resurrection, which would become the cornerstone of Christian faith as articulated in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of Christ"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine authority and interpretation of scripture**, as Jesus, in his response, demonstrates a deeper, more accurate understanding of the Law than even those who claimed to be its guardians.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sadducees (Greek, _Saddoukaîos'_):** This term refers to a specific Jewish sect, likely derived from Zadok, the high priest during the time of David and Solomon. As the primary priestly aristocracy, they held significant power in Jerusalem and within the Temple system. Their defining theological characteristic, explicitly stated in this verse, was their rejection of the resurrection, distinguishing them sharply from the Pharisees and from Jesus' own teaching.
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** Literally meaning "a standing up again" or "a rising up," this term refers to the concept of the dead being raised to new life. For the Sadducees, this was a foreign concept, not explicitly detailed in the Pentateuch, which they considered their sole authoritative scripture. For Jesus and later for the early church, the resurrection (specifically Christ's) became the cornerstone of hope and salvation.
* **asked (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** This verb signifies to "ask for," "inquire," or "question." It implies a deliberate and often challenging interrogation, rather than a simple request for information. In this context, it highlights the Sadducees' intent to trap Jesus with a complex, hypothetical scenario, believing they could expose a flaw in the belief in resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then come unto him the Sadducees":** This phrase indicates a direct approach by this specific religious group to Jesus. The timing, "Then," places it immediately after Jesus' successful engagement with other hostile groups, suggesting a continuous stream of challenges to his authority and teaching in Jerusalem. The Sadducees, given their influential position, were likely seeking to assert their theological dominance and undermine Jesus' growing popularity.
* **"which say there is no resurrection":** This is a crucial parenthetical clause that immediately informs the reader of the Sadducees' defining theological position. It clarifies their motivation for approaching Jesus and sets the stage for the ensuing debate. Their denial of the resurrection was a fundamental tenet that separated them from the Pharisees and from the eschatological hopes common among many Jews, including Jesus' followers.
* **"and they asked him, saying,":** This final clause confirms their intention to engage Jesus in a verbal challenge. The use of "saying" (Greek: _légō_) indicates that their question was not a casual inquiry but a formal, perhaps even prepared, statement or interrogation, designed to elicit a response that they could then use against him. It highlights their adversarial stance and the intellectual nature of the impending confrontation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Direct Statement** and **Characterization**. The direct statement "which say there is no resurrection" serves as a concise and immediate **Characterization** of the Sadducees, defining them by their most significant theological divergence. This direct characterization is crucial for the reader to understand the context and stakes of the subsequent dialogue. It quickly establishes the ideological conflict that will unfold, setting up the dramatic tension between Jesus' teachings and the Sadducees' rigid, limited worldview. The verse also implicitly uses **Foreshadowing**, as the mention of "no resurrection" immediately signals that the ensuing debate will center on this profound theological truth, which is central to Jesus' own identity and mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 12:18, by introducing the Sadducees' denial of the resurrection, immediately draws the reader into one of the most fundamental theological debates of Jesus' ministry and indeed, of all time. It highlights the stark contrast between a worldview limited to earthly existence and one that embraces God's power to transcend death and bring forth new life. The Sadducees' error stemmed not merely from a different interpretation of scripture, but from a profound misunderstanding of God's omnipotence and faithfulness. Their intellectual pride led them to reject a truth that was, in fact, implicitly present in the very texts they claimed to uphold. This encounter serves as a powerful reminder that true faith requires not just intellectual assent to certain texts, but a humble recognition of God's boundless power and His unfolding redemptive plan.

* [Acts 23:6-8](/acts/23-6-8 "Acts 23:6-8 - Paul Divides the Sanhedrin")
* [Matthew 22:23-33](/matthew/22-23-33 "Matthew 22:23-33 - The Sadducees and the Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:12-20](/1_corinthians/15-12-20 "The Importance of Christ's Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The confrontation with the Sadducees in Mark 12:18 and the subsequent verses offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our own faith, ensuring that our understanding of God is not limited by human reason or preconceived notions, but is expansive enough to encompass His infinite power and wisdom. The Sadducees, despite their scholarly approach to the Torah, failed to grasp the full implications of God's character and promises, particularly concerning life beyond death. This serves as a cautionary tale against intellectual arrogance and the danger of reducing God to our own finite comprehension. For us, the reality of the resurrection is not merely a theological concept but the very bedrock of our hope, transforming our perspective on suffering, death, and eternal purpose. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that a glorious future awaits those who are in Christ. It also encourages us to engage with skepticism and doubt, not with fear, but with the confident truth of God's Word, just as Jesus did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the Sadducees, limit God's power or understanding based on my own logic or limited experience?**
* **How does the hope of the resurrection practically impact my daily life, my priorities, and my response to challenges?**
* **What foundational truths of the Christian faith do I need to deepen my understanding of, and how can I do so with both intellectual rigor and spiritual humility?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary difference between the Sadducees and the Pharisees?**

Answer: The primary difference lay in their theological beliefs and their interpretation of scripture. The Sadducees, largely from the priestly aristocracy, accepted only the written Torah (the first five books of Moses) as authoritative scripture and denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and spirits. In contrast, the Pharisees, a more popular lay movement, accepted both the written Torah and a vast body of oral tradition as authoritative, and they firmly believed in the resurrection, angels, and spirits, as highlighted in [Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Paul before the Sanhedrin"). Their differing views on the afterlife and the scope of divine revelation led to frequent theological disputes.

**Why did the Sadducees approach Jesus with this question about the resurrection?**

Answer: The Sadducees approached Jesus with this question primarily to trap him and discredit his authority. Given their rejection of the resurrection, they likely saw Jesus' teachings as aligned with the Pharisaic belief in an afterlife, which they considered illogical and unscriptural according to their narrow interpretation of the Torah. Their hypothetical scenario about a woman married to seven brothers (as detailed in [Mark 12:19-23](/mark/12-19-23 "Mark 12:19-23 - The Sadducees' Question")) was designed to expose what they perceived as the absurdities of resurrection belief, particularly concerning social structures like marriage. They hoped to force Jesus into a theological corner, thereby undermining his credibility before the crowds and other religious leaders.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 12:18, though seemingly a simple introduction to a debate, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the resurrection hope. The Sadducees' denial of resurrection, rooted in a limited view of God's power and a narrow interpretation of scripture, stands in stark contrast to the very essence of Jesus' identity and mission. He is not merely a teacher who speaks *about* resurrection; He *is* the Resurrection and the Life, as He declares in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). His own triumphant victory over death, detailed in [Mark 16:6](/mark/16-6 "Mark 16:6 - The Empty Tomb") and affirmed throughout the New Testament, utterly shatters the Sadducees' skepticism and validates the very truth they denied. Moreover, Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event but the firstfruits of a greater harvest, guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20-23](/1_corinthians/15-20-23 "1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). Thus, this encounter, which begins with a challenge to the concept of resurrection, ultimately serves to highlight the indispensable role of Jesus Christ as the one who embodies and secures eternal life for all humanity, transforming a theological debate into the very foundation of Christian hope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:23

¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Matthew 22:33

And when the multitude heard [this], they were astonished at his doctrine.

Acts 4:1

¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Acts 4:2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 23:6

¶ But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 23:9

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Luke 20:27

¶ Then came to [him] certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,