Σαδδουκαῖος (Saddoukaios)

Saddoukaios

Sadducee

G4523 · Greek · New Testament · 14 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 14 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The noun Saddoukaios refers to a prominent Jewish religious group active during the Second Temple period. Their name likely derives from Zadok, the high priest in King David’s time, suggesting they traced their authority to the ancient priestly line. Unlike the Pharisees, who accepted both the written Torah and oral traditions, the Sadducees held that only the five books of Moses carried divine authority.

This strict adherence to the written text led them to reject several core beliefs held by other Jewish groups. They denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels or spirits, and the idea of divine predestination in favor of human free will. The Gospels record frequent clashes between Jesus and these leaders, particularly regarding the nature of the resurrection (Matthew 22:23) and the danger of their teaching (Matthew 16:6). In Acts, Paul strategically uses their denial of the resurrection to create division among his judges (Acts 23:6).

Though they held significant influence in the temple hierarchy and Sanhedrin, the Sadducees largely disappeared after the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. Their historical footprint remains visible in the New Testament as a counterpoint to Jesus’ teachings on life after death and spiritual reality.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Sadducees were a distinct group in first-century Judaism who held significant power in the temple and Sanhedrin. They accepted only the five books of Moses as authoritative scripture, which led them to reject beliefs like the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels. This strict focus on the written text shaped their entire worldview and their interactions with Jesus.

In the Gospels, we see these leaders testing Jesus, particularly regarding life after death. In Matthew 22:23, they approach Him with a hypothetical question designed to mock the idea of resurrection. Jesus responds not by getting caught in their logic trap, but by correcting their understanding of God’s power and the nature of the age to come.

For your faith today, this history reminds us that knowing scripture is not enough if our hearts are resistant to God’s broader revelation. The Sadducees had the text but missed the living God who raises the dead. We are invited to trust in the fullness of Christ’s teaching, including His victory over death, rather than limiting God to our own intellectual frameworks.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Sadducees,5×
Sadducees5×
Sadducees.2×
of Sadducees1×
Sadducees!1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

Σαδδουκαῖοι3×
Σαδδουκαίων,3×
Σαδδουκαῖοι,2×
Σαδδουκαίων.¶2×
Σαδδουκαίων2×
Σαδδουκαίων.1×
Σαδδουκαίους1×

Key Verses

Matthew 22:23
On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,

This verse identifies the Sadducees by their specific denial of the resurrection, setting up the direct theological confrontation with Jesus.
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 brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

Paul uses the Sadducees' denial of the resurrection as a strategic tool to divide his accusers, highlighting the group's defining doctrinal stance.
Matthew 16:6
Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Jesus warns His disciples against the 'yeast' or teaching influence of this group, linking their error to a subtle but dangerous spiritual corruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Sadducees believe?

The Sadducees were a Jewish sect that accepted only the Torah (the five books of Moses) as authoritative scripture. Because they rejected oral traditions and later prophetic writings, they denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and spiritual beings. They emphasized human free will over divine predestination.

How are Sadducees different from Pharisees?

While both groups were influential in Jewish society, they differed sharply on theology and authority. The Pharisees accepted both the written Torah and oral traditions, believing in the resurrection, angels, and spirits. The Sadducees rejected these beliefs, holding strictly to the text of Moses. This difference often led to public disputes, as seen when Jesus silenced the Sadducees in Matthew 22.

Why did the Sadducees oppose Jesus?

The Sadducees opposed Jesus primarily because His teachings on the resurrection and His growing influence threatened their religious authority and social standing. They often tested Him with questions designed to trap Him or mock His claims, such as the question about marriage in the resurrection found in Matthew 22.

Every Occurrence (14 verses across 4 books)

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers,…

Matthew 16:1

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 16:6

Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Matthew 16:11

How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees…

Matthew 16:12

Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and…

Matthew 22:23

On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,

Matthew 22:34

But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.

Mark 1 verse

Luke 1 verse

Acts 5 verses