Read
And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
Acts 23:7-8
Reflect
Sometimes it can be a bit confusing to figure out who’s who in the Bible. For example, in today’s passage, there’s a lot of mention of Pharisees and Sadducees. These two groups were the biggest groups of men in the Jewish temple during Jesus’ time. Each one had its own beliefs, and they really didn’t like each other.
There is a children’s song called “I Just Want to Be a Sheep” by Brian Howard that can help you remember who’s who between these groups. In two verses, Brian says:
Don’t wanna be a Pharisee
Don’t wanna be a Pharisee
‘Cause they’re not fair you see
Don’t wanna be a Pharisee
Don’t wanna be a Sadducee
Don’t wanna be a Sadducee
‘Cause they’re so sad you see
Don’t wanna be a Sadducee
The Pharisees were very serious about God’s law, at least outwardly. But Jesus often rebuked many of them because they had become more concerned with looking righteous than actually having hearts that pleased God. They could be strict about rules when those rules gave them power, but blind to mercy, humility and justice when those things exposed their sin. In that way, they were not “fair, you see.”
But one of the main beliefs of the Sadducees is the point of today’s scripture. While the Pharisees did believe in a Resurrection where God would issue reward and punishment, the Sadducees believed there was absolutely nothing after this life. They had no hope coming from God or anything else, and that’s why they were “sad, you see.”
God wants us to be both fair and hopeful. He wants us to live this life reading His Word and applying it to our lives every day. But He also wants us to live this life in expectation of the life to come, looking forward to the reward of eternity for those who accept Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.
How about you? Are you fair or unfair? Are you happy or sad? Where does your hope come from? Today, spend some time thinking about a child’s song and place your hope in the One who made you, who loves you and who wants to spend forever with you.
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Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
