The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judea during the Second Temple period, known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the traditions of the elders. Their name, derived from the Hebrew word "perushim," means "separated ones," indicating their commitment to living a life set apart in holiness and obedience to God's commandments.

Zeal for the Law

The Pharisees' zeal for the Law is evident throughout the New Testament, where they are frequently depicted as meticulous in their observance of both the written and oral traditions. They believed that strict adherence to the Law was essential for maintaining purity and righteousness before God. This zeal is highlighted in passages such as Matthew 23:23, where Jesus acknowledges their diligence in tithing even the smallest of herbs: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

The Pharisees' commitment to the Law extended beyond personal piety; they sought to influence the broader Jewish community to uphold these standards. They were known for their role in the synagogues, where they taught and interpreted the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of living according to God's commandments. Acts 23:6-8 provides insight into their beliefs, particularly their adherence to doctrines such as the resurrection, angels, and spirits, which set them apart from other Jewish sects like the Sadducees.

Conflict with Jesus

Despite their zeal, the Pharisees often found themselves in conflict with Jesus, who challenged their interpretation and application of the Law. Jesus criticized them for their focus on external observance while neglecting the weightier matters of the heart. In Mark 7:6-8, Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.' You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men."

The Pharisees' emphasis on ritual purity and legalistic righteousness often led to a self-righteous attitude, which Jesus condemned. In Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector illustrates this point. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, prays, "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 acquire." In contrast, the tax collector humbly acknowledges his sinfulness, and Jesus declares him justified before God.

Influence and Legacy

Despite their conflicts with Jesus, the Pharisees played a significant role in the development of Rabbinic Judaism. Their emphasis on the oral law and interpretation of the Scriptures laid the groundwork for the Mishnah and Talmud, which continue to be central texts in Jewish religious life. The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, reflects on his past zeal for the Law in Philippians 3:5-6, where he describes himself as "a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness under the Law, faultless."

The Pharisees' dedication to the Law serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking a balance between external observance and internal transformation. Their account challenges believers to pursue a faith that is both rooted in the truth of God's Word and expressed through love, justice, and mercy.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

Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Woes on the Pharisees
... It is the motive that gives character to our acts ... "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! ... the dead prophets, the Jews were very zealous in beautifying ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 67 woes on the.htm

Character and Condition of the Churches to whom the Epistle was ...
... if we base our confidence on a zealous devotion to ... Of the same character was that
dead learning in the ... such as Christ condemned in the Pharisees, who thought ...
/.../the epistle of james practically explained/ 4 character and condition.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... which had induced him, who was once zealous for the ... Jesus Christ, who had assumed
the character of high ... part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... in these words, " they who, bearing the character of Teachers ... 2. The Pharisees were
a very ancient sect, or body of ... For they were zealous of the law in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 25 upon our lords.htm

Paul a Prisoner
... of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God ... put him to death; and the
Pharisees were as ... undermine confidence in their integrity of character, and thus ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 38 paul a prisoner.htm

Controversy
... young men, who were ardent and zealous, and whom ... human power for that transformation
of character which can ... would give still further offense to the Pharisees. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 66 controversy.htm

The General Epistle of James
... such a cursory view of the character of this ... party in union with the influential
Pharisees which harried ... myriads" of Christian Jews who were zealous for the Law ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xx the general epistle.htm

The Historical Situation
... earnest spirit had died out in zealous formalism. ... there was frequent substitution
of reputation for character. The Pharisees could make void the command, Honor ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

Jew and Gentile
... that had resulted because certain converted Pharisees had gone to ... But when certain
Jews who were zealous for the ... to reveal this weakness of character in order ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 19 jew and gentile.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... throws much light on the private character of Paul ... welcome reception from those who
were zealous for the ... there "arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

What are the differences between the Sadducees and Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

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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