“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up …. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”
Acts 4:1-2
The Sadducees were a religious group that denied the resurrection and sought to keep peace in Jerusalem where they held much power. They did not want an uprising, and they did not want this Jesus encroaching on their turf. It was one thing if Jesus wanted to take His show across Israel, but it was quite another for Him to expose their temple racket. Everyone tiptoed around the corruption in the temple, but Jesus was not afraid to confront it.
The Sadducees were very agitated when Jesus’ followers proclaimed His resurrection. If Jesus had risen, it would mean an outpost of a new kingdom, a glimpse of a new world where injustices would be made right and the weak and feeble could be empowered. It would be an end to their own little kingdom and reign.
In their panic, the Sadducees bribed the guards to spin a story that the disciples had stolen the body (see Matthew 28:11-15). They thought they’d killed the Jesus movement when they killed Jesus. Nothing would be farther from the truth. His kingdom—which He welcomes us into—will never end!
The Sadducees were very agitated when Jesus’ followers proclaimed His resurrection. If Jesus had risen, it would mean an outpost of a new kingdom, a glimpse of a new world where injustices would be made right and the weak and feeble could be empowered. It would be an end to their own little kingdom and reign.
In their panic, the Sadducees bribed the guards to spin a story that the disciples had stolen the body (see Matthew 28:11-15). They thought they’d killed the Jesus movement when they killed Jesus. Nothing would be farther from the truth. His kingdom—which He welcomes us into—will never end!
Scripture Focus
Matthew 28:11-15
Insight
“For he is the living God and he endures forever;his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” (Daniel 6:26)
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 35-36
- Psalm 79
- John 21
