Acts 23:7 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. And the multitude was divided - St. Paul, perceiving the assembly to consist of Sadducees and Pharisees, and finding he was not to expect any justice, thought it best thus to divide the council, by introducing a question on which the Pharisees and Sadducees were at issue. He did so; and the Pharisees immediately espoused his side of the question, because in opposition to the Sadducees, whom they abhorred, as irreligious men.