Pharisees

The Bible presents a "mixed" picture of the Pharisees, the Jewish sect that interpreted the law of God. On the one hand, the Bible draws them critically, because of their hypocrisy which emphasized an outward show of piety without an accompanying deep concern and love for people. For them salvation was earned by doing good deeds. Many of them passionately opposed Jesus and persecuted the early Christians.

On the other hand, prominent Pharisees, such as Nicodemus, Paul and others, became, followers of Jesus. In contrast to the Sadducees, they believed in the resurrection of the dead. Gamaliel's advice aided the cause of the Christian movement. To Paul, having been a Pharisee was not a reason for embarrassment.

Pharisees —A Jewish party, prominent at the time of Jesus

  1. Major characteristics
    1. Political leaders of the Jews —Mt. 27:62-64
    2. Members of the Sanhedrin (Jewish council) —Acts 23:6
    3. Leaders of the synagogue —Jn. 9:13-16, 22
    4. Official interpreters of the law —Mt. 23:2
    5. Strict observers of the law of God —Mt. 12:2, 8-14; 23:23
    6. Strict adherents of Jewish traditions —Mk. 7:2-3; Gal 1:14
    7. Believed circumcision was necessary —Acts 15:5
    8. Believed in the resurrection and in angels —Acts 23:8
    9. Tried to remain separate from sinners —Mt. 9:11
    10. Promoted Judaism throughout the world —Mt 23:15
  2. Prominent Pharisees in the Bible
    1. Nicodemus —Jn. 3:1
    2. Gamaliel —Acts 5:34
    3. Paul —Acts 23:6; Phil 3:5
  3. The Pharisees and Jesus
    1. Regularly questioned and tested Jesus —Lk. 11:53-54
      1. About eating with sinners —Mt. 9:11; Mk. 2:16; Lk. 5:30
      2. About fasting —Mt. 9:14; Mk. 2:18; Lk. 5:33
      3. About failing to keep the Sabbath —Mt. 12:2; Mk. 2:24; Lk. 6:2
      4. About not keeping traditions —Mt. 15:1-2; Mk. 7:5
      5. About marriage and divorce —Mt. 19:3; Mk. 10:2
      6. About a woman taken in adultery —Jn. 8:1-6
      7. About paying taxes to Caesar —Mt. 22:15-17; Mk. 12:13-15
      8. About the most important commandment —Mt. 22:34-36
      9. About the kingdom of God —Lk. 17:20-21
      10. About the validity of Jesus' testimony —Jn. 8:12-13
      11. About their own blindness —Jn. 8:40
      12. Asked for a miraculous sign —Mt. 12:38
      13. Asked for a sign from heaven —Mt. 16:1; Mk. 8:11
    2. Criticized Jesus
      1. Said he was controlled by a demon —Mt. 9:34; 12:24
      2. Said he spoke blasphemy —Lk. 5:21
      3. Said he failed to keep the Sabbath —Lk. 6:6-7
      4. Criticized his association with sinners —Lk. 7:36-39; 15:1-2
      5. Criticized his acceptance of praise —Lk. 19:38-39
    3. Desired to get rid of Jesus
      1. Tried to arrest him —Jn. 7:32; 18:1-3
      2. Sought to kill him —Mt. 12:14; Mk. 3:6; Jn. 11:46-50
      3. Asked for soldiers to guard the tomb —Mt 27:62-64
    4. Some secretly believed in Jesus —Jn. 12:42-43
  4. Jesus criticized the Pharisees
    1. For their lack of true righteousness —Mt. 5:20
    2. For their questionable teachings —Mt. 16:6, 11-12
    3. For persecuting God's messengers —Mt. 21:33-46; 23:33-36
    4. For failing to understand Scripture —Mt. 22:41-45
    5. For their hypocrisy —Mt. 23:1-32; Lk. 11:37-44; Lk. 18:9-14
    6. For their lack of concern for people —Lk. 14:1-14
    7. For their love of money —Lk. 16:14-15