Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 23:7

"And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided." — Acts 23:7 (ASV)

There arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.—As a strategic act St. Paul’s words had immediately the effect which he desired. They prevented the hasty unanimous vote which might otherwise have united the two parties, as they had been united in the case of Stephen, in the condemnation of the blasphemer. What follows shows that it was not without results as regards the higher aim.