Final answer:
The Sadducees were the aristocratic and priestly class associated with the temple practices and leadership in first-century Jewish society. They held that only priests were required to follow all 613 Mosaic laws in addition to the Ten Commandments, setting them apart from other groups like the Pharisees, who demanded universal adherence to all Mosaic laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sadducees were the aristocratic and priestly class associated with the temple. In the context of first-century Jewish society, they were known for their particular interpretation of religious law, which distinguished them from other groups like the Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots. The Sadducees held that only the priests of the Temple were required to follow the detailed 613 laws and injunctions laid down by Moses, as well as the Ten Commandments, whereas other Jews were primarily subject to the Ten Commandments. Their emphasis on Temple rites and rituals placed them at the center of religious and political power in Jewish society.
Contrary to the Sadducees, the Pharisees advocated that all Jews should follow all Mosaic laws, and they held a belief in the coming of a messiah who would deliver divine judgment and fulfill the Biblical Covenant. This rivalry outlines the plurality of thoughts and practices within Judaism at the time and illustrates differing views on religious observance and expectations for the future.