The Pharisees and Sadducees look like a unified front in the four Gospels. They were not.

In this Beyond the Notes episode, Pastor Russell Howard traces the distinct origins, beliefs, and social roles of these two first century Jewish parties. The Sadducees controlled the high priesthood under Roman favor but rejected the resurrection, angels, and miracles taught in the Old Testament. The Pharisees were the devout cultural anchor of Jewish life and held the trust of the common people. Their rivalry was deep enough that when the Apostle Paul exploited it in Acts 23, a formal council meeting turned violent.

What unites groups that agree on nothing? Opposition to Jesus. Pastor Howard draws from Matthew 16 and Acts 23 to show that this pattern did not end in the first century and helps listeners read the Gospels with fresh eyes and a clearer framework.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026