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 traditions of the elders, the Pharisees were influential in shaping Jewish religious life. However, Jesus Christ frequently criticized them for their self-righteousness and hypocrisy, declaring their perceived righteousness as insufficient for true spiritual standing before God.

Critique of Pharisaic Righteousness

Jesus' critique of the Pharisees is most notably captured in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 5:20 , Jesus states, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This declaration underscores the inadequacy of the Pharisees' righteousness, which was largely external and ceremonial, lacking the internal transformation and genuine obedience that God desires.

Hypocrisy and Legalism

The Pharisees were often rebuked by Jesus for their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:27-28 , He says, "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 vivid imagery highlights the disconnect between their outward appearance and inner reality.

Their legalism is further criticized in Matthew 23:23 , where Jesus points out their focus on minor aspects of the law while neglecting its weightier matters: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

In Luke 18:9-14 , Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to illustrate the insufficiency of self-righteousness. The Pharisee, standing by himself, 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, standing at a distance, beats his breast and says, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Jesus concludes, "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Call to True Righteousness

Jesus' teachings emphasize that true righteousness is not about external compliance with the law but about a transformed heart. In Matthew 15:8-9 , He quotes Isaiah, saying, "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." This call to genuine faith and obedience is a central theme in Jesus' ministry, contrasting with the Pharisees' focus on ritual and tradition.

Conclusion

Through His interactions and teachings, Jesus Christ consistently declared the righteousness of the Pharisees to be insufficient, emphasizing the need for a heart aligned with God's will. His critique serves as a reminder of the importance of inner transformation and sincere devotion over mere outward religious observance.Matthew 5:20
For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Paul Before Festus and Agrippa.
... His connexion with the Pharisees he had now renounced, as ... to be believed, when God
has declared his intention ... convert to the religion of Christ, his conscience ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxviii paul before festus.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? ... the prototypes of Jesus assailing
the Pharisees and driving ... in Isaiah's day, last and most fondly as Christ. ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

part ii
... exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall ... of everything and
everybody is"the imaginary life; whilst ... us from the love of Christ [and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.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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