Pharisees
Religious Zeal Without True Righteousness
Name Information
- Meaning: "Separated Ones" (Hebrew: Perushim)
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine (group)
The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious group during Jesus’ time, known for strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions. Though they were zealous for religious purity, many became spiritually blind, focusing on outward righteousness while neglecting inner transformation. They often opposed Jesus, who exposed their hypocrisy and called for genuine repentance and faith.
⏰ 1st century BC – 1st century AD
Roles
- Religious Leaders
- Teachers of the Law
Relationships
- Enemy: Jesus, Sadducees
- Friend: Scribes (often)
Story
Promoted strict observance of the Law and oral traditions.
Frequently challenged Jesus’ teaching and actions.
Accused Jesus of blasphemy and plotted His death.
Jesus rebuked them for being 'whitewashed tombs' — outwardly clean but inwardly corrupt (Matthew 23).
One Pharisee, Nicodemus, came to Jesus by night seeking the truth (John 3).
Saul (Paul) identified as a Pharisee before his conversion to Christ (Philippians 3:5).
Spiritual Significance
- Major religious group in Jewish society during the Second Temple period.
- Believed in the resurrection, angels, and the coming Messiah.
- Respected among the people but often rebuked by Jesus for hypocrisy.
- Opposed Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, associating with sinners, and claiming divine authority.
- Some, like Nicodemus and Paul, were eventually drawn to faith in Christ.
What We Can Learn
- External religion without heart transformation is empty.
- God desires mercy, not just sacrifice and ritual.
- Self-righteousness blinds us to our need for grace.
- True righteousness is found only through faith in Christ, not the law.
Memory Verses
Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
— Matthew 5:20
Key Passages
- Matthew 5:20
- Matthew 23
- Luke 11:37–52
- John 3:1–21
- Mark 7:1–13
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