Acts 23:6

“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, etc.] That is, that one part of the sanhedrim consisted of Sadducees, which was often the case; sometimes the high priest was of this sect, as Ananias probably was, and sometimes the greater part of the sanhedrim were Sadducees, and even sometimes the whole; (see Gill on “<440517>Acts 5:17”), but this sanhedrim were only part of them Sadducees: and the other Pharisees; of both these sects, (see Gill on “<400307>Matthew 3:7”). he cried out in the council; with a loud voice, that he might be heard by all: men and brethren, I am a Pharisee; he was not only brought up in that sect from his youth, and lived according to it before his…”

“when Paul perceived--from the discussion which plainly had by this time arisen between the parties. that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out--raising his voice above both parties. I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee--The true reading seems to be, "the son of Pharisees," that is, belonging to a family who from father to son had long been such. of the hope and resurrection of the dead--that is, not the vague hope of immortality, but the definite expectation of the resurrection. I am called in question--By this adroit stroke, Paul engages the whole Pharisaic section of the council in his favor; the doctrine of a resurrection being common to both, though they…”

“But when Paul perceived - Probably by his former acquaintance with the men who composed the council. As he had been brought up in Jerusalem, and had been before acquainted with the Sanhedrin Acts 9:2, he would have an acquaintance, doubtless, with the character of most of those present, though he had been absent from them for fourteen years, Galatians 2:1. The one part ... - That the council was divided into two parts, Pharisees and Sadducees. This was commonly the case, though it was uncertain which had the majority. In regard to the opinions of these two sects, see the notes on Matthew 3:7. He cried out ... - The reasons why Paul resolved to take advantage of their difference of opinion…”

“I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: for the hope of the resurrection of the dead am I called in question - So he was in effect; although not formally, or explicitly. Acts 23:8”

“23:6 Paul focused on the key issue in his trial, the hope of resurrection from the dead. His preaching was simply the outworking of that hope and the fact of Jesus’ resurrection, but the message was unacceptable to both groups of Jews because of its implications. Pharisees could not abide the inclusion of the Gentiles apart from circumcision and keeping the law of Moses (cp. 15:5), but that was what the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit had provided (Acts 2:39; 10:34-48). Sadducees could not stand the proclamation of the resurrection at all (cp. 4:1-2).”

“Paul: Mat 10:16 I am: Act 26:5; Phi 3:5 of the hope: Act 24:15, Act 24:21, Act 26:6-8, Act 28:20 Acts 23:7”