From Antiquities 18.2.4 16- 17 (see also War2.8.14 162- 16 6): ―But the doctrine of the Sadducees is that
souls die with the bodies. Nor do they perform any observance other than what the Law enjoins them. They
think it virtuous to dispute with the teachers of the wisdom they pursue. This doctrine is accepted but by a
few, but those are of the highest standing. But they are able to accomplish almost nothing, for when they
hold office they are unwillingly and by force obliged to submit to the teachings of the Pharisees, because the
multitude would not otherwise tolerate them.‖
The quoted passages agree that the Sadducees do not believe in a resurrection. Otherwise, the Gospels
have little to say about them other than mixing them in with the Pharisees; which perhaps indicates how little
impact they had on daily life as Josephus explains. In Acts, however, Sadducees are somewhat more active.
Paul takes advantage of the disagreement on the resurrection after his arrest (Acts 23:6-10) by siding with
the Pharisees and creating a debate among the council, thus distracting everyone from the charge against
him.
22:24-29 His brother shall marry his wife―(24) Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and
raise up seed unto his brother. (25) Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had
married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: (26) Likewise the second also,
and the third, unto the seventh. (27) And last of all the woman died also. (28) Therefore in the resurrection
whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do
err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.‖
The Sadducees are referring to the laws of Levirate marriage (Deut 25:5-10), which say that a man should
marry his brother's widow in order to care for her and her children.
22:30-33 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage―(30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God
in heaven. (31) But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto
you by God, saying, (32) I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not
the God of the dead, but of the living. (33) And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his
doctrine.‖
Y‘shua supports a Pharisaic teaching from the Talmud:
Talmud Ma'asrot 4:5-6: ―There will be no marital union in the world to come.‖
22:34-38 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind―(34) But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered
together. (35) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36)
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?‖ (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great
commandment.‖
Y‘shua is quoting from the Shema (Deut 6:4), the fundamental "statement of faith" of Judaism. Note the
means that YHWH gives for how we are to love Him, as found in the verses surrounding Shema.
Love for YHWH is not based on emotions, but on following His Torah:
What is the Shema?―And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one
Lord:‖ (Mark 12:29)
When Y‘shua was asked by one of the Scribes, ―Which is the first commandment of all‖ (Mark 12:28), He
answered in what might be considered a rather unusual way. Y‘shua did not begin by repeating the first of
the Ten Commandments: ―I am the LORD your God, ... you shall have no other gods before Me.‖ (Exod
20:2-3). He did not begin by telling the Scribe to ―...love your neighbor as yourself.‖ He began with what
every Jewish person of that day (and this) recognised as the Shema (Sheh-mah‘).