The Pharisees, a prominent religious group during the Second Temple period, are frequently depicted in the New Testament as having a character marked by avarice, or an insatiable greed for wealth and material gain. This portrayal is particularly evident in the Gospels, where their actions and attitudes are often contrasted with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 16:14 : "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus." This verse explicitly identifies the Pharisees as "lovers of money," indicating their avaricious nature. Their love for wealth is shown to be in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized spiritual wealth over material possessions.

2. Matthew 23:25 : "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." Here, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, highlighting their greed as a core issue. The metaphor of the cup and dish illustrates their focus on outward appearances while neglecting inner righteousness.

3. Mark 12:40 : "They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation." This passage criticizes the Pharisees for exploiting vulnerable individuals, such as widows, for financial gain. Their avarice is further underscored by their use of religious practices as a facade to mask their true intentions.

Character Analysis:

The avaricious nature of the Pharisees is not merely a personal failing but is depicted as a systemic issue within their religious practices. Their love of money and material wealth often led them to prioritize financial gain over genuine spiritual leadership and care for the community. This greed is frequently linked to their hypocrisy, as they maintained a veneer of piety while engaging in exploitative and self-serving behaviors.

The New Testament narrative suggests that the Pharisees' avarice was a significant barrier to their acceptance of Jesus' message. Their attachment to wealth and status blinded them to the spiritual truths that Jesus preached, leading to their frequent opposition to His ministry. This portrayal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing material desires to overshadow spiritual responsibilities and integrity.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the avaricious character of the Pharisees serves as a warning against the corrupting influence of wealth and the importance of aligning one's actions with genuine faith. The New Testament encourages believers to seek treasures in heaven rather than on earth, emphasizing that true righteousness involves caring for others and living a life of humility and service. The Pharisees' example illustrates the potential for religious leaders to fall into the trap of greed, highlighting the need for vigilance and self-examination in the pursuit of spiritual leadership.Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:14
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Discourse Pronounced at a Feast against the Hypocrisy of the ...
... Still, the injunction may have been given in view of the character of the individual
Pharisees before him, who may have been known as avaricious men; and ...
/.../section 166 discourse pronounced at.htm

The Motives of Judas in Betraying Jesus.
... peculiarities, have allowed precisely this most avaricious disciple to ... but little
as to the character of his ... know how far the crafty Pharisees understood Judas ...
/.../section 264 the motives of.htm

Last Week of Jesus.
... of every one except the avaricious Judas of ... his exclusive preoccupation with the
divine character of Jesus ... completed the exasperation of the Pharisees and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxiii last week of.htm

The Clean and the Unclean
... conformed to Christ's image and character: these conjoined ... Avaricious grasping, they
call that only "the laws of ... more like swine than those Pharisees who make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... Egypt, bad character of, [1273]358 ... Fire, appointed for avaricious [1417]211; see
[1418]river of, [1419]365; thought of, good, [1420]382; makes riddance of thorns ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

Of Civil Government.
... eye, and tooth for tooth (as the Pharisees taught their ... of the Lord they sustain
a character on which ... we are rapaciously pillaged by an avaricious or luxurious ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism
... is not the mere business of a moment, but has a lasting character. ... Blind and impious
Pharisees! ... shall we assign for a man to feel himself avaricious or proud ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of baptism.htm

part ii
... poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." [682] "Except your righteousness
shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

part i
My Life in Christ. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

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Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees so harshly in Matthew 23:13 36? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

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