Topical Encyclopedia The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judea during the time of Jesus, known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that had developed around it. While they were respected for their piety and dedication to the law, Jesus frequently reproved them for their hypocrisy, emphasizing the importance of inner righteousness over outward appearances.Hypocrisy and Legalism The Pharisees were often criticized by Jesus for their focus on external observance of the law while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In Matthew 23:23-24 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." Outward Appearance vs. Inner Purity Jesus reproved the Pharisees for their emphasis on outward cleanliness while ignoring the impurity within their hearts. In Matthew 23:25-26 , He states, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well." Pride and Self-Righteousness The Pharisees were also known for their pride and self-righteousness, often seeking the praise of men rather than the approval of God. In Luke 18:9-14 , Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, illustrating the danger of self-righteousness. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I receive." In contrast, the tax collector humbly prayed for mercy, and Jesus concluded, "I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified." Burdening Others with Traditions Jesus also reproved the Pharisees for burdening the people with heavy loads of tradition that they themselves were unwilling to bear. In Matthew 23:4 , He says, "They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." Blindness to Spiritual Truth The Pharisees' hypocrisy blinded them to the truth of Jesus' message and the kingdom of God. In John 9:39-41 , after healing a man born blind, Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind." Some Pharisees who were with Him heard this and asked, "Are we blind too?" Jesus replied, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains." Summary The hypocrisy of the Pharisees, as reproved by Jesus, serves as a cautionary example of the dangers of legalism, self-righteousness, and the neglect of true spiritual values. Jesus' rebukes highlight the importance of sincerity, humility, and the pursuit of genuine righteousness that flows from a transformed heart. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 6:2-8,16-18Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 15:1-9 Matthew 16:1-12 Matthew 21:33-46 Matthew 23:2-33 Luke 11:14-54 Luke 12:1 Luke 15:1-9 Library The True Sign Woes on the Pharisees Twelfth Day. Fidelity in Rebuke. Levi-Matthew The Four-Fold Gospel Charity and Rebuke. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to ... Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount False Professors Solemnly Warned Resources If Jesus condemned the Pharisees for praying out loud, should we pray aloud? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Jesus writing in the dirt/sand when the Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.org Who were the Herodians? | 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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