Topical Encyclopedia The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known for their strict adherence to the Law and their influence over the common people. One of the defining theological positions of the Pharisees was their belief in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine that set them apart from other Jewish groups, notably the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.Biblical References The New Testament provides several accounts that highlight the Pharisees' belief in the resurrection. In Acts 23:6-8, the Apostle Paul, who was himself a Pharisee, strategically uses this doctrinal difference to his advantage when he is brought before the Sanhedrin. Paul declares, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead." This statement causes a division between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, as the text notes, "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all." The Pharisees' belief in the resurrection is rooted in their interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures. While the Old Testament does not explicitly mention the resurrection in many places, the Pharisees found support for this doctrine in passages such as Daniel 12:2, which states, "And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt." This verse, among others, was seen as a prophetic indication of a future resurrection. Theological Implications The Pharisees' belief in the resurrection was not merely an abstract theological concept but had significant implications for their understanding of justice and the afterlife. They held that the resurrection would be a time when God would vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked, thus ensuring that divine justice would ultimately prevail. This belief provided hope and motivation for living a life in accordance with God's commandments, as it promised a future reward for faithfulness. Interaction with Jesus and Early Christianity The doctrine of the resurrection was a point of both convergence and divergence between the Pharisees and early Christians. Jesus Himself affirmed the resurrection, as seen in His interactions with the Sadducees. In Matthew 22:31-32, Jesus responds to a question about the resurrection by saying, "But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you: 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Here, Jesus underscores the reality of the resurrection, aligning with the Pharisaic belief. However, the early Christian proclamation of Jesus' own resurrection introduced a new dimension to the doctrine. While the Pharisees anticipated a general resurrection at the end of the age, Christians proclaimed that Jesus' resurrection was the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). This belief in the resurrection of Jesus became a cornerstone of Christian faith, distinguishing it from Pharisaic Judaism. Conclusion The Pharisees' belief in the resurrection was a significant aspect of their theology, influencing their understanding of the afterlife and divine justice. This doctrine not only distinguished them from other Jewish sects but also intersected with the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian movement, highlighting both common ground and points of departure. Nave's Topical Index Acts 23:6,8But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. Nave's Topical Index Library Concerning the Leaven of the Pharisees. The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ... Appeal to the Jews. Additional Evidence Afforded to us in the Acts of the Apostles. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Controversy Concerning Fasting Concerning the Martyrdom of James, the Brother of the Lord, from ... The Historical Situation Acts IV Concerning those who Asked Him to Show them a Sign from Heaven. Resources What are the differences between the Sadducees and Pharisees? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees so harshly in Matthew 23:13 36? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Irony: The Pharisees and the Herodians to Jesus Pharisees: Association With Publicans and Sinners Pharisees: Become Disciples of Jesus Pharisees: Come to Jesus With Questions Pharisees: Concerning the Resurrection Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by John Pharisees: They Minister to Jesus Pharisees: Traditions of, in Regard to Fasting Pharisees: Traditions of, in Regard to The Duties of Children to Parents Pharisees: Traditions of, in Regard to The Sabbath Pharisees: Traditions of, in Regard to The Washing of Hands The Pharisees by Descent, Especially Esteemed The Pharisees: A Sect of the Jews The Pharisees: As a Body, Rejected John's Baptism The Pharisees: Believed in the Resurrection The Pharisees: Character of Active in Proselytising The Pharisees: Character of Ambitious of Precedence The Pharisees: Character of Avaricious The Pharisees: Character of Cruel in Persecuting The Pharisees: Character of Fond of Distinguished Titles The Pharisees: Character of Fond of Public Salutations The Pharisees: Character of Oppressive The Pharisees: Character of Outwardly Moral The Pharisees: Character of Particular in Paying all Dues The Pharisees: Character of Rigid in Fasting The Pharisees: Character of Self-Righteous The Pharisees: Character of Zealous of the Law The Pharisees: Character of Zealous of Tradition The Pharisees: Christ: Asked for Signs By The Pharisees: Christ: Called Fools and Blind Guides The Pharisees: Christ: Called, and Evil and Adulterous Generation The Pharisees: Christ: Called, Serpents and Generation of Vipers The Pharisees: Christ: Compared, to Graves That Appear Not The Pharisees: Christ: Compared, to Whited Sepulchres The Pharisees: Christ: Condemned By, for Associating With Sinners The Pharisees: Christ: Declared the Doctrines of, to be Hypocrisy The Pharisees: Christ: Declared the Imaginary Righteousness of, to be Insufficient The Pharisees: Christ: Denounced Woes Against The Pharisees: Christ: Left Judea for a Time on Account of The Pharisees: Christ: Offended, by his Doctrine The Pharisees: Christ: Often Invited By The Pharisees: Christ: Tempted By, With Questions About the Law The Pharisees: Christ: Watched By, for Evil The Pharisees: Imputed Christ's Miracles to Satan's Power The Pharisees: Made Broad Their Phylacteries The Pharisees: Many Priest and Levites Were of The Pharisees: Many Rulers, Lawyers, and Scribes Were of The Pharisees: Often Sought to Destroy Christ The Pharisees: Sent officers to Apprehend Christ The Pharisees: some Came to John for Baptism The Pharisees: The Strictest Observers of the Mosaic Ritual The Pharisees: Their Opinions, a Standard for Others Related Terms |
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