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 traditions of the elders. They held significant influence over the religious life of the Jewish people and were often seen as the guardians of Jewish orthodoxy. Despite their reputation for piety, the Pharisees are frequently depicted in the New Testament as being in opposition to Jesus and His teachings.One notable aspect of the Pharisees' interaction with the early Christian movement is their rejection of the baptism of John the Baptist. John, a prophetic figure, called the people of Israel to repentance and baptized them as a sign of their commitment to a renewed life in anticipation of the coming Messiah. His message was one of preparation for the imminent arrival of God's kingdom. The Pharisees' rejection of John's baptism is highlighted in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 7:29-30 , it is recorded: "All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John." This passage underscores the Pharisees' refusal to accept John's message and baptism, which was a call to repentance and a recognition of the need for spiritual renewal. Their rejection is portrayed as a rejection of God's purpose, indicating a deeper spiritual blindness and resistance to the divine plan unfolding through John and, subsequently, through Jesus Christ. The Pharisees' rejection of John's baptism can be understood in the context of their broader opposition to any movement that threatened their religious authority and interpretation of the Law. John's call for repentance and his emphasis on inner transformation challenged the Pharisaic focus on external observance and ritual purity. Furthermore, John's association with the marginalized and his critique of the religious establishment would have been seen as a direct challenge to the Pharisees' status and influence. In the broader narrative of the Gospels, the Pharisees' rejection of John's baptism is emblematic of their resistance to the new covenant that Jesus was inaugurating. While many individuals from various walks of life responded to John's call and later to Jesus' message, the Pharisees, as a body, remained largely unyielding, clinging to their traditions and interpretations of the Law. The rejection of John's baptism by the Pharisees serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual pride and the refusal to recognize God's work in unexpected ways. It highlights the importance of humility and openness to divine revelation, themes that resonate throughout the New Testament and continue to be relevant for believers today. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 7:30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Nicodemus. In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the ... Concerning Baptism. Jesus Baptized by John in the Jordan. The Baptism of Jesus: Its Higher Meaning. Thwarting God's Purpose Index of Subjects. Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ... Homilies on the Gospel of John. Index of Subjects. 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
    |