The Pharisees were a prominent religious and political group within Judaism during the Second Temple period, particularly from the second century BC to the first century AD. They are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, where they often appear in opposition to Jesus Christ and His teachings. The name "Pharisee" is believed to derive from the Hebrew word "perushim," meaning "separated ones," which reflects their emphasis on ritual purity and separation from what they considered to be defilement.

Historical Background

The Pharisees emerged during a time of great social and religious upheaval in Jewish history. Following the Maccabean Revolt and the subsequent Hasmonean dynasty, Jewish society was divided into various sects, each with its own interpretation of the Torah and vision for Jewish life. The Pharisees distinguished themselves by their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that they believed were handed down alongside the written Torah.

Beliefs and Practices

The Pharisees were known for their rigorous observance of the Law and their commitment to maintaining the purity of Jewish religious practices. They believed in the authority of both the written Torah and the oral traditions, which they considered essential for interpreting and applying the Law to daily life. This oral tradition was later codified in the Mishnah and the Talmud.

Key beliefs of the Pharisees included the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirits, and the coming of a Messiah who would restore Israel. They also emphasized the importance of free will and human responsibility in conjunction with divine providence.

Interactions with Jesus

In the New Testament, the Pharisees are often depicted as opponents of Jesus, challenging His teachings and actions. They are frequently criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Despite this, not all Pharisees were hostile to Jesus. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, sought out Jesus to learn from Him (John 3:1-21), and later defended Him before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). Additionally, the Apostle Paul, before his conversion, identified himself as a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5).

Influence and Legacy

The Pharisees played a significant role in shaping the development of Rabbinic Judaism after the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. Their emphasis on the oral law and adaptability to changing circumstances allowed Judaism to survive and thrive in the diaspora. The Pharisaic tradition laid the groundwork for the rabbinic teachings that continue to influence Jewish thought and practice today.

In summary, the Pharisees were a complex and influential group within Jewish society, known for their devotion to the Law and their significant impact on both the religious landscape of their time and the future of Judaism. Their interactions with Jesus provide important insights into the religious dynamics of the New Testament era.Acts 15:5
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Alexandra Reigns Nine Years, During which Time the Pharisees were ...
... 2. And now the Pharisees joined themselves to her, to assist her in the government.
These are a certain sect of the Jews that appear more religious than others ...
/.../chapter 5 alexandra reigns nine.htm

Another Sect of the Esseni: the Pharisees.
... Chapter XXIII."Another Sect of the Esseni: the Pharisees. ... and in respect of the laws,
are called Pharisees. ... inasmuch as, though all are styled Jews, yet, on ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxiii another sect of the.htm

Concerning Zamaris, the Babylonian Jew; Concerning the Plots Laid ...
... those that are called the sect of the Pharisees, who were ... A cunning sect they were,
and soon elevated to a pitch ... when all the people of the Jews gave assurance ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning zamaris the.htm

Relations of the Pharisees and Sadducees to the Baptist.
... Pharisees were fully imbued with the spirit of the sect. ... v., 35, seems to imply that
the Pharisees received and ... to tell them that if the Jews disgraced their ...
/.../section 36 relations of the.htm

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... what Josephus says in the name of the Pharisees, that only ... ch.1. sect.3, that the
soul's vigor is immortal ... Paul's account of the doctrine of the Jews, that they ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

Matt. xxii. 15
... A sect of the Jews dif ferent from the Pharisees, and much worse than they, who
said, "that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit." [2616] For these ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxx matt xxii 15.htm

Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
... Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect. ... and for medicinal purposes.] 43
Woe unto you, Pharisees! ... unclean without knowing it, the Jews white-washed ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/li dining with a pharisee.htm

Jesus and the Blind Man.
... In verses 13-17, the examination of the blind man is conducted by the Pharisees;
now not that sect alone, but "the Jews," the official influence of Jerusalem ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and the blind man.htm

The Pharisee and Publican
... to pray (and never two men of more opposite characters) the one a Pharisee and the
other a Publican." The Pharisees were the strictest sect among the Jews. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the pharisee and publican.htm

St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ.
... No sect among the Jews was more bitter against Christ"no ... Yet numbers of that sect
obtained mercy. ... The Pharisees "had a zeal for God, though not according to ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ix st pauls wish.htm

What is the leaven of the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

Why did John the Baptist refer to the Pharisees as a brood of vipers? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus refer to the Pharisees as a “child of hell” in Matthew 23:15? | GotQuestions.org

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