Mark 12:18

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

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},

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:

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

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

Mark 12:18 introduces a pivotal encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees, a prominent Jewish sect known for their unique theological stance. This verse sets the stage for a significant debate concerning the nature of the afterlife and the resurrection, a core tenet of Christian faith.

Context

In the narrative of Mark's Gospel, Jesus is in Jerusalem during the week leading up to his crucifixion, facing various challenges from religious leaders who seek to discredit or trap him. After successfully navigating a question from the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-17), Jesus is now confronted by the Sadducees. Unlike the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection of the dead, angels, and spirits, the Sadducees were a priestly aristocracy who accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) as authoritative scripture and denied the existence of a resurrection, angels, or spirits. Their belief system is explicitly mentioned in Acts 23:8. Their challenge to Jesus in the following verses (Mark 12:19-27) is designed to expose what they considered to be the logical absurdities of believing in a resurrection, particularly concerning marriage in the afterlife.

Key Themes

  • The Sadducees' Theological Opposition: This verse highlights the fundamental theological divide between Jesus (and the broader Jewish belief in resurrection) and the Sadducees. Their denial of the resurrection was a defining characteristic of their sect.
  • Challenging Jesus' Authority: Like the previous groups, the Sadducees approach Jesus with a question intended to challenge his teaching and perhaps expose him as a theological extremist or someone who misunderstands the Law of Moses.
  • The Centrality of Resurrection: Even before Jesus' full response, the very premise of the Sadducees' question underscores the importance of the resurrection as a concept, which would later become a cornerstone of Christian doctrine (1 Corinthians 15:13-20).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Sadducees" (Greek: Saddoukaioi) is believed to be derived from Zadok, the high priest during the time of King David and Solomon, suggesting their lineage and aristocratic, priestly background. The phrase "which say there is no resurrection" (Greek: hoi legontes anastasin me einai) directly states their core theological position. The term "resurrection" (Greek: anastasis) literally means "a standing up again," referring to the rising of the dead to new life.

Practical Application

This encounter reminds us of the importance of sound doctrine and the need to base our beliefs on a full understanding of God's Word and His power. The Sadducees, despite their deep knowledge of the Law, erred because they limited God's power and misunderstood the implications of scripture regarding life beyond death. For believers today, this passage reinforces the reality and hope of the resurrection, a foundational truth that offers comfort and purpose. It also encourages us to engage with theological challenges with wisdom and truth, as Jesus did.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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,

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