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Sadducees

The Sadducees as a sect are thought to have originated about the same time as the Pharisees. Being guided by secular considerations, they were in favor of adopting Greek customs. They took no part in the Maccabean struggle fog their nation's liberty. They were a priestly clique, and though they were the religious officials of their nation, they were avowedly irreligious. They were not numerous, but were wealthy and influential. To a great-extent they controlled the Sanhedrin, even though they were rationalistic and worldly minded.

(See Bible History Online for a full study.)