In the days of Christ the Sadducees loved controversy, and vehemently urged their objections to the resurrection of the dead. In their discussions with the Pharisees, the latter became confused in their faith concerning the future state of the dead. Death became to them a dark and unexplainable mystery. They learned to look upon it as the most dreaded calamity which could come upon man. {3SP 46.1}

På Kristi tid holdt saddukæerne meget af at stride og fremhæve heftig sine indvendinger mod de dødes opstandelse. Denne strid forvirrede farisæerne i deres tro angående de dødes fremtidige tilstand. Døden forekom dem som en mørk og uforklarlig hemmelighed. De kom til at betragte den som den forfærdeligste ulykke, der kunne overgå et menneske.