Pharisees in the Bible.. where did they come from and who appointed them?

http://www.herealittletherealittle.net/index.cfm?page_name=Pharisees-Sadducees

THIS is a fantastic resource! Great site!

pharisees came from middle class families- Mosaic Law
they wanted to learn and pass on knowledge as they learned through the teaching of the Torah.

sadducees came from upper class- helenism
wanted to stay in control so they stuck with certain rules, and punished anyone against them.


https://www.bibleversestudy.com/acts/acts5-chief-priests.htm

This link helped me break it down more, because my curious brain needed it.

high priest and chief priest is the same thing - refer to the one priest who is appointed to lead all other priests. 
the group of priests under him is the sanhedrin. (AKA the counsel)

sanhedrin= pharisees and sadducees together. 

sadducees = wealthy and had political power (collaborated with the Romans for this), only believes in the first 5 books of the old testament. didn't believe in life after death. 
sadducee means "righteous", they were stuck up and "holier than though"

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keep in mind, neither of these was a good thing. they were both shunned by Jesus during his ministry.
this is interesting

https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/145958-jesus-manifesto-avoid-modern-day-pharisaism.html