Topical Encyclopedia The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in Judea during the time of Jesus Christ. Known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions, they held significant influence over the religious life of the Jewish people. The Pharisees are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, often in the context of their interactions and confrontations with Jesus.One of the most striking comparisons Jesus makes regarding the Pharisees is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where He likens them to "whited sepulchres." This metaphor is a powerful critique of their spiritual condition and religious practices. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "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." This comparison highlights several key aspects of the Pharisees' character and behavior: 1. Outward Appearance vs. Inward Reality: The Pharisees were meticulous in maintaining an appearance of piety and righteousness. They were known for their public displays of religious devotion, such as praying in the synagogues and on street corners, fasting, and giving alms. However, Jesus exposes the disparity between their external actions and their internal spiritual state. Like whitewashed tombs, they were outwardly clean and attractive but inwardly corrupt and decayed. 2. Hypocrisy: Jesus' use of the term "hypocrites" underscores the Pharisees' tendency to project a false image of holiness while harboring sin and moral decay within. Their focus on external rituals and legalistic observance often overshadowed the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). 3. Moral and Spiritual Corruption: The imagery of being "full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity" suggests a deep-seated moral and spiritual corruption. Despite their knowledge of the Scriptures and religious practices, the Pharisees failed to recognize the true essence of God's commandments and the need for inner transformation. 4. Judgment and Accountability: Jesus' pronouncement of "woe" serves as a warning of impending judgment. The Pharisees' failure to align their hearts with God's will and their resistance to Jesus' message placed them in a precarious position before God. Their reliance on self-righteousness and legalism blinded them to the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ. The comparison to whited sepulchres serves as a cautionary illustration of the dangers of religious formalism devoid of genuine faith and humility. It calls believers to examine their own hearts, ensuring that their outward expressions of faith are matched by an inward transformation through the Holy Spirit. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 23:27Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul. The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ... The Land and the People. A Description of Heart-Purity The Morality of the Gospel. Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election. False Profession. Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ... Resources What is the leaven of the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.orgWhy 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 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) |
    |