12:18–27 Mark presents the second in the series of questions directed to Jesus, this question coming from a group not mentioned earlier, the Sadducees. The purpose of their question about the resurrection of the dead seems to be simply to try to show Jesus to be foolish and the doctrine of the resurrection, silly. As in the previous discussion (12:13–17), these critics are insincere in their question (v. 23), for they really do not believe that a resurrection will happen (v. 18). Again, however, Jesus outwits them; his answer concludes with a concise pronouncement (v. 27) as in the previous incident (v. 17).

The Sadducees are mentioned in Mark only here, and though there are other references to them elsewhere in the NT and in other ancient historical sources (see note), our understanding …