Jesus was not opposed to the truly devout Pharisees, only those who were self-righteous and consequently did not really understand or practice the Torah in a profound way. Also, some of the Pharisees are thought to be related to the Essenes, the sect from which Jesus (perhaps) came. He did disagree with many of the basic tenets of the Sadducees, however.
I always thought that it was because He knew that they wouldn’t believe. As Luke 16:27-31 says: [27] And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst send him to my father’ s house, for I have five brethren, [28] That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments. [29] And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [30] But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance.
St. Paul in 1 Cor 15 does say the risen Jesus appeared to 500 people at one time. That might be what you were thinking of.
The Holy Gospel according to St John Chapter 21:25 records “But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.”
St. Paul certainly believed after his encounter with the risen Christ. The people who saw Lazarus rise from the dead believed.
St. Paul was the exception who proved the ruleSt. Paul certainly believed after his encounter with the risen Christ. The people who saw Lazarus rise from the dead believed.
