A Year in Luke/ActsНамуна

Next, we see an example of Paul’s wisdom in knowing who he is speaking to. He notices that the Sadducees are present. We have already seen in Luke 20:27-40 that this group denied the possibility of resurrection.

As has been so often in Acts, Paul identifies the root of the reason he is on trial is because of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus was the event that had founded the church and offered them the hope that God’s kingdom was going to come on earth as in heaven. He knew that bringing up resurrection would get to the heart of the discussion very quickly, and hopefully offer a window into why he was living the way he was. He believed he could still live as a faithful Jew and believe in Jesus’, and everyone’s, resurrection.

He did not get the opportunity to expound upon this though because of the commotion that the resurrection caused. Time and time again people are not willing to really listen to what the resurrection of Jesus means. Thankfully we have Paul’s letters where he was able to explain the fullness of this in greater depth.