The Sadducees was a group of priests who had a lot of influence and control. Generally they were quite wealthy and politically connected, often being members of the local aristocracy1 with a seat on the Sanhedrin.2 They only accepted the authority of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and did not believe in a resurrection from the dead.3
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,