The Sadducees were a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known primarily for their denial of the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and the authority of the Oral Law, which distinguished them from the Pharisees. Their beliefs were largely based on a literal interpretation of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), which they held as the only authoritative scripture. This group was typically composed of the priestly and wealthy classes, who had significant political power and influence within the Jewish community, often collaborating with the Roman authorities.Biblical references to the Sadducees can be found in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels. For example, in Matthew 22:23-33, the Sadducees challenge Jesus about the resurrection by presenting a hypothetical scenario involving a woman who marries seven brothers, each of whom dies without leaving children. Jesus responds by affirming the reality of the resurrection and explaining that in the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. This encounter highlights their theological disputes with Jesus and underscores their rejection of the resurrection, a central tenet of early Christian belief. The Sadducees ultimately faded from history after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, as their power was closely tied to the Temple's priestly functions.