And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. Since the Sadducees could hardly be expected to take much interest in such matters, this explanation is probably intended to do more than tell the reader that this deputation was of the other sect. It probably refers to their special jealousy about any innovations on the traditional way of thinking and acting, and to prepare the reader for their question in the next verse.