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, the Pharisees often found themselves at odds with Jesus, whose teachings challenged their interpretations and practices. The Gospels provide numerous accounts of the Pharisees being offended by the doctrine of Christ, which ultimately contributed to the tension between them and Jesus.

Conflict with Tradition

The Pharisees prided themselves on their meticulous observance of the law and their traditions. Jesus, however, emphasized the spirit of the law over the letter, often highlighting the hypocrisy in the Pharisees' practices. In Matthew 15:3-9 , Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes, saying, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, 'Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: '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.'"

Authority and Forgiveness

The Pharisees were also offended by Jesus' claims of authority, particularly His authority to forgive sins. In Mark 2:5-7 , when Jesus forgives the sins of a paralytic, the Pharisees question, "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus' assertion of divine authority was a direct challenge to the Pharisees' understanding of God and the law.

Sabbath Observance

Another point of contention was Jesus' approach to the Sabbath. The Pharisees had strict rules regarding what constituted work on the Sabbath, and Jesus' actions often violated their interpretations. In Mark 2:23-28 , Jesus and His disciples pluck heads of grain on the Sabbath, prompting the Pharisees to question Him. Jesus responds, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." This statement not only challenged their legalistic view of the Sabbath but also asserted His lordship over it.

Parables and Warnings

Jesus frequently used parables to convey truths that were often critical of the Pharisees. In Matthew 21:45-46 , after hearing the parables of the two sons and the wicked tenants, the chief priests and Pharisees realized that Jesus was speaking about them. "When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that He was speaking about them. Although they wanted to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, because they considered Jesus a prophet."

Denunciation of Hypocrisy

Perhaps the most direct offense came from Jesus' denunciation of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the Pharisees, criticizing their outward show of piety while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In Matthew 23:27-28 , He 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."

The Pharisees' offense at Jesus' doctrine was rooted in their inability to reconcile His teachings with their established religious framework. Their opposition to Jesus was not merely a matter of theological disagreement but a profound challenge to their authority and understanding of God's will.Matthew 15:12
Then came his disciples, and said to him, Know you that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 21:45
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.
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

What Think Ye of Christ?
... question our Lord put to the Pharisees in the ... I would never preach the gospel of
Christ again ... sacrifice, satisfaction and oblation to infinitely offended justice ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

The Manner in which Christ Served.
... "And they were offended at Him" (6:3). The Christ of God did not suit everybody;
far from it. ... "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/iii the manner in which.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
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/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

Sermons on the Card.
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she had offended God; whereby she conceived in Christ great love ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/sermons on the card.htm

The People's Christ
... stood and cried, "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ... But I believe Jesus
Christ is to come upon the ... find that in so doing ye have offended the Man ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

Directions How to Hear Sermons
... those of his own country; for they were offended at him ... ministers speak not in their
own, but Christ's name ... to do whatsoever the Scribes and Pharisees should say ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/directions how to hear sermons.htm

Matt. vii. 28
... and desiring to find a handle like the Pharisees; and after ... but though he perceived
that he was offended at his ... towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxv matt vii 28.htm

The Good Samaritan
... Who is offended, and I burn not?'"Oh, who does not ... say that, save his own children,
the Pharisees, if there ... spirit of humanity"the spirit of Christ and of ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xiii the good samaritan.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... For the doctrine of Jesus Christ, like his blesses self, is "the same ... a certain parable,
it is said, "the scribes and Pharisees were offended, for they ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

Christ the Only Preservative against a Reprobate Spirit
... unto Jesus: Do not go away scoffing, offended, or blaspheming ... all ye liars; come,
all ye Pharisees; come, all ... swearers, and blasphemers, come to Christ, and he ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the only preservative against.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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