Topical Encyclopedia The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, are frequently depicted in the New Testament as religious leaders who were in opposition to Jesus Christ. Their interactions with Jesus are marked by a persistent scrutiny of His actions and teachings, often with malicious intent. This entry explores the instances where the Pharisees watched Jesus with the aim of finding fault, as recorded in the Berean Standard Bible .Observing Jesus on the Sabbath One of the key areas where the Pharisees watched Jesus was His observance of the Sabbath. The Pharisees held strict interpretations of the Sabbath laws and sought to accuse Jesus of breaking these laws. In Matthew 12:10 , it is recorded, "And a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'" Here, the Pharisees' question was not out of genuine curiosity but rather an attempt to trap Jesus into making a statement or performing an action they could deem unlawful. Testing Jesus with Questions The Pharisees also attempted to ensnare Jesus through challenging questions. In Matthew 22:15 , it is noted, "Then the Pharisees went out and plotted to trap Jesus in His words." They questioned Him about paying taxes to Caesar, hoping to catch Him in a politically or religiously compromising statement. Jesus' response, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s" (Matthew 22:21), demonstrated His wisdom and thwarted their plans. Seeking to Discredit His Authority The Pharisees were also concerned with the authority by which Jesus taught and performed miracles. In Luke 20:20 , it is written, "Keeping a close watch on Him, they sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Him in something He said, so that they might hand Him over to the power and authority of the governor." This passage highlights their ongoing efforts to undermine Jesus' ministry by attempting to find grounds for His arrest. Accusations of Blasphemy The Pharisees were quick to accuse Jesus of blasphemy, particularly when He claimed divine authority. In Mark 2:6-7 , during the healing of the paralytic, it is recorded, "But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, 'Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" The Pharisees' internal accusations reveal their unwillingness to accept Jesus' divine identity and mission. Plotting His Death Ultimately, the Pharisees' scrutiny of Jesus culminated in their involvement in the plot to put Him to death. John 11:53 states, "So from that day on they plotted to kill Him." This decision followed the raising of Lazarus, a miracle that further solidified Jesus' authority and drew many to believe in Him, thus threatening the Pharisees' influence and control. Throughout the Gospels, the Pharisees' interactions with Jesus are characterized by a consistent pattern of watching Him with the intent to accuse, discredit, and ultimately destroy Him. Their actions serve as a testament to the opposition Jesus faced from established religious authorities during His earthly ministry. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 6:7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Withered Hand Healed on the Sabbath. --The Objections of the ... Woes on the Pharisees The Looks of Jesus Works which Hallow the Sabbath Conformed to the Image of Christ The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of ... "Thou Canst Make Me Clean" Christ Stills the Storm on the Lake of Galilee. At Gerasa - the Healing of the Demonised. Christ's People --Imitators of Him 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) |
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