23:8 {7} For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither {d} angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
(7) It is an old heresy of the Sadducees to deny the existence of angels and souls, and in addition the resurrection of the dead.
(d) Things that exist without a body.
23:8 The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection. For the doctrinal view of the Sadducees, see PNT Mt 3:7. The statement here is fully confirmed by Josephus (see Wars of the Jews, 2:8,14).
23:8 The Pharisees confess both - Both the resurrection, and the existence of angels and separate spirits.
23:6-11 The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being a Christian, Paul might truly say he was called in question for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. It was justifiable in him, by this profession of his opinion on that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Though the Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy against religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives. There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment, and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open enmity. Divine consolations stood Paul in the most stead; the chief captain rescued him out of the hands of cruel men, but the event he could not tell. Whoever is against us, we need not fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He might think he should never see Rome; but God tells him, even in that he should be gratified, since he desired to go there only for the honour of Christ, and to do good.
